COOKING DEVICE

Abstract

A cooking device with at least one cooking region comprises a control unit (2) configured to be coupled with a communication interface (12,16) for receiving voice signals as control commands from a user or data signals as control commands from a remote control device. The control unit (2) is configured for controlling a power supply to the at least one cooking region (4-1,4-2,4-3). The control unit (2) is configured to accept commands from the communication interface (12,16) only upon recognition of the presence of the user.

Claims

1. A cooking device with a cooking region comprising: a control unit configured to be coupled with a communication interface for receiving voice signals as control commands from a user or data signals as control commands from a remote control device, wherein the control unit is configured for controlling a power supply to the cooking region, and wherein the control unit is configured to accept commands from the communication interface only upon detection of a presence of the user.

2. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to accept voice signals from the communication interface only within a predetermined time interval between the detection of the presence of the user and the receipt of the said voice signals.

3. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time interval is between 5 s and 60 s.

4. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to accept said voice signals from the communication interface only upon recognition of a code by the communication interface.

5. The cooking device of claim 4, comprising a memory for storing said code.

6. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to prompt the user to input a code perceptible at the cooking device and to compare a received signal representative of the user's input with the code, wherein the control unit is configured to cause a command from the communication interface to be executed if the received signal is representative of and/or can be assigned to the code and not to be executed if the received signal is neither representative of nor assignable to the code, and wherein the code is a randomized code and/or the control unit is configured to access a list of codes, to select the code from among the list of codes at a time and to ensure that the selected code is not used for a predetermined time frame and/or for at least one further round of receiving a voice signal as a command from the user or a data signal as a control command from the remote control device and accepting that command only upon recognition of the presence of the user.

7. The cooking device of claim 6, wherein the code is a password, wherein the control unit is configured to prompt the user to voice the password, and wherein the control unit is configured to receive the signal representative of the user's input from the communication interface.

8. The cooking device of claim 6, further comprising a display, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the code to be displayed on the display.

9. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to access a list of passwords, and to select one of said list of passwords at a time in a randomized manner from said list of passwords and to display said password on a display of the cooking device to the user.

10. The cooking device of claim 9, wherein the control unit is configured to display said password for a predetermined time period.

11. The cooking device of claim 9, wherein the control unit is configured to compare a signal, received from the communication interface, with said password and, if the received signal is representative and/or can be assigned to said displayed selected password of the list of passwords, a respective command to change from said cooking region to a further cooking region of the cooking device, or a function of the cooking device is executed.

12. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein the presence of the user is controlled by the control unit that is configured to prompt the user to interrupt a light barrier provided at the cooking device and to check whether an interruption of the light barrier can be detected within a predetermined time interval.

13. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein the cooking region is a variable assignment of one or more induction coils.

14. The cooking device of claim 1, comprising means for determining that the user is present that further comprise a proximity sensor, a motion sensor and/or a touch sensitive element.

15. The cooking device of claim 1, further comprising cookware detection means for detecting placement of cookware in the cooking regions, wherein the control unit is configured to control the power supply to the cooking regions based on the detection of a change in placement of cookware in the cooking region and subsequent or preceding receipt of voice signals or data signals by the communication interface.

16. The cooking device of claim 15, configured such that acceptance of voice signals or data signals is triggered by the placement or movement of cookware onto or within the cooking region.

17. The cooking device according to claim 15, comprising multiple said cooking regions and configured such that, upon an item of cookware having been detected by the cookware detection means, a timed input interval is triggered in which a user can provide voice signals or the remote control device can provide data signals as control commands, wherein the cooking region to which the voice signals or data signals are applied is determined by the cookware detection means.

18. A cooking system comprising the cooking device according to claim 1, a voice recognition device and/or a remote control device configured for communication with the control unit via the communication interface.

19. The cooking system of claim 18, comprising an external voice recognition device.

20. The cooking system of claim 19, wherein the external voice recognition device is a mobile phone or a device that is part of or communicates with a smart home system or a remote control station.

21. The cooking system of claim 18, wherein the communication interface comprises a microphone that is provided at the cooking device.

22. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a control unit in a cooking device having a cooking region and comprising the control unit, cause the control unit to be receptive to voice signals from a communication interface as control commands from a user or data signals as control commands from a remote control device, to control a power supply to the cooking region, and to accept commands from the communication interface only upon detection of a presence of the user.

23. A cooking system comprising a cooking region, a control unit configured to operate the cooking region based on cooking settings, and detection means to detect a presence of a user in line-of-sight proximity to the cooking region; the control unit being configured to execute changes to the cooking settings for operating the cooking region based on a command signal received from a communication interface that corresponds to a voice signal received by the communication interface; wherein the control unit is further configured to execute said changes based on said command signal only if the detection means detect that the user is in line-of-sight proximity to the cooking region within a predetermined time interval before or after receiving the command signal; said detection means comprising said control unit being further configured to: prompt the user to speak a code selected by the control unit and displayed on a display of the cooking system within said predetermined interval, and to compare a code signal from the communication interface, which corresponds to a spoken code input received by said communication interface, to the prompted code, prompt the user to interrupt a light barrier one or more times according to a predetermined sequence, and to compare a sequence of breaks in said light barrier to the prompted sequence, and/or detect a placement of a cookware on or within the cooking region via a sensor signal; wherein said prompted code or sequence is selected by the control unit so as not to be the same as that prompted in relation to a prior command signal received within a predetermined time period prior to prompting the code or sequence; and wherein said communication interface is a mobile device in communication with the control unit via a wireless network, said display being fixed proximate to the cooking region so as to ensure line-of-sight with the cooking region through observation of said prompted code or sequence on the display.

Description

[0059] The invention will be explained in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0060] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cooking device;

[0061] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a cooking device; and

[0062] FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart showing steps in method that a control unit of the cooking device is configured to carry out.

[0063] An example of a cooking device 1, in this case in the form of a hob, e.g. an induction hob, comprises a control unit 2 (FIG. 2) and a cooking area 3 (FIG. 1) in which cooking regions 4-1,4-2,4-3 are at least definable. An item of cookware (not shown) can be placed on any of the cooking regions 4-1,4-2,4-3. The cooking regions 4-1,4-2,4-3 may be predefined or variable. In the latter case, a cooking region corresponds to a contiguous section of the cooking area 3 occupied by an item of cookware as detected by the cooking device 1.

[0064] The cooking device 1, when embodied as an induction hob, comprises a plurality of induction coils 5-1,5-2, . . . 5-n and a driver 6 for supplying power to the induction coils 5-1,5-2, . . . 5-n. The control unit 2 is configured to control the driver 6 and thus the power supply to the cooking regions 4-1,4-2,4-3.

[0065] The induction coils 5-1,5-2, . . . 5-n and driver 6 may be used to detect the presence and area covered by an item of cookware.

[0066] Thus, the control unit 2 is able to detect the placement of an item of cookware on a cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3, movement of the item of cookware from one of the cooking regions 4-1,4-2,4-3 to another and movement of the item of cookware whilst essentially remaining within the cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3, e.g. due to a user handling the item of cookware. Additional or alternative sensors may be present to detect each of these types of movement and/or handling of an item of cookware present in a particular cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3.

[0067] The illustrated cooking device 1 comprises a display 7.

[0068] The illustrated cooking device 1 further comprises cooking region-specific output devices 8-1, . . . 8-6, e.g. for displaying a power level and/or temperature of the respective associated cooking regions 4-1,4-2,4-3.

[0069] The illustrated cooking device 1 comprises an on/off switch 9 and a voice control switch 10.

[0070] The illustrated cooking device 1 further comprises a non-volatile memory device 11 for storing data.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the cooking device 1 comprises an interface 12 to an external voice recognition device 13. The external voice recognition device 13 may be a mobile phone or a device that is comprised in or communicates with a smart home system or a remote control station.

[0072] The illustrated cooking device 1 comprises an (optional) further interface 14 to a remote control device 15 other than a voice-operated remote control device 15. The remote control device 15 may be a remote control device 15 having a human-machine interface for manipulation by a user, i.e. requiring at least some form of manipulation by hand to complete an input. The remote control device 15 may be a programmed universal remote control device 15, e.g. a programmed handheld computing device such as a smart phone.

