EP4297531A1

EP4297531A1 - Cooking appliance and method of operating a cooking appliance

Info

Publication number: EP4297531A1
Application number: EP22179973.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Harald Hoffmann; Claus Meider; Matthias BRÜGMANN
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2022-06-20
Filing date: 2022-06-20
Publication date: 2023-12-27

Abstract

There is described a cooking appliance (1) for the thermal treatment of food products comprising at least one heating zone (2) configured to receive a cooking vessel (3) containing the food product to be thermally treated and being controllable into an operative configuration in which the heating zone (2) is switched on and a rest configuration in which the heating zone (2) is switched off, a control unit (4) configured to control operation of the heating zone (2), when being controlled into the operative configuration, according to currently active cooking instructions and a memory unit (7) configured to at least temporarily store the currently active cooking instructions. The control unit (4) is configured to recall the currently active cooking instructions from the memory unit (7) after control of the heating zone (2) into the respective rest configuration and successive control of the heating zone (2) into the respective operative configuration and to newly control operation of the heating zone (2) according to the recalled currently active cooking instructions.

Description

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance, in particular a cooking hob, even more particular an induction cooking hob, for the thermal treatment of food products.
Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a method of operating a cooking appliance, in particular a cooking hob, even more particular an induction cooking hob, for the thermal treatment of food products.
Cooking appliances for the thermal treatment of food products are commonly known.
An example cooking appliance may be an induction cooking hob having one or more heating zones, each heating zone comprising at least one associated induction coil, and configured to receive a cooking vessel containing the food product to be treated. Such an induction cooking hob may also comprise a control unit configured to control the one or more heating zones, in particular the respective induction coils, so as to heat the food product present within the cooking vessel, in particular by heating the cooking vessel.
Typically, the control unit is configured to control each heating zone according to respective cooking instructions. Example cooking instructions may comprise one or more cooking parameters such as a desired power entry into the cooking vessel, a desired cooking temperature, a cooking time, which can be set and modified automatically or by a user. The cooking instructions may also regard automatic cooking programs, which define a time-dependent course of the cooking process e.g. based on defining specific cooking temperatures for a given time period and the like.
Each cooking appliance may also comprise a user interface, which allows to switch off and to switch on the cooking appliance as a whole or selectively the single heating zones.
During a cooking process, it may occur that the user accidentally switches off the cooking appliance or the heating zone(s) currently in use. Afterwards, the user needs to newly switch on the cooking appliance or the heating zone(s) and to set the desired cooking instructions.
Even though the known cooking appliances work satisfyingly well, a need is felt in the sector to improve the known induction cooking hobs, in particular so as to further increase the cooking experience of the users.
According to the present invention, there is provided an induction cooking hob and a method of operating a cooking hob according to the respective independent claims.
Preferred non-limiting embodiments are claimed in the claims directly or indirectly depending on the independent claims.
In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a cooking appliance, in particular a cooking hob, even more particular an induction cooking hob, for the thermal treatment of food products comprising at least:

one heating zone configured to receive a cooking vessel containing the food product to be thermally treated and being controllable into an operative configuration in which the heating zone is switched on and a rest configuration in which the heating zone is switched off;
a control unit configured to control operation of the heating zone, when being controlled into the operative configuration, according to currently active cooking instructions; and
a memory unit configured to at least temporarily store the currently active cooking instructions.

