Cooking-appliance system

Abstract

In order to provide improved operating comfort and / or reduced complexity, a cooking-appliance system (60a; 60b), in particular a cooktop system (62a; 62b), is proposed, having a sensor unit (12a; 12b) and having a communications unit (14a; 14b) which is intended to receive energy wirelessly by means of a first signal, to provide the energy to the sensor unit (12a; 12b), and to wirelessly transmit at least one second signal depending on a measurement by the sensor unit (12a; 12b).

Description

[0001] Cooking appliance system

[0002] The invention relates to a cooking appliance system according to claim 1, a cooking appliance according to claim 13, a cooking appliance device according to claim 14 and a method for operating a cooking appliance system according to claim 15.

[0003] Cooktops are already known in the art in which the temperature of a cooking utensil is measured wirelessly on the cooktop, for example, using infrared radiation. NFC tags are also already known, which have a voltage output that can supply excess power not required for their functions.

[0004] The object of the invention is, in particular but not limited to, to provide a generic device with improved properties regarding improved ease of use and / or reduced complexity. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1, 13, 14, and 15, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0005] A cooking appliance system, in particular a hob system, is proposed, comprising a sensor unit and a communication unit which is provided to wirelessly receive energy by means of a first signal, to provide the energy to the sensor unit and to wirelessly transmit at least a second signal depending on a measurement of the sensor unit.

[0006] Such a design can achieve, in particular, increased ease of use, in particular by providing a sensor function with an advantageous appearance of the cooking appliance system. The advantageous appearance can be provided, in particular, at least through wireless communication. The sensor unit can advantageously increase safety, in particular of a heating process. Furthermore, the complexity of the cooking appliance system and in particular of at least one cooking appliance device can be advantageously reduced, in particular by a particularly simple, in particular electrical and / or electronic, design of a cooking appliance device. In particular, an installation process of the cooking appliance system can be simplified.Advantageously, an energy storage device in the cooking appliance system, in particular in the cooking appliance device, can be advantageously avoided or simplified, at least for supplying the sensor unit. In particular, the cost efficiency of the cooking appliance system, in particular the cooking appliance device, can be advantageously increased.

[0007] The cooking appliance system preferably comprises at least one part, in particular at least one subassembly, of a cooking appliance. In particular, the cooking appliance system can also comprise the entire cooking appliance. The cooking appliance can, for example, be designed as an oven and / or as a microwave and / or as a grill and / or as a steam cooking appliance. Advantageously, the cooking appliance is designed as a hob and preferably as an induction hob. The cooking appliance system is preferably designed as an induction hob system. The cooking appliance system and / or the cooking appliance preferably has / have at least one heating unit for heating, in particular inductively, a food receiving unit at least in one heating process, in particular as mentioned above. The food receiving unit preferably has at least one ferromagnetic material.The cooking appliance system, and in particular the cooking appliance, preferably comprises a further communication unit for wireless communication with the communication unit. The further communication unit is particularly designed to emit the first signal and receive the second signal. The heating unit and / or at least one induction coil of the heating unit is / are preferably designed and / or arranged separately from the further communication unit.

[0008] The cooking appliance system preferably comprises a cooking appliance device. The cooking appliance device preferably comprises at least the sensor unit and the communication unit. The cooking appliance system, in particular the cooking appliance device, preferably comprises at least one integrated circuit, which is electrically and / or electronically connected, in particular by wire, to the communication unit and the sensor unit. The integrated circuit is preferably embodied at least as part of an IC (integrated circuit) tag. The cooking appliance system, in particular the cooking appliance, preferably comprises at least one further integrated circuit, which is electrically and / or electronically connected, in particular by wire, to the further communication unit. The further integrated circuit is preferably embodied at least as part of an IC reader.The integrated circuit and / or the further integrated circuit preferably each have at least one memory and / or at least one contact pin.

[0009] The cooking appliance device is preferably at least part, in particular at least one subassembly, of a cooking utensil and / or a cooking appliance accessory and / or a small household appliance. The cooking utensil preferably has at least the food receiving unit. The food receiving unit is preferably firmly connected in the cooking utensil, in particular at least to the sensor unit and the communication unit. The fixed connection is in particular a non-detachable connection or one that can only be released using a tool. In this context, “detachable” should be understood in particular to mean “non-destructively separable”. This makes it possible to increase stability, in particular of at least one measuring process of the sensor unit, in particular by preventing displacement of the food receiving unit relative to the sensor unit.The fixed connection can, for example, comprise a screw connection and / or a one-piece connection and / or the like. "One-piece" is understood in particular to mean at least materially connected, for example by a welding process, an adhesive process, an injection molding process, and / or another process deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art, and / or advantageously formed in one piece, such as by production from a single casting and / or by production using a single- or multi-component injection molding process, and advantageously from a single blank. The cooking utensil can, in particular, be designed as a smart cooking utensil.