[0073] The further interface 14 may be a wireless interface forming a node in a Local Area Network or Personal Area Network, for example.

[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, the cooking device 1 additionally comprises a microphone 16 and is configured with voice recognition functionality enabling the cooking device 1 to parse voice commands received by means of the microphone 16. In an alternative embodiment, the voice recognition functionality is provided by an external computing device (not shown), which the cooking device 1 is configured to communicate with. In such an embodiment, the external computing device is configured to process a sound signal originating from the microphone 16, which may be converted into digital format and/or compressed by the cooking device 1. A signal representative of the command is returned to the cooking device 1.

[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, the cooking device 1 additionally comprises a transmitter 17 and receiver 18 for providing a light barrier and detecting interruption of the light barrier by a user. Multiple such light barriers may be provided, e.g. in different areas. The transmitter 17 and receiver 18 may be omitted in other embodiments.

[0076] The control unit 2 is configured to carry out a method of processing voice commands and/or commands from the remote control device 15, an example of which is shown (FIG. 3).

[0077] When a user manually switches on the cooking device 1, the cooking device 1 enters (step 19) into a standby mode. This may be indicated visually.

[0078] When the user manually switches on the external control functionality, the cooking device 1 enters a state in which the cooking device 1 at least awaits (step 20) a voice signal or data signal from the remote control device 15. The voice signal may be provided via the microphone 16 or the external voice recognition device 13.

[0079] In an embodiment, the step 20 requires a trigger corresponding to placement of an item of cookware into a cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3 from which the item of cookware was previously absent or handling of an item of cookware within a cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3. When such a trigger is received, the cooking device 1 may detect (step 21) the cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3 concerned. The cooking device 1 may additionally start (step 22) a timer. If the voice signal or remote control device signal is not received or confirmed before a certain time period has elapsed, the method reverts to waiting for a trigger and voice commands can no longer be accepted. The same is the case for commands from the remote control device 15, because it is no longer assured that the user operating the remote control device 15 is in the vicinity of the cooking device 1.

[0080] In any case, upon receiving a voice signal or remote control device signal as a control command from a user, the control unit 2 obtains (step 23) a code. Obtaining the code may comprise generating the code or selecting the code from a list of possible codes.

[0081] The code is independent of the identity of the user.

[0082] In an embodiment, the code is selected from a list of possible codes, e.g. stored in the memory device 11. The control unit 2 ensures that the selected code has not been selected in one or a number of preceding rounds of receiving a voice signal or remote control device signal as a command from a user and accepting that command only upon recognition of the presence of the user. The control unit 2 is then of course also configured to ensure that the selected code is not used for a predetermined following time frame and/or at least one, e.g. a number of further rounds of receiving a voice signal or remote control device signal as a command from a user and accepting that command only upon recognition of the presence of the user. Alternatively, the selection from the list may be a random selection.

[0083] Where the code is generated, the code may be generated at random. The code may be a random number, for example, e.g. a random number within a range and/or having a pre-determined number of digits.

[0084] The code may be a password that a user can voice. The code need not be a password, but may be some other type of code that can be displayed at the cooking device 1. The code should be comparable with a signal representative of a user's input and receivable by the cooking device 1, at least indirectly (i.e. via a peripheral device in communication with the cooking device 1, such as the remote control device 15).

[0085] Depending on the type of code, the code may be displayed (step 24) on the display 7, e.g. as a symbol or alphanumeric code. Such an alphanumeric code may alternatively be displayed on one of the cooking region-specific output devices 8-1, . . . 8-6. The code may also be a visible variable aspect of the appearance of the cooking device 1, including a visible identification of a part or region of the cooking device, a color, etc. For example, a selected one of the cooking region-specific output devices 8-1, . . . 8-6 may start to blink, the code being the identity of the region. Alternatively, the background color of one of the cooking region-specific output devices 8-1, . . . 8-6 and/or the display 7 may be changed, the color representing the code.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, the user is prompted (step 25) to input the code. The prompt may be provided through the intermediary of the external voice recognition device 13 or another external device, e.g. the user's smart phone or a device comprised in a smart home system. The prompt may in particular be an audible prompt, e.g. speech output. In an embodiment, the step 24 of displaying the code is omitted and the code is output as part of the prompt. However, displaying the code has the effect of ensuring a line of sight between a user and the cooking device 1. The manner in which the step 23 of obtaining the code is implemented ensures that the user cannot guess or memorize the code, but must actually be near enough to see the code.

