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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 02/12/2024 and 02/29/2024. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. In this case, the present title filed on 02/12/2024, is too long. See MPEP 606.01. The following tittle is suggested:
--Cooking appliance and method--.
Notification regarding 35 USC § 112f
The following is a quotation of AIA 35 U.S.C. 112f:
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.
In claim 1: claim limitation “a controller operably connected with the at least one heating element…” have been interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f), because it uses/they use a generic placeholder “a controller” coupled with functional language “operably connected with the at least one heating element…” without reciting sufficient structure to achieve the function. Furthermore, the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier.
Since the claim limitation(s) invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f), claim 1 has been interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification that achieves the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
A review of the specification shows that, although it is not clear, the following appears to be the corresponding structure described in the specification for the 35 U.S.C. 112f: “…terms “processing device,” “computing device,” “controller,” or the like may generally refer to any suitable processing device, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a logic device, one or more central processing units (CPUs), a graphics processing units (GPUs), processing units performing other specialized calculations, semiconductor devices, etc…” is described in the present Specification, Par.0029.
If applicant wishes to provide further explanation or dispute the examiner’s interpretation of the corresponding structure, applicant must identify the corresponding structure with reference to the specification by page and line number, and to the drawing, if any, by reference characters in response to this Office action.
If applicant does not intend to have the claim limitation(s) treated under 35 U.S.C. 112(f), applicant may amend the claim(s) so that it/they will clearly not invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f), or present a sufficient showing that the claim recites/recite sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function to preclude application of 35 U.S.C. 112(f).
For more information, see MPEP § 2173 et seq. and Supplementary Examination Guidelines for Determining Compliance With 35 U.S.C. 112 and for Treatment of Related Issues in Patent Applications, 76 FR 7162, 7167 (Feb. 9, 2011).
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.
Claims 10-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which applicant regards as the invention.
In claim 10: the method steps as cited in line 4-15, are indefinite because it is unclear what a device is used to perform the steps?
As described in the present disclosure, the steps are performed by a controller, however, the present disclosure does not describe an algorithm for performing the steps, such that the claim is indefinite. See MPEP Section 2181.II.B. Correction is required.
Thus, it is suggested the applicant to amendment the claim by including “a controller”.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the claims at issue are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The USPTO internet Web site contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit http://www.uspto.gov/forms/. The filing date of the application will determine what form should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claims 1-18 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-18 of copending Application No. 18598823.
Present application
Copending application No.18598823
1. A cooking appliance comprising: at least one heating element to selectively supply heat to a cookware item; a temperature sensor configured to selectively monitor a temperature of the cookware item; and a controller operably connected with the at least one heating element and the temperature sensor, the controller configured to perform a heating operation, the heating operation comprising: determining a temperature setpoint; determining a power level for the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint; directing the at least one heating element over a thermal analysis phase according to the determined power level; determining a temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor at a conclusion of the thermal analysis phase; determining one or more parameters for a feedback controlled cooking phase according to the determined temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, the one or more parameters comprising at least one controller gain value; and directing the at least one heating element according to the one or more determined parameters for a duration of the feedback controlled cooking phase.
2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase comprises: determining a set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value, the set of coefficients comprising a first coefficient and a second coefficient.
3. The cooking appliance of claim 2, wherein determining the set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value comprises: determining a set of proportional coefficients for a proportional gain value; determining a set of integral coefficients for an integral gain value; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for a derivative gain value.
4. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein each of the proportional gain value and the integral gain value is directly proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, and the derivative gain value is inversely proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor.
5. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase of the heating operation comprises: determining the proportional gain value using an equation incorporating the set of proportional coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; determining the integral gain value using an equation incorporating the set of integral coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; and determining the derivative gain value using an equation incorporating the set of derivative coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change.
6. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients is retrieved from a lookup table.
7. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein the heating operation further comprises: comparing the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against a predetermined threshold rate of change at the temperature setpoint; determining a material composition of the cookware item based on the comparison of the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against the predetermined threshold rate of change, wherein the cookware item comprises one of a first material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being greater than the predetermined threshold rate of change or a second material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being less than the predetermined threshold rate of change.
8. The cooking appliance of claim 7, wherein: determining the set of proportional coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; determining a set of integral coefficients for the integral gain value comprises retrieving a first set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material.
9. The cooking appliance of claim 8, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients varies according to the temperature setpoint.
