Kitchen appliance for cooking

Abstract

A kitchen appliance for cooking is provided, comprising: a first cooking chamber (202) for accommodating food; a second cooking chamber (204) for accommodating food; a controller configured to control a cooking process of cooking food in the first cooking chamber (202) and the second cooking chamber (204), respectively; a single camera (210) for imaging inside the first cooking chamber (202) and inside the second cooking chamber (204); and one or more optical components (212) arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber (202) towards the single camera (210) for the single camera to image a region of the food inside the first cooking chamber (202) that is outside a field of view of the single camera (210).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a kitchen appliance for cooking. Background Technology

[0002] Kitchen appliances used for cooking (more commonly referred to as kitchen appliances or cooking appliances in this article) are widely used. Dual-chamber (or dual-basket) cooking kitchen appliances are becoming increasingly popular because they can handle (e.g., cook) different types of food simultaneously without affecting each other in the different food types in each chamber.

[0003] Figure 1 The image shows a front view of a dual-compartment (or dual-basket) kitchen appliance used for cooking, such as a dual-compartment air fryer or air fryer (AF). A dual-compartment AF may also be referred to as a dual-zone AF, dual-basket AF, or dual AF. Figure 1 The dual-chamber kitchen appliance has a horizontal structure, in which cooking chambers 102 and 104 are arranged horizontally relative to each other. Each cooking chamber 102 and 104 includes a basket 106 and 108 for holding food. Each cooking chamber includes a heater 122 and 126 for heating the chamber. Cooking chambers 102 and 104 are separated by a partition wall 144.

[0004] Figure 2 A side view of another dual-compartment (or dual-basket) kitchen appliance for cooking is shown, such as a dual-compartment air fryer or AF. As shown in the side view, Figure 2 The left or right side can be the back of the kitchen utensil. Figure 2 The dual-chamber kitchen appliance has a vertical structure, in which cooking chambers 402 and 404 are arranged vertically relative to each other. Each cooking chamber 402 and 404 includes baskets 406 and 408 for holding food 430 and 432. Each cooking chamber 402 and 404 includes fans (e.g., including blades) 420 and 424 and heaters 422 and 426 for heating the chamber. For example, there may be two heaters 422 and 426 and two fans 420 and 424 between the two baskets 406 and 408. In this way, hot airflow can be evenly distributed to the two baskets 406 and 408. The fans 420 and 424 may be driven by a single motor 428. Alternatively, two independent motors may be used for the respective fans, making it easier to control the fan speed. For example, two independent motors may be provided for each basket 406 and 408. The cooking chambers 402 and 404 are separated by a partition wall 444.

[0005] Camera modules can be used in cooking appliances to enable visual functions. For example, EP4309550A1 discloses a camera capable of identifying food types through food image recognition and determining cooking settings based on food image analysis results. Other applications of cameras include capturing images and / or video to identify food quantity, food distribution within the cooking chamber, and doneness. Food images can be used for cooking process control, browning control, remote monitoring, preventing burning, and content for social media sharing.

[0006] Vision capabilities will be widely deployed in future cooking appliances to provide real-time visual monitoring of food status and enable vision-based cooking control. Camera-based intelligent assisted cooking has been researched for many years. Therefore, it is necessary to consider integrating camera modules into dual-chamber cooking appliances. Summary of the Invention

[0007] For multi-compartment cooking appliances (i.e., cooking appliances with multiple compartments), multiple cameras are typically required to simultaneously acquire visual information from more than one cooking compartment (or basket). For example, for a two-compartment (or two-basket) cooking appliance, two cameras are typically needed to simultaneously acquire visual information from both compartments (or baskets). However, each camera module included in the cooking appliance (along with its associated hardware and software configuration) increases the appliance's complexity, cost, and computational and power requirements.

[0008] Therefore, it would be valuable to provide improvements designed to address these limitations.

[0009] Therefore, according to one aspect of this disclosure, a kitchen appliance for cooking is provided, comprising: a first cooking chamber for containing food; a second cooking chamber for containing food; a controller configured to control cooking processes for cooking food in the first and second cooking chambers respectively; a single camera for imaging the interior of the first and second cooking chambers; and one or more optical components arranged to direct light reflected from the interior of the first cooking chamber toward the single camera, for the single camera to image a food area in the interior of the first cooking chamber located outside the field of view of the single camera.

[0010] Therefore, in the manner described above, an improved kitchen appliance for cooking is provided. This improved appliance utilizes optical components to direct light from inside a first cooking chamber toward a single camera, enabling the single camera to image food areas inside the first cooking chamber that are outside the camera's field of view. In this way, both the second and first cooking chambers (including food areas that would otherwise be outside the camera's field of view) can be imaged by a single camera, thereby reducing the need for additional camera modules and lowering the complexity, cost, and computational and power requirements of the cooking appliance.

[0011] This paper presents several methods for reducing the number of camera modules in multi- (e.g., dual-)chamber cooking appliances (or more specifically, multi-, e.g., dual-basket cooking appliances) by utilizing one or more optical components (e.g., one or more mirrors and / or one or more lenses). With the aid of one or more carefully designed optical components, light from multiple (e.g., two or more) cooking chambers (or baskets) can be simultaneously delivered to a single camera. Therefore, a single camera module can simultaneously acquire visual information from multiple (e.g., two or more) cooking chambers. The integration design can depend on the architecture of the cooking appliance (e.g., horizontal or vertical arrangement of the cooking chambers). Different methods will be described below for different cooking appliance architectures.

[0012] These and other aspects will become apparent and will be illustrated with reference to the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Exemplary embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following figures, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a typical two-chamber cooking appliance with a horizontal structure;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a typical two-chamber cooking appliance with a vertical structure;

[0016] Figures 3 to 4 This is a schematic diagram of a dual-chamber cooking appliance with a horizontal structure according to some embodiments; and

[0017] Figures 5 to 13 This is a schematic diagram of a dual-chamber cooking appliance with a vertical structure according to some embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The following detailed description of specific examples covered by the present invention is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0019] This disclosure relates to a kitchen appliance for cooking, or more specifically for cooking food. A kitchen appliance for cooking may also be referred to as a cooking utensil. In this document, the kitchen appliance or cooking utensil referred to as such shall be understood to be any type of cooking utensil. Examples include, but are not limited to, an air fryer (also referred to as an air fryer), a microwave oven, a conventional oven, a convection oven, a steamer (also referred to as a steam pot or food steamer), or any other type of cooking utensil.

[0020] A kitchen appliance for cooking is provided, comprising: a first cooking chamber for containing food; a second cooking chamber for containing food; a controller configured to control cooking processes for cooking food in the first and second cooking chambers respectively; a single camera for imaging the interior of the first and second cooking chambers; and one or more optical components arranged to direct light reflected from the interior of the first cooking chamber toward the single camera, for the single camera to image a food area inside the first cooking chamber located outside the field of view of the single camera.

[0021] In this article, the field of view (FOV) can also be referred to as the angle of view (AOV) or the viewing angle. It refers to the area that a single camera can image.

[0022] One or more optical components may include an optical component with a curved surface arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber toward the single camera, and the optical component with the curved surface may be the first optical component in the path of the light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber. One or more optical components may include one or more mirrors (e.g., one mirror, two mirrors, three mirrors, or any other number of mirrors) and / or one or more lenses (e.g., one lens, two lenses, three lenses, or any other number of lenses). In this document, a mirror may also be referred to as a reflector, and a lens may also be referred to as a transparent lens.

[0023] The first cooking room can be located next to, above, or below the second cooking room.

[0024] The first cooking chamber may be located next to the second cooking chamber, and one or more optical components may include a concave mirror that may be arranged to direct light reflected from the interior of the first cooking chamber toward a single camera and light reflected from the interior of the second cooking chamber toward a single camera, for the single camera to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber that is outside the field of view of the single camera.

[0025] The first cooking chamber may be located next to the second cooking chamber, and one or more optical components may include a convex mirror arranged to direct light reflected from the interior of the first cooking chamber toward a single camera, and the single camera may be arranged to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber that is within the field of view of the single camera.

[0026] A first cooking chamber may be located above a second cooking chamber, and one or more optical components may include a first reflector, a second reflector, and a third reflector. The first reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber toward the second reflector. The second reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from the first reflector toward the third reflector. The third reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from the second reflector toward a single camera. The single camera may be arranged to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber located within the field of view of the single camera. The first reflector may be a convex mirror, the second reflector may be a plane mirror, and the third reflector may be a plane mirror. Alternatively, the first reflector may be a convex mirror, the second reflector may be a plane mirror, and the third reflector may be a concave mirror.

[0027] A first cooking chamber may be located above a second cooking chamber, and one or more optical components may include a first reflector and a second reflector. The first reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber toward the second reflector. The second reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from the first reflector toward a single camera. The single camera may be arranged to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber that is within the field of view of the single camera. The first reflector may be a convex mirror, and the second reflector may be a plane mirror. Alternatively, the first reflector may be a convex mirror, and the second reflector may be a concave mirror.

[0028] A first cooking chamber may be located below a second cooking chamber, and one or more optical components may include a first reflector and a second reflector. The first reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber toward the second reflector. The second reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from the first reflector toward a single camera. The single camera may be arranged to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber that is within the field of view of the single camera. The first reflector may be a convex mirror, and the second reflector may be a plane mirror.

[0029] A first cooking chamber may be located below a second cooking chamber, and one or more optical components may include a first reflector, a second reflector, and a third reflector. The first reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber toward the second reflector. The second reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from the first reflector toward the third reflector. The third reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from the second reflector toward a single camera. The single camera may be arranged to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber that is within the field of view of the single camera. The first reflector may be a convex mirror, the second reflector may be a plane mirror, and the third reflector may be a plane mirror.

[0030] A first cooking chamber may be located below a second cooking chamber, and one or more optical components may include a first concave lens and a second concave lens. The first concave lens may be arranged to direct light reflected from the interior of the first cooking chamber toward a single camera. The second concave lens may be arranged to direct light reflected from the interior of the second cooking chamber toward a single camera, for the single camera to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber that is outside the field of view of the single camera.

[0031] The first cooking chamber may include a first removable basket for containing food. The second cooking chamber may include a second removable basket for containing food. A single camera may be used to image the interior of the first and second removable baskets. One or more optical components may be arranged to direct light from inside the first removable basket toward the single camera, for the single camera to image the interior of the first removable basket.

[0032] Kitchen appliances can be air fryers, microwave ovens, conventional ovens, convection ovens, or steamers.

[0033] Figures 3 to 13 Embodiments of kitchen appliances for cooking are shown, including first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302 for containing food 530, 630, 730, 830, 930, 1030, and 1130, and second cooking chambers 204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, and 1304 for containing food 532, 632, 732, 832, 932, 1032, and 1132. For example, the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302 may include first baskets 206, 306, 506, 606, 706, 806, 906, 1006, 1106, 1206, and 1306 for containing food 530, 630, 730, 830, 930, 1030, and 1130. The second cooking chambers 204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, and 1304 may include second baskets 208, 308, 508, 608, 708, 808, 908, 1008, 1108, 1208, and 1308 for containing food 532, 632, 732, 832, 932, 1032, and 1132. The first basket may be a first removable basket. The second basket may be a second removable basket. The first basket may include a first handle for removing the first basket from the first cooking chamber. The second basket may include a second handle for removing the second basket from the second cooking chamber. In this document, the basket may also be referred to as a cooking basket.

