Cooking apparatus and method of controlling cooking apparatus

Abstract

The invention discloses a cooking device and a control method thereof. The cooking device comprises a thermal imaging camera used for measuring the temperature of food; the protective window is positioned between the thermal imaging camera and the food and is used for protecting the thermal imaging camera; and a processor for acquiring a thermal image through the thermal imaging camera, dividing the thermal image into a cooking food area containing food, a first inner wall area covered by the shielding window, and a second inner wall area not covered by the shielding window except the cooking food area, and determining the cooking food based on information of the first inner wall area and the second inner wall area. A correction parameter is obtained to correct the impact of the shield window on the thermal imaging camera measurement, and the food temperature measured by the thermal imaging camera through the cooking food area is corrected based on the correction parameter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a cooking apparatus and a method for controlling the cooking apparatus, and more specifically, to a cooking apparatus for measuring the temperature of food being cooked within the cooking apparatus and a method for controlling the cooking apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] A cooking appliance is a device used to heat and cook food, and refers to a device capable of providing multiple cooking-related functions, such as heating, defrosting, drying, and sterilizing food. Examples of such cooking appliances include ovens (such as gas ovens or electric ovens), microwave heating devices (hereinafter referred to as microwave ovens), and air fryers. Specifically, a cooking appliance can utilize a cooking chamber that provides the cooking space and a heating device that heats the inside of the cooking chamber to perform operations such as baking, frying, steaming, boiling, or defrosting food.

[0003] In recent years, cooking appliances have been able to obtain the temperature of food by measuring the temperature using various devices inside the device (such as thermal imaging cameras, sensors, etc.), and control the heating operation of the food based on the measured temperature.

[0004] When a cooking appliance is equipped with a thermal imaging camera, a protective window can be placed between the camera and the food to protect the camera from contamination or heat. However, when the cooking appliance measures the food temperature using the thermal imaging camera, the protective window, located between the camera and the food, limits the accuracy of the temperature measurement.

[0005] Therefore, when cooking appliances measure food temperature using thermal imaging cameras, a method is needed to measure food temperature more accurately by correcting for the effects of the protective window. Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Technical Issues]

[0007] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a cooking apparatus includes: a thermal imaging camera configured to measure food temperature; a protective window located between the thermal imaging camera and the food, configured to protect the thermal imaging camera; and a processor configured to: acquire a thermal image via the thermal imaging camera; divide the thermal image into a cooking food area containing the food, a first inner wall area covered by the protective window, and a second inner wall area outside the cooking food area not covered by the protective window; acquire correction parameters based on information acquired for the first and second inner wall areas to correct the influence of the protective window on the measurement results acquired via the thermal imaging camera; and correct the food temperature measured by the thermal imaging camera through the cooking food area based on the correction parameters.

[0008] The processor can identify information about the difference between a first temperature obtained through a first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through a second inner wall region, and obtain correction parameters corresponding to the information about the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

[0009] The correction parameter is greater when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is larger than the correction parameter when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is smaller.

[0010] The protective window can be asymmetrically positioned relative to the thermal imaging camera to cover a portion of the inner wall of the cooking appliance within the camera's field of view, but not the rest of the inner wall.

[0011] The processor can update the correction parameters when a preset event occurs that relates to a temperature change in at least one of the multiple regions included in the thermal image.

[0012] The preset event can be a first preset event, which may include an event in which the temperature change obtained through the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region rises or falls by more than a preset value, or an event in which the difference between the first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and the second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region changes by more than or equal to a preset value.

[0013] The processor can update the correction parameters based on a preset event that occurs when settings related to the thermal imaging camera are changed.

[0014] The processor can update the calibration parameters at preset time intervals.

[0015] The protective window area is coated with a thermally conductive material, and the processor can acquire temperature information about the protective window through a thermal image area corresponding to the coated protective window area, acquire correction parameters based on the temperature information about the protective window, and correct the food temperature acquired through the food cooking area based on the correction parameters.

[0016] The protective window area is equipped with a thermistor, and the processor obtains information about the temperature of the protective window through the thermistor, obtains correction parameters based on the temperature information of the protective window, and corrects the food temperature obtained through the food cooking area based on the correction parameters.

[0017] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for controlling a cooking apparatus includes a thermal imaging camera configured to measure the temperature of food and a protective window located between the thermal imaging camera and the food, configured to protect the thermal imaging camera. The method includes: acquiring a thermal image through the thermal imaging camera; dividing the thermal image into a cooking food area containing the food, a first inner wall area covered by the protective window, and a second inner wall area not covered by the protective window, excluding the cooking food area; acquiring correction parameters based on information acquired for the first and second inner wall areas of the thermal image to correct the influence of the protective window on the measurement results acquired through the thermal imaging camera; and correcting the food temperature measured by the thermal imaging camera through the cooking food area based on the correction parameters.

[0018] Obtaining the correction parameters includes identifying information about the difference between a first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region, and obtaining correction parameters corresponding to the information about the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

[0019] The correction parameter is greater when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is larger than the correction parameter when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is smaller.

[0020] The protective window is asymmetrically positioned relative to the thermal imaging camera to cover a portion of the inner wall of the cooking device within the camera's field of view, but not the remainder.

[0021] The method further includes updating the correction parameters based on a preset event that relates to a temperature change in at least one of a plurality of regions included in the thermal image.

