DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant’s submission filed on 04/03/2026 has been entered.
Response to Amendment
This action is responsive to the amendments filed 04/03/2026. Claims 1, 3-7, 9-11, 14-25 are pending in this application. As directed, claims 1, 11, 14, 15, 19 have been amended; claims 2, 8, 12-13 cancelled; claims 21-25 have been newly added.
With respect to Claim Objections: Applicant’s amendments to the Claims have overcome the Claim Objections set forth in the Final Office Action dated 01/06/2026.
With respect to 35 U.S.C. 112(f) Claim Interpretation: Applicant’s amendments to the Claims have not overcome the 35 U.S.C. 112(f) Claim Interpretation set forth in the Final Office Action dated 01/06/2026. Therefore, the 35 U.S.C. 112(f) Claim Interpretation will be maintained in this office action, see details in the Claim Interpretation section below.
With respect to 35 U.S.C. 112 Claim Rejections: Applicant’s amendments to the Claims have overcome the 35 U.S.C. 112(b) Claim Rejections set forth in the Final Office Action dated 01/06/2026. However, Applicant’s amendments to the Claims filed on 04/03/2026 have created another 35 U.S.C. 112(b) Claim Rejections, see details below in the 35 U.S.C. 112 Claim Rejections section.
Response to Arguments
With respect to 35 U.S.C. 102 & 103 Claim Rejections: Applicant(s)’ arguments filed 04/03/2026 have been fully considered but are moot based on new ground(s) of rejection necessitated by amendments.
Specifically, Applicant’s amendments to the Claims filed on 04/03/2026 have changed the scope of the claim; therefore, the claim interpretation has been changed.
Regarding independent claim 1, the newly cited reference Yun (WO 2019050254 A1, newly cited) has been added to this office action to teach the newly added limitation “indicating a detected cookware on a display of a user interface of the household appliance” as one of the alternatives required by the independent claim 1.
Regarding independent claim 19, the newly cited reference Ortmann (U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0084507 A1, newly cited) has been added to this office action to teach the limitation “cause the user interface to display an indication of the cooking utensil placed on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a soft shock corresponding to placement of the cooking utensil on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone” as recited in claim 19.
Therefore, Applicant’s arguments regarding independent claims 1 and 19 are moot – see the detailed arguments on pages 8-10 of the Remarks dated 04/03/2026.
Additionally, Applicant’s arguments regarding dependent claims 3-7, 9-11, 14-18, 20 are the same as those provided for the independent claims 1 and 19 – see details on pages 10-11 of the Remarks dated 04/03/2026; therefore, the Examiner’s response to Applicant’s arguments regarding independent claims 1 and 19 generally applies to dependent claims 3-7, 9-11, 14-18, 20.
Furthermore, regarding the newly added claims 21-25,
the newly cited reference Herz et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2008/0165022 A1, newly cited) has been added to this office action to teach the limitation “wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises stopping an acoustic or optical signal provider” as recited in the newly added claim 21;
the newly cited reference Ortmann (U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0084507 A1, newly cited) has been added to this office action to teach the limitation “wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises activating the user interface when the user interface is in a stand-by mode, or lighting up or switching on illumination means for the user interface when the user interface is dimmed” as recited in the newly added claim 22;
the newly cited reference Yun (WO 2019050254 A1, newly cited) has been added to this office action to teach the limitation “wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises indicating a detected cookware on a display of a user interface of the household appliance” as recited in the newly added claim 23;
the newly cited reference Sakamoto (U.S. Patent No. 4,703,151 A, newly cited) has been added to this office action to teach the limitation “wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises estimating or determining a weight of the item” as recited in the newly added claim 24;
the newly added claim 25 is now rejected by the combination of Franco et al. (EP 2600690 A2, previously cited) in view of Viroli et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0245327 A1, previously cited), it is noted that Applicant alleged that “None of the cited references teaches or suggests a household appliance having an operation that is triggered by an acceleration sensor and further dependent on additional information received from a temperature sensor, as recited in independent claim 25”, see details on page 11 of the Remarks dated 04/03/2026, Examiner respectfully disagrees because in this case, the newly combination of Franco in view of Viroli properly teaches a household appliance having an operation that is triggered by an acceleration sensor and further dependent on additional information received from a temperature sensor as required by claim 25, see detailed rejections in the 35 U.S.C. 103 Claim Rejections section below.
Therefore, Applicant’s arguments regarding the newly added claims 21-25 are moot.
Claim Objections
Claims 1, 3-7, 9-11, 14-18, 21-24 objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1 recites the limitation “a user interface” in line 23. It is understood that “a user interface” is user interface of the household appliance; therefore, the limitation “a user interface” recited in claim 1 (line 23) should be changed to “the user interface” to properly refer to the corresponding limitation recited previously in claim 1 (line 5).
Claims 3-7, 9-11, 14-18, 21-24 are objected by virtue of their dependence on claim 1.
Claim 3 recites the limitation “a cookware” in line 3. This should be changed to “the cookware” to properly refer to the corresponding limitation recited previously in claim 1 (line 23).
Claim 10 recites the limitation “an item” in line 4. This should be changed to “the item” to properly refer to the corresponding limitation recited previously in claim 1 (last line of claim 1).
Claim 14 recites the limitation “an item” in line 3. This should be changed to “the item” to properly refer to the corresponding limitation recited previously in claim 1 (last line of claim 1).
Claim 21 recites the limitation “an acoustic or optical signal provider” in lines 2-3. This should be changed to “the acoustic or optical signal provider” to properly refer to the corresponding limitation recited previously in claim 1 (line 19).
Claim 22 recites the limitation “a stand-by mode” in line 3. This should be changed to “the stand-by mode” to properly refer to the corresponding limitation recited previously in claim 1 (line 20).
Claim 23 recites the limitation “a detected cookware on a display of a user interface” in lines 2-3. This should be changed to “the detected cookware on the display of the user interface” to properly refer to the corresponding limitation recited previously in claim 1 (lines 23-24).
Claim 24 recites the limitation “a weight” in lines 2-3. This should be changed to “the weight” to properly refer to the corresponding limitation recited previously in claim 1 (last line of claim 1).
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are:
“control unit configured to control operating processes” in claim 1 (line 4) and “control unit” in claim 1 (line 8) & claim 9 (line 2). This limitation uses generic placeholder “unit” (Prong A); the term “unit” is modified by functional language “configured to control operating processes” (Prong B); and the term “unit” is not modified by sufficient structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function (Prong C). Therefore, this limitation invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f). For examination purposes, the limitation “control unit” will be interpreted as “controller” and equivalents, as indicated by Specification on page 10 lines 4-6: “a induction generator 21 of magnetic waves is shown, which is connected to a controller 23, which controls the signals and the energy of the signals generated by the generator 21”.
“control elements” in claim 7 (line 2). This limitation uses generic placeholder “elements” (Prong A); the term “elements” is modified by functional language “control” (Prong B); and the term “elements” is not modified by sufficient structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function (Prong C). Therefore, the limitation “control elements” invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f). For examination purposes, the limitation “control elements” is being interpreted as “touch control” and equivalents, as indicated by Specification on page 4 lines 16-17: “Said at least one control element is preferably a touch control element”.
Furthermore, this application includes one or more claim limitations that use the word “means” (or “step”). Such claim limitation(s) is/are:
“illumination means” in claim 1 (line 21) and claim 22 (line 4). This limitation uses the term “means” (Prong A); the term “means” is modified by functional language “illumination” (Prong B); and the term “means” is not modified by sufficient structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function (Prong C). Therefore, the limitation “illumination means” invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f). It is noted that the Specification describes “illumination means on the user interface” on page 11 – line 13. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the “illumination means” herein is light of the user interface. For examination purposes, the limitation “illumination means” will be interpreted as “light on user interface” and equivalents.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1, 3-7, 9-11, 14-18, 21-24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites the limitation “the item” in the last line of claim 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim because there is no “item” recited previously. The limitation “the item” recited in claim 1 is suggested to change to “an item”.
Claims 3-7, 9-11, 14-18, 21-24 are rejected by virtue of their dependence on claim 1.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1, 3, 11, 14, 16, 18, 23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Franco et al. (EP 2600690 A2, previously cited) in view of Yun (WO 2019050254 A1, newly cited).
Examiner’s Note: It is noted that the WO 2019050254 A1 and the US 20200329535 A1 are equivalent. Therefore, the US 20200329535 A1 will be used as a translation version for the WO 2019050254 A1 for convivence purposes.
