Kitchen plug-in multi-purpose led system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to at least a kitchen insert multi-purpose LED system. Specifically, a kitchen appliance system is disclosed that includes an integrated light emitting diode (LED) light strip to display operational data, detect certain states of the kitchen appliance, and change the LED light strip accordingly. The integrated LED light strip illuminates the area adjacent to the kitchen appliance and the interior of the kitchen appliance when the kitchen appliance door is open. The LED light strip provides a customizable kitchen ambiance light when not otherwise occupied. Multiple appliances can be in data communication to provide kitchen-wide ambient lighting. The system can be in data communication with an aircraft system to provide environmental feedback via color-coded lighting.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Modern aircraft galleys are often poorly lit, and flight attendants work in their own shadows on the galley counters. This creates operational problems both in the galley and when trying to get feedback from equipment at a distance.

[0002] Existing lighting systems can illuminate the kitchen work area, but may not be adjustable to specific appliance locations, and existing appliance lighting systems can illuminate the inside of appliances but do not provide any feedback about the appliances. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concept disclosed herein relate to a kitchen appliance system with an integrated light-emitting diode (LED) light strip for displaying operational data, detecting certain states of the kitchen appliance, and changing the LED strip accordingly. When the kitchen appliance door is open, the integrated LED light strip illuminates the area adjacent to the kitchen appliance and the interior of the kitchen appliance.

[0004] On the other hand, when the LED light strips are not otherwise occupied, they provide customizable ambient lighting for the kitchen. Multiple appliances can communicate data to provide galley-wide ambient lighting. The system can also communicate data with aircraft systems to provide environmental feedback via color-coded lighting.

[0005] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and illustrative, and should not limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept disclosed herein and, together with the general description, serve to explain the principles. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Those skilled in the art can better understand the many advantages of the embodiments of the inventive concept disclosed herein by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] Figure 1 A block diagram of a system according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0008] Figure 2 A perspective view of an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0009] Figure 3 A top view of an appliance according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0010] Figure 4 A detailed partial view of the appliance according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0011] Figure 5A A perspective view of an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0012] Figure 5B A perspective view of an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0013] Figure 5C A perspective view of an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0014] Figure 6 A perspective view of the apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0015] Figure 7 A perspective view of the apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Before explaining in detail at least one embodiment of the inventive concept disclosed herein, it should be understood that the inventive concept is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components, steps, or methods set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed description of embodiments of the inventive concept, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concept. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure that the inventive concept disclosed herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the invention. The inventive concept disclosed herein can be other embodiments or can be practiced or performed in various ways. Moreover, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting.

[0017] As used herein, the letters following the reference numerals are intended to indicate embodiments of the feature or element that may be similar to, but need not be identical to, the foregoing elements or features having the same reference numerals (e.g., 1, 1a, 1b). Such simplified symbols are for convenience only and should not be construed as limiting the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any way, unless expressly stated to the contrary.

[0018] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to inclusive or rather than exclusive or. For example, condition A or B is satisfied by any of the following: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist); A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists); and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0019] Furthermore, the terms "a" or "an" are used to describe elements and components of embodiments of the inventive concept. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general meaning to the inventive concept, and "a" and "an" are intended to include one or at least one, and the singular includes the plural, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0020] Finally, as used herein, any reference to “one embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the inventive concept disclosed herein. The phrase “in some embodiments” appearing in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to all the same embodiments, and embodiments of the disclosed inventive concept may include one or more of the features explicitly described or inherently present herein, or any combination of sub-combinations of two or more such features, together with any other features that may not necessarily be explicitly described or inherently present in this disclosure.

[0021] Broadly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein relate to a kitchen appliance system with an integrated light-emitting diode (LED) light strip that displays operational data, detects certain states of the kitchen appliance, and adjusts the LED light strip accordingly. When the kitchen appliance door is open, the integrated LED light strip illuminates the area adjacent to the appliance and the interior of the appliance, and provides customizable ambient lighting when not otherwise occupied. Multiple appliances can communicate data to provide ambient lighting across the kitchen area. The system can also communicate data with aircraft systems to provide environmental feedback via color-coded lighting.

[0022] refer to Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The system 100, implemented in an aircraft galley appliance, includes a processor 102, a memory 104 connected to the processor 102 for implementing processor-executable code, and a plurality of color-changing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 106. The processor 102 is configured to receive status data corresponding to the system; for example, in the case where the system is implemented in an oven, the processor 102 may receive data indicating that a heating cycle has begun, a cooking cycle has ended, the oven has experienced a malfunction, some cabin crew input is required, etc. Each unique system status is associated with a color code reproducible on the plurality of color-changing LEDs 106.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, the processor 102 communicates data with one or more internal sensors 108 (e.g., door sensors, light sensors, and / or proximity sensors incorporated into the kitchen appliance). The processor 102 can apply overriding lighting states to multiple color-changing LEDs 106 based on the state of the internal sensors 108; for example, when the door sensor indicates the appliance door is open, the color-changing LEDs 106 can be illuminated with white light to illuminate the interior of the kitchen appliance, regardless of the current state of the system. Alternatively, or additionally, the luminance of the color-changing LEDs 106 can be reduced for all states when the light sensor detects a low-light condition in the kitchen. Alternatively, or additionally, the color-changing LEDs 106 can remain off until the proximity sensor detects the presence of a flight attendant.