The control unit is configured to recall the currently active cooking instructions from the memory unit after control of the heating zone into the respective rest configuration and successive control of the heating zone into the respective operative configuration and to newly control operation of the heating zone according to the recalled currently active cooking instructions.
In this way, one achieves an improved user friendliness of the cooking appliance. In the case of an accidental control of the heating zone into the rest configuration or in the case of a desired brief control of the heating zone into the rest configuration (e.g. the user needs to move for some reason away from the cooking appliance for an initially undetermined time and the user does not want to leave the cooking process unattended), it is possible to newly control the heating zone into the operative configuration and to resume the cooking process from the point prior to the interruption (due to the control of heating zone into the rest configuration). The user does not need to newly set the cooking instructions, which is of particular advantage when the cooking instructions may be more complex.
Another particular advantage may also arise if the cooking instructions may relate to a cooking parameter such a cooking time. The user may not be aware of the time, which has already passed, but the currently active cooking instructions automatically come along with such an information. As well, in the case of the execution of a cooking program, it is possible to resume with the not yet executed steps of the cooking program.
According to some preferred embodiments, the cooking instructions may comprise cooking parameters chosen from the group of a cooking temperature, a cooking power, a cooking time, a remaining cooking time and a passed cooking time.
Alternatively or in addition, the cooking instructions may comprise information about remaining steps of a cooking program and/or information about executed steps of a cooking program. In particular, the cooking program may contain information of varying steps, each step being defined by one or more respective cooking parameters to be used during the specific step. In particular, the varying steps are executed in sequence.
By having the possibility to recall the currently active cooking instructions, it is possible to resume the cooking program from the moment of interruption and to complete the remaining steps.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiment, the control unit may be configured to newly control operation of the heating zone according to the recalled currently active cooking instructions if a time duration between control of the heating zone into the respective rest configuration and successive control of the heating zone into the respective operative configuration is below a maximum time limit.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the maximum time limit may be 60 minutes and/or being at least 1 minute. Even more preferentially, the maximum time limit may range between 1 minute and 60 minutes.
It should be noted that after a certain time duration has passed resuming the previously active cooking instructions may not lead to a desired cooking result. It may also be that the user has finished the overall cooking process and switches off the heating zone for this reason. The next time, the heating zone is to be used is with regard to a new cooking process, for which it is advantageous not to be based on previously active cooking instructions. Usually, the time between the execution of two independent cooking processes is larger than the maximum time limit. Preferentially but not necessarily, the control unit may be configured such to not resume the cooking process according to the stored currently active cooking instructions if the time duration supersedes the maximum time limit.
In this way, one avoids any erroneous resuming of the cooking process when such resuming would not be appropriate.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the control unit may be configured such to cancel the stored currently active cooking instructions from the memory unit if the time duration supersedes the maximum time limit.
In this way, one removes the currently active cooking instructions, as these are not further needed. This also ensures that they are not accidentally recalled. Moreover, we also keep to occupied space within the memory unit limited.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the control unit may be configured to newly control operation of the heating zone according to the currently active cooking instructions stored within the memory unit if a user confirms that operation of the heating zone shall occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit.
In this way, one ensures that also the user agrees with the further cooking process being based on the recalled currently active cooking instructions. It may e.g. be the case that the user does not have an interest to proceed with these, but wants to rely on new settings.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the cooking appliance further comprises a communication unit configured to allow communication with a user of the induction cooking appliance. The control unit is configured to prompt by means of the communication unit a request to the user on whether operation of the heating zone shall newly occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit.
The user is informed about the possibility to resume the cooking process based on the previously active cooking instructions. The user also needs to willingly confirm to do so.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the control unit may be configured to attend a response by the user for a waiting time, the waiting time being the time between requesting a response and receiving the response. Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to newly control the heating zone according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit if the user confirms to newly operate the heating zone according to the one or more currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit and if the waiting time is below a threshold time value.
In this way, one ensures that the user can choose to resume or not to resume the cooking process according to the currently active cooking instructions being active prior to the interruption. Additionally, the user needs to act within a certain time range, which increases the safety of operation.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the threshold time value may equal or may be smaller than 120 seconds. In particular, the threshold time value equals or is larger than 5 seconds.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the threshold time value may range between 5 seconds and 120 seconds.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiment, the cooking appliance may further comprises a user interface. The user interface may be configured to allow a user to deactivate the possibility to recall the one or more currently active cooking instructions, and in particular also the possibility to store the one or more currently active cooking instructions within the memory unit.
In this manner, it is possible that a user defines personal preferences.
In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of operating the cooking appliance, in particular the cooking hob, even more particular the induction cooking hob. The method comprises the steps of:

switching on the heating zone;
controlling the heating zone according to currently active cooking instructions;
storing the currently active cooking instructions in the memory unit;

switching off the heating zone;
newly switching on the heating zone;
recalling the stored currently active cooking instructions;
newly controlling the heating zone according to the recalled currently active cooking instructions.

