Synchronization for multi-zone food preparation device

Abstract

A food preparation device synchronizes a plurality of zones or compartments each having an independent setting. The plurality of zones have synchronized ends such that the food preparation of each zone ends substantially at the same time. A synchronization end may be calculated based on different settings for each zone. The preheating stage of the zone may be varied by temperature or time. Synchronization may also be modified based on any interruption to any zone to maintain the end of synchronization.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of and priority to pending U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 17 / 855,989, filed on July 1, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a food preparation device that synchronizes a plurality of zones or compartments each having an independent configuration. Background Art

[0004] Food preparation devices may include multiple zones for cooking or preparing different foods or beverages. These devices may allow independent settings for each zone without coordination between preparations between zones. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a method, system or device and / or computer program product for an improved food preparation device that synchronizes multiple zones or compartments, each with independent settings. Multiple zones have synchronized ends so that food preparation for each zone is synchronized to end substantially at the same time. The synchronized ends can be calculated based on different settings for each zone. In some embodiments, the preheating phase of a zone can be varied by temperature or time. The synchronization can be modified based on any interruption to any zone to maintain the synchronized ends.

[0006] In one embodiment, a food preparation device includes a first compartment for preparing a first food according to a first setting including a first completion time; a second compartment for preparing a second food according to a second setting including a second completion time; and a synchronization circuit configured to synchronize the first completion time and the second completion time. The preparation includes at least one function of cooking, frying, air frying, baking, roasting, roasting, reheating, steaming, dehydrating, thawing, or microwaving. Each compartment can perform each function independently. The device includes a first message bar for the first compartment, which is used to display information about the first setting; and a second message bar for the second compartment, which is used to display information about the second setting. The displayed information about the first setting includes a first end time and a function for the first compartment, and further, wherein the displayed information about the second setting includes a second end time and a function for the second compartment. The first setting and the second setting each include a temperature depending on the function, wherein the first compartment has a different temperature than the second compartment. The first compartment includes a first sensor for measuring the first food, and the second compartment includes a second sensor for measuring the second food. The measurement includes at least weight or temperature. The synchronization circuit is further configured to calculate a synchronized completion time based on both the first completion time and the second completion time, wherein the synchronized completion time includes one of the first completion time or the second completion time. The synchronization includes modifying a start time or a preheating time of at least one of the first compartment or the second compartment. The preheating time is increased in one of the compartments to synchronize the end time.

[0007] In another embodiment, a dual cooking device includes a first cooking zone with a first setting, the first setting including a first completion time; a second cooking zone with a second setting, the second setting including a second completion time; and a computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions being configured to be executed by a processor to synchronize the first completion time and the second completion time. The first cooking zone and the second cooking zone each include functions for cooking, frying, air frying, baking, roasting, broiling, reheating, steaming, dehydrating, thawing, or microwave at least one. Each zone can perform each function independently. The device includes a first message bar for the first zone for displaying information about the first setting; and a second message bar for the second zone for displaying information about the second setting. The displayed information about the first setting includes a first end time and a function for the first zone, and further, wherein the displayed information about the second setting includes a second end time and a function for the second zone. The first zone includes a first sensor for measuring the weight or temperature of food in the first zone, and the second zone includes a second sensor for measuring the weight or temperature of food in the second zone. Synchronization includes modifying a start time or preheat time of at least one of the first zone or the second zone. The preheat time is increased in one zone to synchronize the end time.

[0008] In another embodiment, a method includes receiving input from a user for cooking settings for a first cooking zone or a second cooking zone, wherein the cooking settings include at least a cooking time and a cooking temperature. The input received by the user may include cooking settings for both the first cooking zone and the second cooking zone, or the user may be allowed to input cooking settings for one of the zones and then synchronize the cooking settings for the other zone. Such synchronization may be referred to as synchronized cooking. The method further includes a synchronized completion feature, which includes synchronizing the cooking time of the first cooking zone with the cooking time of the second cooking zone upon synchronized completion input. Synchronization includes modifying a start time or preheating time of at least one of the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone.

