EP2380396B2 - Method for operating an electric food preparation device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating an electrical, d. h., electrically operable, food preparation apparatus of an operating device and such an operating device.

There are known methods for transmitting information from a cooking appliance to a heating device, in particular a transmission of a temperature for temperature control.

So revealed DE 197 29 662 A1 an information transmission system for automatically operated cooking vessels on a heating device of a cooking area. A cooking vessel transmits information directly from sensors located inside the cooking vessel to receiving means directly associated with the heating device. For this purpose, located on the cooking vessel or its lid, for example, a transmitting coil for emitting the signals. The signals are directed downwards via a ferrite rod, where they are received by the receiving means. A controller adjusts the performance of the heating device according to the information and selected specifications.

Another cooking facility is off DE 101 17 545 A1 in which there is a wireless transmission link for automatic cooking between a sensor of a cookware and a receiver controlling a control device of a heating device. In order to increase the safety during automatic cooking, the transmission path is designed redundantly such that the same state values of a sensor of a cookware are transmitted via at least two different physical channels.

Further describes EP 1 121 219 25 B1 a method and apparatus for magnetic induction heating, provided with a radio identification unit for identification of the goods to be heated.

WO 2007/107888 A2 describes a food preparation system having a non-contact power supply for activating a cooking appliance. The food preparation system includes a communication system for facilitating communication between a cooking appliance and the system. The device transmits an identifier to the system. If the device does not have a transmission unit, the system attempts to determine the type of device by characterizing the load pick up by the device. If the device can not be characterized, the food preparation system can be operated manually.

US 6,953,919 discloses an RFID-controlled intelligent induction area as well as a cooking and heating method. This document discloses a system and method for providing multiple cooking modes and the ability to automatically heat cookware and other objects using RFID technology, as well as the ability to read and write heating instructions and to interactively support their execution. An induction heating area with two antennas per cooking zone is provided and includes a user interface display and an input mechanism. The dishes include an RFID tag and a temperature sensor. In a first cooking mode, a recipe is read by the induction area, and the induction area assists a user in making the recipe by automatically heating the dishes to the specified temperatures and encouraging the user to add ingredients.

WO 02/01918 discloses a household electric appliance supply and a household appliance provided therewith. The household appliance supply comprises: a power supply for household electrical appliances, comprising: at least one mains connection and at least one plug for a detachable electrical coupling of the power supply to a household appliance, characterized in that the power supply is also equipped with a measuring and control device for controlling a supply signal, which is generated from the power supply by means of a control signal transmitted from the coupled household appliance. The document also concerns a household apparatus for interacting with such a power supply.

WO 2007/088209 discloses an electrical domestic appliance system comprising a device base and at least one cordless household electrical appliance which can be removably mounted on the appliance base, the appliance base having a support surface for the at least one cordless domestic electrical appliance and first electrical connection means for transmitting electrical energy from the appliance base the household appliances, and wherein the at least one cordless household electrical appliance comprises at least one electrical load and second electrical connection means which are coupled to the first electrical connection means of the device base such that electrical energy from the first electrical connection means via the second electrical connection means to the electrical Consumers of the cordless household electrical appliance can be transmitted, wherein the first and second connecting means for inductive Übert tion of electrical energy from the device base to the cordless household electrical appliance. The household system is characterized in that the device base comprises means for detecting a arranged on the support surface cordless home appliance. The document also relates to equipment bases and household appliances adapted for use in such a system.

DE 10 2006 017 801 A1 discloses a power supply unit comprising a primary power transmission unit having a transmission area which cooperates in wireless with one in the Transmission area and separable from the transmission range secondary energy receiving unit for supplying an energy consumer with energy is provided. In order to achieve, in particular, a high degree of operating safety, it is proposed that the energy supply unit has a detection unit which is provided to detect the presence of an object which is different from the secondary energy reception unit into the transmission area.

DE 198 28 170 A1 discloses cookware for smart cookers in which a radio-scannable passive surface-wave device is integrated. By contactless querying of the SAW device, a code integrated therein with statements about properties of the pot or information about the height of an environmental parameter can be determined. In the system with an intelligent stove, the fully automatic control of a cooking program is possible.

