INTERFACE AND CONTROL SET

Abstract

The invention relates to an interface and control unit (27) for a cooking appliance, comprising: a control circuit (19) comprising a connection point (20) for connecting to a power circuit (18) of the cooking appliance (A) or to an element for connection to said power circuit (18), the control circuit being arranged so as to emit a control signal for at least one functional element of the cooking appliance; a communication circuit (25) arranged so as to communicate according to a known communication protocol, for example a protocol for two-way communication by radio waves, the communication circuit (25) also being able to exchange information with the control circuit (19); and a support to which are attached, or in which are arranged, the control circuit (19) and the communication circuit (25), the support comprising elements for fixing to a frame of the cooking appliance (A).

Claims

1. An interface and control set for a culinary preparation apparatus (A) comprising: a control circuit comprising a socket adapted to be plugged to a power circuit of the culinary preparation apparatus (A) or to a connecting element to said power circuit, the control circuit being arranged to emit a signal for controlling at least one functional element (F) of the culinary preparation apparatus (A), a communication circuit arranged to exchange pieces of information with a remote terminal according to a known communication protocol, for example a bidirectional communication protocol through radio waves, the communication circuit being further capable of exchanging pieces of information with the control circuit, a support onto which are attached or in which are arranged the control circuit and the communication circuit, the support comprising fasteners to a frame of the culinary preparation apparatus (A).

2. The interface and control set according to claim 1, further comprising a control panel attached onto or arranged in the support, the control panel being arranged to exchange pieces of information with the control circuit.

3. The interface and control set according to claim 2, wherein the control panel comprises a user interface (U).

4. The interface and control set according to claim 3, wherein the user interface (U) comprises a set of buttons (b), a motion detector (prox) and/or a sound acquisition device.

5. The interface and control set according to claim 3, wherein the user interface (U) comprises a warning device (DA).

6. The interface and control set according to claim 5, wherein the warning device (DA) comprises a display screen (aff), an audible warning device (so) and/or an indicator light (lum).

7. The interface and control set according to claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer attached onto or arranged in the support.

8. A culinary preparation apparatus (A) comprising an interface and control set according to claim 1.

9. A method for replacing an interface and control set of a culinary preparation apparatus (A) comprising the following steps: (ETR) removing a first interface and control set from a frame of the culinary preparation apparatus A, said first interface and control set comprising a control circuit provided with a socket adapted to be plugged to a power circuit of the culinary preparation apparatus (A) or to a connecting element to said power circuit, the control circuit being arranged to emit a signal for controlling at least one functional element (F) of the culinary preparation apparatus (A), said first interface and control set further comprising a support onto which is attached or in which is arranged the control circuit, the support comprising fasteners to a frame of the culinary preparation apparatus (A), said first interface and control set being devoid of communication circuit, (ETM) mounting a second interface and control set according to any of claims 1 to 8 in said frame of the culinary preparation apparatus (A), said second interface and control set comprising a control circuit, a support and a communication circuit arranged to exchange pieces of information with a remote terminal (Te) according to a known communication protocol, for example a bidirectional communication protocol through radio waves, the communication circuit being further capable of exchanging pieces of information with the control circuit.

10. The method for replacing an interface and control set of a culinary preparation apparatus (A) according to claim 9, wherein the step of removing the first interface and control set from the frame of the culinary preparation apparatus (A) corresponds to a step of detaching the fasteners to the frame of the culinary preparation apparatus (A), and/or wherein the step of mounting the second interface and control set corresponds to a step of putting in place the fasteners to the frame of the culinary preparation apparatus (A).

11. The interface and control set according to claim 4, wherein the user interface (U) comprises a warning device (DA).

12. The interface and control set according to claim 11, wherein the warning device (DA) comprises a display screen (aff), an audible warning device (so) and/or an indicator light (lum).

13. The interface and control set according to claim 11, further comprising an accelerometer attached onto or arranged in the support.

14. The interface and control set according to claim 12, further comprising an accelerometer attached onto or arranged in the support.

15. The interface and control set according to claim 2, further comprising an accelerometer attached onto or arranged in the support.

16. The interface and control set according to claim 3, further comprising an accelerometer attached onto or arranged in the support.

17. The interface and control set according to claim 4, further comprising an accelerometer attached onto or arranged in the support.