[0009] In some embodiments, a device includes a processor and a memory, and the processor is configured to read code from the memory and implement any of the above embodiments. In some embodiments, a computer program product includes a computer-readable program medium code stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement any of the above embodiments. In some embodiments, there is a device including a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to read code from the memory and implement any method described in any embodiment. In some embodiments, a computer program product includes a computer-readable program medium code stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement any embodiment. The above and other aspects and their implementations are described in more detail in the drawings, the specification, and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings illustrate the principles of the present invention according to specific embodiments. Therefore, the present invention can also be implemented in other embodiments, so that these drawings are only interpreted as examples. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent corresponding parts in different views.

[0011] Figure 1 A block diagram of the preparation apparatus is shown.

[0012] Figure 2 A block diagram of a synchronization circuit for preparing an apparatus is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 A first process for synchronization with a production device is shown.

[0014] Figure 4 A process for modifying settings synchronized with a production device is shown.

[0015] Figure 5 A diagram showing different setups for preparing the device.

[0016] Figure 6An example of multi-zone synchronization when warm-up of an empty zone occurs is shown.

[0017] Figure 7 An example of multi-zone synchronization with food added prior to preheating is shown.

[0018] Figure 8 An example of multi-zone synchronization with zone measurement including dynamic time adjustment after cooking is shown.

[0019] Fig. 9 An example of multi-zone synchronization with different cooking programs is shown.

[0020] Fig.10 An example of multi-zone synchronization without interruption is shown when food is added prior to preheating.

[0021] Fig.11 An example of multi-zone synchronization with interruptions is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] By way of introduction, the disclosed embodiments relate to an improved food preparation apparatus that synchronizes multiple zones or compartments, each with independent settings. The multiple zones have synchronized ends so that food preparation for each zone is synchronized to end substantially at the same time. The synchronized ends can be calculated based on different settings for each zone. In some embodiments, the preheating phase of a zone can be varied by temperature or time. The synchronization can be modified based on any interruption to any zone to maintain the synchronized ends.

[0023] Figure 1 A block diagram of a preparation device 102 is shown. The preparation device 102 may include multiple zones. Each zone may be an independent food preparation compartment. Examples of preparation devices include food preparation functions such as cooking, frying, microwaving, baking, reheating, steaming, dehydrating, roasting, thawing, baking, etc. The preparation device 102 may be an air fryer, a microwave oven, an oven, a steamer, a pressure cooker, a slow cooker, a coffee maker, a blender, a grill, or any combination thereof. Each zone may include a combination of functions, or there may be different functions for different zones. In some embodiments, the preparation device may also include beverage preparation, but will be described as food preparation for simplicity.

[0024] Zones may be referred to as baskets, compartments, sections, containers, or areas. In one embodiment, there may be two zones, such as a first preparation zone 104 and a second preparation zone 106. Each zone may independently control different functions and settings. Although this embodiment shows two zones, in other embodiments, there may be three or more zones. For simplicity, these examples are described with two zones.

[0025] Each zone may have its own interface including functionality for receiving input and displaying output to the user 101. Examples of this functionality are described below with respect to Figure 2 The first preparation area 104 may include a first area interface 108 , and the second preparation area 106 may include a second area interface 110 .

[0026] The zones may each have different foods prepared with different functions. Despite the different functions, the synchronization circuit 112 may be used to synchronize the completion time of the preparation device so that the food from each zone is completed at the same time. This may be referred to as synchronized completion. The settings between the zones may also be synchronized by the synchronization circuit 112 so that an input for a first setting for a first zone may be replicated for a second zone. This may be referred to as synchronized cooking. The synchronization circuit 112 will reference Figure 2 Further description.