Thereby, it is possible to improve the user experience.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the step of newly controlling may be executed if a time duration between the step of switching off and the step of newly switching on the heating zone is below a maximum time limit, in particular the maximum time limit being 60 minutes and/or at least 1 minute.
In this way, one allows to newly control the control of the heating zone according to recalled currently active cooking instructions, if the time duration is limited as otherwise it may not be appropriate to resume the cooking process. Additionally, after exceeding the maximum time limit it is not possible to resume the cooking process according to the stored currently active cooking instructions.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the method may also comprise a step of cancelling, during which the stored currently active cooking instructions are cancelled from the memory unit if the time duration supersedes the maximum time limit.
In this way, one ensures that the previously used currently active cooking instructions are not erroneously used. Moreover, one reduces space requirements on the memory unit.
In addition, one may not recover the currently active cooking instructions from the memory unit and to newly control the cooking zone according to the stored currently active cooking instructions if the time duration supersedes the maximum time limit.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the step of newly controlling is executed, if a user confirms that operation of the heating zone shall occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiment, the method may also comprise a step of requesting, during which a user is requested to confirm that operation of the heating zone shall occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of requesting, a request is prompted, in particular visually prompted and/or prompted by means of an audio signal, on whether operation of the heating zone shall newly occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit. In particular, during the step of requesting, the communication unit may prompt the request.
In this way, one ensures that the user can choose on whether relying on recalled currently active cooking instructions may be desired or not.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, during the step of requesting, a response by the user is attended during a waiting time.
Moreover, the step of newly controlling may be executed if the response of the user is affirmative and the waiting time is below a threshold time value, in particular the threshold time value equaling or being smaller than 120 seconds, even more particular the threshold time ranging between 5 seconds and 120 seconds.
A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic sketch of cooking appliance according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity; and
Figure 2 is a flow chart of the operation of the cooking appliance of Figure 1.

With particular reference to Figure 1, number 1 indicates as a whole cooking appliance for the thermal treatment, in particular for the heating and/or cooking, of food products.
In the specific case shown, cooking appliance 1 is an induction cooking hob. However, cooking appliance 1 may also be a cooking hob or an oven. Cooking appliance 1 may also be an appliance having both a cooking hob, in particular an induction cooking hob, and an oven.
The food product to be thermally treated may be a single ingredient or a mixture of ingredients. It should also be noted that the food product to be treated may vary throughout the overall thermal treatment process; i.e. it may be possible to add or remove ingredients to the food product during the thermal treatment. In addition or alternatively, it may also possible that portions of the food product may disappear during the thermal treatment process (e.g. by means of evaporation or the like) and/or portions of the food product may be subjected to physical and/or chemical transformations.
Cooking appliance 1 comprises:

one or more heating zones 2, each one configured to receive a cooking vessel 3 containing the food product to be thermally treated and configured to heat the respective cooking vessel 3 and/or the food product present within the respective cooking vessel 3; and
a control unit 4 configured to control, in particular to selectively control, operation of each heating zone 2.