[0034] The first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302 may be located adjacent to the second cooking chambers 204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, and 1304. This is referred to as a horizontal arrangement of cooking chambers, where the cooking chambers are arranged horizontally relative to each other (e.g., side by side). Alternatively, the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302 may be located above or below the second cooking chambers 204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, and 1304. This is known as a vertical arrangement of cooking rooms, where cooking rooms are arranged vertically relative to each other (e.g., stacked arrangement).

[0035] although Figures 3 to 13 The kitchen appliance shown includes two cooking chambers, but it should be understood that the appliance may include multiple cooking chambers (e.g., at least two cooking chambers, such as two, three, four, or more cooking chambers). Similarly, although... Figures 3 to 13 The kitchen appliance shown includes two baskets, but it should be understood that the kitchen appliance may include multiple baskets (e.g., at least two baskets, such as two, three, four or more baskets). Each cooking compartment may include a single basket or multiple baskets (e.g., at least two baskets, such as two, three, four or more baskets).

[0036] The food area can be defined as the area in the cooking room or more specifically, the area in a basket where food will be placed (e.g., on). For example, as Figures 5 to 11 As shown in the positions of food items 530, 532, 630, 632, 730, 732, 830, 832, 930, 932, 1030, 1032, 1130, and 1132, the first food area can be located at the base of the first baskets 506, 606, 706, 806, 906, 1006, and 1106, and the second food area can be located at the base of the second baskets 508, 608, 708, 808, 908, 1008, and 1108. Although Figures 3 to 4 and Figures 12 to 13 Food is not shown, but it should be understood that in these embodiments, the first food area may also be located at the base of the first baskets 206, 306, 1206, 1306, and the second food area may also be located at the base of the second baskets 208, 308, 1208, 1308.

[0037] exist Figures 3 to 13In the illustrated embodiment, one or both of the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302 and the second cooking chambers 204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304 may include fill level markings. For example, one or both of the first baskets 206, 306, 506, 606, 706, 806, 906, 1006, 1106, 1206, 1306 and the second baskets 208, 308, 508, 608, 708, 808, 908, 1008, 1108, 1208, 1308 may include fill level markings. Filling horizontal markings may be located, for example, on the side walls of the first baskets 206, 306, 506, 606, 706, 806, 906, 1006, 1106, 1206, 1306 and / or on the side walls of the second baskets 208, 308, 508, 608, 708, 808, 908, 1008, 1108, 1208, 1308.

[0038] exist Figures 3 to 13 In the illustrated embodiments, each cooking chamber 202, 204, 302, 304, 502, 504, 602, 604, 702, 704, 802, 804, 902, 904, 1002, 1004, 1102, 1104, 1202, 1204, 1302, 1304 may be able to maintain its own cooking process parameters, such as any one or more of temperature, heat distribution, and airflow rate. For example, each cooking chamber may be sealed, insulated, and / or ventilated. The first cooking chamber 202 and the second cooking chambers 204, 302, 304, 502, 504, 602, 604, 702, 704, 802, 804, 902, 904, 1002, 1004, 1102, 1104 can be separated by partition walls 244, 344, 544, 644, 744, 844, 944, 1044, 1144.

[0039] Although not shown, the kitchen appliance includes a controller configured to control the cooking process for cooking food in the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302 and the second cooking chambers 204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304. For example, each cooking chamber may be equipped with heating elements 222, 226, 322, 326, 522, 526, 622, 626, 722, 726, 822, 826, 922, 926, 1022, 1026, 1122, 1126, 1222, 1226, 1322, 1326, and optionally also with fans 520, 524, 620, 624, 720, 724, 820, 824, 920, 924, 1020, 1024, 1120, 1124, 1220, 1224, 1320, 1324. The controller can control heating elements 222, 226, 322, 326, 522, 526, 622, 626, 722, 726, 822, 826, 922, 926, 1022, 1026, 1122, 1126, 1222, 1226, 1322, 1326 in each chamber, and optionally also controls fans 520, 524, 620, 624, 720, 724, 820, 824, 920, 924, 1020, 1024, 1120, 1124, 1220, 1224, 1320, 1324 to control any one or more of the temperature, heat distribution, and heat transfer rate of the food in each chamber. Kitchen appliances may include motors 528, 628, 728, 828, 928, 1028, 1128, 1236, 1234, and 1335 for controlling fans. A controller may be configured to cause the motor to control the fan.

[0040] Heating elements 222, 226, 322, 326, 526, 626, 726, 826, 904, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1204, 1304 inside one or more cooking chambers 202, 204, 302, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 926, 1022, 1122, 1222, 1226, 1326 can be arranged on the top of the cooking chamber (e.g., above the food area inside the cooking chamber, such as baskets 206, 208, 306, 308, 508, 608, 708, 808 inside the cooking chamber). Above 908, 1006, 1106, 1206, 1208, 1308, and optionally, fans 524, 624, 724, 824, 924, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1224, 1324 inside one or more cooking chambers 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1204, 1304 may be arranged between the top of the cooking chamber and the heating elements 526, 626, 726, 826, 926, 1022, 1122, 1222, 1226, 1326 inside the cooking chamber. This arrangement may be referred to herein as a first heating arrangement.

[0041] Heating elements 522, 622, 722, 822, 922, 1026, and 1126 inside one or more cooking chambers 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1004, and 1104 may be arranged at the base of the cooking chamber (e.g., below the food area inside the cooking chamber, such as below baskets 506, 606, 706, 806, 906, 1008, and 1108 inside the cooking chamber), and optionally, fans 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1024, and 1124 inside one or more cooking chambers 502, 602, 702, 804, 902, 1004, and 1104 may be arranged between the base of the cooking chamber and the heating elements 522, 622, 722, 822, 922, 1026, and 1126 inside the cooking chamber. This arrangement may be referred to as the second heating arrangement in this paper.

[0042] In the first heating arrangement, the motor for controlling one or more indoor cooking chamber fans can be located outside the cooking chamber or inside the cooking chamber between the top of the cooking chamber and the indoor cooking chamber fans. In the second heating arrangement, the motor for controlling one or more indoor cooking chamber fans can be located outside the cooking chamber or inside the cooking chamber between the bottom of the cooking chamber and the indoor cooking chamber fans. In the combination of the first heating arrangement inside the bottom cooking chambers 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1002, 1102 and the second heating arrangement inside the top cooking chambers 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1004, 1104, the motors 528, 628, 728, 1028, 1128 for controlling the fans 520, 524, 620, 624, 720, 724, 820, 824, 920, 924, 1020, 1024, 1120, 1124 inside the two cooking chambers may be arranged between the two cooking chambers, and optionally also at least partially located inside one or both of the two cooking chambers.

[0043] Heating elements 1322 within one or more cooking chambers 1302 may be located at the rear of the cooking chamber (e.g., adjacent to a food area inside the cooking chamber, such as a basket 1306 adjacent to the cooking chamber), and optionally, fans 1320 within one or more cooking chambers 1302 may also be located between the rear of the cooking chamber and the heating elements 1322 within the cooking chamber. This arrangement may be referred to herein as a third heating arrangement. The third heating arrangement can reduce the overall height of the kitchen appliance.

[0044] In the third heating arrangement, the motor for controlling one or more internal fans of cooking chamber 1302 may be located between the rear of the cooking chamber and the fan, or the motor for controlling one or more internal fans 1320 of cooking chamber may be located outside the cooking chamber.

[0045] One or more heating elements inside the cooking chamber may be mounted on the side wall of the cooking chamber (e.g., adjacent to the food area inside the cooking chamber, such as a basket adjacent to the cooking chamber), and optionally, one or more fans inside the cooking chamber may also be mounted between the side wall of the cooking chamber and the heating elements inside the cooking chamber. This arrangement may be referred to herein as a fourth heating arrangement. The fourth heating arrangement can also reduce the overall height of the kitchen appliance.

[0046] In the fourth heating arrangement, the motor for controlling one or more indoor cooking fans can be located between the side wall of the cooking chamber and the fans, or the motor for controlling one or more indoor cooking fans can be located outside the cooking chamber.

[0047] The controller can independently control other actuators in each chamber to independently control other characteristics of the cooking process in the chamber, such as humidity level, heating rate, cooling rate, and any one or more other characteristics.

[0048] The kitchen appliances include individual cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310, used to image the interiors of the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302 and the interiors of the second cooking chambers 204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, and 1304. A single camera can be installed inside the first cooking chamber, the second cooking chambers 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, or outside the first cooking chamber 202 and the second cooking chambers 204, 1202, 1204, 1302, 1304. The controller can be configured to automatically or semi-automatically control the cooking process in the first cooking chamber 202 and the second cooking chambers 204, 302, 304, 502, 504, 602, 604, 702, 704, 802, 804, 902, 904, 1002, 1004, 1102, 1104, 1202, 1204, 1302, 1304 based on information collected by a single camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1202, 1204, 1302, 1304, provide information to the user, and / or otherwise control kitchen appliances based on information collected by a single camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1202, 1204, 1302, 1304.

[0049] The kitchen appliance includes one or more optical components 212, 312, 512, 514, 516, 612, 616, 712, 716, 812, 816, 912, 914, 916, 1012, 1014, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1212, 1214, 1312, 1314. The optical components are arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302. The images are directed to individual cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310, for imaging food areas located outside the field of view of the individual cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310 inside the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302.

[0050] In this document, the field of view of a single camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310 can refer to the area that the camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310 can observe (e.g., at any given moment). More specifically, the field of view of a single camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310 can refer to the area observable by the single camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1010, 1110, 1110, 1116, 1212, 1214, 1312, 1314 without utilizing (or in the absence of) external optical components (such as one or more optical components 212, 312, 512, 514, 516, 612, 616, 712, 716, 812, 816, 912, 914, 916, 1012, 1014, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1212, 1214, 1312, 1314). The field of view of cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310 may be limited by the camera itself (e.g., sensor design and / or integrated optics) and / or by opaque parts of the kitchen appliance (e.g., inner walls and / or baskets).

[0051] One or more optical components 212, 312, 512, 514, 516, 612, 616, 712, 716, 812, 816, 912, 914, 916, 1012, 1014, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1212, 1214, 1312, 1314 may include one or more mirrors (e.g., one or more plane mirrors, one or more concave mirrors and / or one or more convex mirrors), one or more lenses (e.g., one or more convex lenses, one or more concave lenses and / or one or more meniscus lenses), one or more prisms, and / or one or more other optical components. All mirrors referred to herein are reflectors.

[0052] One or more windows 218, 318, 518, 618, 718, 818, 918, 1018, 1118 may be arranged in one or more walls 244, 344, 544, 644, 744, 804, 902, 904, 1002, 1004, 1102, 1104 that separate the first and second cooking chambers 202, 204, 302, 304, 502, 504, 602, 604, 702, 704, 802, 804, 902, 904, 1002, 1004, 1102, 1104. One or more windows 218, 318, 518, 618, 718, 818, 918, 1018, 1118 may be transparent. That is, one or more windows 218, 318, 518, 618, 718, 818, 918, 1018, 1118 may be made of a transparent material, such as glass. One or more windows 218, 318, 518, 618, 718, 818, 918, 1018, 1118 are flat (or substantially flat). That is, they do not have curved surfaces. One or more windows 218, 318, 518, 618, 718, 818, 918, 1018, 1118 may allow light to pass through (from one chamber to another), enabling light to reach the associated optical components or individual cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110. One or more windows 218, 318, 518, 618, 718, 818, 918, 1018, 1118 can be used to allow light to pass from one room to another while preventing air from escaping from either cooking room.