Regarding claim 1, Franco discloses a household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1) comprising:
an acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1 & Translated Par.0020) (Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning measuring unit 18a comprises a positioning sensor 22a designed as a vibration sensor 28a … The positioning sensor 22a is designed as an accelerometer”) configured to detect an acceleration of a section or a reference point of a wall or a panel (cooking plate 10a, Franco Fig.1) (it is noted that the panel of the Instant Application is the top plate of the induction cooking hob 1, specifically, Fig.1 of the Instant Application shows the panel 3 of the induction cooking hob 1; therefore, the prior art Franco cooking plate 10a and the Instant Application panel 3 are equivalent) of the household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1) (it is noted that the limitation “a section or a reference point” is in alternative form, therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination; similarly, the limitation “a wall or a panel” is in alternative form, therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination; in this case, Franco discloses the sensor 22a is configured to detect an acceleration of a section of the panel of the cooktop 36a; specifically, Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning sensor 22a is designed to detect any movement that occurs when the cooking utensil 14a is placed in the cooking plate 10a. to detect sound waves.”, and Franco Translated Par.0007 discloses: “A "vibration sensor" is to be understood in particular as a sensor unit which is intended to detect vibrations generated by placing the cooking utensil on the hob plate, in particular those which are generated in the hob plate and propagate there. An "accelerometer" is understood to mean, in particular, a sensor unit which is intended to measure an acceleration, in particular by determining an inertial force acting on a test mass”; therefore, Franco discloses vibration sensor 28a configured to detect acceleration of a section of the cooking plate 10a of the cooktop 36a),
a control unit (control unit 20a, Franco Fig.1) configured to control operating processes (Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The control unit 20a is provided to initiate a determination of the installation position upon receipt of a signal by the installation measuring unit 18a … As soon as the positioning sensor 22a detects the positioning of the cooking utensil 14a by receiving the sound waves, the control unit 20a initiates the positioning position determination. When determining the installation position, the installation position 12a is determined using the position measuring unit 34a. For this purpose, a method already known to a person skilled in the art is used. The heating unit 16a is slowly moved in a regular search pattern below the hob plate 10a. The induction heating element of the heating unit 16a is operated with high-frequency alternating voltage at regular short intervals or alternatively continuously. If the heating unit 16a is located below the cooking utensil 14a, this can be detected by a characteristic current flow in the induction heating element.”, and Franco Par.0022 discloses: “In a step 70a, the control unit 20a checks whether the installation position 12a has been found. If this is the case, the control unit 20a initiates an operator request to select cooking parameters for the cooking utensil 14a via the operator interface 46a in a step 72a.”; therefore, Franco discloses the control unit 20a configured to control operating processes), and
a user interface (user interface 46a, Franco Fig.1) configured to provide status information of the household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1) to a user and/or to receive control commands or data input from the user (it is noted that the limitation “to provide status information of the household appliance to a user and/or to receive control commands or data input from the user” is in alternative form, therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination; in this case, Franco discloses the user interface 46a configured to do both, including provide status information of the cooktop 36a to the user and also receive control commands or data input from the user, specifically, Franco Translated Par.0019 discloses: “The operator interface 46a includes a display unit and several touch-sensitive buttons”, and Franco Par.0022 discloses: “If this is the case, the control unit 20a initiates an operator request to select cooking parameters for the cooking utensil 14a via the operator interface 46a in a step 72a. If the installation position 12a was not found, an error message is output via the operator interface 46a in a step 74a.”);
wherein the acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1 & Translated Par.0020) is:
connected to the control unit (control unit 20a, Franco Fig.1) and/or to the user interface for exchange of data (it is noted that the limitation “to the control unit and/or to the user interface” is in alternative form, therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination; in this case, Franco discloses positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a being connected to the control unit 20a for exchange of data, specifically, Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The control unit 20a is provided to initiate a determination of the installation position upon receipt of a signal by the installation measuring unit 18a”),
adapted to recognize a gesture control input (gesture control input is when the user interacts with the cooktop 36a, in this instant case, when the user placing the cooking utensil 14a on the cooktop 36a; in this case, Franco discloses the sensor 22a is adapt to recognized the placement of the cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a; specifically, Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning sensor 22a is designed to detect any movement that occurs when the cooking utensil 14a is placed in the cooking plate 10a. to detect sound waves.”, and Franco Translated Par.0007 discloses: “A "vibration sensor" is to be understood in particular as a sensor unit which is intended to detect vibrations generated by placing the cooking utensil on the hob plate, in particular those which are generated in the hob plate and propagate there. An "accelerometer" is understood to mean, in particular, a sensor unit which is intended to measure an acceleration, in particular by determining an inertial force acting on a test mass”), which causes a soft shock (it is noted that the Instant Application defines the “soft shock” as a shock or vibration during the placing of the item, according to the Instant Application on page 3 lines 5-12: “During the placing of the item, usually a shock or vibration, even thought it might be only a soft shock, is caused to the storage or to the work surface, which shock or vibration may be detectable and/or measurable. In order to detect also a soft placing, the detection and/or measuring means may comprise specifically sensitive sensing elements and particularly an extremely low noise evaluation circuit.”; in this case, the placing of the cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a causes vibration, thus, it causes soft shock) on an outer surface (outer surface of the cooking plate 10, Franco Fig.1) of the panel (cooking plate 10a, Franco Fig.1) or the wall (it is noted that the limitation “the panel or the wall” is in alternative form, therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination) of the household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1) (as explained previously, Franco discloses the sensor 22a is adapt to recognized the placement of the cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a, which cases soft shock on the outer surface of cooking plate 10a of the cooktop 36a), and
adapted to provide a trigger signal (signal generated by vibration sensor 28a, Franco Translated Pars.0020-0022) in response to recognizing the gesture control input (gesture control input is when the user interacts with the cooktop 36a, in this instant case, when the user placing the cooking utensil 14a on the cooktop 36a; in this case, Franco discloses the sensor 22a is adapt to recognized the placement of the cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a; specifically, Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning sensor 22a is designed to detect any movement that occurs when the cooking utensil 14a is placed in the cooking plate 10a. to detect sound waves.”, and Franco Translated Par.0007 discloses: “A "vibration sensor" is to be understood in particular as a sensor unit which is intended to detect vibrations generated by placing the cooking utensil on the hob plate, in particular those which are generated in the hob plate and propagate there. An "accelerometer" is understood to mean, in particular, a sensor unit which is intended to measure an acceleration, in particular by determining an inertial force acting on a test mass”), the trigger signal (signal generated by vibration sensor 28a, Franco Translated Pars.0020-0022) being adapted to trigger a function and/or an operating process of the operating processes in the household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1) (Franco Translated Pars.0020-0022 describes in details the positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a being adapted to provide trigger signal for control of function and/or operating process in the cooktop 36a; specifically, Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The control unit 20a is provided to initiate a determination of the installation position upon receipt of a signal by the installation measuring unit 18a … As soon as the positioning sensor 22a detects the positioning of the cooking utensil 14a by receiving the sound waves, the control unit 20a initiates the positioning position determination.”, and Franco Translated Par.0021 discloses: “At the beginning, it is assumed that the hob 36a is in a standby state. The power supplies of all heating units 16a and the operator interface 46a are interrupted. Only the control unit 20a operates in a low-energy state and supplies the positioning sensor 22a of the positioning measuring unit 18a with energy. In a step 60a, it is assumed that the positioning sensor 22a registers a vibration. The control unit 20a thereby transitions from the low-energy state to a normal operating state. At this point, it may be provided in particular to check by means of a frequency analysis whether the vibration registered by the positioning sensor 22a is actually a vibration which is caused by placing a metallic object, in particular the cooking utensil 14a, on the cooking plate 10a. If this is not the case, the control unit 20a can return to the low-energy state. However, if the vibration is actually relevant for placing the cooking utensil 14a on the hob plate 10a or if a frequency analysis is not carried out, the control unit 20a initiates the installation position determination with a step 68a.”, Franco Par.0022 discloses: “In step 68a, as previously described, the heating unit 16a is used to search for the installation position 12a of the cooking utensil 14a. In a step 70a, the control unit 20a checks whether the installation position 12a has been found. If this is the case, the control unit 20a initiates an operator request to select cooking parameters for the cooking utensil 14a via the operator interface 46a in a step 72a. If the installation position 12a was not found, an error message is output via the operator interface 46a in a step 74a. Alternatively or additionally, an acoustic signal may be provided.”; therefore, Franco discloses the positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a being adapted to provide trigger signal for control of function and/or operating process in the cooktop 36a),
wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1 & Translated Par.0020) comprises:
an activation of a pot detection function (Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The control unit 20a is provided to initiate a determination of the installation position upon receipt of a signal by the installation measuring unit 18a … As soon as the positioning sensor 22a detects the positioning of the cooking utensil 14a by receiving the sound waves, the control unit 20a initiates the positioning position determination.”, and Franco Translated Par.0021 discloses: “At the beginning, it is assumed that the hob 36a is in a standby state. The power supplies of all heating units 16a and the operator interface 46a are interrupted. Only the control unit 20a operates in a low-energy state and supplies the positioning sensor 22a of the positioning measuring unit 18a with energy. In a step 60a, it is assumed that the positioning sensor 22a registers a vibration. The control unit 20a thereby transitions from the low-energy state to a normal operating state. At this point, it may be provided in particular to check by means of a frequency analysis whether the vibration registered by the positioning sensor 22a is actually a vibration which is caused by placing a metallic object, in particular the cooking utensil 14a, on the cooking plate 10a. If this is not the case, the control unit 20a can return to the low-energy state. However, if the vibration is actually relevant for placing the cooking utensil 14a on the hob plate 10a or if a frequency analysis is not carried out, the control unit 20a initiates the installation position determination with a step 68a.”, Franco Par.0022 discloses: “In step 68a, as previously described, the heating unit 16a is used to search for the installation position 12a of the cooking utensil 14a. In a step 70a, the control unit 20a checks whether the installation position 12a has been found. If this is the case, the control unit 20a initiates an operator request to select cooking parameters for the cooking utensil 14a via the operator interface 46a in a step 72a. If the installation position 12a was not found, an error message is output via the operator interface 46a in a step 74a. Alternatively or additionally, an acoustic signal may be provided.”; therefore, Franco discloses the activation of the pot detection function of the induction hob 38a is triggered by the acceleration sensor 28a as a result of the detection of acceleration by placing of cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a of the cooking hob 38a)
However, Franco does not explicitly disclose:
wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises:
stopping an acoustic or optical signal provider,
activating the user interface when the user interface is in a stand-by mode,
lighting up or switching on illumination means for the user interface when the user interface is dimmed,
indicating a detected cookware on a display of a user interface of the household appliance, or
estimating or determining a weight of the item
It is noted that the limitation “stopping an acoustic or optical signal provider, activating the user interface when the user interface is in a stand-by mode, lighting up or switching on illumination means for the user interface when the user interface is dimmed, indicating a detected cookware on a display of a user interface of the household appliance, or estimating or determining a weight of the item” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was required during examination. In this case,
Yun teaches a household appliance (cooking apparatus 100, Yun Fig.1), comprising:
indicating a detected cookware (cooking vessel 1, Yun Fig.1) on a display of a user interface (display of the user interface 120, Yun Fig.4 & Par.0099) of the household appliance (cooking apparatus 100, Yun Fig.1) (It is noted that the limitation “stopping an acoustic or optical signal provider, activating the user interface when the user interface is in a stand-by mode, lighting up or switching on illumination means for the user interface when the user interface is dimmed, indicating a detected cookware on a display of a user interface of the household appliance, or estimating or determining a weight of the item” as recited in claim 1 is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was required during examination. In this case, Yun Par.0099 teaches: “the user interface 120 may display an image indicating a position of the cooking vessel 1 detected by the vessel detector 130 on the touch screen 120 j.”, to be more specific, Yun Pars.0100-0108 explain in detail the function and/or the operating process triggered by the sensor comprises indicating the detected cookware on display of user interface of the household appliance by placing the cookware on the household appliance. It is noted that the primary reference Franco already discloses the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises an activation of a pot detection function, as cited and explained in detail above; in this case, the secondary reference Yun teaches the function and/or the operating process triggered by the sensor comprises indicating the detected cookware on display of user interface of the household appliance by placing the cookware on the household appliance. Therefore, in combination, Franco in view of Yun teaches the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises indicating a detected cookware on a display of a user interface of the household appliance.).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the apparatus of Franco, by adding the teaching of the function and/or the operating process triggered by the sensor comprises indicating a detected cookware on a display of a user interface of the household appliance, as taught by Yun, in order to provide user with visual confirmation of the detected cookware and its position on the cooking surface, thereby improving the user’s ability to readily identify and interact with the detected cookware and enhancing the usability of the cooking appliance.
Regarding claim 3, Franco in view of Yun teaches the apparatus as set forth in claim 1, Franco also discloses:
said household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1) being a cooking hob (Franco Translated Par.0018 discloses: “36a designed as an induction hob 38a”) and said panel (cooking plate 10a, Franco Fig.1) (it is noted that the panel of the Instant Application is the top plate of the induction cooking hob 1, specifically, Fig.1 of the Instant Application shows the panel 3 of the induction cooking hob 1; therefore, the prior art Franco cooking plate 10a and the Instant Application panel 3 are equivalent) being a top plate (cooking plate 10a is the top plate, Franco Fig.1) of the cooking hob (Franco Translated Par.0018 discloses: “36a designed as an induction hob 38a”),
wherein the acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1) is adapted to recognize a placing of a cookware (cooking utensil 14a, Franco Fig.1) on the top plate (cooking plate 10a is the top plate, Franco Fig.1) of the cooking hob (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1; Franco Translated Par.0018 discloses: “36a designed as an induction hob 38a”) (Franco discloses the sensor 22a is configured to adapted to recognize the placing of cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a of the cooktop 36a; specifically, Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning sensor 22a is designed to detect any movement that occurs when the cooking utensil 14a is placed in the cooking plate 10a. to detect sound waves.”, and Franco Translated Par.0007 discloses: “A "vibration sensor" is to be understood in particular as a sensor unit which is intended to detect vibrations generated by placing the cooking utensil on the hob plate, in particular those which are generated in the hob plate and propagate there. An "accelerometer" is understood to mean, in particular, a sensor unit which is intended to measure an acceleration, in particular by determining an inertial force acting on a test mass”).
Regarding claim 11, Franco in view of Yun teaches the apparatus set forth in claim 1, Franco also discloses a method for controlling a household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1) according to claim 1, wherein
the function and/or the operating process is triggered by the acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1 & Translated Par.0020) (Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning measuring unit 18a comprises a positioning sensor 22a designed as a vibration sensor 28a … The positioning sensor 22a is designed as an accelerometer”), in response to the acceleration recognizing the gesture control input (gesture control input is when the user interacts with the cooktop 36a, in this instant case, when the user placing the cooking utensil 14a on the cooktop 36a; in this case, Franco discloses the sensor 22a is adapt to recognized the placement of the cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a; specifically, Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning sensor 22a is designed to detect any movement that occurs when the cooking utensil 14a is placed in the cooking plate 10a. to detect sound waves.”, and Franco Translated Par.0007 discloses: “A "vibration sensor" is to be understood in particular as a sensor unit which is intended to detect vibrations generated by placing the cooking utensil on the hob plate, in particular those which are generated in the hob plate and propagate there. An "accelerometer" is understood to mean, in particular, a sensor unit which is intended to measure an acceleration, in particular by determining an inertial force acting on a test mass”), which causes the soft shock (it is noted that the Instant Application defines the “soft shock” as a shock or vibration during the placing of the item, according to the Instant Application on page 3 lines 5-12: “During the placing of the item, usually a shock or vibration, even thought it might be only a soft shock, is caused to the storage or to the work surface, which shock or vibration may be detectable and/or measurable. In order to detect also a soft placing, the detection and/or measuring means may comprise specifically sensitive sensing elements and particularly an extremely low noise evaluation circuit.”; in this case, Franco discloses the placing of the cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a causes vibration, as explained above; thus, the acceleration is caused by soft shock) on the outer surface (outer surface of the cooking plate 10, Franco Fig.1) of the wall or panel (cooking plate 10a, Franco Fig.1) (it is noted that the limitation “the panel or the wall” is in alternative form, therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination).
Regarding claim 14, Franco in view of Yun teaches the method as set forth in claim 11, Franco also discloses said household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1) comprising a cooking hob (induction hob 38a, Franco Fig.1), said panel (cooking plate 10a, Franco Fig.1) (it is noted that the panel of the Instant Application is the top plate of the induction cooking hob 1, specifically, Fig.1 of the Instant Application shows the panel 3 of the induction cooking hob 1; therefore, the prior art Franco cooking plate 10a and the Instant Application panel 3 are equivalent) comprising a top panel (the cooking plate 10a is the top panel, Franco Fig.1) of the cooking hob (induction hob 38a, Franco Fig.1),
wherein the detected acceleration is a result of a placing of an item on the top panel (cooking plate 10a, Franco Fig.1) of the cooking hob (induction hob 38a, Franco Fig.1) (Franco discloses the sensor 22a is configured to detect an acceleration as a result of a placing of cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a of the induction hob 38a; specifically, Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning sensor 22a is designed to detect any movement that occurs when the cooking utensil 14a is placed in the cooking plate 10a. to detect sound waves.”, and Franco Translated Par.0007 discloses: “A "vibration sensor" is to be understood in particular as a sensor unit which is intended to detect vibrations generated by placing the cooking utensil on the hob plate, in particular those which are generated in the hob plate and propagate there. An "accelerometer" is understood to mean, in particular, a sensor unit which is intended to measure an acceleration, in particular by determining an inertial force acting on a test mass”).
Regarding claim 16, Franco in view of Yun teaches the apparatus as set forth in claim 1, Franco also discloses:
said gesture control input (gesture control input is when the user interacts with the cooktop 36a, in this instant case, when the user placing the cooking utensil 14a on the cooktop 36a; in this case, Franco discloses the sensor 22a is adapt to recognized the placement of the cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a) being a manual or mechanical action (it is noted that the limitation “manual or mechanical action” is in alternative form, therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination) exerted on the household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1), comprising one or more of: knocking, hammering, or typing (it is noted that the limitation “comprising one or more of: knocking, hammering, or typing” is in alternative form, therefore, only one of these was required during examination; in this case, Franco discloses manual action exerted on the household appliance, comprising knocking by the action of user placing the cooking utensil 14a on the cooktop 36a which causes the knocking action).
