Abstract: There is described a hybrid furnace comprising a microwave source, an enclosure for the confinement of both microwave and RF energy and for containing an object to be heated, and means for coupling the microwave source to the enclosure. The furnace further comprises an RF source, means for coupling the RF source to the enclosure, and a control means for controlling the quantity of microwave energy and RF energy to which the object to be heated is exposed. There is also described a method of operating a furnace of the above type comprising the steps of actuating the microwave source to heat the object and actuating the RF source to provide an oscillating electric field within the object to be heated at a location and/or at a temperature where the field strength of the microwave-induced electric field falls below a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A toploading weighing instrumentality which determines loss on drying by a cylindrical microwave. The cylindrical cavity of the microwave includes a power supply, a magnetron, a power module operatively coupled between said power supply and said magnetron for driving said magnetron, a wave guide communicating with the magnetron and with a microwave containment chamber for delivering energy thereto, at least one microwave energy sensor for sensing microwave energy or magnetic and/or electric field strength within the chamber for controlling, inter alia, the loss on drying process of the sample being assayed and determining when the drying process is complete. A precision electronic balance is operatively disposed within the microwave chamber for allowing a specimen being assayed to be weighed. In addition, a ventilation chamber is provided for venting moisture from the microwave chamber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preferential heating of a material are based on exposing the material to high intensity, pulsed, non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. The method can destroy microorganisms, sterilize packaging, or sterilize moist food. An embodiment uses microwave radiation with pulse duration of less than 0.1 second with an average power of at least 1 kW to sterilize open-ended metal can prior to packaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interpretive BIOS machine for controlling the cooking of food in a microwave oven or the conduct of a physical, chemical, or thermodynamic process stream wherein the microwave oven or process stream functionally operates by user independent commands. The interpretive BIOS machine is implemented by a microprocessor or computer having a memory for the storing of a program that contains the operating instruction for the present invention. Data is received into the interpretive BIOS machine from a data entry mechanism. The data is specific code that represents a plurality of desired cooking or process instructions selected by the user of the microwave oven or process stream. The present invention interprets the received data and transforms the data into time duration(s) and scaled power level(s) settings for the microwave oven or process stream. The present invention monitors and adjusts the work performed on a specimen disposed within the microwave oven or process stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic cooking of a microwave oven, in particular to an automatic cooking compensation apparatus of a microwave oven and a method thereof which is capable of solving a port number restriction problem of a microcomputer when data compensation corresponding to automatic cooking time is performed. The present invention can have data variable port as same as line number of a key matrix by using the data variable port for the cooking time compensation in conjunction with key input ports, accordingly the cooking data can be compensated as same as the number of line.

Abstract: When a hood fan of a microwave oven installed at a high place operates, the air below the microwave oven is guided to a prescribed direction. Namely, the microwave oven may be used as a ventilation fan. When manner of setting of the hood fan is changed, the direction of an air outlet of the fan can be changed. When the hood fan exhausts air to the room, the number of rotation of the hood fan is made lower than when the air is exhausted outside the room.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating a microwave oven using a deterministic chaotic signal. The microwave oven includes a heating compartment, a magnetron for generating microwaves, a waveguide for directing the microwaves into the heating compartment and a chaotic signal generator for driving the magnetron. The characteristics of the chaotic signal are adjusted to tend to vary the output energy of the magnetron and increase the uniformity of the microwaves in the heating compartment.

Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus includes a heating chamber 3 for accommodating an item 2 to be heated; a microwave generator 11 for radiating microwaves to the heating chamber 3, and a vapor generator 12 for supplying vapor to the heating chamber 3. The heating chamber 3 includes regenerating plates 28a and 28b for generating and regenerating heat when radiated by the microwaves from the microwave generator 11, thereby reducing dew condensation caused by the vapor in the heating chamber 3.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an oven switch mounted in a retracted position that is engaged by a probe only when the oven door is closed. A post and a strap restrict access to the access entry, the strap forming a socket that receives an inserted projecting member and restricts its movement to a direction away from the direction of switch actuation. In the preferred embodiment, the strap is a resiliently five sheet metal strip mounted so that the unmounted end that is resiliently urged against the post restricting the access opening. Nevertheless, the access entry freely admits a probe, preferably carried by the door, that is resiliently biased to displacement in that direction and engages the retracted actuator arm of the retracted switch upon complete closure of the oven door.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes electronic components such as a high voltage transformer and a high voltage capacitor constituting a control circuit. These components are provided on a bottom panel of the microwave oven. A filter is fit under the bottom panel of the microwave oven. By removing the filter, the bottom panel can be detached from the main body frame. By detaching the bottom panel from the main body frame, the electronic components such as the high voltage transformer and the high voltage capacitor can be removed from the main body of the microwave oven while the microwave oven is still mounted at a high position. A cooking appliance that can be easily handled is provided.