Cooking vessel 3 may be of any kind. Cooking vessel 3 could be a pot, a kettle, a baking tray, a pan, a plate, a bowl, ovenware, aluminum foil or the like. Cooking vessel 3 could or could not comprise a respective lid.
In the specific case shown, cooking appliance 1 comprises a plurality of heating zones 2, in particular four. Cooking appliance 1 could, however, comprise only one heating zone 2, two, three, four or even more heating zones.
According to some possible embodiments, heating zones 2 may be static (i.e. their relative positions are fixed) or heating zones 2 may be dynamic (i.e. each heating zone 2 may be defined in dependence on the respective position on which the respective cooking vessel 3 may be placed).
According to the embodiment of Figure 1, each heating zone 2 could comprise a respective support surface 5 configured to carry the respective cooking vessel 3.
Preferentially, cooking appliance 1 may comprise a panel 6, in particular a panel 6 of non-conducting material, even more particular a glass-ceramic panel 6. In particular, each support surface 5 may be defined by a respective portion of panel 6.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each heating zone 2 may also comprise one or more respective induction coils configured to generate a respective electromagnetic field for interacting with the respective cooking vessel 3.
According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, at least one heating zone 2 may be defined by an oven cavity of cooking appliance 1.
According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, cooking appliance 1 may comprise one or more heating zones 2 of a first type (e.g. being parts of a cooking hob) and one or more heating zones 2 of a second type (e.g. an oven cavity).
According to the shown embodiment, each heating zone 2 is configured to indirectly heat the respective food product by heating the respective cooking vessel 3. While in the present embodiment, this occurs by means of induction heating, it may also be possible to heat the respective cooking vessel 3 in different ways, e.g. by means of resistance heating, heating by a burning gas or others.
Alternatively or in addition, heating zone(s) 2 may be configured to directly heat the food product e.g. by means of microwave heating, convection heating, steam heating or the like.
Each heating zone 2 may be controllable, in particular selectively controllable, into a respective operative configuration in which the respective heating zone 2 is switched on and a rest configuration in which the respective heating zone 2 is switched off. In other words, each heating zone 2 may be configured to heat the respective food product (directly and/or indirectly) when being in the operative configuration and no heat is generated by the respective heating zone 2, when being in the rest configuration.
Control unit 4 may be configured to control, in particular to selectively control, operation of each heating zone 2, when being controlled into the respective operative configuration, according to currently active cooking instructions.
The currently active cooking instructions are these cooking instructions, which are active at a specific moment in time. Such cooking instructions may be static (i.e. they may basically not be further modified during the cooking process) or dynamic (they may be subject to variations).
According to some possible embodiments, cooking instructions may be indicative of one or more cooking parameters. Preferentially, the cooking parameters may be chosen from the group of a cooking temperature, a cooking power (i.e. the energy provided by the respective heating zone 2), a remaining cooking time and a passed cooking time.
E.g. a cooking instruction may consider that the respective heating zone 2 shall provide a specific cooking power to be fed to the respective cooking vessel 3 and/or the respective food product. E.g. the user may manually or automatically set such a specific cooking power. Accordingly, the currently active cooking instruction regards the specific cooking parameter.
The cooking instructions, could also be more complex, e.g. including the combination of cooking parameters. E.g. the cooking parameters may define to provide for a specific cooking power for a defined first cooking time and to provide for another specific cooking power after the first cooking time. Then e.g. the currently active cooking instructions may contain information about the remaining cooking time for the respective cooking power and e.g. the information on the cooking parameters to be considered after termination of the remaining cooking time.
According to some possible embodiments, the cooking instructions may also be related to a cooking program. In particular, the cooking instructions may comprise information about remaining steps of a cooking program and/or information about executed steps of a cooking program.
Moreover, each cooking program itself may define a time course of cooking parameters.
It should be noted that according to some embodiments, the currently active cooking instructions associated to each heating zone 2 may be dynamical (i.e. they may vary in time). In particular, the variations may be the result of the interaction of the user and/or may occur according to a pre-established scheme and/or according to a specific activated cooking program.
Cooking appliance 1 may also comprise a memory unit 7 configured to at least temporarily store the currently active cooking instructions associated to each heating zone 2. Memory unit 7 may e.g. be a non-volatile memory unit 7.
In particular, control unit 4 may be configured to instruct storing of the currently active cooking instructions. Additionally, control unit 4 may be configured to update the currently active cooking instructions, e.g. at pre-established time-intervals and/or after modifications of the currently active cooking instructions. In this way, memory unit 7 contains the updated currently active cooking instructions of each heating zone 2.