Regarding claim 18, Franco in view of Yun teaches the apparatus as set forth in claim 1, Franco also discloses:
said acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1 & Translated Par.0020) comprising a gravity sensor (Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning measuring unit 18a comprises a positioning sensor 22a designed as a vibration sensor 28a … The positioning sensor 22a is designed as an accelerometer”; it is well known that the accelerometer is gravity sensor; therefore, Franco discloses acceleration sensor comprising gravity sensor)
Regarding claim 23, Franco in view of Yun teaches the apparatus as set forth in claim 1, Franco in view of Yun also teaches:
wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1 & Translated Par.0020) comprises indicating a detected cookware on a display of a user interface of the household appliance (Franco in view of Yun teaches the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises indicating a detected cookware on a display of a user interface of the household appliance, as cited, explained, and incorporated in the rejection of claim 1 above. Specifically, in this case, Yun Par.0099 teaches: “the user interface 120 may display an image indicating a position of the cooking vessel 1 detected by the vessel detector 130 on the touch screen 120 j.”, to be more specific, Yun Pars.0100-0108 explain in detail the function and/or the operating process triggered by the sensor comprises indicating the detected cookware on display of user interface of the household appliance by placing the cookware on the household appliance. It is noted that the primary reference Franco already discloses the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises an activation of a pot detection function, as cited and explained in detail above; in this case, the secondary reference Yun teaches the function and/or the operating process triggered by the sensor comprises indicating the detected cookware on display of user interface of the household appliance by placing the cookware on the household appliance. Therefore, in combination, Franco in view of Yun teaches the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises indicating a detected cookware on a display of a user interface of the household appliance.).
Claims 4, 15, 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Franco et al. (EP 2600690 A2, previously cited) in view of Yun (WO 2019050254 A1, newly cited), and further in view of Viroli et al. (EP 3413687 A1, previously cited).
Regarding claim 4, Franco in view of Yun teaches the apparatus set forth in claim 1, but does not teach:
wherein the acceleration sensor is adapted to recognize and/or to evaluate vibrations originating from specific operating conditions.
Viroli teaches a household appliance (Viroli Fig.3):
wherein the acceleration sensor (“vibration sensor” or “accelerometer”, Viroli Par.0055 or see vibration sensor 26 in Viroli Fig.3) is adapted to recognize and/or to evaluate (it is noted that the limitation “to recognize and/or to evaluate” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination) vibrations originating from specific operating conditions (Viroli Par.0055 teaches: “The boiling of the liquid in the cooking vessel may be detected by the vibration sensor or by the temperature sensor. For example, a suitable vibration sensor is the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer. Said MEMS accelerometer detects the vibrations caused by bubbles formed in the liquid.”; therefore, Viroli teaches the vibration sensor is adapted to recognize vibrations originating from specific operating conditions such as bubbles formed in the liquid and/or boiling of the liquid).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Franco in view of Yun, by adding the teaching of the acceleration sensor is adapted to recognize vibrations originating from specific operating conditions, as taught by Viroli, in order to detect the boiling of liquid in the cooking vessel in order to trigger the corresponding function and/or the operating process of the induction heating cooktop such as the temperature is reduced to simmering after the boiling is detected; thus, prevent overheating and enhance the overall safety, as recognized by Viroli [Viroli, Par.0051].
Regarding claim 15, Franco in view of Yun teaches the method set forth in claim 11, but does not explicitly teach:
wherein the function and/or the operating process is triggered by the acceleration sensor dependent on additional information received from a temperature sensor, monitoring temperature conditions of the item.
Viroli teaches a method for controlling a household appliance (Viroli Abstract):
wherein the function and/or the operating process is triggered by the acceleration sensor dependent on additional information received from a temperature sensor, monitoring temperature conditions of the item (Viroli Par.0029 teaches: “the cooking vessel comprises and/or is provided for receiving at least one vibration sensor and/or temperature sensor for detecting a boiling of a liquid in said cooking vessel”, and Viroli Par.0051 teaches: “After the boiling of the liquid has been detected or the predicted or estimated boiling time tBP has been reached, respectively, the transferred power P is reduced from the high power value to the simmering power PS.”; therefore, Viroli teaches the function and/or the operating process to reduce the power from high power value to the simmering power is triggered by the acceleration sensor dependent on additional information received from the temperature sensor monitoring temperature conditions of the cooking vessel).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Franco in view of Yun, by adding temperature sensor and adding the teachings of the function and/or the operating process is triggered by the acceleration sensor dependent on additional information received from a temperature sensor, monitoring temperature conditions of the item, as taught by Viroli, in order to detect the boiling of liquid in the cooking vessel in order to trigger the corresponding function and/or the operating process of the induction heating cooktop, in this case, the temperature is reduced to simmering after the boiling is detected; thus, prevent overheating and enhance the overall safety, as recognized by Viroli [Viroli, Par.0051].
Regarding claim 17, Franco in view of Yun and Viroli teaches the apparatus set forth in claim 4, and also teaches:
said specific operating conditions comprising a boiling of a fluid (Viroli Par.0055 teaches: “The boiling of the liquid in the cooking vessel may be detected by the vibration sensor or by the temperature sensor. For example, a suitable vibration sensor is the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer. Said MEMS accelerometer detects the vibrations caused by bubbles formed in the liquid.”; therefore, Viroli teaches specific operating conditions comprising a boiling of a fluid, as cited and incorporated in the rejection of claim 4 above).
Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Franco et al. (EP 2600690 A2, previously cited) in view of Yun (WO 2019050254 A1, newly cited), and further in view of Gil et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2018/0352613 A1, previously cited).
Regarding claim 5, Franco in view of Yun teaches the apparatus as set forth in claim 1, but does not teach:
wherein the acceleration sensor is an add-on module connected to the household appliance and allocated to the panel of the household appliance.
Gil teaches a household appliance (cooking system 36, Gil Fig.1):
wherein the acceleration sensor (position sensor 20 including the acceleration sensor, Gil Figs.1-2 & Par.0038) (Gil Par.0038 teaches: “the positioning unit 20 has an acceleration sensor (not shown)”) is an add-on module (add-on module is pad device 10, Gil Figs.1-2; it is noted that acceleration sensor is add-on module because it is part of the movable pad device 10, Gil Figs.1-2) connected to the household appliance (cooking system 36, Gil Fig.1) and allocated to the panel (stovetop 38, Gil Fig.1) (it is noted that the panel of the Instant Application is the top plate of the induction cooking hob 1, specifically, Fig.1 of the Instant Application shows the panel 3 of the induction cooking hob 1; therefore, the prior art Gil stovetop 38 and the Instant Application panel 3 are equivalent) of the household appliance (cooking system 36, Gil Fig.1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Franco in view of Yun, by adding the pad device to make the acceleration sensor being add-on module connected to the household appliance and allocated to the panel of the household appliance, as taught by Gil, in order to achieve flexibility because the pad device including the acceleration sensor is realized in the form of a separate unit, thus, it can be positioned at any required position on the panel of the household appliance, and can be advantageously moveable relative to the stovetop; furthermore, the pad device including the acceleration sensor can be use with various stovetops, as recognized by Gil [Gil, Par.0005].
Claims 6-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Franco et al. (EP 2600690 A2, previously cited) in view of Yun (WO 2019050254 A1, newly cited), Gil et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2018/0352613 A1, previously cited), and further in view of Viroli et al. (EP 3413687 A1, previously cited).
Regarding claim 6, Franco in view of Yun and Gil teaches the apparatus set forth in claim 5, but does not teach:
wherein the add-on module is adapted to perform or activate a boil detection function.
Viroli teaches a household appliance (Viroli Fig.3):
wherein the add-on module (it is noted that the Gil already teaches the acceleration sensor is add-on module, as cited and incorporated in the rejection of claim 5 above) is adapted to perform or activate a boil detection function (it is noted that the limitation “perform or activate” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination; in this case, Viroli teaches the acceleration sensor is adapt to perform a boil detection function, specifically, Viroli Par.0026 teaches: “a boil-over of the liquid in the cooking vessel is detected by the vibration sensor”, Viroli Par.0055 teaches: “The boiling of the liquid in the cooking vessel may be detected by the vibration sensor or by the temperature sensor. For example, a suitable vibration sensor is the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer. Said MEMS accelerometer detects the vibrations caused by bubbles formed in the liquid.”; therefore, in combination, Franco in view of Yun, Gil and Viroli teaches the add-on module including the acceleration sensor is adapted to perform a boil detection function).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Franco in view of Yun and Gil, by adding the teaching of the acceleration sensor is adapted to perform a boil detection function, as taught by Viroli, in order to detect the boiling of liquid in the cooking vessel in order to trigger the corresponding function and/or the operating process of the induction heating cooktop such as the temperature is reduced to simmering after the boiling is detected; thus, prevent overheating and enhance the overall safety, as recognized by Viroli [Viroli, Par.0051].
Regarding claim 7, Franco in view of Yun, Gil and Viroli teaches the apparatus set forth in claim 6, Gil also teaches:
wherein the add-on module (pad device 10, Gil Figs.1-2; as cited and incorporated in the rejection of claim 5 above) comprises control elements (control unit 26 and operating element 46, Gil Fig.2) for user inputs (Gil Par.0043 teaches: “The pad device 10 has an operating element 46 for an input of operating parameters. The operating element 46 is realized in the form of a touch-slider”, and Gil Par.0044 teaches: “The control unit 26 controls and/or regulates a cooking process taking place in the cooking vessel 16 in the heating operating mode depending on the operating input.”).