[0027] Figure 2 1 shows a block diagram of a synchronization circuit 112 of the preparation device 102. The synchronization circuit 112 may be referred to as a computing device, a processor, a circuit board, a chip, or a microcomputer, by which calculations or processes are performed. In one embodiment, the synchronization circuit 112 may be a Figure 2 206, 208 and / or the software running on the computing device shown in the figure. Synchronous circuit 112 may include processor 210, memory 208, software 206 and / or user interface 204. In alternative embodiments, synchronous circuit 112 may be a plurality of devices providing different functions, and it may or may not include all of user interface 204, software 206, memory 208 and / or processor 210. Although described as synchronous circuit 112, it may include functions for controlling other aspects of preparation area 104, 106 other than synchronization only. In one embodiment, there may be a single circuit or processor for controlling the synchronization and function / setting of each area. In other embodiments, there may be a processor separated from synchronous circuit 112. For simplicity, the function / setting is described as being controlled by synchronous circuit 112.

[0028] The user interface 204 may include the first zone interface 108 and / or the second zone interface 110, and include a display that may be separate from the synchronization circuit 112, or it may provide input to the synchronization circuit 112 and provide output from it. The preparation device 102 may include a user interface 204 for providing information to the user 101. In one embodiment, the user interface 204 may be a display, such as a message bar, that is coupled to the processor 210 and configured to display output from the processor 210. The display (not shown) may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), or other display devices known now or developed later for outputting certain information. The display may serve as an interface for a user to view the functions of the processor 210, or may serve as an interface for the software 206 to provide feedback or information about preparation functions / settings.

[0029] In some embodiments, user interface 204 can also provide a mechanism for user 101 to interact with preparation device 102, such as by providing a command with user input. Commands can include functions / settings for each of zones 104, 106 that can be set by user 101. In some embodiments, user interface 204 can include buttons, touch screen displays, keypads or cursor control devices, remote controllers, wireless devices (e.g., computing devices, smart phones, tablet computers, etc.) or any other device that operates to allow a user or administrator to interact with preparation device 102. In some embodiments, the interface can include voice control or audio input for receiving commands and / or providing feedback. In other embodiments, user interface 204 can include input (e.g., scanning food / recipe codes) or sensor input (e.g., ratio, temperature, etc.) for scanning, or any other mechanism for accepting user information about food being prepared. This can include any information about the food being prepared / cooked (including but not limited to recipes), which can help define appropriate cooking time, which will subsequently improve synchronization.

[0030] The user interface 204 including the first zone interface 108 and the second zone interface 110 can receive settings for the corresponding preparation zones 104, 106 from the user 101. In other words, the user 101 can input the food preparation settings (e.g., function, time, temperature, pressure, weight, humidity, etc.) for each zone through the interface, which can be separated from the synchronization circuit 112 in some embodiments. The display (e.g., a message bar) can independently display information about the cooking settings or functions of each zone. For example, the function, temperature, and / or remaining time can be displayed for each zone. Figure 1 As shown, each zone may have an independent display, such as an independent zone interface 108, 110.

[0031] The processor 210 in the synchronization circuit 112 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or other types of processing devices. The processor 210 may be one or more general purpose processors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices for analyzing and processing data. The processor 210 may operate in conjunction with a software program (i.e., software 206), such as a code that is manually generated (i.e., programmed). The software 206 may also include functions for establishing and operating the preparation areas 104, 106 in addition to the synchronization described below.

[0032] The processor 210 may be coupled to the memory 208, or the memory 208 may be a separate component. The software 206 may be stored in the memory 208. The memory 208 may include, but is not limited to, computer-readable storage media, such as various types of volatile and non-volatile storage media, including random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, tape or disk, optical media, etc. The memory 208 may include random access memory for the processor 210. Alternatively, the memory 208 may be separate from the processor 210, such as a cache memory, system memory, or other memory of the processor. The memory 208 is operable to store instructions that can be executed by the processor 210.

[0033] Figure (e.g. Figure 3-4 , 6-12) or described herein may be performed by a programmed processor executing instructions stored in software 206 or memory 208. The functions, actions, or tasks are independent of a particular type of instruction set, storage medium, processor, or processing strategy, and may be performed by software, hardware, integrated circuits, firmware, microcode, etc. operating alone or in combination. Similarly, processing strategies may include multi-processing, multi-tasking, parallel processing, etc. Processor 210 is configured to execute software 206.