Cooking appliance 1 may also comprise a user interface 8 configured to allow a user to instruct and/or control and/or communicate with cooking appliance 1.
User interface 8 may be configured to set, in particular to selectively set, one or more cooking parameters and/or to choose one or more cooking programs and/or to define one or more cooking programs for each heating zone 2.
Advantageously, memory unit 7 may also be configured to store one or more cooking programs, which can be chosen by the user through user interface 8.
Alternatively or in addition, memory unit 7 may be configured to store new cooking programs set by the user, e.g. through user interface 8, and/or may allow modification of an already stored cooking program through an user by means of user interface 8.
Control unit 4 may be operatively connected to user interface 8 and may be configured to receive from user interface 8 and for each heating zone 2 the respective set one or more cooking parameters and/or the respective one or more chosen cooking programs and/or the respective one or more set cooking programs.
User interface 8 may be configured to allow for commanding, in particular selectively commanding, to switch on and to switch off heating zones 2; i.e. user interface 8 may be configured to allow to (selectively) command to control each heating zone 2 into the respective operative configuration or into the respective rest configuration.
According to some embodiments, it may also be possible that user interface 8 is configured to switch off cooking appliance 1 as a whole.
According to the example embodiment shown, cooking appliance 1 may comprise a housing 9, in particular carrying panel 6.
Control unit 4 and memory unit 8 may be incorporated into housing 9.
Preferentially, user interface 8 may be incorporated into housing 9.
In addition or alternatively, user interface 8 may comprise a remote control device, such as a smartphone, tablet or the like, and/or a unit configured to communicate with the remote control device.
In addition or alternatively, cooking appliance 1, in particular user interface 8, may also comprise a communication unit configured to interact and/or communicate with a user. In particular, communication unit may be configured to communicate with the user by means of visual signals and/or audio signals.
According to some possible embodiments, the communication unit may be configured to receive audio commands from the user and/or to output audio signals to the user.
Alternatively or in addition, communication unit may be configured to visually indicate information and/or requests to the user.
Control unit 4 may be configured to recall the currently active cooking instructions, in particular of each heating zone 7, from memory unit 7. In other words, control unit 4 may be configured to read the currently active cooking instructions, in particular of each heating zone 7, from memory unit 7.
Advantageously, control unit 4 may be configured to recall the currently active cooking instructions of the respective heating zones 2, which, in use, have been controlled into the respective rest configuration and successively again into the respective operative configuration. Moreover, control unit 4 may also be configured to newly control operation of the respective heating zone 2 according to the recalled currently active cooking instructions.
It may e.g. happen that a user accidentally controls one or more heating zones 2, in particular from the respective operative configuration, into the respective rest configuration. After reactivation of the respective heating zones 2 (after newly controlling the respective heating zones into the respective operative configuration), it is not required to newly set the respective cooking parameters or to newly set a cooking program and the like.
It may also occur that a user wants to interrupt, e.g. to briefly interrupt, a cooking process. In this case, it is possible to rely on the reactivation cooking process according to the currently active cooking instructions recalled from memory unit 7.
E.g. in the case that control unit 4 controlled at least one of the heating zones 2 according to a cooking program one is aware of the steps of the cooking program, which still need to be executed.
This helps the user in that the user does not need to remember e.g. that already a certain cooking time has passed when operating with a specific cooking power or varying steps of a cooking program have already passed.
It should be understood that one or more heating zones 2 may be controlled from the respective operative configurations to the respective rest configurations and successively again into the respective operative configuration. This may occur at the same time (e.g. by shutting-off the cooking appliance 1 as a whole) or at different moments. In the following and for reasons of conciseness, we describe preferred embodiments, with respect to only one heating zone 2 having been controlled from the operative configuration into the respective rest configuration and successively again into the respective operative configuration. However, the following description selectively applies to each one of these heating zones 2, which having been controlled from the operative configuration into the respective rest configuration and successively again into the respective operative configuration.
In particular, the control of the single heating zones 2 may occur in a selective manner.
Alternatively and in the case that more than one heating zone 2 has been controlled into the respective rest configurations, the control of the single heating zones 2 may occur in the same manner. In particular, control unit 4 may be configured to recall the currently active cooking instructions of all the respective heating zones 2, which, in use, have been controlled into the respective rest configuration and successively again into the respective operative configuration and to control operation of all these respective heating zones 2 according to the respective recalled currently active cooking instructions.