Claims 9-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Franco et al. (EP 2600690 A2, previously cited) in view of Yun (WO 2019050254 A1, newly cited), and further in view of Robbins et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0208858 A1, previously cited).
Regarding claim 9, Franco in view of Yun teaches the apparatus as set forth in claim 1, but does not teach:
wherein the acceleration sensor is configured to communicate wirelessly with the control unit and/or with the user interface of the household appliance and/or with an external device or module or sensor unit.
Robbins teaches a household appliance (Robbins Figs.1A-1C):
wherein the acceleration sensor (accelerometer 134, Robbins Fig.1B) is configured to communicate wirelessly with the control unit and/or with the user interface of the household appliance and/or with an external device (“external computing device”, Robbins Par.0071) or module or sensor unit (it is noted that the limitation “with the control unit and/or with the user interface of the household appliance and/or with an external device or module or sensor unit” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination; in this case, Robbins teaches the accelerometer 134 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the external computing device because Robbins Par.0071 teaches: “the wireless communication module 160 can additionally or alternatively transmit—to the external computing device—a third value corresponding to an output of the accelerometer 134”).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Franco in view of Yun, by adding the teaching of the acceleration sensor configured to communicate wirelessly with the external computing device, as taught by Robbins, in order to receive output from the acceleration sensor remotely and to remotely control the operation of the cooking apparatus according to the output from the acceleration sensor; thus, increase convenience and flexibility.
Regarding claim 10, Franco in view of Yun and Robbins teaches the apparatus as set forth in claim 9, Robbins also teaches:
wherein the external device (“external computing device”, Robbins Par.0071; as cited and incorporated in the rejection of claim 9 above) or module or sensor unit (it is noted that the limitation “the external device or module or sensor unit” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination) is an external computing device (the Robbins external device is the external computing device, as indicated by Robbins Par.0071), or a sensor means or module (it is noted that the limitation “an external computing device, or a sensor means or module” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination) arranged or arrangeable on the panel or distant therefrom (it is noted that the limitation “arranged or arrangeable on the panel or distant therefrom” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination) (Robbins Fig.6 shows the external computing device is distant from the panel) and controlling or monitoring (it is noted that the limitation “controlling or monitoring” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination) the panel and/or an item placed thereon (apparatus 100, Robbins Figs.1A-1C, 6) (it is noted that the limitation “the panel and/or an item placed thereon” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination) (in this case, Robbins teaches the external computing device is distant from the panel and controlling the apparatus 100, as shown in Robbins Fig.6).
Claims 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Franco et al. (EP 2600690 A2, previously cited) in view of Li (U.S. Pub. No. 2019/0138155 A1, previously cited), Viroli et al. (EP 3413687 A1, previously cited), and further in view of Ortmann (U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0084507 A1, newly cited).
Regarding claim 19, Franco discloses a household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1) comprising:
a cooking hob (induction hob 38a, Franco Fig.1; Franco Translated Par.0018 discloses: “36a designed as an induction hob 38a”) having a top panel (cooking plate 10a is the top plate, Franco Fig.1) (it is noted that the panel of the Instant Application is the top plate of the induction cooking hob 1, specifically, Fig.1 of the Instant Application shows the top panel 3 of the induction cooking hob 1; therefore, the prior art Franco cooking plate 10a and the Instant Application top panel 3 are equivalent) comprising a first cooking zone (first cooking zone is the cooking zone that is associated with the heating unit 16a, Franco annotated Fig.1 below) and a second cooking zone (second cooking zone is the cooking zone that is associated with another heating unit 16a, Franco annotated Fig.1 below; it is noted that Franco discloses there are multiple heating units 16a in Franco Translated Pars.0020-0021, this is also indicated in Franco Translated Par.0006: “In this context, a "matrix hob" is to be understood in particular as a hob in which the heating units are arranged in a preferably regular grid under the hob plate and an area of the hob plate that can be heated by means of the heating units preferably comprises at least 60%, in particular at least 70%, advantageously at least 80% and particularly advantageously at least 90% of the surface of the hob plate. In particular, the matrix hob comprises at least 10, in particular at least 20, advantageously at least 30 and particularly advantageously at least 40 heating units. In this context, a "heating unit arranged to be movable beneath the hob plate" is to be understood in particular as a heating unit which is movable parallel to the hob plate, in particular via a guide unit beneath the hob plate.”), the first cooking zone (first cooking zone is the cooking zone that is associated with the heating unit 16a, Franco annotated Fig.1 below) and second cooking zone (second cooking zone is the cooking zone that is associated with another heating unit 16a, Franco annotated Fig.1 below; it is noted that Franco discloses there are multiple heating units 16a in Franco Translated Pars.0020-0021 and as explained previously) each being adapted to receive a cooking utensil (cooking utensil 14a, Franco Fig.1) thereon (since the first cooking zone and the second cooking zone each is cooking zone having heating unit, thus, each being adapted to receive a cooking utensil);
an acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1 & Translated Par.0020) (Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning measuring unit 18a comprises a positioning sensor 22a designed as a vibration sensor 28a … The positioning sensor 22a is designed as an accelerometer”) configured to detect vibrations imparted to the top panel (cooking plate 10a, Franco Fig.1) (Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning sensor 22a is designed to detect any movement that occurs when the cooking utensil 14a is placed in the cooking plate 10a. to detect sound waves.”, and Franco Translated Par.0007 discloses: “A "vibration sensor" is to be understood in particular as a sensor unit which is intended to detect vibrations generated by placing the cooking utensil on the hob plate, in particular those which are generated in the hob plate and propagate there. An "accelerometer" is understood to mean, in particular, a sensor unit which is intended to measure an acceleration, in particular by determining an inertial force acting on a test mass”; therefore, Franco discloses vibration sensor 28a configured to detect vibrations imparted to the cooking plate 10a);
a user interface (user interface 46a, Franco Fig.1) configured to receive user inputs for controlling the cooking hob (induction hob 38a, Franco Fig.1) and to display status information to a user concerning operation of the cooking hob (induction hob 38a, Franco Fig.1) (Franco Translated Par.0019 discloses: “The operator interface 46a includes a display unit and several touch-sensitive buttons”, and Franco Par.0022 discloses: “If this is the case, the control unit 20a initiates an operator request to select cooking parameters for the cooking utensil 14a via the operator interface 46a in a step 72a. If the installation position 12a was not found, an error message is output via the operator interface 46a in a step 74a.”; therefore, Franco discloses the user interface 46a configured to receive user inputs for controlling the cooking hob and to display status information to a user concerning operation of the cooking hob); and
a controller (control unit 20a, Franco Fig.1) operatively coupled to the user interface (user interface 46a, Franco Fig.1) (Franco Translated Par.0022 discloses: “the control unit 20a initiates an operator request to select cooking parameters for the cooking utensil 14a via the operator interface 46a”), to the acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1) (Franco Translated Par.0021 discloses: “Only the control unit 20a operates in a low-energy state and supplies the positioning sensor 22a of the positioning measuring unit 18a with energy.”) and to respective heating elements (“heating units 16a”, Franco Translated Par.0021) (Franco Translated Par.0022 discloses: “the control unit 20a initiates an operator request to select cooking parameters for the cooking utensil 14a via the operator interface 46a in a step 72a.”, and Franco Translated Par.0006 discloses: “as soon as a cooking utensil is detected, the hob recognizes this, switches to an active state and requests an operator input of a heating power and/or a cooking program for heating the cooking utensil”; thus, the cooking parameters associated with power delivered to the heating units; therefore, Franco discloses the control unit 20a operatively coupled to the heating units 16a) for delivering power to each of the first cooking zone (first cooking zone is the cooking zone that is associated with the heating unit 16a, Franco Fig.1) and second cooking zone (second cooking zone is the cooking zone that is associated with another heating unit 16a because Franco discloses there are multiple heating units 16a in Franco Translated Par.0021) (Franco Translated Par.0021 discloses: “The power supplies of all heating units 16a”);
the acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1 & Translated Par.0020) being configured to transmit to the controller (control unit 20a, Franco Fig.1) information concerning vibrations detected at the top panel (cooking plate 10a, Franco Fig.1) (Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The control unit 20a is provided to initiate a determination of the installation position upon receipt of a signal by the installation measuring unit 18a … The positioning sensor 22a is designed to detect any movement that occurs when the cooking utensil 14a is placed in the cooking plate 10a. to detect sound waves.”; therefore, Franco discloses the sensor 28a being configured to transmit to the control unit 20a information concerning vibrations detected at the cooking plate 10a);
wherein the controller (control unit 20a, Franco Fig.1) is configured to:
activate a pot detection function upon detection by the acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1) of a soft shock (it is noted that the Instant Application defines the “soft shock” as a shock or vibration during the placing of the item, according to the Instant Application on page 3 lines 5-12: “During the placing of the item, usually a shock or vibration, even thought it might be only a soft shock, is caused to the storage or to the work surface, which shock or vibration may be detectable and/or measurable. In order to detect also a soft placing, the detection and/or measuring means may comprise specifically sensitive sensing elements and particularly an extremely low noise evaluation circuit.”; in this case, the placing of the cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a causes vibration, thus, it causes soft shock) corresponding to placement of the cooking utensil (cooking utensil 14a, Franco Fig.1) on the first cooking zone (see the first cooking zone in Franco annotated Fig.1 below) or the second cooking zone (see the second cooking zone in Franco annotated Fig.1 below) (it is noted that the limitation “the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone” is in alternative form, therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination) (Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The control unit 20a is provided to initiate a determination of the installation position upon receipt of a signal by the installation measuring unit 18a … As soon as the positioning sensor 22a detects the positioning of the cooking utensil 14a by receiving the sound waves, the control unit 20a initiates the positioning position determination.”, and Franco Translated Par.0021 discloses: “At the beginning, it is assumed that the hob 36a is in a standby state. The power supplies of all heating units 16a and the operator interface 46a are interrupted. Only the control unit 20a operates in a low-energy state and supplies the positioning sensor 22a of the positioning measuring unit 18a with energy. In a step 60a, it is assumed that the positioning sensor 22a registers a vibration. The control unit 20a thereby transitions from the low-energy state to a normal operating state. At this point, it may be provided in particular to check by means of a frequency analysis whether the vibration registered by the positioning sensor 22a is actually a vibration which is caused by placing a metallic object, in particular the cooking utensil 14a, on the cooking plate 10a. If this is not the case, the control unit 20a can return to the low-energy state. However, if the vibration is actually relevant for placing the cooking utensil 14a on the hob plate 10a or if a frequency analysis is not carried out, the control unit 20a initiates the installation position determination with a step 68a.”, Franco Par.0022 discloses: “In step 68a, as previously described, the heating unit 16a is used to search for the installation position 12a of the cooking utensil 14a. In a step 70a, the control unit 20a checks whether the installation position 12a has been found. If this is the case, the control unit 20a initiates an operator request to select cooking parameters for the cooking utensil 14a via the operator interface 46a in a step 72a. If the installation position 12a was not found, an error message is output via the operator interface 46a in a step 74a. Alternatively or additionally, an acoustic signal may be provided.”; therefore, Franco discloses the activation of the pot detection function of the induction hob 38a is triggered by the acceleration sensor 28a as a result of the detection of acceleration by placing of cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a of the cooking hob 38a)
PNG
media_image1.png
636
929
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Franco does not disclose the controller is configured to
execute a first particular function of the household appliance upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a predetermined pattern of vibrations, corresponding to a gesture-control input by a user tapping or knocking on the top plate, that is associated with said first particular function;
adjust the power delivered to the first cooking zone or to the second cooking zone, respectively, upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a pattern of vibrations corresponding to cavitation in a boiling liquid in the cooking utensil placed on the first cooking zone or second cooking zone; and
cause the user interface to display an indication of the cooking utensil placed on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a soft shock corresponding to placement of the cooking utensil on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone.