[0024] In at least one embodiment, the processor 102 communicates with one or more external sensors 110. For example, the processor 102 may receive light level data from an external source, rather than a light sensor inside the kitchen appliance. Alternatively or additionally, the processor 102 may communicate with other kitchen appliances that also implement the system 100 according to embodiments of the invention and utilize sensors from one or more of those other kitchen appliances. Additionally, the processor 102 may activate the color-changing LED 106 to produce simple ambient lighting when not otherwise used. Multiple kitchen appliances may operate collaboratively via data communication to produce ambient lighting of similar color and intensity.

[0025] In at least one embodiment, the processor 102 communicates data with the avionics system 112 on the aircraft. In a warning state, the processor 102 can apply an appropriate warning state color to the color-changing LED 106, regardless of the state of the system 100; for example, when the captain has instructed all crew members to be seated.

[0026] refer to Figure 2 The image shows a perspective view of an appliance 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. Appliance 200 includes a plurality of color-changing LEDs 202 disposed within the frame of appliance 200, near a door 204. The color-changing LEDs 202 are configured to illuminate the front surface of the door 204, which provides a large, easily visible area where light can be diffusely reflected. Furthermore, the arrangement near the door 204 allows the color-changing LEDs 202 to illuminate the adjacent working area and interior of appliance 200 when the door 204 is open.

[0027] refer to Figure 3The image shows a side view of an appliance 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. The appliance 300 includes a plurality of color-changing LEDs 306 disposed in an upper control panel 304 of the appliance 300. The color-changing LEDs 306 are arranged close to the work area and oriented downwards without obstruction, preventing any shadows from disturbing the crew and directing the light generally downwards.

[0028] Reference Figure 4 The image shows a detailed partial view of an appliance according to an exemplary embodiment. Appliance 400 includes a plurality of color-changing LEDs 406 disposed within the frame of appliance 400, near door 404. When door 404 is open, the arrangement of the color-changing LEDs 406 on the bottom surface of the upper control panel generally directs light from the color-changing LEDs 406 downwards into the work area and the interior of the appliance. This arrangement prevents light from the color-changing LEDs 406 from interfering with the crew members in other parts of the kitchen.

[0029] Reference Figures 5A-5C The image shows a perspective view of an appliance 500 according to an exemplary embodiment. In at least one embodiment, a color-changing LED disposed in the appliance is oriented to illuminate the door of the appliance 500 when closed and the interior of the appliance 500 when open. The color-changing LED also illuminates the adjacent work area. The color of the color-changing LED can be defined by the operating state of the appliance 500; for example, when the appliance 500 is in a "ready" state, the color-changing LED may flash green 502, when the appliance 500 is in a busy state, the color-changing LED may flash blue 504, when the appliance 500 is in a "faulty" state, the color-changing LED may flash amber 506, and so on.

[0030] In at least one embodiment, the color-changing LED may follow an on / off button halo color operating pattern (blue, amber, green, etc.). It is understood that any combination of colors may be considered.

[0031] Reference Figure 6 The image shows a perspective view of an appliance 600 according to an exemplary embodiment. Appliance 600 may include a door sensor for detecting when a door 604 is open. When the door sensor detects that door 604 is open, a color-changing LED 606 disposed in the bottom surface of the upper control panel can be illuminated at full brightness in white, thereby illuminating the interior of appliance 600 and the kitchen work area 608.

[0032] Reference Figure 7The illustration shows a perspective view of an appliance 700 according to an exemplary embodiment. In at least one embodiment, the appliance is an oven; color-changing LEDs 706 in the light strip clearly indicate the oven's status (standby, cooking, ready, off), which can be observed by a flight attendant from a distance, which is preferred for flight attendant support. In at least one embodiment where the galley includes multiple ovens, the flight attendant can observe the status of all ovens at any time.

[0033] When the door 704 is opened, the color-changing LED 706 automatically switches to white / bright light, providing good visibility on the kitchen work surface and better illumination inside the oven for inspection, food checks, or cleaning purposes. When not used for operational purposes, the color-changing LED 706 can be used as backlighting or ambient lighting between the frame and the oven door 704.

