Cooking surface for preparing food and process and control unit for operating a cooking surface

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooktop (100) for preparing food, wherein the cooktop (100) has a hotplate (105) with at least one coupling interface (110) for wireless coupling with a device (115) placed on the hotplate (105) in order to activate a device function of the cooktop (100).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hob for preparing food and to a method and a control unit for operating a hob.

[0002] Household appliances can have a wide range of functions. There is potential for optimization, particularly in the context of the so-called smart home, where devices are controlled via mobile devices, for example.

[0003] The approach presented here aims to create an improved cooking hob for preparing food as well as an improved method and an improved control unit for operating a cooking hob.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a cooktop for preparing food, as well as a method and a control unit for operating a cooktop, having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the following subclaims.

[0005] The approach presented here creates a way for a device with multiple functions to perform these or at least two of them simultaneously. This allows users to conveniently operate the device, for example, during cooking or when using a small appliance.

[0006] A cooking hob for preparing food is presented, wherein the cooking hob has a cooking plate with at least one coupling interface for wireless coupling with a device placed on the cooking plate in order to activate a device function of the cooking hob or to communicate with a placed device and supply it with energy.

[0007] The hob can be designed, for example, as a household appliance or alternatively as a professional appliance and can be used accordingly in private spaces or in the catering sector. The hob can have a cooking plate, for example a ceramic hob, or advantageously be designed as an induction hob. For example, a heating device of the hob can be arranged below the cooking plate in order to advantageously heat at least one cooking area or cooking zone on or at the cooking plate. In particular, the hob can be integrated into a worktop as a fully integrated hob. The coupling interface can, for example, be arranged in or on the cooking area or be an additional function part of the cooking zones. The cooking plate itself can advantageously be designed as a one-piece piece.Advantageously, the device can be embodied as a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, or as a small kitchen appliance, such as a blender, toaster, or kettle. Advantageously, the hob can establish a wireless connection to the device and activate the device function, advantageously charging the device or supplying it with power during operation, and additionally or alternatively communicating with the device, thus advantageously enabling data transmission.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the hotplate can be designed to be able to transmit at least one item of information to the device coupled to the hob via the coupling interface and additionally or alternatively from the device to the hob, and additionally or alternatively to be able to supply the device coupled to the hob with electrical energy. Advantageously, by transmitting the information to the device, the information can be shown to a user, for example on a display of the device. The information can be, for example, device information of the hob, such as a cooking level or, for example, additional information, instructions or recipe suggestions. Additionally or alternatively, the device can be supplied with electricity inductively via the coupling interface, or a battery of the device can be electrically charged, for example, by inductive energy transfer.

[0009] Furthermore, the hotplate can have at least one additional coupling interface for coupling with another device placed on the hotplate. Advantageously, in such a case, multiple devices can be coupled to the hotplate simultaneously, allowing these devices to be wirelessly linked to one another. For example, these devices can be embodied as a mobile device and a kitchen appliance, which can also have a display unit.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the cooking plate can be configured to connect the coupling interface to the additional coupling interface, in particular to transmit information from the device to the additional device via the coupling interface and the additional coupling interface. Advantageously, both devices can communicate with each other, allowing the cooking plate to function as a data transmitter. Furthermore, the cooking surface can optionally supply both devices with electrical energy simultaneously.

[0011] The cooking plate can have a first cooking zone and at least one second cooking zone, wherein the first cooking zone and the second cooking zone can be arranged at a distance from one another on the cooking plate, in particular wherein the coupling interface is arranged within a predefined area around the first cooking zone. Cooking zones can be those areas on the cooking plate that are heated to prepare a meal. The number of cooking zones on the cooking plate can depend on the size of the cooking plate. For example, a commercially available cooking plate can have between one and six cooking zones, which can also be of different sizes. The predefined area can, for example, be arranged 15 cm to 30 cm around the cooking zone.