Abstract: A magnetron driving circuit has a DC/AC conversion section, a transformer, and a capacitor. The DC/AC conversion section converts a direct current inputted from a direct current power source into an alternating current, and outputs the alternating current. The transformer has a primary coil and a secondary coil. The transformer raises a voltage of the alternating current outputted from the DC/AC conversion section and then induces the raised voltage from the primary coil to the secondary coil. The capacitor forms an inductance/capacitance resonance circuit by being connected in parallel with the secondary coil. Thus, in the magnetron driving circuit driven by the direct current power source, since the capacitor with a small capacitance is connected in parallel with the secondary coil of the transformer, the reverse surge voltage induced at the primary coil of the transformer is decreased sharply.

Abstract: A wall-mounted microwave oven and a control method for controlling a hood motor are provided. Here, the wall-mounted microwave oven having a main body forming a cavity for accommodating foods to cook, a casing enclosing the main body and forming a hood duct having an inlet located on a bottom area and an outlet located on an upper area, and a hood fan installed in the hood duct, includes a hood motor driving the hood fan, a first switching portion for switching a current supplied from an external electrical power source to the hood motor, and a microcomputer for controlling the rotational speed of the hood motor by adjusting an on/off time of the first switching portion, based on an external control signal. Thus, since the speed of the hood fan can be varied, conveniences of users can be achieved.

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 finctions 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.

Abstract: To present a heating cooker that is easy to use, not requiring cook book or instruction manual, and its operating method, relating to a heating cooker for displaying the cooking procedure, types of materials, amount of materials, heating method, heating time, etc. The constitution comprises cooking setting keys for selecting the cooking method for cooking the materials, cooking time setting keys for entering the cooking time, cooking selection keys for selecting the kind of cooking such as delicatessen as mentioned in the cook book, memory for storing the materials necessary for cooking, amount, cooking tools, all cooking methods and required time, display apparatus for displaying the cooking menu, cooking time, preparation method and cooking method, and operating method of heating cooker when cooking, and control device for controlling by identifying the necessary information for each cooking selected by the cooking selection key and showing in the display apparatus.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the selective heating of foods disposed on a serving tray to serving temperature by means of a microwave oven having a gyrotron as a heat source, individual guide means are provided for guiding the microwave radiation individually to particular dishes on the tray and a control computer controls the radiation of, and the heat generated in, the dishes during passages of the tray with the dishes through the microwave oven.

Abstract: An automatic cooking control method for a microwave oven using data pattern of food, including the steps of: (a) collecting data outputted from a data detecting section for a predetermined time; (b) comparing the collected data with at least one prestored data pattern; and (c) selecting the data pattern among the prestored data pattern that is most similar with the collected data, and performing a cooking operation corresponding to the selected data pattern. When the data collected for the predetermined time corresponds to a no-load pattern, the microwave oven stops the cooking operation. Without separate external data input about weight or physical status of the food in the cooking chamber, the microwave oven automatically selects the most proper cooking process for the food in the cooking chamber by comparing the data about the food in the cooking chamber with the data patterns of the various foods prestored in the microwave oven.

Abstract: Disclosed is an AC/DC type microwave oven. The AC/DC type microwave oven comprises a rotatable inverter which inverts a DC power source to an AC power source by means of a rotational force, a high voltage transformer which receives a common power source or an AC power inverted by the rotatable inverter and outputs a higher voltage and a magnetron which is driven by the high voltage outputted from the high voltage transformer and radiates a microwave, and further comprises a control unit which controls the operation of the rotatable inverter so as to output a stable frequency. The rotatable inverter comprises a motor, a commutator driven by the motor and a plurality of brushes, which are respectively contacted with an outer surface of the commutator.

