SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FOOD PREPARATION

• US 20120032524A1
• Filed: 10/17/2011
• Published: 02/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baarman, David W., Lord, John J., Stien, Nathan P., Bachman, Wesley J.
• Application Number:
  US13/274,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20120032524A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• 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. An inductive power supply system for use with a device having a secondary coil, the inductive power supply system comprising:

a surface for placing the device;

an inductive power supply for providing power inductively to the device, the inductive power supply being connected to a primary coil located proximal the surface, the primary coil defining an interior space;

a communication system for communicating using a wireless communication protocol, the communication system being connected to an antenna separate from the primary coil, the antenna located proximal the surface and fully contained within the interior space defined by the primary coil.

2. The inductive power supply system of claim 1 wherein the antenna and the primary coil are substantially coplanar.

3. The inductive power supply system of claim 1 wherein the axis of the antenna is substantially orthogonal to the surface and the axis of the primary coil is substantially orthogonal to the surface.

4. The inductive power supply system of claim 1 wherein the axis of the antenna passes through the interior space defined by the primary coil.

5. The inductive power supply system of claim 1 wherein the axis of the primary coil and the axis of the antenna are substantially parallel.

6. The inductive power supply system of claim 1 wherein the primary coil and antenna are substantially coaxial.

7. The inductive power supply system of claim 1 wherein the primary coil and antenna are concentric.

8. The inductive power supply system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication protocol includes at least one of Blue Tooth, 802.11b, and 802.11g.

9. The inductive power supply system of claim 1 wherein the antenna is a coil.

10. The inductive power supply system of claim 9 wherein the antenna coil is a single loop.

11. An inductive power supply system for use with a device having a secondary coil, the inductive power supply system comprising:

a surface for placing the device;

an inductive power supply means for providing power inductively to the device, the inductive power supply means being connected to a primary coil located proximal the surface, the primary coil defining an interior space;

a communication means for communicating using a wireless communication protocol, the communication means being connected to an antenna separate from the primary coil, the antenna located proximal the surface and fully contained within the interior space defined by the primary coil.

12. The inductive power supply system of claim 11 wherein the antenna and the primary coil are substantially coplanar.

13. The inductive power supply system of claim 11 wherein the axis of the antenna is substantially orthogonal to the surface and the axis of the primary coil is substantially orthogonal to the surface.

14. The inductive power supply system of claim 11 wherein the axis of the antenna passes through the interior space defined by the primary coil.

15. The inductive power supply system of claim 11 wherein the axis of the primary coil and the axis of the antenna are substantially parallel.

16. The inductive power supply system of claim 11 wherein the primary coil and antenna are substantially coaxial.

17. The inductive power supply system of claim 11 wherein the primary coil and antenna are concentric.

18. The inductive power supply system of claim 11 wherein the wireless communication protocol includes at least one of Blue Tooth, 802.11b, and 802.11g.

19. The inductive power supply system of claim 11 wherein the antenna is a coil.

20. The inductive power supply system of claim 19 wherein the antenna coil is a single loop.