With Control System Patents (Class 219/702)
  • Patent number: 6707013
    Abstract: A rotary nozzle device has: a nozzle composed of plural rotatable hollow links which are mutually passable through, a pump for press-feeding a fluid into the hollow links, and at least one fluid injection port in at least one hollow link of the nozzle, wherein the fluid is injected from the injection port while the hollow link is rotated by the force of the fluid pressurized by the pump, and the motion of the injection port is set in chaotic state by adjusting a characteristic of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Nomura, Noboru Wakami, Kazuyuki Aihara
  • Patent number: 6690979
    Abstract: A method of controlling an intelligent appliance network includes allowing a user to select a desired instruction sequence to be executed by a remote appliance. The instruction sequence contains commands to be completed by both the user and the appliance, as regulated by a CPU, with the sequence being paused when input is needed by the user and wherein the appliance commands are performed automatically. When applied to a cooking appliance, such as an oven, the appliance will automatically perform certain cooking functions according to a recipe being followed by a CPU. When applied to a washing machine, the factory set operating parameter of the machine can be altered to follow an instructed control sequence applicable to the task performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040016753
    Abstract: A magnetron for use in, for example, microwave ovens, includes a positive polar cylinder, a plurality of vanes, and large-diameter and small-diameter strip rings. The vanes constitute a positive polar section, along with the positive polar cylinder. The large-diameter and small-diameter strip rings are disposed on an upper portion and a lower portion of the vanes, respectively, to alternatively and electrically connect the vanes to one another. The inside and outside diameters of the large-diameter strip ring are in a range of 17.1 mm to 18.01 mm and 18.6 mm to 19.6 mm, respectively. The inside and outside diameters of the small-diameter strip ring are in a range of 13.4 mm to 14.4 mm and 14.9 mm to 15.9 mm, respectively. The height of the large-diameter and small-diameter strip rings is in a range of 1.50 mm to 1.60 mm. The distance between the large-diameter strip ring and the small-diameter strip ring is maintained in an error range of 2.20 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-Chull Shon, Boris V. Rayskiy
  • Patent number: 6681137
    Abstract: An interpretive system architecture for a seamless transfer of energy to a physical, chemical, or thermodynamic process stream, or microwave oven. The interpretive system architecture overlays the operational functions of the process stream or host microwave oven to interpret, control, and implement user independent commands. The interpretive system has at least one interpretive base class for providing operational instance to the process stream or host microwave oven. The interpretive system receives an indicia, the indicia being expressive of an externally derived predetermined compiled code disposed on the surface of a specimen, or food package, or associated thereto, the indicia communicating via at least one data entry mechanism to the process stream or host microwave oven. The interpretive system interprets the data or code and transforms it into user independent commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Microwave Science, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Drucker, David Marcel Raynault
  • Patent number: 6680463
    Abstract: In the power supply control circuit, interposed between the power lines 1a and 1b is a serial circuit 21 constructed by connecting in series a radio interference suppression capacitor 2 for suppressing radio interference and a power supply holding switch 4. A node of the radio interference suppression capacitor 2 and the power supply holding switch 4 is connected via an auxiliary power line 1d to a primary side terminal 7a of a stepdown transformer 7, and another primary side terminal 7b of the stepdown transformer 7 is connected to a power line 1b. With the power supply control circuit, reduction of electric power consumption can be realized using a power supply holding switch with a small capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masateru Honda
  • Publication number: 20040007571
    Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus includes an outer enclosure, a high voltage generator such as a high-voltage capacitor, and an air guide, wherein the air guide is provided with a plastic hinge formed by partially reducing a wall thickness thereof. The invented structure can bend the plastic hinge to locate an end flap of air guide in a space between a terminal of the high-voltage capacitor and the outer enclosure defining a dead metal part, to easily ensure electrical insulation between the terminal and the outer enclosure without dependent on variations in quality of workmanship in the manufacturing process. In addition, it can reduce a number of working processes as well as amount of waste since all it requires is to bend the plastic hinge to provide the electrical insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Takahide Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6677558
    Abstract: Disclosed are a key input apparatus in an electronic oven and a control method thereof enabling to reduce a size of a circuit as well as provide a simple design of the key input control part. A key input apparatus in an electronic oven includes a signal level producing part receiving input signals having a uniform level and producing signals having various levels, and a control part receiving the signals having the various levels through one input port and carrying out operations corresponding the signals having the various levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dae Byung Kang
  • Patent number: 6664523