18. The interface and control set according to claim 5, further comprising an accelerometer attached onto or arranged in the support.

19. The interface and control set according to claim 6, further comprising an accelerometer attached onto or arranged in the support.

20. The interface and control set according to claim 14, further comprising an accelerometer attached onto or arranged in the support.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0128] In any case, the invention will be better understood using the following description with reference to the appended schematic drawings showing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this control method, of this terminal and of this culinary preparation apparatus.

[0129] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a culinary preparation apparatus and of a terminal.

[0130] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the culinary preparation apparatus.

[0131] FIG. 3 is a front view of a part of a case of the culinary preparation apparatus.

[0132] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a control panel and of a control entity of the culinary preparation apparatus.

[0133] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the steps of a method for controlling the culinary preparation apparatus.

[0134] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the steps of a method for replacing an interface and control set.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0135] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a culinary preparation apparatus A comprises a removable working container 1. This working container 1 comprises a bottom 3 and a closure lid 5.

[0136] The culinary preparation apparatus A comprises functional elements F, for example a heating plate 7 arranged to heat the bottom of the container 1 and a rotating driver 9 arranged to chop and/or stir at least one food disposed in the container 1.

[0137] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rotating driver 9 comprises a motor M, a temperature measuring probe in the chopping and/or stirring element 9a and motor 9a.

[0138] The culinary preparation apparatus A may also comprise a basket 11 arranged to cooperate with the upper part of the working container 1 and to receive some foods, for example for steam cooking.

[0139] The culinary preparation apparatus A further comprises a case 13 provided with a control panel 15 and a control entity C.

[0140] The control panel 15 comprises a user interface U arranged to acquire an input performed by a user. To do this, the user interface U comprises a keyboard cl provided with buttons b. The user interface U may also comprise a motion detector or a proximity detector prox arranged to detect a user control corresponding to a motion of the user.

[0141] Optionally, the control panel 15 may further comprise an accelerometer 16 arranged to detect the displacement of the culinary preparation apparatus A.

[0142] This disposition is particularly interesting for reducing the risks of falling of the culinary preparation apparatus A. Thus, if the culinary preparation apparatus A is disposed at the edge of a table and its operation causes a displacement because of an unbalance due to the rotating driver 9, the control entity C is arranged to stop the rotation of the rotating driver 9.

[0143] The user interface U may also comprise a sound acquisition device allowing a voice input of a user control.

[0144] The user interface U further comprises a warning device DA. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the warning device DA comprises, for example, a display screen aff, an audible warning device so and/or an indicator light lum which can be disposed below a button b.

[0145] The culinary preparation apparatus A is arranged to be controlled by a user for making cooking recipes. The user is assisted by the control entity C which has a memory in which a set of cooking recipes is stored. The user interface U allows in this sense assisting the user for making a recipe. The user can trigger tasks T intended to be accomplished by the functional elements F according to the course of the recipe.

[0146] The control entity C in combination with the user interface U thus provides the user with an assistance in making a cooking recipe.

[0147] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the case 13 comprises a hinge 17 arranged to allow the opening of the case 13. The control entity C comprises a power circuit 18 and a control circuit 19.

[0148] The power circuit 18 is internal to the culinary preparation apparatus A. In addition, the control entity C comprises a switch int arranged to supply the power circuit with electrical current in a closed position.

[0149] The control entity C further comprises two probes son1 and son2 for measuring the internal temperature of the cooking container, each being arranged to control stopping of the power supply when an accurate temperature threshold is reached.

[0150] A first temperature threshold corresponding to the probe son1 is for example the highest limit internal temperature not to be exceeded during operation of the apparatus A during a culinary preparation. A second threshold corresponding to the probe son2 is for example the limit temperature during the idling of the apparatus A.

[0151] The control entity C further comprises a probe son-v for measuring the rotational speed of the rotating element 9, the power circuit being arranged to cut off the power supply when the measured speed is outside a determined range.

[0152] The control circuit 19 comprises a socket 20 in order to be removably connected to the power circuit.

[0153] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the case 13 comprises a support 21 provided with fasteners 23 such as screws. The support 21 can thus be secured to the rest of the case 13. The support 21 is also dismountable. The dismounting is made when the case 13 is open as in FIG. 2.

[0154] The control entity C further comprises a communication circuit 25 connected to the control circuit 19 and arranged to communicate according to a known communication protocol, for example a bidirectional communication protocol through radio waves.

