Cooking appliance and control method therefor

Abstract

Provided are a cooking appliance and a control method therefor. This cooking appliance includes: a thermal imaging camera for measuring the temperature of food; a protective window arranged between the thermal imaging camera and the food to protect the thermal imaging camera; and a processor that acquires a thermal image through the thermal imaging camera, divides the thermal image into a food area including the food, a first inner wall area covered by the protective window, and a second inner wall area other than the food area, which is not covered by the protective window, acquires a correction parameter for correcting the influence of the protection window on a measurement value acquired through the thermal imaging camera, on the basis of information acquired by the first inner wall area and the second inner wall area of the thermal image, and corrects the temperature of the food measured by the thermal imaging camera through the food area, on the basis of the correction parameter.

Description

Cooking appliances and methods for controlling them

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a cooking appliance for measuring the temperature of food within the cooking appliance and a control method thereof.

[0002] A cooking appliance is a device that heats and cooks food, and can provide various functions related to cooking, such as heating, defrosting, drying, and sterilizing the food. Examples of such cooking appliances include ovens, such as gas ovens or electric ovens, microwave heating devices (hereinafter referred to as microwave ovens), and air fryers. In particular, a cooking appliance can bake, fry, steam, boil, or defrost food by utilizing a cooking chamber that provides a cooking space and a heating means that heats the interior of the cooking chamber.

[0003] Recent cooking appliances can measure the temperature of food by using various devices (e.g., thermal imaging cameras, sensors, etc.) to measure the temperature inside the cooking appliance, and control the heating operation for the food based on the measured temperature.

[0004] When a cooking appliance is equipped with a thermal imaging camera, the cooking appliance may include a protective window between the thermal imaging camera and the food to protect the thermal imaging camera from contamination or heat. However, when the cooking appliance measures the temperature of the food using the thermal imaging camera, the presence of the protective window between the thermal imaging camera and the food has limitations in accurately measuring the temperature of the food due to the protective window.

[0005] Therefore, when a cooking appliance measures the temperature of food using a thermal imaging camera, a method is required to compensate for the influence of the protective window to measure the temperature of the food more accurately.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cooking appliance includes: a thermal imaging camera for measuring a temperature of food; a protective window disposed between the thermal imaging camera and the food and for protecting the thermal imaging camera; and a processor for obtaining a thermal image through the thermal imaging camera, dividing the thermal image into a food region including the food, a first inner wall region covered by the protective window, and a second inner wall region other than the food region and not covered by the protective window, obtaining a correction parameter for correcting an influence of the protective window on a measurement value obtained through the thermal imaging camera based on information obtained by the first inner wall region and the second inner wall region of the thermal image, and correcting a food temperature measured by the thermal imaging camera through the food region based on the correction parameter.

[0007] The processor can identify information about a difference between a first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region, and obtain a correction parameter corresponding to the information about the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

[0008] When the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is greater than when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is small, the correction parameter may be increased.

[0009] The above protective window may be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the thermal imaging camera so as to cover a part of the inner wall of the cooking appliance within the shooting range of the thermal imaging camera and not cover the remaining part.

[0010] The processor may update the correction parameter when a preset event related to a temperature change occurs in at least one of a plurality of regions included in the thermal image.

[0011] The above preset event may be a first preset event including an event in which a temperature change obtained through the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region rises or falls by a preset value or an event in which a change in the difference between the first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and the second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region is by a preset value or more.

[0012] The processor may update the correction parameters when a preset event occurs in which a setting related to the thermal imaging camera is changed.

[0013] The above processor can update the correction parameters at preset intervals.

[0014] A thermally conductive material is coated on one area of ​​the protective window, and the processor can obtain information on the temperature of the protective window through an area corresponding to one area coated by the protective window among the thermal images, obtain a correction parameter by the protective window based on the information on the temperature of the protective window, and correct the temperature of the food obtained through the food area based on the correction parameter.

[0015] A thermistor is attached to an area of ​​the protective window, and the processor can obtain information about the temperature of the protective window through the thermistor, obtain a correction parameter by the protective window based on the information about the temperature of the protective window, and correct the food temperature obtained through the food area based on the correction parameter.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a cooking appliance, comprising: a thermal imaging camera for measuring a temperature of food; and a protective window disposed between the thermal imaging camera and the food, the protective window protecting the thermal imaging camera, the method comprising: acquiring a thermal image through the thermal imaging camera; dividing the thermal image into a food region including the food, a first inner wall region covered by the protective window, and a second inner wall region other than the food region and not covered by the protective window; acquiring a correction parameter for correcting an influence of the protective window on a measurement value acquired through the thermal imaging camera based on information acquired by the first inner wall region and the second inner wall region of the thermal image; and correcting a food temperature measured by the thermal imaging camera through the food region based on the correction parameter.

[0017] The step of obtaining the above correction parameter may include: a step of identifying information about a difference between a first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region; and a step of obtaining a correction parameter corresponding to the information about the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

[0018] When the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is greater than when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is small, the correction parameter may be increased.