[0034] The synchronization circuit 112 can be used to implement Figure 3-4 , the process shown in the embodiments of 6-12. Figure 3 A first process for synchronizing with a preparation device is shown. In block 302, a setting of a first zone is received from a user. Figure 2As described, settings may be received via a user interface, which may include buttons or other inputs (e.g., user interface 204). Settings may include a function type (e.g., cooking, air frying, microwave, defrosting, etc.) as well as specific cooking instructions (e.g., time, temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.). The settings may be entered by the user, or the preparation device may automatically determine the appropriate settings based on certain user inputs or based on sensors about the food (e.g., weight, temperature, density, etc.). In some embodiments, the user may identify the type of food, and the settings may be determined based on the type of food and sensed variables (e.g., weight and temperature). The initial settings received may be referred to as cooking settings, which may include any changes / settings made before the user begins preparation. Blocks 310 and 312 discussed below are described below. Figure 4 Changes to the settings that may occur after preparation has already started are described.

[0035] The settings for the second zone in box 304 may also be input by the user in a similar manner as the user input settings for the first zone in box 302. There may be a separate user interface for each zone, or there may be a single user interface for different zones. In some embodiments, there may be a synchronization feature for the settings, which may be referred to as synchronized cooking, where the user can copy settings from one zone to another. In other words, when the user indicates a desire for synchronized cooking, the settings for the second zone in box 304 may be copied from the user-entered settings for the first zone.

[0036] In one embodiment, the settings for the second zone entered by the user in box 304 may occur after the preparation of the first zone begins. Specifically, the user may enter settings for the first zone in box 302, and food preparation begins before the user later decides to use the second zone (e.g., the first zone begins cooking, preheating, etc.). In this embodiment, the user may be allowed to select an end feature of synchronization (in box 306) even if the first zone has already begun. The synchronization may need to be adjusted accordingly. In some embodiments, there may not be enough time left for the cooking of the first zone to synchronize the completion of the cooking of the second zone, and the user will be notified accordingly. Otherwise, the synchronization calculation occurs and any necessary settings of the two zones are adjusted to complete the synchronization as described below.

[0037] After receiving the settings for the zones, the preparation device may begin the preparation process. In one embodiment, one zone is cooking chicken nuggets while another zone is cooking French fries, and it may be desirable for them to finish at the same time so they can be served hot at the same time. This feature may be referred to as a synchronized finish or synchronized finish feature, as in block 306. If the user does not select synchronized finish in block 306, then the corresponding settings for each zone are utilized in block 308, and the timing of each zone is not synchronized.

[0038] In box 310, the user selected synchronization completion in box 306 (e.g., clicked the synchronization completion button), so the preparation device modifies the settings to ensure synchronization completion. The cooking settings can be different, which results in different cooking times, so in order to synchronize the completion, the preparation device must determine how to modify the settings to synchronize the zones in box 310. As described above, in one embodiment, there may be user-entered settings, which may also be referred to as unmodified cooking settings, and include temperature and time. In some embodiments, the cooking settings may not be modified, but the modifications are for settings other than the user-entered cooking settings, including the initial wait time and / or preheat time that are modified to achieve synchronization completion. In other embodiments, sensors may be monitored to adjust any and all settings to achieve synchronization completion between zones. Figure 4 Modification of the settings shown in block 310 is further shown.

