Abstract: A wireless signal repeater includes an interior antenna located in an interior a cooking appliance, and an exterior antenna located outside the cooking appliance. A coupling portion connects the interior antenna to the exterior antenna through a hole in a wall of the cooking appliance for wirelessly retransmitting wireless signals received by the wireless signal repeater. According to another aspect, a cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber for cooking food, and an interior antenna located inside the cooking chamber. An exterior antenna is located on an exterior of the cooking appliance, and a coupling portion is configured to connect the interior antenna with the exterior antenna. According to another aspect, an aperture is located in a cooking chamber and a reflector is mounted over the aperture on an exterior of the cooking appliance and is configured to narrow a radiation pattern for wireless signals transmitted through the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microwave powered sensor assembly for microwave ovens. The microwave powered sensor assembly includes a microwave antenna to generate an RF antenna signal in response to microwave radiation at a predetermined excitation frequency. A direct current (dc) power supply circuit of the microwave powered sensor assembly is operatively coupled to the RF antenna signal to extract energy from the RF antenna signal and produce a power supply voltage. A sensor is connected to the power supply voltage and configured to measure a physical or chemical property of a food item under heating in a microwave oven chamber.

Abstract: A microwave heating element includes a microwave antenna configured to absorb power from a microwave field in a microwave oven, a housing having a first end coupled to the microwave antenna and a second end configured to be inserted into an item to be heated, and a transmission line positioned within the housing, the transmission line having an end coupled to the microwave antenna. The transmission line is configured to spatially distribute the power absorbed from the microwave field into the item to be heated at a location between the first end and the second end of the housing.

Abstract: A microwave field-detecting needle assembly includes a needle assembly. The needle assembly includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a junction member disposed between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The junction member includes a recess defined therein. The needle assembly also includes a rectifier element disposed in the recess. The rectifier element includes a first terminal electrically coupled to the distal portion and a second terminal electrically coupled to the proximal portion.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a multiple inputs and multiple outputs (MIMO) analyzer for an accurate control of electromagnetic fields inside a multimode resonant chamber with two or more cavities coupled in an accurate way through a slotted piece with slots or waveguide. The MIMO analyzer may include broadband antennas, different types of lenses, and different stirrers, which may be both metallic and non-metallic. These elements, together with some processes such as precise location of under-test elements out of the lower cavity allow for controlling the electromagnetic fields on its interior. This control permits the emulation of the behavior of wireless communication terminals under different fading scenarios, both indoors and outdoors. Some of the features and procedures of the MIMO analyser may be used in industrial microwave heating processes for drying and curing of materials, also known as microwave ovens, allowing a greater efficiency and homogenization in the processes.

Abstract: A temperature control device which can control the temperature of an object to be processed even after supply of radio waves or electromagnetic waves from a high-frequency heating apparatus is stopped. The temperature control device includes a temperature sensor detecting the temperature of the object to be processed heated by radio waves generated from the high-frequency heating apparatus, a signal processing circuit comparing the temperature detected by the temperature sensor with a standard temperature, a rechargeable battery charged by electric energy generated by reception of the radio waves by an antenna, a charging circuit controlling charging of the rechargeable battery, and a heater supplied with electric power from the rechargeable battery to heat the object to be processed so that the temperature thereof gets closer to the standard temperature, in accordance with a comparison result by the signal processing circuit.

Abstract: An appliance including a cabinet having a first PCB located therein, a door connected to the cabinet, the door being moveable between an open position and a closed position to open and close the cabinet, and a second PCB located in the door. In addition, at least one first connector is connected to the first PCB. At least one second connector is connected to the second PCB and is electronically connectable to the first connector. In particular, the second connector is electrically connected to the first connector when the door is in a substantially closed position.

Abstract: A radio frequency heater is disclosed including a vessel for containing material to be heated and a radio frequency radiating surface. The vessel has a wall defining a reservoir. The radio frequency radiating surface at least partially surrounds the reservoir. The radiating surface includes two or more circumferentially spaced petals that are electrically isolated from other petals. The petals are positioned to irradiate at least a portion of the reservoir, and are adapted for connection to a source of radio frequency alternating current. A generally conical tank or tank segment having a conically wound radio frequency applicator is also contemplated. Also, a method of heating an oil-water process stream is disclosed. In this method a radio frequency heater and an oil-water process stream are provided. The process stream is irradiated with the heater, thus heating the water phase of the process stream.

