Smart ultrasonic device for vitro-ceramic cooker safety control

This paper describes a safety device for the automatic regulation of the power of vitro ceramic cookers. The system is based on an ultrasound sensor for presence detection and proximity measurement. The sensor detects the presence or absence of an object on the heat sources of the cooker. Once the object is taken away from the burner, the system starts to count a period of time, and after this period if no object appears over the heat source, the device automatically turns off the power of the burner, and emits an acoustic warning. The device is thought as an aid for blind, disabled, and elderly people, making the use of the kitchen easier and safer for them. Moreover, the device has a clear application in the field of domotics, performing a step towards a "smart" kitchen. The system is based on conventional electronic components, which makes it a cheap device, with the additional advantage that it improves the energy efficiency of the cooker.