[0010] The cooking appliance accessory, in particular a hob accessory, is preferably designed as a base unit for being placed beneath the food receiving unit. It is conceivable that the food receiving unit, in the base state, is merely placed on the cooking appliance accessory and, in particular, is fixed thereto solely by gravity. Preferably, the cooking appliance accessory and the food receiving unit are detachably connected to one another and / or fixed to one another in the base state, in particular without tools. This can advantageously improve cleaning efficiency and / or ease of use, in particular aesthetics. In particular, various food receiving units can be used interchangeably with the cooking appliance accessory, thereby advantageously increasing flexibility and allowing the food receiving unit to be replaced particularly cost-effectively, particularly in the event of a defect.For example, the cooking appliance accessory and the food receiving unit can be connected and / or fixed to one another by a magnetic connection and / or a plug connection and / or the like.

[0011] The small household appliance is preferably designed to be portable and, in particular, can be transported manually by the operator. In particular, the small household appliance is designed as a small cooking appliance, in particular a small cooking appliance. The small household appliance can, for example, be designed as a rice cooker and / or air fryer and / or food processor and / or kettle and / or coffee machine and / or the like. The small household appliance in particular provides at least one further function in addition to the heating process. The small household appliance preferably has the food storage unit. The small household appliance can have the cooking utensils or the cooking appliance accessories. It would be conceivable for the cooking appliance accessories to be designed to be placed underneath the small household appliance.

[0012] In an installed position, the cooking appliance is preferably arranged at least partially beneath a support plate, which is provided in particular for supporting at least the cooking appliance device. It is conceivable for the support plate to be part of the cooking appliance system. The support plate can be designed as a hob plate, wherein the hob device and the hob plate can in this case be part of the hob or can form the hob. Preferably, however, the support plate is designed as a kitchen worktop, in particular made of a non-metallic material. Preferably, the kitchen worktop, in particular in contrast to the hob plate, is additionally provided to provide a food preparation area in which, in particular, for example, cutting and / or mixing and / or mashing and / or peeling of food could be carried out.

[0013] The communication unit has, in particular, at least one antenna and / or coil for receiving the first signal and for emitting the second signal. The communication unit is, in particular, provided for energy harvesting from the first signal. The further communication unit has, in particular, at least one antenna and / or coil for receiving the second signal and for emitting the first signal. The communication unit and / or the further communication unit can each have a matching circuit, in particular for impedance matching.

[0014] It is conceivable that the sensor unit is provided to be supplied with energy only partially by the first signal. It would be conceivable for the cooking appliance to have a further energy source, for example a rechargeable battery and / or a battery and / or a wired connection and / or a unit for receiving further wireless energy, for example from the heating unit, for a partial energy supply. However, the sensor unit is preferably provided to be supplied with energy only via the communication unit by means of the first signal. Preferably, the cooking appliance is provided to be supplied, in particular, only by the energy wirelessly provided to the communication unit, in particular the energy from the first signal. In particular, the cooking appliance can be designed free of the further energy source.

[0015] The sensor unit is particularly designed to measure at least one physical parameter, in particular an analog value. The sensor unit preferably measures the physical parameter on and / or in the food receiving unit. The sensor unit can be arranged, in particular in contact, on and / or in the food receiving unit.

[0016] "Intended" should be understood as specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood as meaning that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0017] It is further proposed that the first signal and the second signal are each embodied as an NFC signal. This can at least increase efficiency and / or provide a particularly compact design of at least the communication unit and / or the further communication unit, in particular through already extensively developed NFC components and a fundamentally established NFC communication standard. Transmission efficiency, in particular for wireless transmission of energy, and / or cost efficiency can advantageously be increased. The NFC signal is in particular a signal according to a known Near Field Communication (NFC) transmission standard. The NFC signal preferably has a range of at least 5 cm and / or a maximum of 10 cm, wherein the mounting plate in particular has a thickness that is less than the NFC range.Advantageously, the communication unit can interact with the additional communication unit without requiring any corresponding processing, such as a drilled hole, in the mounting plate, which would be necessary in particular for wired signal transmission or signal transmission via infrared radiation, thereby advantageously improving the appearance. The mounting plate can have a closed surface and, in particular, a constant thickness, thereby advantageously improving the appearance and / or stability and / or installation efficiency, in particular of the mounting plate.

[0018] It is further proposed that the cooking appliance system comprise a processing unit that is provided for comparing a comparison parameter with a sensor parameter of the sensor unit during a measuring process. In particular, the comparison is provided for estimating the sensor parameter. This advantageously reduces the complexity of the processing unit and, in particular, increases cost efficiency. Furthermore, the energy requirement of the processing unit can be advantageously reduced. Preferably, the communication unit is provided for supplying the processing unit with energy, in particular from the first signal.

