Abstract: A method of detecting cookware (3) on an induction hob (1) including a plurality of induction heating coils (2) each being adapted for heating, in the activated state, cookware (3) placed on the induction hob (1). With the method, detecting cookware (3) is based on signals generated by at least one active induction heating coil (4) through the action of parasitic electromagnetic coupling effects in at least one inactive induction heating coil (6).

Abstract: A modular electronic and/or electric apparatus including a plurality of circuit units connected by an internal communication bus. The circuit unit includes at least two serial resistor elements forming a voltage divider. The resistor elements of the circuit units are serially connected and form an ID wire. The ID wire is interconnected between a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. The circuit unit comprises at least one analog-digital converter. A connection point between two resistor elements of one circuit unit is connected to an analog input terminal of the analog-digital converter. A digital output terminal of the analog-digital converter is connected to the internal communication bus. The modular electronic and/or electric apparatus includes a master unit connected to the internal communication bus. In particular, the present invention relates to a modular domestic appliance including a plurality of circuit units connected by an internal communication bus.

Abstract: A hob and methods for operating such a hob. The hob includes a cooking surface adapted to receive a number of pots. A user interface allows a user to select and adjust at least one parameter of a cooking zone associated to a pot while indicating the number of pots on the selected cooking zone and a pot detection unit to detect the presence and non-presence of pots on the cooking surface. The hob further includes a control unit that cooperates with the pot detection unit and the user interface to control the function of commands received through the user interface. The control unit can cause a selection of a certain cooking zone and provide a corresponding indication that the certain cooking zone is from now on selected, if temporal interruption of a presence of a pot on the certain cooking zone was detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an induction cooking hob (10) with a plurality of induction coils (16). The induction cooking hob (10) comprises a cooking surface (12) and a control unit. The cooking surface (12) includes a cover plate. The induction coils (16) are arranged side-by-side according to a predetermined scheme and below the cover plate. At least one induction coil (16) is marked by an identification symbol (18). The identification symbol (18) includes a first element (20) and a second element (22), wherein the first element (20) extends beyond the diameter of the corresponding induction coil (16) and the second element (22) marks the diameter of said induction coil (16).

Abstract: An induction heating generator includes a rectifier circuit (10). Four capacitors (C1, C2, C3, C4) form a bridge circuit between two output terminals of the rectifier circuit (10). The bridge circuit includes a first capacitor series (C1, C2) and a second capacitor series (C3, C4). An induction coil (L) is interconnected in the center of the bridge circuit. At least two semiconductor switches (S1, S2) are connected in each case parallel to one of the capacitors (C1, C2) of the first capacitor series (C1, C2). The induction heating generator includes a control circuit block (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) for controlling the control electrodes of the semiconductor switches (S1, S2). A shunt element (SE) is connected in series with the first capacitor series (C1, C2).

Abstract: An induction cooking hob and a method for heating food as well as a computer program product are disclosed. Based on information of a micro-electromechanical system (1500) in combination with a temperature sensor associated to a heating zone, vibrations can be detected and a heating zone associated with the boiling substance can be properly discriminated from one supporting a pot having a non-boiling substance in it. Subsequent simmering of the substance can be automatically effected. An indication will be provided to a user (1680), and an automated function can be started (1610) including boiling and subsequent simmering, respectively indication of a boiling substance on any of the heating zones on an induction hob (1000).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an induction hob with a cooking surface (10) and a number of induction coils (12; 16, 18) within said cooking surface (10). The induction coils (12; 16, 18) are arranged on the cooking surface (10) according to predetermined scheme, so that at least two induction coils (12; 16, 18) can be covered by a standard cooking vessel (14). Each induction coil (12; 16, 18) is connected to at least one induction generator being switched or switchable between a high power and a low power. Each induction generator is separately controllable, so that the induction coils (12; 16, 18) are switched or switchable between the high power and the low power. At least one control unit is provided for controlling the individual induction coils (12; 16, 18) according to a predetermined time pattern. Further, the present invention relates to a corresponding method for controlling the induction hob.