[0039] Figure 4 A process for modifying settings 310 to synchronize with a preparation device is shown. In block 402, the settings of the first zone and / or the second zone are modified to ensure synchronization is achieved. In some embodiments, the settings of both zones are modified. The settings may specify a time (e.g., a starting point, a duration, etc.) without modifying the end cooking result, which may include and be referred to as a cooking setting. One or both zones may be adjusted to ensure that the cooking result is correct and the timing is synchronized. Examples of modifications will be referred to Figure 6-1 2, and may include starting cooking later or modifying preheat functions (e.g., preheat time, preheat temperature, preheat heating rate, etc.). In block 404, the zones may be monitored. This monitoring may include sensors that track preparation status (e.g., weight, temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.). Such monitoring may be used as input to update synchronization (not shown), including further changing settings. For example, food may cook slower than expected (temperature rises slower), so the synchronization may adjust the settings of the zone to improve, or may simply slow down the cooking of another zone to ensure synchronization is completed.

[0040] Interruptions in cooking may make it difficult for synchronization to be completed. For example, opening a door or removing a tray from one zone stops cooking in that zone, but cooking can continue in another zone. In box 406, the preparation device may also monitor for interruptions. If there are no interruptions, the preparation device may proceed to the end of synchronization in box 408. As described above, this can be monitored by both zones (in box 404) to provide any setting updates as needed. However, if an interruption is detected in box 406, the preparation device may need to further modify settings to maintain synchronization completion in box 410. This may include monitoring the cooking status, changing the settings of one or both zones, and / or pausing cooking in another zone while an interruption is occurring. About Figure 6-12 further describes examples of setting modifications, and some examples include interruptions. In some embodiments, an interruption can interrupt the synchronous completion setting and can require the user to provide input on the option of performing an asynchronous completion or a synchronous completion.

[0041] Figure 5 A diagram showing different settings for a production device. The diagram is an example of how to calculate and predict the time required for a production device in the warm-up phase. Figure 5 The relationship between the temperature (y-axis) and time (x-axis) of preheating is shown. In this example, the cooking setting is set at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The curve is used to determine how long it may take to preheat at different temperature levels. This can be used to modify the preheating time for synchronization. Specifically, this example can be used to predict the preheating time of an empty basket. The synchronization circuit can use this information to adjust the preheating time and temperature, which can be used to synchronize the end between zones. Using this preheating curve, the required preheating time can be calculated as 115 / 150 multiplied by the target temperature. This calculation can be performed for two zones. When the calculated time for zone 1 is greater than the calculated time for zone 2, zone 1 starts before zone 2 by an amount that is different between the calculated times. In addition, in order to start one zone later than another zone, the preheating time can be another setting that can be modified to ensure that synchronization is completed. Figure 5 The graph in may vary between each device, and therefore it may be unique to the device used to accurately determine the preheat time. Specifically, differences from device to device may also include differences in capacity, materials, and heating performance variations. However, despite this variation, a linear relationship may be applied to calculate the required preheat time based on the set temperature.

[0042] Figure 6 An example of multi-zone synchronization is shown when preheating occurs in an empty zone. In this example, both zones are empty. Zone 1 is set to cook at 300°F, while Zone 2 is set to cook at 400°F. The cooking times (30 minutes for Zone 1 and 20 minutes for Zone 2) can be set by the user or determined by the device based on input (food type, sensor measurements, etc.). In this example, Zone 2 includes a waiting period (8 minutes) combined with a longer preheat time (4 minutes) to ensure that both zones have a synchronized end. The preheat times are different because the temperatures are different. However, in some embodiments, the preheat times can also be modified to achieve synchronization. The total time is shown as:

[0043] Zone 1: Preheat 2 minutes + Cook 30 minutes = Total 32 minutes

[0044] Zone 2: 8 minutes waiting + 4 minutes preheating + 20 minutes cooking = 32 minutes in total.

[0045] Figure 6A combination of increasing the waiting time and modifying the preheating time to ensure synchronization is complete is shown. Simply modifying the temperature and / or time for the cooking phase can be used for synchronization, but this will affect the quality of cooking (i.e., cooking at high temperatures may be faster but dry out the food). Therefore, synchronization determines the appropriate waiting time and preheating time so that the appropriate cooking time is still maintained at the appropriate temperature.