    Abstract: A microwave oven has a case forming a cooking chamber, a door for opening/closing said chamber, a high voltage transformer for generating a high voltage, and a magnetron for generating microwaves driven by the high voltage outputted from the high voltage transformer. The microwave oven further includes a microswitch serving as a detector for detecting opening/closing of the cooking chamber; a control device for outputting a driving signal corresponding to the detected opening/closing of the chamber, and an opening/closing device for controlling a power source supplying power to the high voltage transformer according to reception of the driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chul Kim, Yong-woon Han, Seong-deog Jang, Han-jun Sung
  • Patent number: 6660982
    Abstract: A programmable cooking system comprising a plurality of programmable cooking devices and at least one data key. Each data key is provided with a data memory for storing program data corresponding to sequences of cooking operations, and the data memory is divided into a plurality of parts each corresponding to a respective one of said cooking devices. Each programmable cooking device includes a programmable control for controlling the cooking device to carry out sequences of cooking operations each of which may use a different cooking power and cooking time duration. Each programmable cooking device further includes a key aperture adapted to receive one of the data keys and a data reader arranged to read from the data key program data from that part of the data memory corresponding to the cooking device, and pass the program data to the programmable control of the cooking device thus making the appropriate sequences of cooking operations available to the cooking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Merrychef Limited
    Inventor: Nigel Thorneywork
  • Patent number: 6660984
    Abstract: A wall-mounted type microwave oven having an improved structure to hold a power cord on a top panel of the wall-mounted type microwave oven thereby affording easy assembly and reduction in manufacturing costs is provided. The power cord extends out of the top panel through an opening thereof. The power cord is fitted into a cut portion formed in the top panel to be connected to the opening, and a cover having a retaining portion is attached to the top panel to cover the opening. Therefore, the power cord is interposed between the retaining portion of the cover and the top cover, and is thus firmly held on the top panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Jin Jeong, Sang-Seok Seo
  • Patent number: 6657172
    Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus equipped with the oven hood comprises a heating chamber, a power supply apparatus for controlling high frequency output power by way of a semiconductor element, ventilation, and illumination for illuminating an object to be heated by another heat-cooking apparatus. Since the high frequency output power is controlled in such a manner that an optimum heating output power is applied in a linear manner for a proper time period, the heating output power can be controlled in the linear manner and the high frequency heating apparatus can be largely reduced in weight. As a result, the highest-speed heat-cooking operation by receiving the maximum high frequency output power can be realized, and the optimum cooking performance can be realized. Both the installation performance of the appliance to the mounting wall plane and the safety performance achieved by stably fixing the appliance can also be largely improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yamauchi, Toshiyuki Ishiguro, Hirofumi Yoshimura, Fumihiko Migaki, Ikuhiro Inada, Masato Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20030218008
    Abstract: A microwave oven and control method thereof in which the microwave oven has a magnetron initially driven for a preset period of time to generating an output of at least 20% of a rated output of the magnetron when a cooking mode requiring a low output of less than 20% of the rated output of the magnetron is selected. Further, the magnetron performs the cooking mode by generating the low output of less than 20% of the rated output of the magnetron after the initial driving is completed. In this case, the cooking mode requiring the low output can be a thawing mode, a warming mode, etc. Further, the microwave oven of the present invention is an inverter-type microwave oven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 6653609
    Abstract: A one-way data transmission method is disclosed for transmitting a set of rules to data receiving apparatuses that each control a controlled apparatus. Also, a method is disclosed for controlling a controlled apparatus according to a specific rule and a specific parameter of the controlled apparatus, such specific rule being one of a set of rules provided for control over the predetermined kind of controlled apparatuses. Further, a transmission method is disclosed for transmitting a program including a set of rules to at least one reception side having plural kinds of controlled apparatuses, over a network, via a receiving device, or memory device. Further still, a reception method is disclosed for receiving a program including a set of rules on a reception side having plural kinds of controlled apparatuses through a network or memory device. The predetermined controlled apparatuses have a common, primary operation function but different specific parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ozawa, Hiroshi Kutsumi, Takeshi Imanaka, Satoshi Matsuura
  • Publication number: 20030189041
    Abstract: Circuit for operating a microwave oven including a DC voltage source, a switching part having at least two switching devices electrically connected to the DC voltage source for switching a voltage from the DC voltage source, controlling part for controlling the switching part, a magnetron for generating a microwave and a converting part for converting the voltage from the DC voltage source to a voltage for operating the magnetron by switching of the switching part, thereby permitting operation of the microwave oven by using a car battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Wan Soo Kim, Sung Jin Han