[0012] Furthermore, the coupling interface can be arranged or assigned to the first cooking zone, and the further coupling interface can be arranged or assigned to the second cooking zone. Advantageously, the position of the coupling interfaces at the cooking zones allows signals to be transmitted between the appliances or between the hob and the appliances. This embodiment also allows a signal to be transmitted from the appliance to the further appliance via the first coupling interface and the second coupling interface. These signals can advantageously be transmitted to the appliances as well as provided by the appliances.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the hob can be designed as an induction hob. Advantageously, the induction hob allows food to be prepared more quickly. Furthermore, the induction hob can improve user safety by, for example, reducing the risk of burns.

[0014] Furthermore, a method for operating a hob in a previously mentioned variant is presented, wherein the method comprises a step of wirelessly coupling the hob to the appliance in response to a placement signal representing a appliance placed at the at least one coupling interface of the cooking plate, and a step of activating at least one appliance function of the hob using an activation signal after coupling the hob to the appliance.

[0015] The method can advantageously be carried out in a hob, as previously presented. Advantageously, the method allows devices to be linked to the hob or to each other using the hob, for example, to display information. Furthermore, these devices can advantageously be electrically charged.

[0016] According to one embodiment, in the step of activating the device function, a communication connection can be established with the device and, additionally or alternatively, the device can be supplied with electrical energy. Advantageously, at least one item of information from the hob can be transmitted to the device coupled to the hob via the coupling interface and displayed on the device. Additionally or alternatively, the device can be supplied with electrical energy. Advantageously, the wireless communication connection can be established as a Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi connection, or NFC connection.

[0017] According to one embodiment, a predetermined time interval of up to 45 seconds after the coupling step (405) can be provided for the activation step, in particular 30 seconds. Advantageously, the predefined time can be used as a waiting period, for example, to search for additional devices that can be coupled to the hob.

[0018] The method can comprise a step of querying a coupling status of the hob after the coupling step in order to be able to determine an additional device located on at least one additional coupling interface of the hotplate. In the activation step, the at least one device function of the hob can be controlled using a further activation signal in response to the coupling of the hob to the additional device. In the activation step, data transmission can be enabled as a device function. Advantageously, data can be exchanged between the devices coupled via the hob and, in addition or alternatively, the hob.

[0019] In a preferred variant of the preceding embodiment, the coupling status is queried in order to be able to identify additional devices located at at least two additional coupling points of the hotplate. A display selection can be provided for these additional devices, allowing the user to select the additional device on which device functions are to be activated.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the method can comprise a step of outputting a display signal to an interface to a display device of the hob in order to display information on the hob to a user, or the display signal is output to the coupling interface in order to display the information to the user on the appliance. Advantageously, this allows a display of the hob to be expanded. Furthermore, an image to be displayed can advantageously be expanded or duplicated on different appliances.

[0021] Furthermore, the method can comprise a step of reading a device control signal provided by the device via the coupling interface, wherein, in the activation step, the device function of the hob can be activated using the device control signal. Additionally or alternatively, a further device can be coupled to a further coupling interface and controlled using the device control signal. Advantageously, this allows the further device to be controlled via the device. Furthermore, the device can be used to determine what is to be displayed on the further device. This can also be done vice versa.

[0022] The approach presented here further provides a control unit configured to perform, control, or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. This embodiment of the invention in the form of a device also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0023] The control unit can be designed to read in input signals and to determine and provide output signals using the input signals. An input signal can, for example, represent a sensor signal that can be read in via an input interface of the control unit. An output signal can represent a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the control unit. The control unit can be designed to determine the output signals using a processing rule implemented in hardware or software. For example, the control unit can comprise a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and can, for example, be implemented as a discrete component or be comprised of a discrete component.

[0024] Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory, or an optical memory. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or a control unit, the program product or program can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described here.

[0025] The present invention can also be implemented for worktops with an integrated coupling interface, without requiring cooking zones to be in the immediate vicinity. In particular, according to the invention, multiple appliances can communicate via a respective coupling interface to thereby activate a device function of one of these appliances.