[0087] The control unit 2 then starts (step 26) a timer and waits to receive a signal representative of the user's input. The signal may be voice signal. Thus, the user must audibly express the code, e.g. voice a displayed password, color or the identity of an indicated cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3. The signal may alternatively be representative of another type of user input provided in a contactless manner. An example would be a gesture, e.g. a gesture recognized by means of the transmitter 17 and receiver 18. The display 7 may, for example, instruct the user to wave a randomly selected number of times or effect one of a list of gestures. Using a signal representative of user input provided in a contactless manner preserves the effect of not requiring the user to touch the cooking device 1. However, it would be possible in principle to display an instruction to the user to place or move an item of cookware into a randomly selected cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3 or to move or otherwise handle an item of cookware within a randomly selected cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3.

[0088] When a signal representative of the user's input is received, the control unit 2 compares (step 27) the received signal representative of the user's input with the code obtained and displayed (steps 23,24). If the received signal is neither representative of nor can be assigned to the code, then the command that caused the code to be obtained is not executed. If no signal that is representative of or can be assigned to the code is received within a certain time period from the starting of the timer, then the control unit 2 reverts to waiting for a voice signal as a control command from the user.

[0089] If the signal is representative of or can be assigned to the code, on the other hand, then the function of the cooking region concerned is adjusted (step 28), e.g. the power supply is adjusted. If the cooking region concerned has not yet been identified or the user has provided a command naming a cooking region, an optional step 29 is carried out to detect the presence of the item of cookware in the cooking region. Thus, the execution of the final step 28 may be conditional upon detecting the item of cookware in a (any) cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3 or in one to which the control command from the user pertains, as e.g. determined from the voice command. Alternatively or additionally, the step 29 may be used to determine the cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3, if the user has not specified one or the cooking device 1 is not configured to parse the voice command such as to identify the cooking region.

[0090] An embodiment in which acceptance of commands from the communication interface is conditional only on detecting the item of cookware in (any) cooking region 4-1,4-2,4-3 or in one to which the control command from the user pertains, as e.g. determined from the voice command, is also possible. In such an embodiment, the steps 23,24 of obtaining and displaying the code and of comparing (step 27) the received signal representative of the user's input with the code obtained and displayed are not executed.

[0091] In each of the embodiments, the presence of the user, in particular within a line of sight to the cooking device 1, is ensured whilst still allowing the user to change settings without touching the cooking device 1. The user interface of the cooking device 1 is extended by allowing for voice control or the use of the remote control device 15, but the user is obliged to provide at least the safety-critical commands whilst present at the cooking device 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0092] 1—cooking device [0093] 2—control unit [0094] 3—cooking area [0095] 4-1,4-2,4-3—cooking regions [0096] 5-1, 5-2, . . . 5-n—induction coils [0097] 6—driver [0098] 7—display [0099] 8-1, . . . 8-6—cooking region-specific output devices [0100] 9—on/off switch [0101] 10—voice control switch [0102] 11—memory device [0103] 12—interface [0104] 13—external voice recognition device [0105] 14—further interface [0106] 15—remote control device [0107] 16—microphone [0108] 17—transmitter [0109] 18—receiver [0110] 19—step (standby) [0111] 20—step (await signal) [0112] 21—step (detect region) [0113] 22—step (start timer) [0114] 23—step (obtain code) [0115] 24—step (display code) [0116] 25—step (provide prompt) [0117] 26—step (start timer) [0118] 27—step (compare received input and code) [0119] 28—step (change function of region) [0120] 29—step (detect region)