[0053] Unlike one or more optical components 212, 312, 512, 514, 516, 612, 616, 712, 716, 812, 816, 912, 914, 916, 1012, 1014, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1212, 1214, 1312, 1314, one or more windows 218, 318, 518, 618, 718, 818, 918, 1018, 111 8 does not direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302 to a single camera, but instead uses that camera to image food areas inside the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302 that are outside the field of view of that single camera. Instead, one or more windows 218, 318, 518, 618, 718, 818, 918, 1018, 1118 only allow light to pass through.

[0054] The tops of the first baskets 206, 306, 506, 606, 706, 806, 906, 1006, 1106, 1206, and 1306, and the tops of the second baskets 208, 308, 508, 608, 708, 808, 908, 1008, 1108, 1208, and 1308, may be open or may include a removable cover. The removable cover may be made of a transparent material, such as glass, to allow light to pass through.

[0055] The optical construction lines (i.e., the lines representing the reflective surfaces, the normals to the reflective surfaces, and the lines connecting virtual cameras 546, 548, 648, 748, 1046, 1146, 1148 to individual cameras 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110) are in Figures 5 to 11 The light is shown in dashed lines. Figures 3 to 13 The middle part is indicated by a dashed arrow.

[0056] Individual cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310 can be arranged such that a portion of the food area inside the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302 is located within that individual camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, and 810. The fields of view of cameras 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310 are outside of the field of view of cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302, or the entire food area inside the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302 is outside the field of view of cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310. Individual cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310 can be arranged such that a portion of the food area inside the second cooking chambers 204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, and 1304 is located within that individual camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, and 810. The fields of view of cameras 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310, or the entire food area inside the second cooking chambers 204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, and 1304, are located within the fields of view of a single camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310.

[0057] The field of view of a single camera (210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310) can be set to a fixed angle. For example, this fixed angle can be in the range of 60 to 180 degrees, such as in the range of 70 to 170 degrees, such as in the range of 80 to 160 degrees, such as in the range of 90 to 150 degrees (e.g., 100 degrees). Therefore, the camera can still receive some light emitted in the horizontal direction. The food areas of the first cooking rooms 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302 may be outside the field of view of a single camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310, while the food areas of the second cooking rooms 204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, and 1304 may be within the field of view of a single camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310. The field of view of a single camera 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310 may include “non-food” areas, such as areas inside kitchen appliances that are not food areas, and therefore may not be areas of interest to the camera / user / kitchen appliance. Therefore, in order to more effectively utilize the field of view of individual cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310, a portion of the field of view of individual cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310 can be utilized through one or more optical components 212, 312, 512, 514, 516, 612, 616, 712, 716, 812, 816, 912, 914, 916, 1012, 1014, and 1112. Cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310 receive light so that individual cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310 can image the food areas of the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302 located outside the field of view of individual cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, and 1310.

[0058] One or more optical components may include optical components 212, 312, 512, 612, 712, 812, 912, 1012, 1112, 1212, 1312 with curved surfaces arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302 to individual cameras 210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310. For example, the optical component with the curved surface may be a curved mirror (e.g., a concave mirror or a convex mirror), a curved lens (e.g., a convex lens, a concave lens, or a meniscus lens), or other curved optical components. The optical component with a curved surface may be the first optical component in the reflected light path from inside the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302. For example, light reflected from inside the first cooking chambers 202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, and 1302 (e.g., food placed there) may first reach the optical component with the curved surface, i.e., it may not have reached any other optical component beforehand. The component with the curved surface may be the first optical component in the reflected light path. For the purposes of this disclosure, "optical component" does not include a window.

[0059] Now we will describe it in more detail. Figures 3 to 13 The example shown.

[0060] Figure 3 A front view of a kitchen appliance for cooking is shown. The appliance includes a first cooking chamber 202 and a second cooking chamber 204 for holding food, a single camera 210, and one or more optical components 212. The first cooking chamber 202 may include a first basket 206, and the second cooking chamber 204 may include a second basket 208. The first cooking chamber 202 and the second cooking chamber 204 may be separated by a partition wall 244. The appliance may include heating elements 222 and 226 and a window 218.

[0061] like Figure 3As shown, the first cooking chamber 202 may be located adjacent to the second cooking chamber 204. One or more optical components may include a concave mirror 212, which is arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 202 (or more specifically, the first basket 206) toward a single camera 210, for the single camera 210 to image a food area inside the first cooking chamber 202 (or more specifically, the first basket 206) that is outside the field of view of the single camera 210, and to direct light reflected from inside the second cooking chamber 204 (or more specifically, the second basket 208) toward the single camera 210, for the single camera 210 to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber 204 (or more specifically, the second basket 208) that is outside the field of view of the single camera 210.

[0062] Figure 3 The kitchen appliance in this design can be described as a dual-chamber cooking appliance with a horizontal structure. This appliance can be equipped with a dedicated motor and fan for each cooking chamber. That is, each cooking chamber can have its own motor and fan.

[0063] A single camera 210 may be fixed between cooking chambers 202, 204 (or more specifically, the two baskets 206, 208) (e.g., fixed in the middle of the two cooking chambers). The single camera 210 may be oriented towards the two cooking chambers 202, 204 (or more specifically, the two baskets 206, 208) such that the interior of each cooking chamber 202, 204 (or more specifically, each basket 206, 208) can be observed simultaneously through the single camera 210. However, due to the limited field of view of the single camera 210, certain food areas inside the first cooking chamber 202 and / or the second cooking chamber 204 (especially when cooking chambers 202, 204 are filled to a high position with food) may not be visible through the single camera 210.

[0064] Figure 3 One solution to this problem is illustrated by using a curved mirror (or more specifically, a concave mirror) 212 to collect light from food areas (e.g., the entire base or interior of each cooking chamber or basket) located outside the camera's field of view within each cooking chamber 202, 204 (or more specifically, each basket 206, 208), and reflecting it to a single camera 210. Figure 3As shown, a single camera 210 can be mounted (or oriented) to face the curved mirror 212. For example, a single camera 210 can be mounted (or oriented) facing upwards (e.g., away from the base of cooking chambers 202, 204 or more specifically, the base of baskets 206, 208). In this way, the curved mirror 212 can collect light reflected from inside each cooking chamber 202, 204 (or more specifically, each basket 206, 208, e.g., the food area where food is placed at the base of each basket 206, 208). Software can be used to improve the orientation and / or size of objects in the captured images and / or videos.

[0065] like Figure 3 As shown, a single camera 210 and / or a curved mirror 212 can be positioned between the first and second cooking chambers 202, 204. The single camera 210 can be positioned vertically below the curved mirror 212. The single camera 210 can be vertically upward to receive light reflected from the curved mirror 212, for example, while preventing air from escaping from either cooking chamber 202, 204.

[0066] Window 218 allows light to pass from the first cooking chamber 202 and the second cooking chamber 204 to the curved mirror 212, such that the curved mirror 212 can reflect this light to a single camera 210, for example, while preventing air from escaping from either chamber.

[0067] A single camera 210 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 60 to 120 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 65 to 115 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 70 to 110 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 75 to 105 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 80 to 100 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 85 to 95 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, a single camera 210 can be oriented at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0068] The curved mirror 212 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -60 degrees to -120 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -65 degrees to -115 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -70 degrees to -110 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -75 degrees to -105 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -80 degrees to -100 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -85 degrees to -95 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the curved mirror 212 can be oriented at an angle of -90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0069] The horizontal plane can be defined as a plane parallel to the base of the kitchen appliance. The orientation angle can be measured counterclockwise from a starting angle of 0 degrees on the horizontal plane.

[0070] Heating elements 222 and 226 are in Figure 2 The first heating arrangement is shown in the figure. However, it should be understood that one or both of the heating elements 222 and 226 may alternatively be a second heating arrangement, a third heating arrangement or a fourth heating arrangement.

[0071] Figure 4 A front view of a kitchen appliance for cooking is shown. The appliance includes a first cooking chamber 302 for holding food, a second cooking chamber 304 for holding food, a single camera 310, and one or more optical components 312. The first cooking chamber 302 may include a first basket 306, and the second cooking chamber 304 may include a second basket 308. The first cooking chamber 302 and the second cooking chamber 304 may be separated by a partition wall 344. The appliance may include heating elements 322 and 326 and a window 318.

[0072] like Figure 4 As shown, the first cooking chamber 302 may be located adjacent to the second cooking chamber 304. One or more optical components may include a reflector 312 arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 302 (or more specifically, the first basket 306) toward a single camera 310, for the single camera 310 to image a food area inside the first cooking chamber 302 (or more specifically, the first basket 306) that is outside the field of view of the single camera 310. The reflector 312 may be a convex mirror. The single camera 310 may be arranged to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber 304 (or more specifically, the second basket 308) that is inside the field of view of the single camera 310. That is, a single camera 310 can be arranged to directly image the food area inside the second cooking chamber 304 (or more specifically, the second basket 308) without using optical components to guide light to the single camera 310, while simultaneously "indirectly" imaging the food area inside the first cooking chamber 302 (or more specifically, the first basket 306) via a reflector 312. Thus, the single camera 310 is oriented towards one basket 308, thereby eliminating the need for a reflector to guide light from that basket to the single camera 310. The reflector 312 is used to reflect light from the other basket 306 to the single camera 310. A window 318 can be located in the partition wall 344 between the first cooking chamber 302 and the second cooking chamber 304 to allow light reflected from the reflector 312 to reach the camera 310, while simultaneously preventing air from escaping from either cooking chamber.

[0073] like Figure 4As shown, perhaps only one reflector is needed. "Direct" imaging of the second basket 308 via a single camera 310 (i.e., without using optical components to direct light reflected from the second basket 308 to the single camera 310) can provide improved image quality for the food area inside the second basket 308. The second basket 308 is also closer to the single camera 310, which can further improve image quality. Software can be used to enhance the image obtained from light reflected from the first basket 306 via the reflector 312 to the single camera 310, for example, by improving the orientation and / or size of objects in the acquired images and / or videos.

[0074] like Figure 4 As shown, a single camera 310 can be positioned inside the second cooking chamber 304. A reflector 312 can be positioned inside the first cooking chamber 302. The reflector 312 can be positioned above the food area of ​​the first cooking chamber 302, for example, above the top edge of the first basket 306. The reflector 312 can be positioned at an angle to reflect light from inside the first cooking chamber 302, or more specifically, from inside the first basket 306 (e.g., from food placed inside the first basket 306), in a horizontal direction. The first camera 310 can be positioned horizontally flush with the reflector 312 to receive the light reflected from the reflector 312.

[0075] Window 318 allows light to pass from the first cooking chamber 302 to the second cooking chamber 304, while simultaneously preventing air from escaping from either cooking chamber 302 or 304. Window 318 also allows light reflected from the first optical component to reach the individual camera 310. Figure 4 As shown, window 318 can be positioned horizontally flush with a single camera 310 and a reflector 312.

