Abstract: A microwave heating system comprises a microwave applicator cavity; a microwave power supply to deliver power to the applicator cavity; a dielectric support to support a generally planar workpiece; a dielectric gas manifold to supply a controlled flow of inert gas proximate to the periphery of the workpiece to provide differential cooling to the edge relative to the center; a first temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature near the center of the workpiece; and, a second temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature near the edge of the workpiece. The gas flow is controlled to minimize the temperature difference from center to edge, and may be recipe driven or controlled in real time, based on the two temperature measurements. The method is particularly useful for monolithic semiconductor wafers, various semiconducting films on substrates, and dielectric films on semiconducting wafers.

Abstract: A sealed cookware and servingware object, such as a pressure cooker, is provided. The object is temperature and pressure regulated using control technology such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and temperature sensors associated with the objects. In a first embodiment, the temperature sensor is at least partially embedded in the base of the object. In a second embodiment, the temperature sensor extends through a tunnel in a wall of the object and includes a sealing cap to cover the tunnel and prevent air and/or liquid from escaping the interior of the object.

Abstract: A heating device includes a main body with an opening, a magnetron for generating electromagnetic waves for heating, a door for putting in and taking out an object to be heated, a reader, and a barrier. The magnetron emits electromagnetic waves into the main body. The door covers the opening of the main body. The reader reads information contained in a wireless IC tag attached to the object to be heated. The barrier acts a shield for the reader from the electromagnetic waves emitted by the magnetron when the door is closed, and the shield is broken when the door is opened.

Abstract: There is provided a high-frequency heating apparatus with an electrothermic heating device, including a heating chamber that houses an object to be heated, a high-frequency generating device and an electrothermic heating device for heating the object to be heated, and two overheat prevention devices provided in the electrothermic heating device, wherein the two overheat prevention devices are a first stage overheat prevention device of a resettable type and a second stage overheat prevention device of a non-resettable type, and an operating temperature of the second stage overheat prevention device is set higher than an operating temperature of the first stage temperature overheat prevention device.

Abstract: An instrument is disclosed for carrying out controlled microwave assisted chemical processes, and that is particularly useful for handling relatively small samples. The instrument includes a needle, and a needle seal adjacent the needle and having a shaft coaxial with the needle and in communication with the needle. A pressure transducer is opposite the needle seal from the needle and in communication with the shaft. A housing holds the needle to the needle seal and the needle seal to the transducer. A chamber is formed between the housing and the needle seal. A lateral shaft goes through the needle seal from the coaxial shaft to the chamber in the housing, and a valve is in communication with the chamber.

Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus (101) includes a burning chamber (103) in which an object (102) to be burned is placed, a magnetron (116) for applying microwaves into the heating apparatus, a cooling gas introducing mechanism (112b) for introducing a cooling gas from outside the heating apparatus into the heating apparatus, a cooling gas channel (113b) through which the cooling gas flows to the burning chamber (103), heat-generating members (114a to 114e) for self-heating with microwaves applied thereto to heat the cooling gas flowing through the cooling gas channel (113b) and a control section (117) for, when the burning chamber (103) having the object (102) to be burned placed therein is cooled, causing the cooling gas introducing mechanism (112b) to introduce the cooling gas into the heating apparatus, and causing the magnetron (116) to intermittently apply microwaves into the heating apparatus.

Abstract: An electromagnetic heater for heating an irregularly shaped object, including: a cavity within which an object is to be placed; at least one feed which feeds UHF or microwave energy into the cavity; and a controller that controls one or more characteristics of the cavity or energy to assure that the UHF or microwave energy is deposited uniformly in the object within ±30% over at least 80% of the volume of the object.

Abstract: A method for preventing overheating of a microwave oven includes receiving information of a cooking condition and a cooking start command for current cooking, the cooking condition including a magnetron output level and a current cooking period, confirming pause duration from when preceding cooking was finished to when the current cooking is started, if it is determined that the magnetron output level is a preset magnetron output level or more, and determining a basic output period and a reference period for changing the magnetron output level corresponding to the confirmed pause duration, followed by operating the microwave oven at the preset magnetron output level after changing the magnetron output level to the preset magnetron output level, if it is determined that a driving period for changing the magnetron output level has passed the determined reference period.