[0034] In at least one embodiment, the color-changing LED further includes an LCD overlay configured to generate a written message that can be projected by the color-changing LED as a backlight. Such a written message may include detailed color-coded feedback; advertisements; operational instructions for the device; emergency messages received from a remote avionics system; and so on.

[0035] It is believed that the inventive concept disclosed herein and its many accompanying advantages can be understood through the embodiments described above, and it will be apparent that various changes can be made in the form, structure, and arrangement of its components without departing from the broad scope of the inventive concept disclosed herein or without sacrificing all its substantial advantages; and various features from the various embodiments can be combined to obtain other embodiments. The forms described herein are merely illustrative embodiments, and the appended claims are intended to include and encompass such changes. Furthermore, any feature disclosed with respect to any individual embodiment can be combined with any other embodiment.

Claims

1. An aircraft kitchen appliance system, comprising: Appliance doors with a diffuse front surface to reflect light into the kitchen area; Multiple color-changing LEDs are disposed on the bottom surface of the upper control panel of the appliance frame, and the LEDs are oriented to direct light downwards into the work area and the interior of the appliance when the appliance door is opened; The plurality of said LEDs include an LCD overlay configured to generate writing messages backlit by the LEDs; Data link connection to one or more other kitchen appliance systems; as well as At least one processor that communicates data with the plurality of LEDs and a memory, the memory storing processor-executable code for configuring the at least one processor to: It is determined that the aircraft's kitchen appliance system is currently in operation; The LED is illuminated with a first color corresponding to the operating state; It has been determined that the aircraft's kitchen appliance system is currently in a completed state; The LED is illuminated with a second color corresponding to the completed state; and To coordinate the lighting pattern with the one or more other kitchen appliance systems, Specifically, when the appliance door is opened, the processor is also configured to control state-based lighting and illuminate the LEDs with white light at maximum illumination levels to illuminate the work area and the interior of the appliance. The aircraft kitchen appliance system is configured to be installed in the aircraft kitchen.

2. The aircraft kitchen appliance system according to claim 1, further comprising an optical sensor for data communication with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: The light level is detected via the light sensor; and The light level of the LED is adjusted based on the detected light level.

3. The aircraft kitchen appliance system of claim 1, further comprising a door sensor for data communication with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: The door sensor detects when the door is open.

4. The aircraft kitchen appliance system according to claim 3, further comprising an optical sensor for data communication with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: The light level is detected via the light sensor; and The maximum illumination level is adjusted based on the detected light level.

5. The aircraft kitchen appliance system of claim 1, further comprising a data link connection between the aircraft system and the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: Receive warning messages via the data link connection; and The color-changing LED is illuminated in a first color or a specific warning color, regardless of the current state of the aircraft's kitchen appliance system.

6. The aircraft kitchen appliance system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to illuminate the color-changing LED according to a defined color code associated with the halo of the on / off button.

7. An aircraft kitchen appliance, comprising: Tool frame; The door has a diffuse front surface to reflect light into the kitchen area; Multiple color-changing LEDs are disposed on the bottom surface of the upper control panel of the appliance frame and are oriented to direct light downwards into the kitchen work area and the interior of the appliance when the door is opened; The plurality of said LEDs include an LCD overlay configured to generate writing messages backlit by the LEDs; Data link connection to one or more other kitchen appliance systems; as well as At least one processor that communicates data with the plurality of LEDs and a memory, the memory storing processor-executable code for configuring the at least one processor to: It is determined that the aircraft's kitchen equipment is currently in operation; The LED is illuminated with a first color corresponding to the operating state; It is determined that the aircraft's kitchen equipment is currently in a completed state; The LED is illuminated with a second color corresponding to the completed state; and To coordinate the lighting pattern with the one or more other kitchen appliance systems, When the door is detected to be open, the processor is also configured to control state-based lighting and illuminate the LEDs with white light at maximum illumination levels to light the kitchen work area and the interior of the appliances.

8. The aircraft kitchen appliance of claim 7, further comprising an optical sensor in data communication with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: The light level is detected via the light sensor; and The light level of the LED is adjusted based on the detected light level.

9. The aircraft kitchen appliance of claim 7, further comprising a door sensor in data communication with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: The door sensor detects when the door is open.

10. The aircraft kitchen appliance of claim 9, further comprising an optical sensor in data communication with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: The light level is detected via the light sensor; and The maximum illumination level is adjusted based on the detected light level.

11. The aircraft kitchen appliance of claim 7, further comprising a data link connection between the aircraft system and the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: Receive warning messages via the data link connection; and The color-changing LED is illuminated in a first color or a specific warning color, regardless of the current state of the aircraft's kitchen appliances.

12. The aircraft kitchen appliance according to claim 7, wherein, The at least one processor is also configured to illuminate the color-changing LED according to a color code defined and associated with the halo of the on / off button.

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