Cooking system

Abstract

A cooking system includes an operator interface configured to enable input of an identification characteristic for a placement unit for placement on a cooking surface for purpose of a heating operation, and a control unit configured to release or block a cooking function for the placement unit as a function of the identification characteristic input via the operator interface.

Claims

1. A cooking system, comprising: an operator interface configured to enable input of an identification characteristic for a placement unit configured to be placed on a cooking surface for purpose of a heating operation; a control unit configured to release or block a cooking function for the placement unit as a function of the identification characteristic input via the operator interface; and a detection unit configured to detect a placement unit characteristic of the placement unit, wherein the detection unit is operably connected to the control unit such that the control unit releases or blocks the heating operation for the placement unit as a function of the placement unit characteristic detected; wherein the control unit, depending on the identification characteristic input, switches the cooking function between at least a safe operating state and a normal operating state; wherein when the released cooking function is the normal operating state, the control unit is configured to release the heating operation for the placement unit regardless of the detected placement unit characteristic; and wherein when the released cooking function is the safe operating state, the control unit is configured to analyze the detected placement unit characteristic and release the heating operation for a known placement unit, while blocking the heating operation for an unknown placement unit.

2. The cooking system of claim 1, constructed in the form of an induction cooking system.

3. The cooking system of claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a storage unit for storing a reference characteristic for the placement unit characteristic in an operating state, said control unit being configured to assign an identity to the placement unit by comparing the reference characteristic with the detected placement unit characteristic.

4. The cooking system of claim 3, wherein based on the assigned identity, the control unit is configured to release the heating operation for the placement unit, when identified as known, while blocking the heating operation for another unknown placement unit, when the cooking function is the safe operating state.

5. The cooking system of claim 4, wherein the safe operating state is preset.

6. The cooking system of claim 1, wherein the cooking function is an automatic cooking program.

7. The cooking system of claim 1, wherein the identification characteristic is a password.

8. The cooking system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured as a cooktop control unit.

9. The cooking system of claim 1, wherein the operator interface is configured as a cooktop operator interface.

10. A cooktop, comprising: A control unit forming part of a cooking system which includes an operator interface for input of an identification characteristic for a placement unit heatable on a cooking surface, wherein the control unit is configured to release or block a cooking function for the placement unit as a function of the identification characteristic input via the operator interface; wherein the control unit includes a control unit interface configured to communicate with the operator interface; and a detection unit configured to detect a placement unit characteristic of the placement unit, wherein the detection unit is operably connected to the control unit such that the control unit releases or blocks a heating operation for the placement unit as a function of the placement unit characteristic detected; wherein the control unit, depending on the identification characteristic input, switches the cooking function between at least a safe operating state and a normal operating state; and wherein when the released cooking function is the safe operating state, the control unit is configured to analyze the detected placement unit characteristic and release the heating operation for a known placement unit, while blocking the heating operation for an unknown placement unit.

11. The cooktop of claim 10, wherein the control unit includes a storage unit for storing a reference characteristic for a placement unit characteristic in an operating state, said control unit being configured to assign an identity to the placement unit by comparing the reference characteristic with a detected placement unit characteristic.

12. The cooking system of claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to release the heating operation for the placement unit regardless of the placement unit characteristic, when the cooking function is the normal operating state.

13. The cooktop of claim 10, wherein the control unit is configured as a cooktop control unit.

14. A method for operating a cooking system, said method comprising: inputting via an operator interface an identification characteristic for a placement unit placeable on a cooking surface for purpose of a heating operation; releasing or blocking a cooking function of the placement unit as a function of the identification characteristic; depending on the identification characteristic inputted, switching the cooking function between at least a safe operating state and a normal operating state; detecting a placement unit characteristic of the placement unit; and releasing or blocking the heating operation for the placement unit as a function of the placement unit characteristic detected.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: storing a reference characteristic for the placement unit characteristic in an operating state, and assigning an identity to the placement unit by comparing the reference characteristic with the detected placement unit characteristic.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the cooking function is the safe operating state, in which the heating operation is released for the placement unit, when identified as known, while blocking the heating operation for another unknown placement unit.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising presetting the safe operating state.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the cooking function is the normal operating state, in which the heating operation is released for the placement unit regardless of the placement unit characteristic.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the cooking function is an automatic cooking program.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the identification characteristic is a password.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages will emerge from the description of the drawing that follows. The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawing, description and claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and bring them together in useful further combinations.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic, highly simplified top view of a cooktop with a cooking system,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a method for operating the cooking system and

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic, highly simplified top view of an alternative cooking system with an alternative cooktop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows a cooktop 24a, which is configured as an induction cooktop, with a cooking system 10a, which is configured as an induction cooking system.

(6) The cooking system 10a has a placement plate 28a. In a mounted state the placement plate 28a forms a visible surface, which is arranged in particular facing an operator in a mounted state. The placement plate 28a is provided for the placing of a placement unit 16a for the purpose of a heating operation for the placement unit 16a. In the present exemplary embodiment the placement plate 28a is configured as a cooktop plate.

(7) The placement plate 28a defines a cooking surface 18a. The cooking surface 18a is configured as a surface of the placement plate 28a facing an operator, below which at least one heating unit is arranged in particular in an operating state.

(8) The cooking system 10a comprises the placement unit 16a. The placement unit 16a is provided for placing on the cooking surface 18a for the purpose of a heating operation for the placement unit 16a.

(9) The cooking system 10a has at least one heating unit (not shown). In the present exemplary embodiment the cooking system 10a has a plurality of heating units. Alternatively for example the cooking system 10a could have a smaller number of heating units, for example just one heating unit and/or at least two, in particular at least four, advantageously at least eight, particularly advantageously at least twelve and preferably multiple heating units. The heating units could be arranged for example in the form of a matrix. Only one of the heating units is described in the following.

(10) In an installed position the heating unit is arranged below the placement plate 28a. The heating unit is provided to heat at least one placement unit 16a placed on the placement plate 28 above the heating unit. The heating unit is configured as an induction heating unit. In the operating state the heating unit is arranged below the cooking surface 18a.

(11) The cooking system 10a has an operator interface 12a. The operator interface 12a is provided for the inputting and/or selection of operating parameters, such as a heating power and/or a heating power density and/or a heating zone. The operator interface 12a is provided for the outputting of a value of an operating parameter to an operator.

(12) In addition to the inputting and/or selection of operating parameters, the operator interface 12a is provided in particular for the inputting of an identification characteristic. For example, at least one identification characteristic could be a fingerprint and/or facial recognition and/or speech recognition. In the present exemplary embodiment at least one identification characteristic is a password, in particular a password that can be input manually.

(13) In the present exemplary embodiment the operator interface 12a is configured as a cooktop operator interface. The operator interface 12a is largely integrated in an operator interface 38a of the cooktop 24a. In the present exemplary embodiment the operator interface 12a forms an operator interface 38a of the cooktop 24a. In the present exemplary embodiment the operator interface 12a of the cooking system 10a is part of the cooktop 24a. The cooktop 24a comprises the operator interface 12a of the cooking system 10a.

(14) In an alternative exemplary embodiment the operator interface 12a could in particular be configured as a mobile device operator interface. In particular the operator interface 12a could be largely integrated in a mobile device (not shown).

(15) The cooking system 10a has a control unit 14a. In the operating state the control unit 14a controls and/or regulates a main cooktop function. The control unit 14a is provided to execute actions and/or change settings as a function of operating parameters input by way of the operator interface 12a. The control unit 14a regulates an energy supply to the heating unit in the operating state.

(16) In the present exemplary embodiment the control unit 14a is configured as a cooktop control unit. The control unit 14a is largely integrated in a control unit 40a of the cooktop 24a. In the present exemplary embodiment the control unit 14a forms a control unit 40a of the cooktop 24a. The control unit 14a of the cooking system 10a is part of the cooktop 24a. The cooktop 24a comprises the control unit 14a of the cooking system 10a.

(17) The control unit 14a has a control unit interface 26a for communication with the operator interface 12a. The control unit 14a is provided to communicate with the operator interface 12a by way of the control unit interface 26a.

(18) For example, the control unit 14a could be provided to communicate wirelessly with the operator interface 12a, in particular with at least one communication interface 42a of the operator interface 12a, by way of the control unit interface 26a. Alternatively or additionally the control unit 14a could be provided to communicate in a wired manner with the operator interface 12a, in particular with at least one communication interface 42a of the operator interface 12a, by way of the control unit interface 26a.

(19) The operator interface 12a has at least one communication interface 42a. The operator interface 12a is provided to communicate with the control unit 14a, in particular with the control unit interface 26a of the control unit 14a, by way of the communication interface 42a.

(20) In the operating state the control unit 14a releases at least one cooking function for the placement unit 16a as a function of the identification characteristic, input by way of the operator interface 12a, for the placement unit 16a provided to be placed on the cooking surface 18a for the purpose of a heating operation for the placement unit 18a. Alternatively or additionally in the operating state the control unit 14a blocks at least one cooking function for the placement unit 16a as a function of the identification characteristic, input by way of the operator interface 12a, for the placement unit 16a provided to be placed on the cooking surface 18a for the purpose of a heating operation for the placement unit 18a.

(21) The control unit 14a comprises the storage unit 22a. A reference characteristic for the identification characteristic is stored in the storage unit 22a. The control unit 14a compares an input identification characteristic with the reference characteristic for the identification characteristic. In the operating state the control unit 14a blocks the cooking function or in the operating state the control unit 14a releases the cooking function as a function of the correspondence between the input identification characteristic and the reference characteristic for the identification characteristic.

(22) The cooking system 10a has a detection unit 20a to identify the placement unit 16a. In the present exemplary embodiment the detection unit 20a is configured partially as a single piece with the heating unit. In an installed position the detection unit 20a is arranged largely below the placement plate 28a.

(23) The detection unit 20a is provided to detect at least one placement unit characteristic of the placement unit 16a. In the present exemplary embodiment the detection unit 20a detects the placement unit characteristic of the placement unit 16a in the operating state, in particular inductively and/or by means of an inductive coupling between the heating unit and the placement unit 16a.