Li teaches a household appliance (Li Figs.1A-1B) comprising a controller (“control apparatus”, Li Par.0009) configured to:
execute a first particular function of the household appliance upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a predetermined pattern of vibrations, corresponding to a gesture-control input by a user tapping or knocking on the top plate, that is associated with said first particular function (Li Par.0009 teaches: “the panel has one or more touch regions, and each touch region may represent one function, e.g. a corresponding function may be activated by knocking or tapping the touch region. Here, the acoustic sensor(s) is/are respectively allocated to the corresponding touch region(s), for the purpose of detecting a sound wave generated by knocking or tapping the panel, and sending a corresponding sound wave signal to the control apparatus in a wired or wireless manner. The control apparatus may be arranged to further determine the knocked or tapped touch region by analytical processing of the signal of the acoustic sensor, for the purpose of activating the function represented by the knocked or tapped touch region”, and Li Par.0010 teaches: “since the present invention senses a sound wave generated when a human body or an object knocks or taps the panel”, and Li Par.0053 teaches: “The control apparatus for example can exclude interference on the basis of amplitudes and/or phases of signals from the acoustic sensors 21, 22 and the auxiliary acoustic sensors 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d. When the device itself vibrates, all the sensors, i.e. the acoustic sensors together with the auxiliary acoustic sensors, obtain similar signals. However, for example when a finger knocks or taps a corresponding touch region 91, the corresponding acoustic sensor 21 obtains the strongest signal. Interference caused by vibration of the device itself can be excluded on the basis of the divergence expounded in relation to FIG. 2. Similarly, when knocking or tapping occurs outside the touch regions, e.g. when knocking or tapping occurs close to the auxiliary acoustic sensor 2 a, the acoustic sensor 21 also has a relatively large signal, but this signal is smaller than a signal of the auxiliary acoustic sensor 2 a, and interference can thereby be excluded. ”; therefore, Li teaches execute a first particular function, which is determining the knocked or tapped touch region by analytical processing of the signal of the acoustic sensor, for the purpose of activating the function represented by the knocked or tapped touch region upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a predetermined pattern of vibrations, corresponding to a gesture-control input by a user tapping or knocking on the top plate, that is associated with said first particular function)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Franco, by adding the teaching of the controller configured to execute a first particular function of the household appliance upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a predetermined pattern of vibrations, corresponding to a gesture-control input by a user tapping or knocking on the top plate, that is associated with said first particular function, as taught by Li, in order to activate the function represented by the knocked or tapped touch region and thus, increase convenience such as multi-tasking potential by activating the cooker effortlessly while actively stirring, chopping, or attending to other tasks.
Franco in view of Li teaches the apparatus as set forth above, but does not teach the controller is configured to
adjust the power delivered to the first cooking zone or to the second cooking zone, respectively, upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a pattern of vibrations corresponding to cavitation in a boiling liquid in the cooking utensil placed on the first cooking zone or second cooking zone, and
cause the user interface to display an indication of the cooking utensil placed on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a soft shock corresponding to placement of the cooking utensil on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone
Viroli teaches a household appliance (Viroli Fig.3) comprising a controller (“control device”, Viroli Par.0032) configured to:
adjust the power delivered to the first cooking zone or to the second cooking zone (it is noted that the limitation “to the first cooking zone or to the second cooking zone” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination; in this case, since the primary reference Franco already discloses the first and the second cooking zones, see the Franco annotated Fig.1 above; and the claim language requires the first or the second cooking zone; thus, the Viroli cooking zone where the Viroli cooking utensil is placed on is interpreted to be either the first or the second cooking zone) (Viroli Par.0032 teaches: “the cooking appliance comprises at least one control device for adjusting the power transferred to the cooking vessel”; Viroli Par.0050 teaches: “When boiling of the liquid is detected at a boiling time tB, then the transferred power P is reduced from the high power value to a simmering power PS”), respectively, upon detection by the acceleration sensor (“vibration sensor”, Viroli Par.0026) of a pattern of vibrations corresponding to cavitation in a boiling liquid in the cooking utensil placed on the first cooking zone or second cooking zone (it is noted that the limitation “the first cooking zone or second cooking zone” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was required during examination; in this case, since the primary reference Franco already discloses the first and the second cooking zones, see the Franco annotated Fig.1 above; and the claim language requires the first or the second cooking zone; thus, the Viroli cooking zone where the Viroli cooking utensil is placed on is interpreted to be either the first or the second cooking zone) (Viroli Par.0026 teaches: “a boil-over of the liquid in the cooking vessel is detected by the vibration sensor.”, Viroli Par.0055 teaches: “The boiling of the liquid in the cooking vessel may be detected by the vibration sensor or by the temperature sensor. For example, a suitable vibration sensor is the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer. Said MEMS accelerometer detects the vibrations caused by bubbles formed in the liquid.”, and Viroli Par.0050 teaches: “When boiling of the liquid is detected at a boiling time tB, then the transferred power P is reduced from the high power value to a simmering power PS”; therefore, Viroli teaches the controller configured to adjust the power delivered to the first cooking zone or to the second cooking zone, respectively, upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a pattern of vibrations corresponding to cavitation in a boiling liquid in a cooking utensil in the respective first or second cooking zone)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Franco in view of Li, by adding the teaching of the controller configured to adjust the power delivered to the first cooking zone or to the second cooking zone, respectively, upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a pattern of vibrations corresponding to cavitation in a boiling liquid in the cooking utensil in the first cooking zone or second cooking zone, as taught by Viroli, in order to in order to determine once a boiling state is reached to properly control the power supplied to the heating zone, which supports the boiling substance, e.g. in a manner to simmer the substance after boiling, or an indication can be provided in order to allow a user to respond to the substance boiling by taking appropriate control measures or e.g. putting the noodles into the boiling water; thus, prevent overheating and enhance the overall safety.