Abstract: A method for assigning a unique identifier to a hob induction coil of an induction hob including a plurality of hob induction coils, the method including the steps of: placing one or more device induction coils of a device above one or more hob induction coils such that at least one device induction coil and at least one hob induction coil are facing each other; establishing a communication link between the device induction coil and the hob induction coil, wherein information regarding a unique identifier is transmitted to the hob induction coil by the device induction coil; and receiving information regarding the unique identifier by the hob induction coil and storing the identifier associated with the hob induction coil within a memory of the induction hob.

Abstract: An induction cooking hob and method for assigning induction coils of the hob, so that each coil corresponds with a unique number or identity. The method includes; setting a load onto the hob, so that the load covers only one of the coils, which is provided for a first unique number or first identity; activating a pot detection device for all coils of hob; identifying the coil covered by the load; assigning the first number or identity to the covered coil; storing the unique number or identity in conjunction with the covered induction coil; setting the load onto a further one of the coils, which is provided for a second unique number or second identity; repeating the steps c) to f) for the further coil and second number or identity; and repeating the steps b) to f) for all other coils and corresponding unique numbers or corresponding identities.

Abstract: A cooking hob includes a transparent or semi-transparent top panel and a cooking zone with a pot detector. A user interface is below the top panel and includes touch switches and a touch slide. A light source corresponds with the touch switch and the cooking zone. The light source indicates detection of a pot on the cooking zone by a first light signal during a predetermined time interval and indicates an activated state of the cooking zone by a second light signal and indicates the selected cooking zone and the activated state of the touch slide element by the first light signal. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the indicated cooking zone within the time interval. The touch switch is for selecting the cooking zone and activating the touch slide. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the selected cooking zone.

Abstract: A method for controlling a cooking process on an induction cooking hob (10). The method includes setting a temperature value or parameter value corresponding with the temperature by a user. A control unit of the induction cooking hob (10) sets a maximum power (Pmax) for a corresponding cooking zone, calculates an average slope value (S1, S2, ASP) of a temperature-time-diagram (20, 22, 24) of the cooking process, compares the average slope value (S1, S2, ASP) with a corresponding threshold value (THR1, THR2, THR3), and indicates that the temperature or parameter has obtained the set temperature value or parameter value, respectively, if the average slope value (S1, S2, ASP) is equal with or smaller than the corresponding threshold value (THR1, THR2, THR3). The method and control unit are provided for controlling a boiling process and a frying process on an induction cooking hob.

Abstract: The invention relates to an induction hob comprising at least two induction heaters (2, 3), each induction heater (2, 3) associated with at least one induction coil (4, 5), wherein a first induction heater (2) is associated with a first type of electronic driving means (6) comprising a first induction coil (4) and being adapted for driving an AC current through said first induction coil (4) of the first induction heater (2), wherein the second induction heater (3) is associated with a second type of electronic driving means (7) comprising a second induction coil (5) and being adapted for driving an AC current through said second induction coil (5) of the second induction heater (3) and wherein the electronic driving means (6, 7) are adapted to control the output power of the induction heaters (2, 3) by varying the frequency of the AC current through the respective induction coil (4, 5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an induction cooking hob (10) including at least one cooking area (12), wherein the cooking area (12) comprises at least three induction coils (14). The induction coils (14) of at least one cooking area (12) are arranged side-by-side and in series. Each induction coil (14) of at least one cooking area (12) has an elongated shape. The longitudinal axes of the induction coils (14) within one cooking area (12) are arranged in parallel. Each induction coil (14) of 10 the cooking area (12) is associated with a dedicated induction generator (16). The induction generators (16) are connected or connectable to at least one current line (18). The induction generators (16) are connected to and controlled or controllable by at least one control unit (20). Requested powers (rP) for each used induction generator (16) are adjusted or adjustable independent from each other by a user interface (22). Instant powers (iP) of the induction generators (16) within a cycle pattern (T1, T2, . . .

