HOB DEVICE

Abstract

A generic hob device having improved characteristics with regard to high operating convenience includes an output unit and a control unit. The hob device outputs by the output unit a catalogue of recipes for selection, and depending on an operating input, the hob device leads an operator through a selected recipe by the output unit.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A cooktop apparatus, comprising: an output unit; and a control unit configured to output a catalog of recipes for selection by the output unit and to guide an operator through a selected one of the catalog of recipes by the output unit as a function of an operating input.

15. The cooktop apparatus of claim 14, wherein a first setpoint temperature of a first recipe step of at least one of the recipes differs essentially from a second setpoint temperature of a second recipe step of the at least one of the recipes.

16. The cooktop apparatus of claim 14, wherein a temperature is automatically adjusted based on the selected one of the catalog of recipes by the control unit.

17. The cooktop apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control unit has a timer for starting a second recipe step after a predetermined time period has elapsed after a first recipe step.

18. The cooktop apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control unit outputs an item of time information relating to at least one recipe step by the output unit.

19. The cooktop apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control unit outputs a notification relating to a transition from the first recipe step to the second recipe step by the output unit.

20. The cooktop apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control unit outputs an operating prompt by the output unit.

21. The cooktop apparatus of claim 20, wherein the operating prompt comprises a prompt to lie and/or stand food in position.

22. The cooktop apparatus of claim 20, wherein the operating prompt comprises a prompt to turn food.

23. The cooktop apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control unit deactivates a heating element automatically after completion of the selected one of the catalog of recipes.

24. The cooktop apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control unit has a storage unit configured to store at least one further recipe of the catalog of recipes as a function of the operating input.

25. A cooktop, comprising a cooktop apparatus including an output unit and a control unit configured to output a catalog of recipes for selection by the output unit and to guide an operator through a selected recipe by the output unit as a function of an operating input.

26. The cooktop of claim 25, constructed as an induction cooktop.

27. The cooktop of claim 25, wherein a first setpoint temperature of a first recipe step of at least one of the recipes differs essentially from a second setpoint temperature of a second recipe step of the at least one of the recipes.

28. The cooktop of claim 25, wherein a temperature is automatically adjusted based on the selected one of the catalog of recipes by the control unit.

29. The cooktop of claim 25, wherein the control unit has a timer for starting a second recipe step after a predetermined time period has elapsed after a first recipe step.

30. The cooktop of claim 29, wherein the control unit outputs an item of time information relating to at least one recipe step by the output unit.

31. The cooktop of claim 29, wherein the control unit outputs a notification relating to a transition from the first recipe step to the second recipe step by the output unit.

32. The cooktop of claim 25, wherein the control unit outputs an operating prompt by the output unit.

33. The cooktop of claim 32, wherein the operating prompt comprises a prompt to lie and/or stand food in position.

34. The cooktop of claim 32, wherein the operating prompt comprises a prompt to turn food.

35. The cooktop of claim 25, wherein the control unit deactivates a heating element automatically after completion of the selected one of the catalog of recipes.

36. The cooktop of claim 25, wherein the control unit has a storage unit configured to store at least one further recipe of the catalog of recipes as a function of the operating input.

37. A method for operating a cooktop apparatus, said method comprising: outputting a catalog of recipes for selection by an output unit; and guiding an operator through a selected one of the catalog of recipes as a function of an operating input by the output unit.

Description

[0019] 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 combine them in useful further combinations.

[0020] In the drawing:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a cooktop with a cooktop apparatus and a cookware item in a first method step,

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of the cooktop with the cooktop apparatus and the cookware item in a second method step,

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of the cooktop with the cooktop apparatus and the cookware item in a third method step,

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of the cooktop with the cooktop apparatus and the cookware item in a fourth method step,

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of the cooktop with the cooktop apparatus and the cookware item in a fifth method step,

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of the cooktop with the cooktop apparatus and the cookware item in a sixth method step,

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a schematic top view of the cooktop with the cooktop apparatus and the cookware item in a seventh method step,

[0028] FIG. 8 shows a schematic top view of the cooktop with the cooktop apparatus and the cookware item in an eighth method step,

[0029] FIG. 9 shows a schematic top view of the cooktop with the cooktop apparatus and the cookware item in a ninth method step and

[0030] FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a sequence of a method for operating the cooktop apparatus.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a cooktop 18, which is configured as an induction cooktop, with a cooktop apparatus 10, which is configured as an induction cooktop apparatus. The cooktop apparatus 10 comprises a cooktop plate 20. In a mounted state the cooktop plate 20 forms part of an outer housing, in particular an outer housing of the cooktop 18. The cooktop plate 20 is provided to have cookware 22 positioned thereon (see FIGS. 2 to 9).