Moreover, control unit 4 may be configured to newly control operation of heating zone 2 into the operative configuration according to the respective recalled currently active cooking instructions if a respective time duration t_d between control of heating zone 2 into the respective rest configuration and the successive control of heating zone 2 into the respective operative configuration is below a maximum time limit t_lim.
Preferentially, maximum time limit t_lim may equal or may be smaller than 60 minutes and/or may be at least 1 minute. In other words, maximum time limit t_lim may lie between 1 minute to 60 minutes. Additionally, control unit 4 may be configured to cancel the respective stored currently active cooking instructions from memory unit 7 if time duration t_d supersedes maximum time limit t_lim.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, user interface 8 may be configured to allow a user to set the maximum time limit t_lim, in particular according to the user's specific needs and/or desires and/or habits.
Preferentially, if time duration t_d supersedes maximum time limit t_lim control unit 4 may be configured not to resume the cooking process according to the respective stored currently active cooking instructions.
Preferentially, it may not be possible to recover the currently active cooking instructions and as stored in memory unit 7 and to newly control the respective heating zone 2 according to the stored currently active cooking instructions if time duration t_d supersedes maximum time limit t_lim.
Advantageously, control unit 4 may be configured to newly control operation of heating zone 2 according to the currently active cooking instructions stored within memory unit 7 if a user confirms that operation of heating zone 2 shall occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in memory unit 7. Moreover, otherwise (i.e. if the user disagrees), operation of heating zone 2 may occur according to standard settings and/or according to new instructions given by the user e.g. through user interface 8.
It is clear that also after the user having agreed with heating zone 2 being controlled according to the recalled currently active cooking instructions, the user may newly modify settings of the cooking instructions.
It should be noted that according to some possible embodiments and in case that more than one heating zone 2 has been controlled into the respective rest configuration and afterwards again into the respective operative configuration and the user disapproves to newly operate with the respective currently active cooking instructions, none of the heating zones 2 will be newly operated according to the respective currently active cooking instruction. Accordingly, in such a case all heating zones 2 will be operated according to standard settings and/or according to new instructions.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, control unit 4 may be configured to prompt, in particularly by means of visual signals and/or audio signals and, through the communication unit a request to the user on whether operation of heating zone 2 shall newly occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in memory unit 7.
If the response by the user is affirmative, e.g. through user interface 8, control unit 4 may be configured to control operation of heating zone 2 according to the recalled currently active cooking instructions.
In the case of an absence of a response by the user (inactive disapproval) or an active disapproval of the request, control unit 4 may be configured to control heating zone 2 according to standard settings and/or according to new instructions given by the user e.g. through user interface 8.
Advantageously, control unit 4 may be configured to attend after prompting of the request a response by the user for a waiting time t_wait. Waiting time t_wait may be the time between prompting the response and receiving the response.
If waiting time t_wait supersedes a threshold time value t_thres, control unit 4 may be configured to consider that the user disagrees with the request and to not control heating zone 2 newly according to the currently active cooking instructions. In other words, if waiting time t_wait supersedes the threshold time value t_thres, it is considered that the user inactively disapproves to newly control heating zone 2 according to recalled currently active cooking instructions.
In other words, control unit 4 may be configured to newly control heating zone 2 according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in memory unit 7 if the user confirms to newly operate the heating zone according to the one or more currently active cooking instructions stored in memory unit 7 and if waiting time t_wait is below threshold time value t_thres.
Preferentially, threshold time value t_thres may equal or may be smaller than 120 seconds, but preferentially may not be smaller than 5 seconds (in other words, threshold time value t_thres may equal or may be larger than 5 seconds. Hence, preferentially t_thres is chosen such that t_thres satisfies the following requirement: 5 seconds ≤ t_thres ≤ 120 seconds.
In other words, threshold time value t_thres ranges between 5 seconds and 120 seconds.
Preferentially, user interface 8 may be configured to allow a user to set threshold time value t_thres.According to some possible embodiments, interface unit 8 may be configured to allow the user to deactivate the possibility of control unit 4 to recall the currently active cooking instructions, and in particular to store the currently active cooking instructions within memory unit 7.
In other words, interface unit 8 may be configured to allow to control cooking appliance 1 into:

an activated configuration at which memory unit 7 may be configured to store the currently active cooking instructions and control unit 4 may be configured to recall the currently active cooking instructions and to newly control heating zone 2 (in particular, if confirmed by the user after a specific request) according to the currently active cooking instructions; and
a deactivated configuration at which control unit 4 is not configured to recall the currently active cooking instructions and to newly control heating zone 2 according to the recalled currently active cooking instructions, and in particular memory unit 7 may not be configured to store the currently active cooking instructions.

Thus, according to such an embodiment, the user can decide on whether the user intends to rely on such a functionality or not.
With particular reference to Figure 2, operation of cooking appliance 1 comprises the steps of:

(a) switching on one or more heating zones 2 (i.e. controlling, in particular by means of control unit 4, the respective heating zones 2 into the respective operative configuration);
(b) controlling each heating zone 2 according to currently active cooking instructions;
(c) storing the respective currently active cooking instructions (in particular, for each heating zone 2 being in the operative configuration, within memory unit 7;
(d) switching off, e.g. as a result of an accidental action, one or more of the heating zones 2 being in the respective operative configurations;
(e) newly switching on the heating zone(s) 2, which have been set into the respective rest configuration during step (d);
(f) recalling the stored currently active cooking instructions, in particular from memory unit 7; and
(g) newly controlling, in particular in a selective manner, the heating zone(s) 2, which have been newly switched on during step (e), according to the respective recalled currently active cooking instructions.

Preferentially, steps (a) to (g) are executed in order of mentioning.
In the following and for reasons of conciseness, we describe the case of steps (a) to (e) being executed for one single heating zone 2. Steps (a) to (e), and in particular also any other steps, may be executed, in particular selectively executed, for one or more heating zones 2.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, step (g) of newly controlling may be executed if time duration t_d between step (d) of switching off and step (e) of newly switching on heating zone 2 is below maximum time limit t_limit, in particular maximum time limit t_limit being the most 60 minutes or smaller. Even more particular, maximum time limit t_limit may range between 1 minute and 60 minutes.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the method may also comprise (h) a step of cancelling, during which the stored currently active cooking instructions are cancelled from memory unit 7 if time duration t_d supersedes maximum time limit t_limit.
Preferentially, if time duration t_d supersedes maximum time limit t_limit it may not be possible anymore to resume the cooking process according to the stored currently active cooking instructions.
The method may also comprise a step (i) of requesting, during which a user is requested to confirm that operation of heating zone 2 shall occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in memory unit 7.
During step (i) of requesting, the user may actively or inactively disapprove the request. However, during step (i) of requesting, the user must actively approve the request as otherwise, step (g) of newly controlling will not be executed, in particular for safety reasons.
In particular, actively approving means that the user must react, e.g. by means of user interface 8 and to approve the request.
In particular, actively disapproving means that the user may act and deny the request. Inactively disapproving means that the user does not act and the method foresees in the case of non-reaction by means of the user to consider the non-reaction as a disapproval. As a consequence, heating zone 2 will not be controlled in function of recalled currently active cooking instructions.
Preferentially, step (g) of newly controlling may be executed, if a user confirms, during step (i) of requesting, that operation of heating zone 2 shall occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in memory unit 8.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiment, during step (i) of requesting, the request may be prompted, in particular visually prompted and/or prompted by means of an audio signal, even more particular by means of the communication unit, on whether operation of heating zone 2 shall newly occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in memory unit 7.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, during step (i) of requesting response by the user is attended during waiting time t_wait.
Moreover, the step (g) of newly controlling may be executed if the response of the user is affirmative and waiting time t_wait is below threshold time value t_thres.
According to some possible embodiments, the method may also comprise a step (j) of newly defining the cooking instructions, in particular by the user, if the user (actively or inactively) disapproves the request.
Clearly, changes may be made to cooking appliance 1 without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

List of Reference Signs

1: Cooking appliance
2: Heating zone
3: Cooking vessel
4: Control unit
5: Support surface
6: Panel
7: Memory unit)
8: User interface