[0019] The above protective window may be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the thermal imaging camera so as to cover a part of the inner wall of the cooking appliance within the shooting range of the thermal imaging camera and not cover the remaining part.

[0020] The method may include a step of updating the correction parameter when a preset event related to a temperature change occurs in at least one area among a plurality of areas included in the thermal image.

[0021]

[0022] The above preset event may be a first preset event including an event in which a temperature change obtained through the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region rises or falls by a preset value or an event in which a change in the difference between the first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and the second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region is by a preset value or more.

[0023] The method may include a step of updating the correction parameters when a preset event occurs in which the settings related to the thermal imaging camera are changed.

[0024] The above control method may include a step of updating the correction parameter at preset intervals.

[0025] A thermally conductive material is coated on one area of ​​the above protective window, and the step of obtaining the correction parameter may include: a step of obtaining information on the temperature of the protective window through an area corresponding to one area coated by the protective window among the thermal images; and a step of obtaining a correction parameter by the protective window based on the information on the temperature of the protective window.

[0026] A thermistor is attached to an area of ​​the protective window, and the step of obtaining the correction parameter may include a step of obtaining information on the temperature of the protective window through the thermistor; and a step of obtaining a correction parameter by the protective window based on the information on the temperature of the protective window.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a thermal imaging camera and a protective window according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for correcting the temperature of food according to the influence of a protective window according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of areas included in a thermal image according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 5a, FIG. 5b and FIG. 5c are diagrams illustrating thermal images captured by a turntable-type cooking device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 6a, FIG. 6b and FIG. 6c are diagrams illustrating thermal images captured by a flat-bed type cooking appliance according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 7a, FIG. 7b, FIG. 7c and FIG. 7d are diagrams showing thermal images captured when a material with high thermal conductivity is coated on a protective window to directly measure the temperature of the protective window according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing thermal images captured when a thermistor is attached on a protective window to directly measure the temperature of the protective window according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for correcting the temperature of a food by measuring the temperature of a protective window according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and

[0036] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a method for controlling a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] The present embodiments may be modified and have various embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the scope to specific embodiments, but should be understood to encompass various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments of the present disclosure. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar components.

[0038] In describing the present disclosure, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] Additionally, the following embodiments may be modified in various other forms, and the scope of the technical concepts of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided to further faithfully and completely convey the technical concepts of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0040] The terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the rights. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0041] In this disclosure, expressions such as “has,” “can have,” “includes,” or “may include” indicate the presence of a corresponding feature (e.g., a component such as a number, function, operation, or part), and do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0042] In this disclosure, expressions such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and / or B,” or “one or more of A or / and B” can include all possible combinations of the listed items. For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” or “at least one of A or B” can all refer to (1) including at least one A, (2) including at least one B, or (3) including both at least one A and at least one B.

[0043] The expressions “first,” “second,” “first,” or “second,” etc., used in this disclosure can describe various components, regardless of order and / or importance, and are only used to distinguish one component from another, but do not limit the components.

[0044] When it is said that a component (e.g., a first component) is “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with / to” or “connected to” another component (e.g., a second component), it should be understood that said component may be directly coupled to said other component, or may be coupled via another component (e.g., a third component).

[0045] On the other hand, when it is said that a component (e.g., a first component) is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), it can be understood that no other component (e.g., a third component) exists between said component and said other component.

[0046] The expression "configured to" as used in the present disclosure may be used interchangeably with, for example, "suitable for," "having the capacity to," "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of." The term "configured to" may not necessarily mean only "specifically designed to" in terms of hardware.

[0047] Instead, in some contexts, the phrase "a device configured to" may mean that the device, in conjunction with other devices or components, is "capable of" performing A, B, and C. For example, the phrase "a processor configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C" may refer to a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing those operations, or a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or application processor) that can perform those operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device.

[0048] In the embodiments, a 'module' or 'part' performs at least one function or operation, and may be implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software. Furthermore, a plurality of 'modules' or 'parts' may be integrated into at least one module and implemented as at least one processor, except for a 'module' or 'part' that needs to be implemented as a specific hardware.

[0049] Meanwhile, the various elements and areas in the drawings are schematically drawn. Therefore, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by the relative sizes or spacing depicted in the attached drawings.

[0050] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail so that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cooking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cooking device (100) may include a thermal imaging camera (110), a user input unit (120), an output unit (130), a memory (140), a heating unit (150), a communication interface (160), and a processor (170). Meanwhile, the cooking device (100) is a device that cooks food using at least one heat source, and may be, but is not limited to, an oven such as a gas oven or an electric oven, a microwave heating device (hereinafter, microwave oven), an air fryer, etc. Meanwhile, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely one embodiment, and some additional configurations may be included depending on the type of the cooking device (100).