10. A method of operating a cooking appliance, the cooking appliance comprising at least one heating element and a temperature sensor, the method comprising: determining a temperature setpoint for a heating operation of a cookware item; determining a power level for the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint; directing the at least one heating element over a thermal analysis phase according to the determined power level; determining a temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor at a conclusion of the thermal analysis phase; determining one or more parameters for a feedback controlled cooking phase according to the determined temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, the one or more parameters comprising at least one controller gain value; and directing the at least one heating element according to the one or more determined parameters for a duration of the feedback controlled cooking phase.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase comprises: determining a set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value, the set of coefficients comprising a first coefficient and a second coefficient.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value comprises: determining a set of proportional coefficients for a proportional gain value; determining a set of integral coefficients for an integral gain value; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for a derivative gain value.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the proportional gain value and the integral gain value is directly proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, and the derivative gain value is inversely proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase of the heating operation comprises: determining the proportional gain value using an equation incorporating the set of proportional coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; determining the integral gain value using an equation incorporating the set of integral coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; and determining the derivative gain value using an equation incorporating the set of derivative coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients is retrieved from a lookup table.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the heating operation further comprises: comparing the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against a predetermined threshold rate of change at the temperature setpoint; determining a material composition of the cookware item based on the comparison of the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against the predetermined threshold rate of change, wherein the cookware item comprises one of a first material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being greater than the predetermined threshold rate of change or a second material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being less than the predetermined threshold rate of change.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein: determining the set of proportional coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; determining a set of integral coefficients for the integral gain value comprises retrieving a first set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients varies according to the temperature setpoint.
1. A cooking appliance comprising: at least one heating element to selectively supply heat to a cookware item; a temperature sensor configured to selectively monitor a temperature of the cookware item; and a controller operably connected with the at least one heating element and the temperature sensor, the controller configured to perform a heating operation, the heating operation comprising: determining a temperature setpoint; directing the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint over a preheating phase; determining one or more parameters for a feedback controlled cooking phase according to the determined temperature setpoint, the one or more parameters comprising at least one initial controller term value; and directing the at least one heating element according to the one or more determined parameters for a duration of the feedback controlled cooking phase.
2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein determining the one or more parameters for a feedback controlled cooking phase comprises: retrieving the at least one initial controller term value from a lookup table.
3. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one initial controller term value comprises: an initial integral term value; and an initial derivative term value.
4. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein the initial derivative term value comprises a filtered derivative term value using a filter smoothing factor.
5. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein the feedback controlled cooking phase comprises a closed-loop proportional-integral-derivative (PID) algorithm.
6. The cooking appliance of claim 5, wherein the heating operation further comprises: initializing the PID algorithm with at least one of the initial integral term value or the initial derivative term value after determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase.
7. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein determining the temperature setpoint comprises at least one of: receiving an input comprising the temperature setpoint; retrieving the temperature setpoint based on a food type; or determining the temperature setpoint based on a selected cooking mode.
8. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein directing the at least one heating element based on the temperature setpoint over the preheating phase comprises: determining at least one power level for the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint; and directing the at least one heating element at the at least one determined power level for a duration of the preheating phase.
9. The cooking appliance of claim 8, wherein the at least one determined power level comprises a first power level and a second power level, and wherein the at least one heating element is directed at the first power level for a first stage of the preheating phase and directed at the second power level for a second stage of the preheating phase.
10. A method of operating a cooking appliance, the cooking appliance comprising at least one heating element and a temperature sensor, the method comprising: determining a temperature setpoint; directing the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint over a preheating phase; determining one or more parameters for a feedback controlled cooking phase according to the determined temperature setpoint, the one or more parameters comprising at least one initial controller term value; and directing the at least one heating element according to the one or more determined parameters for a duration of the feedback controlled cooking phase.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the one or more parameters for a feedback controlled cooking phase comprises: retrieving the at least one initial controller term value from a lookup table.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one initial controller term value comprises: an initial integral term value; and an initial derivative term value.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the initial derivative term value comprises a filtered derivative term value using a filter smoothing factor.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the feedback controlled cooking phase comprises a closed-loop proportional-integral-derivative (PID) algorithm.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: initializing the PID algorithm with at least one of the initial integral term value or the initial derivative term value after determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the temperature setpoint comprises at least one of: receiving an input comprising the temperature setpoint; retrieving the temperature setpoint based on a food type; or determining the temperature setpoint based on a selected cooking mode.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein directing the at least one heating element based on the temperature setpoint over the preheating phase comprises: determining at least one power level for the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint; and directing the at least one heating element at the at least one determined power level for a duration of the preheating phase.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one determined power level comprises a first power level and a second power level, and wherein the at least one heating element is directed at the first power level for a first stage of the preheating phase and directed at the second power level for a second stage of the preheating phase.