  • Patent number: 6624400
    Abstract: A microwave oven with an apparatus for detecting life time of components detects a frequency of opening and closing of a door switch even when AC power supply is cut-off, and detects a driving time of a high voltage transformer or a magneton according to their driving status, and accumulates and stores the detected driving time in a memory. The microwave oven includes a high frequency generation detecting portion connected to a high frequency generating portion for detecting driving status of high frequency generating components such as the high voltage transformer or the magnetron, and a door opening/closing detecting portion for detecting opening and closing of the door. A microcomputer counts the driving time of We high frequency components and the frequency of door opening and closing, and accumulates and stores the counted result in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-Bong Chun
  • Publication number: 20030155352
    Abstract: A part of a body of a high-voltage condenser (28) is arranged between a lower plate (23) constituting a heating chamber (21), and a bottom plate (27) thereby to reduce attachment dimension of the high-voltage condenser (28), whereby size-reduction and space-reduction of the high-frequency heating apparatus becomes possible, and an insulation distance between the high-voltage condenser (28) and metal-made parts constituting the high-frequency heating apparatus can be secured easily, so that the number of the parts can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to provide the high-frequency heating apparatus which is advantageous also in resources-reduction, assembly efficiency, and price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kawai
  • Publication number: 20030146210
    Abstract: A method of controlling a microwave oven, in which the microwave oven includes a cooking chamber for containing food therein, a cooling fan which circulates air, a magnetron which generates microwaves and a humidity sensor which senses humidity of the cooking chamber. Cooking instruction(s) may be preset or set manually by a user. A first cooking operation is performed according to the set cooking instruction(s). A cook time required to perform a second cooking operation is set based on a time required to perform the first cooking operation. The second cooking operation is performed for the cook time while controlling the output power of the magnetron to perform a rapid cooking operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Lee, Chul Kim, Young-Won Cho, Tae-Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20030146208
    Abstract: A method of controlling a microwave oven, in which the microwave oven includes a cooking chamber for containing food therein, a cooling fan which circulates air, a magnetron which generates microwaves and a humidity sensor which senses humidity of the cooking chamber. Cooking instruction(s) may be preset or set manually by a user. A first cooking operation is performed while preventing water from boiling off/to overflow by controlling an output power of the magnetron according to the set cooking instruction(s). A time required to perform a second cooking operation is set based on a time required to perform the first cooking operation. The second cooking operation is performed for the second cooking time while steam boiling the food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Lee, Chul Kim, Young-Won Cho, Tae-Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20030146209
    Abstract: A method of controlling a microwave oven, in which the microwave oven includes a cooking chamber for containing food therein, a cooling fan which circulates air, a magnetron which generates microwaves and a humidity sensor which senses humidity of the cooking chamber. Cooking instruction(s) may be preset or set manually by a user. A first cooking operation is performed while preventing water from boiling off/to overflow by controlling an output power of the magnetron according to the set cooking instruction(s). A time required to perform a later cooking is set according to a time required to perform the first cooking operation. A second cooking operation is performed for the later cook time while controlling the output power of the magnetron to reduce the overall cook time of the food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Lee, Chul Kim, Young-Won Cho, Tae-Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20030141296
    Abstract: A programmable food service system including one or more food service devices and at least one data key. Each data key is provided with a data memory for storing program data corresponding to sequences of food service operations. Each food service device includes a programmable controller for controlling the food service device to carry out sequences of cooking operations. Each food service device includes a key aperture adapted to receive a data key and a data reader arranged to read program data from the data key memory. The program data is passed on to the programmable controller, thereby making the appropriate sequences of cooking operations available to the food service device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Merrychef Limited
    Inventor: Nigel Thorneywork
  • Patent number: 6593556
    Abstract: A microwave oven accumulatively counts a cooking time by decreasing the cooking time where an actual cooking operation is not carried out, and various electrical parts, including a high voltage transformer, are cooled. The microwave oven increases the cooking time where a power relay of the microwave oven is actually driven and the cooking operation is carried out. Accordingly, the microwave oven counts the cooking time in consideration of cooking conditions. Additionally, the microwave oven decreases an output power level where the counted cooking time has reached a preset overheating prevention time, and compulsorily recovers the output power level to perform the remaining cooking operation where a cooling period has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-Beom Kim