[0052] A thermal imaging camera (110) is a device that visualizes infrared rays (or heat rays) emitted by a subject to obtain a thermal image. The thermal image obtained by the thermal imaging camera (110) may include information about the temperature of the subject. That is, pixel information included in the thermal image may indicate information about the temperature of the subject. At this time, the thermal imaging camera (110) may be referred to by various terms such as a thermal imaging sensor, a thermal imaging image sensor, etc.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a thermal imaging camera (110) is positioned on one side of a cooking device (100) (e.g., the top of the cooking device (100)) and can capture the inside of the cooking device (100) to obtain a thermal image. At this time, the thermal image may include a plurality of regions. For example, the thermal image may include a cooking food region, a first inner wall region covered by a protective window (210), and a second inner wall region not covered by the protective window (210).

[0054] Meanwhile, the thermal imaging camera (110) can be protected from heat or contamination generated inside the cooking device (100) by a protective window (210). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the protective window (210) can be placed between the thermal imaging camera (110) and the food (10), and can protect the thermal imaging camera (110) from heat or contamination generated inside the cooking device (100).

[0055] However, since a protective window (210) exists between the thermal imaging camera (110) and the food (10), there is a limitation that the thermal imaging camera (110) cannot accurately measure the temperature of the food (10) due to the protective window (210) when measuring the temperature of the food (10). Specifically, the temperature of the food (Tfood) obtained through the food area among the temperatures inside the cooking device (100), the temperature (Tcavity) of the first inner wall covered by the protective window (210), and the temperature (Tcavity_raw) of the second inner wall not covered by the protective window may be expressed as in the following mathematical expression 1.

[0056] <Mathematical Formula 1>

[0057]

[0058]

[0059]

[0060] Here, E represents thermal (or infrared) energy, and α can represent a proportionality constant.

[0061] As can be seen from the mathematical formula above, the temperature of the food (Tfood) is also affected by the thermal energy of the protective window, so in order to accurately calculate the temperature of the food (Tfood), it is necessary to compensate for the effect of the protective window.

[0062] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor (170) can calculate a correction parameter by the protective window (210) and correct the temperature of the food (10) based on the correction parameter.

[0063] In particular, the protective window (210) may be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the thermal imaging camera (110), as illustrated in FIG. 2, so as to cover a part (②) of the inner wall of the cooking device (100) within the shooting range of the thermal imaging camera (110) and not cover the remaining part (③). Accordingly, the processor (170) may calculate a correction parameter by the protective window (210) based on the temperature difference between the first inner wall region covered by the protective window (210) and the second inner wall region not covered by the protective window (210). Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment, the protective window (210) is described as being arranged asymmetrically with respect to the thermal imaging camera (110), but this is merely one embodiment, and the shape of the protective window (210) may be asymmetrical so as to cover a part (②) of the inner wall of the cooking device (100) and not cover the remaining part (③).

[0064] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to directly measure the temperature of the protective window (210), a thermally conductive material may be coated on one area of ​​the protective window (210) or a thermistor may be placed.

[0065] The user input unit (120) includes a circuit, and the processor (170) can receive user input for controlling the operation of the cooking device (100) through the user input unit (120). For example, the user input unit (120) can be implemented in the form of a dial on one side of the front of the cooking device (100). However, this is only one embodiment, and the user input unit (120) can also be configured with a button, a touch screen, a signal receiving unit for receiving user input from an external device, etc.

[0066] In particular, the user input unit (120) can receive user input for controlling the cooking operation of the cooking device (100) and can receive user input for changing the settings of the thermal imaging camera.

[0067] The output unit (130) includes a circuit, and the processor (170) can output various functions that the cooking device (100) can perform through the output unit (130). For example, the output unit (130) can be implemented in the form of a display on one side of the front of the cooking device (100). However, this is only one embodiment, and the output unit (130) can further include an indicator or a speaker.

[0068] The output unit (130) can output a message indicating the cooking status of the cooking device (100) and can output a message including information about the temperature of the food located inside the cooking device (100).

[0069] The memory (140) may store at least one instruction for controlling the cooking device (100). In addition, the memory (140) may store an O / S (Operating System) for driving the cooking device (100). In addition, the memory (140) may store various software programs or applications for operating the cooking device (100) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, the memory (140) may include a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a magnetic storage medium such as a hard disk.

[0070] In particular, the memory (140) may include a plurality of modules for compensating the temperature of the food according to the influence of the protective window. In particular, when the cooking device is powered on or a function for compensating the temperature of the food according to the influence of the protective window is executed, the cooking device (100) may load data for various modules stored in the non-volatile memory to perform various operations into the volatile memory. Here, loading means an operation of calling and storing data stored in the non-volatile memory into the volatile memory so that the processor (170) can access it.

[0071] The heating unit (150) is a component that applies heat to food located inside the cooking device (100). At this time, the heating unit (150) may include at least one heat source such as a heating wire or a microwave radiator. The heating wire is a component that applies heat inside the cooking device (100). In particular, the heating wire may be located on at least one of the ceiling surface inside the cooking device (100), the rear surface inside the cooking device (100), and the side surface inside the cooking device (100). In particular, when the cooking device (100) operates in one of the air fryer mode, the grill mode, and the oven mode among a plurality of driving modes, the processor (170) may control the heating wire corresponding to the driving mode to perform a cooking operation. The microwave radiator may generate microwaves of a predetermined frequency and then emit the generated microwaves into the cooking device (100). In particular, when the cooking device (100) operates in a range mode during the driving mode or when the cooking device (100) is implemented as a microwave oven, the processor (170) can control the microwave radiator to perform a cooking operation.

