Patent Publication Number: US-2005127064-A1

Title: Domestic appliance, in particular cooking appliance comprising a memory unit

Description:
A cooking appliance with a plurality of heating elements and a control device as well as a memory unit is known from DE 296 05 567 U1. In one embodiment it is provided that electrical, non-volatile memory means are provided to store additional variables and/or cycle times which are varied compared with variables and/or cycle times stored fixedly in an EEPROM. It is thereby achieved that various cooking and/or baking times, heating and/or parboil/simmer temperatures and the like can be stored.  
      Varied settings are input via suitable up/down buttons. Thus, an arbitrary temperature can be initially pre-selected and then a desired operating mode can be released by actuating a corresponding program button or first the operating mode and then an arbitrary temperature is set.  
      The object of the invention is to provide a domestic appliance, e.g. in particular a cooking appliance which is more convenient to use. The object is solved according to the invention by the features of claim  1  whilst advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be obtained from the dependent claims.  
      A domestic appliance, in particular a cooking appliance is proposed which has at least one heating element and a control device as well as a write unit which can be used to log the process parameters for process stages in an at least partly automated manner in a memory unit, and which comprises a read unit which can read out the logged process parameters from the memory unit, wherein an output unit can at least output variables relating to the duration of a process stage and the heating performance delivered during a process stage, and the process parameters can be used for at least partially automated control of a process by means of the control device. Process sequences can be conveniently stored and then simply checked, identified and selected. Variables relating to a heating performance delivered in a process stages should be understood in this connection as temperature values, power values, for example, wattage, abstract power stages, for example, values between zero and nine, etc.  
      If the at least individual variables can be successively output for the process stages via the output unit, firstly the processes can be shown particularly clearly, especially for identification, and inexpensive output units can be achieved.  
      The variables for the process stages can be executed such that they can be successively retrieved manually and/or in at least one operating state the control device successively outputs the variables for the process stages automatically via the output unit. In the latter case, manual inputs to output variables can be at least largely avoided and the convenience can again be increased.  
      If the control device outputs at least individual variables before the start of an at least partially automated process along logged process parameters to identify the process via the output unit, the user can conveniently, simply and quickly identify whether the stored process parameters for example are suitable for the preparation of the food planned to be cooked.  
      If at least one further variable can be input for stored process parameters via an input unit and stored in the memory unit, the allocation and identification can be further simplified and the cooking results further improved with the logged process parameters. The input can be made acoustically, for example, via a speech recognition and/or via buttons, toggles etc. With the additional variable which can be input, various aspects which appear meaningful to the person skilled in the art can be described in more detail, such as for example prepared food to be cooked, a cooking result, boiling instructions, ingredients, times of incorporating ingredients and their state before and/or after the process, handling of a cover, an advantageous stirring behaviour etc.  
      If at least one logged process parameter can be varied via an input unit before and/or during an automated process sequence, a fine tuning can advantageously be carried out by the user and the process can be matched to certain boundary conditions such as, for example, the quantity and/or consistency of food to be cooked. In order to avoid additional components as far as possible, the input unit for inputting at least one further variable and/or the input unit for varying at least one logged process parameter can advantageously be executed at least integrally with an input unit for controlling the heating element already provided as standard.  
      Instead of before the start of an automated process, variables can especially be output via the output unit for currently logged parameters after a process has been carried out so that the user can check the logged process parameters. If the result of the process and/or accordingly the logged process parameters did not correspond to the ideas of the user, it is possible to provide a function with which the user can prevent a permanent storage of the currently logged process parameters or can correct the logged process parameters.  
      In a further embodiment of the invention it is proposed that at least one logged process parameter can be automatically optimised by means of a processing unit with respect to at least one criterion such as for example energy consumption, vitamin content etc, whereby improved processes can be achieved. For this purpose corresponding index fields and/or algorithms can be deposited in the memory unit.  
      The variables can be output via the output unit acoustically, especially in the form of speech, and/or visually. If the variables can be output via the output unit by means of a diagram with at least two coordinates, an especially clear representation can be achieved.  
      In a further embodiment of the invention it is proposed that, in addition to the function of outputting the variables, the output unit has at least one further function. Additional components as well as assembly and costs associated therewith can at least be largely avoided. It is especially advantageous if an already existing output unit for outputting currently set temperatures, power stages, time values etc. is executed at least largely integrally with the output unit for outputting the variables.  
      If the output unit comprises at least one display element which has seven segments for displaying a number from zero to nine, an inexpensive output unit can be achieved with which the variables can be very clearly displayed.  
      In order to continuously ensure clear usage, the number of logged process stages is restricted to a number less than 10. Furthermore the logging time is advantageously restricted to a time interval of less than two hours.  
      Further advantages are obtained from the following description of the drawings. The drawings show exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will more appropriately also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations. 