[0076] A single camera 310 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, a single camera 310 can be oriented at an angle of -150 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0077] The reflector 312 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 degrees to -90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -5 degrees to -85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -10 degrees to -80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -15 degrees to -75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -20 degrees to -70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -25 degrees to -65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -30 degrees to -60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -35 degrees to -55 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 312 can be oriented at an angle of -45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0078] The horizontal plane can be defined as a plane parallel to the base of the kitchen appliance. The orientation angle can be measured counterclockwise from a starting angle of 0 degrees on the horizontal plane.

[0079] exist Figure 4 In the diagram, heating elements 322 and 326 are shown as a first heating arrangement. However, it should be understood that one or both of the heating elements 322 and 326 may alternatively be a second, third, or fourth heating arrangement.

[0080] Figure 5 A front view of a kitchen appliance for cooking is shown, comprising a first cooking chamber 502, a second cooking chamber 504, a single camera 510, and one or more optical components 512, 514, 516. The first cooking chamber 502 may include a first basket 506 for holding food 530, and the second cooking chamber 504 may include a second basket 508 for holding food 532. The first cooking chamber 502 and the second cooking chamber 504 may be separated by a partition wall 544. Each cooking chamber 502, 504 may include heating elements 522, 526, and optionally also includes fans 520, 524. The fans 520, 524 may be driven by a single motor 528 or by multiple independent motors.

[0081] like Figure 5 As shown, a first cooking chamber 502 may be located above a second cooking chamber 504. One or more optical components may include a first reflector 512, a second reflector 514, and a third reflector 516. The first reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 502 to the second reflector 514, the second reflector 514 may be arranged to direct light reflected from the first reflector 512 to the third reflector 516, and the third reflector 516 may be arranged to direct light reflected from the second reflector 514 to a single camera 510. The single camera 510 may be arranged to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber 504 that is within the field of view of the single camera 510.

[0082] A single camera 510 can be oriented to observe the interior of the second cooking chamber 504 or, more specifically, the food area inside the second basket 508. Therefore, the food 532 in the second basket 508 can be directly seen by the single camera 510. The orientation of the single camera 510 allows most (if not all) of the food 532 to be observed. Figure 5 The dashed line extending from food 532 to the single camera 510 shows the light reflected from food 532 and captured by the single camera 510. Figure 5 As shown, all the light reflected from the food 532 can be captured by a single camera 510.

[0083] The dashed lines extending from food 530 to the first optical component 512, from the first optical component 512 to the second optical component 514, from the second optical component 514 to the third optical component 516, and from the third optical component 516 to the single camera 510 show the light reflected from food 530, which is reflected by optical components 512, 514, 516 and captured by the single camera 510.

[0084] Figure 5 A first virtual camera 546 and a second virtual camera 548 are shown. The first virtual camera 546 is based on the plane of the second optical component 514. The first virtual camera 546 shows the effective field of view of the single camera 510 towards the first optical component 512. The second virtual camera 548 is based on the plane of the third optical component 516. The second virtual camera 548 shows the effective field of view of the single camera 510 towards the second optical component 514. Figure 5 As shown, the plane of the second optical component 514 can be perpendicular to the straight line between the first virtual camera 546 and the second virtual camera 548. The plane of the third optical component 516 can be perpendicular to the line connecting the second virtual camera 548 and the single camera 510.

[0085] like Figure 5 As shown, a single camera 510 can be installed inside the second cooking chamber 504. Optical components 512, 514, and 516 can be installed inside different cooking chambers. For example, as... Figure 5 As shown, the first optical component 512 and the second optical component 514 can be arranged in the first cooking chamber 502, and the third optical component 516 can be arranged in the second cooking chamber 504.

[0086] The first optical component 512 may be disposed above the food area, for example, above the top edge of the first basket 506. The first optical component 512 may be disposed at an angle so that light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 502 or more specifically from inside the first basket 506 (e.g., from the food 530 inside the first basket 506) is reflected in a horizontal direction.

[0087] The second optical component 514 can be arranged horizontally and flush with the first optical component 512 to receive light reflected from the first optical component 512. The second optical component 514 can be arranged such that it is not directly above the first basket 506 (e.g., not directly above the food area in the first basket 506 where food 530 will be placed). The second optical component 514 can be arranged at an angle so that light reflected from the first optical component 512 is reflected in a vertically downward direction.

[0088] The third optical element 516 can be arranged vertically below the second optical element 514 to receive light reflected vertically downwards from the second optical element 514. Therefore, the third optical element 516 can be arranged such that it is not directly vertically below the first basket 506 (e.g., not directly vertically below the food area in the first basket 506 where food 530 will be placed). The third optical element 516 can be arranged at an angle so that light reflected from the second optical element 512 is reflected horizontally.

[0089] like Figure 5 As shown, window 518 allows light to pass from the first cooking chamber 502 to the second cooking chamber 504, for example, while preventing air from escaping. Window 518 allows light reflected from the second optical element 514 to reach the third optical element 516, such that the third optical element 516 can reflect the light to a single camera 510. Figure 5 As shown, window 518 can be positioned vertically below the second optical component 514 and vertically above the third optical component 516.

[0090] A single camera 510 can be positioned horizontally flush with the third optical component 516 to receive light reflected horizontally from the third optical component 516. The single camera 510 can be positioned at an angle to directly image the food area inside the second cooking chamber 504 (or more specifically, the food area inside the second basket 508 where food 532 is placed) without using optical components to guide light to the single camera 510, while simultaneously "indirectly" imagering the food area inside the first cooking chamber 502 (or more specifically, the food area inside the first basket 506 where food 530 is placed) via optical components 512, 514, and 516.

[0091] like Figure 5As shown, the first optical component 512 can be a convex mirror, the second optical component 514 can be a plane mirror, and the third optical component 516 can be a plane mirror. The flat plane mirror 516 can horizontally reflect light into a single camera 510. Light can be reflected by the plane mirror 514 mounted on the upper left portion of the first chamber 502. The plane mirror 514 can receive light from the convex mirror 512 mounted on the upper right portion of the first chamber 502. The convex mirror 512 can reflect light reflected from the food 530.

[0092] Instead of a flat plane mirror, using a convex mirror 512 as the first optical component 512 allows the first optical component 512 to be smaller and / or fixed at a lower position relative to the bottom of the first cooking chamber 502 (i.e., closer to the food 530). The convex mirror 512 can still reflect light from a large area of ​​food or the entire food area (e.g., to reflect light from all the food 530 in the first basket 506).

[0093] A single camera 510 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, a single camera 510 can be oriented at an angle of -150 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0094] The reflector 512 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -120 degrees to -150 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -125 degrees to -145 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -130 degrees to -140 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 512 can be oriented at an angle of -135 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0095] The reflector 514 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 degrees to -90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -5 degrees to -85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -10 degrees to -80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -15 degrees to -75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -20 degrees to -70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -25 degrees to -65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -30 degrees to -60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -35 degrees to -55 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 514 can be oriented at an angle of -45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0096] The reflector 516 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 5 to 85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 10 to 80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 15 to 75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 20 to 70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 25 to 65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 30 to 60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 35 to 55 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 516 can be oriented at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0097] The horizontal plane can be defined as a plane parallel to the base of the kitchen appliance. The orientation angle can be measured counterclockwise from a starting angle of 0 degrees on the horizontal plane.

[0098] exist Figure 5 In the diagram, heating element 526 and fan 524 are shown as a first heating device, and heating element 522 and fan 520 are shown as a second heating device. However, it should be understood that heating element 526 and fan 524 may alternatively be a second heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device, and / or heating element 522 and fan 520 may alternatively be a first heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device.

[0099] Figure 6A front view of a kitchen appliance for cooking is shown, including a first cooking chamber 602, a second cooking chamber 606, a single camera 610, and one or more optical components 612, 616. The first cooking chamber 602 may include a first basket 606 for holding food 630, and the second cooking chamber 604 may include a second basket 608 for holding food 632. The first cooking chamber 602 and the second cooking chamber 604 may be separated by a partition wall 644. Each cooking chamber may include heating elements 622, 626, and optionally fans 620, 624. Fans 620, 624 may be driven by a single motor 628 or by multiple independent motors.

[0100] like Figure 6 As shown, a first cooking chamber 602 may be located above a second cooking chamber 604. One or more optical components may include a first reflector 612 and a second reflector 616. The first reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 602 toward the second reflector 616. The second reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from the first reflector 612 toward a single camera. A single camera 610 may be arranged to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber 604 that is within the field of view of the single camera 610.

[0101] A single camera 610 can be oriented to observe the interior of the second cooking chamber 604 or, more specifically, the food area inside the second basket 608. Therefore, the food 632 in the second basket 608 can be directly seen by the single camera 610. The orientation of the single camera 610 allows most (if not all) of the food 632 to be observed. Figure 6 The dashed line extending from food 632 to the single camera 610 illustrates light that may be reflected from food 632 and captured by the single camera 610. Figure 6 As shown, all the light reflected from the food 632 can be captured by a single camera 610.

[0102] The dashed lines extending from food 630 to the first reflector 612, from the first reflector 612 to the second reflector 616, and from the second reflector 616 to the single camera 610 show the light reflected from food 630, which is reflected by the first reflector 612 and the second reflector 616 and captured by the single camera 610.

[0103] Figure 6 A first virtual camera 648 is shown. The first virtual camera 648 is a plane based on the second reflector 616. The first virtual camera 648 illustrates the effective field of view of a single camera 610 relative to the first reflector 612. (As shown) Figure 6As shown, the plane of the second reflector 616 can be perpendicular to the straight line between the first virtual camera 648 and the single camera 610.

[0104] like Figure 6 As shown, a single camera 610 can be installed inside the second cooking chamber 604. The first reflector 612 and the second reflector 616 can be installed in different cooking chambers. For example, as... Figure 6 As shown, the first reflector 612 can be disposed in the first cooking chamber 602, and the second reflector 616 can be disposed in the second cooking chamber 604. The first reflector 612 can be disposed above the food area, but not directly above the food area, for example, above the top edge of the first basket 606, but not directly above the first basket 606 or the food 630. The first reflector 612 can be disposed at an angle so that light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 602, more specifically from inside the first basket 606 (e.g., from the food 630 inside the first basket 606), is reflected in a vertically downward direction.

[0105] The second reflector 616 can be positioned vertically below the first reflector 612 to receive light reflected vertically downwards from the first reflector 612. Therefore, the second reflector 616 can be positioned such that it is not directly vertically below the first basket 606 (e.g., not directly vertically below the food area in the first basket 606 where the food 630 is placed). The second reflector 616 can be positioned at an angle so that light reflected from the first reflector 612 is reflected horizontally.

[0106] like Figure 6 As shown, window 618 allows light to pass from the first cooking chamber 602 to the second cooking chamber 504, for example, while preventing air from escaping. Window 618 allows light reflected from the first reflector 612 to reach the second reflector 616, such that the second reflector 616 can reflect the light to a single camera 610. Figure 6 As shown, window 618 can be positioned vertically below the first reflector 614 and vertically above the second reflector 616.