Out: Pine, A .; Reindl, LM, "Inductively Coupled Sensor / Actuator System for Closed-Loop Control Applications at High Temperature and Aggressive Environments," Sensors, 2007 IEEE, October 28-31, 2007, pages 1396-1399 , or out Pine, A .; Reindl, LM "Inductively Coupled Sensor / Actuator System for Digital Closed-Loop Control Applications at High Operating Temperatures", 2nd WSEAS Int. Conf. on CIRCUITS, SYSTEMS, SIGNAL and TELECOMMUNICATIONS (CISST'08), Acapulco, Mexico, January 25-27, 2008 , a sensor / actuator system for high temperature applications is known, in which the complete measuring electronics and the sensors are integrated in the actuator. The data transmission is implemented as a point-to-point "Power Line Communication" (PLC) between the sensor / actuator system and its control unit. A separable transformer acts as an inductively coupled, non-contact connection for both power transmission and bidirectional PLC data, enabling perfect hermetic sealing.

DE 195 10 140 A1 discloses an electronic control for household appliances, in particular for cookers and hobs, wherein a flexible control device communicates bidirectionally with device modules, wherein at least three modules are connected to the control device.

Also the WO 2008/017113 A1 discloses a method of operating a prior art food processor.

The method is used to operate an electric food preparation device at a power transmission area of an operating device set up to operate the food preparation device. An energy transmission area means in its generality any area by means of which energy can be transmitted to the food preparation appliance for its operation. The transmitted energy can be transmitted, for example as heat energy, z. B. in a power transmission area in the form of an induction resistance heating plate or a heat radiator. However, the transmitted energy can also be transmitted in the form of an alternating magnetic field, such as for generating an eddy current in a ferromagnetic bottom of a cooking utensil ("eddy boil") or for example for inducing a voltage in a coil of an electric food preparation device, the voltage for operation the food preparation device is used, for. B. for heating a heating resistor of an electric cooking utensils ("induction cooking" or "transformatory cooking"). While the methods based on a transfer of heat and eddy current cooking are suitable exclusively for operating cooking utensils (pots, pans, etc.) as food preparation devices, inductive energy transmission of the induction cooking may also include other food preparation devices such as electrically operated small domestic appliances (eg toasters). Coffee maker, microwave, waffle iron, etc.).

• (a) Ablaufen lassen eines automatischen Identifizierungsvorgangs zur Identifizierung mindestens eines Betriebsmerkmals des Lebensmittelzubereitungsgerätes mittels der Betriebsvorrichtung. Das heißt, dass in diesem Schritt (a) die Betriebsvorrichtung versucht, mindestens ein Betriebsmerkmal des einem Energieübertragungsbereich zugeordneten Lebensmittelzubereitungsgeräts, welches für einen Betrieb an der Betriebsvorrichtung relevant ist, zu erkennen. Unter einem solchen relevanten Betriebsmerkmal wird insbesondere ein Merkmal verstanden, das auf die Leistungsübertragung auf das Lebensmittelzubereitungsgerät und / oder auf eine Bedienerführung einen Einfluss besitzt. Das Verfahren weist ferner den Schritt (b) auf, bei dem von der Betriebsvorrichtung auf der Grundlage des automatischen Identifizierungsvorgangs mindestens eine auf das - insbesondere identifizierte - Lebensmittelzubereitungsgerät abgestimmte Betriebsart bereitgestellt wird. Bei diesem Verfahren wird ferner zur Einstellung von Parametern der mindestens einen Betriebsart durch den Bediener einer auf die Betriebsmerkmale abgestimmte Bedienerführung an der Betriebsvorrichtung bereitgestellt. Dies heißt in anderen Worten, dass die Betriebsvorrichtung ein oder mehrere mögliche Betriebsarten automatisch identifiziert, welche mit dem zugeordneten Lebensmittelzubereitungsgerät durchführbar sind, und dem Bediener dann eine auf die jeweilige Betriebsart abgestimmte Benutzerführung bereitgestellt wird. Durch die automatische Identifizierung wird eine Aktivierung des Lebensmittelzubereitungsgeräts besonders einfach und bedarf keiner Vorkenntnisse des Bedieners über die Eigenschaften dieses Lebensmittelzubereitungsgeräts. Zudem wird für das Lebensmittelzubereitungsgerät eine optimierte Bedienerführung bereitgestellt, was die Bedienerfreundlichkeit weiter erhöht.
• Schritt (b) kann ein Bereitstellen mehrerer Betriebsarten umfassen, sofern diese als mit dem Lebensmittelzubereitungsgerät durchführbar erkannt wurden. Dadurch ergibt sich eine besonders flexible Bedienerführung und damit hohe Bedienerfreundlichkeit. Bei einem Bereitstellen mehrerer Betriebsarten mittels der Bedienerführung kann eine Auswahl unter den Betriebsarten angeboten werden, so dass der Bediener eine hohe Bedienflexibilität erhält und nicht durch das Verfahren gegängelt wird.