Claims

Cooking appliance (1), in particular a cooking hob, even more particular an induction cooking hob, for the thermal treatment of food products comprising at least:
- one heating zone (2) configured to receive a cooking vessel (3) containing the food product to be thermally treated and being controllable into an operative configuration in which the heating zone (2) is switched on and a rest configuration in which the heating zone (2) is switched off;

- a control unit (4) configured to control operation of the heating zone (2), when being controlled into the operative configuration, according to currently active cooking instructions; and

- a memory unit (7) configured to at least temporarily store the currently active cooking instructions;
wherein the control unit (4) is configured to recall the currently active cooking instructions from the memory unit (7) after control of the heating zone (2) into the respective rest configuration and successive control of the heating zone (2) into the respective operative configuration and to newly control operation of the heating zone (2) according to the recalled currently active cooking instructions.
Cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (4) is configured to newly control operation of the heating zone (2) according to the recalled currently active cooking instructions if a time duration (t_d) between control of the heating zone (2) into the rest configuration and successive control of the heating zone (2) into the operative configuration is below a maximum time limit (t_limit).
Cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein the maximum time limit (t_limit) equal or is smaller than 60 minutes and/or at least 1 minute.
Cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (4) is configured such to cancel the stored currently active cooking instructions from the memory unit (7) if the time duration (t_d) supersedes the maximum time limit (t_limit).
Cooking appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (4) is configured to newly control operation of the heating zone (2) according to the currently active cooking instructions stored within the memory unit (7) if a user confirms that operation of the heating zone (2) shall occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit (7).
Cooking appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a communication unit configured to allow communication with an user of the cooking appliance (1);
wherein the control unit (4) is configured to prompt by means of the communication unit a request to the user on whether operation of the heating zone (2) shall newly occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit (7).
Cooking appliance according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the control unit (4) is configured to attend a response by the user for a waiting time (t_wait);
wherein the control unit (4) is configured to newly control the heating zone (2) according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit (7) if the user confirms to newly operate the heating zone (2) according to the one or more currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit (7) and if the waiting time (t_wait) is below a threshold time value (t_thres).
Cooking appliance according to claim 7, wherein the threshold time value (t_thres) equals or is smaller than 120 seconds.
Cooking appliance according to claim 8, wherein the threshold time value (t_thres) equals or is larger than 5 seconds.
Cooking appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooking instructions comprise cooking parameters chosen from the group of a cooking temperature, a cooking power, a remaining cooking time and a passed cooking time and/or the cooking instructions may comprise information about remaining steps of a cooking program and/or information about executed steps of a cooking program.
Cooking appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising user interface (8); wherein the user interface (8) is configured to allow a user to deactivate the possibility to recall the one or more currently active cooking instructions, and in particular to store the one or more currently active cooking instructions within the memory unit (7).
Method of operating a cooking appliance (1), in particular a cooking hob, even more particular an induction cooking hob, according to any one of the preceding claims;
the method comprises the steps of:
- switching on the heating zone (2);

- controlling the heating zone (2) according to currently active cooking instructions;

- storing the currently active cooking instructions in the memory unit (7);

- switching off the heating zone (2);

- newly switching on the heating zone (2);

- recalling the stored currently active cooking instructions;

- newly controlling the heating zone (2) according to the recalled currently active cooking instructions.
Method according to claim 12, wherein the step of newly controlling is executed if a time duration (t_d) between the step of switching off and the step of newly switching on the heating zone (2) is below a maximum time limit (t_limit), in particular the maximum time limit (t_limit) being 60 minutes and/or at least 1 minute.
Method according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a step of requesting, during which a user is requested to confirm that operation of the heating zone shall occur according to the currently active cooking instructions stored in the memory unit (7).
Method according to claim 14, during the step of requesting, a response by the user is attended during a waiting time (t_wait); wherein the step of newly controlling is executed if the response of the user is affirmative and the waiting time (t_wait) between requesting the response and the response is below a threshold time value (t_thres), in particular the threshold time value (t_thres) equaling or being smaller than 120 seconds, even more particular the threshold time value (t_thres) ranging between 5 seconds and 120 seconds.