Claims 1-18 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-18 of copending Application No. 18665105.
Present application
Copending application No.18665105
1. A cooking appliance comprising: at least one heating element to selectively supply heat to a cookware item; a temperature sensor configured to selectively monitor a temperature of the cookware item; and a controller operably connected with the at least one heating element and the temperature sensor, the controller configured to perform a heating operation, the heating operation comprising: determining a temperature setpoint; determining a power level for the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint; directing the at least one heating element over a thermal analysis phase according to the determined power level; determining a temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor at a conclusion of the thermal analysis phase; determining one or more parameters for a feedback controlled cooking phase according to the determined temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, the one or more parameters comprising at least one controller gain value; and directing the at least one heating element according to the one or more determined parameters for a duration of the feedback controlled cooking phase.
2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase comprises: determining a set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value, the set of coefficients comprising a first coefficient and a second coefficient.
3. The cooking appliance of claim 2, wherein determining the set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value comprises: determining a set of proportional coefficients for a proportional gain value; determining a set of integral coefficients for an integral gain value; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for a derivative gain value.
4. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein each of the proportional gain value and the integral gain value is directly proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, and the derivative gain value is inversely proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor.
5. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase of the heating operation comprises: determining the proportional gain value using an equation incorporating the set of proportional coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; determining the integral gain value using an equation incorporating the set of integral coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; and determining the derivative gain value using an equation incorporating the set of derivative coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change.
6. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients is retrieved from a lookup table.
7. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein the heating operation further comprises: comparing the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against a predetermined threshold rate of change at the temperature setpoint; determining a material composition of the cookware item based on the comparison of the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against the predetermined threshold rate of change, wherein the cookware item comprises one of a first material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being greater than the predetermined threshold rate of change or a second material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being less than the predetermined threshold rate of change.
8. The cooking appliance of claim 7, wherein: determining the set of proportional coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; determining a set of integral coefficients for the integral gain value comprises retrieving a first set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material.
9. The cooking appliance of claim 8, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients varies according to the temperature setpoint.
10. A method of operating a cooking appliance, the cooking appliance comprising at least one heating element and a temperature sensor, the method comprising: determining a temperature setpoint for a heating operation of a cookware item; determining a power level for the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint; directing the at least one heating element over a thermal analysis phase according to the determined power level; determining a temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor at a conclusion of the thermal analysis phase; determining one or more parameters for a feedback controlled cooking phase according to the determined temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, the one or more parameters comprising at least one controller gain value; and directing the at least one heating element according to the one or more determined parameters for a duration of the feedback controlled cooking phase.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase comprises: determining a set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value, the set of coefficients comprising a first coefficient and a second coefficient.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value comprises: determining a set of proportional coefficients for a proportional gain value; determining a set of integral coefficients for an integral gain value; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for a derivative gain value.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the proportional gain value and the integral gain value is directly proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, and the derivative gain value is inversely proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase of the heating operation comprises: determining the proportional gain value using an equation incorporating the set of proportional coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; determining the integral gain value using an equation incorporating the set of integral coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; and determining the derivative gain value using an equation incorporating the set of derivative coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients is retrieved from a lookup table.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the heating operation further comprises: comparing the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against a predetermined threshold rate of change at the temperature setpoint; determining a material composition of the cookware item based on the comparison of the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against the predetermined threshold rate of change, wherein the cookware item comprises one of a first material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being greater than the predetermined threshold rate of change or a second material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being less than the predetermined threshold rate of change.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein: determining the set of proportional coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; determining a set of integral coefficients for the integral gain value comprises retrieving a first set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients varies according to the temperature setpoint.
1. A cooking appliance comprising: at least one heating element to selectively supply heat to a cookware item; a temperature sensor configured to selectively monitor a temperature of the cookware item; and a controller operably connected with the at least one heating element and the temperature sensor, the controller configured to perform a feedback controlled heating operation, the feedback controlled heating operation comprising: determining a temperature setpoint; retrieving a first set of controller gain values for the feedback controlled heating operation, the first set of controller gain values comprising a first proportional gain value, a first integral gain value, and a first derivative gain value; directing the at least one heating element according to the first set of controller gain values; detecting a trigger event while directing the at least one heating element according to the first set of controller gain values; retrieving a second set of controller gain values in response to detecting the trigger event, the second set of controller gain values comprising a second derivative gain value; and directing the at least one heating element according to the second set of controller gain values.
