Abstract: A method of controlling a cooking apparatus includes a cleaning process which includes controlling a temperature in a cooking chamber such that the temperature in the cooking chamber is maintained at a preset first temperature for a preset first time, and controlling a temperature in a cooking chamber such that the temperature in the cooking chamber is maintained at a preset second temperature higher than the first temperature for a preset second time.

Abstract: An appliance and methods for operating the appliance in a safety-critical operation are provided. The appliance and methods for operating the appliance include features that provide safe and intuitive ways to initiate and cancel safety-critical operations performed by the appliance.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises at least two cooking devices, a control unit, an input device and an output device. The control unit is adapted to determine if at least two of the foodstuffs to be cooked can be cooked in one of the cooking devices in an at least partly concurrent manner. Depending thereon, the control unit allocates the foodstuffs to be cooked to the cooking devices and outputs, via the output device, which of the foodstuffs can be cooked in which cooking device or in which cooking devices.

Abstract: A cooking appliance including a temperature sensing system having an upper housing having a first heating surface and a lower housing having a second heating surface includes a temperature sensing probe, a control panel and a control unit in electrical communication with the temperature sensing probe and the control panel. The temperature sensing probe is removably received by the upper housing and extends through the first heating surface. The control panel has one or more input buttons for allowing a user to select at least one input parameter including a desired internal temperature of a food item.

Abstract: An oven appliance may include a cabinet, a plurality of chamber walls, a cooking surface, a top heating element, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The cooking surface may be defined in a cooking chamber. The top heating element may be mounted above the cooking surface to heat the cooking chamber. The temperature sensor may be disposed within the cabinet. The controller may be configured to initiate a cooking operation that includes initiating preheat activation of the top heating element, receiving temperature signals from the temperature sensor during the preheat activation, determining a preheat threshold is met based on the received temperature signals, and initiating cooking activation of the top heating element based on a cooking cycle having a predetermined time interval subsequent to determining the preheat threshold is met. Initiating cooking activation may include directing the top heating element based on the cooking cycle for the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a heating cavity with a heat source. A cavity connector is disposed within the heating cavity and a rack is slidably coupled with a sliding structure disposed within the heating cavity. A powered accessory has a connecting plug and is engageable with the rack. The connecting plug is configured to be in selective communication with the cavity connector. A first locating assembly is configured to locate and engage the powered accessory with the rack and is coupled to the powered accessory. A second locating assembly is disposed between the sliding structure and a pair of opposing sidewalk of the heating cavity.

Abstract: A control system for use in controlling operation of an electrical appliance, including: an electrical appliance housing having a control module; and a power source; a control knob including: an attachment element configured for releasably attaching the control knob to an outer surface of the housing; and an input/output module; a wireless power transfer system configured for wirelessly transferring power from the power source through the electrical appliance housing and to the input/output module for use in powering the input/output module; and a wireless control signaling module configured for wirelessly communicating a control signal from the control knob through the housing to the control module within the electrical appliance housing, said control signal received by the control module being indicative of an operational position/state of the control knob, and whereby said control module is configured for controlling operation of the electrical appliance by reference to the received wireless control signal

Abstract: System for handling medical packages provided with at least one unique identifier and other relevant information. The system includes at least one tracking device arranged to accompany said package from the entry of the package in the system to a decision on administration of the package-specific product content to a recipient. The tracking device comprises an integrated data logger that records data on at least one environmental parameter affecting remaining lifetime of the product content, a calculation function that calculates a value for the remaining lifetime, and an integrated indicator device showing if the product content has a remaining useful lifetime. The tracking device has a unique device identity that can be read and associated with said unique identity code and the other relevant information so that all relevant data concerning the product content can be handled and transferred between system devices without risk of confusion.