[0022] The preset event can be a first preset event, which may include an event in which the temperature change obtained through the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region rises or falls by more than a preset value, or an event in which the difference between the first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and the second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region changes by more than or equal to a preset value.

[0023] The method may further include updating the correction parameters when a second preset event occurs that changes the settings associated with the thermal imaging camera.

[0024] The method may also include updating the calibration parameters at preset time intervals.

[0025] The area of ​​the protective window is coated with a thermally conductive material, and obtaining the correction parameters may include obtaining information about the temperature of the protective window through a thermal image area corresponding to the coated protective window area, and obtaining correction parameters based on the temperature information about the protective window.

[0026] The area of ​​the protective window is attached with a thermistor, and obtaining the calibration parameters may include obtaining information about the temperature of the protective window through the thermistor, and obtaining the calibration parameters based on the information about the temperature of the protective window. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating the configuration of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating a thermal imaging camera and a protective window according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a method for correcting food temperature based on the influence of a protective window according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating multiple regions included in a thermal image according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Figures 5A, 5B and 5C are schematic diagrams of thermal images taken by a rotary cooking apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; Figures 6A, 6B and 6C are schematic diagrams of thermal images taken by a platform-type cooking apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; Figures 7A, 7B, 7C to 7D are schematic diagrams of thermal images taken when a highly thermally conductive material is coated on a protective window according to various embodiments of the present disclosure to directly measure the temperature of the protective window; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a thermal image taken when a thermistor is attached to a protective window to directly measure the temperature of the protective window according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating a method for correcting food temperature by measuring the temperature of a protective window according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and Figure 10 This is a flowchart for explaining a method of controlling a cooking apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Because this disclosure allows for numerous changes and multiple embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, it should be understood that the embodiments of this disclosure are not intended to be limited to the specific forms disclosed, but rather are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0029] In the description of this disclosure, a detailed description of known related techniques will be omitted if it is determined that such a detailed description may unnecessarily obscure the gist of this disclosure.

[0030] Furthermore, the following embodiments can be modified into many other forms, and the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure more faithful and complete, and to fully convey the technical concept of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0031] The terminology used in this disclosure is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit or constrain this disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form includes the plural expression.

[0032] In this disclosure, expressions such as “having,” “may have,” “including,” “comprise,” or “may include” or “may contain” indicate the presence of a corresponding feature (e.g., an element such as a number, function, operation, or component), but do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0033] In this disclosure, expressions such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and / or B”, and “one or more of A and / or B” can include all combinations of the relevant listed items. For example, the terms “A or B”, “at least one of A and B” or “at least one of A or B” can refer to: (1) a case containing at least one A; (2) a case containing at least one B; or (3) a case containing at least one A and at least one B.

[0034] Terms such as “first” and “second” used in this document may refer to various elements, regardless of the order and / or priority of the elements, and may be used to distinguish one element from another, rather than to limit the elements.

[0035] When it is mentioned that a component (e.g., the first component) is "(operably or communicatively) coupled to" or "connected to" another component (e.g., the second component), it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled to or connected to the other component, or may be coupled to or connected to the other component through another component (e.g., the third component).

[0036] On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a component (e.g., the first component) is "directly coupled to" or "directly connected to" another element (e.g., the second component), it should be understood that there are no other components (e.g., the third component) between that component and the other component.

[0037] Depending on the specific context, the term "configured as" as used herein may be used to express meanings such as "suitable for," "capable of," "designed for," "adapted to," "made as," or "able to." The term "configured as" does not simply refer to hardware "specifically designed for."

[0038] Conversely, "a device configured as..." can mean that the device is "capable" of working in conjunction with another device or other components. For example, "a processor configured to perform A, B, and C" can refer to a dedicated processor (such as an embedded processor) used to perform the respective operations, or a general-purpose processor (such as a central processing unit (CPU) or application processor) that performs the respective operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a storage device.

[0039] In this document, terms such as "module," "unit," and "part" should be understood as units that process at least one function or operation, which can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Furthermore, unless each of these "modules," "units," and "parts" requires separate implementation by specific hardware, multiple "modules," "units," and "parts" can be integrated into at least one module or chip and implemented as at least one processor.

[0040] Furthermore, the various elements and areas in the accompanying drawings are schematic representations. Therefore, the technical concept of this disclosure is not limited by the relative dimensions or distances shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0041] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them.

[0042] Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating the configuration of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 As shown, the cooking apparatus 100 may include a thermal imaging camera 110, a user input unit 120, an output unit 130, a memory 140, a heating unit 150, a communication interface 160, and a processor 170. On the other hand, the cooking apparatus 100 is a device for cooking food using at least one heat source, which may be an oven (such as a gas oven or electric oven), a microwave heating device (hereinafter referred to as a microwave oven), or an air fryer, but is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, Figure 1 The configuration shown is merely an example and may include further configurations depending on the type of cooking appliance 100.

[0043] The thermal imaging camera 110 is configured to acquire thermal images by visualizing the infrared rays (or thermal rays) emitted by an object. The thermal image acquired by the thermal imaging camera 110 can contain information about the temperature of the object. That is, the pixel information contained in the thermal image can represent information about the temperature of the object. In this regard, the thermal imaging camera 110 can be referred to by various terms such as thermal imaging sensor, thermal imaging image sensor, etc.

[0044] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the thermal imaging camera 110 may be located on one side of the cooking apparatus 100 (e.g., the upper part of the cooking apparatus 100) and acquire thermal images by photographing the interior of the cooking apparatus 100. In this regard, the thermal image may include multiple areas. For example, the thermal image may include a food cooking area, a first inner wall area covered by the protective window 210, and a second inner wall area not covered by the protective window 210.

[0045] Meanwhile, the thermal imaging camera 110 can be protected from heat or contamination generated inside the cooking appliance 100 through the protective window 210. Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the protective window 210 can be placed between the thermal imaging camera 110 and the food 10, and can protect the thermal imaging camera 110 from heat or contamination generated inside the cooking device 100.

[0046] However, since the protective window 210 exists between the thermal imaging camera 110 and the food 10, when the thermal imaging camera 110 measures the temperature of the food 10, there is a limitation that the temperature of the food 10 cannot be accurately measured due to the protective window 210. Specifically, the temperature of the food 10 Tfood obtained through the food cooking area, the temperature Tcavity of the first inner wall covered by the protective window 210, and the temperature Tcavity_raw of the second inner wall not covered by the protective window 210 can be represented as shown in Formula 1 below.

[0047] [Formula 1]

[0048] Here, E represents thermal energy (or infrared energy), and α can represent a proportionality constant.

[0049] As shown in Formula 1 above, since the temperature Tfood of food 10 is also affected by the heat energy of the protective window 210, it is necessary to correct for the influence of the protective window 210 in order to accurately calculate the temperature Tfood of food 10.

[0050] Therefore, according to embodiments of this disclosure, processor 170 can calculate the correction parameters caused by protective window 210 and correct the temperature of food 10 based on the correction parameters.

[0051] Specifically, such as Figure 2As shown, the protective window 210 may be asymmetrically arranged relative to the thermal imaging camera 110 to cover a portion ② of the inner wall of the cooking appliance 100 within the imaging range of the thermal imaging camera 110, but not the remaining portion ③. Therefore, the processor 170 can calculate the correction parameters caused by the protective window 210 based on the temperature difference between the first inner wall area covered by the protective window 210 and the second inner wall area not covered by the protective window 210. On the other hand, the above embodiment describes the protective window 210 being asymmetrically arranged relative to the thermal imaging camera 110, but this is only one embodiment, and the shape of the protective window 210 may be asymmetrical to cover a portion ② of the inner wall of the cooking appliance 100 but not the remaining portion ③.

[0052] According to embodiments of this disclosure, in order to directly measure the temperature of the protective window 210, a thermally conductive material can be coated on the area of ​​the protective window 210 or a thermistor can be installed.

[0053] The user input unit 120 includes circuitry and a processor 170 capable of receiving user input via the user input unit 120 for controlling the operation of the cooking appliance 100. For example, the user input unit 120 may be implemented as a knob on one side of the front surface of the cooking appliance 100. However, this is only one embodiment, and the user input unit 120 may be configured as a button, a touchscreen, or a signal receiving unit for receiving user input from an external device.

[0054] Specifically, the user input unit 120 can receive user input for controlling the cooking operation of the cooking device 100, and can also receive user input for changing the settings of the thermal imaging camera 110.

[0055] The output unit 130 includes circuitry through which the processor 170 can output various functions executable by the cooking appliance 100. For example, the output unit 130 may be implemented as a display on the front surface of the cooking appliance 100. However, this is only one embodiment, and the output unit 130 may further include indicator lights or a speaker.

[0056] The output unit 130 can output a message indicating the cooking status of the cooking device 100, and can also output a message containing information about the temperature of the food 10 placed inside the cooking device 100.

[0057] The memory 140 may store at least one instruction for controlling the cooking apparatus 100. Simultaneously, the memory 140 may store an operating system (O / S) for driving the cooking apparatus 100. Furthermore, according to various embodiments of this disclosure, various software programs or applications for operating the cooking apparatus 100 may be stored in the memory 140. Moreover, the memory 140 may include a semiconductor memory such as flash memory, or a magnetic storage medium such as a hard disk.

[0058] Specifically, the memory 140 may include multiple modules for correcting the temperature of the food 10 based on the influence of the protective window 210. Specifically, when the cooking appliance 100 is powered on, or when performing the function of correcting the temperature of the food 10 based on the influence of the protective window 210, the cooking appliance 100 may load data from various modules stored in non-volatile memory into volatile memory to perform various operations. Here, loading refers to the operation of acquiring data stored in non-volatile memory and storing it in volatile memory so that the processor 170 can access this data.

[0059] The heating unit 150 is a component that applies heat to the food 10 placed inside the cooking apparatus 100. In this regard, the heating unit 150 may include at least one heat source, such as a heating wire or a microwave radiation unit. The heating wire is a component that applies heat to the interior of the cooking apparatus 100. Specifically, the heating wire may be located at at least one of the top wall, rear wall, and side wall inside the cooking apparatus 100. Specifically, when the cooking apparatus 100 is operating in one of the following driving modes—air fryer mode, grill mode, and oven mode—the processor 170 can perform the cooking operation by controlling the heating wire corresponding to that driving mode. The microwave radiation unit can generate microwaves of a specific frequency and then emit the generated microwaves into the cooking apparatus 100. Specifically, when the cooking apparatus 100 is operating in a stovetop mode or when the cooking apparatus 100 is implemented as a microwave oven, the processor 170 can perform the cooking operation by controlling the microwave radiation unit.