[0155] The control panel 15, the control circuit 19 and the communication circuit 25 are attached onto the support 21. This interface and control set 27 shown in FIG. 3 and comprising the elements 15, 16, 19, 25 and 21, is thus dismountable from the rest of the culinary preparation apparatus A. The dismounting is symbolized by a line in FIG. 4.

[0156] As illustrated in FIG. 6, a method for replacing an interface and control set 27 of a culinary preparation apparatus A comprises the following steps: [0157] ETR removing a first interface and control set from a frame of the culinary preparation apparatus A, [0158] ETM mounting a second interface and control set 27 in said frame of the culinary preparation apparatus A.

[0159] This disposition is useful when the first interface and control set is devoid of a communication circuit 25.

[0160] A culinary preparation apparatus A comprising this first interface and control set is, for example, an apparatus A of older design being devoid of the communication function.

[0161] On the contrary, the second interface set 27 comprises a communication circuit 25 as described previously. It is therefore possible to develop a culinary preparation apparatus A devoid of a communication function while preserving the mechanical part, that is to say the entirety of the apparatus A except for the interface and control set 27.

[0162] The apparatus A whose interface and control set 27 has been replaced shows therefore additional possibilities for the user such as making possible the downloading and/or the execution of recipes from a terminal Te. These recipes correspond to a sequence of instructions for the functional elements F.

[0163] From a practical point of view, the step ETR of removing the first interface and control set from the frame of the culinary preparation apparatus A corresponds to a step of detaching the fasteners 23 to the frame of the culinary preparation apparatus A and the step of mounting the second interface and control set 27 corresponds to a step of putting in place the fasteners 23 to the frame of the culinary preparation apparatus A.

[0164] concerning the interface and control set 27 comprising a communication circuit 25, the control entity C is arranged to send and receive pieces of information according to the known communication protocol thanks to the communication circuit 25.

[0165] It is thus possible for the culinary preparation apparatus A to exchange pieces of information with a remote terminal Te.

[0166] As illustrated in FIG. 1, such a terminal Te is also arranged to communicate according to the communication protocol with the culinary preparation apparatus A and thus remotely control the culinary preparation apparatus A as detailed below.

[0167] The control of the culinary preparation apparatus involves an internal control method of the culinary preparation apparatus A performed by said apparatus A and a control method performed by the terminal Te.

[0168] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the method for controlling the culinary preparation apparatus A by the terminal Te comprises a step e1 of selecting a determined task T intended to be accomplished by the culinary preparation apparatus A.

[0169] This selection is made using an executable application installed on the terminal Te. The determined task T may correspond to a step of a cooking recipe.

[0170] Thus, the application allows the user to choose a cooking recipe, the selection of each determined task T being then automated by the application for the complete execution of the recipe.

[0171] The user may also have access to a database D located in a remote server S, for example accessible via Internet. The Terminal Te is thus arranged to communicate with the management system of the database D and download data corresponding to particular tasks T or particular recipes.

[0172] The method for controlling the culinary preparation apparatus A by the terminal Te comprises a step e2 consisting in sending a control piece of information Cde to the culinary preparation apparatus A.

[0173] The control piece of information Cde comprises a control instruction IC related to said task T to be executed. The control piece of information Cde may also comprise a monitoring request RC.

[0174] The monitoring request RC aims at obtaining a feedback, that is to say, a monitoring piece of information CT coming from the culinary preparation apparatus A.

[0175] The monitoring piece of information CT may correspond to the progress of the execution of the determined task T or to an operation anomaly of the culinary preparation apparatus A which has been detected by a sensor of said apparatus. This is the case for example when the closure lid 5 is open during a task.

[0176] The monitoring piece of information CT can also signal the proper operation of the culinary preparation apparatus.

[0177] The internal control method of culinary preparation apparatus A then comprises a step E1 of receiving the control piece of information Cde.

[0178] The culinary preparation apparatus then carries out a configuration step E11 consisting in checking the ability of the functional element(s) F involved in the execution of the determined task T.

[0179] This configuration step E11 further consists in arranging the involved functional element(s) F so that they are disposed in the configuration allowing to execute the determined task T.

[0180] This arrangement and checking step is necessary from the point of view of the safe use of the culinary preparation apparatus A.