The procedure has at least the following steps:

• (A) running an automatic identification process to identify at least one operating feature of the food preparation device by means of the operating device. That is, in this step (a), the operating device attempts to detect at least one operating characteristic of the food preparation device associated with an energy transmission region, which is relevant for operation on the operating device. Such a relevant operating feature is understood in particular to mean a feature which has an influence on the power transmission to the food preparation device and / or on an operator guidance. The method further comprises the step (b), wherein at least one mode of operation is provided by the operating device on the basis of the automatic identification process, coordinated with the - in particular identified - food preparation device. In this method, further, for setting parameters of the at least one operating mode by the operator, an operator guidance coordinated with the operating features is provided on the operating device. In other words, this means that the operating device automatically identifies one or more possible operating modes that can be carried out with the associated food preparation device, and then provides the operator with a user guide adapted to the respective operating mode. The automatic identification makes activation of the food preparation device particularly easy and requires no prior knowledge of the Operator about the properties of this food preparation device. In addition, an optimized user guidance is provided for the food preparation device, which further increases user-friendliness.
• Step (b) may include providing multiple modes of operation, if recognized as feasible with the food preparation device. This results in a particularly flexible operator guidance and thus high user-friendliness. By providing multiple modes of operation via the prompt, a selection may be offered among the modes of operation, giving the operator a high level of operational flexibility and not being teased by the method.

It is preferred, in particular for operating a cooking utensil, if the operating device is able to offer at least one of the following operating modes, if the identified operating characteristics of the food preparation device allow this: a power setting, in particular power control, a temperature setting, in particular temperature control, and a program flow. For comfortable operation of the food preparation device, it is preferable if the operating device - in the presence of a food preparation device equipped therefor - can offer all three of these modes.

Then it is advantageous for precise food preparation, if by means of the user guidance performance levels can be provided, which are dependent on at least one identified operating characteristic. As a result, a user guide particularly well matched to the respective food preparation device can be provided. Thus, the number of power levels may depend on an anticipated temperature range of the food preparation device. For example, in a presumably large temperature range (eg, a pan operated between 30 ° C and 300 ° C), a higher number of power levels may be offered than with a food preparation device having a limited temperature range, e.g. B. an Simmertopf, in which an oversized number of power levels would be confusing. Therefore, an operator is provided with an operator prompt optimized for the respective food preparation device. Also, a power control in a limited power section may be particularly finely adjustable to allow an operator a particularly high Gärpräzision for typical food preparation equipment typical foods. Alternatively, the power control can also be performed 'steplessly'.

Although it is possible empirically estimate a temperature setting empirically for a particular food preparation device depending on the power input, but it is preferred for a precise setting of a temperature on the food, if the food preparation device has a temperature sensor. Consequently, it is preferred if, for the purpose of providing the temperature control, a presence of at least one temperature sensor has previously been identified as an operating feature of the food preparation appliance.

A temperature setting, in particular a desired temperature for a temperature control, may be device-dependent adjustable, in particular in device-dependent provided increments. Thus, the temperature for food preparation equipment with a comparatively small temperature range may be adjusted accordingly fine, z. B. in steps of 5 ° C or finer, and be set for food preparation equipment with a relatively wide temperature range correspondingly larger, z. In steps of 10 ° C. Also certain temperature sub-ranges may be device-dependent finer than other temperature sub-ranges, eg. For example, it may be more finely adjustable in the range of the boiling point of water (eg, in steps of 5 ° C between 80 ° C and 110 ° C) than removed therefrom (eg, in steps of 10 ° C). Of course, the step size can also be 1 ° C or another temperature measure.

The program sequence can be a cooking program, in particular in the case of a cooking utensil, z. B. with a specified temperature / duration profile. The cooking program may in particular be tailored to a particular food preparation, for example as part of a 'cookbook'.

