Programmable load compensation method and apparatus for use in a food
First Claim
1. A cooking device for automatically cooking food products throughout at least one cooking interval comprising:
- a cavity;
a first heating element disposed within said cavity;
a second heating element disposed within said cavity, said first and second heating elements being separately controllable and simultaneously operable for at least a portion of said at least one cooking interval;
temperature selection means for enabling a user to input temperature setpoints for said cooking device;
temperature sensor means for providing temperature signals indicating a temperature in the cavity;
timing input means for enabling a user to select the duration of each cooking interval;
load compensation factor selection means for enabling a user to select a load compensation factor;
system control means responsive to said temperature selection means, said temperature sensor means, said load compensation factor selection means and said timing input means for determining an operation schedule for said first and second heating elements during each cooking interval and varying the duration of each cooking interval based on differences between temperature setpoint and the temperature of the cavity;
first heating element control means responsive to said system control means for changing said first heating element between an ON and an OFF mode according to the operation schedule; and
second heating element control means responsive to said system control means for changing said second heating element between an ON and an OFF mode according to the operation schedule.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for programmably controlling a cooking appliance. In addition to PREHEAT, COOK, and HOLD modes, the control is operable in a PROGRAM, SPECIAL PROGRAM and TEST mode. In PROGRAM mode a user sets parameters for a plurality of products. In SPECIAL PROGRAM mode global or system oriented settings are made. In TEST mode, individual components may be tested under operation of a control panel. Data may be logged to record usage for individual components and system information. A door sensor override may be used to turn OFF desired components when a door is open. A vent may be opened to reduce humidity at various programmed times during a COOK cycle or based on sensed parameters (e.g. humidity in the cooking chamber. A speaker may provide alarms that are programmable in volume and frequency for different products or events. Restricted access to different program or test modes is disclosed.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A cooking device for automatically cooking food products throughout at least one cooking interval comprising:
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a cavity; a first heating element disposed within said cavity; a second heating element disposed within said cavity, said first and second heating elements being separately controllable and simultaneously operable for at least a portion of said at least one cooking interval; temperature selection means for enabling a user to input temperature setpoints for said cooking device; temperature sensor means for providing temperature signals indicating a temperature in the cavity; timing input means for enabling a user to select the duration of each cooking interval; load compensation factor selection means for enabling a user to select a load compensation factor; system control means responsive to said temperature selection means, said temperature sensor means, said load compensation factor selection means and said timing input means for determining an operation schedule for said first and second heating elements during each cooking interval and varying the duration of each cooking interval based on differences between temperature setpoint and the temperature of the cavity; first heating element control means responsive to said system control means for changing said first heating element between an ON and an OFF mode according to the operation schedule; and second heating element control means responsive to said system control means for changing said second heating element between an ON and an OFF mode according to the operation schedule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating a cooking device having a cooking capacity, said cooking device operable during a plurality of cooking intervals, the method comprising the steps of:
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a.) selecting a duration value and setpoint temperature value for each cooking interval; b.) selecting a load compensation factor; c.) activating at least one heating element at the beginning of each cooking interval; d.) setting a counter to the selected duration value at the beginning of each cooking interval; e.) decrementing the counter value according to a set rate; f.) measuring the temperature within the cooking cavity; g.) calculating the difference between the setpoint temperature value and the measured temperature; h.) determining a rate adjustment value by multiplying the load compensation factor times the calculated difference; i.) adjusting the set rate based upon the rate adjustment value; j.) repeating steps e through i after a predetermined period of time; and k.) modifying the operation of at least one heating element when the counter value equals zero. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A cooking device comprising:
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a control panel comprising a plurality of product switches, each product switch operable to permit a user to select a different food product to be cooked; a ready display for indicating whether the cooking device is ready for the user to select a food product to be cooked; a plurality of electronic program displays, each program display adjacent to one product switch, whereby a program display illuminates to prompt a user to select a food product to be cooked and whereby the program display adjacent to the product switch selected remains illuminated after the user selects the food product; a plurality of menu card windows, each menu card window adjacent to one of the program displays, the menu card window indicating the food product with which the adjacent program display and product switch are associated; cooking controller means for utilizing the selected food product and determining an operational program including at least one cooking cycle; at least one heating element responsive to the cooking controller means for heating the food according to the determined operational program; and a cook display for indicating the duration of time remaining in each cooking cycle.
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24. A method of operating a cooking device having a cavity for cooking food comprising the steps of:
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prompting a user to select a food product to be cooked; prompting the user to select a plurality of cooking intervals for the food product; prompting the user to select input associated with each cooking stage for the food product selected, the input including a duration and a temperature setpoint; cooking the food using at least two heating elements simultaneously during at least a portion of at least one of the cooking stages for the duration selected for the selected cooking stages according to the selected input associated with the cooking stage; sensing the temperature in the cavity during the cooking step; and varying, in response to the sensing of the temperature in the cavity, the duration of the selected cooking stages based on differences between the temperature in the cavity and the temperature setpoints. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification