Method for automatic pairing for communication between a cooking utensil and an element of an induction cooktop

Abstract

A method for communication between a cooking utensil and an induction cooktop, includes: a step of arrangement of a cooking utensil on an element of the induction cooktop, a step of generation of a magnetic flux by the element on which the cooking utensil is arranged, a pairing request step including a sending of at least one pairing request frame by the communication module of the cooking utensil or the sending of at least one corresponding pairing request frame by the communication device of the induction cooktop, a step of listening by the communication device of the induction cooktop or, if applicable, by the communication module of the cooking utensil, the listening step including reception of the at least one pairing request frame or, if applicable, of the at least one corresponding pairing request frame, a pairing step between the cooking utensil and the induction cooktop including an exchange of information.

Claims

1. A method for communication between a cooking utensil and an induction cooktop, the communication method comprising: a step of arrangement of the cooking utensil on one of the elements of the induction cooktop, the cooking utensil comprising an energy source, a processing unit, a measuring device and a communication module, and the induction cooktop comprising a communication device, a step of generation of a magnetic flux by the element on which the cooking utensil is arranged, performed either following a direct indication to the induction cooktop on the part of a user relating to an identification of the element on which the cooking utensil is arranged, or following a substep of scanning by sequential generation of magnetic fluxes by the different elements of the induction cooktop until the measuring device of the cooking utensil detects the magnetic flux from the element on which the cooking utensil is arranged, a pairing request step comprising a sending of at least one pairing request frame according to a wireless communication protocol by the communication module of the cooking utensil, or the sending of at least one corresponding pairing request frame according to the wireless communication protocol by the communication device of the induction cooktop, the pairing request being triggered by the induction cooktop during generation of the magnetic flux, and by the cooking utensil during the detection of the magnetic flux from the element on which the cooking utensil is arranged, a step of listening by the communication device of the induction cooktop or, if applicable, by the communication module of the cooking utensil, the listening step comprising reception of the at least one pairing request frame or, if applicable, of the at least one corresponding pairing request frame, a pairing step between the cooking utensil and the induction cooktop comprising an exchange of information between the communication module of the cooking utensil and the communication device of the induction cooktop according to the wireless communication protocol, the information exchanged comprising in particular an indication of identification of the element on which the cooking utensil is arranged and an indication of identification of the cooking utensil, wherein the scanning substep comprises a prior operation of awakening of the processing unit and of the communication module of the cooking utensil by a detection device of the cooking utensil, the detection device configured to detect the magnetic flux emitted by the element on which the cooking utensil is arranged, the detection device being arranged in the cooking utensil.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the detection device comprises an electronic device designed to make the processing unit operational according to the characteristics of the magnetic flux, when the detection device detects the magnetic flux.

3. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device comprises at least one temperature measurement module.

4. The communication method according of claim 1, wherein the energy source comprises a power battery adapted to power the cooking utensil after an action on a device for powering up the cooking utensil.

5. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein the energy source comprises a device to recover energy from the magnetic flux of the element and adapted to recharge the power battery from the magnetic flux.

6. The communication method according to claim 1, comprising a step of activating the communication device of the induction cooktop, the activation step causing the communication device of the induction cooktop to emit the at least one corresponding pairing request frame and causing the reception of the at least one pairing request frame.

7. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication protocol is a radio frequency communication protocol.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein the radio frequency communication protocol is according to Bluetooth Low Energy®.

9. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the cooking utensil comprises a handle in which are provided the energy source, the processing unit, and the communication module.

10. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein the handle is removable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The invention will be more fully understood by means of the detailed description presented below in regard to the attached drawing in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a cooking utensil and of an induction cooktop;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the cooking utensil and of the portable communication terminal;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the cooking utensil;

(5) FIG. 4 is a diagram representing the steps of a method of communication between the cooking utensil and the induction cooktop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) In the following detailed description of the figures defined above, the same components or the components fulfilling identical functions may retain the same references so as to simplify the understanding of the invention.

(7) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a cooking utensil 1 is designed to be arranged on an element 3 of an induction cooktop 5. The element 3 cooperates with a cooking surface 7 of the cooking utensil 1 so as to produce cooking. To do this, the element has coils 8.

(8) The element 3 is designed to generate a magnetic flux having an identification characteristic such that it is possible to identify the element 3.

(9) The cooking utensil 1 may be, for example: a frying pan, a saucepan, a pressure cooker, a cooker, a steam cooker, a kettle, a Dutch oven, a skillet, a grill, a tajine, a wok, a couscoussier, a fondue set, etc.

(10) The cooking utensil 1 comprises a processing unit 9, a communication module 11 configured to exchange information with a communication device 13 of the induction cooktop 5. The cooking utensil 1 further comprises a powering-up device 15 designed to power up the processing unit 9 and the communication module 11.