[0019] The sensor parameter of the sensor unit is preferably a parameter of an electrical and / or electronic sensor signal as a measure of the physical characteristic to be measured by the sensor unit. The sensor unit is preferably provided to output and / or change the sensor parameter, in particular as a function of the physical characteristic. The sensor parameter can be embodied in analog form. The sensor parameter is preferably a sensor voltage. The comparison parameter is in particular a parameter comparable to the sensor parameter. Preferably, the comparison parameter is a comparison voltage. The comparison is preferably a size comparison between the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter. A result of the comparison, in particular of the size comparison, is preferably a case result between the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter, which can in particular be embodied as the cases “greater than,” “less than,” or “equal to.”Preferably, in the case of "equal," the comparison parameter corresponds at least substantially to the sensor parameter, wherein the comparison parameter deviates from the sensor parameter by, in particular, less than 25%, preferably less than 10%, and particularly preferably less than 5%. It is conceivable that the processing unit is provided to determine a difference value between the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter. It is conceivable that an intermediate result and / or the result of the comparison comprises the difference value or is designed as such. Alternatively or additionally, it would be conceivable for the processing unit and / or the sensor unit to comprise a microcontroller which, in particular, detects the sensor parameter.

[0020] The processing unit can comprise a differential amplifier and, in particular, a circuit and / or component based on a differential amplifier. In particular, it is proposed that the processing unit comprise an operational amplifier for comparing the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter, which can particularly advantageously reduce the complexity and / or energy requirements of the processing unit. Preferably, the operational amplifier has two inputs, each of which receives the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the processing unit comprise another electrical and / or electronic component for the comparison that would be deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art.The processing unit preferably comprises the integrated circuit at least partially and, in particular, at least one contact pin for connecting the operational amplifier to at least a portion of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may comprise the contact pin. The contact pin is preferably configured as a GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output). An output of the operational amplifier can be read out, in particular, via the contact pin.

[0021] It is further proposed that the processing unit is provided to change the comparison parameter during the measuring process. As a result, the comparison result can be advantageously changed and, in particular, improved. In particular, the sensor parameter can be estimated particularly advantageously. Preferably, the processing unit is provided to change the comparison parameter in order to adapt it to the sensor parameter. The processing unit is preferably provided to change the comparison parameter to a reduced difference between the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter. The processing unit is preferably provided to change the comparison parameter during the measuring process more than once, in each case in more than one change process. The measuring process in particular comprises more than one change process.Preferably, the processing unit is provided to change the comparison parameter once in the change process by a, in particular discrete, change value. The change in the comparison parameter, in particular in a change process, is preferably dependent on an immediately previous result of a comparison, in particular in a change process immediately preceding the change process. The immediately previous result of the comparison is in particular a result of the comparison before the change, and in particular after all previous changes in the measuring process. Preferably, the processing unit is provided to change the comparison value in the measuring process up to a final comparison result, in particular in the case "equal" to the case result and / or in a case in which the difference value is at least substantially equal to zero.

[0022] An initial comparison parameter at the start of the measuring process is preferably designed as an upper or lower limit of the comparison parameter, wherein the lower limit is in particular smaller than the sensor parameter and the upper limit is in particular greater than the sensor parameter. Preferably, all further comparison parameters in the measuring process are each designed to be greater than the lower limit and / or smaller than the upper limit. The processing unit can be provided to change the comparison parameter in the measuring process until a change in the result of the comparison, in particular the case result, occurs, either increasing, in particular strictly monotonically increasing, or decreasing, in particular strictly monotonically decreasing. Preferably, the processing unit is provided to change the change parameter by a change value which has a change in sign at least immediately after the change in the case result.The processing unit can be provided to change the change parameter by a change value whose magnitude decreases during the measuring process. Advantageously, an increasingly precise estimation of the sensor parameter can take place in the measuring process with an increasing number of change processes. The measuring process is, in particular, a measuring process for determining and / or estimating the physical parameter. The cooking appliance system can be provided to carry out a plurality of measuring processes. The cooking appliance system can be provided to carry out measuring processes periodically and, in particular, continuously at least during a cooking process, in particular a boiling process, in particular of the cooking appliance. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the cooking appliance system to be provided to carry out measuring processes at discrete times, in particular during the cooking process.For example, it would be conceivable that the cooking appliance system is provided to carry out at least one measuring process during an operating operation of the cooking appliance and / or an operating unit, in particular of the cooking appliance.