  • Publication number: 20030121912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for storing and managing recipe data for a microwave oven, and more particularly, to a device and method for storing and managing recipe data for a microwave oven, wherein the recipe data for the microwave oven can be stored in the microwave oven and edited in a computer by connecting the microwave oven with the web-connected computer. According to the present invention, the microwave oven and the computer are connected to each other so that the recipe data downloaded from a web site can be stored in a memory device contained within a control block. The recipe data stored in the microwave oven can be confirmed on a screen of the computer. Furthermore, the recipe data stored in the microwave oven and other recipe data downloadable from the web site can be displayed together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Choi Kyung-Hwan, Park Won-Kyung
  • Publication number: 20030116561
    Abstract: A microwave oven having an improved air outlet and humidity sensor mounting structure includes a body partitioned in its interior into a cooking cavity and a machine room, and a cooling fan installed in the machine room which draws atmospheric air into the cooking cavity while cooling a variety of elements installed in the machine room. In the microwave oven, an air outlet unit discharges air from the cooking cavity, and the humidity sensor senses a cooking atmosphere of the cooking cavity. This microwave oven further comprises a control unit which determines the conditions of food in response to automatically or manually inputted information, and controls the rpm of the cooling fan in response to the determined conditions of the food so as to improve the sensing performance of the humidity sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Jong-Chull Shon, Kaun-Beuk Oh, So-Hyun Lee, Won-Woo Lee
  • Publication number: 20030106893
    Abstract: A wall-mounted microwave oven includes a body partitioned into a cooking cavity and a machine room, a magnetron detachably installed in the machine room, and a control panel detachably mounted on the body in front of the machine room. The magnetron is mounted on a bottom surface of the machine room so as to allow an operator to repair or replace the magnetron without removing the wall-mounted microwave oven from a wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Gun-Young Roh
  • Patent number: 6566637
    Abstract: A method and associated apparatus are disclosed for microwave assisted content analysis. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample while concurrently rotating the sample while the microwave radiation is being applied and while concurrently weighing the sample and while measuring the temperature of the sample and controlling or moderating the microwaves applied to the sample based upon the measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: Robert N. Revesz, James E. Thomas, Wyatt P. Hargett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6552313
    Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus is designed to maximize the input current while securing a uniform margin relative to the cutoff current, thereby enabling maximized and efficient output of high-frequency waves. The high-frequency heating apparatus includes: a power supply unit; an input current detector; a power converting unit for converting the power from the power supply unit into high-frequency waves; an inverter controller for controlling a semiconductor device; a magnetron for radiating electromagnetic waves; and a circuit for implementing negative feedback control, in the inverter control circuit, of the output from the input current detector. The apparatus further includes a control circuit having a microcomputer for outputting signals to the inverter controller so as to control the input current such that the input current characteristic of the high-frequency heating apparatus will approximate the current cutoff characteristic of the overcurrent circuit breaker with respect to the elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Takashige, Shinichi Masuda, Koji Ueda
  • Patent number: 6550681
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a scanning device for reading a tag disposed upon a cooking item, which tag includes cooking instructions, and a network connection for receiving updated information relative to a respective cooking item. Circuitry is coupled to the scanning device and to the network connection for updated and implementing the cooking instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Anderson Fergus Ross, Kirby Gannett Vosburgh, Jerome Johnson Tiemann, Kristina Helena Valborg Hedengren
  • Patent number: 6539840
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven having a toaster, in which slices of bread can be baked. The microwave oven has a heating chamber for heating food therein; an instrument compartment containing electric components for generating microwave oven supplied to the heating chamber; a toaster casing disposed in front of the instrument compartment with its front open; a toaster door for opening and closing the open front of the toaster casing; and at least a heater disposed in the toaster casing so as to heat bread. In the microwave oven, the toaster section is arranged in front of the instrument compartment, so that the space in the microwave oven is most effectively utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Seong-Soo Choi, Sang-Jin Oh, Yoon-Gun Baek
  • Publication number: 20030042253