(11) The processing unit 9 is an electronic unit including circuitry (e.g. one more electronic circuits) capable of performing primary logic operations on input signals and of returning a result of this operation as output. The processing unit 9 may also include a non-transitory memory (broadly termed a non-transitory machine storage medium) or may be in communication with a non-transitory memory coded with machine readable instructions to be executed by the processing unit 9 to carry out its functions.

(12) The cooking utensil 1 also comprises a measuring device 17 adapted to detect magnetic fluxes or magnetic fields.

(13) The measuring device 17 is a coil comprising a turn. Thus, when a magnetic flux crosses the coil, a voltage is induced at the terminals of the coil. This induced voltage is the image of the magnetic flux.

(14) The coil comprises a single turn called the lead wire. The lead wire creates a loop configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field.

(15) According to another possibility, the magnetic field measuring device 17 may be a Negative Temperature Coefficient thermistor (NTC thermistor). The NTC thermistor with its connection wires forms a current loop. When a magnetic flux crosses this loop, an induced voltage, the image of this magnetic flux, appears at the terminals of the NTC thermistor.

(16) According to another possibility, the magnetic field measuring device 17 may be a thermocouple. The thermocouple constitutes a current loop. If a magnetic flux crosses this loop, an induced voltage, the image of this flux, appears at the terminals of the thermocouple.

(17) According to another possibility, the magnetic field measuring device 17 may be a magnetic field sensor. This sensor may be a Hall effect sensor or a magnetoresistive sensor. This sensor measures a level of magnetic field and thus detects the presence of magnetic flux in its near environment.

(18) The measuring device 17 is positioned in the cooking surface 7 of the cooking utensil.

(19) The measuring device 17 also comprises at least one temperature measuring module to measure a temperature relating to the cooking performed by the cooking utensil 1.

(20) The cooking utensil 1 also comprises an energy source 18, such as a power battery 19 arranged in a handle 21 of the cooking utensil 1. Optionally, the cooking appliance 1 may comprise an energy recovery device 22 provided with receiving coils 23 designed to transmit a current recovered at the element to the power battery 19. The current is recovered from a magnetic flux produced by the element 3.

(21) The cooking utensil 1 also comprises a detection device 24 adapted to detect a magnetic flux emitted by the element 3 on which the cooking utensil 1 is arranged.

(22) The device 24 for detection of the magnetic flux emitted by the element 3 comprises an electronic device 24′ designed to make the processing unit 9 operational according to the characteristics of the magnetic flux, when the detection device 24 detects the magnetic flux.

(23) The handle 21 may be fixed or removable with regard to the rest of the cooking utensil 1. The processing unit 9 and the communication module 11 are contained in the handle 21.

(24) The processing unit 9 is configured to be wirelessly and remotely programmable by a portable communication terminal 25. The data exchange between the memory of the processing unit 9 and the portable communication terminal 25 can take place in both directions. A user can then remotely control the processing unit 9. For example, the processing unit 9 may include dedicated circuitry for receiving and transmitting data (e.g. an emitter and a receiver) with the portable communication terminal 25. Programming the processing unit 9 can take place, in an embodiment, by sending code instructions to the processing unit 9. For example, the code instructions may be received by the receiver of the processing unit 9 and then stored in the non-transitory memory of the processing unit 9 for later execution by the processor of the processing unit 9.

(25) The cooking utensil 1 is configured to transmit a specified information item relating to the operation of the element 3 on which the cooking utensil 1 is arranged.

(26) The cooking utensil 1 also comprises a display unit 27 connected to the processing unit 9. The display unit 27 makes it possible to view the information contained in the processing unit 9.

(27) In particular, the display unit 27 is contained in the handle 21 and/or the display unit 27 can be removed from the handle 21 and from the processing unit 9. The processing unit 9 comprises a processor.

(28) The induction cooktop 5 further comprises a sensor 29 configured to detect a loading of the induction cooktop 5. The sensor 29 is configured to detect a vibration corresponding to the placement of the cooking utensil 1 on the element 3.

(29) The induction cooktop 5 also comprises a central management system 39 configured to control the operation of the elements 3, of the communication device 13 and of the sensors 29, the central management system 39 comprising a processor 41.

(30) The central management system 39 may also include a dedicated non-transitory memory for storing code instructions to be executed by the processor 41 to perform the functions of the central management system 39.

(31) The induction cooktop 5 comprises a user interface 37 making it possible to control the operation of the element 3. The user can also use this user interface 37 to enter a direct indication relating to an identification of the element 3 on which the cooking utensil 1 is arranged.

(32) The direct indication corresponds to an information item sent to the central management system 39 of the induction cooktop 5.

(33) The user interface 37 comprises a control element 43, in particular provided with at least one button 45, and a display unit 47 such as a screen, able to display indications relating to the information exchanged by the induction cooktop 5 and the cooking utensil 1. In particular, the control element 43 is designed to send control information to the central management system 39. The control element 43 may be connected to the central management system 39 using wires.