[0026] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a hob; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a hob; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a hob; Fig. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating a hob; and Fig. 5 a block diagram of an embodiment of a control unit.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooktop 100, which is designed, for example, as an induction cooktop, which is designed, for example, as a household appliance. The cooktop 100 has a hotplate 105 with at least one coupling interface 110 for wireless coupling with a device 115 placed on the hotplate in order to activate a device function of the cooktop 100. According to this embodiment, the cooktop 105 is designed to transmit, as a device function, via the coupling interface at least one piece of information to the device 115 coupled to the cooktop 100 and / or from the device 115 to the cooktop 100 and / or to supply the device 115 coupled to the cooktop 100 with electrical energy and thereby, for example, to charge it inductively. The device 115 is designed as a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone or a tablet.According to this exemplary embodiment, the hotplate with its cooking zones is depicted on a display 120 of the device 115. More precisely, four cooking zones 125, 130, 135, 140 are arranged on the hotplate 105, of which at least a first cooking zone 125 and optionally also at least a second cooking zone 130 of the cooking zones 130, 135, 140 are equipped with a further coupling interface, as described in more detail by way of example only in at least one of the further figures. According to this exemplary embodiment, the coupling interface 110 is arranged within a predefined area around the first cooking zone 125. This area is merely 15 cm to 30 cm around the cooking zone 125, by way of example only. The individual cooking zones 125, 130, 135, 140 are further optionally arranged at a distance from one another.Alternatively, the cooktop 100 can also have a large cooking area on the cooking plate 105, on which cooking vessels for food preparation can be placed as desired. However, according to this exemplary embodiment, only the four cooking zones 125, 130, 135, and 140 are provided for this purpose.

[0028] In other words, the cooktop 100 enables extended functionality by embodying the coupling interface 110 as a charging and operating zone for inductive energy supply and, at the same time, as a near-field communication (NFC) interface. Such an NFC interface is also arranged or integrated, for example, on or in the device 115. In particular, the extended display enables the conversion of a cooktop, which displays, for example, strings of numbers, to a display cooktop.

[0029] According to this exemplary embodiment, the hob 100 additionally comprises a control unit 145, which is designed to control and / or carry out a method for operating a hob. Such a method is described in Fig. 4. The control unit 145 is described in more detail in Fig. 5. The control unit 145 is connected, for example, to the at least one coupling interface 110 and, for example, also to a display device 150 of the cooktop 100, which is optionally embodied as a touch-sensitive display. Typically, the user interface (UI) in small appliances is limited to a few buttons due to space constraints. However, the approach presented here enables expanded display options and thus new design possibilities for more complex UIs.

[0030] The cooktop 100 described here has an integrated NFC interface as a coupling interface 110 for devices. For example, a mobile device 115 can be placed on the coupling interface 110, and a standard cooktop with a number bar can be expanded into a display cooktop, for example, to display advanced operating functions or recipes in the form of so-called guided cooking.

[0031] If multiple coupling interfaces 110 are present, the device with the coupling points, for example the hob 100 or power supply units installed under a worktop, can be put into a search mode by attaching another device or the device 115. In this search mode, the individually available coupling interfaces are addressed via the respective coupling interface 110 and a search is carried out for a suitable partner for the attached device 115. Multiple devices can also be coupled to a display device, such as a smartphone or tablet, and displayed in a common UI in an app. Another small appliance with a display can also be used as a display device, such as a food processor or a mixer, which only shows toaster settings as an example on the display and thus has a borrowed display.

[0032] In addition to the coupling interface 110, a second NFC unit can also be installed in a small device, via which a display device is paired. The small device forwards the control commands for power supply to the coupling interface 110. The display device can also be paired with multiple small devices simultaneously and then adjust its UI in the corresponding app by holding it against each of the devices.