Abstract: The present invention relates to an induction cooking hob (10) including a number of heating zones (12, 14, 16, 18). Each heating zone (12, 14, 16, 18) comprises or corresponds with at least one induction coil. Each induction coil is connected to a generator. Two or more heating zones (12, 14, 16, 18) are linked or can be linked into a cooking area by a user. The linked heating zones (12, 14, 16, 18) are controlled by a common power setting. An operator interface is provided for operating the heating zones (12, 14, 16, 18). A control unit is provided for controlling the heating zones (12, 14, 16, 18). The operator interface includes actuating elements corresponding with predetermined links (20) between the heating zones (12, 14, 16, 18). The control unit is provided for synchronizing the generators of the linked heating zones (12, 14, 16, 18) by one common controller.

Abstract: A method for controlling an induction heating cooking apparatus, comprises the steps of a) transforming a supply current (Iin) having a base frequency, for example 50 Hz or 60 Hz, into an induction current (Iw) having a higher frequency than the base frequency of the supply current, b) feeding the induction current into at least one inductor of the induction heating cooking apparatus to generate a magnetic induction field, c) detecting a deviation or distortion of the actual shape or frequency spectrum of the supply current or a rectified supply current from a predetermined admissible shape or frequency spectrum lying outside of a pre-given tolerance range, d) adapting the induction current or the electrical power associated with the induction current until the detected deviation or distortion of the actual shape or frequency spectrum of the supply current or a rectified supply current from the predetermined shape or frequency spectrum lies within the pre-given tolerance range again.

Abstract: A hob and methods for operating such a hob. The hob includes a cooking surface adapted to receive a number of pots. A user interface allows a user to select and adjust at least one parameter of a cooking zone associated to a pot while indicating the number of pots on the selected cooking zone and a pot detection unit to detect the presence and non-presence of pots on the cooking surface. The hob further includes a control unit that cooperates with the pot detection unit and the user interface to control the function of commands received through the user interface. The control unit can cause a selection of a certain cooking zone and provide a corresponding indication that the certain cooking zone is from now on selected, if temporal interruption of a presence of a pot on the certain cooking zone was detected.

Abstract: An induction cooking hob and method for assigning induction coils of the hob, so that each coil corresponds with a unique number or identity. The method includes; setting a load onto the hob, so that the load covers only one of the coils, which is provided for a first unique number or first identity; activating a pot detection device for all coils of hob; identifying the coil covered by the load; assigning the first number or identity to the covered coil; storing the unique number or identity in conjunction with the covered induction coil; setting the load onto a further one of the coils, which is provided for a second unique number or second identity; repeating the steps c) to f) for the further coil and second number or identity; and repeating the steps b) to f) for all other coils and corresponding unique numbers or corresponding identities.

Abstract: A method of detecting cookware (3) on an induction hob (1) including a plurality of induction heating coils (2) each being adapted for heating, in the activated state, cookware (3) placed on the induction hob (1). With the method, detecting cookware (3) is based on signals generated by at least one active induction heating coil (4) through the action of parasitic electromagnetic coupling effects in at least one inactive induction heating coil (6).

Abstract: A cooking hob includes a transparent or semi-transparent top panel and a cooking zone with a pot detector. A user interface is below the top panel and includes touch switches and a touch slide. A light source corresponds with the touch switch and the cooking zone. The light source indicates detection of a pot on the cooking zone by a first light signal during a predetermined time interval and indicates an activated state of the cooking zone by a second light signal and indicates the selected cooking zone and the activated state of the touch slide element by the first light signal. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the indicated cooking zone within the time interval. The touch switch is for selecting the cooking zone and activating the touch slide. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the selected cooking zone.

Abstract: A method for controlling a cooking process on an induction cooking hob (10). The method includes setting a temperature value or parameter value corresponding with the temperature by a user. A control unit of the induction cooking hob (10) sets a maximum power (Pmax) for a corresponding cooking zone, calculates an average slope value (S1, S2, ASP) of a temperature-time-diagram (20, 22, 24) of the cooking process, compares the average slope value (S1, S2, ASP) with a corresponding threshold value (THR1, THR2, THR3), and indicates that the temperature or parameter has obtained the set temperature value or parameter value, respectively, if the average slope value (S1, S2, ASP) is equal with or smaller than the corresponding threshold value (THR1, THR2, THR3). The method and control unit are provided for controlling a boiling process and a frying process on an induction cooking hob.