Disclosed is an electric range controlling heat power based on properties of a heating target. The electric range may adjust the heat power based on the properties of the heating target, when a user makes a gesture of moving the heating target in a specific direction. A unit decrease amount value of the heat power sequentially decreasing may be set based on the information related to the heating target. The information related to the heating target may include at least one of the weight of the heating target, the size of the bottom surface of the heating target or the property of contents contained in the heating target.

There is provided an apparatus for heating a pot of food or beverage, the apparatus comprising at least one receptacle (20), each receptacle for temporarily receiving a pot of food or beverage to be heated. Each receptacle comprises a base (22), sidewalls (24), and an opening opposite from the base (22) for receiving the pot; a heater element (43) mounted to the sidewalls; a temperature sensor (45) mounted to the base; a pot sensor (40, 41) for detecting whether or not a pot is present in the receptacle; and a controller connected to the heater element, temperature sensor, and pot sensor. The controller is configured to control the heater element in response to the pot sensor and temperature sensor.

Disclosed is an electric range which provides specific functions without user intervention. The electric range adjusts the heating power if a user enacts a gesture that slides an item to be heated in a first direction. Also, the electric range provides additional functions if a user enacts a gesture that slides an item to be heated in a second direction.

An inductive cooktop includes a transparent panel that supports a cookware object. An electrically actuated panel, such as a display panel, is disposed below the transparent panel. The electrically actuated panel includes two sets of lines, such as data and scan lines, disposed orthogonal to each other to form a two-dimensional matrix that is configured to operate associated elements with an addressing scheme. An array of induction coils are disposed below the electrically actuated panel that are each operable to generate an electromagnetic field that inductively couples with the cookware object supported at the transparent panel. The induction coils are operable to generate an electromagnetic field with a flux direction in general parallel alignment with one set of lines, such as the data lines, to prevent the electromagnetic field from inducing a voltage on the lines.

A method for identifying cookware on an induction cooktop having coils, includes the steps: (a) acquire a coverage factor matrix; (b) set a present level at a maximum value of the matrix; (c) count closed iso-level curves corresponding to the present level and save the result; (d) decrease the level by an amount; (e) count closed curves corresponding to the decreased level; (f) when the number of closed curves at the present level is not lower than that from the previous level, update the saved result with the present level; (g) when the number of closed curves at the present level is lower than that from the previous level, keep the previously saved result; (h) repeat steps (d) to (h), until the number decreases; (i) assign coils inside the curve to a distinct cluster; and (j) use the clustering to estimate a position, shape, size, and orientation of the cookware.

An induction cooktop apparatus includes an inductor, an insulating layer unit electrically insulating the inductor, and a detection coil for object recognition, said detection coil connected to the insulating layer.

An induction warmer station includes a housing, a cooktop coupled to the housing, an induction coil positioned in the housing adjacent the cooktop, and a controller configured to adjust the frequency of a current input to the induction coil based on an indication of a response of an output current from the induction coil to a change in surface area of load material placed on the cooktop.

A heating device and an operating method of the heating device. The heating device includes: a communication interface configured to obtain identification information of a cooking device located on a top plate; a wireless power transmitter including a working coil arranged to form a magnetic field; and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to identify a temperature control mode of the cooking device corresponding to the identification information of the cooking device, when a rotation input of rotating the cooking device is detected, obtain a target heating temperature corresponding to the cooking device based on a rotation displacement according to the rotation input and the temperature control mode of the cooking device, and control power transmission by the wireless power transmitter such that a temperature of a content of the cooking device reaches the target heating temperature.

Disclosed is an electric range which provides specific functions according to the gestures of a user. When an object to be heated that is currently being heated is moved to a different spot, the electric range determines in what way the object to be heated has been moved, and provides a specific function corresponding to the determined way of movement.

A hob apparatus includes a heating unit, a sensor unit separate from the heating unit and configured to include an electric resonant circuit and to detect a sensor signal, and a control unit configured to control the sensor unit and to analyze the sensor signal. The control unit determines in an operating state a state variable relating to the heating unit based on a phase shift and/or an amplitude ratio between the sensor signal and a further signal.