In general, to set operating parameters, texts that are matched to the identified food preparation device can be imaged in the control panel, for example to explain individual performance levels, individual temperatures or temperature ranges during temperature control and / or to explain individual steps of the program sequence. For example, for a simmer pot of the highest power level "6" or the maximum temperature of 100 ° C, the text "boiling" may be assigned and the power levels "4" and "5" or the temperature range between 70 ° C and 95 ° C. steaming ". For a pan the text stewing may not be used, but the text "frying" at a top performance level "10" or in a temperature range between 150 ° C and 200 ° C.

The food preparation device may be a household small appliance, and an operating mode offered by the operating device may then enable an operation of the household small appliance. Then the household small appliance itself does not need to be adjusted to its operation, which could be inconvenient if this is located at a rear cooking zone. It may also be possible to dispense entirely with a control panel for the household small appliance, which saves weight, volume and cost. In other words, a control panel of the operating device can take over the function of a control panel of the food preparation device.

However, an operation of the household small appliance on this is not excluded, and only on small household appliance (the operating device provides only requested by the household small appliance power, the operator guidance takes place on a control panel of the household small appliance) or optionally on the household small appliance and on the operating device (base station) wherein the panels of the two devices are synchronized.

If an attached food preparation device has not been identified as suitable for operation with the operating device or the energy transmission area, ie has not been recognized as a "system device", the operating device or the energy transmission area refuses to operate the food preparation device. For this purpose, activation of the corresponding energy transmission range can be denied, or the operating device switches off when the energy transmission range has already been activated, and optionally a corresponding message appears in a display unit of the operating device.

If no operating feature relevant to an individualized operator prompt could be identified, but the food processor was identified as being suitable for operation with the energy transfer area (identified as a "system device"), then the operating device may provide the food processor with only a predetermined power, such as a predetermined one Operating voltage, eg. B. comparable to a mains voltage. By means of the operating voltage, the food preparation device can then be operated preferably via a control panel arranged thereon. The operating device is thus used in this case only as a power source.

Alternatively or additionally, in the event that no operating feature relevant to an individualized prompting could be identified, the food processor was recognized as a system device, the prompting providing at least one prepared, standard power control, e.g. B. a power stage control in seven stages, wherein the smallest level "0" corresponds to a disabled energy transfer and a highest level "6" corresponds to a maximum energy transfer. In this case, an operator must supervise the food preparation device more than in the case that at least one operating feature has been identified and thereby the control of the food preparation device could be adapted.

The operating device has at least one energy transfer area, in particular cooking zone, for attaching a food preparation device and is configured to run a method as described above. The operating device can be provided as a standalone device or, for example, as a combination device together with z. B. an oven. The operating device may be a compact device having, for example, a worktop for all energy transfer areas, but may also have distributed energy transfer areas which are interconnected by a common control device.

In particular, an operating device is preferred in which the method can be carried out at each of the energy transmission areas. This allows a particularly flexible use of the energy transmission areas.

The at least one control panel of the operating device, which may be configured, for example, as a common control panel for all energy transmission areas of the operating device or as a separate control panel for each energy transmission area, is preferably a freely programmable control panel, in particular a touch control control panel, especially in the form of a touch-sensitive screen. In a freely programmable control panel, a large number of different operating elements such as buttons, circular sliders, linear sliders can be arranged substantially arbitrarily on the control panel, which allows a very flexible operator guidance. For example, using a linear slider (sweep to the right = up, sweep to the left = down), a circular slider (sweep clockwise = up, sweep counterclockwise = down), or a + button (up) and one "-" - Tasters (down) to be performed. In particular, so many possible food preparation devices can be operated ergonomically.

FIG 1

zeigt eine in einer Betriebsvorrichtung integrierte Energieübertragungseinheit mit einer Primäreinheit und einen auf der Betriebsvorrichtung angeordneten elektrischen Topf als Elektrogerät mit einer Sekundäreinheit nach dem Stand der Technik;

FIG 2

zeigt ein Ablaufdiagramm einer Bereitstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Bedienerführung anhand einer Anordnung nach FIG 1 bei Annäherung eines geeigneten Elektrogeräts an die Betriebsvorrichtung;

FIG 3

zeigt in seinen drei Teilbildern 3A bis 3C eine Anzeigeeinheit der Betriebsvorrichtung mit unterschiedlichen Anzeigen.