[0023] It would be conceivable for the processing unit to be provided to change the comparison parameter independently, in particular independently of a structural unit and / or a signal outside the cooking appliance and in particular the processing unit. The processing unit and / or the cooking appliance could, for example, have a control unit which, in particular, controls the change. However, it is advantageously proposed that the processing unit be provided to change the comparison parameter based on the first signal. This can particularly advantageously reduce the complexity and / or energy consumption of the processing unit. In particular, the processing unit can advantageously be designed independently of a corresponding control unit. Preferably, a comparison parameter can in each case be unambiguously assigned to at least one piece of information in the first signal.In particular, two different pieces of information, each from the first signal and another first signal, can be assigned to only two different comparison parameters. The processing unit can be configured to generate the comparison parameter based on the first signal.

[0024] It is also proposed that the processing unit be provided to define the comparison parameter by means of pulse width modulation. This allows the comparison parameter to be defined in a particularly simple manner, in particular as a function of the first signal. Advantageously, the complexity and / or energy consumption of the processing unit can be further reduced. The integrated circuit can be provided to adapt and / or output the pulse width modulation. The integrated circuit preferably has at least one contact pin for outputting the pulse width modulation. Preferably, a duty cycle and / or a frequency of the pulse width modulation depends on the first signal, in particular on the information of the first signal. Preferably, the comparison parameter depends on the duty cycle and / or the frequency of the pulse width modulation. Preferably, the processing unit has an RC element, in particular a low-pass filter.The RC element is preferably provided to convert the pulse width modulation into a direct current. The direct current preferably contains the comparison parameter, in particular the comparison voltage. The RC element is preferably electrically and / or electronically connected to one input of the operational amplifier, to which the comparison parameter is applied. Alternatively or additionally, another method that would be deemed appropriate by one skilled in the art would be conceivable, which determines the comparison parameter based on the first signal.

[0025] It is further proposed that the second signal comprise information regarding a result of the comparison, whereby the information of the second signal can be transmitted particularly advantageously to the further communication unit. Preferably, the second signal contains the result of the comparison and / or the result of the comparison can be determined from the second signal. Preferably, the information of the second signal contains the case result between the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter and / or is embodied as such. The information can, for example, be modulated onto a carrier frequency of the second signal.

[0026] It is further proposed that the cooking appliance system comprise a control unit designed to evaluate the information. This advantageously allows the physical parameter to be measured to be determined. The control unit is preferably designed to determine the physical parameter at least as a function of the information from the second signal and in particular the information from the first signal. The cooking appliance preferably comprises the control unit. This advantageously reduces the complexity and / or energy consumption of the cooking appliance. In particular, the physical parameter can advantageously be determined on the cooking appliance. The control unit is preferably connected to the further communication unit by wire.A “control unit” should be understood in particular to mean an electronic unit, which preferably has a computing unit and in particular a memory unit with a control program stored therein, which is intended to be executed by the computing unit. The control unit preferably has at least one microcontroller. The control unit, in particular the memory unit, preferably stores at least one piece of reference information, in particular at least relating to the processing unit, in particular at least the RC element, and / or the sensor unit and / or stores the information of the first signal. The reference information can have at least one reference value and / or at least one reference curve and / or at least one reference equation.The control unit, in particular the computing unit, is preferably provided to determine the, in particular modified, comparison parameter, in particular as a function of the reference information relating to the processing unit and the information of the first signal. The control unit is preferably provided to equate a determined sensor parameter to the determined comparison parameter as a function of the information of the second signal, in particular in a case in which the close comparison result is present. The control unit, in particular the computing unit, is preferably provided to determine the physical characteristic as a function of the determined sensor parameter and at least the reference information relating to the sensor unit.

[0027] It is conceivable that the control unit and / or another control unit of the cooking appliance is / are provided to control the heating unit depending on the determined physical parameter. The control unit can in particular be connected to the heating unit by wire. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the control unit is provided to provide the determined physical parameter to a user output, in particular to an optical and / or acoustic and / or haptic user output, for example on a display. The control unit can in particular be connected by wire to the user output, in particular of the cooking appliance and / or the cooking appliance system. Safety and / or ease of use during a cooking process can advantageously be increased.

[0028] It is also proposed that the control unit is provided to emit, by means of the further communication unit, a further first signal adapted on the basis of the second signal. In particular, the communication unit is provided to receive the further first signal. As a result, the processing unit can advantageously be controlled by the control unit, wherein in particular the comparison parameter can advantageously be changed. Advantageously, the sensor parameter and in particular the physical characteristic can be iteratively determined and / or estimated at the control unit. The cooking appliance can in particular have the master, in particular the control unit and / or the further integrated circuit, of the communication between the communication unit and the further communication unit.Preferably, at least one control signal of the control unit can be generated from the information of the second signal and / or the information comprises at least one control signal for the control unit, in particular for generating the further first signal. Preferably, the control unit is provided to emit the further first signal by means of the further communication unit as a function of the information of the first signal, in particular in a case outside the final comparison result. The further first signal preferably comprises further information which, in particular, specifies the change in the comparison parameter. The control unit is preferably provided to control a configuration of the pulse width modulation, in particular the duty cycle and / or the frequency of the pulse width modulation.The control unit is preferably designed to control the processing unit to increase the comparison parameter if the information of the second signal contains a comparison result according to which the comparison parameter is smaller than the sensor parameter. The control unit is preferably designed to control the processing unit to decrease the comparison parameter if the information of the second signal contains a comparison result according to which the comparison parameter is greater than the sensor parameter. The control unit is preferably designed to emit more than one further first signal during the measuring process, in particular each based on further second signals originating from the communication unit, until the final comparison result is determined.Preferably, the further communication unit is provided to emit at least one further second signal during the measurement process until the final comparison result is determined at the control unit. The control unit is particularly provided to control the comparison parameter, in particular the change in the comparison parameter.