Abstract: One or more cooking elements of a cooking appliance may be controlled during the preheat phase of an oven self-clean cycle to maintain a temperature within an oven cavity proximate an intermediate temperature setpoint that is below a self-clean temperature setpoint for the oven self-clean cycle until reaching a predetermined time in the oven self-clean cycle.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus (10) includes heating chamber (4) in which an object to be heated is rested, radiant heater unit (38) provided inside heating chamber (4) and operating in the preheating mode and cooking mode, and a control unit controlling radiant heater unit (38). The control unit is configured to make radiant heater unit (38) operate in the standby mode, which is a mode after the preheating mode ends and until the cooking mode starts. According to this aspect, the surface temperature of radiant heater unit (38) is kept at a high level during the standby mode to suppress uneven browning due to variations in the surface temperature of radiant heater unit (38) when cooking starts.

Abstract: One or more cooking elements of a cooking appliance may be controlled during the preheat phase of an oven self-clean cycle to dynamically control a rate of temperature rise to reach a target temperature setpoint at a predetermined time in the oven self-clean cycle.

Abstract: An oven including a camera disposed above a cooking compartment to clearly capture an inside of the cooking compartment, and having a structure which cools the camera to prevent a temperature of the camera from being increased due to heat generated in the cooking compartment. The oven includes the camera provided above the cooking compartment and configured to capture the inside of the cooking compartment, a camera cooling fan disposed above the camera and configured to cool the camera by suctioning external air, a first glass provided at a ceiling of the cooking compartment so that the camera captures the inside of the cooking compartment and configured to block transmission of heat in the cooking compartment to the camera, and a second glass provided between the camera and the first glass and configured to block transmission of heat to the camera.

Abstract: A cooking appliance, in particular a commercial cooking appliance, with a housing, in which a cooking chamber is arranged, which has a cooking chamber opening, which can be opened and closed using a cooking chamber door; with an optical system, which has at least one optical capturing device above the cooking chamber opening; and with a protection against contamination for the optical system, wherein the protection against contamination has a catching surface, which can be moved using a drive unit and which, seen in the capturing direction of the optical system, is arranged in front thereof.

Abstract: A cost-effective, single use bag or container is provided for storing biological substances that incorporates on its inner wall an electronic device that is configured to measure physiological and/or physical parameters of the enclosed biological substances, such as source history, identification, demographics, time stamping, temperature, pH, conductivity, glucose, O2, CO2 levels etc. The electronic device of the disclosed bag comprises a sensor configured to measure physiological and/or physical parameters of the biological substances enclosed within the bag, and a radio-frequency (RF) device communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to: (a) acquire from the sensor data associated with the measured parameters, (b) store the acquired sensor data in nonvolatile memory, and (c) communicate the stored data wirelessly to a RF reader.

Abstract: A cooking device is provided herein. The cooking device includes a touch-sensitive display configured to register user-input via one or more touch events to enable a user to make selections related to the operation of the cooking device. The user-input is provided to a controller, and in response, the controller controls the operation of the cooking device based on the user-input.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable fully automatic cooking system which can automatically prepare food items as per the user's demand ‘by using recipes files, data and cooking centric algorithm software stored in user interface device or by downloading the needed recipe from remote server. This machine unit of system can be controlled by any kind of computation device, laptop, tablet, computer, smart phone etc for cooking, recording, managing which satisfies hardware and software requirement standards of system which user can control and command through physical presence or from remote location. Machine unit stores various ingredients inside it and demands for chief ingredients and cooks recipes in accordance with recipe using custom developed artificial intelligence. The scalability and flexibility of machine design, structure, components and positioning makes automated cooking possible, efficient and most practical.

Abstract: The present technology discloses a cost-effective, single use bag or container for storing biological substances that incorporates on its inner wall an electronic device that is configured to measure physiological and/or physical parameters of the enclosed biological substances, such as source history, identification, demographics, time stamping, temperature, pH, conductivity, glucose, O2, CO2 levels etc. The electronic device of the disclosed bag comprises a sensor configured to measure physiological and/or physical parameters of the biological substances enclosed within the bag, and a radio-frequency (RF) device communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to: (a) acquire from the sensor data associated with the measured parameters, (b) store the acquired sensor data in nonvolatile memory, and (c) communicate the stored data wirelessly to a RF reader.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for cooking food in an oven cavity, where airis the cooking medium. Using a predetermined cooking algorithm, a temperature of the oven cavity is adjusted in a plurality of temperature and/or time regulated cooking stages. An initial pre-heat stage targets a first target temperature including a user-selected oven cavity temperature plus a first offset. A subsequent post-heat stage targets a second target temperature including the user-selected temperature plus a second offset different from the first offset. Two or more heating elements and a fan are operated during the post-heat stage according to a duty cycle controlled via a hysteresis temperature control algorithm or a PID temperature control algorithm.