Abstract: An AC/DC type microwave oven has a function of managing an input power source. The AC/DC type microwave oven comprises a rotatable inverter which inverts a DC power source to an AC power source by a rotational force, a high voltage transformer which receives a common power source or an AC power inverted by the rotatable inverter and outputs a higher voltage, a magnetron which is driven by the high voltage outputted from the high voltage transformer and radiates a microwave and a power control unit for sensing a signal from a power selecting key and preventing the AC and DC power sources from being simultaneously inputted. Therefore, both of AC power and DC power are prevented from being simultaneously supplied to the microwave oven which could result in a malfunction, or an overload occurs in the electric components of the microwave oven. Therefore, only one input power of the common and DC power sources is selected and, the microwave oven is operated properly.

Abstract: A control system for a blind microwave radiation tool a workpiece is described. The controlled system automatically tunes the cavity containing the workpiece. The control system automatically controls the temperature of the workpiece according to a predetermined temperature versus time schedule. Control system automatically determines when the workpiece has reached a particular predetermined physical condition. To achieve these results the control system automatically monitors applied power, reflected power or current temperature and automatically controls the microwave cavity volume and shape and launch structure including antennae location, cavity short location, cavity diameter, coupling loop position, etc. in order to maintain the cavity in resonance and to determine when to exit without operator intervention.

Abstract: A control panel assembly of a microwave oven which is easy to use, including: a front panel section having first and second cooking mode single-functional buttons comprised of a plurality of single-functional buttons for first and second cooking modes of the microwave oven, and a slot formed on the middle portion of the front panel section between the first and second cooking mode single-functional buttons; a movable switch disposed on the front panel section which is moved laterally along the slot of the front panel section; and a mode shifting switch for shifting cooking modes to the first and second cooking modes by the movement of the movable switch, wherein the first and second cooking modes are automatically selected by the movement of the movable switch, and the cooking mode single-functional button of the selected mode is exposed outward for pressing by a user. Accordingly, by simply moving the movable switch in a lateral direction, the cooking modes of the microwave oven are automatically selected.

Abstract: A cooking appliance performs cooking which is remotely controlled, based on information relating to the object to be heated, as the information is transmitted to the appliance's computer from a management's computer. The cooking appliance can also cook any part of food in the cooking chamber locally.

Abstract: A microwave oven that automatically reads a barcode printed on a food item package, retrieves preprogrammed cooking instructions for that particular item corresponding to the barcode and then operates the microwave over, according to the manufactures specific instructions in order to achieve optimal food quality for the particular convenience food item.

Abstract: A device of detecting an abnormal state of a microwave oven having relays, a high voltage transformer, and a magnetron, including a voltage sensing part connected between the high voltage transformer and the magnetron to sense a voltage applied to the magnetron's both terminals; and a control part receiving the voltage between the magnetron's terminals from the voltage sensing part to determine an unloaded state where nothing is in a cooking chamber or an overheated state of the magnetron or the cooking chamber, and when determining that the oven is in the abnormal state, turning off the relays to stop the operation of the magnetron; and a method of detecting an abnormal state of a microwave oven including the steps of driving a magnetron to perform a user-selected cooking operation; detecting a voltage between the magnetron's both terminals; computing an average voltage by averaging the voltage between the magnetron's terminals; detecting an abnormal state by comparing the average voltage to a reference volt

Abstract: An automated microwave sample digestion system is disclosed in which a focused microwave digestion system is operated under computer control in association with a computer controlled robotic positioning system such that sample tubes containing samples to be digested are loaded and unloaded into and out from the cooking cavities of the microwave digestion oven in a preprogrammed manner in order to both increase the efficiency of the processing of samples as well as to produce consistent operating conditions for each sample being digested. An additional pump and syringe line is provided for both washing the tube condenser utilized during the digestion process as well as for diluting the digested sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microwave oven, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for heating food or the like in a container using a microwave oven by judging a quantity of food in the container based on a change in initial temperature and compensating for variations between a detected and a cooking temperature. The method of heating the cup according to the present invention comprises the steps of detecting variation degree of the temperature for initial uniform time period, judging the quantity of the subject matter on the basis of the detected variation degree of the temperature, estimating the raised temperature on the basis of quantity of the subject matter, comparing the estimated temperature with the temperature detected by sensor to determine the higher temperature as a current temperature, and executing the cooking mode until the current temperature is raised to the set cooking temperature.

Abstract: An electric appliance has a timer for calculating the remaining time, an operation member operated by being rotated, an adjuster for adjusting the remaining time, and a display for displaying the remaining time. When the operation member is operated while the timer is counting time, the adjuster adjusts the remaining time, and the display displays the adjusted remaining time.