[0107] A single camera 610 can be positioned horizontally flush with the second reflector 616 to receive light reflected horizontally from the second reflector 616. The single camera 610 can be positioned at an angle to directly image the food area inside the second cooking chamber 604 (or more specifically, the food area inside the second basket 608 where food 632 is placed) without using optical components to guide light to the single camera 610, while simultaneously "indirectly" image the food area inside the first cooking chamber 602 (or more specifically, the food area inside the first basket 606 where food 630 is placed) via reflectors 612 and 616.

[0108] A single camera 610 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, a single camera 610 can be oriented at an angle of -150 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0109] The reflector 612 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 degrees to -90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -5 degrees to -85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -10 degrees to -80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -15 degrees to -75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -20 degrees to -70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -25 degrees to -65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -30 degrees to -60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -35 degrees to -55 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 612 can be oriented at an angle of -45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0110] The reflector 616 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 5 to 85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 10 to 80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 15 to 75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 20 to 70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 25 to 65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 30 to 60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 35 to 55 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 616 can be oriented at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0111] The horizontal plane can be defined as a plane parallel to the base of the kitchen appliance. The orientation angle can be measured counterclockwise from a starting angle of 0 degrees on the horizontal plane.

[0112] exist Figure 6 In the diagram, heating element 626 and fan 624 are shown as a first heating device, and heating element 622 and fan 620 are shown as a second heating device. However, it should be understood that heating element 626 and fan 624 may alternatively be a second heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device, and / or heating element 622 and fan 620 may alternatively be a first heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device.

[0113] Figure 7 A front view of a kitchen appliance for cooking is shown, including a first cooking chamber 702, a second cooking chamber 704, a single camera 710, and one or more optical components 712, 716. The first cooking chamber 702 may include a first basket 706 for holding food 730, and the second cooking chamber 704 may include a second basket 708 for holding food 732. The first cooking chamber 702 and the second cooking chamber 704 may be separated by a partition wall 744. Each cooking chamber 702, 704 may include heating elements 722, 726, and optionally fans 720, 724. The fans 720, 724 may be driven by a single motor 728 or by multiple independent motors.

[0114] like Figure 7 As shown, the first cooking chamber 702 may be located above the second cooking chamber 704. One or more optical components may include a first reflector 712 and a second reflector 716. The first reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 702 toward the second reflector 714. The second reflector 714 may be arranged to direct light reflected from the first reflector 712 toward a single camera 710.

[0115] A single camera 710 can be oriented to observe the food area inside the second cooking chamber 704, or more specifically, inside the second basket 708. Therefore, the food 732 in the second basket 708 can be directly seen by the single camera 710. The orientation of the single camera 710 allows most (if not all) of the food 732 to be observed. Figure 7 The dashed line extending from food 732 to the single camera 710 illustrates light that may be reflected from food 732 and captured by the single camera 710. Figure 7 As shown, all the light reflected from the food 732 can be captured by a single camera 710.

[0116] The dashed lines extending from food 730 to the first reflector 712, from the first reflector 712 to the second reflector 716, and from the second reflector 716 to the single camera 710 show the light reflected from food 730, which is reflected by the first reflector 712 and the second reflector 716 and captured by the single camera 710.

[0117] Figure 7 A first virtual camera 748 is shown. The first virtual camera 748 is based on the plane of the second reflector 716. The first virtual camera 748 illustrates the effective field of view of a single camera 710 relative to the first reflector 712. Figure 7As shown, the plane of the second reflector 716 can be perpendicular to the straight line between the first virtual camera 748 and the single camera 710.

[0118] like Figure 7 As shown, a single camera 710 can be installed inside the second cooking chamber 704. The first reflector 712 and the second reflector 716 can be installed in different cooking chambers. For example, as... Figure 7 As shown, the first reflector 712 can be installed in the first cooking chamber 702, while the second reflector 716 can be installed in the second cooking chamber 704.

[0119] The first reflector 712 may be positioned above the food area, but not directly above it, for example, above the top edge of the first basket 706, but not directly above the first basket 706 or the food 730. The first reflector 712 may be positioned at an angle so that light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 702 or more specifically, from inside the first basket 706 (e.g., from the food 730 inside the first basket 706) is reflected in a vertically downward direction.

[0120] The second reflector 716 can be positioned vertically below the first reflector 712 to receive light reflected vertically downwards from the first reflector 712. Therefore, the second reflector 716 can be positioned such that it is not directly vertically below the first basket 706 (e.g., not directly vertically below the food area in the first basket 706 where the food 730 is placed). The second reflector 716 can be positioned at an angle so that light reflected from the first reflector 712 is reflected horizontally.

[0121] like Figure 7 As shown, window 718 allows light to pass from the first cooking chamber 702 to the second cooking chamber 704, for example, while preventing air from escaping. Window 718 allows light reflected from the first reflector 712 to reach the second reflector 716, such that the second reflector 716 can reflect the light to a single camera 710. Figure 7 As shown, window 718 can be positioned vertically below the first reflector 714 and vertically above the second reflector 716.

[0122] A single camera 710 can be positioned horizontally flush with the second reflector 716 to receive light reflected horizontally from the second reflector 716. The single camera 710 can be positioned at an angle to directly image the food area inside the second cooking chamber 704 (or more specifically, the food area inside the second basket 708 where food 732 is placed) without using optical components to guide light to the single camera 710, while simultaneously "indirectly" image the food area in the first cooking chamber 702 (or more specifically, the food area inside the first basket 706 where food 730 is placed) via reflectors 712 and 716.

[0123] A single camera 710 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, a single camera 710 can be oriented at an angle of -150 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0124] The reflector 712 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 degrees to -90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -5 degrees to -85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -10 degrees to -80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -15 degrees to -75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. The reflector 712 can be oriented at an angle of -70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0125] The reflector 716 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 5 to 85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 10 to 80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 15 to 75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 20 to 70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 25 to 65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 30 to 60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 35 to 55 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 716 can be oriented at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0126] The horizontal plane can be defined as a plane parallel to the base of the kitchen appliance. The orientation angle can be measured counterclockwise from a starting angle of 0 degrees on the horizontal plane.

[0127] exist Figure 7In the diagram, heating element 726 and fan 724 are shown as a first heating device, and heating element 722 and fan 720 are shown as a second heating device. However, it should be understood that heating element 726 and fan 724 may alternatively be a second heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device, and / or heating element 722 and fan 720 may alternatively be a first heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device.

[0128] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the first reflecting mirrors 612 and 712 can be convex mirrors, and the second reflecting mirror can be plane mirrors 616 and 716.

[0129] In embodiments where food 630, 730 is contained in first baskets 606, 706, convex mirrors 712, 612 are mounted at a position relative to the base of the first chambers 602, 702 or higher relative to the top of the baskets 606, 706 (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 7 As shown, with Figure 6 Compared to other methods, this allows for imaging of a larger food area in the first cooking chambers 602 and 702, without light being blocked by the walls of the first baskets 612 and 712 (e.g., ...). Figure 6 (As shown by the solid arrow in the image).

[0130] Figure 8 A front view of a kitchen appliance for cooking is shown, including a first cooking chamber 802, a second cooking chamber 804, a single camera 810, and one or more optical components 812, 816. The first cooking chamber 802 may include a first basket 806 for holding food 830, and the second cooking chamber 804 may include a second basket 808 for holding food 832. The first cooking chamber 802 and the second cooking chamber 804 may be separated by a partition wall 844. Each cooking chamber 802, 804 may include heating elements 822, 826, and optionally also includes fans 820, 824. The fans 820, 824 may be driven by a single motor 828 or by multiple independent motors.

[0131] like Figure 8 As shown, a first cooking chamber 802 may be located above a second cooking chamber 804, and one or more optical components may include a first reflector 812 and a second reflector 816. The first reflector may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 802 toward the second reflector 816. The second reflector 816 may be arranged to direct light reflected from the first reflector 812 toward a single camera 810.

[0132] A single camera 810 can be oriented to observe the food area inside the second cooking chamber 804, or more specifically, inside the second basket 808. Therefore, the food 832 in the second basket 808 can be directly seen by the single camera 810. The orientation of the single camera 810 allows most (if not all) of the food 832 to be observed. Figure 8 The dashed line extending from food 832 to the single camera 810 illustrates light that may be reflected from food 832 and captured by the single camera 810. Figure 8 As shown, all the light reflected from the food 832 can be captured by a single camera 810.

[0133] The dashed lines extending from food 830 to the first reflector 812, from the first reflector 812 to the second reflector 816, and from the second reflector 816 to the single camera 810 show the light reflected from food 830, which is reflected by the first reflector 812 and the second reflector 816 and captured by the single camera 810.

[0134] like Figure 8 As shown, a single camera 810 can be installed inside the second cooking chamber 804. The first reflector 812 and the second reflector 816 can be installed in different cooking chambers. For example, as... Figure 8 As shown, the first reflector 812 can be arranged in the first cooking chamber 802, while the second reflector 816 can be arranged in the second cooking chamber 804.

[0135] The first reflector 812 may be disposed inside the first cooking chamber 802 above the food area for containing food 830, such that at least a portion of the first reflector 812 is directly above the food area (e.g., above the top edge of the first basket 806), and at least a portion of the first reflector 812 is not directly above the food area (e.g., a portion of the first reflector is suspended above the top edge of the first basket 806). The first reflector 812 may be disposed at an angle so that light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 802 or more specifically, from inside the first basket 806 (e.g., from the food 830 inside the first basket 806) is reflected in a vertically downward direction.

[0136] The second reflector 816 can be positioned vertically below at least a portion of the first reflector 812 to receive light reflected vertically downwards from the first reflector 812. Therefore, the second reflector 816 can be positioned such that it is not directly vertically below the first basket 806 (e.g., not directly vertically below the food area in the first basket 806 where the food 830 is placed). Figure 8As shown, the first reflector 812 can be arranged to reflect light to the second reflector 816, such that the image of the food area inside the first cooking chamber at the second reflector 816 (e.g., an image of food 830) is an inversion of the image at the first reflector 812. The second reflector 816 can be arranged at an angle so that the light reflected from the first reflector 812 is reflected in a horizontal direction.

[0137] like Figure 8 As shown, window 818 allows light to pass from the first cooking chamber 802 to the second cooking chamber 804, for example, while preventing air from escaping. Window 818 allows light reflected from the first reflector 812 to reach the second reflector 816, such that the second reflector 816 can reflect the light to a single camera 810. Figure 8 As shown, window 818 can be positioned vertically below the first reflector 814 and vertically above the second reflector 816.

[0138] A single camera 810 can be positioned horizontally flush with the second reflector 816 to receive light reflected horizontally from the second reflector 816. The single camera 810 can be positioned at an angle to directly image the food area inside the second cooking chamber 804 (or more specifically, the food area inside the second basket 808 where food 832 is placed) without using optical components to guide light to the single camera 810, while simultaneously "indirectly" image the food area inside the first cooking chamber 802 (or more specifically, the food area inside the first basket 806 where food 830 is placed) via reflectors 812 and 816.

[0139] like Figure 8 As shown, the first reflecting mirror 812 can be a convex mirror, and the second reflecting mirror 816 can be a concave mirror.