Abstract: A smoke detecting microwave assembly for inhibiting fire when cooking with a microwave oven includes a microwave oven that has an interior space. A smoke detector is coupled to the microwave oven for detecting smoke. The smoke detector is electrically coupled to the microwave oven. The microwave oven is turned off when the smoke detector detects smoke to inhibit food from combusting in the microwave oven. A carbon monoxide detector is coupled to the microwave oven for detecting carbon monoxide. The microwave oven is turned off when the carbon monoxide detector detects carbon monoxide to inhibit production of carbon monoxide from combustion.

Abstract: A cooking appliance is provided herein that includes a pair of opposing sidewalls and a rear wall defining a heating cavity. A heat source is in thermal communication with the heating cavity. A cavity connector is disposed within an interior surface of the heating cavity. The cavity connector is in communication with the heating cavity. A rack is coupled with a sliding structure. The sliding structure is disposed proximate the pair of sidewalls. A powered accessory has a connecting plug and is engageable with the rack. The connecting plug is configured to be in selective communication with the cavity connector. A first locating assembly is configured to locate and engage the powered accessory with the rack. A second locating assembly is disposed between the sliding structure and the opposing sidewalls. A third locating assembly is disposed on a rear portion of the rack.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oven including a monitoring unit which monitors a cooking compartment and transmits data obtained by the monitoring to an external device through a network to allow a user to check a cooking process of the oven through the external device without directly checking the oven through a transparent portion thereof to provide convenience to the user.

Abstract: An automatic ingredient feeding apparatus (1) comprises a machine frame (100), a feeder mechanism (11), a flipping mechanism (12) and a plurality of compartment door control mechanisms (13). The feeder mechanism comprises a shell (111), the shell is provided therein with a receiving space (114) for receiving a multi-compartment container (110) and is provided therein with a multi-compartment ingredient-dropping chamber (113) facing the receiving space. The flipping mechanism (12) is used for mounting the feeder mechanism (11) on the machine frame (110) and for controlling the feeder mechanism (11) to implement a 180-degree flip. Each of the plurality of compartment door control mechanisms (13) controls an opening/closing of a compartment door (115) of the individual compartment of the multi-compartment ingredient-dropping chamber (113). The flipping mechanism (12) and the plurality of compartment door control mechanisms (13) are all connected to a master control device (7).

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for operating a cooking appliance comprising a convection oven, a hot-air steamer, or a convection steamer, which includes a cooking chamber which can be closed by a door, a heating device, at least one steam injection device, at least one flow-generating device such as a blower, at least one temperature sensor, which detects the temperature in the cooking chamber, and an electronic appliance control unit with memory, in which cooking programs comprising the cooking sequences for specific food products are stored. Based on the time extending from a starting to a target temperature value, it is determined on the basis of the detected temperature curve in the cooking chamber whether and possibly to what extent it will take extra time to reach the target temperature. On this basis the appliance control unit calculates a cooking time extension, by which the cooking program step is extended.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for a processing apparatus configured to authenticate an item based on at least one optical indicium associated with the item before processing the item. An interface may be configured to receive processing information from a machine readable element associated with an item to be processed. An image acquisition device may be configured to acquire image information relating to at least one optical indicium associated with an item. At least one processor may be configured to verify authentication of the item based upon the image information acquired by the image sensor unit. The processor may be further configured to receive processing information from the interface and to determine one or more instructions for processing the item based on the processing information. The apparatus may be further configured to processing the item in accordance with the instructions after the item has been verified as authentic.

Abstract: Device body (2) with heating chamber (4), and door (3) that opens and closes opening (5) of heating chamber (4). A door wireless communication unit (17) transmits a control signal from an operation unit provided on door 3 in the form of a wireless signal to main wireless communication unit (19). This configuration eliminates the need of wiring between the operation unit and device body (2). No wiring improves noise resistance and productivity.

Abstract: A method of compensating for thermal lag in a temperature control system is performed by a controller of the temperature control system. The method includes receiving a first temperature obtained by a temperature sensing device at an end of a temperature control cycle. A second temperature obtained by the temperature sensing device is received at a pre-defined time after the end of the temperature control cycle. The method includes changing an operational set-point temperature of the temperature control system using a difference between the received temperatures.

Abstract: An analog timer circuit comprises a pulse source, a charge storage element, and a charge pump coupled between the pulse source and the charge storage element. A pulse signal generated by the pulse source is utilized to charge the charge storage element via the charge pump. The analog timer may further comprise a discharge pump coupled between the pulse source and the charge storage element. The pulse signal generated by the pulse source is also utilized to discharge the charge storage element via the discharge pump. For example, the charge pump and the discharge pump may be driven by respective ones of complemented and uncomplemented versions of the pulse signal generated by the pulse source. An up/down driver circuit is configured to select between charging of the charge storage element via the charge pump and discharging of the charge storage element via the discharge pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to a furnace for firing products to be fired, in particular dental ceramics, comprising a control unit for controlling the furnace. The control unit has a release portion which can be activated be means of an individualized control command, in particular be means of an encoded activation code. The release portion is designed such that one or more firing processes can be carried out in an activated state of the release portion and no firing processes can be carried out in a deactivated state of the release portion.

Abstract: A device for preparing a thermoplastic material, with dry heat, for use in patient fixation. The device generates circulated heat to a threshold temperature. Once the thermoplastic material has become pliable, it is molded into a cast for fixation purposes. The circulated heat may be generated by a device having a housing and a support member movably attached to the housing. The device also includes a heating element and an array of circulation elements.

Abstract: Radiant energy from a semiconductor wafer which is determined from the theoretical value of black body radiation and the actually measured result of an output from a photodiode are brought into correspondence with each other, and a table showing a correlation therebetween is acquired and stored on a magnetic disk. When a semiconductor wafer to be treated is irradiated with flashes of light from flash lamps, the photodiode receives radiant light emitted from the semiconductor wafer. A controller determines, from the output from the photodiode, the radiant energy emitted per unit time from the semiconductor wafer irradiated with flashes of light, based on the acquired table. The controller further determines the surface temperature of the semiconductor wafer from the determined radiant energy.

Abstract: Appliance for processing food and method of operating the same The present application in particular is related to a method of operating a cooking appliance, in which a food category of a food item automatically can be assigned based on features extracted from an image of the food item. For improving assignment, the method is provided with self learning performance.

Abstract: After flash irradiation on a semiconductor wafer is started and then the temperatures of front and back surfaces of the semiconductor wafer become equal to each other, the temperature of the back surface of the semiconductor wafer, which has a known emissivity, is measured with a radiation thermometer. The emissivity of the front surface of the semiconductor wafer is calculated based on the intensity of radiated light from a black body having an equal temperature to the temperature of the back surface thereof, and the intensity of radiated light actually radiated from the front surface of the semiconductor wafer. Then, the temperature of the front surface of the semiconductor wafer heated by the flash irradiation is calculated based on the calculated emissivity and the intensity of the radiated light from the front surface of the semiconductor wafer that has been measured after the flash irradiation is started.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the supply of power to a radiant heater of a cooking hob. According to one implementation a method is provided that includes the use of a control circuit that is configured to deliver power to the radiant heater via first and second electrical paths. One control method includes supplying a first level of power to the radiant heater through a closed disconnection switch situated in the first electrical path while sensing a temperature of the cooking hob. Upon detecting that the temperature has reached or exceeded a predetermined temperature, the control circuit terminates the supply of power to the radiant heater through the first electrical path by opening the disconnection switch and for at least a period of time initiating the supply of a second level of power to the radiant heater through the second electrical path, the second level of power being less than the first level of power and sufficiently low to cause the radiant heater to cool.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dental furnace, with a furnace base and with a furnace hood, wherein the furnace hood includes a firing chamber for the accommodation of dental restorations, with a temperature sensor that records the temperature of the dental restoration and which is connected to a control device which controls the dental furnace, and the dental furnace (10) includes a drive unit (18) for the furnace hood (16) and the control device (30) controls the drive unit (18) based on the temperature recorded by the temperature sensor (20), namely opens the furnace hood.