[0060] The communication interface 160 includes circuitry capable of communicating with external devices (e.g., user terminals or external servers). Specifically, the processor 170 can receive various data or information from external devices connected via the communication interface 160 and transmit data or information to those external devices.

[0061] The communication interface 160 may include at least one of a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, a wireless communication module, an NFC module, or an ultra-wideband module. In this regard, the wireless communication module can communicate according to various communication standards, such as IEEE, Zigbee, 3G, 3GPP, LTE, or 5G.

[0062] The communication interface 160 can receive user commands from external devices for setting the drive mode of the cooking device 100 or for controlling the cooking operation, and transmit information about the current cooking status to the external devices.

[0063] The processor 170 can control the overall operation of the cooking apparatus 100 according to at least one instruction stored in the memory 140. Specifically, the processor 170 can acquire thermal images via the thermal imaging camera 110. The processor 170 can divide the thermal image into a cooking food area containing the food 10, a first inner wall area covered by the protective window 210, and a second inner wall area not covered by the protective window 210. The processor 170 can obtain correction parameters for the protective window 210 based on the first and second inner wall areas. The processor 170 can correct the temperature of the food 10 acquired through the cooking food area based on these correction parameters.

[0064] In one embodiment, processor 170 can identify information regarding the difference between a first temperature obtained through a first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through a second inner wall region. Processor 170 can acquire a correction parameter corresponding to the information regarding the difference between the first and second temperatures. In this respect, the greater the difference between the first and second temperatures, the larger the correction parameter; and the smaller the difference between the first and second temperatures, the smaller the correction parameter.

[0065] In an embodiment, when a first preset event related to a temperature change in at least one of the plurality of regions included in the thermal image occurs, the processor 170 may update the correction parameters. The first preset event may include an event in which the temperature change obtained through a first inner wall region or a second inner wall region increases or decreases by a preset value, or an event in which the difference between a first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region is equal to or greater than a preset value.

[0066] In one embodiment, when a second preset event occurs that changes the settings associated with the thermal imaging camera 110, the processor 170 may update the correction parameters.

[0067] In this embodiment, the processor 170 can update the correction parameters at preset time intervals.

[0068] In this embodiment, when a thermally conductive material is coated on a certain area of ​​the protective window 210, the processor 170 can obtain information about the temperature of the protective window 210 from the portion of the thermal image corresponding to that area. Based on this information about the temperature of the protective window 210, the processor 170 can obtain correction parameters for the protective window 210. Based on these correction parameters, the processor 170 can correct the temperature of the food 10 obtained through the food cooking area.

[0069] In this embodiment, when a thermistor is attached to a certain area of ​​the protective window 210, the processor 170 can obtain information about the temperature of the protective window 210 through the thermistor. Based on this information about the temperature of the protective window 210, the processor 170 can obtain correction parameters for the protective window 210. Based on these correction parameters, the processor 170 can correct the temperature of the food 10 obtained through the food cooking area.

[0070] Figure 3 This is a flowchart for explaining a method for correcting food temperature based on the influence of a protective window according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] First, the cooking apparatus 100 can initiate the cooking operation (S310). In this regard, the cooking apparatus 100 can initiate the cooking operation based on user input input via the user input unit 120 or based on user input received via the communication interface 160. Specifically, the cooking apparatus 100 can initiate the cooking operation based on user input for setting information related to the cooking operation (such as cooking mode, cooking time, or cooking temperature). Simultaneously, when the cooking operation is initiated, food is placed inside the cooking apparatus 100.

[0072] The cooking apparatus 100 can acquire thermal images via the thermal imaging camera 110 (S320). The thermal image is an image of the interior of the cooking apparatus 100 acquired by the thermal imaging camera 110, and the pixels of the thermal image can represent the internal temperature of the cooking apparatus 100. The thermal imaging camera 110 can be located on the upper side of the interior of the cooking apparatus 100, but this is only an example; the thermal imaging camera 110 can also be located on the side or back of the interior of the cooking apparatus 100. During subsequent operations, the cooking apparatus 100 can use the continuously acquired thermal image frames from the thermal imaging camera 110 as a background and can store the acquired thermal image frames in a buffer.

[0073] The cooking apparatus 100 can divide the thermal image into multiple regions (S330). Specifically, the cooking apparatus 100 can divide the thermal image into a cooking food region containing the food, a first inner wall region covered by the protective window 210, and a second inner wall region not covered by the protective window 210. In this regard, the cooking food region can be the region located within the area for measuring the food temperature captured by the observation window in front of the thermal imaging camera 110, and can also be referred to as the observation region. The first inner wall region can be the inner wall region covered by the protective window 210 other than the cooking food region. The second inner wall region can be the inner wall region not covered by the protective window 210 other than the cooking food region.