[0029] The sensor unit is preferably provided for temperature measurement. It is further proposed that the sensor unit be designed as a temperature sensor, whereby a cooking process in particular can be monitored and / or controlled particularly advantageously. The sensor unit is preferably provided to have a resistance that changes depending on the physical parameter to be measured, in particular the temperature. The sensor unit is preferably provided to influence a supply voltage applied to the sensor unit, in particular a voltage of the current flowing through the sensor unit. The sensor unit is preferably provided to change the current to a current that has the sensor parameter, in particular the sensor voltage. The sensor unit is preferably designed as a thermistor. The sensor unit preferably has a resistance that changes with the physical parameter.Advantageously, the complexity and / or energy requirements of the sensor unit can be reduced. The thermistor can be designed as an NTC thermistor or as a PTC thermistor. Alternatively or additionally, another design of the sensor unit for temperature measurement that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art would be conceivable, for example, by means of infrared radiation and / or a magnetic and / or mechanical effect or the like. Alternatively, another design of the sensor unit that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art, which in particular determines at least one analog parameter, is conceivable, for example, as a pressure sensor and / or a weight sensor. The cooking appliance device can have more than one sensor unit.

[0030] It is further proposed that the cooking appliance system comprise a power supply unit for receiving the power and for providing a stable supply voltage, in particular as mentioned above, for the sensor unit. This allows at least the sensor parameter to be provided particularly reliably and in particular reproducibly. In particular, the physical characteristic can be unambiguously assigned to a sensor parameter. Advantageously, the control unit can determine the physical characteristic particularly reliably based on the determined sensor parameter. The power supply unit is in particular part of the cooking appliance device. The power supply unit is in particular connected between the communication unit and the sensor unit. The power supply unit preferably comprises a voltage regulator or can be designed as such.The power supply unit can have an LDO (low-dropout regulator) and / or a Zener diode. The power supply unit can have at least part of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit can be provided to output a voltage, in particular to the sensor unit and / or the power supply unit and / or the voltage regulator, based on the energy. Alternatively, the cooking appliance system, in particular the cooking appliance device, can have an electronic unit for rectifying and / or storing the energy. The electronic unit is in particular arranged and / or formed separately from the integrated circuit. The electronic unit can be provided to output the voltage, in particular to the sensor unit and / or the power supply unit and / or the voltage regulator, based on the energy.In this way, the energy can advantageously be provided at least to the sensor unit, even if the integrated circuit does not have a voltage output due to energy harvesting.

[0031] Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the cooking appliance system, in particular the cooking appliance device, to be designed independently of the power supply unit. It would be conceivable for the second signal to contain information about the supply voltage at the sensor unit, with the control unit being provided, in particular, to take the information about the supply voltage into account when determining the physical characteristic.

[0032] In addition, a method for operating a cooking appliance system, in particular as mentioned above, with a sensor unit, in particular as mentioned above, is proposed, wherein an energy, in particular as mentioned above, is received wirelessly by means of a first signal, in particular as mentioned above, which provides the energy to the sensor unit, and at least one second signal, in particular as mentioned above, is transmitted wirelessly as a function of a measurement, in particular as mentioned above, of the sensor unit. As a result, the ease of use of the cooking appliance system can be increased and / or the complexity, in particular of at least one cooking appliance device, in particular as mentioned above, can be advantageously reduced. In particular, cost efficiency, in particular of at least the cooking appliance device, can be advantageously increased.