[0032] The cooktop apparatus 10 comprises at least one heating element (not shown). In the present exemplary embodiment the cooktop apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of heating elements. The heating elements are arranged in the form of a cooktop matrix. Alternatively the cooktop apparatus could comprise a larger or smaller number of heating elements. For example the cooktop apparatus could have in number two to six heating elements, which could be arranged for example at a distance from one another and in particular in the form of a conventional cooktop. In the present exemplary embodiment the heating elements define a variable cooking surface region 24. The variable cooking surface region 24 is provided to heat cookware 22 positioned on the cooktop plate 20 above the heating elements.

[0033] The cooktop apparatus 10 comprises an operating unit 26 for inputting and/or selecting operating parameters, for example a heat output and/or a heat output density and/or a temperature and/or a heating zone and/or a recipe. The operating unit could comprise for example at least one mechanical operating element, such as in particular a knob and/or a joystick and/or a disk and/or a button and/or a lever. In the present exemplary embodiment the operating unit 26 has at least one touch-sensitive operating element (not shown). The operating unit 26 here has a number of touch-sensitive operating elements. Only one of the operating elements is described in the following.

[0034] The cooktop apparatus 10 comprises an output unit 12. The output unit 12 is provided to output a value of an operating parameter to an operator. The output unit 12 is provided to output visually. Alternatively or additionally the output unit could be provided in particular to output acoustically. The operating unit 26 and the output unit 12 are configured partially as a single piece. The output unit 12 has a display. The display is configured as a liquid crystal display, which is known in particular by the abbreviation TFT.

[0035] The cooktop apparatus 10 comprises a control unit 14. The control unit 14 is provided to perform actions and/or change settings as a function of operating parameters input by means of the operating unit 26. In a heating mode state the control unit 14 regulates an energy supply to the heating elements. In the heating mode state the control unit 14 transmits a signal to provide an energy supply to the heating elements to an electronic power unit (not shown). The cooktop apparatus 10 comprises the electronic power unit, which provides an energy supply to the heating elements as a function of a signal transmitted by the control unit 14.

[0036] In a method for operating the cooktop apparatus 10 a cookware item 22 is put in position in a first method step. When a cookware item 22 is detected in position, the control unit outputs a catalog of recipes for selection by way of the output unit 12 in a selection step 28 (see FIGS. 1 and 10). In the selection step 28 an operator selects a recipe from the catalog of recipes by an operating input by means of the operating unit 26. The control unit 14 guides the operator through the selected recipe by way of the output unit 12 as a function of the operating input. The control unit 14 is provided to guide the operator through any type of selected recipe as a function of the operating input, for example through at least one temperature-critical and/or at least one non-temperature-critical recipe.

[0037] The control unit 14 outputs an operating prompt to select a heating zone by way of the output unit 12. In the selection step 28 the operator selects a heating zone for the positioned cookware 22 by an operating input by means of the operating unit 26.

[0038] In one recipe step of the selected recipe the control unit 14 outputs an operating prompt by way of the output unit 12 (see FIG. 2). The control unit 14 prompts the operator by means of the operating prompt to add fat, for example oil and/or margarine and/or cooking fat. Once an action required according to the operating prompt has been performed, the operator confirms the performed action by an operating input by means of the operating unit 26. The control unit 14 heats the cookware 22 to a setpoint temperature according to the selected recipe in a preheating step 30 (see FIGS. 2 and 10). In the preheating step 30 the control unit 14 heats the cookware 22 together with the fat in the cookware 22 to the setpoint temperature according to the selected recipe. Alternatively the control unit could be provided to heat an empty cookware item, to which in particular neither food nor any ingredient nor fat has been added, to a setpoint temperature, as could be the case for example for fat-free cooking.

[0039] The control unit 14 has a timer (not shown). The control unit 14 starts a second recipe step after a predetermined time period has elapsed after a first recipe step. Should a longer time period than the predetermined time period be required to achieve a result to be achieved in the first recipe step, the control unit 14 starts the second recipe step after the result to be achieved has been achieved. The result to be achieved could be for example reaching the setpoint temperature and/or melting fat and/or a specific cooking state of a food to be cooked.

[0040] In a food step 32 the control unit 14 outputs an operating prompt by way of the output unit 12 (see FIG. 10). The control unit 14 prompts the operator to lie and/or stand food in position. The operating prompt comprises the lying and/or standing of food. The control unit 14 prompts the operator to confirm the performance of an action required by the operating prompt (see FIGS. 3 and 10). The control unit 14 starts a cooking step 34 as a function of confirmation of the required action.