[0074] As an embodiment of this disclosure, the cooking apparatus 100 can obtain such as Figure 4The thermal image 400 shown may include a food cooking area 410, a first inner wall area 420, and a second inner wall area 430. The food cooking area 410 may include an area ① corresponding to the food and a background area ④. The first inner wall area 420 may be an area ② in the inner wall areas other than the food cooking area 410, corresponding to the inner wall covered by the protective window 210. The second inner wall area 430 may be an area ③ in the inner wall areas other than the food cooking area 410, corresponding to the upper right corner inner wall not covered by the protective window 210. (For reference only.) Figures 4 to 8 In the paper, only the lines used to divide the multiple regions in the thermal image 400 are disclosed, omitting the pixel representation of the temperature of each region.

[0075] The cooking apparatus 100 can obtain a first temperature through a first inner wall region and a second temperature through a second inner wall region (S340). Specifically, the cooking apparatus 100 can obtain the first temperature based on representative values ​​(e.g., mean, mode, or median) of pixels in the first inner wall region of the thermal image, and obtain the second temperature based on representative values ​​of pixels in the second inner wall region of the thermal image. In this regard, the first temperature can be the temperature of the inner wall of the cooking apparatus 100 covered by the protective window 210, and the second temperature can be the temperature of the inner wall of the cooking apparatus 100 not covered by the protective window 210. In an embodiment, the cooking apparatus 100 can obtain the second temperature through pixels in the second inner wall region adjacent to the first inner wall region.

[0076] The cooking apparatus 100 can obtain a correction parameter based on the difference between a first temperature and a second temperature (S350). Specifically, the cooking apparatus 100 can obtain the correction parameter for the protective window 210 by calculating the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. In this regard, the correction parameter is a parameter used to correct the food temperature obtained from the cooking food area of ​​the thermal image, and can be a correction value multiplied by the food temperature obtained from the cooking food area of ​​the thermal image. However, this is only an embodiment, and the correction parameter can also be a correction value added to the food temperature obtained from the cooking food area of ​​the thermal image.

[0077] Specifically, the larger the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, the larger the correction parameter; conversely, the smaller the difference, the smaller the correction parameter. In other words, a larger difference between the first temperature and the second temperature indicates a greater influence of the protective window 210, thus potentially requiring a larger correction parameter; similarly, a smaller difference indicates a smaller influence of the protective window 210, thus potentially requiring a smaller correction parameter. In this regard, the correction parameter corresponding to the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature can be stored in the memory 140, but this disclosure is not limited to this, and the correction parameter can also be calculated based on the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

[0078] The cooking apparatus 100 can obtain the temperature of the food through the food cooking zone (S360). Specifically, as follows... Figure 4 As shown, the cooking apparatus 100 can separate a region ① corresponding to the food from the food cooking region 410. Furthermore, the cooking apparatus 100 can obtain the temperature of the food based on representative values ​​of the pixels contained in the region ① corresponding to the food. In this respect, the obtained food temperature may be distorted due to the influence of the protective window 210. Also, while it is described here that operation S360 is performed after operation S350, this is merely one embodiment, and operation S360 can also be performed after operation S330 and before operation S350.

[0079] The cooking apparatus 100 can correct the food temperature based on a correction parameter (S370). In an embodiment, the cooking apparatus 100 can correct the food temperature by multiplying the correction parameter obtained in operation S350 with the food temperature obtained in operation S360. In this regard, when the correction parameter is greater than 1, the cooking apparatus 100 can correct the food temperature to increase the food temperature obtained in operation S360. Alternatively, when the correction parameter is greater than 0 and less than 1, the cooking apparatus 100 can correct the food temperature to decrease the food temperature obtained in operation S360. However, this is merely one embodiment, and the cooking apparatus 100 can also correct the food temperature by adding the correction parameter obtained in operation S350 to the food temperature obtained in operation S360.

[0080] The cooking apparatus 100 can control the cooking operation based on the corrected food temperature. For example, the cooking apparatus 100 can perform the next cooking operation, change the cooking temperature, or end the cooking operation based on the corrected food temperature.

[0081] The cooking apparatus 100 can identify whether an event related to the update of correction parameters has occurred (S380). Specifically, when the cooking apparatus 100 calculates correction parameters for each frame of the thermal image, it can more accurately correct the temperature of the food, but there may be limitations due to increased computational load. Therefore, when an event related to the update of correction parameters occurs (S380 - Y), the cooking apparatus 100 can again perform the operation after operation S340 on a new frame of the thermal image to update the correction parameters.

[0082] In an embodiment, the event associated with updating the correction parameters may be a first preset event related to the temperature change of at least one of the multiple regions included in the thermal image. In this regard, the first preset event may include an event where the temperature change obtained through a first inner wall region or a second inner wall region increases or decreases by a preset value, or an event where the difference between a first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region changes equal to or greater than a preset value. Specifically, when the difference between the temperature of the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region obtained from the current frame and the temperature of the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region obtained from the previous frame is greater than or equal to a preset value, the cooking device 100 may update the correction parameters to reflect a sharp increase in inner wall temperature, a temperature change in the protective window 210, or an environmental change due to humidity. Alternatively, when the difference between a first difference between the first temperature and the second temperature obtained from the current frame and a second difference between the first temperature and the second temperature obtained from the previous frame is greater than or equal to a preset value, the cooking device 100 may update the correction parameters to reflect changes in the characteristics of the protective window 210.