[0046] Figure 7 An example of multi-zone synchronization with food added before preheating is shown. In this example, the temperature and cooking time for Zone 1 and Zone 2 are synchronized with Figure 6 However, when the user adds food, it may take longer to reach the target temperature. If the user adds food, preheating starts at the calculated time and the actual temperature will be lower than the target temperature (e.g. Figure 5 In other words, adding food before preheating causes the preparation device to run at a different temperature than the preheating temperature. Figure 5 When the cooking time countdown starts, heating continues until it reaches the target temperature.

[0047] The preparation device may prompt the user to add food at the end of preheating, however, Figure 7 In the example, the user adds food at the beginning. As a result, the target temperature is not reached and there is a time range of "X seconds" in zone 1 for reaching the target temperature and a time range of "Y seconds" in zone 2 for reaching the target temperature. In this example, the total time is the same as the cooking time. In an alternative embodiment, the preparation device can adjust the preheat time and / or the cooking time based on the presence of food during preheating. This can be based on sensor measurements of temperature, weight, etc.

[0048] Figure 8 An example of multi-zone synchronization with zone measurement including dynamic time adjustment after cooking is shown. The chart can have dynamic time adjustment that occurs after preparation starts. The second zone can be affected / heated before entering preheat, so the predicted start / preheat time can be adjusted in real time for accuracy and cooking results. In a preparation device, these zones can be adjacent, so preheating one zone can also raise the temperature of another zone due to proximity to preheat. In this case, the second zone starts at a temperature higher than room temperature and may require less preheat. Figure 8Two checkpoints are shown that are added to dynamically adjust times based on heating. These checkpoints can utilize measured temperatures to dynamically adjust preheat and / or cooking times based on the measured temperature being higher than the expected temperature. At the first checkpoint, before zone 2 preheating begins, the zone 2 temperature is determined, and if the zone 2 temperature is higher than expected, the preheating time can be recalculated. Specifically, if the temperature at checkpoint 1 is high, the preheating time can be reduced (e.g., waiting time is increased) and / or preheating can be started later than planned. At checkpoint 2, before zone 2 cooking begins, the zone 2 remaining time is checked, and the preheating time can be adjusted / extended based on the temperature.

[0049] Fig. 9 An example of multi-zone synchronization for different preparation / cooking programs is shown. When food is added after preheating, this can occur without interruption. The chart shows the total time calculation for different preparation / cooking programs. For example, different cooking programs may or may not have a preheating phase, and they may or may not have instructions during cooking. Zone 1 may include a cooking function (e.g., air frying or grilling) that may require preheating and Fig. 9 The user is shown being provided with a prompt with an "add food" message and a "turn food" message. Depending on the function of zone 2, the wait time may vary. For the example of zone 2a, the function is baking or roasting, which requires preheating and an "add food" message. However, for the example of zone 2b, the function is reheating or dehydrating, which does not require preheating or any prompts. Therefore, the wait time is extended to ensure that the zone 2b end time matches zone 1.

[0050] Fig.10 An example of multi-zone synchronization without interruption is shown when food is added before preheating. If the user adds food, preheating begins at the calculated time and the actual zone temperature will be below the target temperature. When the cook time countdown begins, zone heating continues until it reaches the target temperature. Fig.10 In the example, the cooking time at the target temperature is shortened by X seconds, but the food is in the zone (i.e., heated in the basket) during preheating. The "X seconds" and "Y seconds" modifications to the settings can be based on measured parameters, such as the temperature of the zone and / or the temperature of the food.

[0051] Figure 4An interruption determination 406 is included. An interruption may include opening a zone that is in preheat or cook mode (e.g., opening a basket / door). This may cause heating to stop, with a warning beep to the user (e.g., on an information bar) saying "Close basket." In some embodiments, cooking in zone 2 is then stopped and the message bar for zone 2 displays "Paused." If the user does not return within X minutes, cooking (in both zones) may be canceled. X may be 5 minutes or a different value that may depend on the type of food and where the zone is in the process (e.g., if near the end of cooking, X=5 minutes, but during preheating X=10 minutes). Otherwise, cooking / time continues, with heat ramped up to resume the previous state:

[0052] If zone 1 is in preheat, then the synchronized time and heating may continue to complete the preheat phase.