2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the second derivative gain value is greater than the first derivative gain value.
3. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein detecting the trigger event comprises: determining a sensor temperature threshold based on the temperature setpoint; and determining that a temperature at the temperature sensor crosses the sensor temperature threshold.
4. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein detecting the trigger event comprises: determining a sensor temperature error threshold based on the temperature setpoint; and determining that a difference between a sensor temperature setpoint and a temperature at the temperature sensor is less than the sensor temperature error threshold.
5. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein detecting the trigger event comprises: determining a sensor temperature rate of change threshold; and determining that a sensor temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor is less than the sensor temperature rate of change threshold.
6. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the feedback controlled cooking operation comprises a closed-loop proportional-integral-derivative (PID) algorithm.
7. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the second derivative gain value is stored within the cooking appliance.
8. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein detecting the trigger event comprises: determining that a predetermined amount of time has elapsed after directing the at least one heating element according to the first set of controller gain values.
9. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the second derivative gain value is determined based on empirical data.
10. A method of operating a cooking appliance, the cooking appliance comprising at least one heating element and a temperature sensor, the method comprising: determining a temperature setpoint; retrieving a first set of controller gain values for a feedback controlled heating operation, the first set of controller gain values comprising a first proportional gain value, a first integral gain value, and a first derivative gain value; directing the at least one heating element according to the first set of controller gain values; detecting a trigger event while directing the at least one heating element according to the first set of controller gain values; retrieving a second set of controller gain values in response to detecting the trigger event, the second set of controller gain values comprising a second derivative gain value; and directing the at least one heating element according to the second set of controller gain values.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second derivative gain value is greater than the first derivative gain value.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the trigger event comprises: determining a sensor temperature threshold based on the temperature setpoint; and determining that a temperature at the temperature sensor crosses the sensor temperature threshold.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the trigger event comprises: determining a sensor temperature error threshold based on the temperature setpoint; and determining that a difference between a sensor temperature setpoint and a temperature at the temperature sensor is less than the sensor temperature error threshold.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the trigger event comprises: determining a sensor temperature rate of change threshold; and determining that a sensor temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor is less than the sensor temperature rate of change threshold.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the feedback controlled cooking operation comprises a closed-loop proportional-integral-derivative (PID) algorithm.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the second derivative gain value is stored within the cooking appliance.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the trigger event comprises: determining that a predetermined amount of time has elapsed after directing the at least one heating element according to the first set of controller gain values.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein the second derivative gain value is determined based on empirical data.
Claims 1-18 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-18 of copending Application No. 18442771.
Present application
Copending application No.18442771
1. A cooking appliance comprising: at least one heating element to selectively supply heat to a cookware item; a temperature sensor configured to selectively monitor a temperature of the cookware item; and a controller operably connected with the at least one heating element and the temperature sensor, the controller configured to perform a heating operation, the heating operation comprising: determining a temperature setpoint; determining a power level for the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint; directing the at least one heating element over a thermal analysis phase according to the determined power level; determining a temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor at a conclusion of the thermal analysis phase; determining one or more parameters for a feedback controlled cooking phase according to the determined temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, the one or more parameters comprising at least one controller gain value; and directing the at least one heating element according to the one or more determined parameters for a duration of the feedback controlled cooking phase.
2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase comprises: determining a set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value, the set of coefficients comprising a first coefficient and a second coefficient.
3. The cooking appliance of claim 2, wherein determining the set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value comprises: determining a set of proportional coefficients for a proportional gain value; determining a set of integral coefficients for an integral gain value; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for a derivative gain value.
4. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein each of the proportional gain value and the integral gain value is directly proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, and the derivative gain value is inversely proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor.
5. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase of the heating operation comprises: determining the proportional gain value using an equation incorporating the set of proportional coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; determining the integral gain value using an equation incorporating the set of integral coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; and determining the derivative gain value using an equation incorporating the set of derivative coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change.
6. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients is retrieved from a lookup table.
7. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein the heating operation further comprises: comparing the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against a predetermined threshold rate of change at the temperature setpoint; determining a material composition of the cookware item based on the comparison of the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against the predetermined threshold rate of change, wherein the cookware item comprises one of a first material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being greater than the predetermined threshold rate of change or a second material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being less than the predetermined threshold rate of change.