Abstract: A household appliance has a housing and a door that define an interior, and an electric controller. A measuring device is disposed in the interior for measuring a physical parameter and includes a measuring probe and a probe antenna. A lighting device for illuminating the interior of the household appliance includes a cover and a transmit or receive antenna. The transmit or receive antenna is disposed on the housing and sealed from the interior in a substantially airtight manner using the cover. The transmit or receive antenna is in signal communication with the electric controller allowing wireless signal transmission between the measuring probe and the electric controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a household appliance with an electric control system (20), which is connected to an accessory part (12) for the household appliance in a signal-transmitting fashion, wherein the accessory part (12) can be moved back and forth between an active position and a resting position on the household appliance and, in the switched-on state of the household appliance, exchanges signals for controlling the household appliance with the electric control system (20), at least in the active position.

Abstract: A heating device includes a main body with an opening, a magnetron for generating electromagnetic waves for heating, a door for putting in and taking out an object to be heated, a reader, and a barrier. The magnetron emits electromagnetic waves into the main body. The door covers the opening of the main body. The reader reads information contained in a wireless IC tag attached to the object to be heated. The barrier acts a shield for the reader from the electromagnetic waves emitted by the magnetron when the door is closed, and the shield is broken when the door is opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for data transmitting/receiving between a microwave oven and an information appliance PDA. The apparatus includes a wireless data transmitting/receiving unit for conducting wireless data communication with an external system including an information appliance; a data storage unit for storing transmitted/received data through the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit and/or downloaded data from Internet; a display unit for displaying transmitted data from the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit; a load drive unit for driving a magnetron and/or a heater; and Micom interfaced with the above elements, and interpreting the transmitted data from the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit and/or checking a state of the microwave oven, and controlling the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit to transmit the data on the state of the microwave oven to an information appliance.

Abstract: A household appliance has a housing and a door that define an interior, and an electric controller. A measuring device is disposed in the interior for measuring a physical parameter and includes a measuring probe and a probe antenna. A lighting device for illuminating the interior of the household appliance includes a cover and a transmit or receive antenna. The transmit or receive antenna is disposed on the housing and sealed from the interior in a substantially airtight manner using the cover. The transmit or receive antenna is in signal communication with the electric controller allowing wireless signal transmission between the measuring probe and the electric controller.

Abstract: A probe for detecting at least one parameter during thermal treatment of a food product comprises a sensor arrangement suitable for detecting a value of said at least one parameter, at least one antenna for communicating said value to a control device for controlling said thermal treatment in the absence of connection cables, and a supply arrangement of a different type from the electrochemical type.

Abstract: A method for temperature measurement in a household appliance includes generating a high-frequency electromagnetic excitation wave of a predefined transmit frequency. The transmit frequency is selected from a frequency band including temperature-dependent resonant frequencies that occur in a surface wave device incorporated in a temperature measuring probe and which respectively correspond to temperatures expected at the temperature measuring probe during operation of the household appliance. During a first phase, the excitation wave is wirelessly transmitting to the surface wave device. During a second phase following the first phase, an electromagnetic response wave generated by the excitation wave in the surface wave device is wirelessly transmitting to a processing unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for data transmitting/receiving between a microwave oven and an information appliance PDA. The apparatus includes a wireless data transmitting/receiving unit for conducting wireless data communication with an external system including an information appliance; a data storage unit for storing transmitted/received data through the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit and/or downloaded data from Internet; a display unit for displaying transmitted data from the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit; a load drive unit for driving a magnetron and/or a heater; and Micom interfaced with the above elements, and interpreting the transmitted data from the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit and/or checking a state of the microwave oven, and controlling the wireless data transmitting/receiving unit to transmit the data on the state of the microwave oven to an information appliance.