[0033] Another pairing option is a staggered pairing. First, device 115 is placed on the coupling interface 110, which is then placed on hold for, say, 30 seconds. If another device is placed during this time, device 115 and the other device are paired. Information is exchanged between the paired devices via an additional communication channel, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a second NFC interface.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooking hob 100, which, for example, corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 1 described hob. According to this embodiment, the hob shown in Fig. 2, the additional coupling interface 200 is arranged at the second cooking area 130. Furthermore, according to this exemplary embodiment, a further device 205 is placed at the additional coupling interface 200. According to this exemplary embodiment, the coupling interfaces 110, 200 are connected to one another by the cooking plate 105, in particular to transmit information from the device 115 via the coupling interface 110 and the additional coupling interface 200 to the additional device 205. Optionally, the information displayed on the device 115 is also displayed on a display of the additional device 205. For example, the additional device 205 can be controlled via the device 115.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooking hob 100, as it is used, for example, in at least one of the Fig. 1 to 2. According to this exemplary embodiment, the additional device 205 is located on the second cooking zone 130 and is coupled, for example, to the additional coupling interface 200. The device 115 is not arranged on the first cooking zone 125. Nevertheless, at least the device 115 optionally has an NFC interface integrated into the device 115, so that the device 115 can communicate with the additional device 205 or control it.

[0036] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 400 for operating a cooking hob, as described, for example, in at least one of the Fig. 1 to 3. The method 400 comprises a step 405 of wirelessly coupling the hob to the appliance in response to a placement signal representing a device placed at the at least one coupling interface of the cooking plate, and a step 410 of activating at least one appliance function of the hob using an activation signal after coupling the hob to the appliance.

[0037] For example, in step 410 of activation, as a device function, a communication connection is established with the device and / or the device is supplied with electrical energy. This occurs, for example, via the coupling interface in order to transmit at least one item of information from the hob to the device coupled with the hob and / or to display it on the same device. Furthermore, the communication connection is optionally established as a Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi connection, or NFC connection. According to one embodiment, step 410 of activation is carried out after a predefined time of up to 45 seconds has elapsed after step 405 of wireless coupling, in particular after 30 seconds. This puts the hob into a search state, for example, in order to find additional devices that can be coupled with the hob.

[0038] The method 400 further optionally comprises a step 415 of outputting a display signal to an interface to a display device of the hob in order to display information on the hob to a user, or outputting the display signal to the coupling interface in order to display the information on the appliance to the user. Further optionally, the method 400 comprises a step 420 of querying a coupling status of the hob after the coupling step 405 in order to determine an additional appliance placed on at least one additional coupling interface of the hotplate, wherein in the activation step 410, the at least one appliance function of the hob is controlled using an additional activation signal in response to the coupling 405 of the hob to the additional appliance.In an optional reading step 425, a device control signal provided by the device is read in via the coupling interface, and in activation step 410, the device function of the cooktop is activated using the device control signal. Additionally or alternatively, another device is coupled to another coupling interface and controlled using the device control signal.

[0039] Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a control unit 145, which is arranged or installed, for example, in a cooking hob, as is the case, for example, in at least one of the Fig.1 to 3. For this purpose, the control unit 145 has a coupling unit 500, which is designed to wirelessly couple the hob to the appliance in response to a placement signal 505 representing a device placed at the at least one coupling interface of the hotplate. Furthermore, the control unit 145 has an activation unit 510 for activating at least one appliance function of the hob using an activation signal 515 after the hob has been coupled to the appliance. Furthermore, the activation unit 510 is designed to control the at least one appliance function of the hob using a further activation signal 520 in response to the coupling of the hob to the further appliance.Only optionally, the control unit 145 has a query unit 520, which is designed to query a coupling status of the hob after coupling in order to determine a further device placed on at least one further coupling interface of the hotplate. According to this exemplary embodiment, the control unit 145 further has an output unit 525 for outputting a display signal 530 to an interface to a display device 150 of the hob in order to display information on the hob to a user, or alternatively for outputting the display signal 530 to the coupling interface in order to display the information on the device to the user.Further optionally, the control unit 145 has a reading unit 535 for reading a device control signal 540 provided by the device via the coupling interface, wherein the device function of the hob is activated using the device control signal 540, and / or wherein a further device is coupled to a further coupling interface and is controlled using the device control signal 540.