[0072] The communication interface (160) includes a circuit and can communicate with an external device (e.g., a user terminal or an external server). Specifically, the processor (170) can receive various data or information from an external device connected via the communication interface (160) and can also transmit various data or information to the external device.

[0073] The communication interface (160) may include at least one of a WiFi module, a Bluetooth module, a wireless communication module, an NFC module, and a UWB module (Ultra Wide Band). At this time, the wireless communication module may perform communication according to various communication standards such as IEEE, Zigbee, 3G (3rd Generation), 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 5G (5th Generation), etc.

[0074] The communication interface (160) can receive a user command for setting the driving mode of the cooking device (100) from an external device or a user command for controlling a cooking operation, and can transmit information about the current cooking status to the external device.

[0075] The processor (170) can control the overall operation of the cooking device (100) according to at least one instruction stored in the memory (140). Specifically, the processor (170) acquires a thermal image through the thermal imaging camera (110). The processor (170) divides the thermal image into a food area including food, a first inner wall area covered by a protective window, and a second inner wall area not covered by the protective window. The processor (170) acquires a correction parameter by the protective window based on the first inner wall area and the second inner wall area. The processor (170) corrects the food temperature acquired through the food area based on the correction parameter.

[0076] In one embodiment, the processor (170) identifies information about the difference between a first temperature acquired through a first inner wall region and a second temperature acquired through a second inner wall region. The processor (170) may acquire a correction parameter corresponding to the information about the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. In this case, the correction parameter may be larger as the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature increases, and the correction parameter may be smaller as the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature decreases.

[0077] In one embodiment, when a first preset event related to a temperature change in at least one region among a plurality of regions included in the thermal image occurs, the processor (170) may update the correction parameter. The first preset event may include an event in which a temperature change acquired through the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region rises or falls by a preset value or an event in which a change in a difference between a first temperature acquired through the first inner wall region and a second temperature acquired through the second inner wall region is greater than a preset value.

[0078] In one embodiment, when a second preset event occurs in which a setting related to the thermal imaging camera (110) is changed, the processor (170) can update the correction parameters.

[0079] In one embodiment, the processor (170) may update the correction parameters at preset intervals.

[0080] In one embodiment, when a thermally conductive material is coated on one area of ​​the protective window (210), the processor (170) can obtain information about the temperature of the protective window (210) through a corresponding area on one area of ​​the thermal image. The processor (170) can obtain a correction parameter by the protective window (210) based on the information about the temperature of the protective window (210). The processor (170) can correct the food temperature obtained through the food area based on the correction parameter.

[0081] In one embodiment, when a thermistor is attached to an area of ​​the protective window (210), the processor (170) can obtain information about the temperature of the protective window (210) through the thermistor. The processor (170) can obtain a correction parameter by the protective window (210) based on the information about the temperature of the protective window (210). The processor (170) can correct the food temperature obtained through the food area based on the correction parameter.

[0082] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for compensating the temperature of food according to the influence of a protective window, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] First, the cooking device (100) can initiate a cooking operation (S310). At this time, the cooking device (100) can initiate a cooking operation based on a user input input via the user input unit (120) or a user input received via the communication interface (160). At this time, the cooking device (100) can initiate a cooking operation based on a user input for setting information related to the cooking operation, such as a cooking mode, cooking time, cooking temperature, etc. Meanwhile, when the cooking operation begins, food can be placed inside the cooking device (100).

[0084] The cooking device (100) can acquire a thermal image through the thermal image camera (110) (S320). At this time, the thermal image is an image of the inside of the cooking device (100) acquired through the thermal image camera (110), and the pixels of the thermal image can represent the internal temperature of the cooking device (100). At this time, the thermal image camera (110) may be located on the upper side inside the cooking device (100), but this is only an example, and may be located on the side or rear side inside the cooking device (100). At this time, the cooking device (100) can continuously acquire frames of the thermal image through the thermal image camera (110) in the background while performing the operations below, and can store the frames of the acquired thermal image in a buffer.

[0085] The cooking device (100) can divide the thermal image into a plurality of regions (S330). Specifically, the cooking device (100) can divide the cooking region including the food, the first inner wall region covered by the protective window (210), and the second inner wall region not covered by the protective window (220). At this time, the food region may be a region located within an area captured through an observation window located in front of the thermal imaging camera (110) to measure the temperature of the food, but may also be referred to as an observation region. The first inner wall region may be an inner wall region covered by the protective window (210) among the inner wall regions excluding the food region. The second inner wall region may be an inner wall region not covered by the protective window (210) among the inner wall regions excluding the food region.