It is particularly preferred if at least one energy transmission area, preferably all energy work areas, are set up for inductive energy transmission, since this results in a particularly diverse use of food preparation appliances.

FIG. 1

shows an integrated in an operating device power transmission unit with a primary unit and arranged on the operating device electric pot as an electrical appliance with a secondary unit according to the prior art;

FIG. 2

shows a flowchart of a provision of an operator prompt according to the invention by means of an arrangement FIG. 1 upon approach of a suitable electrical device to the operating device;

FIG. 3

shows in its three partial images 3A to 3C, a display unit of the operating device with different Show.

FIG. 1 shows a food preparation device in the form of an electrical consumer designed as an electric consumer 1. This has a base body 2 with a lid and handles and a trained as a drive unit secondary unit 3. The pot 1 is on a surface (working surface) of a worktop 5 an operating device (base station ) 6 arranged. Below the worktop 5, a power transmission unit 7 is mounted on the operating unit 6. This has a housing 8 with an actuating element 9 for switching on and off of the power transmission unit 7. Furthermore, the power transmission unit 7 comprises a primary unit 10 which has a field generating means 11 formed as a primary winding and a power generating unit 12 for supplying the field generating means 11 with an alternating current. The power generation unit 12 is formed in this embodiment as an inverter. The field generating means 11 formed as a primary winding is wound in the form of a spiral winding. In operation, the power transmission unit 7 and the electrical load 1, the field generating means 11 is supplied with the alternating current and generates a trained as a magnetic alternating field transmission field. By means of a transmission field flux of this transmission field, the field generating means 11 transmits energy by induction to a field receiving means 14 arranged in an energy transmission area 13 drawn on the surface of the work surface 5, which is a component of the secondary unit 3 designed as a drive unit. The field receiving means 14 is formed as a secondary winding which is wound in the form of a spiral winding. The energy transfer area 13 is drawn by means of a line 15 on the worktop 5. In the field receiving means 14, a secondary voltage is induced by the transmission field flow, which is used as the operating voltage for operation of the electrical load 1. The electrical load 1 can be removed and turned off after application of the transmission area 13, whereby the secondary unit 3 is separated with the field receiving means 14 from the transmission area 13. In the transmission area 13 then more electrical consumers can be brought, such. As a coffee maker, a mixer, a charger, a fryer, a toaster, a kettle, etc. (also referred to as 'small household appliances'), each having a secondary unit with a field receiving means and a wireless interaction of the respective field receiving means with the primary unit 10th receive an operating energy.

In the surface of the worktop 5, a control panel in the form of a touch-sensitive screen 4 is further embedded, are freely programmable on the controls and actuators. The touch-sensitive screen 4 may be, for example, a liquid crystal or LED screen formed by a touch-sensitive film, e.g. As an ITO film is covered. As a result, a large number of different actuating elements such as buttons, circular sliders, linear sliders can be arranged substantially arbitrarily on the control panel 4, which allows a very flexible operator guidance. Thus, the pot 1 may be equipped with a temperature sensor 16 for temperature control of a food, which transmits the sensed by him temperature data by means of a transmitter 17 via radio to a sunken in the worktop 5 radio receiver 18. From there, they are used via an unspecified control unit for adjusting energization of the power generation unit 12 in order to regulate a temperature to a setpoint temperature set via the touch-sensitive screen 4.

A setting of the target temperature can, for example, on the touch-sensitive screen 4 by means of a replicated there linear slider (sweep to the right = up, sweep to the left = down), circular sliders (sweep clockwise = raise, sweeping counterclockwise = down) or by means of simulated "+" Button (up) and "-" button (down) to be performed.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified flow diagram of a provision of a user guide according to the invention by means of an arrangement according to FIG. 1 upon approach of a suitable electrical device to the operating device 6.

• Art des Lebensmittelzubereitungsgeräts, z. B. Haushaltskleingerät (Kaffeemaschine, Toaster usw.) oder Gargeschirr (Pfanne, Kochtopf, Simmertopf usw.);
• maximale Leistungsaufnahme;
• Vorhandensein eines Temperatursensors;
• Materialeigenschaften (z. B. Stahlboden, Kupferboden, Bodenstärke, Wandstärke usw.);
• von einem Bediener einstellbare Betriebsparameter (z. B. Bräunungsstufen eines Toasters, Wassermenge in einer Kaffeemaschine, Timer).