Abstract: A wall-mounted microwave oven and a control method for controlling a hood motor are provided. Here, the wall-mounted microwave oven having a main body forming a cavity for accommodating foods to cook, a casing enclosing the main body and forming a hood duct having an inlet located on a bottom area and an outlet located on an upper area, a hood fan installed in the hood duct, and a hood motor driving the hood fan, includes an inverter part for controlling the frequency of a supply current supplied from an external electrical power source to the hood motor, and a microcomputer for controlling the speed of the hood motor by transmitting a control signal to the inverter part, based on an external control signal. Thus, the size of the hood motor can be reduced, thus reducing a cost. Also, since the speed of the hood fan can be varied, ventilation and exhaust are performed within an optimal time to thereby seek conveniences of users.

Abstract: A control system for a blind microwave radiation tool a workpiece is described. The controlled system automatically tunes the cavity containing the workpiece. The control system automatically controls the temperature of the workpiece according to a predetermined temperature versus time schedule. Control system automatically determines when the workpiece has reached a particular predetermined physical condition. To achieve these results the control system automatically monitors applied power, reflected power or current temperature and automatically controls the microwave cavity volume and shape and launch structure including antennae location, cavity short location, cavity diameter, coupling loop position, etc. in order to maintain the cavity in resonance and to determine when to exit without operator intervention.

Abstract: A method for controlling a cavity lamp of a microwave oven has a step of determining whether a door is opened. A cooking state is identified by determining whether a cooking key of a key input portion is selected when the door is opened. Whether the cooking cancellation key of the key input portion is selected when the door is not opened in the cooking state is identified. A cavity lamp is turned off when the cooking cancellation key is selected. Whether an open time of the door passes beyond an established predetermined time in advance is determined. The cavity lamp is turned off when the open time of the door passed beyond the predetermined time. Therefore, the cavity lamp which is turned on when a door is opened is turned off automatically or manually so that life of the cavity lamp is lengthened and loss of electric power is reduced.

Abstract: A wall mounted microwave oven is provided which includes a body forming therein a cavity for accommodating food to be cooked, a magnetron for generating electromagnetic waves to be provided into the cavity, a casing surrounding the body and forming therein a hood duct having an inlet port positioned at the bottom portion of the casing and an outlet port positioned in the upper portion thereof, and a hood fan installed in the hood duct. The wall mounted microwave oven includes a hood sensor for sensing a status that operation of saidhood fan is needed; a first switch for selectively supplying one out of a low-level voltage and a normal voltage to the magnetron, and a controller for controlling the hood fan to operate if a detect signal informing operation of said hood fan is needed is input from the hood sensor and simultaneously controlling the first switch to change the electric power to be supplied to the magnetron from the normal voltage into the low-level voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a cooking apparatus operates at least one cooking energy source with a control including switches that reduce the input manipulations required by a user and responses to component manipulations in order to operate one or more of the cooking energy sources to complete a cooking operation. The control responds to a first selection of the Sabbath operating mode and responds to a second selection for setting a first cooking source and at least one related feature function. An actuator maintains the performance status of the cooking energy source and the related feature, and disables the selectors during maintained performance.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes an external memory for storing methods of cooking various dishes, genre keys to specify one out of a plurality of large groups of cooking methods produced by specifying cooking methods stored in external memory depending upon the kind of cooking, a liquid crystal display for displaying items corresponding to the one group of cooking methods specified by the genre key, select keys for selecting one out of items corresponding to the one group of cooking methods displayed on liquid crystal display, and a microcomputer for controlling a cooking operation based on the item selected by select key.

Abstract: A magnetron driving control apparatus of a microwave oven and a method thereof by which a magnetron is continuously driven when an output level selectively input by a user belongs to a continuous driving output range, and when the output level exceeds an established time, the magnetron is intermittently driven according to a predetermined period to allow a high voltage transformer to cool by itself during the period the driving of the magnetron is stopped, thereby preventing the high voltage transformer from becoming over-heated and avoiding the high voltage transformer from becoming larger in size to decrease a heat generated by an electric resistance.