[0181] In FIG. 5, a step Ect of emitting a monitoring piece of information CT by the control entity C is shown corresponding to a monitoring request RC emitted by the terminal Te.

[0182] This step follows step E11 in the embodiment shown, but it can be carried out at any time during the operation of the culinary preparation apparatus A independently of the execution of a task T.

[0183] This step Ect of emitting a monitoring piece of information CT can be carried out after receiving a monitoring request CT or at the initiative of the culinary preparation apparatus A, that is to say after a particular event or on a regular basis.

[0184] The terminal Te then proceeds to a step e3 of receiving this monitoring piece of information CT. The management application of the execution of the task is updated thanks to this monitoring piece of information CT.

[0185] In this specific case, the monitoring piece of information CT may comprise a message of the type: the culinary preparation apparatus A has received the control piece of information Cde and is ready to execute the corresponding task T.

[0186] The culinary preparation apparatus A then carries out a step E2 of generating a state piece of information IE. This state piece of information IE is related to the ability of the determined functional element(s) F to execute said control instruction IC received previously.

[0187] The state piece of information IE is thus to be considered as a simple piece of information that may have the meaning yes, the culinary preparation apparatus A is ready to execute the task T or no, the apparatus is not in an arrangement allowing to execute the task T.

[0188] This state piece of information IE is generated by the control entity C and then, in a step E3, transmitted to the warning device DA which, in a step E31, emits a signal S related to said state piece of information IE.

[0189] This piece of information is emitted when the status of the state piece of information IE is yes, the culinary preparation apparatus is ready to execute the task T.

[0190] The user must be in the vicinity of the culinary preparation apparatus A in order to perceive the signal. Thus, from the point of view of the user, after having launched the execution of a task on the terminal Te, he must get close to the culinary preparation apparatus in order to perceive the signal S.

[0191] Thus, the user is capable of noting that everything is in accordance with a good use of the culinary preparation apparatus A and that the arrangement around the apparatus A is optimal so that the task T that will be launched takes place in good conditions.

[0192] This is the case if, for example, before a cooking task T, no heat-sensitive element is in the immediate vicinity of the apparatus A or no child is playing in the vicinity of the apparatus A.

[0193] The user then proceeds to an input of a confirmatory control instruction ICC at the user interface U of the culinary preparation apparatus A.

[0194] This confirmatory control piece of information ICC is a simple validation that does not require a specific technicality. Indeed, all the setting parameters related to the task T to be executed have already been determined in the previous steps. It is therefore not a setting.

[0195] The confirmatory control piece of information ICC consists for example in pressing a button which may also comprise a light element of the warning device DA.

[0196] Thus, the validation is very simple from the point of view of the user: he sees a button light up, which indicates that the culinary preparation apparatus A is ready to execute a task T, then he presses this button in order to launch the execution of the task T.

[0197] This input then induces a step E04 of acquiring the confirmatory control instruction ICC by the user interface U which is followed by a step E4 of receiving a confirmatory control instruction ICC by the control entity C.

[0198] The control entity C then proceeds to a step E5 of triggering the execution of a determined task T corresponding to the control instruction IC.

[0199] The determined task T is then executed by the involved functional element(s) F in a step E6. FIG. 5 also shows the sending by the terminal T of a monitoring request RC in a step e4. The terminal then receives a monitoring piece of information CT as explained before in a step e3.

[0200] During step E6, the control entity C manages the execution of the task T. Thus, the proper conduct of the step is managed locally, which avoids any sudden interruption in case of communication cut-off between the terminal T and the culinary preparation apparatus A.

[0201] The present method therefore provides the advantages of offsetting part of the memory of the control unit C, because the parameters defining the tasks T are not required to be stored locally.

[0202] Thus, when new recipes comprising a set of tasks T or when new functional elements T can be adapted to the culinary preparation apparatus A, it is not necessary to change the control entity C.

[0203] In addition, this offsetting is only partial because, during operation, from the moment when the control instruction IC has reached the control entity C, the culinary preparation apparatus A manages by itself the execution of the task T.

[0204] In addition, for an enhanced safety, the presence of a user in the vicinity of the apparatus A is necessary for triggering a task T, which avoids unwanted start-up due to a remote control.

[0205] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this control method, of this terminal and of this culinary preparation apparatus, described above by way of example, it encompasses on the contrary all the variants.