It is from an operating device 6 according to FIG. 1 be assumed that in the vicinity of a certain energy transfer area 13 initially no consumer. In this embodiment, an automatic identification process is activated in step S0 when approaching an object to a power transmission area 13 of the operating device 6. The automatic identification process may include, for example, an energy transfer via the energy transfer area to the object and a reaction of the object to the energy transfer. In this case, the reaction may comprise a transmission of data stored on the food preparation device, which data can be received by a receiver arranged on the operating device 6. As a data transmission means, for example, radio transmitters or SAW components can be used, or a "powerline communication" transmitter, which transmits its data on existing in the food preparation device secondary coil on the present in the energy transfer range primary coil where the data can be read, such. In Kiefer et al. described. Also, in this process, the presence of load-consuming foreign bodies can be detected, such as after in DE 10 2006 017 801 A1 described method, whereupon a warning message is issued. While the procedure of the automatic identification process, an attempt is made to read operating characteristics which are relevant for the operation of the food preparation device and / or the operation on the operating device. Relevant operating features may include, for example:

• Type of food preparation device, eg. B. Household appliances (coffee maker, toaster, etc.) or cooking utensils (pan, saucepan, simmer pot, etc.);
• maximum power consumption;
• Presence of a temperature sensor;
• Material properties (eg steel floor, copper floor, floor thickness, wall thickness, etc.);
• Operator-adjustable operating parameters (eg browning levels of a toaster, amount of water in a coffee machine, timer).

In a specific case, the food preparation device may transmit only a product identifier peculiar to this device (eg, a serial number) to the operating device, whereupon the operating device reads out operating characteristics associated with the transmitted identifier from a look-up table using a control unit integrated therein. The use of a look-up table has the advantage that only small amounts of data need to be stored on the food preparation device, thereby enabling the use of inexpensive ID transponders, such as simple SAW transponders. However, when using a look-up table, its content is initially fixed at the time of its programming so that possibly newer food preparation equipment can not be identified. For example, to maintain an up-to-date grocery list in the look-up table, the operating device may be connected to a data network, such as the Internet, and periodically or as needed, download an updated grocery list.

As an alternative to transmitting these operating features from the food preparation device, it is also possible to identify some or all operating characteristics by means of the operating device. Thus, if the food preparation device does not transmit any data to the operating device, the operating device may try to use a physical characteristic characteristic of the food preparation device, e.g. As a characteristic load or a characteristic energy transfer resonance frequency, infer the food preparation device. Thus, from an estimated diameter of the secondary coil and an energy transfer resonance on a pan, a pot, etc. may be closed.

In a following step S1, the operating device checks whether an electrically operable household small appliance can be identified via the identified operating characteristics.

If this is the case ("yes"), in a following step S2 an operator interface for controlling this household small appliance is provided to an operator on a device-adapted control panel of the operating device. For example, upon identification of a toaster as a small domestic appliance on the user interface, a setting of browning levels, defrosting, and reheat function may be provided. An operator thus does not need to operate the household appliance, but can do so via the control panel of the operating device. Firstly, there is the advantage that the operating parameters need not be cumbersome to be set on the household small appliance itself, which may be located, for example, at a rear power transmission area of several energy transmission areas, and secondly, the household small appliance can even manage without their own controls, creating weight, volume and Cost of such small household appliances are reducible. The household small appliance, z. As the toaster, has to achieve these savings preferably not own intelligence, but its functions are completely controlled by the operating device. Thus, a degree of browning of the toaster may be adjusted via a height and duration of a power feed into the toaster from the operating device. In the toaster or in the operating device to a retrievable from the operating device correlation table (characteristic) is stored between a duration and amount of power input and a degree of browning. Alternatively, the toaster may, for example, have its own controller, which requires a bidirectional communication interface with the operating device. Thus, via the control panel 4 on the worktop 5, the selected tanning stage with an 'on' signal to the toaster are transmitted, which requests the appropriate duration and amount of power from the operating device and monitors the Toastungsvorgang and possibly einregelt.