[0086] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cooking appliance (100) may acquire a thermal image (400) as illustrated in FIG. 4. The thermal image (400) may include a cooking area (410), a first inner wall area (420), and a second inner wall area (430). The food area (410) may include an area (①) corresponding to the food and a background area (④). The first inner wall area (420) may be an area (②) corresponding to an inner wall covered by a protective window (210) among the inner wall areas excluding the cooking area (410). The second inner wall area (420) may be an area (③) corresponding to an inner wall at the upper right that is not covered by the protective window (210) among the inner wall areas excluding the cooking area (420). For reference, in FIGS. 4 to 8, only lines for distinguishing multiple areas within a thermal image are disclosed, and pixel expressions indicating the temperature of each of the multiple areas are omitted.

[0087] The cooking device (100) can obtain a first temperature through the first inner wall region and a second temperature through the second inner wall region (S340). Specifically, the cooking device (100) can obtain the first temperature based on a representative value (e.g., average value, mode value, median value, etc.) of pixels of the first inner wall region in the thermal image, and can obtain the second temperature based on a representative value of pixels of the second inner wall region in the thermal image. At this time, the first temperature may be the temperature of an inner wall covered by the protective window (210) within the cooking device (100), and the second temperature may be the temperature of an inner wall not covered by the protective window (210) within the cooking device (100). In one embodiment, the cooking device (100) can obtain the second temperature through pixels of an area near the first inner wall region among the second inner wall regions.

[0088] The cooking device (100) can obtain a correction parameter based on the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature (S350). Specifically, the cooking device (100) can obtain a correction parameter by calculating the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature by using the protective window (210). At this time, the correction parameter is a parameter for correcting the food temperature obtained through the food area of ​​the thermal image, and may be a correction value multiplied by the food temperature obtained through the food area of ​​the thermal image. However, this is merely an example, and the correction parameter may be a correction value added to the food temperature obtained through the food area of ​​the thermal image.

[0089] In particular, the larger the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, the larger the correction parameter, and the smaller the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, the smaller the correction parameter. That is, the larger the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, the greater the influence by the protective window (210), so the correction parameter may be large, and the smaller the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, the less the influence by the protective window (210), so the correction parameter may be small. At this time, the correction parameter corresponding to the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature may be stored in the memory (140), but is not limited thereto, and the correction parameter may be calculated according to the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

[0090] The cooking device (100) can obtain the temperature of the food through the food area (S360). Specifically, the cooking device (100) can separate the area (①) corresponding to the food from the food area (410), as illustrated in FIG. 4. Then, the cooking device (100) can obtain the temperature of the food based on the representative value of the pixels included in the area (①) corresponding to the food. At this time, the obtained food temperature may be a temperature distorted due to the influence of the protective window (210). Meanwhile, although operation S360 is described as being performed after operation S350, this is merely an example, and may be performed after operation S330 and before operation S350.

[0091] The cooking device (100) can compensate for the food temperature based on the compensation parameter (S370). In one embodiment, the cooking device (100) can compensate for the food temperature by multiplying the compensation parameter obtained in operation S350 by the food temperature obtained in operation S360. At this time, if the compensation parameter is greater than 1, the cooking device (100) can compensate for the food temperature to increase compared to the food temperature obtained in operation S360. Alternatively, if the compensation parameter is greater than 0 and less than 1, the cooking device (100) can compensate for the food temperature to decrease compared to the food temperature obtained in operation S360. However, this is merely one embodiment, and the cooking device (100) can compensate for the food temperature by adding the compensation parameter obtained in operation S350 to the food temperature obtained in operation S360.

[0092] The cooking device (100) can control a cooking operation based on the corrected food temperature. For example, the cooking device (100) can perform the next cooking operation, change the cooking temperature, or end the cooking operation based on the corrected food temperature.

[0093] The cooking device (100) can identify whether an event related to updating correction parameters has occurred (S380). Specifically, if the cooking device (100) calculates correction parameters for each frame of a thermal image, the cooking device (100) can more accurately correct the temperature of the food, but there may be a limitation in that the amount of calculation increases. Therefore, if an event related to updating correction parameters has occurred (S380-Y), the cooking device (100) can perform the operation after operation S340 for a new frame of a thermal image to update the correction parameters.

[0094] In one embodiment, an event related to an update of a correction parameter may be a first preset event related to a temperature change in at least one of a plurality of regions included in a thermal image. In this case, the first preset event may include an event in which a change in temperature acquired through the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region rises or falls by a preset value or an event in which a change in the difference between the first temperature acquired through the first inner wall region and the second temperature acquired through the second inner wall region is greater than or equal to a preset value. Specifically, when a difference between the temperature of the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region acquired in the current frame and the temperature of the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region acquired in the previous frame is greater than or equal to a preset value, the cooking device (100) may update the correction parameter to reflect a sudden increase in the inner wall temperature or a change in the environment due to a temperature change or moisture of the protective window (210). Alternatively, if the difference between the first difference value between the first temperature and the second temperature acquired in the current frame and the second difference value between the first temperature and the second temperature acquired in the previous frame is greater than or equal to a preset value, the cooking device (100) may update the correction parameter to reflect the change in the characteristics of the protective window (210).