[0033] The method preferably comprises a method step, in particular a first transmission step, in which the first signal is transmitted from a further communication unit, in particular one mentioned above, to the communication unit. The method preferably comprises a further method step, in particular a processing step, in which a comparison parameter, in particular one mentioned above, is changed by a processing unit, in particular one mentioned above, based on the first signal. Preferably, the comparison parameter is compared in the processing step with a sensor parameter, in particular one mentioned above, which is measured at the sensor unit. In particular, the processing step takes place after the first transmission step.The method preferably comprises a further method step, in particular a second transmission step, in which the second signal, which in particular comprises at least one piece of information, in particular mentioned above, relating to the result of the comparison, in particular mentioned above, is transmitted from the communication unit to the further communication unit. In particular, the second transmission step takes place after the processing step. Preferably, the method comprises a further method step, in particular a further processing step, in which a control unit, in particular mentioned above, evaluates the information of the second signal. The further processing step takes place in particular after the further transmission step.Preferably, in the further processing step, the control unit determines a physical characteristic, in particular one mentioned above, depending on the information of the second signal, which in this case has in particular a final comparison result of the comparison, in particular one mentioned above, or controls a piece of information, in particular one mentioned above, of a further first signal, in particular one mentioned above, depending on the information of the second signal. The method can in particular be repeated until the final comparison result of the comparison is determined at the control unit, wherein in particular the further first signal is transmitted from the further communication unit to the communication unit in a further first transmission step.

[0034] The cooking appliance system, the cooking appliance device, the cooking appliance, and the method for operating the cooking appliance system are not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the cooking appliance system, the cooking appliance device, the cooking appliance, and the method for operating the cooking appliance system may have a number of individual elements, components, units, and method steps that differs from the number stated herein to fulfill a functionality described herein.

[0035] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also conveniently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations. They show:

[0036] Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a cooking appliance system with a cooking appliance device,

[0037] Fig. 2 a circuit diagram of the cooking appliance system,

[0038] Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method for operating the cooking appliance system and

[0039] Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of an alternative embodiment of a cooking appliance.

[0040] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a cooking appliance system 60a with a cooking appliance device 10a and with at least part of a cooking appliance 40a. The cooking appliance system 60a is designed as a hob system 62a.

[0041] The cooking appliance device 10a is designed at least as part of a cooking appliance accessory 20a. The cooking appliance accessory 20a is intended to be placed beneath a food storage unit 66a. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the cooking appliance device 10a is designed at least as part of a cooking utensil and / or a small household appliance.

[0042] The cooking appliance 40a is designed as a cooking surface 42a. The cooking appliance 40a has at least one heating unit (not shown) for inductively heating the food receiving unit 66a.

[0043] The cooking appliance 40a is at least partially arranged below a support plate 64a. In this case, the cooking appliance 40a is arranged entirely below the support plate 64a. The support plate 64a is provided for supporting the cooking appliance device 10a. The support plate 64a is provided for supporting the food receiving unit 66a for inductive heating.

[0044] The cooking appliance 10a has a sensor unit 12a. In the present case, the cooking appliance 10a has at least two sensor units, with only one sensor unit 12a being designated. The sensor unit 12a is designed as a temperature sensor 22a. One sensor unit 12a contacts the food receiving unit 66a at least in an installed state. Alternatively, another configuration of the sensor unit 12a that would be deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art is conceivable, for example, as a pressure sensor and / or a weight sensor.

[0045] The cooking appliance system 60a includes a communication unit 14a as part of the cooking appliance device 10a. The cooking appliance system 60a includes a further communication unit 44a as part of the cooking appliance 40a for wireless communication with the communication unit 14a.

[0046] Figure 2 shows a circuit diagram of the cooking appliance system 60a. The communication unit 14a and the further communication unit 44a communicate with each other and / or transmit energy via a communication field 68a. The communication field 68a has at least a first signal and a second signal. The first signal and the second signal are each embodied as an NFC signal.

[0047] The communication unit 14a is configured to wirelessly receive energy using the first signal, provide the energy to the sensor unit 12a, and wirelessly transmit at least the second signal depending on a measurement of the sensor unit 12a. The further communication unit 44a is configured to emit the first signal. The communication unit 14a is configured to transmit the second signal to the further communication unit 44a. The further communication unit 44a is configured to receive the second signal.

[0048] The communication unit 14a has at least one antenna 28a and a matching circuit 30a. The further communication unit 44a has at least one further antenna 48a and a further matching circuit 50a.

[0049] The cooking appliance system 60a includes an integrated circuit 32a as part of the cooking appliance device 10a. The integrated circuit 32a is configured as at least one part of an NFC tag. The cooking appliance system 60a includes another integrated circuit 52a as part of the cooking appliance 40a. The other integrated circuit 52a is configured as at least one part of an NFC reader.

[0050] The cooking appliance system 60a includes a processing unit 16a as part of the cooking appliance device 10a. The communication unit 14a is provided to supply the processing unit 16a with energy, in particular from the first signal. The processing unit 16a is provided for comparing a comparison parameter with a sensor parameter of the sensor unit 12a during a measurement process.

[0051] The sensor parameter of sensor unit 12a is a parameter of an electrical and / or electronic sensor signal as a measure of a physical characteristic to be measured by sensor unit 12a. Sensor unit 12a is designed as a thermistor 24a. Sensor unit 12a is designed as an NTC thermistor. The sensor parameter is a sensor voltage. The comparison parameter is a comparison voltage.