If no household appliance was identified ("No") in step S1, it is assumed in the following steps that the food preparation appliance is a cooking utensil. Thus, it is subsequently checked in a step S3 whether operational features have been identified which relate to at least one power control, a temperature setting and / or cooking program setting for a cooking utensil. For example, the type of cooking utensil may be used as an operating feature for power control. Furthermore, it is checked whether with the cooking utensils (pot, pan, etc.), a temperature setting on the cookware is possible. This can typically be answered in the affirmative if a temperature sensor is present as the operating feature or if the operating characteristics of the cooking utensil are so precisely known, for example about empirical data that an approximate target temperature depending on the power input into the cookware is at least roughly estimable. In the presence of a temperature sensor on the cooking utensils typically sensed by this sensor temperature data are transmitted to the operating device, which uses this temperature data to adapt a power supply to the primary coil, which is adapted due to the energy transfer to the secondary coil of the cooking utensil and the power supply and thus the heating power of the food preparation device , Consequently, a temperature control is achieved to a temperature set by the operator (or a temperature derived therefrom). Ideally, the sensed temperature corresponds to the temperature of the food. Regardless of whether a setting of the temperatures with the existing cooking utensils is possible or not, it is also checked whether a cooking program can be run.

If no such operating characteristics could be identified ("No"), a power control preset at the operating device is subsequently provided in step S4. This includes a user guide via a fixed number, eg. B. 10, equidistant power levels, which correspond to equidistant fed into the primary coil powers. This corresponds to a minimum level, z. B. level "0", a non-activated primary coil, and a maximum power level, z. B. level "9" corresponds to a maximum power feed. Alternatively, a stepless power control can be used. This power control is thus independent of the cooking utensil and can be provided to an operator even when there is no information about the cooking utensil except that the food preparation apparatus is suitable for operation on the operating apparatus (no foreign matter).

However, if in step S3 operating characteristics for power control, a temperature setting and / or cooking program setting have been identified ("Yes"), in step S5 the operator is provided with all modes of operation (power control, temperature control, cooking program, etc.) possible with the identified operating features for selection. An operator can thus select whether he wants to operate a cooking pot, which is equipped for a temperature control with a temperature sensor, with a simple power control, a temperature control or automatically by means of a cooking program. If only one operating mode is possible, step S5 is skipped.

Subsequently, in step S6, a device-adapted operating mode coordinated with the operating mode or the selection is provided. Only the operating parameters relevant for this selection are displayed for adjustment, eg. B. possible power levels when selecting the power level control or a food target temperature when selecting the temperature control.

For example, for power control of a pan in which food is typically cooked at higher temperatures, e.g. B. are fried in oil, more power levels are offered as a saucepan, in which usually cooked with water. Also, for example, an even coarser scale graduation may be used for a simmer pot. Ideally, a maximum power consumption is also known for the cooking utensil to be operated, so that the power ranges offered to an operator are matched to the possible power consumption of the cooking utensil. This avoids possible damage to the cooking utensils and increased power loss.

Also, the temperature setting may be provided depending on the identified operating features of the food preparation device. For example, an adjustable temperature range for a pan may range from 30 ° C to 300 ° C, allowing for both gentle cooking or steaming in the lower temperature range, and frying or deep frying at high temperature in the upper temperature range. On the other hand, the temperature setting of a simmer pot may be provided only in a range between 30 ° C and 100 ° C, since the food can nowhere reach a temperature above the boiling point of the water, regardless of the heat input. In addition to the adjustable temperature range, a fineness of a possibly existing temperature scale may also be provided to an operator depending on the device. For example, the setpoint temperature for a simmer pot may be offered in increments of 5 ° C while the temperature levels for a pan are offered at a distance of 10 ° C. Also, depending on the device, an operator may be offered portions of the entire temperature range with higher resolution or fineness than other portions. So may be offered in normal cooking pots, a total temperature range of 30 ° C to 250 ° C to allow also a roast a cooking oil in the pot; however, the temperature scale in the region around the boiling point of the water may be particularly fine, e.g. B. between 90 ° C and 110 ° C in increments of 5 ° C, otherwise in steps of 10 ° C. This makes it possible for the typical cooking pot with boiling water to provide hot, but not yet boiling water. This is advantageous, for example, for cooking noodles, which are preferably cooked at 95.degree.