[0095] In one embodiment, the event related to the update of the correction parameters may be a second preset event in which settings related to the thermal imaging camera (110) are changed. Specifically, when the sensitivity, emissivity, FPS (Frame Per Second), Rolling Average range, etc. of the thermal imaging camera (110) are changed, the cooking device (100) may update the correction parameters. Meanwhile, the second preset event may occur while the cooking operation is being performed, but this is only one embodiment, and may occur before the cooking operation is performed.

[0096] In one embodiment, an event related to updating a correction parameter may be an event that occurs at a preset interval. That is, the cooking device (100) may update the correction parameter at preset intervals (e.g., every 10 seconds).

[0097] If no event related to updating the correction parameters occurs (S380-N), the cooking device (100) can determine whether to terminate the cooking operation (S390). For example, the cooking device (100) can determine whether to terminate the cooking operation based on whether a preset cooking time has arrived, and can determine whether to terminate the cooking operation based on the corrected temperature of the food.

[0098] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shape of the observation window (or observation area) may vary depending on the type of cooking device (100). This will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 6C.

[0099] In one embodiment, when the type of cooking device (100) is a turntable type, the shape of the observation window may be circular. When the observation window is circular, the shape of the observation area (or food area) (510-1, 510-2, 510-3) of the thermal image may also be circular, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5C. That is, in the case of a turntable type cooking device (100), since the turntable rotates, the shape of the observation window may be circular in order to prevent the observation area from changing according to the rotation of the turntable.

[0100] Meanwhile, when the type of the cooking device (100) is a turntable type, the cooking device (100) can obtain a thermal image including various shapes of first inner wall regions (520-1, 520-2, 520-3) and second inner wall regions (530-1, 530-2, 530-3) as illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5C. For example, the cooking device (100) can obtain a thermal image including a second inner wall region (530-1) located at the upper right corner as illustrated in FIG. 5A, can obtain a thermal image including a second inner wall region (530-2) located in the right region as illustrated in FIG. 5B, and can obtain a thermal image including a second inner wall region (530-3) located in the right and left regions as illustrated in FIG. 5C.

[0101] In one embodiment, when the type of cooking device (100) is a flat-bed type, the shape of the observation window may be rectangular. When the observation window is rectangular, the shape of the observation area (or food area) (610-1, 610-2, 610-3) of the thermal image may also be rectangular, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C. That is, in the case of a flat-bed type cooking device (100), the table does not rotate, but the food may be positioned in various areas below the cooking device (100), and thus, the cooking device may include a rectangular observation area that is larger in size than the observation area of ​​a turntable type cooking device.

[0102] Meanwhile, when the type of the cooking device (100) is a flat-bed type, the cooking device (100) can obtain a thermal image including various shapes of first inner wall regions (620-1, 620-2, 620-3) and second inner wall regions (630-1, 630-2, 630-3) as illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C. For example, the cooking device (100) can obtain a thermal image including a second inner wall region (630-1) located at the upper right corner as illustrated in FIG. 6A, can obtain a thermal image including a second inner wall region (630-2) located in the right region as illustrated in FIG. 6B, and can obtain a thermal image including a second inner wall region (530-3) located in the right and left regions as illustrated in FIG. 6C.

[0103]

[0104] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooking appliance (100) can directly measure the temperature of the protective window (210) and compensate for the temperature of the food obtained through the thermal image. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 9 . Meanwhile, FIGS. 7A to 8 are thermal image images, and the thermally conductive materials (730-1, 730-2, 730-3, 730-4) or thermistors (830) illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 8 may be captured by a thermal image camera (110).

[0105] In one embodiment, the cooking device (100) may coat the protective window (210) with a thermally conductive material having high thermal conductivity in order to directly measure the temperature of the protective window (210). For example, a thermally conductive material having high thermal conductivity, such as silver or copper, may be coated on the protective window (210).

[0106] At this time, the thermally conductive material (⑤) may be coated on the remaining area of ​​the protective window (210) except for the cooking area (or observation area). In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7a, the thermally conductive material (730-1) may be coated in a triangular shape on the upper right corner of the remaining area (720) except for the cooking area (710) of the protective window (210). In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7b, the thermally conductive material (730-2) may be coated in a square shape on the right side of the remaining area (720) except for the cooking area (710) of the protective window (210). In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7c, the thermally conductive material (730-3) may be coated in a circular shape on the upper right corner of the remaining area (720) except for the cooking area (710) of the protective window (210). In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7d, the thermal conductive material (730-4) may be coated in a square shape on the right side of the remaining area (720) excluding the cooking area (710) of the protective window (210).

[0107] The cooking device (100) can directly measure the temperature of the protective window (210) by measuring the temperature using an area coated with a thermal conductive material in a thermal image.