8. The cooking appliance of claim 7, wherein: determining the set of proportional coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; determining a set of integral coefficients for the integral gain value comprises retrieving a first set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material.
9. The cooking appliance of claim 8, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients varies according to the temperature setpoint.
10. A method of operating a cooking appliance, the cooking appliance comprising at least one heating element and a temperature sensor, the method comprising: determining a temperature setpoint for a heating operation of a cookware item; determining a power level for the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint; directing the at least one heating element over a thermal analysis phase according to the determined power level; determining a temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor at a conclusion of the thermal analysis phase; determining one or more parameters for a feedback controlled cooking phase according to the determined temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, the one or more parameters comprising at least one controller gain value; and directing the at least one heating element according to the one or more determined parameters for a duration of the feedback controlled cooking phase.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase comprises: determining a set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value, the set of coefficients comprising a first coefficient and a second coefficient.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the set of coefficients for the at least one controller gain value comprises: determining a set of proportional coefficients for a proportional gain value; determining a set of integral coefficients for an integral gain value; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for a derivative gain value.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the proportional gain value and the integral gain value is directly proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, and the derivative gain value is inversely proportional to the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein determining the one or more parameters for the feedback controlled cooking phase of the heating operation comprises: determining the proportional gain value using an equation incorporating the set of proportional coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; determining the integral gain value using an equation incorporating the set of integral coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change; and determining the derivative gain value using an equation incorporating the set of derivative coefficients and the determined temperature rate of change.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients is retrieved from a lookup table.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the heating operation further comprises: comparing the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against a predetermined threshold rate of change at the temperature setpoint; determining a material composition of the cookware item based on the comparison of the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against the predetermined threshold rate of change, wherein the cookware item comprises one of a first material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being greater than the predetermined threshold rate of change or a second material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being less than the predetermined threshold rate of change.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein: determining the set of proportional coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of proportional coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; determining a set of integral coefficients for the integral gain value comprises retrieving a first set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of integral coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material; and determining a set of derivative coefficients for the proportional gain value comprises retrieving a first set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the first material and retrieving a second set of derivative coefficients when the cookware item comprises the second material.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the set of proportional coefficients, the set of integral coefficients, and the set of derivative coefficients varies according to the temperature setpoint.
1. A cooking appliance comprising: at least one heating element to selectively supply heat to a cookware item; a temperature sensor configured to selectively monitor a temperature of the cookware item; and a controller operably connected with the at least one heating element and the temperature sensor, the controller configured to perform a heating operation, the heating operation comprising: determining a temperature setpoint; determining a power level for the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint; directing the at least one heating element over a thermal analysis phase according to the determined power level; determining a temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor at a conclusion of the thermal analysis phase; determining a material type of the cookware item based on the temperature rate of change; determine a sensor temperature target for a cooking phase following the thermal analysis phase, the sensor temperature target being based on the determined material type of the cookware item, and directing the at least one heating element according to the determined sensor temperature target for a duration of the cooking phase.
2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein directing the at least one heating element over the thermal analysis phase comprises: determining an initial sensor temperature target via a set of default coefficient values and the determined temperature setpoint; and directing the at least one heating element according to the initial sensor temperature target.
3. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein determining the material type of the cookware item comprises: comparing the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against a predetermined threshold rate of change; and determining a material composition of the cookware item based on the comparison of the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against the predetermined threshold rate of change, wherein the cookware item comprises one of a first material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being greater than the predetermined threshold rate of change or a second material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being less than the predetermined threshold rate of change.
4. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein determining the sensor temperature target for the cooking phase comprises: determining a set of sensor coefficients based on the determined material type of the cookware item, the set of sensor coefficients comprising a first coefficient and a second coefficient.
5. The cooking appliance of claim 4, wherein determining the set of sensor coefficients comprises: determining a set of first material sensor coefficients corresponding to the first material; and determining a set of second material sensor coefficients corresponding to the second material, the set of second material sensor coefficients being different from the set of first material sensor coefficients.
6. The cooking appliance of claim 5, wherein determining the set of sensor coefficients further comprises: determining a first set of first material sensor coefficients corresponding to the first material and a first temperature setpoint; and determining a second set of first material sensor coefficients corresponding to the first material and a second temperature setpoint, the first temperature setpoint being different from the second temperature setpoint and the first set of first material sensor coefficients being different from the second set of first material sensor coefficients.