[0140] A single camera 810 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, a single camera 810 can be oriented at an angle of -150 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0141] The reflector 812 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 degrees to -90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -5 degrees to -85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -10 degrees to -80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -15 degrees to -75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 812 can be oriented at an angle of -70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0142] The reflector 816 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 5 to 85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 10 to 80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 15 to 75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 20 to 70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 25 to 65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 30 to 60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 35 to 55 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 816 can be oriented at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0143] The horizontal plane can be defined as a plane parallel to the base of the kitchen appliance. The orientation angle can be measured counterclockwise from a starting angle of 0 degrees on the horizontal plane.

[0144] exist Figure 8 In the diagram, heating element 826 and fan 824 are shown as a first heating device, and heating element 822 and fan 820 are shown as a second heating device. However, it should be understood that heating element 826 and fan 824 may alternatively be a second heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device, and / or heating element 822 and fan 820 may alternatively be a first heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device.

[0145] therefore, Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The architecture shown enables a single camera 610, 710, 810 to utilize more Figure 5 The architecture shown has one less optical component for imaging the food areas in the first cooking chambers 602, 702, 802 and the second cooking chambers 604, 704, 804. For example, with... Figure 5 Compared to the architecture in [the previous text], in [the current text] Figure 6 , 7 In the architecture of 8, a flat plane mirror can be omitted, and only a convex mirror 612, 712, 812 is used to directly reflect the light from the food area, in which food 630, 730, 830 is placed inside the first basket 606, 706, 806.

[0146] Figure 8The characteristic of the architecture shown is that the position of the first reflector 812 is lower than... Figure 7 The architecture shown (although the first reflector 812 may be positioned higher than in an architecture using three reflectors). In this case, the second reflector 816 can utilize a concave mirror to focus (or concentrate) the light reflected from the first reflector 812. Specifically, if the image at the second reflector 816 is an inverted image of the image at the first reflector 812 (i.e., if the light reflected from the first reflector 812 converges at some point between the first and second reflectors 816), the light may diverge at the second reflector 816. Using a concave mirror for the second reflector 816 can converge, focus, and / or concentrate the light reflected from the second reflector 816 to the camera 810. Using a convex mirror for the second reflector 816 can achieve a greater... Figure 7 The kitchen appliance shown has a more compact architecture. Similarly, it utilizes three reflectors (such as...) Figure 5 and Figure 9 (As shown) This can enable kitchen appliances to utilize a structure with two mirrors (such as...) Figures 6 to 8 and Figures 10 to 11 (As shown) It is more compact.

[0147] Figure 9 A front view of a kitchen appliance for cooking is shown, including a first cooking chamber 902, a second cooking chamber 904, a single camera 910, and one or more optical components 912, 914, 916. The first cooking chamber 902 may include a first basket 906 for holding food 930, and the second cooking chamber 904 may include a second basket 908 for holding food 932. The first cooking chamber 902 and the second cooking chamber 904 may be separated by a partition wall 944. Each cooking chamber 902, 904 may include heating elements 922, 926, and optionally also include fans 920, 924. The fans 920, 924 may be driven by a single motor 928 or by multiple independent motors.

[0148] Figure 9 The architecture shown is Figure 5 The architectures shown are similar, therefore it should be understood that the same description applies, but... Figure 9 In the illustrated architecture, the third reflecting mirror 916 is a concave mirror. Therefore, in Figure 9 In the architecture shown, the first reflector 912 is a convex mirror, the second reflector 914 is a plane mirror, and the third reflector 916 is a concave mirror.

[0149] For example, if the light reflected by the second reflector 914 is too diffuse to be transmitted (e.g., all) to a single camera 910 using a flat plane mirror, the third reflector 916 and / or the second reflector 914 may utilize a concave mirror.

[0150] An architecture with three reflectors, such as Figure 5 and Figure 9 The architecture shown allows for the minimization of kitchen appliance size.

[0151] Using a concave mirror as a third reflecting mirror 916 allows light to be reflected (e.g., all of it) into the camera without the need for a large, flat plane mirror.

[0152] A single camera 910 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -120 degrees to -150 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -125 degrees to -145 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as angles ranging from -130 degrees to -140 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, a single camera 910 can be oriented at an angle of -135 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0153] The reflector 912 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -120 degrees to -150 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -125 degrees to -145 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -130 degrees to -140 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 912 can be oriented at an angle of -135 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0154] The reflector 914 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 degrees to -90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -5 degrees to -85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -10 degrees to -80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -15 degrees to -75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -20 degrees to -70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -25 degrees to -65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -30 degrees to -60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -35 degrees to -55 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 914 can be oriented at an angle of -45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0155] The reflector 916 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 5 to 85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 10 to 80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 15 to 75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 20 to 70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 25 to 65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 30 to 60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 35 to 55 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 916 can be oriented at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0156] The horizontal plane can be defined as a plane parallel to the base of the kitchen appliance. The orientation angle can be measured counterclockwise from a starting angle of 0 degrees on the horizontal plane.

[0157] exist Figure 9 In the diagram, heating element 926 and fan 924 are shown as a first heating device, and heating element 922 and fan 920 are shown as a second heating device. However, it should be understood that heating element 926 and fan 924 may alternatively be a second heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device, and / or heating element 922 and fan 920 may alternatively be a first heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device.

[0158] Figure 10A front view of a kitchen appliance for cooking is shown, including a first cooking chamber 1002, a second cooking chamber 1004, a single camera 1010, and one or more optical components 1012, 1014. The first cooking chamber 1002 may include a first basket 1006 for holding food 1030, and the second cooking chamber 1004 may include a second basket 1008 for holding food 1032. The first cooking chamber 1002 and the second cooking chamber 1004 may be separated by a partition wall 1044. Each cooking chamber 1002, 1004 may include heating elements 1022, 1026, and optionally also include fans 1020, 1024. The fans 1020, 1024 may be driven by a single motor 1028 or by multiple independent motors.

[0159] like Figure 10 As shown, the first cooking chamber 1002 may be located below the second cooking chamber 1004. One or more optical components may include a first reflector 1012 and a second reflector 1014. The first reflector 1012 may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 1002 to the second reflector 1014, the second reflector 1014 may be arranged to direct light reflected from the first reflector 1012 to a single camera 1010, and the single camera 1010 may be arranged to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber 1004 that is within the field of view of the single camera 1010.

[0160] A single camera 1010 can be oriented to observe the interior of the second cooking chamber 1004 or, more specifically, the food area inside the second basket 1008. Therefore, the food 1032 in the second basket 1008 can be directly seen by the single camera 1010. The orientation of the single camera 1010 allows most (if not all) of the food 1032 to be observed. Figure 10 The dashed line extending from food 1032 to the single camera 1010 illustrates light that may be reflected from food 1032 and captured by the single camera 1010. Figure 10 As shown, all the light reflected from the food 1032 can be captured by a single camera 1010.

[0161] The dashed lines extending from food 1030 to the first reflector 1012, from the first reflector 1012 to the second reflector 1014, and from the second reflector 1014 to the single camera 1010 illustrate light reflected from food 1030, which is reflected by the first reflector 1012 and the second reflector 1014 and captured by the single camera 1010.

[0162] Figure 10A first virtual camera 1046 is shown. The first virtual camera 1046 is based on the plane of the second reflector 1014. The first virtual camera 1046 illustrates the effective field of view of a single camera 1010 relative to the first reflector 1012. (As shown) Figure 10 As shown, the plane of the second reflector 1014 can be perpendicular to the straight line between the first virtual camera 1046 and the single camera 1010.

[0163] like Figure 10 As shown, a single camera 1010 can be installed inside the second cooking chamber 1004. Reflectors 1012 and 1014 can be installed within the same cooking chamber. For example, as... Figure 10 As shown, the first reflector 1012 and the second reflector 1014 can be arranged inside the first cooking chamber 1002.

[0164] The first reflector 1012 may be positioned above the food area inside the first cooking chamber 1002 (or more specifically, the first basket 1006), for example, directly above the food area in the first basket 1006 used to hold food 1030. The first reflector 1012 may be located at the top edge of the first basket 1006. The first reflector 1012 may be positioned at an angle so that light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 1002 or more specifically from inside the first basket 1006 (e.g., from the food 1030 inside the first basket 1006) is reflected in a horizontal direction.

[0165] The second reflector 1014 can be arranged horizontally (e.g., flush with the horizontal) with the first reflector 1012 to receive light reflected horizontally from the first reflector 1012. The second reflector 1014 can be arranged at an angle to reflect light reflected from the first reflector 1012 vertically upward.

[0166] like Figure 10 As shown, window 1018 allows light to pass from the first cooking chamber 1002 to the second cooking chamber 1004, for example, while preventing air from escaping. Window 1018 allows light reflected from the second reflector 1014 to reach the single camera 1010. Figure 10 As shown, window 1018 can be positioned vertically above the second reflector 1014.

[0167] A single camera 1010 can be positioned vertically above the second reflector 1014 to receive light reflected vertically from the second reflector 1014. The single camera 1010 can be positioned at an angle to directly image the food area inside the second cooking chamber 1004 (or more specifically, the food area inside the second basket 1008 where food 1032 is placed) without using optical components to guide light to the single camera 1010, while simultaneously "indirectly" image the food area in the first cooking chamber 1002 (or more specifically, the food area inside the first basket 1006 where food 1030 is placed) through reflectors 1012 and 1014.

[0168] like Figure 10 As shown, the first reflecting mirror 1012 can be a convex mirror, and the second reflecting mirror 1014 can be a plane mirror.

[0169] like Figure 10 As shown, light from the food area inside the second cooking chamber 1004 (e.g., light from food 1032 in the second basket 1008) can be directly captured by a single camera 1010. Light from the food area inside the first cooking chamber 1002 (e.g., light from food 1030 in the first basket 1006) can be directed (or guided) to the single camera 1010 via mirrors 1012 and 1014. One advantage of this architecture is that kitchen appliances can still be very compact, even using only two mirrors. This is because the single camera 1010 is directed toward the second cooking chamber 1004 (e.g., toward the second basket 1008) rather than away from it.

[0170] like Figure 10 As shown, the first reflector 1012 can be a convex mirror because there may not be much space between the heating element 1022 and the first basket 1006. The second reflector 1014 can be a flat plane mirror (as shown) or a concave mirror.

[0171] A single camera 1010 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, a single camera 1010 can be oriented at an angle of -120 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0172] The reflector 1012 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 degrees to -90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -5 degrees to -85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -10 degrees to -80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -15 degrees to -75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -20 degrees to -70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -25 degrees to -65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 1012 can be oriented at an angle of -30 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0173] The reflector 1014 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 90 to 180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 95 to 175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 100 to 170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 105 to 165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 110 to 160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 115 to 155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 120 to 150 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 125 to 145 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 130 to 140 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 1014 can be oriented at an angle of 135 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0174] The horizontal plane can be defined as a plane parallel to the base of the kitchen appliance. The orientation angle can be measured counterclockwise from a starting angle of 0 degrees on the horizontal plane.

[0175] exist Figure 10 In the diagram, heating element 1022 and fan 1020 are shown as a first heating device, and heating element 1026 and fan 1024 are shown as a second heating device. However, it should be understood that heating element 1022 and fan 1020 may alternatively be a second heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device, and / or heating element 1026 and fan 1024 may alternatively be a first heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device.