Abstract: A microwave oven cabinet is ergonomic designed to provide for both stacking and jigsaw-type back-to-back interlining of multiple units of the microwave ovens. In particular, the cabinet configuration advantageously establishes a reduced footprint, ergonomically designed microwave oven which can be effectively employed in various fields, including fast food chains wherein multiple such ovens may need to be functionally positioned in a limited area, while still being easily accessible.

Abstract: A voltage calibration routine for an oven, particularly a microwave oven, enables a field technician to enter a voltage calibration mode to display on the oven a pre-established default voltage to which the oven is calibrated. The technician then measures the actual line voltage applied to the oven and, if different than the default voltage displayed, inputs the actual line voltage into the microwave oven control, such as via a keypad. Thereafter, an offset value is calculated to correct the voltage measurement, allowing for a correct tap selection when the microwave oven is running. An additional function is available to check the oven voltage reading upon accessing a voltage reading mode wherein the oven measures and displays the line voltage which is compared to a volt meter reading such that a simple comparison can be made, while avoiding certain steps associated with the voltage calibration mode.

Abstract: A combination oven that is operable with convection air, impingement air and microwave energy in various combinations thereof. The oven has an oven chamber and a fan box that are located front to back. A fan in the fan box circulates heated air by discharging via openings in a top and a bottom and taking in via an intermediate opening of a baffle plate. Impingement plates are easily installed and removed in the oven chamber to provide impingement air upwardly or downwardly. At least one of the impingement plates is installed and removed by a sliding motion. Microwave energy is provided through the side walls of the oven chamber. Intake ports for cooling air are located in a bevel between the side walls and bottom wall of the oven's outer enclosure so as to allow the oven to be located right next to other structures, such as a wall. An interlock assembly is also provided for the oven door.

Abstract: A cooker includes: a heating chamber on which a first object to be heated is placed; a heating plate on which a second object to be heated is placed; an upper heat source provided on an upper side of the heating chamber, and a lower heat source provided on a lower side of the heating chamber and including at least a high-frequency heat source; an operation unit configured to receive an input of information on a heating treatment; and a control unit configured to individually control the upper heat source and the lower heat source, based on the information on the heating treatment. The lower a mounting position of the heating plate becomes, the more high-frequency waves supplied to a heating chamber to a lower side of the heating plate from the high-frequency heat source are supplied to an upper side of the heating plate.

Abstract: A cooker includes: a heating chamber on which a first object to be heated is placed; a heating plate on which a second object to be heated is placed; an upper heat source provided on an upper side of the heating chamber, and a lower heat source provided on a lower side of the heating chamber and including at least a high-frequency heat source; an operation unit configured to receive an input of information on a heating treatment; and a control unit configured to individually control the upper heat source and the lower heat source, based on the information on the heating treatment. The cooker further includes a reflecting portion provided below the heating plate and configured to reflect leftwards and rightwards high-frequency waves supplied from the high-frequency heat source.

Abstract: A cooker includes: a heating chamber on which a first object to be heated is placed; a two-stage cooking dedicated member on which a second object to be heated is placed; an upper heat source provided on an upper side of the heating chamber, and a lower heat source provided on a lower side of the heating chamber and including at least a high-frequency heat source; an operation unit configured to receive an input of information on a heating treatment; and a control unit configured to individually control the upper heat source and the lower heat source, based on the information on the heating treatment. The two-stage cooking dedicated member can hold the second object to be heated and can supply high-frequency waves supplied from the lower heat source as the high-frequency heat source to an upper side of the two-stage cooking dedicated member.

Abstract: A microwave heating device and a method for heating a load using microwaves are provided. The microwave heating device comprises a cavity adapted to receive a load and at least two microwave sources for feeding microwave energy into the cavity through at least two feeding ports respectively. The microwave heating device further comprises at least two field sensors adapted to measure field strengths of the microwave energy in the cavity. A first field sensor is arranged at a first location for measuring the field strength representative of a mode fed from a first feeding port and a second field sensor is arranged at a second location for measuring the field strength representative of a mode fed from a second feeding port. The microwave heating device further comprises a control unit connected to the microwave sources and the field sensors for regulating the microwave sources based on the measured field strengths.

Abstract: A variable-frequency oscillator 1, a semiconductor power amplifier 2 for amplifying the output of the variable-frequency oscillator 1; a radiator 3 for radiating an electromagnetic wave for heating based on the output of the semiconductor power amplifier 2; a reflected wave monitoring circuit 5 for detecting a reflected wave of the electromagnetic wave for heating; and a controller 7 for controlling the oscillation frequency of the variable-frequency oscillator 1 are provided. The controller 7 changes the oscillation frequencies of the variable-frequency oscillator 1 discontinuously, thereby getting a frequency-hopping spread-spectrum radiation done by the radiator 3. The electromagnetic wave radiated by the radiator 3 irradiates an object 9 to be heated (which is usually food) inside a heating chamber 8, thereby heating the object.