[0083] In this embodiment, the event associated with updating the calibration parameters may be a second preset event indicating a change in settings related to the thermal imaging camera 110. Specifically, the cooking apparatus 100 may update the calibration parameters when the sensitivity, emissivity, frame rate (FPS), rolling average range, etc., of the thermal imaging camera 110 changes. While the second preset event may occur during the cooking operation, this is only one embodiment, and the second preset event may also occur before the cooking operation is performed.

[0084] In this embodiment, the event associated with updating the calibration parameters may be an event that occurs at a preset time interval. That is, the cooking device 100 may update the calibration parameters every preset time interval (e.g., 10 seconds).

[0085] When no event related to the update of the calibration parameters occurs (S380 - N), the cooking apparatus 100 may determine whether to end the cooking operation (S390). For example, the cooking apparatus 100 may determine whether to end the cooking operation based on whether the preset cooking time has been reached, or it may determine whether to end the cooking operation based on the calibrated food temperature.

[0086] Furthermore, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the shape of the observation window (or observation area) may vary depending on the type of cooking apparatus 100. This will be described with reference to Figures 5A to 6C.

[0087] In an embodiment, when the cooking apparatus 100 is a turntable type, the viewing window can be circular. When the viewing window is circular, as shown in Figures 5A to 5C, each viewing area (or food cooking area) 510-1, 510-2, and 510-3 of the thermal image can also be circular. That is, in the case of the turntable cooking apparatus 100, since the turntable rotates, the viewing window can be circular to prevent the viewing area from changing as the turntable rotates.

[0088] Meanwhile, when the cooking apparatus 100 is a turntable type, as shown in Figures 5A to 5C, the cooking apparatus 100 can acquire thermal images of first inner wall regions 520-1, 520-2, and 520-3, and second inner wall regions 530-1, 530-2, and 530-3, which include various shapes. For example, the cooking apparatus 100 can acquire thermal images of the second inner wall region 530-1 located in the upper right corner, as shown in Figure 5A; the second inner wall region 530-2 located in the right side, as shown in Figure 5B; and the second inner wall region 530-3 located in the left and right sides, as shown in Figure 5C.

[0089] In an embodiment, when the cooking device 100 is a flat-panel type, the viewing window can be rectangular. When the viewing window is rectangular, as shown in Figures 6A to 6C, each viewing area (or food cooking area) 610-1, 610-2, and 610-3 of the thermal image can also be rectangular. That is, in the case of a flat-panel cooking device 100, the plate does not rotate, but the food may be located in different areas below the cooking device 100; therefore, the flat-panel cooking device 100 can include a larger rectangular viewing area than a turntable cooking device 100.

[0090] Meanwhile, when the cooking device 100 is a flat panel type, as shown in Figures 6A to 6C, the cooking device 100 can acquire thermal images of first inner wall regions 620-1, 620-2, and 620-3, and second inner wall regions 630-1, 630-2, and 630-3, which include various shapes. For example, the cooking device 100 can acquire thermal images of the second inner wall region 630-1, which includes the upper right corner, as shown in Figure 6A; the second inner wall region 630-2, which includes the right side region, as shown in Figure 6B; and the second inner wall region 630-3, which includes the left and right side regions, as shown in Figure 6C.

[0091] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the cooking apparatus 100 can correct the food temperature acquired via thermal imaging by directly measuring the temperature of the protective window 210. The following will refer to Figures 7A to 7B. Figure 9 Explanation is provided. Meanwhile, Figures 7A to... Figure 8 Thermal images are shown, Figures 7A to 7B. Figure 8 The thermally conductive materials 730-1, 730-2, 730-3, 730-4 or the thermistor 830 shown can be captured by the thermal imaging camera 110.

[0092] In this embodiment, in order to directly measure the temperature of the protective window 210, the cooking apparatus 100 may coat the protective window 210 with a heat-conducting material with high thermal conductivity. For example, the protective window 210 may be coated with a heat-conducting material with high thermal conductivity such as silver or copper.

[0093] In this regard, a heat-conducting material ⑤ can be applied to the remaining areas of the protective window 210, excluding the food cooking area (or observation area). In an embodiment, as shown in FIG7A, a heat-conducting material 730-1 can be applied in a triangular shape to the upper right corner of the remaining area 720 of the protective window 210, excluding the food cooking area 710. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG7B, a heat-conducting material 730-2 can be applied in a rectangular shape to the right side of the remaining area 720 of the protective window 210, excluding the food cooking area 710. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG7C, a heat-conducting material 730-3 can be applied in a circular shape to the upper right corner of the remaining area 720 of the protective window 210, excluding the food cooking area 710. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG7D, a heat-conducting material 730-4 can be applied in a square shape to the right side of the remaining area 720 of the protective window 210, excluding the food cooking area 710.

[0094] The cooking device 100 can directly measure the temperature of the protective window 210 by measuring the temperature of the area coated with heat-conducting material in the thermal image.

[0095] In this embodiment, to directly measure the temperature of the protective window 210, the cooking apparatus 100 may be provided with a protective window 210 to which a thermistor is attached. In this regard, a thermistor is a resistor that measures temperature by utilizing the property that the resistance of a material changes with temperature. For example, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the thermistor 830 can be attached to the right side of the remaining area 820 of the protective window 210, excluding the food cooking area 810.