    
    
      In the figures:  
       FIG. 1  is a section of a cooking appliance shown schematically from above with a sensor control system on the cover side of the cooking appliance and  
       FIG. 2  is a rotary toggle of an alternative cooking appliance. 
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows a cooking appliance with four hot plates  20 ,  21 , only two of the four hot plates  20 ,  21  being shown. Associated with each of the hot plates  20 ,  21  is a heating element  10 ,  11  which are arranged underneath a cover side of the cooking appliance. The cooking appliance also has a control device  12  which has an integrated write unit  13 , an integrated memory unit  14 , an integrated read unit  15  and an integrated processing unit  38 .  
      The heating elements  10 ,  11  can be controlled by a user by means of a sensor control system  22  on the cover side of the cooking appliance and by means of the control device  12 . The sensor control system  22  can be switched on and off using a first so-called on/off sensor  37 . When the sensor control system  22  is switched on, a signal light  31  lights up above the sensor  37 . When the sensor control system  22  is switched on, a heating step can be set for each hot plate  20 ,  21  by means of respectively two sensors  24 ,  24 ′,  25 ,  25 ′,  26 ,  26 ′,  27 ,  27 ′ and the respective heating step can be increased using a sensor  24 ′,  25 ′,  26 ′,  27 ′ labelled “plus” and the respective heating step can be reduced using a sensor  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27  labelled “minus”. The heating step selected by the user is in each case displayed to the user by means of a display element  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   e ,  19   f  with seven luminous segments associated with the corresponding hot plate  20 ,  21 , wherein numbers from zero to nine respectively can be displayed using the display elements  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   e ,  19   f.    
      In addition, the cooking appliance has a timer unit which can be used to set how long a hot plate  20 ,  21  should be operated with a certain heating step. The time unit comprises two sensors  28 ,  28 ′ on the cover side of the cooking appliance via which the user can set a certain heating time and specifically a sensor  28 ′ labelled “plus” to lengthen the heating time and a sensor  28  labelled “minus” to shorten the heating time. The selected heating time is displayed in two display elements  19   c ,  19   d  each having seven luminous segments. Furthermore, it is also displayed to the user via signal lights  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d  for which hot plate  20 ,  21  the time unit is activated, the signal lights  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d  each being arranged above the display elements  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   e ,  19   f.    
      If process parameters are to be logged in automated fashion via the write unit  13  in the memory unit  14  for process stages of a cooking process, for this purpose the user must touch the sensor  29  labelled “M” for longer than 0.5 sec. A signal light  30  labelled “REC” then displays to the user by lighting up that it is ready to log or ready to receive. Furthermore, a signal light  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  or  32   d  labelled “M” of the last heating element  10 ,  11  activated flashes, the signal lights  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c ,  32   d  associated with the heating elements  10 ,  11  being arranged respectively next to the display elements  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   e ,  19   f  associated with the heating elements  10 ,  11 . If a heating element  10  or  11  is only activated after actuating the sensor  29 , the signal light  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  or  32   d  associated with the heating element  10  or  11  begins to flash immediately the heating element  10  or  11  is activated. Receiving begins 5 sec after the read unit  15  has been activated by the user or 5 sec after the following activation of a heating element  10  or  11  if no heating element  10  or  11  is activated at the time of activating the read unit  15 . The duration of the process stage of the individual process stages is in this case received with a resolution of 10 sec but other resolutions which appear meaningful to the person skilled in the art are also feasible.  
      If the cooking appliance has a function via which a present temperature can be kept constant, such as is especially the case with induction heating elements, the times at which the function is activated and deactivated and the corresponding temperature for the automated control of a following process are logged via the read unit  15 .  
      In order to ensure clear logging of a process, the control device  12  only allows the logging of a single process at the same time. If an attempt is made to log a second process at a second heating element  10  or  11  parallel to a first process at a first heating element  10  or  11 , the signal light  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  or  32   d  labelled “M”, associated with the second heating element  10  or  11  flashes three times in order to signal to the user that the logging of the second process is rejected.  
      The readiness to receive is interrupted if the user touches the sensor  29  again for longer than 0.5 sec, he actuates the sensor  37 , he set the cooking step to zero or a maximum number of process stages or a maximum receiving time is exceeded. The number of receivable process steps is advantageously limited to 5 and the receiving time is limited to 99 min. If the readiness to receive is interrupted, the signal light  30  labelled “REC” and the signal light  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  or  32   d  labelled “M” goes out.  
      If the stored process parameters are to be read out from the memory unit  14  via the read unit  15  and used for automated control of a cooking process via the control device  12 , for this purpose the user must simultaneously actuate the sensors  24 ,  24 ′,  25 ,  25 ′,  26 ,  26 ′ or  27 ,  27 ′ labelled “plus” or “minus” of the hot plate  20  or  21  to be selected or touch the sensor  29  labelled “M” for less than 0.5 sec before or after activating a heating element  10 ,  11 . The signal lights  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c  or  23   d  and  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  or  32   d  associated with the selected heating element  10  or  11  begin to light up.  
