Abstract: An induction cooking system including a first shell including a first housing, a first plate coupled to the first housing, and a first induction coil within the first housing. The induction cooking system also includes a second shell coupled to the first shell, the second shell including a second housing, a second plate coupled to the second housing, and a second induction coil within the second housing. The induction cooking system further includes a first temperature sensor for sensing a first plate temperature, a second temperature sensor for sensing a second plate temperature, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the first plate temperature, receive the second plate temperature, adjust a first current supply to the first induction coil based on the first plate temperature, and adjust a second current supply to the second induction coil based on the second plate temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the temperature of cookware to be induction-heated, using an infrared temperature sensor. An induction heater countertop may include a viewing window between the infrared temperature sensor and the cookware. Various algorithms may be applied to the sensed temperature, to adjust it to account for the presence of the viewing window, as well as variations in the cookware material.

Abstract: An induction cooking system including a first shell including a first housing, a first plate coupled to the first housing, and a first induction coil within the first housing. The induction cooking system also includes a second shell coupled to the first shell, the second shell including a second housing, a second plate coupled to the second housing, and a second induction coil within the second housing. The induction cooking system further includes a first temperature sensor for sensing a first plate temperature, a second temperature sensor for sensing a second plate temperature, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the first plate temperature, receive the second plate temperature, adjust a first current supply to the first induction coil based on the first plate temperature, and adjust a second current supply to the second induction coil based on the second plate temperature.

Abstract: A system for holding and warming food includes a container for holding and warming food. The container consists of 300-series stainless steel. The system further includes an induction heating unit with an induction heating circuit for induction heating the container. The induction heating circuit includes a 120 volt induction coil having 40 or more turns. The induction heating circuit operates at a frequency greater than 30 kilohertz.

Abstract: A system for holding and warming food includes a container for holding and warming food. The container consists of 300-series stainless steel. The system further includes an induction heating unit with an induction heating circuit for induction heating the container. The induction heating circuit includes a 120 volt induction coil having 40 or more turns. The induction heating circuit operates at a frequency greater than 30 kilohertz.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the temperature of cookware to be induction-heated, using an infrared temperature sensor. An induction heater countertop may include a viewing window between the infrared temperature sensor and the cookware. Various algorithms may be applied to the sensed temperature, to adjust it to account for the presence of the viewing window, as well as variations in the cookware material.

Abstract: A system and method for holding and warming food held in pans or trays having a low relative magnetic permeability, such as 300-series stainless steel, using induction heating.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the temperature of cookware to be induction-heated, using an infrared temperature sensor. An induction heater countertop may include a viewing window between the infrared temperature sensor and the cookware. Various algorithms may be applied to the sensed temperature, to adjust it to account for the presence of the viewing window, as well as variations in the cookware material.

Abstract: An inductive cooking system including a non-ferromagnetic cooking surface; an induction coil disposed adjacent to the cooking surface; a contact-based temperature sensing device thermally coupled to the cooking surface; and a non-contact temperature sensing device positioned to collect heat energy from an underside of the cooking surface.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus including a heating element; a user-interface mechanism having a user-input for receiving at least one input from a user and a display for presenting at least one instruction to the user; and a controller configured to perform a recipe. The recipe includes an instruction phase, the instruction phase including operating the display to present an instruction to the user until at least one event occurs, the event selected from the group of events consisting of a first predetermined time elapsing and an input being received, and an execution phase, the execution phase including operating the heating element at a predetermined temperature or power level until a second predetermined time has elapsed.

Abstract: A method for holding and warming food. The method includes the steps of: using a container formed of 300-series stainless steel, wherein the container is formed by a cold working process; and applying to the container a magnetic field from an induction coil, wherein the magnetic field is sufficient to induce a current in the container to heat the container.

Abstract: A system and method for holding and warming food held in pans or trays having a low relative magnetic permeability, such as 300-series stainless steel, using induction heating.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the temperature of cookware to be induction-heated, using an infrared temperature sensor. An induction heater countertop may include a viewing window between the infrared temperature sensor and the cookware. Various algorithms may be applied to the sensed temperature, to adjust it to account for the presence of the viewing window, as well as variations in the cookware material.

Abstract: A system and method for holding and warming food held in pans or trays having a low relative magnetic permeability, such as 300-series stainless steel, using induction heating.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for warming food by controlled heating of heat retention objects such as cookware items or pellets located on a trivet positioned on a countertop, using heating control units, such as induction heating units, remotely located beneath the countertop. The preferred trivet insulates the countertop against damages, and also includes circuitry enabling the indication or display of its proper positioning on the countertop, and also indicating whether the heating unit is heating the heat retention object.

Abstract: A detachable, magnetic tagging mechanism, and a system and method for using it, for conveying information related to control over the sensing of parameters, such as the heating of cookware or other food containers, to a reader communicating with, e.g., heating controls of a heater. The tagging mechanism may be removably attached to the cookware or other food container, is heat-resistant, and its shape can be changed to accommodate the heating of different sizes and shapes of cookware or other items. The tagging mechanism, system and method of the invention may be employed with different types of heaters, such as but not limited to magnetic induction heaters, and may communicate with readers using RFID or other technology and other communication modes and media.

Abstract: A power transfer system for imparting power to at least one functional element, such as a movable glass-containing functional element, such as a sliding glass door. The power transfer system preferably includes a magnetic induction power transfer mechanism with a power transfer circuit having first and second separated coils, and a resonant circuit power driver having a resonant frequency. The power transfer mechanism is designed to apply power to the functional element and/or to other devices or systems connected to it. The power transfer system may include an electronic feedback mechanism with an electronic feedback circuit for sensing a predetermined condition concerning the functional element.

Abstract: An automatic card counter (20) with a housing (22) with an open front with a card deck assembly (24) having a front opening to a card counting location and an underlying support for a stack (29) of cards (30) such as may be contained in a card box, such as plastic opaque, transparent or translucent credit cards, with an optical sensing system for detecting the edges of the cards (30) in the stack (29) to determine the number, or count, of the total number of the cards (30) in the stack (29) includes a light source (64) composed of an elongate string of a plurality of high intensity light emitting diodes directing red light rearward and downwardly away from the front card deck opening and along the entire length of the stack of cards through a window (96), a mirror (76) for simultaneous reflecting a complete image of the entire stack of cards downwardly and rearward to another mirror (100) that reflects the complete image rearward and horizontally to a lens system (108) with a relatively wide depth of field to

Abstract: An automatic card counter (20) with a housing (22) with an open front with a card deck assembly (24) having a front opening to a card counting location and an underlying support for a stack (29) of cards (30) such as may be contained in a card box, such as plastic opaque, transparent or translucent credit cards, with an optical sensing system for detecting the edges of the cards (30) in the stack (29) to determine the number, or count, of the total number of the cards (30) in the stack (29) includes a light source (64) composed of an elongate string of a plurality of high intensity light emitting diodes directing red light rearward and downwardly away from the front card deck opening and along the entire length of the stack of cards through a window (96), a mirror (76) for simultaneous reflecting a complete image of the entire stack of cards downwardly and rearward to another mirror (100) that reflects the complete image rearward and horizontally to a lens system (108) with a relatively wide depth of field to

Abstract: A portable fluorescent string lamp has a base which includes a threaded nut at each end. An electrical cord extends through each nut. A mounting bracket has a back and two legs spaced to receive the fixture. Each of the legs is releasably secured to the base of the fixture by tightening the coupling nut against it. The back of the bracket is designed to receive a pair of magnetic couplers for removably mounting the fixture to a structure such as a machine.