[0096] Figure 9 This is a flowchart for explaining a method of correcting food temperature by measuring the temperature of a protective window according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0097] First, the cooking apparatus 100 can initiate the cooking operation (S910). In this regard, the cooking apparatus 100 can initiate the cooking operation based on user input input via the user input unit 120 or based on user input received via the communication interface 160. Specifically, the cooking apparatus 100 can initiate the cooking operation based on user input for setting information related to the cooking operation (such as cooking mode, cooking time, or cooking temperature). Simultaneously, when the cooking operation is initiated, food is placed inside the cooking apparatus 100.

[0098] The cooking apparatus 100 can acquire thermal images via the thermal imaging camera 110 (S920). Here, the thermal image is an image of the interior of the cooking apparatus 100 acquired by the thermal imaging camera 110, and the pixels of the thermal image can represent the internal temperature of the cooking apparatus 100. In this regard, when performing subsequent operations, the cooking apparatus 100 can use the thermal image frames continuously acquired by the thermal imaging camera 110 as a background and can store the acquired thermal image frames in a buffer.

[0099] The cooking apparatus 100 can obtain the temperature of the protective window (S930). Specifically, the cooking apparatus 100 can obtain the temperature of the protective window 210 based on the heat-conducting materials 730-1, 730-2, 730-3 and 730-4 coated on the protective window as shown in Figures 7A to 7D, or based on... Figure 8 The thermistor 830 is used to obtain the temperature of the protective window.

[0100] The cooking apparatus 100 can obtain the temperature of the food through the food cooking area (S940). Specifically, the cooking apparatus 100 can separate a region ① corresponding to the food from the food cooking area. Furthermore, the cooking apparatus 100 can obtain the temperature of the food based on the representative values ​​of the pixels contained in the region ① corresponding to the food.

[0101] The cooking apparatus 100 can acquire correction parameters based on the temperature of the food and the temperature of the protective window (S950). Specifically, when it is detected that the temperature of the protective window is higher than the temperature of the food, the cooking apparatus 100 can acquire correction parameters for lowering the food temperature, and when it is detected that the temperature of the protective window is lower than the temperature of the food, the cooking apparatus 100 can acquire correction parameters for raising the food temperature. In this regard, the greater the difference between the temperature of the protective window and the temperature of the food, the larger the absolute value of the correction parameter; and the smaller the difference between the temperature of the protective window and the temperature of the food, the smaller the absolute value of the correction parameter.

[0102] The cooking apparatus 100 can correct the food temperature based on a correction parameter (S960). In an embodiment, the cooking apparatus 100 can correct the food temperature by multiplying the correction parameter obtained in operation S950 with the food temperature obtained in operation S940. In this regard, when the correction parameter is greater than 1, the cooking apparatus 100 can correct the food temperature to increase the food temperature obtained in operation S940. Alternatively, when the correction parameter is greater than 0 and less than 1, the cooking apparatus 100 can correct the food temperature to decrease the food temperature obtained in operation S360. However, this is merely one embodiment, and the cooking apparatus 100 can also correct the food temperature by adding the correction parameter obtained in operation S950 (here, the correction parameter includes both positive and negative numbers) to the food temperature obtained in operation S940.

[0103] At the same time, despite Figure 9 Not shown in the text, but as Figure 3 As described in operation S380, in Figure 9 In one embodiment, the correction parameters can also be updated when an event for updating the correction parameters is detected.

[0104] Figure 10 This is a flowchart for explaining a method of controlling a cooking apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0105] The cooking apparatus 100 can acquire thermal images using a thermal imaging camera (S1010). Specifically, the cooking apparatus 100 can acquire thermal images of the food area using a thermal imaging camera 110 located in a region inside the cooking apparatus 100. In this regard, the thermal imaging camera 110 can be protected by a protective window 210. The protective window 210 can be asymmetrically arranged relative to the thermal imaging camera 110 so that it covers a portion of the inner wall of the cooking apparatus 100 within the imaging range of the thermal imaging camera 110 without covering the rest.

[0106] The cooking apparatus 100 can divide the thermal image into a cooking food area containing food, a first inner wall area covered by the protective window 210, and a second inner wall area not covered by the protective window 210.

[0107] The cooking apparatus 100 can acquire correction parameters for the protective window 210 based on the first inner wall region and the second inner wall region (S1030). Specifically, the cooking apparatus 100 can identify information regarding the difference between a first temperature acquired through the first inner wall region and a second temperature acquired through the second inner wall region. Furthermore, the cooking apparatus 100 can acquire correction parameters corresponding to the information regarding the difference between the first and second temperatures. In this regard, the larger the difference between the first and second temperatures, the larger the correction parameter; and the smaller the difference between the first and second temperatures, the smaller the correction parameter.

[0108] The cooking apparatus 100 can correct the food temperature obtained through the food cooking zone based on the correction parameters (S1040).

[0109] In an embodiment, the cooking apparatus 100 may update correction parameters when a first preset event related to a temperature change in at least one of the plurality of regions included in the thermal image occurs. In this regard, the first preset event may include an event where the temperature change obtained through a first inner wall region or a second inner wall region increases or decreases by a preset value, or an event where the change in the difference between a first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region is equal to or greater than a preset value.

[0110] In an embodiment, the cooking apparatus 100 may update the calibration parameters when a second preset event occurs that changes the settings associated with the thermal imaging camera 110.

