Abstract: An interface suitable for use with a cooking computer communication system and preferably mounted on each of cooking appliances such as a baking oven, cooling unit or fryer. The interface monitors the physical characteristics of the cooking appliance through analog or digital sensors and provides information for diagnostics and quality control by a local store computer or a remote corporate mainframe computer. The interface includes a microcomputer responsive to a plurality of signals representing parameters of the cooking appliance for developing a multiplexed digital output signal representing the parameters for applying the output signal by a two-wire cable to a cooking computer communication system.

Abstract: A transformerless power circuit for heating a filament of a fluorescent display comprises integrated circuit timing means comprising two timers having output terminals for developing alternating output signals of opposite polarity with respect to a d.c. bias-component of each output signal. The circuit also includes external resistor means, condenser means and voltage supply means for controlling the frequency of the timers. The circuit also includes d.c. bias component resistor means coupled to the output terminals for developing biascomponents of the same polarity at the display filament terminals with respect to a common reference potential for connection to a fluorescent display filament.

Abstract: A control system for cooking apparatus including a heat source, a heat control system and a back-up thermostat system having a back-up temperature probe. The control system includes a digitally controlled microcomputer which provides control transfer from a cooking computer temperature probe upon probe failure or shorting of a control transfer relay or a microprocessor software failure to a back-up temperature controller.

Abstract: A cooking computer for use with a deep fat fryer having a temperature sensing probe as disclosed herein. The temperature sensing probe feeds a signal to a microprocessor. The microprocessor provides internal cook cycle timers which are alterable by signals from the temperature probe to correspond to changes in the rate of cooking of a commestible. Up to 12 recipes, each of which include a cooking time and a temperature compensation, can be stored in an EAROM. Cooking times and time compensation factors stored in recipes are user alterable through a keyboard.