[0053] If zone 2 is in waiting, it continues to synchronize time after the interruption.

[0054] If zone 2 is in preheat, then synchronized time and heating continues to complete the preheat phase.

[0055] If zone 2 is cooking, the cooking time counts down and heating continues after the interruption.

[0056] If zone 1 is cooking, the cooking time counts down and heating continues after the interruption.

[0057] If zone 2 is in waiting, it continues to synchronize time after the interruption.

[0058] If zone 2 is in preheat, then synchronized time and heating continues to complete the preheat phase.

[0059] If zone 2 is cooking, the cooking time counts down and heating continues after the interruption.

[0060] If during the zone 1 "basket open" window the zone 2 basket is also open, the interruptions are combined into one. If an interruption or combined interruptions exceed X minutes, cooking (in both zones) may be cancelled.

[0061] If multiple interrupts occur sequentially, the above scenario may apply to each interrupt.

[0062] Fig.11An example of multi-zone synchronization with interruptions is shown. In this example, zone 1 is turned on ("interrupted") for N minutes, which interrupts cooking in zone 1 and interrupts the end feature of synchronization. In one embodiment, zone 2 is paused during this interruption time. This example shows two different instances of zone 2, where zone 2a includes baking at 400°F for 20 minutes, while zone 2b includes baking at 450°F for 25 minutes. For zone 2a, there is an interruption waiting time of 8 minutes plus an additional N minutes. Similarly, for zone 2b, preheating is increased from 6 minutes to 6+N minutes to account for the interruption. The total time is increased by N minutes. For zone 2c, there is a reheat function at 450°F for 30 minutes. In this example, the cooking temperature rises and maintains the temperature. If zone 2 is also turned on when zone 1 is turned on, the interruption window is N=A(zone 1 opening time)+B(zone 2 opening time). If A, B, or A+B exceeds X minutes, cooking can be canceled in both zones. This can be applied to multiple interruptions, where the total time is a combination of the estimated cooking time and the sum of all interruption times.

[0063] The meaning of the specific details should be interpreted as examples within the embodiments, rather than being exhaustive or limiting the invention to the precise form disclosed in the examples. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may also be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, implementations, modules, entities, data sets, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, computer-related functions, or operations are not shown or described in detail, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0064] The above discussion is intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment (which may be of different types such as a client-server architecture or an Internet / browser network) in which the present invention may be implemented. The present invention will be described in the general context of computer executable instructions such as software modules, which may be executed in combination with hardware modules and executed by different computers in a network environment. Typically, program modules or software modules include routines, programs, objects, classes, instances, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. Computer executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code means for performing the steps of the methods described herein. The specific order of such executable instructions, method steps, or associated data structures merely represents an example of the corresponding activities for implementing the functions described herein. The method may also be performed iteratively.

[0065] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in a network computing environment with various types of computer system configurations, including personal computers (PCs), handheld devices (e.g., smart phones), multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, laptop computers, etc. In addition, the present invention can be implemented in a distributed computing environment, where computer-related tasks are performed by local or remote processing devices linked (by hardwired links, wireless links, or by a combination of hardwired or wireless links) through a communication network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in local or remote devices, memory systems, retrieval or data storage.

