SENSING SYSTEM FOR A COOKTOP APPLIANCE WITH AIRFLOW PROTECTED SENSOR

摘要

The present invention provides for operation of a sensor supported by an appliance and directed toward a cooking surface positioned beneath the sensor. If the sensor is determined to be contaminated, a signal is provided to a user of the appliance that the sensor is contaminated.

主权项

1. A method for operating a sensor of an appliance, the appliance supporting the sensor, the sensor being positioned over a cooking surface with a sensing end of the sensor directed toward the cooking surface, the method comprising the steps of:
employing the sensor to obtain a current image of the cooking surface; comparing the current image to a baseline image; determining, from the step of comparing, whether the sensor is contaminated and, if so, then
providing a signal to indicate sensor contamination to a user of the appliance.