Cooking device with a predetermined parameter, program and/or mode of operation

Abstract

A cooking device has at least one pre-set parameter for at least one predetermined program, such as a cooking program, and/or cleaning program, and/or for at least one predetermined mode of operation, such as a cooking mode of operation or a cleaning mode of operation. The preset parameter can be modified by means of at least one modification function element of a control element of the cooking device. During a particular time period, the modification can be confirmed, accepted and/or stored by means of at least one confirmation and/or storage function element of the control element of the cooking device, and after a particular time period has elapsed, the modification can be confirmed, accepted and/or stored automatically by the cooking device.

Claims

1. A cooking device, comprising: a locating system that automatically detects a geographic location of the cooking device; a control or regulating unit that controls an environmental cooking condition inside the cooking device; a control element communicatively connected to the locating system and to the control or regulating unit, wherein the control element comprises: a modification function input device; and a confirmation or storage function input device, wherein the control or regulating unit implements a cooking program or cooking mode of operation using a cooking parameter that is automatically preset based on (1) the cooking program or cooking mode of operation and (2) the geographic location of the cooking device, wherein the value of the cooking parameter defines an environmental cooking condition inside the cooking device for the cooking program or cooking mode of operation, wherein the control element receives information from the locating system regarding the geographic location of the cooking device and automatically presets the cooking parameter by setting the value of the cooking parameter based on the geographic location of the cooking device and the cooking program or cooking mode of operation, wherein the modification function input device is operable by an operator of the cooking device to modify the preset cooking parameter, wherein the confirmation or storage function input device is operable by the operator of the cooking device to affirmatively confirm, accept, or store the preset or modified cooking parameter during a predetermined time period, and wherein the cooking device automatically confirms, accepts, or stores the preset or modified cooking parameter if the predetermined time period has elapsed and the operator has not operated the confirmation or storage function input device with regard to the preset or modified cooking parameter.

2. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the control element further adjusts the predetermined time period.

3. The cooking device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined time period is approximately one second to approximately thirty seconds after the last activation of the control element.

4. The cooking device according to claim 1, further comprising predetermined unchangeable limits within which the modification function input device modifies the preset cooking parameter.

5. The cooking device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined unchangeable limits are preset based on the geographic location of the cooking device.

6. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the cooking device includes a plurality of cooking parameters and the control element automatically presets all of the cooking parameters based on the geographic location of the cooking device and the cooking program or cooking mode of operation.

7. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the geographic location of the cooking device is a country-specific location.

8. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation or storage function input device is operable to automatically confirm, accept, or store the preset or modified cooking parameter after the predetermined time period lapses.

9. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the environmental cooking condition is at least one of temperature, humidity, and time of cooking.

10. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the modification function input device is at least one of a dial, display, and a touch screen.

11. A cooking device, comprising: a locating system that automatically detects a geographic location of the cooking device; an interface operable to select an operating language of the cooking device; a control or regulating unit that controls an environmental cooking condition inside the cooking device; a control element communicatively connected to the locating system, the interface, and the control or regulating unit, wherein the control element comprises: a modification function input device; and a confirmation or storage function input device, wherein the control or regulating unit implements a cooking program or cooking mode of operation using a cooking parameter that is automatically preset based on (1) the cooking program or cooking mode of operation and (2) at least one of the geographic location of the cooking device and the selected operating language of the cooking device, wherein the value of the cooking parameter defines an environmental cooking condition inside the cooking device for the cooking program or cooking mode of operation; wherein the control element receives information from at least one of the locating system and the interface and automatically presets the cooking parameter by setting the value of the cooking parameter based on the cooking program or cooking mode of operation and at least one of the geographic location of the cooking device and the selected operating language of the cooking device, wherein the modification function input device is operable by an operator of the cooking device to modify the preset cooking parameter, wherein the confirmation or storage function input device is operable by the operator of the cooking device to affirmatively confirm, accept, or store the preset or modified cooking parameter during a predetermined time period, and wherein the cooking device automatically confirms, accepts, or stores the preset or modified cooking parameter if the predetermined time period has elapsed and the operator has not operated the confirmation or storage function input device with regard to the preset or modified cooking parameter.

12. The cooking device according to claim 11, wherein the control element further adjusts the predetermined time period.

13. The cooking device according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined time period is approximately one second to approximately thirty seconds after the last activation of the control element.

14. The cooking device according to claim 11, further comprising predetermined unchangeable limits within which modification function input device modifies the cooking parameter.

15. The cooking device according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined unchangeable limits are preset based on the location of the cooking device and the selected operating language of the cooking device.

16. The cooking device according to claim 11, wherein the cooking device includes a plurality of cooking parameters and the control element automatically presets all of the cooking parameters based on the location of the cooking device, the selected operating language of the cooking device, and the cooking program or cooking mode of operation.

17. The cooking device according to claim 11, wherein the geographic location of the cooking device is a country-specific location.

18. The cooking device according to claim 11, wherein the confirmation or storage function input device is operable to automatically confirm, accept, or store the preset or modified cooking parameter after the predetermined time period lapses.

19. The cooking device according to claim 11, wherein the environmental cooking condition is at least one of temperature, humidity, and time of cooking.