[0052] The comparison is a magnitude comparison between the reference parameter and the sensor parameter. The result of the comparison is a case-by-case result with the cases "greater than," "less than," or "equal to" between the reference parameter and the sensor parameter.

[0053] For a case where the result is "equal," the comparison result is configured as a final comparison result. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the comparison result and / or an intermediate comparison result may contain a difference value between the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter.

[0054] The processing unit 16a comprises the integrated circuit 52a at least partially.

[0055] The processing unit 16a has an operational amplifier 18a for comparing the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter. The processing unit 16a has a GPIO 36a for connecting the operational amplifier 18a to at least a portion of the integrated circuit 52a. The integrated circuit 52a can have the GPIO 36a.

[0056] The processing unit 16a is designed to change the comparison parameter during the measurement process. The processing unit 16a is designed to change the comparison parameter to a reduced difference between the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter. The processing unit 16a is designed to change the comparison parameter during the measurement process more than once, in more than one change process each. The processing unit 16a is designed to change the comparison parameter by one change value during the change process. The processing unit 16a is designed to change the comparison value during the measurement process until the final comparison result is obtained.

[0057] Processing unit 16a is designed to change the comparison parameter based on the first signal. The first signal is adapted with respect to information about the result of an immediately preceding comparison. Preferably, the comparison parameter is uniquely assignable to the information in the first signal.

[0058] Processing unit 16a is provided to determine the comparison parameter using pulse width modulation. Integrated circuit 32a is provided to determine the pulse width modulation. A duty cycle and / or a frequency of the pulse width modulation depends on the first signal. Processing unit 16a has an RC element 34a. RC element 34a is designed as a low-pass filter. RC element 34a is provided to convert the pulse width modulation into a direct current with the comparison parameter, in this case the comparison voltage.

[0059] The second signal includes information regarding a result of the comparison. The second signal contains the result of the comparison and / or the result of the comparison can be determined from the second signal. The information of the second signal includes the case result between the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter.

[0060] The cooking appliance system 60a includes a control unit 46a as part of the cooking appliance 40a, which is designed to evaluate the information. The control unit 46a is connected via a wired connection to the additional communication unit 44a. The control unit 46a is embodied as a microcontroller 56a.

[0061] The control unit 46a stores at least one piece of reference information relating to the processing unit 16a and the sensor unit 12a, as well as the information of the first signal. The reference information relating to the processing unit 16a relates at least to the RC element 34a. The control unit 46a is provided to determine the changed comparison parameter. The control unit 46a is provided to determine the changed comparison parameter as a function of the reference information relating to the processing unit 16a and the information of the first signal. The control unit 46a is provided to equate a determined sensor parameter for the close comparison result with the determined comparison parameter. For the close comparison result, the control unit 46a is provided to determine the physical characteristic as a function of the determined sensor parameter and the reference information relating to the sensor unit 12a.

[0062] The control unit 46a is provided to use the further communication unit

[0063] 44a to emit a further first signal adjusted based on the second signal. The control unit 46a is provided to emit the further first signal in a case outside the final comparison result by means of the further communication unit 44a. The communication unit 14a is provided to receive the further first signal. The further first signal has further information which determines the change in the comparison parameter. The control unit 46a is provided to control the processing unit 16a to increase the comparison parameter if an immediately previous comparison parameter is smaller than the sensor parameter. The control unit 46a is provided to control the processing unit 16a to decrease the comparison parameter if the immediately previous comparison parameter is greater than the sensor parameter.

[0064] The cooking appliance system 60a includes a power supply unit 26a as part of the cooking appliance device 10a. The power supply unit 26a is provided for receiving power and providing a stable supply voltage for the sensor unit 12a. The power supply unit 26a is connected between the communication unit 14a and the sensor unit 12a. The power supply unit 26a includes a voltage regulator 38a. The power supply unit 26a can include an LDO (low-dropout regulator) or a Zener diode. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the cooking appliance system 60a, in particular the cooking appliance device 10a, to be designed without the power supply unit 26a.

[0065] The power supply unit 26a may include at least a portion of the integrated circuit 32a. The integrated circuit 32a is configured to output a voltage based on the power. The integrated circuit 32a is configured to output the voltage to the sensor unit 12a. The integrated circuit 32a is configured to output the voltage to the voltage regulator 38a. The integrated circuit 32a is connected to the antenna 28a via the matching circuit 30a.

[0066] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a method for operating the cooking appliance system 60a, wherein the energy is received wirelessly by means of the first signal, the energy is provided to the sensor unit 12a and at least the second signal is transmitted wirelessly depending on the measurement of the sensor unit 12a.