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus 151 comprises a rule generation means 101 for generating rules, and a data transmission means 102 for converting the rules generated by the rule generation means 101 into data and for transmitting the data; and a receiving apparatus 152 comprises a data receiving means 103 for receiving the data transmitted by the data transmission means 102, a rule conversion means 104 for converting the data received by the data receiving means 103 into rules, a rule storage means 105 for storing the rules converted by the rule conversion means 104, and a control means 106 for controlling a controlled apparatus, such as a microwave oven, in accordance with the rules stored in the rule storage means 105. Consequently, it is possible to reduce burdens on the chance of the received information on the information receiving terminal apparatus side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Jun Ozawa, Hiroshi Kutsumi, Takeshi Imanaka, Satoshi Matsuura
  • Patent number: 6528772
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oven that includes both radiant cooking elements and a microwave cooking element. The cooking elements are controlled to provide reduced cooking time as compared to known radiant ovens, yet a wide variety of foods can be cooked in the oven. The oven is operable in a speed cooking mode wherein both radiant and microwave cooking elements are utilized, a microwave only cooking mode wherein only the magnetron is utilized, and a radiant only cooking mode wherein only the lamps are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Todd Vincent Graves, Dennis Patrick Kill, Jesse Spalding Head, Charles Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 6528774
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a built-in microwave oven, installed in kitchen furniture as an integral part of the furniture. In the microwave oven of this invention, a suction grille (10) and an exhaust grille (20) are provided on the front wall of the external casing, with a side air passage connecting the suction grille (10) to the exhaust grille (20). An exhaust fan (22) is provided in the side air passage at a front portion around the suction grille, while a partition wall (60) is longitudinally installed at a position in back of the exhaust fan (22). A PCB thereon, is installed within the rear passage defined in back of the partition wall (60). In an operation of the microwave e oven, the air discharged from the side air passage by the suction force of the exhaust fan (22) partially flows around the PCB support bracket (70) to cool the PCB prior to flowing through the side air passage to reach the exhaust grille (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sung-Geon Lee
  • Patent number: 6525301
    Abstract: A speed cooking oven includes a combination of radiant cooking units and a microwave cooking unit manually controllable using a rotary dial input selector coupled to a control panel for user selection of desired oven features. An alphanumeric display displays prompts and information to guide users through a feature selection process. A microprocessor executes a cooking algorithm based upon user defined constants entered via the rotary dial according to prompts on the alphanumeric display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Todd Vincent Graves, Dennis Patrick Kill, Jesse Spalding Head, Charles Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 6521875
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes a pair of terminal members for connecting between a power source and a high voltage transformer, respectively. The terminal members are isolated electrically from each other by means of remote-locating, respectively. A conducting member is installed in the door, and both ends thereof are revealed on the one side of the door. The pair of terminal members contact with ends of the conducting member when the door is closed. Then, the supply of current supplied from electrical power to the high voltage transformer is controlled. Accordingly, the structure of the microwave oven is simplified. The AC/DC type microwave oven is capable of being prevented from encountering faulty switching operations according to large amounts of direct current when the DC input power source is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chul Kim, Yong-woon Han, Seong-deog Jang, Han-jun Sung
  • Publication number: 20030029864
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes a magnetron to generate microwaves and a cooking chamber to contain food to be cooked using the generated microwaves. The microwave oven further includes a humidity detector to detect moisture formed from the food being cooked. The humidity detector is provided at air outlets of the cooking chamber, and includes first and second electrodes formed on a board to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval to form a gap therebetween. The control unit of the microwave oven controls the cooking operation of the microwave oven according to the output of the humidity detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Chull Shon
  • Patent number: 6515265
    Abstract: When power supply to a high voltage transformer starts, the phase &thgr; of the voltage of an AC power source when power supply to the high voltage transformer is stopped last time is referred to. In accordance with the value of the phase &thgr;, the phase of the voltage of the AC power source when power supply to the high voltage transformer starts is determined, so that the peak value of the rush current in the high voltage transformer is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakazu Sano
  • Patent number: 6509656
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to power two magnetrons devices. The system may include a power supply device to power a first magnetron device and a second magnetron device. A control device may control an amount of current reaching at least the first magnetron device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Fusion UV Systems
    Inventors: Ernest G. Penzenstadler, Jonathan D. Barry, Gregory H. Owen
  • Publication number: 20030010776