Franco in view of Li and Viroli does not teach:
cause the user interface to display an indication of the cooking utensil placed on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a soft shock corresponding to placement of the cooking utensil on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone
Ortmann teaches a household appliance (stove top 1, Ortmann Fig.4) comprising a controller (control unit 17, Ortmann Fig.4) is configured to:
cause the user interface (display unit 4, Ortmann Fig.4) to display an indication of the cooking utensil (cookware 18, Ortmann Fig.4) placed on the first cooking zone (cooking zones 3a, 3b, 3c; Ortmann Fig.4) or the second cooking zone (cooking zones 3d, 3e, 3f; Ortmann Fig.4) upon detection of a soft shock corresponding to placement of the cooking utensil on the first cooking zone (cooking zones 3a, 3b, 3c; Ortmann Fig.4) or the second cooking zone (cooking zones 3d, 3e, 3f; Ortmann Fig.4) (Ortmann Par.0049 teaches: “The control unit 17 is configured, depending on the identification of at least one item of cookware on the cooking zone 3, to display optically the partial area of the symbol depiction 12 corresponding to that located on the cooking zone and in terms of size to the at least to one item of cookware, by activating the lighting device functionally assigned to the symbol depiction 12.”, and Ortmann Par.0050 teaches: “Thus in the context according to the view in FIG. 2, an item of cookware 18 is placed in a left-hand front region of the surface of the cooking zone 3. By means of the control unit 17, this is identified and evaluated by the information obtained by the pot identification device. At the same time it is also identified that the base of the item of cookware 18 is located with a larger surface area inside the occupied column area 3 a, so that for the depiction by way of symbols of the position of the item of cookware 18 on the cooking zone 3, the display field 6 assigned to the occupied column area 3 a is activated by the control unit 17 and also those light sources 13 of the lighting device 14 which are arranged to the left at the front are activated and illuminated, for illuminating the symbol depiction 12 of the display region 6. The number of positionally activated light sources 13 in this case is dependent on the respective bottom surface of the item of cookware 18 so that with larger items of cookware more light sources are positionally activated than with smaller items of cookware.”. It is noted that the primary reference Franco already discloses the controller is configured to activate pot detection function upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a soft shock corresponding to placement of the cooking utensil on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone, as cited and explained in detail above. In this case, Ortmann teaches a controller is configured to cause the user interface to display an indication of the cooking utensil placed on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone upon detection of a soft shock corresponding to placement of the cooking utensil on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone. Therefore, in combination, Franco in view of Li, Viroli and Ortmann teaches a controller is configured to cause the user interface to display an indication of the cooking utensil placed on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a soft shock corresponding to placement of the cooking utensil on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Franco in view of Li and Viroli, by adding the teaching of controller is configured to cause the user interface to display an indication of the cooking utensil placed on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone upon detection of a soft shock corresponding to placement of the cooking utensil on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone, as taught by Ortmann, in order to provide the user with a more informative and intuitively comprehensible indication of the location of the detected cooking utensil on the cooking surface, thereby enabling the user to readily identify which cooking zone is occupied by the cooking utensil. Thus, improving ease of operation of the cooking appliance, enhancing overall safety, and also preventing energy waste.
Regarding claim 20, Franco in view of Li, Viroli and Ortmann teaches the apparatus set forth in claim 19, Franco does not disclose further comprising
a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature associated with the first cooking zone, wherein the controller adjusts said power delivery to the first cooking zone and/or causes the user interface to display said indication of the placed cooking utensil on said first cooking zone, based on both vibration data from the acceleration sensor and temperature data associated with the first cooking zone from the temperature sensor.
Viroli teaches a household appliance (Viroli Fig.3) comprising:
a temperature sensor (“temperature sensor”, Viroli Par.0055) configured to detect a temperature associated with the first cooking zone (the location where the Viroli cooking vessel is placed on is interpreted to be the first cooking zone) (Viroli Par.0033 teaches “the cooking appliance may comprise at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature and/or the boiling of the liquid in the cooking vessel”, it is noted that the location where the Viroli cooking vessel is placed on is interpreted to be the first cooking zone; therefore, Viroli teaches the temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature associated with the first cooking zone), wherein the controller (“control device”, Viroli Par.0032) adjusts said power delivery to the first cooking zone (the location where the Viroli cooking vessel is placed on is interpreted to be the first cooking zone) and/or causes the user interface to display said indication of the placed cooking utensil on said first cooking zone (the location where the Viroli cooking vessel is placed on is interpreted to be the first cooking zone) (it is noted that the limitation “adjusts said power delivery to the first cooking zone and/or causes the user interface to display said indication of the placed cooking utensil on said first cooking zone” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was given patentable weight during examination; in this case, Viroli teaches the controller adjusts said power delivery to the first cooking zone because Viroli Par.0032 teaches: “the cooking appliance comprises at least one control device for adjusting the power transferred to the cooking vessel”; Viroli Par.0050 teaches: “When boiling of the liquid is detected at a boiling time tB, then the transferred power P is reduced from the high power value to a simmering power PS”), based on both vibration data from the acceleration sensor (“vibration sensor”, Viroli Par.0029) and temperature data associated with the first cooking zone from the temperature sensor (“temperature sensor”, Viroli Par.0029) (Viroli Par.0029 teaches: “the cooking vessel comprises and/or is provided for receiving at least one vibration sensor and/or temperature sensor for detecting a boiling of a liquid in said cooking vessel”, and Viroli Par.0050 teaches: “When boiling of the liquid is detected at a boiling time tB, then the transferred power P is reduced from the high power value to a simmering power PS”; therefore, Viroli teaches the controller adjusts said power delivery to the first cooking based on both vibration data from the acceleration sensor and temperature data associated with the first cooking zone from the temperature sensor).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Franco in view of Li, Viroli and Ortmann, by adding the temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature associated with the first cooking zone, wherein the controller adjusts said power delivery to the first cooking zone based on both vibration data from the acceleration sensor and temperature data associated with the first cooking zone from the temperature sensor, as taught by Viroli, in order to detect the boiling of liquid in the cooking vessel in order to trigger the corresponding function and/or the operating process of the induction heating cooktop such as the temperature is reduced to simmering after the boiling is detected; thus, prevent overheating and enhance the overall safety, as recognized by Viroli [Viroli, Par.0051].
Claim 21 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Franco et al. (EP 2600690 A2, previously cited) in view of Yun (WO 2019050254 A1, newly cited), and further in view of Herz et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2008/0165022 A1, newly cited).
Regarding claim 21, Franco in view of Yun teaches the apparatus set forth in claim 1, but does not explicitly teach:
wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises stopping an acoustic or optical signal provider.
Herz teaches:
wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises stopping an acoustic or optical signal provider (It is noted that the limitation “an acoustic or optical signal provider” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was required during examination. In this case, Herz teaches the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises stopping an acoustic signal provider because Herz Par.0012 teaches: “The one or more programs are configured to determine whether the signals from the accelerometer are due to a predetermined type of user gesture exerted on the portable electronic device and, if the movement is due to the predetermined type of user gesture and the alert status data show the alert annunciator is emitting an audible alert signal, to silence the audible alert signal”).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the apparatus of Franco in view of Yun, by adding the teaching of the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises stopping acoustic signal provider, as taught by Herz, in order to provide a more convenient and intuitive user interface that allows an ongoing audible alert to be quicky silenced without requiring operation of a separate conventional control.
Claim 22 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Franco et al. (EP 2600690 A2, previously cited) in view of Yun (WO 2019050254 A1, newly cited), and further in view of Ortmann (U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0084507 A1, newly cited).
Regarding claim 22, Franco in view of Yun teaches the apparatus set forth in claim 1, Franco in view of Yun does not explicitly teach:
wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises activating the user interface when the user interface is in a stand-by mode, or lighting up or switching on illumination means for the user interface when the user interface is dimmed.
Ortmann teaches a household appliance (stove top 1, Ortmann Fig.4) comprising:
wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor (It is noted that the primary reference Franco already discloses the controller is configured to activate pot detection function upon detection by the acceleration sensor of a soft shock corresponding to placement of the cooking utensil on the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone, as cited and explained in detail in the rejection of claim 1 above) comprises activating the user interface when the user interface is in a stand-by mode, or lighting up or switching on illumination means for the user interface when the user interface is dimmed (It is noted that the limitation “activating the user interface when the user interface is in a stand-by mode, or lighting up or switching on illumination means for the user interface when the user interface is dimmed” is in alternative form; therefore, only one of these was required during examination. In this case, Ortmann teaches lighting up or switching on illumination means for the user interface when the user interface is dimmed because Ortmann Par.0049 teaches: “The control unit 17 is configured, depending on the identification of at least one item of cookware on the cooking zone 3, to display optically the partial area of the symbol depiction 12 corresponding to that located on the cooking zone and in terms of size to the at least to one item of cookware, by activating the lighting device functionally assigned to the symbol depiction 12.”, and Ortmann Par.0050 teaches: “Thus in the context according to the view in FIG. 2, an item of cookware 18 is placed in a left-hand front region of the surface of the cooking zone 3. By means of the control unit 17, this is identified and evaluated by the information obtained by the pot identification device. At the same time it is also identified that the base of the item of cookware 18 is located with a larger surface area inside the occupied column area 3 a, so that for the depiction by way of symbols of the position of the item of cookware 18 on the cooking zone 3, the display field 6 assigned to the occupied column area 3 a is activated by the control unit 17 and also those light sources 13 of the lighting device 14 which are arranged to the left at the front are activated and illuminated, for illuminating the symbol depiction 12 of the display region 6. The number of positionally activated light sources 13 in this case is dependent on the respective bottom surface of the item of cookware 18 so that with larger items of cookware more light sources are positionally activated than with smaller items of cookware.”.)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Franco in view of Yun, by adding the teaching of lighting up or switching on illumination means for the user interface when the user interface is dimmed, as taught by Ortmann, in order to provide the user with a more informative and intuitively comprehensible indication of the location of the detected cooking utensil on the cooking surface, thereby enabling the user to readily identify which cooking zone is occupied by the cooking utensil. Thus, improving ease of operation of the cooking appliance, enhancing overall safety, and also preventing energy waste.