      Before starting the automated cooking process along the logged process parameters, the control device  12  outputs respectively one variable relating to the duration of the process stage and one variable relating to the heating performance selected in the process stage via the output unit  16  to identify the cooking process successively for the process stages and for each process stage the duration of the process stage in minutes is displayed for 2 sec in the display elements  19   c ,  19   d  and the heating step is displayed in the display element  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   e  or  19   f  associated with the selected heating element  10 ,  11 .  
      After the brief overview the control device  12  controls the selected heating element  10  or  11  automatically along the logged process parameters, wherein the respectively present heating step is displayed in the display element  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   e  or  19   f  of the heating element  10  or  11  and the remaining total time of the cooking process is displayed in the display elements  19   c ,  19   d . During the automated cooking process the heating step and the duration of the process stage cannot be varied by the user via the sensor control system  22 .  
      If the user touches the sensor  28  labelled “minus” of the timer unit during the automated cooking process, the remaining heating time with the present heating step or the remaining duration of the process stage is displayed to the user for 3 sec. If the sensor  28 ′ labelled “plus” is touched by the user, the heating step and the duration of the process stage of the following process stages is displayed to the user. If the sensor  28 ′ is touched twice in succession, the heating step and the process stage duration of the next but one process stage is displayed to the user etc.  
      At the end of the cooking process a beep tone is emitted via a loudspeaker  33  and zeros are displayed in the display elements  19   c ,  19   d.    
      The stored process parameters associated with a heating element  10  or  11  can be deleted from the memory unit  14  by activating the read unit  15  at the heating step zero of the heating element  10  or  11 .  
      Instead of or in addition to the first output unit  16 , an alternative output unit  17  can be provided. In  FIG. 1  on the side of the on/off sensor  37  facing away from the first output unit  16 , a second input and output unit  17  formed by a so-called touch screen is indicated, via which further variables can be input and stored in the memory unit  14 . A microphone not shown in detail can be activated via the input and output unit  17  and a name can be assigned to a stored process via speech recognition, which is output before starting the automated process acoustically via the loudspeaker  33  and visually via the screen of the input and output unit  17 . In addition, cooking results and recipe proposals and other notes can be input via speech recognition and output both acoustically and visually.  
      Furthermore, variables can be output by means of a diagram  18  with a time coordinate and a power coordinate via the input and output unit  17 .  
      Furthermore, individual process parameters can be varied via the input and output unit  17  and especially optimised with respect to certain criteria and specifically with respect to power consumption and vitamin content. For this purpose, various index fields are deposited in the memory unit  14  with which the stored process parameters are balanced by means of the processing unit  38  of the control device  12 .  
      In addition to the cooking appliance shown, the solution according to the invention can be used in all cooking appliances which appear suitable to the person skilled in the art and especially in cooking appliances whose heating elements are controllable by means of piezosensors and/or rotary toggles.  FIG. 2  shows a rotary toggle  34  of a heating element of a cooking appliance. The activation and deactivation of a write and read unit via the rotary toggle  34  is described subsequently as an example wherein reference can basically be made to the description relating to the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 1  with regard to further sequences and functions.  
      In order to activate the write unit, the rotary toggle  34  is turned into a turning position or a so-called memory position in which a marker  35  on the rotary toggle  34  comes to lie between a number zero and nine of a scale  36  applied to a front side of a cooking appliance. The memory position is indicated with an arrow  39  on the scale  36 . The rotary toggle  34  is then pressed for longer than 0.5 sec.  
      The write unit can be deactivated via the rotary toggle  34  by turning the rotary toggle  34  back to its zero position or if this is turned out from its memory position, then turning it back into the memory position and leaving it in this position for longer than 5 sec.  
      In order to start the read unit and thus an automated process along logged process parameters, the rotary toggle  34  is turned into its memory position. The process can be interrupted by means of the rotary toggle  34  by turning this out of its memory position during the process.  
     REFERENCE LIST  
     
         
           10  Heating element  
           11  Heating element  
           12  Control device  
           13  Write unit  
           14  Memory unit  
           15  Read unit  
           16  Output unit  
           17  Input and output unit  
           18  Diagram  
           19  Display element  
           20  Hot plate  
           21  Hot plate  
           22  Sensor control system  
           23  Signal light  
           24  Sensor  
           25  Sensor  
           26  Sensor  
           27  Sensor  
           28  Sensor  
           29  Sensor  
           30  Signal light  
           31  Signal light  
           32  Signal light  
           33  Loudspeaker  
           34  Rotary toggle  
           35  Marker  
           36  Scale  
           37  Sensor  
           38  Processing unit  
           39  Arrow