Autonomous cooking device to prepare food from a recipe file and method for creating recipe files

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking devices lack intelligence and adaptability, unable to learn new recipes or adjust cooking processes in real-time, making it difficult for novice cooks to replicate dishes consistently and efficiently.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous cooking device utilizing computer vision and machine learning to create and recreate recipes based on real-time sensor feedback, adapting cooking time and ingredient addition through image analysis and sensor data comparison.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If basic automation is used in cooking devices, then cooking time can be programmed and executed, but the device cannot adapt to actual conditions during preparation or learn new recipes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking automationVSAvoidadaptability to cooking conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking device incorporates multiple sensors (temperature, humidity, weight, optical) that continuously monitor cooking conditions and provide feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts cooking parameters in real-time based on this feedback, enabling the device to adapt to actual cooking conditions rather than following fixed predetermined programs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically creates recipe files by recording sensor data during cooking sessions, stores this data for future reference, and autonomously adjusts cooking parameters without requiring manual intervention or programming by the user. The system learns from each cooking session and improves its performance automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual cooking instruction following is used, then recipe preparation can be performed, but novice cooks find it difficult or tedious to replicate professional cooking consistently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of recipe preparationVSAvoidconsistency of dish replication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces manual monitoring and adjustment with automated sensor-based systems. Multiple sensors continuously monitor temperature, humidity, weight, and optical properties of the food, eliminating the need for manual checking and adjustment by the cook. This ensures consistent replication of recipes regardless of the cook's skill level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooking device integrates multiple cooking functions (heating, cooling, mixing, steaming) and multiple sensing capabilities (temperature, humidity, weight, optical) into a single system. This multi-functional approach allows the device to handle various cooking tasks automatically while maintaining consistent results through integrated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If real-time sensor feedback and image analysis are used to determine optimal cooking time, then cooking precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking time determination precisionVSAvoidsensor and processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking process is divided into multiple phases, with different sensor combinations and analysis methods applied to each phase. The controller processes sensor data in discrete time intervals and makes incremental adjustments, breaking down the complex real-time control task into manageable segments that are easier to implement and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines multiple sensor inputs (temperature, humidity, weight, optical) into a unified control system that processes all data together to determine cooking status. By merging multiple sensing modalities and processing them through a single controller, the system achieves high measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 efficient and consistent food preparation with minimal human intervention, allowing the device to learn new recipes and adapt to actual cooking conditions, ensuring optimal results.

Implementation Method 1

an optimal remaining cooking time is automatically determined responsive to an image analysis of real-time image sensor feedback versus reference image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage analysis: Image Processing

Implementation Method 2

increase cooking time of potato curry based on infrared camera input which indicates the potatoes need more time to cook from inside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10555633B2Autonomous cooking device to prepare food from a recipe file and method for creating recipe files

Publication Date: 2020.02.11 CHOUDHARY PRASHANT

AI summary

An automatic cooking device creates a recipe file based on an actual cooking session by an individual. The same dish can be automatically recreated on demand from the recipe file, wherein an optimal remaining cooking time is automatically determined responsive to an image analysis of real-time image sensor feedback versus reference image. In some implementations, recipe files are acquired through a network and downloaded for a fee.