(24) Alternatively or additionally the detection unit 20a could in particular have a receive unit (not shown), which could be provided to receive the placement unit characteristic. The receive unit could be provided for example to receive the placement unit characteristic from the operator interface 12a and/or from a further unit and/or from a mobile device and/or from a network.

(25) In the operating state the control unit 14a blocks a heating operation for the placement unit 16a as a function of a detected placement unit characteristic of the placement unit 16a, in particular in at least one cooking function. In the operating state, in particular in at least one cooking function, the control unit 14a releases a heating operation for the placement unit 16a as a function of a detected placement unit characteristic of the placement unit 16a.

(26) A reference characteristic for the placement unit characteristic is stored in the storage unit 22a. The control unit 14a compares a detected placement unit characteristic with the reference characteristic for the placement unit characteristic. In the operating state the control unit 14a assigns an identity to the placement unit 16a as a function of the correspondence between the detected placement unit characteristic and the reference characteristic for the placement unit characteristic. In the operating state the control unit 14a assigns an identity to the placement unit 16a by comparing the reference characteristic with the detected placement unit characteristic.

(27) If the detected placement unit characteristic corresponds to the reference characteristic for the placement unit characteristic, the control unit 14a assigns an identity described as “known” to a placement unit 16a. If the detected placement unit characteristic differs from the reference characteristic for the placement unit characteristic in at least one feature, the control unit 14a assigns an identity described as “unknown” to a placement unit 16a.

(28) A cooking function is a safe operating state. In the safe operating state the control unit 14a releases a heating operation for at least one known placement unit 16a. In the safe operating state the control unit 14a blocks a heating operation for at least one unknown placement unit 16a.

(29) The safe operating state is preset. The cooking function that is a safe operating state is preset. When the control unit 14a is started up and/or activated, the control unit 14a automatically starts the safe operating state and/or the cooking function that is a safe operating state.

(30) A cooking function is a normal operating state. In the normal operating state the control unit 14a releases a heating operation for at least one placement unit 16a regardless of an identity of the placement unit 16a. In the normal operating state the control unit 14a refrains from blocking a heating operation for the placement unit 16a, in particular regardless of an identity of the placement unit 16a.

(31) A cooking function is an automatic cooking program. The control unit 14a releases the cooking function that is an automatic cooking function as a function of an inputting of the identification characteristic and/or as a function of the detected placement unit characteristic. Alternatively or additionally the control unit 14a blocks the cooking function that is an automatic cooking function as a function of an inputting of the identification characteristic and/or as a function of the detected placement unit characteristic.

(32) The control unit 14a switches between at least two cooking functions as a function of an inputting of the identification characteristic. For example, the control unit 14a could switch from the cooking function that is a safe operating state to the cooking function that is a normal operating state as a function of an inputting of the identification characteristic. The control unit 14a could for example switch from the cooking function that is a normal operating state to the cooking function that is a safe operating state as a function of an inputting of the identification characteristic.

(33) In a method for operating the cooking system 10a a cooking function is released and/or blocked for the placement unit 16a as a function of at least one identification characteristic for at least one placement unit 16a input by way of the operator interface 12a. In an activation step 30a the control unit 14a and in particular the cooktop 24a are started (see FIG. 2). The control unit 14a activates and/or starts a cooking function that is a safe operating state as a function of an activation of the control unit 14a and in particular of the cooktop 24a.

(34) In an input step 32a an identification characteristic for the placement unit 16a is input, in particular by way of the operator interface 12a. The control unit 14a switches between two cooking functions, in particular between the cooking function that is a safe operating state and the cooking function that is a normal operating state, as a function of an identification characteristic for the placement unit 16a input in particular by way of the operator interface 12a.

(35) In a further input step 34a an identification characteristic for the placement unit 16a is input, in particular by way of the operator interface 12a. In the further input step 34a the control unit 14a switches between two cooking functions, in particular between the cooking function that is a normal operating state and the cooking function that is a safe operating state, as a function of an identification characteristic for the placement unit 16a input in particular by way of the operator interface 12a.

(36) FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The descriptions that follow are limited essentially to differences between the exemplary embodiments, it being possible to refer to the description of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2 for parts, features and functions that remain the same. To distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a in the reference characters for the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2 is replaced by the letter b in the reference characters for the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3. Reference can in principle also be made to the drawings and/or description of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2 for parts that are designed in the same manner, in particular for parts with the same reference characters.

(37) FIG. 3 shows an alternative cooking system 10b with an alternative cooktop 24b. The cooking system 10b has a control unit 14b. The control unit 14b is configured as a cooktop control unit. The control unit 14b is largely integrated in the cooktop 24b.

(38) The cooking system 10b has an operator interface 12b. In the present exemplary embodiment the operator interface 12b is configured as a mobile device operator interface. The operator interface 12b is largely integrated in a mobile device 36b. The cooking system 10b comprises the mobile device 36b.

(39) In the present exemplary embodiment the mobile device 36b is a cellphone. Alternatively or additionally the mobile device 36b could be a laptop and/or tablet for example.