[0066] Typically, the method according to the present invention can be performed on a single computer or on several computers linked by a network. The computer can be a general-purpose computing device in the form of a conventional computer, including a processing unit, a system memory, and a system bus that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit. The system bus can be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or a memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of various bus architectures, which may be used in a clinical / medical system environment. The system memory includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). A basic input / output system (BIOS) can be stored in a memory that contains basic routines with functions such as transferring information between components within the computer during startup. In addition, the computer may also include a hard drive and other interfaces for user interaction. The drive and its associated computer-readable medium provide non-volatile or volatile storage of computer-executable instructions, data structures, program modules, and related data items. The user interface can be a keyboard, a pointing device, or other input device (not shown in the figure), such as a microphone, a joystick, a mouse. In addition, interfaces to other systems can be used. These and other input devices are typically connected to the processing unit via a serial port interface coupled to the system bus. Other interfaces include universal serial bus (USB). In addition, a monitor or another display device is also connected to the computer of the system via an interface such as a video adapter. In addition to the monitor, the computer typically includes other peripheral output or input devices (not shown), such as speakers and printers or interfaces for data exchange. Local and remote computers are coupled to each other by logical and physical connections, which may include servers, routers, network interfaces, peer devices or other common network nodes. The connection may be a local area network connection (LAN) and a wide area network connection (WAN), which may be used in an intranet or the Internet. In addition, the network environment typically includes a modem, a wireless link or any other device for establishing communication through a network.

[0067] Furthermore, the network usually comprises means for data retrieval, in particular for accessing data storage means, such as repositories etc. Network data exchanges may be coupled through the use of proxies and other servers.

[0068] The exemplary embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by this specification. All changes within the equivalent meaning and range of the claims will be included within their scope.

Claims

1. A food preparation device, comprising: a first compartment for preparing a first food according to a first setting including a first completion time; a second compartment for preparing a second food according to a second setting including a second completion time; as well as A synchronization circuit is configured to synchronize the first completion time and the second completion time.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The preparing includes functions including at least one of cooking, frying, air frying, baking, roasting, grilling, reheating, steaming, dehydrating, thawing or microwaving.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the compartments is capable of independently performing each of the functions.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a first message bar for the first compartment for displaying information about the first setting; as well as A second message bar for the second compartment for displaying information about the second setting.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The information displayed about the first setting includes the first completion time and a function for the first compartment, and further wherein the information displayed about the second setting includes the second completion time and a function for the second compartment.

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The first setting and the second setting each include a temperature that is dependent on the function, wherein the first compartment has a different temperature than the second compartment.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first compartment includes a first sensor for measuring the first food, and the second compartment includes a second sensor for measuring the second food, wherein the measurement includes at least weight or temperature.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The synchronization circuit is further configured to calculate a synchronization completion time based on both the first completion time and the second completion time, wherein the synchronization completion time includes one of the first completion time or the second completion time.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The synchronization includes modifying a start time or a preheating time of at least one of the first compartment or the second compartment.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein: Add preheat time in one of the compartments to synchronize the finish time.

11. A dual cooking device, comprising: a first cooking zone having first settings, the first settings including a first completion time; a second cooking zone having second settings, the second settings including a second completion time; as well as A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to be executed by a processor to synchronize the first completion time and the second completion time.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein The first cooking zone and the second cooking zone each include functionality for at least one of cooking, frying, air frying, baking, roasting, broiling, reheating, dehydrating, steaming, thawing, or microwaving.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein: Each of the regions may independently perform each of the functions.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a first message bar for the first area, for displaying information about the first setting; as well as A second message bar for the second area is used to display information about the second setting.

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein Displaying information about the first setting includes the first completion time and a function for the first zone, and further wherein displaying information about the second setting includes the second completion time and a function for the second zone.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein The first zone includes a first sensor for measuring the weight or temperature of food in the first zone, and the second zone includes a second sensor for measuring the weight or temperature of food in the second zone.

17. The device according to claim 11, wherein: The synchronizing also includes modifying a start time or a preheat time of at least one of the first zone or the second zone.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein: A warm-up time is added in one of the zones to synchronize the finish time.

19. A method comprising: receiving input of a cooking setting for the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone, wherein the cooking setting includes at least a cooking time and a cooking temperature; receiving input of settings for the other of the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone when the settings are not synchronized between the first cooking zone and the second cooking zone; and Upon synchronization completion input, the cooking time of the first cooking zone and the cooking time of the second cooking zone are synchronized.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein: The synchronizing also includes modifying a start time or a preheating time of at least one of the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone.

Images