[0176] Figure 11A front view of a kitchen appliance for cooking is shown, including a first cooking chamber 1102, a second cooking chamber 1104, a single camera 1110, and one or more optical components 1112, 1114, 1116. The first cooking chamber 1102 may include a first basket 1106 for holding food 1130, and the second cooking chamber 1104 may include a second basket 1108 for holding food 1132. The first cooking chamber 1102 and the second cooking chamber 1104 may be separated by a partition wall 1144. Each cooking chamber 1102, 1104 may include heating elements 1122, 1126, and optionally also include fans 1120, 1124. The fans 1120, 1124 may be driven by a single motor 1128 or by multiple independent motors.

[0177] like Figure 11 As shown, a first cooking chamber 1102 may be located below a second cooking chamber 1104, and one or more optical components may include a first reflector 1112, a second reflector 1114, and a third reflector 1116. The first reflector 1112 may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 1102 to the second reflector 1114, the second reflector 1114 may be arranged to direct light reflected from the first reflector 1112 to the third reflector 1116, and the third reflector 1116 may be arranged to direct light reflected from the second reflector 1114 to a single camera 1110. The single camera 1110 may be arranged to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber 1104 that is within the field of view of the single camera 1110.

[0178] A single camera 1110 can be oriented to observe the interior of the second cooking chamber 1104 or, more specifically, the food area inside the second basket 1108. Therefore, the food 1132 in the second basket 1108 can be directly seen by the single camera 1110. The orientation of the single camera 1110 allows most (if not all) of the food 1132 to be observed. Figure 11 The dashed line extending from food 1132 to the single camera 1110 illustrates light that may be reflected from food 1132 and captured by the single camera 1110. Figure 11 As shown, all the light reflected from the food 1132 can be captured by a single camera 1110.

[0179] The dashed lines extending from food 1130 to the first reflector 1112, from the first reflector 1112 to the second reflector 1114, from the second reflector 1114 to the third reflector 1116, and from the third reflector 1116 to the single camera 1110 illustrate the light reflected from food 1130, which is reflected by the first reflector 1112, the second reflector 1114, and the third reflector 1116 and captured by the single camera 1110.

[0180] Figure 11 A first virtual camera 1146 and a second virtual camera 1148 are shown. The first virtual camera 1146 is based on the plane of the second reflector 1114. The first virtual camera 1146 shows the effective view of a single camera 1110 with respect to the first reflector 1112. The second virtual camera 1148 is based on the plane of the third reflector 1116. The second virtual camera 1148 shows the effective field of view of the single camera 1110 with respect to the second reflector 1114. Figure 11 As shown, the plane of the second reflector 1114 can be perpendicular to the straight line between the first virtual camera 1146 and the second virtual camera 1148. The plane of the third reflector 1116 can be perpendicular to the straight line between the second virtual camera 1148 and the single camera 1110.

[0181] like Figure 11 As shown, a single camera 1110 can be installed inside the second cooking chamber 1104. Reflectors 1112, 1114, and 1116 can be installed in different cooking chambers. For example, as... Figure 11 As shown, the first reflector 1112 and the second reflector 1114 can be arranged in the first cooking chamber 1102, and the third optical reflector 1116 can be arranged in the second cooking chamber 1104.

[0182] The first reflector 1112 may be positioned above the food area inside the first cooking chamber 1102 (or more specifically, inside the first basket 1106), for example, directly above the food area in the first basket 1106 used to hold food 1130. The first reflector 1112 may be positioned at the top edge of the first basket 1106. The first reflector 1112 may be positioned at an angle so that light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 1102, or more specifically from inside the first basket 1106 (e.g., from the food 1130 inside the first basket 1106), is reflected horizontally.

[0183] The second reflector 1114 can be arranged horizontally (e.g., flush with the first reflector 1112) to receive light reflected horizontally from the first reflector 1112. The second reflector 1114 can be arranged at an angle to reflect light reflected from the first reflector 1112 in a vertically upward direction.

[0184] like Figure 11 As shown, window 1118 allows light to pass from the first cooking chamber 1102 to the second cooking chamber 1104, for example, while preventing air from escaping. Window 1118 allows light reflected from the second reflector 1114 to reach the third reflector 1116. Figure 11As shown, window 1118 can be positioned vertically above the second reflector 1114 and vertically below the third reflector 1116.

[0185] The third reflector 1116 can be positioned vertically above the second reflector 1114 to receive light reflected vertically from the second reflector 1114. Therefore, the third reflector 1116 can be positioned such that it is not directly vertically above the second basket 1108 (e.g., not directly vertically above the food area in the second basket 1108 where food 1132 will be placed). The third reflector 1116 can be positioned at an angle so that light received from the second reflector 1114 is reflected horizontally.

[0186] A single camera 1110 can be positioned horizontally aligned with the third reflector 1116 to receive light reflected horizontally from the third reflector 1116. The single camera 1110 can be positioned at an angle to directly image the food area inside the second cooking chamber 1104 (or more specifically, the food area inside the second basket 1108 where food 1132 is placed) without using optical components to guide light to the camera 1110, while simultaneously "indirectly" image the food area in the first cooking chamber 1102 (or more specifically, the food area inside the first basket 1106 where food 1030 is placed) through reflectors 1112, 1114, and 1116.

[0187] like Figure 11 As shown, the first reflecting mirror 1112 can be a convex mirror, the second reflecting mirror 1114 can be a plane mirror, and the third reflecting mirror 1116 can be a plane mirror.

[0188] Figure 11 The architecture utilizing three reflectors 1112, 1114, and 1116 is shown. An advantage of using three reflectors may be that kitchen appliances can be more compact than those using two reflectors. For example, in... Figure 11 In the architecture shown, the space required between the single camera 1110 and the top edge of the second basket 1108 is minimal or nonexistent.

[0189] A single camera 1110 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, a single camera 1110 can be oriented at an angle of -150 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0190] The reflector 1112 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -120 degrees to -150 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -125 degrees to -145 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -130 degrees to -140 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 1112 can be oriented at an angle of -135 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0191] The reflector 1114 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 5 to 85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 10 to 80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 15 to 75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 20 to 70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 25 to 65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 30 to 60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 35 to 55 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 40 to 50 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the reflector 1114 can be oriented at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0192] The reflector 1116 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 degrees to -90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -5 degrees to -85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -10 degrees to -80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -15 degrees to -75 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -20 degrees to -70 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -25 degrees to -65 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -30 degrees to -60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -35 degrees to -55 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -40 degrees to -50 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. The reflector 1116 can be oriented at an angle of -45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0193] The horizontal plane can be defined as a plane parallel to the base of the kitchen appliance. The orientation angle can be measured counterclockwise from a starting angle of 0 degrees on the horizontal plane.

[0194] exist Figure 11In the diagram, heating element 1122 and fan 1120 are shown as a first heating device, and heating element 1126 and fan 1124 are shown as a second heating device. However, it should be understood that heating element 1122 and fan 1124 may alternatively be a second heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device, and / or heating element 1126 and fan 1124 may alternatively be a first heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device.

[0195] Figure 12 A side view of a kitchen appliance for cooking is shown, including a first cooking chamber 1202, a second cooking chamber 1204, a single camera 1210, and one or more optical components 1212, 1214. Figure 12 As shown, a first cooking chamber 1202 may be located below a second cooking chamber 1202. The first cooking chamber 1202 may include a first basket 1206 for containing food 1230, and the second cooking chamber 1204 may include a second basket 1208 for containing food 1232. Each cooking chamber 1202, 1204 may include heating elements 1222, 1226, and optionally fans 1220, 1224. Fans 1220, 1224 may be driven by a plurality of independent motors 1234, 1236. The first basket 1206 and the second basket 1208 may include fill level markers 1238, 1240. The first basket 1206 and the second basket 1208 may include handles 1244, 1242. Figure 12 As shown, the first basket 1206 and the second basket 1208 can be different sizes. For example, as Figure 12 As shown, the first basket 1206 can be larger than the second basket 1208.

[0196] The shapes of the first basket 1206 and the second basket 1208 can be configured to maximize the field of view of a single camera 1210. For example, at least a portion of the side of the second basket 1208 can be tilted. A single camera 1210 mounted near the top of the first cooking chamber 1210 can see the interior of the second basket 1208 through a window (e.g., a glass window) on the wall of the second basket 1208, and can see the interior of the first basket 1206 through a window (e.g., a glass window) on the top of the first cooking chamber 1202.

[0197] However, in this architecture, since part of the second cooking chamber 1204 is located between the single camera 1210 and the first cooking chamber 1202, one side of the first basket 1206 (left side in the figure) may not be entirely within the field of view of the camera 1210. One solution is to use a reflector to guide the light, for example... Figures 3 to 11 The architecture shown. Another solution is to replace the window with a lens, or more specifically, concave lenses 1212, 1214.

[0198] Therefore, as Figure 12As shown, one or more optical components may include a first concave lens 1212 and a second concave lens 1214. The first concave lens 1212 may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber 1202 (or more specifically, inside the first basket 1206) to a single camera 1210, for the single camera to image a food area inside the first cooking chamber 1202 (or more specifically, inside the first basket 1206) that is outside the field of view of the single camera 1210. The second concave lens 1214 may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the second cooking chamber 1204 (or more specifically, inside the second basket 1208) to the single camera 1210. The second concave lens may be arranged to direct light reflected from inside the second cooking chamber 1204 (or more specifically, inside the second basket 1208) to the single camera 1210, for the single camera to image a food area inside the second cooking chamber 1204 that is outside the field of view of the single camera 1210.

[0199] Concave lenses 1212 and 1214 can be used to direct light from the food areas inside the first basket 1206 and the second basket 1208 toward a single camera 1210. This extends the optical path, allowing light reflected from the food areas (e.g., a large portion or the entire food area) to reach the single camera 1210. For example, if the entire food area in the second basket 1208 is already within the camera's field of view, the second basket 1208 can utilize a window (e.g., glass) instead of concave lens 1214.

[0200] The dashed lines extending from the first basket 1206 to the first concave lens 1212, and from the first concave lens 1212 to the single camera 1210, represent light directed from inside the first cooking chamber 1202 (or more specifically, inside the first basket 1206) to the single camera 1210. The dashed lines extending from the second basket 1208 to the second concave lens 1214, and from the second concave lens 1214 to the single camera 1210, represent light directed from inside the second cooking chamber 1204 (or more specifically, inside the second basket 1208) to the single camera 1210.

[0201] A single camera 1210 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, a single camera 1210 can be oriented at an angle of -120 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0202] Lens 1212 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 30 to 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 35 to 85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, lens 1212 can be oriented at an angle of 80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. Lens 1214 can be oriented at an angle ranging from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 5 to 85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, lens 1214 can be oriented at an angle of 10 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0203] The horizontal plane can be defined as a plane parallel to the base of the kitchen appliance. The orientation angle can be measured counterclockwise from a starting angle of 0 degrees on the horizontal plane.

[0204] exist Figure 12 In the illustrated architecture, the dimensions of the fan 1220 and heating element 1222 in the first and / or second cooking chamber 1202 may be limited to allow light to reach the concave lenses 1214, 1212 from inside the cooking chamber. Figure 12 As shown, mounting the fan 1220, heater 1222, and motor 1234 at an angle relative to the side wall of the kitchen appliance (i.e., arranging the fan 1220, heater 1222, and motor 1234 at an angle) can at least partially solve this problem. For example, the fan 1220, heater 1222, and motor 1234 can be attached to a portion of the top of the first cooking chamber 1202, which is inclined relative to the side of the first cooking chamber 1202. Alternatively, the fan 1220, heater 1222, and motor 1234 can be mounted towards the rear of the kitchen appliance, such as on the rear side of the first cooking chamber 1202, such as... Figure 13 The architecture shown. Alternatively, the fan 1220, heater 1222, and motor 1234 can be mounted towards the bottom of the kitchen appliance, for example, at the base of the first cooking chamber 1202 (not shown).