20. The cooking device according to claim 11, wherein the modification function input device is at least one of a dial, display, and a touch screen.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other characteristics and advantages of the disclosure follow from the detailed description given below in which a practical example of the disclosure will be explained in detail with the aid of a schematic drawing. The following are shown:

(2) FIG. 1 is a section of a main menu level of a control element during operation of a cooking device according to the disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is a section of a first sub-menu level which follows from the main menu level from FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a section of a second sub-menu level which follows from the first sub-menu level from FIG. 2; and

(5) FIG. 4 is the second sub-menu level from FIG. 3 during operation of a cooking process in the cooking device according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) As can be seen from FIG. 1, a main menu level of a control element 1 for a cooking device according to the disclosure comprises a number of operating elements 2, which offer, for example, when the cooking device is turned on, a selection of cooking programs, for which the cooking device offers corresponding preset modes of operation as well as cooking parameters. According to FIG. 1, such cooking programs can comprise, for example, “roasts,” “pan fries,” “poultry,” “fish,” “baking,” “side dishes” or “finishing.” Preferably these cooking programs are presented in the form of pictograms on the operating elements 2. Especially, it is also preferred when the operating elements 2 are touch elements of a touch screen. The operating element 2 “F” represents a function key with which other functions of the cooking device can be selected, for example a programming lock, a start time input, a cleaning program, a lime removal program or similar, which do not involve any cooking.

(7) Below the operating elements 2, in FIG. 1, besides a program key element 3, a dial 4 is provided which can be turned in the direction of the arrows as will be described below in order to change preset cooking parameters. The dial 4 also includes a push button 5 and by pressing this, for example, modified cooking parameters can be confirmed and/or stored.

(8) Starting from the main operating level, which is shown in FIG. 1 as a section, one can arrive, for example, at the first sub-menu level which is shown in FIG. 2 in a section by activating the operating element 2 “roasts.” This first sub-menu level again includes a number of operating elements 2′, which offer the possible cooking programs under the cooking program “roasts.” These are, for example, the cooking programs shown in FIG. 2 such as “universal roasting,” “roast with cracklings,” “soft roasting,” “soft cooking,” “overnight roasting,” and “overnight cooking.”

(9) For example, by activating the operating element 2′ “universal roasting”, one arrives automatically at a second sub-menu level shown in FIG. 3. This second sub-menu level offers for the cooking program “universal roasting” the possibility to modify individual modes of operation or cooking parameters of the cooking process. As an example, in FIG. 3 the operating elements 2″ are provided for setting the cooking parameters with regard to the browning of the roast and with regard to the core temperature of the roast. One can easily see that many other operating elements can be provided for other cooking parameters.

(10) The operating elements 2″ include a first touch element 7a or 8a and in each case a bar graph 7b or 8b as second touch element. For example, with the bar graph 7b, the desired browning of the roast can be set between the limiting values of “light” and “dark” by having the user stroke his or her finger over bar graph 7b and set the parameter correspondingly. The set value is shown in a frame 9. Similarly, the cooking parameter for the core temperature of the roast can be set through the other bar graph 8b, whereby for the limiting values “rare” and “well-done,” corresponding core temperatures are established.

(11) The set cooking parameters with regard to browning and core temperature of the roast can also be modified or fine adjusted as follows:

(12) Let us say that, for example, on the second sub-operating level from FIG. 3, the cooking parameter needs to be altered with regard to browning of the roast. For this purpose, first the touch element 7a is operated, which activates the operating element 2″ so that a change becomes possible at all. When the operating element 2″ is activated, then the corresponding cooking parameter can be adjusted as desired either by appropriate turning of the dial 4 or by a stroking of the bar graph 7b. In the case shown in FIG. 4 the parameter is set in a middle position between “light” and “dark,” which is shown by the Frame 9.

(13) A confirmation or storage of the set cooking parameter with regard to browning can occur, for example, by pressing the push button 5. However, one can also imagine that the modified cooking parameter is accepted automatically by the cooking device after the elapse of a predetermined time duration after the last input or modification. A confirmation can also occur by subsequent pressing of touch element 7a.

(14) Finally, in the second sub-operating level a memory element 10 is provided which makes it possible to store the modified cooking parameter via a notepad function as described before.

(15) Preferably it is also provided that a confirmation or storage of the adjusted cooking parameters is related to an acoustic signal of the cooking device or to a color change in the control element of the cooking device.

(16) Analogously, in order to change the core temperature, the touch element 8a can be operated and then the parameter can be modified via the bar graph 8b or the dial 4.

(17) As can be seen from touch element 8a, the setting of the core temperature requires the setting of a temperature sensor into a roast. Preferably, it is provided that the cooking device sends a request or a signal when it recognizes that the temperature sensor is not inserted in the roast.

(18) The setting of the cooking parameters with the aid of dial 4 or bar graph 7b, 8b, is preferably possible essentially continuously. As it will be understood by a person skilled in the art, for the cooking parameters shown in FIG. 4, suitable temperature values are established. Hereby the corresponding preadjustment can be specific for the country, that is, it can depend on the location. Thus, for example, in Germany the selection of “rare” is achieved by setting the core temperature to a desired core temperature of, for example, 65° C., while for the setting “well-done,” a core temperature of 78° C. must be reached. In France, for example, these values can be set differently. The location of the cooking equipment can be detected automatically, for example with the aid of a locating system, so that a presetting of the parameters specifically for a country can occur automatically.

(19) FIG. 4 shows the second sub-menu level during the operation of a cooking process. Hereby, in this sub-menu level further data can be shown such as, for example, a residual running time 11 of the cooking process or a presently-existing actual core temperature 12 of the roast.

(20) The characteristics of the device in the previous description, in the drawings, as well as in the claims, can be essential individually as well as in any arbitrary combination for the realization of the disclosure in its different embodiments.