Abstract: To provide a microwave heating apparatus capable of heating various objects to be heated having different configurations, kinds, sizes, and amounts contained in a heating chamber with high efficiency by keeping low a reflected power of a microwave radiated from microwave supplying means, a microwave generator part includes oscillator parts (2a, 2b), power divider parts (3a, 3b), power amplifier parts (5a-5d), a heating chamber (10) containing the object to be heated, and a plurality of feeding parts (8a-8d, 9a-9d) arranged in a wall surface of the heating chamber to supply the microwaves therein, in which a phase difference and oscillation frequencies outputted from the feeding parts controlled as a pair are variably controlled.

Abstract: An oven for heating a product is provided. The oven includes a partially enclosed housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a conveyor to move a product through the housing. The oven additionally includes a steam system for boiling liquid with an associated steam pipe and a heating element provided within the housing.

Abstract: Generally and not exclusively, a method for controlling a process condition of at least one item within a microwave chamber may include receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber, applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber, remotely monitoring a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber at least one of simultaneously with or following the applying of the one or more microwave energy beams, and estimating the process condition for microwaving the at least one item in the microwave chamber based at least partially on the monitoring of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to detect the temperature of food and offer a good finish of cooking even in case a steam generator is arranged in a heating chamber. The controller avoids using the temperature data of an area overlapping the steam generator out of the temperature data from the infrared sensor in the detection judgment of food temperature in order to prevent detection errors in case steam heating is selected.

Abstract: A power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating not affected by variations in the magnetron type or characteristic, and power supply voltage fluctuation, etc., is provided. The power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating has an input current detection section 71, 72 for detecting input current of an inverter 10 for rectifying 31 an AC power supply voltage 20, performing high-frequency switching of the voltage, and converting the voltage to high-frequency power. The power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating converts a switching frequency control signal 92 provided by mixing input current waveform information 90 and power control information 91 into a drive signal of a semiconductor switching element 3, 4 of the inverter.

Abstract: A microwave oven and method for heating a load using microwaves are provided. The microwave oven comprises a cavity adapted to receive a load. The cavity is designed to support at least two predefined mode fields. For each predefined mode field, a resonance frequency in the cavity is known. Further, the microwave oven comprises a frequency-controllable microwave source for feeding microwaves into the cavity via at least one feeding port. The method comprises the steps of measuring a signal reflected from the cavity as a function of the operating frequency of the microwave source and identifying resonance frequencies in the cavity based on the measured signal. Further, the method comprises the steps of selecting, for the predefined modes, at least two of the identified resonance frequencies based on the known resonance frequencies and switching the operating frequency of the microwave source using the selected frequencies.

Abstract: A power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating not affected by variations in the magnetron type or characteristic, and power supply voltage fluctuation, etc., is provided. The power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating has an input current detection section 71, 72 for detecting input current of an inverter 10 for rectifying 31 an AC power supply voltage 20, performing high-frequency switching of the voltage, and converting the voltage to high-frequency power. The power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating converts a switching frequency control signal 92 provided by mixing input current waveform information 90 and power control information 91 into a drive signal of a semiconductor switching element 3, 4 of the inverter.

Abstract: A power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating not affected by variations in the magnetron type or characteristic, and power supply voltage fluctuation, etc., is provided. The power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating has an input current detection section 71, 72 for detecting input current of an inverter 10 for rectifying 31 an AC power supply voltage 20, performing high-frequency switching of the voltage, and converting the voltage to high-frequency power. The power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating converts a switching frequency control signal 92 provided by mixing input current waveform information 90 and power control information 91 into a drive signal of a semiconductor switching element 3, 4 of the inverter.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic-based system and method for controlling the drying of material by a microwave applicator. The system includes power output controller that controls applicator output power; material sensor that detects amount of material in the applicator; and fuzzy logic controller that receives a signal from the material sensor indicating the current amount of material in the applicator and adjusts the microwave output power based on the current amount of material in accordance with fuzzy logic rules by sending a control signal to the power output controller. A membership function divides the expected range for the amount of material into multiple regions, each region having precomputed regional output settings. The regional output settings of the regions that include the current amount of material are used to compute the control signal.