Abstract: A photodiode excellent in responsivity receives flashes of light emitted from flash lamps in the process of heating a semiconductor wafer by irradiation with flashes of light, and the waveform of the intensity of the flashes of light versus time is acquired using voltage data obtained from an output from the photodiode. Then, a temperature calculating part performs a heat conduction simulation using the acquired data to calculate the temperature of the semiconductor wafer irradiated with the flashes of light from the flash lamps. The temperature of the semiconductor wafer is computed using data corresponding to the intensity of the flashes of light obtained from the output from the photodiode. This allows the determination of the surface temperature of the semiconductor wafer irradiated with the flashes of light, irrespective of the waveform of the emission intensity of the flash lamps.

Abstract: After a preheating operation is performed to raise an inner temperature of a heating chamber to a target preheating temperature (first specified temperature) by a first steam superheater of a steam temperature-raising device, a cooking operation is performed to raise, by the first steam superheater of the temperature-raising device, a temperature of steam obtained by heating of water in a steam generator by heaters 42A, 42B of the steam generator and then supply the steam to the heating chamber. In this process, when inner temperature of the heating chamber detected by an inner temperature sensor 81 during the preheating operation has come to or beyond a steam generation start temperature (second specified temperature) which is lower than a target preheating temperature, a control unit 80 decides that a steam generation start condition has been satisfied, and heats water in the steam generator by the heaters of the steam generator.

Abstract: A latching system for an appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a first oven, a first door for the first oven, a second oven and a second door for the second oven. The latching system includes a master latch assembly for locking the first door when it is fully closed; a slave latch assembly for locking the second door when it is fully closed; a cable operatively coupling the two latch assemblies so that a movement of one latch assembly between an unlocking position and a locking position generates a corresponding movement of the other latch assembly between an unlocking position and a locking position; a position switch for one latch assembly; and a controller configured to enable an operation of the first oven and/or the second oven when the position switch detects the latch assembly is in its locking position in conjunction with an operation request.

Abstract: A control unit can select a large-number control zone model in which the number of control zones, which are independently controlled, is large, and a small-number control zone model in which the number of control zones, which are independently controlled, is small. When a temperature is increased or decreased, the control unit can select the small-number control zone model so as to control, based on signals from temperature sensors of the respective control zones C1 . . . C5 whose number is small, heaters located on the respective control zones C1 . . . C5. When a temperature is stabilized, the control unit can select the large-number control zone model so as to control, based on signals from the temperature sensors of the respective control zones C1 . . . C10 whose number is large, the heaters located on the respective control zones C1 . . . C10.

Abstract: In a method for forming a sintered silver coating film, for use as a heat spreader, on a semiconductor substrate or a semiconductor package, a coating film of an ink or paste containing silver nanoparticles is formed on one surface of the semiconductor substrate or the substrate package. Further, the coating film is sintered by heating the coating film under an atmosphere of a humidity of 30% to 50% RH (30° C.) by a ventilation oven.

Abstract: Present invention embodiments include a thermal treatment system for thermally treating and individually monitoring a plurality of medical or other items. The thermal treatment system includes a modular configuration with a control unit and one or more modular units coupled to the control unit, where each of the control and modular units thermally treat a plurality of corresponding medical items. The control unit includes a display to interact with a user for setting a desired temperature, and controls the modular units to thermally treat corresponding medical items to the desired temperature.

Abstract: A low impact belt dryer is presented for drying pellets while minimizing high-energy pellet collisions that may create pellet dust or cause pellets to fracture. The dryer includes a vacuum chamber having multiple air knife assemblies that direct high velocity drying fluid towards the pellets and though a liquid-permeable pellet-impermeable belt to a vacuum port. The low impact dryer may also include a centrifugal dryer for dewatering the pellets before they pass though the vacuum chamber. The conveyor belt of the dryer may transport the pellets through multiple desiccation chambers where low velocity air is directed upwards though the belt to both dry and levitate the pellets above the belt. The dryer may also include a cleaning chamber for removing debris from the liquid-permeable pellet-impermeable belt.