[0205] exist Figure 12 In the diagram, heating elements 1222, 1226 and fans 1220, 1224 are shown as first heating devices. However, it should be understood that one or both of the heating elements 1222, 1226 and their corresponding fans 1220, 1224 may alternatively be second, third or fourth heating devices.

[0206] Figure 13 A side view of a kitchen appliance for cooking is shown, including a first cooking chamber 1302, a second cooking chamber 1304, a single camera 1310, and one or more optical components 1312, 1314. Figure 13As shown, a first cooking chamber 1302 may be located below a second cooking chamber 1302. The first cooking chamber 1302 may include a first basket 1306 for containing food 1330, and the second cooking chamber 1304 may include a second basket 1308 for containing food 1332. Each cooking chamber 1302, 1304 may include heating elements 1322, 1326, and optionally fans 1320, 1324. Fans 1320, 1324 may be driven by a plurality of independent motors 1334, 1336. The first basket 1306 and the second basket 1308 may include fill level markings 1338, 1340.

[0207] Figure 13 It shows the relationship with Figure 12 The architecture is similar, so it's understandable that the same description applies; the difference lies in... Figure 13 In the first cooking chamber 1302, the fan 1320, heater 1322, and motor 1234 are arranged on one side of the first cooking chamber 1302 (rather than as shown in the image). Figure 12 As shown at the top of the first cooking chamber 1202). More specifically, in Figure 13 In this configuration, the fan 1320, heater 1322, and motor 1234 are mounted facing the rear of the kitchen appliances, for example, on the rear side of the first cooking chamber 1202.

[0208] A single camera 1310 can be oriented at an angle ranging from -90 degrees to -180 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -95 degrees to -175 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -100 degrees to -170 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -105 degrees to -165 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -110 degrees to -160 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from -115 degrees to -155 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, a single camera 1310 can be oriented at an angle of -120 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0209] Lens 1312 can be oriented to an angle ranging from 30 degrees to 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 35 degrees to 85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, lens 1312 can be oriented to an angle of 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. Lens 1314 can be oriented to an angle ranging from 0 degrees to 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, such as an angle ranging from 5 degrees to 85 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, lens 1314 can be oriented to an angle of 10 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0210] The horizontal plane can be defined as a plane parallel to the base of the kitchen appliance. The orientation angle can be measured counterclockwise from a starting angle of 0 degrees on the horizontal plane.

[0211] exist Figure 13In the diagram, heating element 1326 and fan 1324 are shown as a first heating device, and heating element 1322 and fan 1320 are shown as a second heating device. However, it should be understood that heating element 1326 and fan 1324 may alternatively be a second heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device, and / or heating element 1322 and fan 1320 may alternatively be a first heating device, a third heating device, or a fourth heating device.

[0212] Therefore, an improved kitchen appliance for cooking is provided. This improvement stems from using an optical arrangement (e.g., including one or more mirrors and / or one or more lenses) to guide light from food in one or more cooking chambers (or one or more baskets) to a single camera, such as guiding light simultaneously and / or guiding light during cooking. Thus, by integrating one or more optical components into the kitchen appliance for cooking, a single camera can simultaneously view food in multiple cooking chambers (e.g., multiple baskets). This improvement can be applied to both horizontal and vertical arrangements of kitchen appliances.

[0213] By studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the principles and techniques described herein. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "comprising" and "including" as used herein encompass the term "consisting of." Therefore, the terms "comprising" or "including" in one embodiment may mean "consisting of," but in another embodiment may mean "comprising / having / equipped with at least the defined class and optionally one or more other classes."

[0214] Unless otherwise expressly stated, elements and aspects discussed or related to a particular embodiment may be appropriately combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments. Therefore, the mere fact that certain technical features are mentioned in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these technical features cannot produce beneficial effects.

[0215] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples discussed above, and various modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The invention is intended to be construed as including all such modifications and alterations that fall within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the accompanying drawings and specification, such illustrations and descriptions should be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, in which details necessary for understanding the invention may be omitted, and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A kitchen utensil for cooking, comprising: The first cooking room (202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302) is used to hold food; The second cooking room (204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304) is used to hold food; A controller configured to control the cooking process of food in the first cooking chamber (202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302) and the second cooking chamber (204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304), respectively; A single camera (210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310) is used to image the interiors of the first cooking chamber (202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302) and the second cooking chamber (204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304); and One or more optical components (212, 312, 512, 514, 516, 612, 616, 712, 716, 812, 816, 912, 914, 916, 1012, 1014, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1212, 1214, 1312, 1314), said one or more optical components are arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber (202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302) toward the desired direction. The single camera (210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310) is used to image the food area inside the first cooking chamber (202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302) that is outside the field of view of the single camera (210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310).

2. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more optical components include optical components with curved surfaces (212, 312, 512, 612, 712, 812, 912, 1012, 1112, 1212, 1312), the curved surfaces being arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber (202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302) toward the single camera (210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310); and The optical component having the curved surface is the first optical component located in the path of the light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber (202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302).

3. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first cooking chamber (202) is located next to the second cooking chamber (204); and The one or more optical components include a concave mirror (212), the concave mirror being arranged as follows: The light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber (202) is directed toward the single camera (210). as well as The light reflected from inside the second cooking chamber (204) is directed to the single camera (210) for the single camera to image the food area inside the second cooking chamber (204) that is outside the field of view of the single camera (210).

4. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first cooking chamber (302) is located next to the second cooking chamber (304); The one or more optical components include a convex mirror (312) arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber (302) toward the single camera (310); and The single camera (310) is arranged to image the food area inside the second cooking chamber (304) that is located within the field of view of the single camera (310).

5. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first cooking chamber (502, 902) is located above the second cooking chamber (504, 904); The one or more optical components include a first reflector (512, 912), a second reflector (514, 914), and a third reflector (516, 916). The first reflector (512, 912) is arranged to direct the light reflected from the interior of the first cooking chamber (502, 902) to the second reflector (514, 914). The second reflector (514, 914) is arranged to direct the light reflected from the first reflector (512, 912) to the third reflector (516, 916). The third reflector (516, 916) is arranged to direct the light reflected from the second reflector (514, 914) toward the single camera (510, 910); and The individual cameras (510, 910) are arranged to image the food area inside the second cooking chamber (504, 904) that is located within the field of view of the individual cameras (510, 910).

6. The kitchen appliance according to claim 5, wherein: The first reflecting mirror (512) is a convex mirror, the second reflecting mirror (514) is a plane mirror, and the third reflecting mirror (516) is a plane mirror; or The first reflecting mirror (912) is a convex mirror, the second reflecting mirror (914) is a plane mirror, and the third reflecting mirror (916) is a concave mirror.

7. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first cooking chamber (602, 702, 802) is located above the second cooking chamber (604, 704, 804); The one or more optical components include a first reflector (612, 712, 812) and a second reflector (616, 716, 816). The first reflector (612, 712, 812) is arranged to direct the light reflected from the interior of the first cooking chamber (602, 702, 802) to the second reflector (616, 716, 816). The second reflectors (616, 716, 816) are arranged to direct the light reflected from the first reflectors (612, 712, 812) toward the single camera (610, 710, 810); and The individual cameras (610, 710, 810) are arranged to image the food area inside the second cooking chamber (604, 704, 804) that is located within the field of view of the individual cameras (610, 710, 810).

8. The kitchen appliance according to claim 7, wherein: The first reflecting mirror (612, 712) is a convex mirror, and the second reflecting mirror (616, 716) is a plane mirror; The first reflector (812) is a convex mirror, and the second reflector (816) is a concave mirror.

9. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first cooking chamber (1002) is located below the second cooking chamber (1004); The one or more optical components include a first reflector (1012) and a second reflector (1014); The first reflector (1012) is arranged to direct the light reflected from the interior of the first cooking chamber (1002) toward the second reflector (1014). The second reflector (1014) is arranged to direct the light reflected from the first reflector (1012) toward the single camera (1010); and The single camera (1010) is arranged to image the food area inside the second cooking chamber (1004) that is within the field of view of the single camera (1110).

10. The kitchen appliance according to claim 9, wherein: The first reflecting mirror (1012) is a convex mirror, and the second reflecting mirror (1014) is a plane mirror.

11. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first cooking chamber (1102) is located below the second cooking chamber (1104); The one or more optical components include a first reflector (1112), a second reflector (1114), and a third reflector (1116); The first reflector (1112) is arranged to direct the light reflected from the interior of the first cooking chamber (1102) toward the second reflector (1114). The second reflector (1114) is arranged to direct the light reflected from the first reflector (1112) toward the third reflector (1116). The third reflector (1116) is arranged to direct the light reflected from the second reflector (1114) toward the single camera (1110); and The single camera (1110) is arranged to image the food area inside the second cooking chamber (1104) that is within the field of view of the single camera (1110).

12. The kitchen appliance according to claim 11, wherein: The first reflecting mirror (1112) is a convex mirror, the second reflecting mirror (1114) is a plane mirror, and the third reflecting mirror (1116) is a plane mirror.

13. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first cooking chamber (1202, 1302) is located below the second cooking chamber (1204, 1304); The one or more optical components include a first concave lens (1212, 1312) and a second concave lens (1214, 1314). The first concave lenses (1212, 1312) are arranged to direct light reflected from inside the first cooking chamber (1202, 1302) toward the single camera (1210, 1310); and The second concave lens (1214, 1314) is arranged to direct the light reflected from inside the second cooking chamber (1204, 1304) to the single camera (1210, 1310), for the single camera to image the food area inside the second cooking chamber (1204, 1304) outside the field of view of the single camera (1210, 1310).

14. The kitchen appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first cooking chamber (202, 302, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302) includes a first removable basket (206, 306, 506, 606, 706, 806, 906, 1006, 1106, 1206, 1306) for containing food. The second cooking chamber (204, 304, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304) includes a second removable basket (208, 308, 508, 608, 708, 808, 908, 1008, 1108, 1208, 1308) for containing food. The individual cameras (210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310) are used to image the interiors of the first removable basket (206, 306, 506, 606, 706, 806, 906, 1006, 1106, 1206, 1306) and the interiors of the second removable basket (208, 308, 508, 608, 708, 808, 908, 1008, 1108, 1208, 1308); and The one or more optical components (212, 312, 512, 514, 516, 612, 616, 712, 716, 812, 816, 912, 914, 916, 1012, 1014, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1212, 1214, 1312, 1314) are arranged to be removed from the first removable basket (206, 306, 506, 606, 706, 806, 906, 10...) The light reflected from inside the first removable basket (206, 306, 506, 606, 706, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310) is directed to the single camera (210, 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310) to image the interior of the first removable basket (206, 306, 506, 606, 706, 806, 906, 1006, 1106, 1206, 1306).

15. The kitchen appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The kitchen appliances mentioned are air fryers, microwave ovens, conventional ovens, convection ovens, or steamers.

Images