Abstract: A microwave oven comprises a cooking cavity and a RF generation module configured to deliver microwave energy into the cooking cavity. A controller is operatively associated with the RF generation module. The controller receives and processes a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility for determining whether to operate the microwave oven in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least temporarily block the signal when the RF generation module is activated if a frequency of the signal is at least partially degraded by a frequency of the RF generation module.

Abstract: A power control unit for high-frequency dielectric heating not affected by variations in the types or the characteristics of magnetrons, power supply voltage fluctuation, etc., is provided. The unit has an input current detection section 71, 72 for detecting input current of an inverter circuit 10 for rectifying 31 AC power supply voltage 20, performing high frequency switching, and converting into high frequency power, mixes input current waveform information 90 of the input current detection section and power control information 91 for controlling so that output of the input current detection section becomes a predetermined value in a mix circuit 81, outputs ON voltage information 92, makes a comparison between the ON voltage information and a sawtooth wave from a sawtooth wave generation circuit 83 in a PWM comparator 82, performs pulse width modulation, and outputs a drive signal for controlling turning on/off of a switching transistor 39 of an inverter circuit.

Abstract: A power control unit for high-frequency dielectric heating not affected by variations in the types or the characteristics of magnetrons, power supply voltage fluctuation, etc., is provided. The unit has an input current detection section 71, 72 for detecting input current of an inverter circuit 10 for rectifying 31 AC power supply voltage 20, performing high frequency switching, and converting into high frequency power, mixes input current waveform information 90 of the input current detection section and power control information 91 for controlling so that output of the input current detection section becomes a predetermined value in a mix circuit 81, outputs ON voltage information 92, makes a comparison between the ON voltage information and a sawtooth wave from a sawtooth wave generation circuit 83 in a PWM comparator 82, performs pulse width modulation, and outputs a drive signal for controlling turning on/off of a switching transistor 39 of an inverter circuit.

Abstract: A power control unit for high-frequency dielectric heating not affected by variations in the types or the characteristics of magnetrons, power supply voltage fluctuation, etc., is provided. The unit has an input current detection section 71, 72 for detecting input current of an inverter circuit 10 for rectifying 31 AC power supply voltage 20, performing high frequency switching, and converting into high frequency power, mixes input current waveform information 90 of the input current detection section and power control information 91 for controlling so that output of the input current detection section becomes a predetermined value in a mix circuit 81, outputs ON voltage information 92, makes a comparison between the ON voltage information and a sawtooth wave from a sawtooth wave generation circuit 83 in a PWM comparator 82, performs pulse width modulation, and outputs a drive signal for controlling turning on/off of a switching transistor 39 of an inverter circuit.

Abstract: In a microwave heating apparatus, the fundamental TE10 mode of the standard waveguide (5) having a standard rectangular cross-section is fed into an elongated heating cavity (2) having an enlarged rectangular cross-section in which the shorter side of the standard waveguide is enlarged to a length which can accommodate the desired width of a board (8) to be heated. A pair of lateral slots (25) is provided parallel in the opposite enlarged walls (11) of the heating cavity (2) to form a track for the board (8) to travel across the cavity. As the initially longer sidewall (11) of the standard waveguide is unchanged, the fundamental mode is not affected but the electric field is uniformly distributed along the width of the board (8) traversing the electric field and the cavity. As a result, wider products can be heated and a more uniform heating pattern can be achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a microwave oven using a bar code. The apparatus includes an operating panel provided on the front surface of the microwave oven, a bar code scanner installed in the operating panel and projecting light to the bar code attached to a package of food to obtain data of the bar code, and a main controller for controlling a cooking operation for cooking the food according to the data of the bar code obtained by the bar code scanner. The apparatus simply and rapidly performs the cooking of food using the bar code, increases the bar code recognition distance thereof, and is easily and economically operated.

Abstract: A temperature control unit (216) for a column (201) of a fluidic device (200) for analyzing a fluidic sample, wherein the fluidic device (200) is adapted to conduct the fluidic sample through the column (201), the temperature control unit (216) being arranged to adjust a temperature of the fluidic sample in a flow path between an inlet 5 (207) of the column (201) and an outlet (208) of the column (201) so that a temperature adjustment effect occurs selectively in an interior of the column (201).