Abstract: An oven for cooking a food product, at least partially by hot gas flow and at least partially by microwave energy, includes a housing defining a cooking chamber for receiving a food product for cooking, and a conduit for providing gaseous communication outside of the cooking chamber, between the chamber bottom and the chamber top, the conduit also serving as a hot gas plenum. Preferably the conduit has a free volume of space less than the free volume of space of the cooking chamber, and the oven has custom cooking and/or custom finishing capabilities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control panel of a microwave oven comprising a panel body, a timing device, a time control knob, and a power control knob assembly. The power control knob assembly has a pinion assembled with the power control shaft, a rack engaged with the pinion, and a knob installed slidably along a guiding recess formed on the panel body so as to move the rack linearly. As the knob is slide along the guide recess of the panel body of tie panel, the rack moved by the knob rotates the pinion. Accordingly, the output control shaft is rotated, and thereby the output power degree of the microwave is set. As described, knob of the power control knob assembly for controlling the output power of the microwave is linearly moved. Accordingly, the user can easily distinguish the power control knob from the time control knob.

Abstract: A front panel assembly of a microwave oven which can improve the appearance and strength of the oven and a method for assembling the same are disclosed. The assembly includes a front panel frame and a reinforcement plate attached to the front panel frame and made of a metal such as stainless steel or synthetic resin. The assembly is assembled to a door frame or a front panel section of the oven. The front panel frame is formed with a recess into which the reinforcement plate is attached. The reinforcement plate is attached to the recess by using a double-sided adhesive tape or by a heat-treatment. The welding lines and non-homogeneous colors formed at the door frame and the front panel frame can be hidden and the strength of the oven increases.

Abstract: A method enabling controlled selective heating of workpiece components during microwave brazing. Two workpiece components are joined by melting an adhesion interlayer material between the two components. An indication of when the interlayer has melted is provided. The temperature difference across the braze assembly is monitored and adjusted via a feedback loop to reduce stresses in the braze joint resulting in a stronger braze joint.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the progress of a chemical reaction in a microwave-assisted preparation of a sample, having a microwave energy source, a waveguide coupled to the microwave energy source and having a waveguide cavity, and a resistive load coupled to the waveguide, wherein the sample that is to be subject to microwave-assisted heating is situated in a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel is located in the path of the forward microwave radiation between the microwave energy source and the resistive load. An energy monitoring device is interposed between the reaction vessel and the resistive load so as to monitor the energy not absorbed by the reaction vessel. The energy absorbed by the sample may be calculated in accordance with the level of energy measured by the energy monitoring device to provide a value that indicates the status of the chemical reaction.

Abstract: To present an operating apparatus having features including ease of operation, controllability for preventing misoperation, small size, long life, and ease of assembling. The constitution includes a base unit as skeleton of operation unit, a key operation unit (13) having plural switches disposed at the front side of the base unit, a first design sheet (12) disposed at the front side of the key operation unit (13), printing patterns at positions corresponding to each switch, a display device (11) disposed at the front side of the first design sheet (12), having light function elements (11g) for transmitting and shielding the positions corresponding to the patterns on the first design sheet (12), and a second design sheet (10) disposed at the front side of the display device (11), having windows (10b) at positions corresponding to the light function elements.

Abstract: A frequency of input power is selected with a first keypad, and a weight unit is selected with a second keypad provided on a microwave oven. A displaying unit is connected with the key inputting devices and displays operating conditions of the microwave oven that are set by the first and second keypads. A controller detects the operating conditions by checking whether the displaying means and each of the first and second keypads form closed loops by applying control signals to the loops and sets the detected operating conditions as preset operating conditions of the microwave oven. Then, the controller controls the cooking operation of the microwave oven according to the preset conditions.

Abstract: A surge current prevention circuit of a microwave oven, where a surge relay is turned on or turned off by a predetermined DC voltage supplied by rectification of a predetermined low voltage, such that cost of parts of the surge current prevention circuit becomes low to thereby reduce the manufacturing cost, and electricity can be decreased and operation of the microwave oven can be stabilized by the constant switching operation time of the surge relay.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wall mounted microwave oven and a control method therefor including a body forming a cooking cavity for accommodating food to be cooked, a magnetron for generating electromagnetic waves to be provided into the cooking cavity, a casing surrounding the body and forming therein a hood duct having an inlet port positioned at the bottom portion of the casing and an outlet port positioned in the upper portion thereof, and a hood fan installed in the hood duct. The wall mounted microwave oven includes a switch for selecting one out of a low-level voltage and a normal voltage supplied to said magnetron and a controller for controlling the switch in such a manner that the low-level voltage is supplied to the magnetron when the hood fan operates during the magnetron operates with the normal voltage, and simultaneously extending remaining cooking time by a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A microwave oven having a silent cooking mode and a method for operating the microwave oven are disclosed. The microwave oven has a magnetron driving section connected to a secondary winding of a high voltage transformer which receives an external power source via a primary winding thereof. A fan motor ventilates a cooking chamber of the microwave oven and a silent cooking mode selecting key selects the silent cooking mode. Voltage dividing section divides the voltage of the external power source. Switching section supplies the external power source to the fan motor at a normal cooking mode and supplies the external power source of which the voltage is divided by the voltage dividing section to the fan motor at the silent cooking mode. Control section controls the switching section in response to a key signal from the silent cooking mode selecting key. Accordingly, when the user selects the silent cooking mode, a noise generated from the fan motor is reduced remarkably.

Abstract: A microwave oven has a 2-level simultaneous cooking function wherein different foods can be simultaneously cooked at different levels in the cooking chamber. The oven includes a display, and a memory in which a list of menus is stored. Each menu represents a pre-established combination of different foods capable of 2-level simultaneous cooking. A user actuates a menu-selecting key, whereby a different menu is displayed per each actuation of the menu selecting key. By then actuating a cooking-start key, the 2-level cooking conditions associated with the food combination of the currently displayed menu are carried out.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of controlling the cooking operation of a microwave oven using a code system, wherein a desired cooking is simply and conveniently carried out in an optimum state in accordance with a cooking code consisting of numerals or characters which are set by a simple key input manipulation of the user. Such cooking codes are indicated on packages of foods to be cooked so that the user inputs those cooking codes upon cooking the associated food items.

Abstract: A cooking device measures the temperature of an object to be heated by means of an infrared sensor when a user operates a predetermined switch, when placement of the object to be heated in the heating chamber is detected, or when it is detected that the door of the heating chamber has simply been opened in the demonstration mode with a magnetron stopped. The measured temperature is displayed on the display unit, and the temperature measuring is ended when a predetermined time period elapses. This allows actual detection of the temperature of the object to be heated in the demonstration mode and hence a more persuasive demonstration.

Abstract: An operation control method of a microwave oven by which a completion preparation sound is generated before a cooking completion time to notify a user a cooking process state and a cooking completion is notified in advance to provide an allowance time for the user to prepare the cooking completion to the benefit thereto.

Abstract: A microwave oven 10 including a main body 1 in which a heating chamber 2 is installed, a microwave supplying unit 3 installed at an inner portion of the main body 1 for heating a food incorporated in the heating chamber 2 by supplying microwave at a predetermined output, an operation panel 4 (input operating unit) for inputting cooking output information and cooking time information of the food, a control unit 6 for comparing the cooking output information inputted by the operation panel 4 with the predetermined output, correcting the inputted cooking time information in accordance with a result of the comparison and instructing to drive the microwave supplying unit 3 based on corrected cooking time obtained by the correction, wherein the control unit 6 includes buzzer 48 (information supplying means) for successively supplying the cooking time information inputted by the operation panel 4 and the corrected cooking time and supplying, after having supplied the cooking time information, information that the co

Abstract: An electronic control timer of microwave oven capable of establishing a total cooking period by different time units is disclosed. The electronic control timer includes a gear having a first gear segment and a second gear segment. A switch installed adjacently to the gear generates a pulse signal in accordance with a rotation displacement of the gear. The gear driving device is activated when the switch is activated, and then rotates the gear in an opposite direction to an initial rotating directioon of the gear and returns the gear to an initial state thereof. The first gear segment includes a first gear teeth having a first gear pitch corresponding to a first time unit and a second gear teeth having a second gear pitch corresponding to a second time unit. The second gear segment has a toothless shape. The switch is activated when it is brought into contact with the first gear segment so that the switch generates the pulse signal.

Abstract: An improved method for controlling a power relay of a microwave oven which is capable of reducing the generation of sparking which occurs when the contact points of the power relay are separated, by turning off the power relay at a time (2n-1) .pi.+3/4.pi.during the "+" cycle and at a time 2n.pi.+3/4.pi. during the "-" cycle in the voltage phase or the current phase, for separating the contact points when the flow of the current is decreased, thus extending the life span of the relay. The method includes judging whether the power relay was previously turned off during the "+" cycle of the power voltage or during the "-" cycle of the power voltage when a clock signal of 50 Hz/60 Hz is inputted, and turning off the power relay after an apex of the "+" or "-" cycle of the power voltage after delaying the output time of a relay driving signal for a predetermined time in accordance with the judgement.