Claims

[1] Cooking hob (100) for preparing food, the cooking hob (100) having the following feature: - a cooking plate (105) with at least one coupling interface (110) for wireless coupling with a device (115) placed on the cooking plate (105) in order to activate a device function of the cooking surface (100). [2] Hob (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cooking plate (105) is designed to transmit, as a device function, via the coupling interface (110) at least one item of information to the device (115) coupled to the hob (100) and / or from the device (115) to the hob (100), and / or to supply the device (115) coupled to the hob (100) with electrical energy. [3] Hob (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooking plate (105) has at least one further coupling interface (200) for coupling to a further device (205) placed on the cooking plate (105). [4] Hob (100) according to claim 3, wherein the cooking plate (105) is shaped to connect the coupling interface (110) to the further coupling interface (200), in particular to transmit information from the device (115) via the coupling interface (110) and the further coupling interface (200) to the further device (205). [5] Hob (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooking plate (105) has a first cooking point (125) and at least one second cooking point (130), wherein the first cooking point (125) and the second cooking point (130) are arranged at a distance from one another on the cooking plate (105), in particular wherein the coupling interface (110) is arranged within a predefined area around the first cooking point (125). [6] Hob (100) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the coupling interface (110) is arranged or assigned to the first cooking point (125) and wherein the further coupling interface (200) is arranged or assigned to the second cooking point (130). [7] Hob (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hob (100) is designed as an induction hob. [8] Method (400) for operating a hob (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: - Wirelessly coupling (405) the cooking surface (100) to the appliance (115) in response to a placement signal (505) representing an appliance (115) placed on the at least one coupling interface (110) of the cooking surface (105); and - activating (410) at least one appliance function of the hob (100) using an activation signal (515) after coupling the hob (100) to the appliance (115). [9] Method (400) according to claim 8, wherein in the step (410) of activating as a device function a communication connection with the device (115) is established and / or a supply of electrical energy to the device (115) is effected. [10] Method (400) according to one of claims 8 to 9, wherein a predetermined time interval of up to 45 seconds after the coupling step (405) is provided for the activation step (410), in particular of 30 seconds. [11] Method (400) according to one of claims 8 to 10, comprising a step (420) of querying a coupling status of the hob (100) after the coupling step (405) in order to determine a further device (205) placed on at least one further coupling interface (200) of the cooking plate (105), wherein in the activation step (410) the at least one device function of the hob (100) is controlled using a further activation signal (520) in response to the coupling (405) of the hob (100) with the further device (205). [12] Method (400) according to one of claims 8 to 11, comprising a step (415) of outputting a display signal (530) to an interface to a display device (150) of the hob (100) in order to display information on the hob (100) to a user, or outputting (415) the display signal (530) to the coupling interface (110) in order to display the information on the device (115) to the user. [13] Method (400) according to one of claims 8 to 12, comprising a step (425) of reading in a device control signal (540) provided by the device (115) via the coupling interface (110), wherein in the step (410) of activation the device function of the hob (100) is activated using the device control signal (540), and / or wherein a further device (205) is coupled to a further coupling interface (200) and is controlled using the device control signal (540). [14] Control unit (145) which is designed to carry out and / or control the steps (405, 410, 415, 420, 425) of the method (400) according to one of claims 8 to 13 in corresponding units (500, 510, 520, 525, 535). [15] Computer program product with program code for carrying out the method (400) according to one of claims 8 to 13, when the computer program product is executed on a control unit (145) according to claim 14.

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