Claim 24 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Franco et al. (EP 2600690 A2, previously cited) in view of Yun (WO 2019050254 A1, newly cited), and further in view of Sakamoto (U.S. Patent No. 4,703,151 A, newly cited).
Regarding claim 24, Franco in view of Yun teaches the apparatus set forth in claim 1, but does not explicitly teach:
wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises estimating or determining a weight of the item.
Sakamoto teaches a household appliance (Sakamoto Abstract teaches a heating cooking appliance):
wherein the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises estimating or determining a weight of the item (Sakamoto Claim 3 teaches: “A heating cooking appliance having a weight detecting function comprising a heating chamber for accommodating and heating food; a heat source for heating the food; a table which mounts the food thereon and whose vibration frequency varies depending on the weight of the food; means for detecting the state of the vibration of said table which is generated when the food is mounted on said table; and a processing section for calculating the weight of the food from a result of the detection of the state of the vibration of said table”; therefore, Sakamoto teaches the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises estimating or determining a weight of the item).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the apparatus of Franco in view of Yun, by adding the teaching of the function and/or the operating process triggered by the acceleration sensor comprises estimating or determining a weight of the item, as taught by Sakamoto, in order to automatically determine the weight of the placed cookware or food and use that weight to appropriately control cooking parameters, as recognized by Sakamoto [Sakamoto, Claim 3]; thereby eliminating a separate weighing step and improving convenience and cooking accuracy.
Claim 25 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Franco et al. (EP 2600690 A2, previously cited) in view of Viroli et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0245327 A1, previously cited).
Regarding claim 25, Franco discloses a household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1) comprising:
a wall or panel (cooking plate 10a, Franco Fig.1);
an acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1 & Translated Par.0020) (Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning measuring unit 18a comprises a positioning sensor 22a designed as a vibration sensor 28a … The positioning sensor 22a is designed as an accelerometer”), wherein the acceleration sensor (positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a; Franco Fig.1 & Translated Par.0020) is adapted to:
recognize a gesture control input (gesture control input is when the user interacts with the cooktop 36a, in this instant case, when the user placing the cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a of the cooktop 36a; in this case, Franco discloses the sensor 22a is adapt to recognized the placement of the cooking utensil 14a on the cooking plate 10a; specifically, Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The positioning sensor 22a is designed to detect any movement that occurs when the cooking utensil 14a is placed in the cooking plate 10a. to detect sound waves.”, and Franco Translated Par.0007 discloses: “A "vibration sensor" is to be understood in particular as a sensor unit which is intended to detect vibrations generated by placing the cooking utensil on the hob plate, in particular those which are generated in the hob plate and propagate there. An "accelerometer" is understood to mean, in particular, a sensor unit which is intended to measure an acceleration, in particular by determining an inertial force acting on a test mass”) on the panel or the wall (cooking plate 10a, Franco Fig.1), and
provide a trigger signal in response to recognizing the gesture control input, the trigger signal being adapted to trigger an operation of the household appliance (cooktop 36a, Franco Fig.1) (Franco Translated Pars.0020-0022 describes in detail about provide a trigger signal in response to recognizing the gesture control input, the trigger signal being adapted to trigger an operation of the household appliance, specifically, the positioning measuring unit 18a comprising positioning sensor 22a designed as vibration sensor 28a being adapted to provide trigger signal for control of function and/or operating process in the cooktop 36a when the cooking utensil 14a is placed on the cooking plate 10a of the cooktop 36a; specifically, Franco Translated Par.0020 discloses: “The control unit 20a is provided to initiate a determination of the installation position upon receipt of a signal by the installation measuring unit 18a … As soon as the positioning sensor 22a detects the positioning of the cooking utensil 14a by receiving the sound waves, the control unit 20a initiates the positioning position determination.”, and Franco Translated Par.0021 discloses: “At the beginning, it is assumed that the hob 36a is in a standby state. The power supplies of all heating units 16a and the operator interface 46a are interrupted. Only the control unit 20a operates in a low-energy state and supplies the positioning sensor 22a of the positioning measuring unit 18a with energy. In a step 60a, it is assumed that the positioning sensor 22a registers a vibration. The control unit 20a thereby transitions from the low-energy state to a normal operating state. At this point, it may be provided in particular to check by means of a frequency analysis whether the vibration registered by the positioning sensor 22a is actually a vibration which is caused by placing a metallic object, in particular the cooking utensil 14a, on the cooking plate 10a. If this is not the case, the control unit 20a can return to the low-energy state. However, if the vibration is actually relevant for placing the cooking utensil 14a on the hob plate 10a or if a frequency analysis is not carried out, the control unit 20a initiates the installation position determination with a step 68a.”, Franco Par.0022 discloses: “In step 68a, as previously described, the heating unit 16a is used to search for the installation position 12a of the cooking utensil 14a. In a step 70a, the control unit 20a checks whether the installation position 12a has been found. If this is the case, the control unit 20a initiates an operator request to select cooking parameters for the cooking utensil 14a via the operator interface 46a in a step 72a. If the installation position 12a was not found, an error message is output via the operator interface 46a in a step 74a. Alternatively or additionally, an acoustic signal may be provided.”; therefore, Franco discloses provide a trigger signal in response to recognizing the gesture control input, the trigger signal being adapted to trigger an operation of the household appliance),
Franco does not disclose:
a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature; and
wherein triggering of the operation by the acceleration sensor is further dependent on additional information received from the temperature sensor.
Viroli teaches a household appliance (Viroli Abstract) comprising:
a temperature sensor (“temperature sensor”, Viroli Par.0060) configured to detect temperature (Viroli Par.0060 teaches: “Beneficially, according to embodiments of the present invention, vibration detection is combined with temperature detection. Induction hobs are usually equipped with a zone temperature sensor that is conventionally measuring a temperature comprised of a mix of the cold temperature, glass/pot temperature and induction magnetic field.”); and
wherein triggering of the operation by the acceleration sensor is further dependent on additional information received from the temperature sensor (“temperature sensor”, Viroli Par.0060) (Viroli teaches triggering of the operation by the acceleration sensor is further dependent on additional information received from the temperature sensor because Viroli Par.0060 teaches: “Beneficially, according to embodiments of the present invention, vibration detection is combined with temperature detection. Induction hobs are usually equipped with a zone temperature sensor that is conventionally measuring a temperature comprised of a mix of the cold temperature, glass/pot temperature and induction magnetic field.”, Viroli Par.0061 teaches: “Beneficially, the determination of boiling in a substance based on vibrations and a micro-electromechanical system has a higher priority than the determination based on a temperature sensor. However, the temperature sensor can be used in case of plural fluids or substances are boiling on different heating zones and in case a boiling indication signal is generated by the generator respectively the user interface controller in order to allocate the proper heating zone.”, and Viroli Par.0062 teaches: “Beneficially, respective temperature sensors 2220 can further be used to increase the detection reliably by e.g. starting the evaluation algorithm only once a cooking zone has reached a certain temperature. Further, the detection can be stopped, if e.g. an unusual unexpected temperature is indicated by a temperature sensor associated to a heating zone.”).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the apparatus of Franco, by adding temperature sensor configured to detect temperature and adding the teachings of triggering of the operation by the acceleration sensor is further dependent on additional information received from the temperature sensor, as taught by Viroli, in order to improve detection reliability by verifying that the sensed acceleration or vibration occurs under an appropriate thermal condition, thereby reducing false or early triggering and providing more accurate control of the cooking appliance.
Conclusion
The following prior art(s) made of record and not relied upon is/are considered pertinent to Applicant’s disclosure.
Johncock et al. (U.S. Patent No. 2017/0150841 A1) discloses a cooking system includes a kitchen utensil and a cooking hob, wherein the kitchen utensil is provided with one or more sensors arranged on the kitchen utensil. The sensors include acceleration sensors, gyroscopic sensors, and inclination sensors. The cooking appliance is provided with a control unit configured to receive data from the sensors and to elaborate information on how the kitchen utensil is being used, and to control the cooking appliance accordingly.
Sakakibara et al. (U.S. Patent No. 8,247,744 B2) discloses a cooking device including a heating source for heating an object to be heated; a top plate provided on an upper surface of the device; a touch key that is provided on the top plate and is operable to input a control command by being touched with a finger; a cancel electrode provided at a periphery of the touch key; and a control unit for controlling an electricity conduction to the heating source based on the control command. When detecting that a portion of the top plate near the cancel electrode is touched with the finger, the control unit maintains a condition of electricity conduction to the heating source in time of the detection, and limits an operation based on the control command input to the touch key while detecting that the portion of the top plate near the cancel electrode is being touched with the finger.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THAO TRAN-LE whose telephone number is (571)272-7535. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00 - 5:00 EST.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, STEVEN CRABB can be reached at (571) 270-5095. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/THAO UYEN TRAN-LE/Examiner, Art Unit 3761 09/05/2026
Prosecution Insights