User interface for white goods and associated multi-channel proximity sensors
First Claim
1. A method for operating a stove comprising (i) a controller, (ii) a cooking surface comprising illuminable segments on outer edges of the surface, the illumination of the segments being controlled by the controller, (ii) a plurality of burners under the surface, controlled by the controller, each burner located adjacent to one or more illuminable segments associated therewith, and (iv) one or more touch-and-proximity sensors near the burners and connected to the controller, the method comprising:
- in response to the sensors detecting a pot placed above one of the burners, illuminating, by the controller, the one or more illuminable segments associated with that burner; and
in response to the sensors detecting an object gliding along an illuminated segment;
adjusting, by the controller, the temperature of the burner associated with that illuminated segment; and
correspondingly changing, by the controller, the illumination of the one or more illuminated segments associated with that burner.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operating a stove including providing a plurality of burners beneath a cooktop surface and a plurality of visible-light emitters mounted under the surface for separately, variably illuminating edges of the surface adjacent to each of the burners, providing a touch-and-proximity sensor for detecting objects above the surface, illuminating at least one edge of the surface in response to the sensor detecting a pot suspended above one of the burners, and intensifying the illuminating commensurate with proximity of the pot to the one burner, as further detected by the sensor.
35 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for operating a stove comprising (i) a controller, (ii) a cooking surface comprising illuminable segments on outer edges of the surface, the illumination of the segments being controlled by the controller, (ii) a plurality of burners under the surface, controlled by the controller, each burner located adjacent to one or more illuminable segments associated therewith, and (iv) one or more touch-and-proximity sensors near the burners and connected to the controller, the method comprising:
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in response to the sensors detecting a pot placed above one of the burners, illuminating, by the controller, the one or more illuminable segments associated with that burner; and in response to the sensors detecting an object gliding along an illuminated segment; adjusting, by the controller, the temperature of the burner associated with that illuminated segment; and correspondingly changing, by the controller, the illumination of the one or more illuminated segments associated with that burner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A stove comprising:
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a controller; a cooktop surface comprising illuminable segments on outer edges of the surface, the illumination of the segments being controlled by the controller; a plurality of burners under said surface, controlled by said controller, each burner located adjacent to one or more illuminable segments associated therewith; first and second sensors, near said burners and connected to said controller, the first sensor comprising a proximity sensor operative to detect objects on said surface, and the second sensor comprising a touch sensor operative to detect an object gliding along one of said illuminable segments, wherein said controller is operative to; (i) in response to said first sensor detecting a pot above a burner, illuminate the one or more illuminable segments associated with that burner, and (ii) in response to said second sensor detecting an object gliding along an illuminated segment, adjust the temperature of the burner associated with that illuminated segment, and correspondingly change the illumination of the one or more illuminated segments associated with that burner. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification