Abstract: An improved breadmaker capable of maintaining the freshness of the bread baked for a period of time. A temperature sensor and a humidity level sensor located inside the breadmaker monitor the ambient conditions inside the baking chamber. In response to these sensors, a controller operates one or more heaters and humidifier to maintain a predetermined temperature and humidity level inside the baking chamber.

Abstract: An improved breadmaker capable of maintaining the freshness of the bread baked for a period of time. A temperature sensor and a humidity level sensor located inside the baking chamber of the breadmaker monitor the ambient conditions inside the baking chamber. In response to these sensors, a surface heater and humidifier are employed to maintain a predetermined temperature and humidity level inside the baking chamber.

Abstract: A low-interference lighting system includes a housing, a voltage converter located within the housing, at least one pair of spaced-apart arms serving as electric elongated conductors extending from the housing, and a pair of special contact conductors for an external electrical device to tap into the electric elongated conductors. With respect to each arm, it includes an elongated conductor for carrying electric current and a grounded conducting shield surrounding, but electrically isolated from, the elongated conductor. External electrical devices, such as lamps make electrical contact with the elongated conductor via the contact conductors while insulated from the grounded conducting shield. In one embodiment, the pair of arms are rigid and in another embodiment, they are flexible.

Abstract: A versatile food appliance includes a set of hardware components common to a plurality of single-purpose food appliances. The set of hardware components is controlled by a microcontroller executing a program from a repertoire thereof stored in the general-purpose food appliance. Many processing programs are stored for operating the appliance in different modes and for processing different kinds of food by using different ingredients. Each processing program is assigned a code and can be selected by specifying the code associated with it from a control panel. The programs may be further modified parametrically by a group of process parameters. Ingredients to be used in each of the programs may be in a premixed form in a package with the code optionally labeled thereon. The repertoire of programs is updatable by the user. In the preferred embodiment, a memory card interface allows updated programs to be introduced via a removable flash memory card.

Abstract: An improved breadmaker capable of maintaining the freshness of the bread baked for a period of time. A temperature sensor and a humidity level sensor located inside the baking chamber of the breadmaker monitor the ambient conditions inside the baking chamber. In response to these sensors, a surface heater and humidifier are employed to maintain a predetermined temperature and humidity level inside the baking chamber.

Abstract: A versatile food appliance includes a set of hardware components common to a plurality of single-purpose food appliances. The set of hardware components is controlled by a microcontroller executing a program from a repertoire thereof stored in the general-purpose food appliance. Many processing programs are stored for operating the appliance in different modes and for processing different kinds of food by using different ingredients. Each processing program is assigned a code and can be selected by specifying the code associated with it from a control panel. The programs may be further modified parametrically by a group of process parameters. Ingredients to be used in each of the programs may be in a premixed form in a package with the code optionally labeled thereon. The repertoire of programs is updatable by the user. In the preferred embodiment, a memory card interface allows updated programs to be introduced via a removable flash memory card.

Abstract: An improved breadmaker not only has a baking pan placed inside a baking chamber above a heater but also a centrifugal fan for pushing air upward therethrough. A partition wall with upper and lower openings separates the fan from the baking pan such that the upwardly pushed hot air is caused to flow downward around the baking pan. The baking pan is thereby heated uniformly and heat energy is efficiently utilized. Many processing programs are stored for producing different kinds of bread by using different ingredients. Each processing program is assigned a code and can be selected by specifying the code associated with it from a control panel. Ingredients to be used in each of the programs may be in a premixed form in a package.

Abstract: A detector assembly for giving an infrared sensor a detecting range of about 180.degree. includes a semi-cylindrical focusing lens and a pair of reflective mirror surfaces which is positioned behind the lens and oriented symmetrically with respect to each other with respect to a central symmetry plane and tilted with respect to both the axial direction of the semi-cylindrical lens and the symmetry plane such that infrared signals passing through the lens at azimuthal angles of incidence up to about 90.degree. from the symmetry plane and impinging on either of the reflective surfaces will be received by the sensor. When the sensor thus detects the presence of an infrared-emitting source, a detection signal is outputted and power from a rechargeable battery is transmitted first at a higher voltage for a specified period of time and then at a lower voltage to a fluorescent tube through a contact piece being pressed against the tube.

Abstract: An improved breadmaker not only has a baking pan placed inside a baking chamber above a heater but also a centrifugal fan for pushing air upward therethrough. A partition wall with upper and lower openings separates the fan from the baking pan such that the upwardly pushed hot air is caused to flow downward around the baking pan. The baking pan is thereby heated uniformly and heat energy is efficiently utilized. Many processing programs are stored for producing different kinds of bread by using different ingredients. Each processing program is assigned a code and can be selected by specifying the code associated with it from a control panel. Ingredients to be used in each of the programs may be in a premixed form in a package.

Abstract: A contact lens cleaning and disinfecting apparatus with a cavity (14) in which a contact lens is to be cleaned by an aqueous non-chemosterilant liquid such as a saline solution. An ultra-sonic transducer (20) applies vibrations to the cavity (14). The oscillator driving the transducer includes a transformer feedback circuit using one or more cores of high magnetic permeability and low core loss to give a stable resonant frequency. A timer (34) may be driven from this resonant frequency. In one embodiment the cavity (14) and the sealing cap (16) may be removable together with the transducer (20) from the rest of the housing of the apparatus so that lenses can be transported conveniently after cleaning and before use. According to another embodiment the waste heat from power transistors (Q2, Q3) can be used to heat the cleaning liquid in the cavity.

Abstract: Contact lens cleansing apparatus comprises at least one cavity for containing a contact lens together with cleansing a liquid. An ultrasonic transducer applies ultrasonic frequency mechanical vibrations to the liquid and lens contained in the cavity. Oscillating means for driving ultrasonic transducer at a substantially stable resonant frequency includes a dual ferrite core transformer feedback circuit which minimizes energy consumption. There is also a timer whose operation is controlled from the oscillating means. Simultaneous cleaning and sterilizing of a contact lens is achieved.