7. The cooking appliance of claim 5, wherein determining the set of sensor coefficients further comprises: determining a first set of second material sensor coefficients corresponding to the second material and a first temperature setpoint; and determining a second set of second material sensor coefficients corresponding to the second material and a second temperature setpoint, the first temperature setpoint being different from the second temperature setpoint and the first set of second material sensor coefficients being different from the second set of second material sensor coefficients.
8. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the thermal analysis phase is defined between an initiation of the at least one heating element and 3 minutes.
9. The cooking appliance of claim 8, wherein the thermal analysis phase is defined between 1 minute and 2.5 minutes from the initiation of the at least one heating element.
10. A method of operating a cooking appliance, the cooking appliance comprising at least one heating element and a temperature sensor, the method comprising: determining a temperature setpoint for a cookware item; determining a power level for the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint; directing the at least one heating element over a thermal analysis phase according to the determined power level; determining a temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor at a conclusion of the thermal analysis phase; determining a material type of the cookware item based on the temperature rate of change; determine a sensor temperature target for a cooking phase following the thermal analysis phase, the sensor temperature target being based on the determined material type of the cookware item, and directing the at least one heating element according to the determined sensor temperature target for a duration of the cooking phase.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein directing the at least one heating element over the thermal analysis phase comprises: determining an initial sensor temperature target via a set of default coefficient values and the determined temperature setpoint; and directing the at least one heating element according to the initial sensor temperature target.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the material type of the cookware item comprises: comparing the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against a predetermined threshold rate of change; and determining a material composition of the cookware item based on the comparison of the temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor against the predetermined threshold rate of change, wherein the cookware item comprises one of a first material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being greater than the predetermined threshold rate of change or a second material corresponding to the temperature rate of change being less than the predetermined threshold rate of change.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein determining the sensor temperature target for the cooking phase comprises: determining a set of sensor coefficients based on the determined material type of the cookware item, the set of sensor coefficients comprising a first coefficient and a second coefficient.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the set of sensor coefficients comprises: determining a set of first material sensor coefficients corresponding to the first material; and determining a set of second material sensor coefficients corresponding to the second material, the set of second material sensor coefficients being different from the set of first material sensor coefficients.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein determining the set of sensor coefficients further comprises: determining a first set of first material sensor coefficients corresponding to the first material and a first temperature setpoint; and determining a second set of first material sensor coefficients corresponding to the first material and a second temperature setpoint, the first temperature setpoint being different from the second temperature setpoint and the first set of first material sensor coefficients being different from the second set of first material sensor coefficients.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein determining the set of sensor coefficients further comprises: determining a first set of second material sensor coefficients corresponding to the second material and a first temperature setpoint; and determining a second set of second material sensor coefficients corresponding to the second material and a second temperature setpoint, the first temperature setpoint being different from the second temperature setpoint and the first set of second material sensor coefficients being different from the second set of second material sensor coefficients.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the thermal analysis phase is defined between an initiation of the at least one heating element and 3 minutes.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the thermal analysis phase is defined between 1 minute and 2.5 minutes from the initiation of the at least one heating element.
Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claimed subject matter of the present applicant and that of copending Application No. 18598823, 18665105, and 18442771 are substantially the same and the claimed subject matter of the present application would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art based on the claimed subject matter of copending Application No. 18598823, 18665105, and 18442771.
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
Allowable Subject Matter
Allowance of claims 1-18 is indicated if:
The amendment to the tittle and claim 10 are made; and
The E-Terminal Disclaimer is filed.
Reason for allowance
The best prior art of record Johnson et al. (US 20170122569 A1) does not anticipate or render fairly obvious in combination to teach the method steps as cited in the independent claims 1 and 10, such as …determining a temperature setpoint; determining a power level for the at least one heating element based on the determined temperature setpoint; directing the at least one heating element over a thermal analysis phase according to the determined power level; determining a temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor at a conclusion of the thermal analysis phase; determining one or more parameters for a feedback controlled cooking phase according to the determined temperature rate of change at the temperature sensor, the one or more parameters comprising at least one controller gain value; and directing the at least one heating element according to the one or more determined parameters for a duration of the feedback controlled cooking phase…
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Seo (US 20170205077 A1) is considered as the relevant prior art in field of cooktop, as shown in figs.2-3, with a cooktop, a heating element, a sensor, and a controller… but does not explicitly disclose the method steps as claimed...
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/PHUONG T NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3761
07/20/2026
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