[0108] In one embodiment, the cooking device (100) may include a protective window (210) to which a thermistor is attached in order to directly measure the temperature of the protective window (210). At this time, the thermistor is a type of resistor and is configured to measure temperature by utilizing the property of a material's resistance changing according to temperature. For example, the thermistor (830) may be attached on the right side of the area (820) excluding the cooking area (810) among the protective window (210), as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0109] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for correcting the temperature of a food by measuring the temperature of a protective window according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] First, the cooking device (100) can initiate a cooking operation (S910). At this time, the cooking device (100) can initiate a cooking operation based on a user input input via the user input unit (120) or a user input received via the communication interface (160). At this time, the cooking device (100) can initiate a cooking operation based on a user input for setting information related to the cooking operation, such as a cooking mode, cooking time, cooking temperature, etc. Meanwhile, when the cooking operation begins, food can be placed inside the cooking device (100).

[0111] The cooking device (100) can acquire a thermal image through the thermal imaging camera (110) (S920). At this time, the thermal image is an image of the inside of the cooking device (100) acquired through the thermal imaging camera (110), and the pixels of the thermal image can represent the internal temperature of the cooking device (100). At this time, the cooking device (100) can continuously acquire frames of the thermal image through the thermal imaging camera (110) in the background while performing the operations below, and can store the acquired frames of the thermal image in a buffer.

[0112] The cooking device (100) can obtain the protective window temperature (S930). Specifically, the cooking device (100) can obtain the protective window temperature based on the thermally conductive material coated on the protective window, as described in FIGS. 7A to 7D , and can obtain the protective window temperature based on the thermistor described in FIG. 8 .

[0113] The cooking device (100) can obtain the temperature of the food through the food area (S940). Specifically, the cooking device (100) can separate the area (①) corresponding to the food from the food area. In addition, the cooking device (100) can obtain the temperature of the food based on the representative value of the pixels included in the area (①) corresponding to the food.

[0114] The cooking device (100) can obtain a correction parameter based on the food temperature and the protective window temperature (S950). Specifically, if the protective window temperature is determined to be higher than the food temperature, the cooking device (100) can obtain a correction parameter for lowering the food temperature, and if the protective window temperature is determined to be lower than the food temperature, the cooking device (100) can obtain a correction parameter for raising the food temperature. At this time, the greater the difference between the protective window temperature and the food temperature, the greater the absolute value of the correction parameter may be, and the smaller the difference between the protective window temperature and the food temperature, the smaller the absolute value of the correction parameter may be.

[0115] The cooking device (100) can compensate for the food temperature based on the compensation parameter (S960). In one embodiment, the cooking device (100) can compensate for the food temperature by multiplying the compensation parameter obtained in operation S950 by the food temperature obtained in operation S940. At this time, if the compensation parameter is greater than 1, the cooking device (100) can compensate for the food temperature to increase compared to the food temperature obtained in operation S940. Alternatively, if the compensation parameter is greater than 0 and less than 1, the cooking device (100) can compensate for the food temperature to decrease compared to the food temperature obtained in operation S940. However, this is only one embodiment, and the cooking device (100) can compensate for the food temperature by adding the compensation parameter obtained in step S950 (wherein the compensation parameter includes positive and negative numbers) to the food temperature obtained in operation S360.

[0116] Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 9, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, as described in operation S380 of FIG. 3, when an event for updating the correction parameters is detected, the correction parameters can be updated.

[0117]

[0118] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a method for controlling a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0119] The cooking device (100) acquires a thermal image through a thermal imaging camera (S1010). Specifically, the cooking device (100) can acquire a thermal image area including the food to be cooked through a thermal imaging camera (110) located in an area inside the cooking device (100). At this time, the thermal imaging camera (110) can be protected by a protective window (210). The protective window (210) can be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the thermal imaging camera (110) so as to cover a part of the inner wall of the cooking device (100) within the shooting range of the thermal imaging camera (110) and not to cover the remaining part.

[0120] The cooking device (100) divides the thermal image into a cooking area including the food, a first inner wall area covered by the protective window (210), and a second inner wall area not covered by the protective window (210) (S1020).

[0121] The cooking device (100) obtains a correction parameter by the protective window (210) based on the first inner wall region and the second inner wall region (S1030). Specifically, the cooking device (100) can identify information about the difference between the first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and the second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region. In addition, the cooking device (100) can obtain a correction parameter corresponding to the information about the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. At this time, the correction parameter may be larger as the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is larger, and the correction parameter may be smaller as the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is smaller.

[0122] The cooking device (100) corrects the food temperature obtained through the food area based on the correction parameter (S1040).

[0123] In one embodiment, when a first preset event related to a temperature change in at least one area among a plurality of areas included in a thermal image occurs, the cooking device (100) may update the correction parameter. At this time, the first preset event may include an event in which a temperature change acquired through the first inner wall area or the second inner wall area rises or falls by a preset value or an event in which a change in a difference between a first temperature acquired through the first inner wall area and a second temperature acquired through the second inner wall area is greater than a preset value.

[0124] In one embodiment, when a second preset event occurs in which a setting related to the thermal imaging camera (110) is changed, the cooking appliance (100) can update the correction parameters.

[0125] In one embodiment, the cooking appliance (100) can update the correction parameters at preset intervals.

[0126] Meanwhile, the cooking device (100) can directly measure the temperature of the protective window (210) to obtain correction parameters. In one embodiment, a thermally conductive material may be coated on a portion of the protective window (210). The cooking device (100) can obtain information on the temperature of the protective window through a corresponding portion of the thermal image. The cooking device (100) can obtain correction parameters by the protective window based on the information on the temperature of the protective window (10).