Abstract: A data logging module and a method of monitoring a medical warming cabinet is disclosed. A temperature of the heating chamber and a state of a door of the heating chamber are sampled at predetermined intervals and recorded as data packets on a memory device. A display may provide a message when the memory device is reaching capacity. Moreover, a selected of the data packets may be analyzed (such as the data packets excluding the data packets when the door is open) for the generation of a report. The data packets from the memory device may be transferred from the memory device to an external memory device as necessary.

Abstract: According to another aspect, the subject application involves an oven and a method of controlling an oven for cooking a food item. The oven includes a cooking cavity, a user interface comprising an input device to be actuated with a single actuation event by a cook to select a predetermined cooking mode for cooking the food item, a heating element operable to produce heat required to cook the food item within the cooking cavity, and a control unit. The method includes receiving a cooking signal in response to actuation of the input device with the single actuation event by the cook, and establishing a cooking parameter for the predetermined cooking mode based on the cooking signal. The cooking parameter can be specific to the food item to be cooked according to the predetermined cooking mode of the oven. The method also includes initiating the predetermined cooking mode associated with the input device, and detecting that cooking of the food item according to the predetermined cooking mode is complete.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a high temperature curing oven, comprising: a heating cavity a heater and a temperature monitor system. The heater includes a plurality of heating modules that can be controlled independently. The temperature monitor system includes: a thermocouple; an infrared monitor device; a signal processing module; and an executing module.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a system that improves heat distribution throughout an internal cooking cavity of an oven. The embodiments described may find particular use in ovens used on-board passenger transport vehicles, but they may also be incorporated into other ovens, such as residential and other commercial ovens.

Abstract: A toasting appliance includes a toasting chamber, a heating element for heating a foodstuff located within the toasting chamber, an optical system having a first light source for illuminating the foodstuff with light having a first wavelength and an optical receiver for detecting light reflected from the foodstuff. A second light source is provided for illuminating at least the optical receiver with light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A controller varies the intensity of the light emitted from the second light source during a toasting operation.

Abstract: The cooking device includes a top plate on which containers are to be placed, heating devices provided under the top plate, electrodes provided on a lower surface of the top plate, capacitance detection devices for detecting changes in capacitance of the electrodes, and a boil over determination device for determining a liquid boiled over from the containers on the basis of the changes in capacitance detected by the capacitance detection devices in heating operations of the heating devices. The electrodes have a plurality of arc-shaped detection parts provided along periphery of each of the heating devices.

Abstract: An electronically controlled warmer drawer for food or non-food items having a housing including a heating element based on several heat-producing technologies, temperature and/or humidity sensor(s), and a fan to effectively warm items placed therein. The system is controlled by way of the user interface that interacts with an electronic control system to operate the heating element and fan. The user interface provides user programmable controls and automatic overrides, can be placed in a variety of locations, and can be concealed by a variety of elements. The interface can also utilize a variety of touch sensitive technologies. As well, the device may have a receptacle for adding fragrance or flavor to the objects within.

Abstract: A method of heat-treating a workpiece includes generating an initial heating portion and a subsequent sustaining portion of an irradiance pulse incident on a target surface area of the workpiece. A combined duration of the initial heating portion and the subsequent sustaining portion is less than a thermal conduction time of the workpiece. The initial heating portion heats the target surface area to a desired temperature and the subsequent sustaining portion maintains the target surface area within a desired range from the desired temperature. Another method includes generating such an initial heating portion and subsequent sustaining portion of an irradiance pulse, monitoring at least one parameter indicative of a presently completed amount of a desired thermal process during the irradiance pulse, and modifying the irradiance pulse in response to deviation of the at least one parameter from an expected value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a steam oven (1), especially a domestic steam oven, wherein the steam oven (1) has a control unit (2) and a water reservoir (3) and wherein the steam oven (1) is equipped with a pyrolytic cleaning function.