User equipment, cooking apparatus, and cooking system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cooking apparatuses using 3D printing technology face inefficiencies in food ingredient extrusion, leading to waste, and lack user-friendly interfaces for shaping and heating food according to user inputs.

Innovation Solution

A cooking system comprising a user equipment with a touch interface and processor that allows users to input food shapes, ingredients, and cooking methods, which are transmitted to a cooking apparatus for precise shaping and heating, including features like automatic cooking button, draw button, and output button for previewing the final food shape and cooking method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If food ingredients are extruded from a cartridge in a 3D printing cooking apparatus, then the food can be shaped according to user input, but a large amount of food ingredients is thrown out and wasted if not appropriately extruded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefood shaping capabilityVSAvoidfood ingredient waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a user interface to receive user input about desired food shapes, transmits this information to the cooking apparatus, and allows the user to preview the food shape before actual extrusion. This feedback loop ensures that extrusion is performed only when needed and with precise control, preventing waste of food ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows users to input and preview food shapes before the actual extrusion process begins. The user interface displays the food model and cooking method, enabling users to confirm their selections before food ingredients are extruded from the cartridge, thus avoiding unnecessary extrusion and waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a user interface with multiple input options is provided for food shape input, then user-friendliness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface friendlinessVSAvoidinterface structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface provides multiple input methods (automatic cooking button with preset shapes, draw button for custom shapes, and cooking method button) within a single integrated system. This multi-functional approach allows users to choose the most convenient input method for their needs without requiring separate devices or complex additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system displays a preview of the food shape on the user interface based on user input before actual extrusion occurs. This virtual copying allows users to visualize and confirm their food shape selections without committing to the actual extrusion process, making the interface more user-friendly while maintaining system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Loss of substance

If precise control over food ingredient extrusion is implemented, then food ingredient waste is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefood ingredient waste reductionVSAvoidextrusion control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits information about the food model and cooking method from the user interface to the cooking apparatus, creating a feedback loop that ensures precise control over the extrusion process. The apparatus extrudes food ingredients only when and where needed based on the transmitted digital model, minimizing waste while maintaining precise extrusion control through digital guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to easily shape and cook food according to desired models, reducing waste by precise control over food ingredient extrusion and heating, and providing a user-friendly interface for inputting and previewing food designs.

Implementation Method 1

a cooking apparatus for shaping and heating a food

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3448178B1User equipment, cooking apparatus, and cooking system
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3448178B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3448178B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3448178B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A user equipment is provided. The user equipment includes a user interface, a transceiver and a processor. The user interface may receive an input of a food model including at least one of a shape, an ingredient, or a color of a food in accordance with a touch input of a user. The transceiver may transmit information of the food model to a cooking apparatus capable of shaping and heating the food. The processor may transmit the information of the food model to the cooking apparatus via the transceiver to allow the cooking apparatus to shape the food according to the food model. Further, the user interface may display an automatic cooking button, a draw button, a cooking method button, and an output button.