Abstract: An electromagnetic heater for heating an irregularly shaped object, including: a cavity within which an object is to be placed; at least one feed which feeds UHF or microwave energy into the cavity; and a controller that controls one or more characteristics of the cavity or energy to assure that the UHF or microwave energy is deposited uniformly in the object within ±30% over at least 80% of the volume of the object.

Abstract: Generally and not exclusively, a microwave cooking oven to cook food in a microwave chamber (e.g., a cooking chamber) includes a microwave power source, and a microwave control unit. In one implementation, the control unit includes an array of radiation detectors to detect the microwave power of multiple microwave beams in the cooking chamber, a modeler to map the temperature in different regions of an item in the microwave chamber, and a controller to adjust microwave power being delivered to each region of the item. In one implementation, the control unit can detect the presence and food type of an item in the microwave chamber. The control unit can provide a real time heating and cooking status of each region of an item being heated in the microwave chamber.

Abstract: Generally and not exclusively, a microwave cooking oven to cook food in a microwave chamber includes at least one array of radiation detectors. An exemplary method includes sensing an optical depth of the item along each of multiple beam paths from at least two sides of the item, and mapping isothermal regions in the interior of the item 3-dimensionally based on the sensing. Another exemplary method includes sensing a microwave power representing a value of a heatability property for each of multiple regions of the same item, and applying a different measure of the microwave power to each of the different regions according to the value of the heatability property in each individual region. Yet another exemplary method includes sensing different frequencies of the microwave power in the microwave chamber, and changing the frequency of the microwave power for heating the item, as the item undergoes heating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microwave heater comprising a plurality of microwave generators each emitting microwaves at a frequency in a range of frequencies ranging from 300 MHz to 5.8 GHz which couple into objects to be heated. At least one of the microwave generators emits the microwaves at a first frequency of an upper part of the range of frequencies, the microwaves of the first frequency displaying a first of depth of penetration into the objects to be heated; and at least one other of the microwave generators emits the microwaves at a second frequency of a lower part of the range of frequencies, the microwaves of the second frequency displaying a second depth of penetration into the objects to be heated, the first penetration depth being substantially smaller than the second penetration depth.

Abstract: A power control unit for high-frequency dielectric heating not affected by variations in the types or the characteristics of magnetrons, power supply voltage fluctuation, etc., is provided. The unit has an input current detection section 71, 72 for detecting input current of an inverter circuit 10 for rectifying 31 AC power supply voltage 20, performing high frequency switching, and converting into high frequency power, mixes input current waveform information 90 of the input current detection section and power control information 91 for controlling so that output of the input current detection section becomes a predetermined value in a mix circuit 81, outputs ON voltage information 92, makes a comparison between the ON voltage information and a sawtooth wave from a sawtooth wave generation circuit 83 in a PWM comparator 82, performs pulse width modulation, and outputs a drive signal for controlling turning on/off of a switching transistor 39 of an inverter circuit.

Abstract: Tunnel is provided for conditioning of food products, especially for sterilization of food in containers or vessels of the heat-sealed type, in which the conditioning unit has: 1) an active temperature and pressure control system provided in at least one magnetron supported heating stage, which provides for balancing of the pressure within the heat-sealed vessels or containers; 2) a conveyor which conveys the heat-sealed vessels or containers through the stages along the conditioning unit which contains mechanisms that move the conveyor outside of the conditioning tunnel, and 3) doors operating like check valves that separate the conditioning stages, but still provide for continuous linear feed of products through conditioning tunnel.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a high frequency heating apparatus for driving a magnetron such as a microwave oven, and has an object to provide a frequency modulating system capable of reducing power supply higher harmonic distortion of higher orders which are produced at phases in the vicinity of 0 degree and 180 degrees where an instantaneous voltage of a commercial power supply becomes the lowest voltage.

Abstract: A power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating not affected by variations in the magnetron type or characteristic, and power supply voltage fluctuation, etc., is provided. The power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating has an input current detection section 71, 72 for detecting input current of an inverter 10 for rectifying 31 an AC power supply voltage 20, performing high-frequency switching of the voltage, and converting the voltage to high-frequency power. The power control unit for a high-frequency dielectric heating converts a switching frequency control signal 92 provided by mixing input current waveform information 90 and power control information 91 into a drive signal of a semiconductor switching element 3, 4 of the inverter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid and selective heating of materials using variable frequency RF and microwaves. The apparatus uses variable frequency solid state electronics as a microwave power source, a novel microwave heating head to couple microwave energy to the target materials and a match-up network to tune the frequency and impedance match between the microwave source and the load. An electronic and computer measurement and control system is employed to monitor and control the microwave heating process. The method teaches the use of inductive microwave coupling for thin conductive materials such as metal film and impurity doped silicon wafers. The method also teaches the use of capacitive microwave coupling for dielectric material such as glass and ceramics. The method further teaches the use of rapid and selective heating of heterostructure for bonding and sealing of mems and integrated circuits.