[0067] The method comprises a first transmission step 100a. In transmission step 100a, the first signal is transmitted from the further communication unit 44a to the communication unit 14a. In a processing step 102a of the method, the comparison parameter is changed by the processing unit 16a. The comparison parameter is compared with the sensor parameter in processing step 102a. The method comprises a second transmission step 104a, in which the second signal is transmitted from the communication unit 14a to the further communication unit 44a. In a further processing step 106a of the method, the control unit 46a evaluates the information of the second signal. In the further processing step 106a, the control unit 46a determines the physical parameter for a final comparison result or controls information of a further first signal depending on the information of the second signal.The procedure is repeated in the measurement process until the final comparison result of the comparison is reached.

[0068] Of multiple objects, only one is provided with a reference symbol in the figures.

[0069] Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the embodiments, whereby reference can be made to the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 3 with regard to identical components, features and functions. To distinguish the embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 3 has been replaced by the letter b in the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figure 4. With regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference numerals, reference can also be made to the drawings and / or the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 3.

[0070] A cooking appliance system 60b has an electronics unit 58b. A cooking appliance device 10b has the electronics unit 58b. The electronics unit 58b is provided for rectifying and storing energy. The electronics unit 58b is arranged and / or formed separately from an integrated circuit 32b. The electronics unit 58b is provided for outputting a voltage to a sensor unit 12b based on energy received at a communication unit 14b. The electronics unit 58b is provided for outputting the voltage to a voltage regulator 38b. The electronics unit 58b is directly connected to an antenna 28b of the communication unit 14b. A power supply unit 26b can have the electronics unit 58b.

[0071] Reference symbol

[0072] 10 Cooking appliance device

[0073] 12 Sensor unit

[0074] 14 Communication unit

[0075] 16 processing unit

[0076] 18 operational amplifiers

[0077] 20 cooking appliance accessories

[0078] 22 Temperature sensor

[0079] 24 thermistors

[0080] 26 Power supply unit

[0081] 28 Antenna

[0082] 30 Adaptation circuit

[0083] 32 integrated circuits

[0084] 34 RC element

[0085] 36 GPIO

[0086] 38 voltage regulators

[0087] 40 Cooking appliance

[0088] 42 hob

[0089] 44 additional communication units

[0090] 46 Control unit

[0091] 48 additional antennas

[0092] 50 additional adjustment circuits

[0093] 52 additional integrated circuits

[0094] 56 microcontrollers

[0095] 58 Electronic unit

[0096] 60 cooking appliance system

[0097] 62 hob system

[0098] 64 mounting plate

[0099] 66 Food intake unit Communication field First transmission step Processing step Second transmission step Further processing step

Claims

Claims 1. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b), in particular a hob system (62a; 62b), with a sensor unit (12a; 12b) and with a communication unit (14a; 14b) which is provided to wirelessly receive energy by means of a first signal, to provide the energy to the sensor unit (12a; 12b) and to wirelessly transmit at least a second signal depending on a measurement of the sensor unit (12a; 12b).

2. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first signal and the second signal are each designed as an NFC signal.

3. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a processing unit (16a; 16b) which is provided for comparing a comparison parameter with a sensor parameter of the sensor unit (12a; 12b) in a measuring process.

4. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to claim 3, characterized in that the processing unit (16a; 16b) has an operational amplifier (18a; 18b) for comparing the comparison parameter and the sensor parameter.

5. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the processing unit (16a; 16b) is provided to change the comparison parameter in the measuring process.

6. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to claim 5, characterized in that the processing unit (16a; 16b) is provided to change the comparison parameter based on the first signal.

7. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the processing unit (16a; 16b) is provided to determine the comparison parameter by means of pulse width modulation.

8. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the second signal comprises information regarding a result of the comparison.

9. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to claim 8, characterized by a further communication unit (44a; 44b) which is provided to emit the first signal and to receive the second signal, and a control unit (46a; 46b) which is provided to evaluate the information.

10. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to claim 9, characterized in that the control unit (46a; 46b) is provided to emit, by means of the further communication unit (44a; 44b), a further first signal adapted based on the second signal.

11. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (12a; 12b) is designed as a temperature sensor (22a; 22b), in particular as a thermistor (24a; 24b).

12. Cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a power supply unit (26a; 26b) for receiving the power and for providing a stable supply voltage for the sensor unit (12a; 12b).

13. Cooking appliance (40a; 40b) of a cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a further communication unit (44a; 44b) for wireless communication with the communication unit (14a; 14b).

14. A cooking appliance device (10a; 10b), in particular cooking utensils, cooking appliance accessories (20a; 20b), or small household appliance, of a cooking appliance system (60a; 60b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the sensor unit (12a; 12b) and the communication unit (14a; 14b).

15. A method for operating a cooking appliance system (60a; 60b), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, with a sensor unit (12a; 12b), wherein energy is wirelessly received by means of a first signal, which provides energy to the sensor unit (12a; 12b), and at least a second signal is wirelessly transmitted depending on a measurement of the sensor unit (12a; 12b).

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