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microwave oven and method for controlling the same. The microwave oven is used to heat and cook food using high frequency waves generated by high frequency generating means provided in an oven body. The microwave oven includes body sensing means for detecting the presence of a user in a sensing area extended over a certain area in front of the oven body, first operating means for operating the high frequency generating means, and control means for controlling the first operating means to selectively start, stop and resume the operation of the high frequency wave generating means according to the presence of a user in the sensing area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Kwang Seok Kang, Yong-Woon Han, Chul Kim
  • Publication number: 20030000947
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microwave oven, and more particularly, to a device and method for inputting recipe data in a microwave oven by which when a user adds a new recipe menu to the microwave oven, the user can input a recipe name suitable for the added recipe menu.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Tae-Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 6497276
    Abstract: A combined refrigerator-oven (20) includes an enclosed chamber (28) having a top wall (22), a bottom wall (24), and vertical side walls (26). The refrigerator-oven (20) further includes a heating unit (50) and a refrigeration unit (70). A controller (118) is in communication with the heating unit (50) and the refrigeration unit (70). When a cooling mode is selected, the controller (118) activates the refrigeration unit (70) to deliver cool air (62) into the enclosed chamber (28). When a heating mode is selected, the controller (118) activates the heating unit (50) to produce heat (66) in the enclosed chamber (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventors: Ron D. Clark, Mark A. George
  • Patent number: 6486453
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a controller which calculates a desired percentage of hot air convection and microwave energy needed to perform a cooking operation based on selections made by a user through a menu driven display. The display prompts a user for a programming inputs, while also displaying operational information to the user as needed. The programming options enable the user to select between various different cooking operations and also provides for appealing cooking sequences to be stored as cooking recipes. As needed, certain pre-cooking functions are automatically performed, such as heating or cooling of the oven cavity, as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Bales, John Scott Brown, Virginia L. Harwell, Anthony E. Kendall, Susan K. Fisher, Pamela S. Kleese, Jill L. Means, Judith D. Barber, Philip R. McKee, James K. Pool, III
  • Patent number: 6479803
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven including a magnetron, a power supply part supplying an AC power and a high voltage transformer generating a high voltage with the AC power from the power supply part, comprising a power controller part interrupting the power supply to the magnetron where it is determined that the voltage of the power supplied from the power supply part is lower than a predetermined allowable lower limit voltage. With this configuration, application of the voltage lower than the allowable lower limit voltage can be prevented, and in addition, the stability of the circuit can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-ho Lee, Young-won Cho, Tae-soo Kim
  • Patent number: 6479804
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes a power supplying part, a cooking chamber, a door of the cooking chamber, a magnetron, and high and low voltage generating parts supplying voltage to the magnetron, further including: a door switch installed on branch lines of a power line toward the high and low voltage generating parts, operating depending on opening and closing the door and selectively connecting the power supplying part with the high and low voltage generating parts; a power saving switch controlling a connection between the power supplying part and the low voltage generating part; and a controller switching off the power saving switch when a predetermined time elapses after the magnetron stops operating. With this configuration, in the microwave oven, a power saving function can be automatically selected, and automatically suspended when the door is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-won Cho, Sung-ho Lee, Tae-soo Kim
  • Patent number: 6479806
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven capable of cooking food according to an output mode in response to an output level of its magnetron, including a fan motor having a low-speed node and a high-speed node to receive power, and having a turning speed variable in response to a node connecting state; an output mode selecting part through which one of output modes is selected; a switching part having at least one switch for switching power applied to the low-speed node or high-speed node of the fan motor; and a control unit controlling the switching part in response to an output mode selected by the output mode selecting part, thus preventing its electrical components from being overheated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Lee, Young-Won Cho, Tae-Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20020158065
    Abstract: A microwave oven determines an appropriate time to stop heating even if multiple food items are placed in the heating chamber. After any position on the bottom surface of the microwave oven reaches 75 deg C., a search is made for any other position having a temperature of at least 70 deg C. If such a position is detected, heating is concentrated on that position until it reaches 75 deg C. When all food-containing positions in the microwave oven have reached a temperature of at least 75 deg C., the heating operation performed by the magnetron is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuo Taino, Hiroyasu Kitagawa, Kazuko Tanaka, Yoshiko Yamane
  • Patent number: 6472748