Abstract: Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity.

Abstract: A turntable apparatus is provided for use in a microwave oven which includes a turntable driving motor, turntable drive mechanism connected to the turntable driving motor, an oven door, and a door switch. The subject apparatus is comprised of a turntable unit which is mechanically connected to the turntable drive gearing. The turntable unit includes a plurality of article sensors which suitably may be weight sensors, photo-sensors, or the like. A turntable control microprocessor is electrically connected to the turntable driving motor, to the plurality of sensors, and to the door switch. By receiving signals from the sensors and from the door switch, and by sending signals to the turntable driving motor to rotate the turntable unit, the turntable control microprocessor is adapted to automatically adjusts the position of the turntable unit (and a sensed food container placed thereon) with respect to the oven door such that the food container is proximal to the oven door when the oven door is open.

Abstract: The present invention seeks to solve the above problem by providing a cooking appliance comprising a cooking appliance comprising a heating component; an area for receiving, in use, an ingredient storage device comprising a plurality of ingredient locations, each ingredient location storing an ingredient; control means; and a cooking region the appliance being arranged to selectively control, in use, in accordance with instructions provided by the control means, the cooking position of the ingredient locations such that the ingredient in a location is only heated when said location coincides with the cooking region, to bring, in use, the ingredients to readiness for consumption at the same time.

Abstract: A microwave induction heating device includes microwave oscillation means (100) for oscillating a microwave so that an object is heated by the induction heating of the microwave oscillated from the microwave oscillation means (100). The microwave oscillation means (100) is configured in such a manner that the frequency of the microwave oscillated from the microwave oscillation means (100) can be changed.

Abstract: In a cooking device for cooking an object to be heated, a first operation section is provided to a lower portion of a door, and a second operation section is provided to an upper portion on a front face of a cooking device body so as to be exposed in spite of the door being opened or closed. Numeric keys for accepting a selection from a plurality of recipes stored in advance and start keys for accepting a start of heating are provided to the first and second operation sections redundantly. Therefore, in a case of when the door closes, the first and second operation sections can be used in parallel, allowing arrangement of many keys to have good operability.

Abstract: To provide a heating apparatus which is good in the matching property when incorporated into a cabinet etc. without degrading the usability of a heating apparatus itself. The heating apparatus is configured by a lid 4 which opens and closes a heating chamber 3, a control portion 5 which controls a heating unit and an operation portion 6 which controls the driving of the heating unit. The operation portion 6 is configured by being provided with electrostatic switches at the inner side of a semi-transparent member and is also configured in a manner that the operation portion is illuminated and placed in a state of accepting a switch operation when the semi-transparent member is touched. The operation portion normally cannot be seen from the outside and so the apparatus is good in the matching property with furniture etc. when incorporated into a cabinet etc.

Abstract: To prevent parts within a heating chamber from melting to thereby secure the safety of a goods even when a user sets an arbitrary time and operates. There are provided with a temperature detector 5 for detecting the temperature of a food within the heating chamber 1 in a non-contact manner, a high-frequency generator 14 for generating a microwave to heat the food within the heating chamber, and a controller 7 for controlling the high-frequency generator based on an output from the temperature detector. The controller is configured in a manner that when a user sets an arbitrary time and inputs a cooking start operation, in a menu for executing the high-frequency heating during the set time, the output level of the high-frequency generator is controlled so as to be reduced when the temperature obtained from the temperature detector increases a predetermined value or more.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for detecting a presence of metal objects placed in a microwave cooking unit. A metal detection unit is activated to scan for the presence of a metal object placed into a cooking area of the microwave cooking unit. In response to receiving an indicator of the presence of a metal object from the metal detection unit, the process generates an alert indicating the presence of the metal object.

Abstract: A cooking appliance, especially a built-in wall cooking appliance, which comprises at least one muffle, delimiting a cooking compartment and having a muffle opening, a door, guided by a lift mechanism, for closing the muffle opening, and at least one switch that switches dependent on a position of the door. The invention is characterized in that the switch is switched by the lift mechanism.