A cooking appliance configured with a programmable controller within a heating unit. The programmable controller is configured to control a plurality of functions of the cooking appliance. The controller is located in the base of the appliance and is in communication with a control panel that trans
A cooking appliance configured with a programmable controller within a heating unit. The programmable controller is configured to control a plurality of functions of the cooking appliance. The controller is located in the base of the appliance and is in communication with a control panel that transmits a plurality of signals to the controller indicative of a user input. The control panel can be arranged nearly flush with an outer surface of the cooking appliance.
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What is claimed is: 1. A cooking appliance comprising: a heating unit having a housing and a base, the base lying substantially in a horizontal plane and having a perimeter which is connected to the housing; a heating well disposed within the heating unit and having a heating element; a cooking uni
What is claimed is: 1. A cooking appliance comprising: a heating unit having a housing and a base, the base lying substantially in a horizontal plane and having a perimeter which is connected to the housing; a heating well disposed within the heating unit and having a heating element; a cooking unit adapted to fit at least partially within the heating well; a control panel mounted to the housing, the control panel including a display and at least one input mechanism; and a programmable controller attached to the base of the heating unit and remotely from the control panel, the programmable controller configured to communicate with the control panel, to receive input information from the at least one input mechanism, and to control the heating element. 2. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control panel does not include an electronic programmable device. 3. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base has a depression and the controller is positioned above the depression. 4. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 3, wherein the depression has a plurality of openings. 5. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating well has a continuous sidewall, the sidewall having an interior surface that defines a well-like chamber and an exterior surface. 6. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control panel includes a plurality of markings. 7. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control panel includes a plurality of LEDs, where at least one LED of the plurality of LEDs is associated with one of the plurality of markings such that when a respective LED is activated the respective LED provides illumination to its associated marking. 8. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control panel includes at least one LED. 9. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display is an LCD. 10. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control panel includes a plurality of input devices. 11. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a circuit board coupled to a circuit board housing, wherein the heating unit includes an interior and the circuit board housing is positioned such that the circuit board is located in the interior. 12. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control panel extends one quarter of an inch or less from a front face of the cooking appliance. 13. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control panel is substantially flush with a front face of the cooking appliance. 14. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control panel and the controller are electrically linked by one or more wires. 15. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control panel includes a buzzer. 16. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to the programmable controller. 17. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 10, wherein the programmable controller is further configured to control operation of the cooking appliance based on a sequence of inputs made by a user using the plurality of input devices. 18. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 17, wherein the programmable controller is configured to operate in one of two modes: a manual mode and an automatic mode. 19. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 17, wherein the control panel includes an On/Off button, and the programmable controller is configured to generate a signal to display "ON" on the display and to indicate a temperature setting by generating a signal to activate an LED. 20. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 17, wherein the control panel includes a temperature button, and the programmable controller is configured to control the heating element according to a temperature setting selected by a user using the temperature button. 21. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 17, wherein the control panel includes a cook button, and the programmable controller is configured to control the heating element based on a state of the cook button and display an elapsed cooking time. 22. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 17, wherein the control panel includes a time button, and the programmable controller is configured to determine a desired cooking time based on input from the time button. 23. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 17, wherein the programmable controller is configured to generate a signal or signals that cause the display to display a time. 24. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 17, wherein the programmable controller is configured to enter a warm mode upon the expiration of a cooking time. 25. A cooking appliance comprising: a heating unit having a housing and a base, the base lying substantially in a horizontal plane and having a perimeter which is connected to the housing. a cooking unit configured to fit within the housing; a heating element positioned in the heating unit and configured to heat the cooking unit; a control panel mounted on the housing, the control panel including a display and at least one input mechanism; and a programmable controller coupled to an inside surface of the base and positioned remotely from the control panel, the programmable controller configured to communicate with the control panel, to receive input information from the at least one input mechanism and, to control the heating element. 26. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control panel does not include an electronic programmable device. 27. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control panel includes a plurality of markings. 28. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control panel includes a plurality of LEDs, where at least one LED of the plurality of LEDs is associated with one of the plurality of markings such that when a respective LED is activated the respective LED provides illumination to its associated marking. 29. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control panel includes at least one LED. 30. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 25, wherein the display is an LCD. 31. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control panel includes a plurality of input devices. 32. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control panel extends one quarter of an inch or less from a front face of the cooking appliance. 33. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control panel is substantially flush with a front face of the cooking appliance. 34. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control panel and the programmable controller are electrically linked by one or more wires. 35. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control panel includes a buzzer. 36. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 25, further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to the programmable controller. 37. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 31, wherein the programmable controller is further configured to control operation of the cooking appliance based on a sequence of inputs made by a user using the plurality of input devices. 38. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 31, wherein the programmable controller is configured to operate in one of two modes: a manual mode and an automatic mode. 39. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 31, wherein the control panel includes an On/Off button, and the programmable controller is configured to generate a signal to display "ON" on the display and to indicate a temperature setting by generating a signal to activate an LED. 40. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 31, wherein the control panel includes a temperature button, and the programmable controller is configured to control the heating element according to a temperature setting selected by a user using the temperature button. 41. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 31, wherein the control panel includes a cook button, and the programmable controller is configured to control the heating element based on a state of the cook button and display an elapsed cooking time. 42. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 31, wherein the control panel includes a time button, and the programmable controller is configured to determine a desired cooking time based on input from the time button. 43. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 31, wherein the programmable controller is configured to generate a signal or signals that cause the display to display a time. 44. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 31, wherein the programmable controller is configured to enter a warm mode upon the expiration of a cooking time. 45. A method of using a programmable cooking appliance having a housing with an outer surface and a base, the base lying substantially in a horizontal plane and having a perimeter which is connected to the outer surface, the method comprising: providing a cooking unit to hold food; associating a heating element with the cooking unit; configuring a control panel without a programmable device; positioning the control panel on the housing such that it protrudes from the outer surface of the housing one quarter of an inch or less; delivering one or more signals from the control panel to a programmable controller attached to the base and located remotely from the control panel; and configuring the programmable controller to control operation of the heating element based upon information input by a user through the control panel. 46. A method of claim 45, further comprising selecting a cooking temperature and time using the control panel. 47. A method of claim 45, further comprising configuring the controller to change an operating mode of the appliance from a cooking mode to a warming mode upon an expiration of the cooking time. 48. A method of claim 45, further comprising notifying a user with illuminated indicators that the programmable cooking appliance is powered and that a timer is active. 49. A method of maintaining a programmable device in a cooking appliance within an acceptable temperature range, the method comprising: providing a housing and a base, the base lying substantially in a horizontal plane and having a perimeter which is connected to the housing; configuring a cooking unit to fit within the housing; positioning and configuring a heating element to heat the cooking unit; configuring a control panel with at least one input mechanism and a display, but without a programmable device; mounting the control panel on the housing; and attaching a programmable controller to the base and remotely from the control panel, and configuring the programmable controller to communicate with the control panel, receive input information from the at least one input mechanism, and control the heating element. 50. A method of claim 49, wherein mounting the control panel includes mounting the control panel so that it protrudes from a face of the housing one quarter of an inch or less. 51. A method of claim 50, wherein mounting the control panel includes mounting the control panel so that it is substantially flush with a face of the housing.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
Patterson,Justin C.; Rudolph,John W.; Sherwood,Robert; Griffin, III,Roy A.; Jones Lawlor,Heather, Cooking apparatus with electronic recipe display.
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