(34) The induction cooktop 5 may comprise multiple elements 3, 3′ as described previously. Thus, the induction cooktop 5 comprises an additional element 3′ configured to generate an additional magnetic flux having an additional identification characteristic.

(35) Alternatively, the elements 3, 3′ may all present the same identification characteristic without posing a problem, given that the induction cooktop 5 is able to determine which element 3, 3′ is being used.

(36) Several cooking utensils 1, 1′ can cooperate with the induction cooktop 5. In the remainder of the text in reference to the figures, it is considered that the cooking utensil 1 is arranged on the element 3, in order to simplify the drafting. However, all combinations between the cooking utensils 1, 1′ and the elements 3, 3′ are envisioned, the method described being identical.

(37) As illustrated in FIG. 4, a method of communication between the cooking utensil 1 or the additional cooking utensil 1′ on the one hand, and the element 3 or the additional element 3′ on the other hand, comprises the steps described below.

(38) A step E0 of activation of the communication device 13 of the induction cooktop 5 consists of causing the reception of at least one pairing request 31 emitted by the communication module 11 and the emission by the communication device 13 of at least one corresponding pairing request 33. In an embodiment, each of the communication module 11 and communication device 13 includes dedicated circuitry for emitting and receiving (e.g. emitter and receiver) the pairing requests 31, 33.

(39) The at least one pairing request frame 31 and the at least one corresponding pairing request frame 33 are emitted according to a wireless communication protocol. The wireless communication protocol is a radio frequency communication protocol, in particular Bluetooth Low Energy® (e.g. in accordance with the specification of the Bluetooth Core Specification V.4). The pairing between the communication module 11 and the communication device 13 can be done according to known methods that use conventional wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth Low Energy®.

(40) The activation step E0 is performed following a step E00 of detection of a loading of the induction cooktop 5 in order to perform the activation step E0 automatically as soon as a loading is detected.

(41) The detection of a loading is performed by means of the sensor 29 of the induction cooktop 5 configured to detect a vibration of the induction cooktop 5, the vibration corresponding to the placement of the cooking utensil 1 on the element 3 of the induction cooktop 5.

(42) Alternatively, the activation step E0 may be performed following a manual start of the induction cooktop 5. In this case, the sensor 29 is not necessary.

(43) A step E1 of arrangement of a cooking utensil 1 on one of the elements 3 of the induction cooktop 5 is then performed.

(44) A step E2 of generation of a magnetic flux 35 by the element 3 on which the cooking utensil 1 is arranged is then performed. This step follows either a direct indication to the induction cooktop 5 on the part of the user relating to an identification of the element 3 on which the cooking utensil 1 is arranged, or a substep of scanning by sequential generation of magnetic fluxes 35 by the different elements 3, 3′ of the induction cooktop 5 until the measuring device 17 detects the magnetic flux 35 from the element 3 on which the cooking utensil 1 is arranged.

(45) The scanning substep comprises a prior operation of awakening of the processing unit 9 and of the communication module 11 of the cooking utensil 1 by a detection device 24 of the cooking utensil 1. The detection device is designed to detect the magnetic flux 35 emitted by the element 3 on which the cooking utensil 1 is arranged.

(46) A pairing request step E3 comprises a sending of the at least one pairing request frame 31 or the sending of the at least one corresponding pairing request frame 33.

(47) The pairing request is triggered on the one hand by the induction cooktop 5 during generation of the magnetic flux 35, and on the other hand by the cooking utensil 1 during the detection of the magnetic flux 35 from the element 3 on which the cooking utensil 1 is arranged.

(48) A listening step E4 is then performed by the communication device 13 of the induction cooktop 5 or, if applicable, by the communication module 11 of the cooking utensil 1.

(49) The listening step E4 comprises a reception of the at least one pairing request frame 31 or, if applicable, of the at least one corresponding pairing request frame 33.

(50) A step E5 of pairing between the cooking utensil 1 and the induction cooktop 5 comprises an exchange of information between the communication module 11 of the cooking utensil land the communication device 13 of the induction cooktop 5 according to the wireless communication protocol.

(51) The information exchanged comprises in particular an indication of identification of the element 3 on which the cooking utensil 1 is arranged and an indication of identification of the cooking utensil 1.

(52) The communication method thus described makes it possible to limit the manipulations required to establish bidirectional communication between the cooking utensil land the induction cooktop 5.

(53) It is therefore easy to add a cooking utensil 1 to a communication network according to the communication protocol used. In fact, the induction cooktop 5 can exchange information with multiple cooking utensils 1, 1′.

(54) When communication with a cooking utensil 1, 1′ is interrupted, this communication is then automatically re-established, because the communication method described above does not necessitate manipulation on the part of the user and can be performed automatically.

(55) As goes without saying, the invention is not limited only to the form of execution described above as an example; on the contrary, it encompasses all embodiment variants.