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining desired circuit component attributes is shown. According to a preferred embodiment, a high frequency circuit component, such as a MMIC, is retained in a circuit using a degradeable material, such as silver filled epoxy, wherein a portion of the degradeable material remains exposed. A protective coating of resin is applied to the exposed portion of the degradeable material by preferably depositing a predetermined amount of protective material, such as an epoxy resin, a void near the exposed portion of the degradeable material. The protective material preferably migrates to fully cover the exposed portion of the degradeable material without covering the circuit component. Accordingly, the circuit component is protected from substantial changes in operation characteristics due to the protective material and likewise is protected from changes in operation characteristics due to degradation of the degradeable material resulting from exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Harris Broadband Wireless Access, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Edward Calvert
  • Patent number: 6472649
    Abstract: A method for controlling a microwave oven including a power supply part supplying an AC power, a high voltage transformer generating a high voltage with the AC power generated from the power supply part, a magnetron generating electromagnetic waves with the high voltage generated from the high voltage transformer, and a control signal generator part supplying a control signal to the magnetron, the method including the steps of: setting up a reference oscillation time; measuring the time when the magnetron starts being oscillated according to the control signal; comparing the reference oscillation time with the oscillation start time; and adjusting a pulse width of the control signal where the reference oscillation time is longer than the oscillation start time. With this configuration, the temporary surge operation and the noise generation can be lowered in the hot state, thereby serving to enhance a stability of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-ho Lee, Young-won Cho, Tae-soo Kim
  • Patent number: 6472650
    Abstract: A food amount detector for automatically detecting the amount of a food placed in a cooking chamber of a microwave oven, a microwave oven employing the food amount detector, and control method thereof. Output voltage of a microwave generator is detected while the microwave oven is driven, and the amount of the food placed in the cooking chamber of the microwave oven is determined based on the output voltage such detected. In accordance with the amount of the food such determined, the food is cooked under the appropriate driving conditions of the microwave oven. Accordingly, the user does not need to determine the amount of the food by himself, or set the driving conditions of the microwave oven such as cooking time, level of microwave energy, etc. As a result, the user finds it convenient when using this microwave oven, and the food is cooked under the exact driving conditions set by the microwave oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chul Kim, Tae-soo Park, Kwang-seok Kang, Won-woo Lee
  • Publication number: 20020144995
    Abstract: An information displaying method for a microwave oven includes reading data including data that is one of data requested by a user and data required to be notified to a user from a data storage device, displaying the read data are displayed on a screen, setting scroll directions for the displayed data on the screen, and displaying the data in the set scroll directions. The microwave oven includes a display unit to display the data while scrolling the data on a screen, a storage unit to store the data to be displayed on the display unit, an input unit to set the scroll directions of data to be displayed, and a control unit to control the display of the data while scrolling the data in the set scroll directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yun-Bong Chun
  • Publication number: 20020139796
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus 151 comprises a rule generation means 101 for generating rules, and a data transmission means 102 for converting the rules generated by the rule generation means 101 into data and for transmitting the data; and a receiving apparatus 152 comprises a data receiving means 103 for receiving the data transmitted by the data transmission means 102, a rule conversion means 104 for converting the data received by the data receiving means 103 into rules, a rule storage means 105 for storing the rules converted by the rule conversion means 104, and a control means 106 for controlling a controlled apparatus, such as a microwave oven, in accordance with the rules stored in the rule storage means 105. Consequently, it is possible to reduce burdens on the chance of the received information on the information receiving terminal apparatus side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Jun Ozawa, Hiroshi Kutsumi, Takeshi Imanaka, Satoshi Matsuura
  • Publication number: 20020125246
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven comprising a power supplying part, a cooking chamber, a door of the cooking chamber, a magnetron, and high and low voltage generating parts supplying voltage to the magnetron, further comprising a door switch installed on a branch line of power line toward the high and low voltage generating parts, operating depending on opening and closing the door and selectively connecting the power supplying part with the high and low voltage generating parts; a power saving switch controlling a connection between the power supplying part and the low voltage generating part; and a controller switching off the power saving switch when a predetermined time elapses after the magnetron stops operating. With this configuration, in the microwave oven, a power saving function can be automatically selected, and automatically suspended when the door is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Young-Won Cho, Sung-Ho Lee, Tae-Soo Kim