[0111] In this embodiment, the cooking device 100 can update the calibration parameters at preset time intervals.

[0112] Simultaneously, the cooking apparatus 100 can obtain calibration parameters by directly measuring the temperature of the protective window 210. In this embodiment, a heat-conducting material can be coated on a certain area of ​​the protective window 210. The cooking apparatus 100 can obtain information about the temperature of the protective window 210 from the portion corresponding to that area in a thermal image. Based on the information about the temperature of the protective window 210, the cooking apparatus 100 can obtain calibration parameters for the protective window 210.

[0113] In one embodiment, a thermistor may be attached to a certain area of ​​the protective window 210. The cooking apparatus 100 can obtain information about the temperature of the protective window 210 through the thermistor. Based on the information about the temperature of the protective window 210, the cooking apparatus 100 can obtain correction parameters for the protective window 210.

[0114] Furthermore, the methods described herein according to various embodiments can be provided in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product can be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product can be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., an optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed directly or online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) between two user devices (e.g., smartphones) through an app store (e.g., Google Play Store™). In the case of electronic distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable application) can be temporarily stored or created on a storage medium such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an app store's server, or a relay server.

[0115] The various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented using software containing instructions that can be stored in a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a computer). A machine is a device capable of recalling stored instructions from a storage medium and operating according to those instructions, and may include the cooking apparatus of this embodiment.

[0116] Meanwhile, machine-readable storage media can be provided in the form of non-transitory storage media. Here, "non-transitory storage media" refers to tangible devices and apparatuses that do not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), but does not distinguish whether data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium. For example, "non-transitory" can include buffers for temporarily storing data.

[0117] When an instruction is executed by the processor, the processor can either directly perform the function corresponding to the instruction, or use other components under the processor's control to perform the function. Instructions may include code generated or executed by a compiler or interpreter.

[0118] Although exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been shown and described herein, this disclosure is not limited to the specific exemplary embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure as disclosed in the appended claims. These modifications should also be understood to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A cooking apparatus, comprising: A thermal imaging camera, configured to measure the temperature of food; A protective window, located between the thermal imaging camera and the food, is configured to protect the thermal imaging camera. as well as The processor is configured to acquire thermal images via the thermal imaging camera; The thermal image is divided into a food cooking area containing food, a first inner wall area covered by the protective window, and a second inner wall area not covered by the protective window, excluding the food cooking area. Based on information obtained from the first and second inner wall regions of the thermal image, correction parameters are obtained to correct the influence of the protective window on the measurement results obtained by the thermal imaging camera; and Based on the correction parameters, the temperature of the food measured by the thermal imaging camera through the cooking area is corrected.

2. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured as follows: Identify information regarding the difference between a first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region, and Obtain the correction parameters corresponding to the information about the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

3. The cooking apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The correction parameter is greater when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is larger than the correction parameter when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is smaller.

4. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The protective window is asymmetrically positioned relative to the thermal imaging camera to cover a portion of the inner wall of the cooking device within the camera's field of view, but not the remainder.

5. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to update the correction parameters based on a preset event that relates to a temperature change in at least one of a plurality of regions included in the thermal image.

6. The cooking apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the preset event includes a first preset event, the first preset event including an event in which the temperature change obtained through the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region increases or decreases by more than a preset value, or an event in which the difference between the first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and the second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region changes by more than or equal to the preset value.

7. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to update the correction parameters based on a preset event in which settings related to the thermal imaging camera are changed.

8. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to update the correction parameters at preset time intervals.

9. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The area of ​​the protective window is coated with a thermally conductive material, and The processor is configured as follows: Information about the temperature of the protective window is obtained by using a thermal image area corresponding to the coated protective window area. Based on the information regarding the temperature of the protective window, correction parameters for the protective window are obtained, and Based on the correction parameters, the food temperature obtained through the cooking food area is corrected.

10. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The area of ​​the protective window is fitted with a thermistor, and The processor is configured as follows: Information about the temperature of the protective window is obtained through the thermistor. Based on the information about the temperature of the protective window, correction parameters are obtained, and Based on the correction parameters, the food temperature obtained through the cooking food area is corrected.

11. A method of controlling a cooking apparatus, the cooking apparatus comprising a thermal imaging camera configured to measure the temperature of food and a protective window located between the thermal imaging camera and the food, configured to protect the thermal imaging camera, the method comprising: Thermal images are acquired using the thermal imaging camera; The thermal image is divided into a food cooking area containing food, a first inner wall area covered by the protective window, and a second inner wall area not covered by the protective window, excluding the food cooking area. Based on information obtained from the first and second inner wall regions of the thermal image, correction parameters are obtained to correct the influence of the protective window on the measurement results obtained by the thermal imaging camera; and Based on the correction parameters, the temperature of the food measured by the thermal imaging camera through the cooking area is corrected.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, Obtaining the correction parameters includes: Identify information regarding the difference between a first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region, and Obtain correction parameters corresponding to information about the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The correction parameter is greater when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is larger than the correction parameter when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is smaller.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The protective window is asymmetrically positioned relative to the thermal imaging camera to cover a portion of the inner wall of the cooking device within the camera's field of view, but not the remainder.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: The correction parameters are updated based on a preset event that relates to a temperature change in at least one of the multiple regions included in the thermal image.

Images