If a cooking program can be performed, the operator can be provided with a way to enter a cooking cycle, for example by reading a cooking program from an external storage medium (CD, DVD, memory card, RFID chip, barcode, etc.). Suitable cooking programs but also already stored in the food preparation device and transferred to the worktop, stored stored in the operating device or even manually entered by the operator and stored if necessary. Typically, a cooking program consists of a temperature profile (product temperature / duration curve) at the location of the food, possibly together with an ingredient list ("cookbook") and an instruction for the various preparation steps. The cooking program is particularly accurate feasible if the food preparation device has a temperature sensor for detecting a cooking temperature, but may also be empirical for the particular food preparation device. Certain recipe parameters may be set individually, e.g. B. a degree of browning or a degree of crispiness.

Following this, following steps S5 and S6 or S4, the operating parameters offered for one operating mode can be set in a step S7, and in a following step S8, the operation of the cooking utensil can be started.

3A shows the control panel 4, if the food preparation device was not recognized as suitable for operation on the operating device. Then, a corresponding warning is displayed in the control panel 4, such as "Caution: no system device". The operating device simultaneously denies operation of the food preparation device.

3B shows the control panel 4 when a food preparation device has been identified as a system device, but no operating features relevant to an operator prompting could be identified. The operator prompt then provides the food preparation device with either a mains voltage or a prepared power control operation.

3C shows the control panel 4, when a food preparation device has been detected and for operating instructions relevant operating characteristics have been identified. In the case shown, the food preparation device has been recognized as a hypothetical "cooking pot PMZ-3002", which can be operated via power control, a temperature control or a cooking program and has a food temperature sensor for this purpose. The operator is then offered a choice between operation via power control ("power levels"), temperature control ("temperature") or a cooking program ("cookbook").

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

So the division and sequence of the in FIG. 2 shown flowchart also be designed differently, for. B. with different order of steps. Also, the communication between operating device and food preparation device may be bidirectional, z. B. by means of appropriate transmitter.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. 1 consumer
2. 2 main body
3. 3 secondary unit
4. 4 control panel
5. 5 worktop
6. 6 operating device
7. 7 energy transfer unit
8. 8 housing
9. 9 actuator
10. 10 primary unit
11. 11 field generating agent
12. 12 power generation unit
13. 13 energy transfer area
14. 14 field receiving means
15. 15 line
16. 16 temperature sensor
17. 17 stations
18. 18 radio receivers

Claims (12)

1. Method for operating a food preparation device (1) on an operating apparatus (6), wherein the method has at least the following steps:

   (a) allowing an automatic identification process to run in order to identify at least one operating feature of the food preparation device (1) by means of the operating apparatus (6);

   (b) providing a number of operating modes matched to the food preparation device (1) by means of the operating apparatus (6) on the basis of the automatic identification process and offering, by means of the operator guidance, a selection of operating modes,

   wherein

   - an operator guidance matched to the operating features is provided on the operating apparatus (6) in order to set operating parameters of the selected operating mode,

   - the number of operating modes have at least one temperature control

   - in order to provide the temperature control, the presence of at least one temperature sensor as an operating feature of the food preparation device has to be identified beforehand,
   and

   - the operator guidance provides temperature levels which are dependent on at least one identified operating feature.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the food preparation device (1) is an electrically powered food preparation device (1), which has a field reception means (14) for its operation.
3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of operating modes further have:

   - a power control and/or

   - a program sequence.
4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that provided in the power control by means of the operator guidance are power levels that are dependent on at least one identified operating feature.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the food preparation device is an item of cookware (1) and the program sequence has a cooking program.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one food preparation device is a small domestic appliance and the one operating mode has:

   - operation of the small domestic appliance.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that if in step (a) the food preparation device was not identified as suitable for operation on the operating apparatus (6), the operating apparatus (6) then rejects an operation of the food preparation device.
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that if in step (a) the food preparation device was identified as suitable for operation on the operating apparatus (6), but no operating feature relevant to an operator guidance could be identified, the operator guidance then provides a prepared power control.
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that if in step (a) the food preparation device was identified as suitable for operation on the operating apparatus (6), but no operating feature relevant to an operator guidance could be identified, a predetermined power is provided to the food preparation device.
10. Operating apparatus (6) for operating a food preparation device (1) with at least one energy transmission range (13), characterised in that the operating apparatus (6) is configured to allow a method according to one of the preceding claims to run.
11. Operating apparatus (6) according to claim 10, characterised in that the method can be performed on any of the energy transmission ranges (13).
12. Operating apparatus (6) according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that at least one of the energy transmission ranges (13) is equipped for the inductive transmission of magnetic energy.

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