[0127] In one embodiment, a thermistor may be attached to a portion of the protective window (210). The cooking device (100) may obtain information about the temperature of the protective window through the thermistor. The cooking device (100) may obtain compensation parameters by the protective window based on the information about the temperature of the protective window (10).

[0128]

[0129] Meanwhile, the methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0130] The methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as software including commands stored in a machine-readable storage medium that can be read by a machine (e.g., a computer). The device is a device that can call the commands stored in the storage medium and operate according to the called commands, and may include a cooking device according to the disclosed embodiments.

[0131] Meanwhile, a device-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term "non-transitory storage medium" simply means a tangible device that does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish between cases where data is permanently stored in the storage medium and cases where data is temporarily stored. For example, a "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0132] When the above instruction is executed by the processor, the processor may perform the function corresponding to the instruction directly or by using other components under the control of the processor. The instruction may include code generated or executed by a compiler or interpreter.

[0133] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. In cooking equipment, Thermal imaging camera for measuring the temperature of food; A protective window positioned between the thermal imaging camera and the food, for protecting the thermal imaging camera; and Obtaining thermal images through the above thermal imaging camera, The thermal image is divided into a cooking area including the food, a first inner wall area covered by the protective window, and a second inner wall area not covered by the protective window other than the cooking area, Obtaining a correction parameter for correcting the influence of the protective window on the measurement value obtained through the thermal imaging camera based on the information obtained by the first inner wall region and the second inner wall region of the thermal imaging image, A cooking appliance comprising a processor for correcting a temperature of food measured by the thermal imaging camera through the food area based on the correction parameters.

2. In paragraph 1, The above processor, Identify information about the difference between the first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and the second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region, A cooking appliance that obtains a correction parameter corresponding to information about the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

3. In paragraph 2, A cooking appliance in which the correction parameter increases when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is greater than when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is small.

4. In paragraph 1, The above protective window is, A cooking appliance that is asymmetrically positioned with respect to the thermal imaging camera so that part of the inner wall of the cooking appliance is covered within the shooting range of the thermal imaging camera, and the remaining part is not covered.

5. In paragraph 1, The above processor, A cooking appliance that updates the correction parameters when a preset event related to a temperature change occurs in at least one area among a plurality of areas included in the thermal image.

6. In paragraph 5, The above preset events are: A cooking appliance comprising a first preset event, wherein the event is an event in which a temperature change obtained through the first inner wall region or the second inner wall region rises or falls by a preset value or an event in which a change in a difference between a first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region is a preset value or more.

7. In paragraph 1, The above processor A cooking appliance that updates the correction parameters when a preset event occurs in which the settings related to the thermal imaging camera are changed.

8. In paragraph 1, The above processor, A cooking appliance that updates the above correction parameters at preset intervals.

9. In paragraph 1, A thermally conductive material is coated on one area of ​​the above protective window, The above processor, Obtain information about the temperature of the protective window through an area corresponding to an area coated by the protective window among the thermal image, Obtaining compensation parameters by the protective window based on information about the temperature of the protective window, A cooking appliance that compensates for the food temperature obtained through the food area based on the compensation parameters.

10. In paragraph 1, A thermistor is attached to one area of ​​the above protective window, The above processor, Obtain information about the temperature of the protective window through the above thermistor, Obtaining compensation parameters by the protective window based on information about the temperature of the protective window, A cooking appliance that compensates for the food temperature obtained through the food area based on the compensation parameters.

11. A method for controlling a cooking appliance, comprising a thermal imaging camera for measuring the temperature of food and a protective window disposed between the thermal imaging camera and the food to protect the thermal imaging camera. A step of obtaining a thermal image through the above thermal imaging camera; A step of dividing the thermal image into a cooking area including the food, a first inner wall area covered by the protective window, and a second inner wall area not covered by the protective window other than the cooking area; A step of obtaining a correction parameter for correcting the influence of the protective window on the measurement value obtained through the thermal imaging camera based on the information obtained by the first inner wall region and the second inner wall region of the thermal imaging image; and A control method comprising: a step of correcting a temperature of a food item measured by the thermal imaging camera through the food area based on the correction parameter; 12. In paragraph 11, The step of obtaining the above correction parameters is: A step of identifying information about the difference between a first temperature obtained through the first inner wall region and a second temperature obtained through the second inner wall region; and A control method comprising: a step of obtaining a correction parameter corresponding to information about the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

13. In paragraph 12, A control method in which the correction parameter increases when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is greater than when the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is small.

14. In paragraph 11, The above protective window is, A control method in which a part of the inner wall of the cooking appliance is covered within the shooting range of the thermal imaging camera and the remaining part is not covered, and is arranged asymmetrically with respect to the thermal imaging camera.

15. In paragraph 11, A control method comprising: a step of updating the correction parameter when a preset event related to a temperature change in at least one area among a plurality of areas included in the thermal image occurs;

Images