Abstract: In a method for monitoring a cooking process, a movement of an object in an area of a cooktop is detected. The detected movement is evaluated for a predetermined time. An indicator of a development of smoke in the area of the cooktop is detected and evaluated, and a warning signal is being output when a movement for the predetermined time is absent and the indicator is present.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring a cooking process, a cooking receptacle is detected on a cooking zone of a cooktop. The detected cooking receptacle is determined by determining a surface of a food to be cooked which is contained in the cooking receptacle. A change in level of the surface of the food is determined over a predetermined time, and a rising rate of the food is ascertained as a result of the change in level. Based on the ascertained rising rate, a probability of a boiling over of the food is predicted and a warning signal is output based on the predicted probability of the food boiling over.

Abstract: In a method for optical ascertainment of an operating state of a cooktop, objects are optically detected within a detection space including the cooktop with at least two cooking zones and a control panel with at least two identifiers. The cooking zones and the identifiers are recognized based on optically detected properties of the objects. A centroid for each object is determined and the cooking zones and the identifiers are arranged based on detected coordinates of the respective centroids in the detection space. The identifiers are assigned to a respective cooking zone based on the arrangement of the cooking zones and the identifiers, and an operating state for at least one cooking zone is ascertained based on a detected unambiguous feature of one of the identifiers assigned to the at least one of the cooking zones.

Abstract: An interaction module includes a housing for holding a projector to project an image onto a working surface and an optical scanning device for scanning a gesture in the region of the image, and a mounting plate configured for fastening to an underside of an object attached above the working surface. The mounting plate is configured for attachment of the housing on a side of the mounting plate which side faces away from the object.

Abstract: An interaction device for use in a household contains a first microphone and a second microphone. Preferably, a polar pattern of the first microphone is configured for sampling in the close range, and a polar pattern of the second microphone is configured for sampling in the far range. The interaction device further has a processing unit configured to ascertain a verbal instruction on the basis of samplings performed by the microphones, and execute a control operation associated with the instruction.

Abstract: An interaction module includes a housing for holding a projector to project an image onto a working surface and an optical scanning device for scanning a gesture in the region of the image, and a mounting plate configured for fastening to an underside of an object attached above the working surface. The mounting plate is configured for attachment of the housing on a side of the mounting plate which side faces away from the object.

Abstract: An interaction module includes a projector configured to project a first image onto a working surface; and a camera configured to record a second image of an object that is placed on the working surface.

Abstract: In a method for controlling at least one function of a household appliance, a control device senses contactlessly the presence of a user's hand in a sensing space. A characteristic of the sensed hand is detected by the control device, and a function of the household appliance is actuated using the detected characteristic.

Abstract: A mechanical braking system is provided for a vehicle having an electric propulsion system which is utilized for retard speed regulation. While the retard speed regulation is normally performed via electric braking, in some conditions the electric braking is not able to maintain a desired speed for the vehicle. In this condition, upon receipt of a signal from the electric propulsion system, the mechanical braking system is automatically activated so as to maintain the vehicle at the desired speed.

Abstract: A mechanical braking system is provided for a vehicle having an electric propulsion system which is utilized for retard speed regulation. While the retard speed regulation is normally performed via electric braking, in some conditions the electric braking is not able to maintain a desired speed for the vehicle. In this condition, upon receipt of a signal from the electric propulsion system, the mechanical braking system is automatically activated so as to maintain the vehicle at the desired speed.