System and method for food preparation

• US 20070221668A1
• Filed: 03/23/2006
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lord, John, Bachman, Wesley, Baarman, David, Stien, Nathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,355,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/746
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/321 the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2437 Tag layered structure, processes for making layered tags
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2213/06 Cook-top or cookware capable of communicating with each other
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/062 for cooking plates or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/1236 adapted to induce current in a coil to supply power to a device and electrical heating devices powered in this way
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A food preparation system includes a non-contact power supply for energizing a cooking appliance. The food preparation system includes a communication system for enabling communication between a food appliance and the system. The appliance transmits an identifier to the system. If the appliance does not have a transmitter, the system attempts to determine the type of appliance from a characterization of the power consumption by the appliance. If the appliance cannot be characterized, the food preparation system can be operated manually.

Claims

1. A food preparation system for use with a food preparation appliance comprising:

a power supply;

a first inductive primary;

a processor for controlling the supply of power to the inductive power supply; and

a communication system connected to the processor for enabling communication between the processor and the food preparation appliance.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an alignment means for retaining the food preparation appliance in alignment with the first inductive primary.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising:

a user interface coupled to the processor for controlling the operation of the food preparation appliance.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

an antenna coupled to the communication system and located proximal to the first inductive primary.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising:

a network interface for coupling the food preparation system to a network.

6. A food preparation appliance comprising:

a food container;

an inductive secondary; and

an appliance control allowing a user to control the operation of the food container.

7. The food preparation appliance of claim 6 further comprising:

a heater coupled to the inductive secondary.

8. The food preparation appliance of claim 7 further comprising:

an electric motor coupled to the inductive secondary.

9. The food preparation appliance of claim 8 further comprising:

a transceiver for communicating with an inductive primary controller.

10. The food preparation appliance of claim 9 further comprising:

a temperature sensor; and

a display for indicating the temperature of the food container.

11. The food preparation appliance of claim 10 where the temperature sensor, display and transceiver are coupled to the inductive secondary.

12. The food preparation appliance of claim 11 where the food container, inductive secondary, appliance control, and transceiver are contained within a sealed enclosure.

13. The food preparation appliance of claim 12 where the alignment means is a magnet.

14. A food preparation appliance intermediary for placement between a food preparation system and a food preparation appliance comprising:

an inductive secondary;

a transceiver; and

a memory.

15. The food preparation appliance intermediary of claim 14 where the memory contains a database, the database having plurality of entries corresponding to different food preparation appliance.

16. The food preparation appliance intermediary of claim 15 where the processor is configured to obtain information regarding the food preparation appliance from the food preparation system.

17. The food preparation appliance intermediary of claim 15 further comprising a control for allowing a user to vary an operating parameter of the food preparation system.

18. A method of energizing a food preparation appliance comprising:

energizing an inductive power system;

determining an identifier for food preparation system;

determining an operating parameter for the food preparation system; and

operating the food preparation system in accordance with the operating parameter.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

receiving from the food preparation appliance an identifier.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

energizing the inductive power system at a plurality of frequencies;

determining an output for each of the plurality of frequencies, thus having a plurality of outputs; and

determining the identifier from the plurality of outputs.

21. The method of claim 19 where the output is the voltage.