[0041] In the cooking step 34 the control unit 14 activates heating elements covered by the cookware 22 (see FIGS. 4 and 10). The control unit 14 regulates a current temperature of the cookware 22 to a setpoint temperature assigned to the cookware 22 according to a current recipe step according to the selected recipe. The setpoint temperature in the cooking step 34 differs essentially from the setpoint temperature in the preheating step 30. A first setpoint temperature of a first recipe step of the recipes differs essentially from a second setpoint temperature of a second recipe step of the recipe.

[0042] During a transition between two recipe steps of the selected recipe, which comprise in particular differing setpoint temperatures, the control unit 14 automatically adjusts a temperature based on the selected recipe. The control unit 14 outputs time information relating to the recipe step to the operator by way of the output unit 12, the control unit 14 performing said recipe step (see FIG. 4). In the present exemplary embodiment the control unit 14 outputs the time information in the form of a time period still remaining until the end of the recipe step by way of the output unit 12. The control unit 14 outputs temperature information relating to the recipe step to the operator by way of the output unit 12 (see FIG. 4).

[0043] After the end of the remaining time period the control unit 14 starts an interaction step 36 (see FIG. 10). The control unit 14 outputs a notification relating to a transition from a first recipe step to a second recipe step by way of the output unit 12 (see FIG. 5). In the interaction step 36 the control unit 14 outputs an operating prompt by way of the output unit 12. The control unit 14 prompts the operator to turn food 16. The operating prompt comprises the turning of food 16.

[0044] In a confirmation step 38 the control unit 14 prompts the operator to confirm the performance of an action required by the operating prompt (see FIGS. 6 and 10). The control unit 14 prompts the operator to confirm completion of the recipe step by way of the output unit 12. The operator confirms the completion of the recipe step by an operating input by means of the operating unit 26, if the desired result corresponds to an achieved result. Otherwise the operator changes at least one operating parameter of at least one recipe step of the selected recipe, in particular of the recipe step, for example a time period and/or a setpoint temperature, by an operating input by means of the operating unit 26. The control unit 14 continues to perform the recipe step as set out as a function of the operating input by means of the operating unit 26.

[0045] The control unit 14 starts a check step 40 (see FIG. 10) as a function of confirmation of completion of the recipe step. In the check step 40 the control unit 14 checks whether the selected recipe has been completed. If the control unit 14 determines in the check step 40 that at least one further recipe step of the selected recipe has yet to be performed, the control unit 14 repeats a cycle in the form of the cooking step 34, the interaction step 36 and the confirmation step 38 (see FIGS. 7, 8 and 10). Should an action by an operator be required before the start of a cycle, the control unit 14 outputs an operating prompt by way of the output unit 12. The action by the operator could be for example an operating input by means of the operating unit. Alternatively or additionally the action could be for example the treatment of a food to be cooked, in particular standing and/or lying it in position and/or turning it and/or adding food to be cooked and/or ingredients.

[0046] If in the check step 40 the control unit 14 determines that all the recipe steps of the selected recipe have been performed, in a concluding step 42 the control unit 14 terminates the performance of the selected recipe (see FIGS. 9 and 10). In the concluding step 42 the control unit 14 automatically deactivates activated heating elements after completion of the selected recipe. In the concluding step 42 the control unit 14 outputs information relating to completion of the selected recipe to the operator by way of the output unit 12. In the concluding step the control unit could output an operating prompt, in particular to confirm completion of the selected recipe, by way of the output unit.

[0047] In the method for operating the cooktop apparatus 10 a catalog of recipes for selection is output by the control unit 14 by way of the output unit 12. An operator is guided through a selected recipe as a function of an operating input.

[0048] The control unit 14 has a storage unit (not shown). A plurality of recipes are stored in the storage unit of the control unit 14. The recipes stored in the storage unit together form the catalog of recipes. The recipes stored in the storage unit are predefined. The control unit 14 stores further recipes in the storage unit as a function of an operating input by means of the operating unit 26. The control unit 14 makes changes to recipes already stored in the storage unit, in particular to predefined recipes and/or recipes stored as a function of an earlier operating input, as a function of an operating input by means of the operating unit 26. The control unit 14 stores the changes to the recipe undertaken due to the operating input by means of the operating unit in the storage unit. For example the control unit could add a further recipe, which could be formed by the amended recipe. Alternatively the control unit could replace the existing recipe with the amended recipe. The control unit 14 amends at least one recipe from the catalog of recipes as a function of an operating input by means of the operating unit 26.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0049] 10 Cooktop apparatus [0050] 12 Output unit [0051] 14 Control unit [0052] 16 Food to be cooked [0053] 18 Cooktop [0054] 20 Cooktop plate [0055] 22 Cookware [0056] 24 Variable cooking surface region [0057] 26 Operating unit [0058] 28 Selection step [0059] 30 Preheating step [0060] 32 Food step [0061] 34 Cooking step [0062] 36 Interaction step [0063] 38 Confirmation step [0064] 40 Check step [0065] 42 Concluding step