Electric cooking range having multiple-zone power control system and wipe resistant control panel

A multiple-zone power control system for controlling power distribution to electric heating elements, the system comprising:

• a power control unit comprising a plurality of control zones for controlling the delivery of power to respective electric heating elements;
• and
• a touch-sensitive key for alternately controlling activation and deactivation of a designated one of the plurality of control zones responsive to touch by a user to the touch-sensitive key;
• means for determining touch duration on the touch-sensitive key;
• means for determining if all of the plurality of control zones are deactivated;
• means for preventing activation of the designated one of the plurality of control zones, when the plurality of control zones are deactivated, upon touch of the touch-sensitive key until the touch duration exceeds a predetermined first time period;
• means for determining if at least one of the plurality of control zones is activated;
• and
• means for preventing activation of the designated one of the plurality of control zones, when at least one of the plurality of control zones is activated, upon touch of the touch-sensitive key until the touch duration exceeds a predetermined second time period, the second time period being shorter than the first time period.

A method of reducing inadvertent power activation during a wiping/cleaning operation of a touch-sensitive power control input panel, comprising steps of:

• sensing that a touch-sensitive on/off key has been touched by a user;
• after the step of sensing, activating a power control zone that corresponds to the touch-sensitive on/off key when at least one other power control zone is activated and the on/off key remains touched for at least a first predetermined key-touch duration;
• and
• after the step of sensing, activating a power control zone that corresponds to the touch-sensitive on/off key when the on/off key remains touched for at least a cold start duration, the predetermined key-touch duration being shorter than the cold start duration.

A method of reducing inadvertent power activation of a multiple-zone power control system that controls power distribution to electric heating elements and that has a power control unit having a plurality of control zones for controlling the delivery of power to respective electric heating elements, and a touch-sensitive key for alternately controlling activation and deactivation of a designated one of the plurality of control zones responsive to touch by a user to the touch-sensitive key, the method comprising steps of:

• determining touch duration on the touch-sensitive key;
• determining if all of the plurality of control zones are deactivated;
• preventing activation of the designated one of the plurality of control zones, when the plurality of control zones are deactivated, upon touch of the touch-sensitive key until the touch duration exceeds a predetermined first time period;
• determining if at least one of the plurality of control zones is activated;
• and
• preventing activation of the designated one of the plurality of control zones, when at least one of the plurality of control zones is activated, upon touch of the touch-sensitive key until the touch duration exceeds a predetermined second time period, the second time period being shorter than the first time period.