Electronic device and method for controlling same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking apparatuses face challenges in obtaining clear and accurate images of food due to contamination of camera lenses and transparent windows from splattering oil, seasoning, and vapor, which affects the monitoring of cooking progress.
Innovation Solution
A cooking apparatus equipped with an image capturer, processor, and multiple contamination detection techniques (brightness gradient, food contour, pixel information, and reflection light analysis) to assess and correct contamination levels and areas, providing user notifications for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is installed in the cooking apparatus to capture images of food, then the monitoring of cooking progress is improved, but the camera lens and transparent window become contaminated by splattering oil, seasoning, and vapor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent protection window as an intermediary element positioned between the camera and the food. This window serves as a mediator that protects the camera lens from direct exposure to contaminants (oil, seasoning, vapor) while still allowing optical transmission for image capture. The window can be separately cleaned or replaced without damaging the camera, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining image quality and preventing contamination.
2Measurement precision
If multiple contamination detection techniques are implemented to accurately identify contamination level and area, then the detection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple contamination detection techniques (brightness gradient analysis, food contour detection, pixel information analysis, and reflection light detection) that can be integrated into a single comprehensive detection system. Each technique serves multiple purposes: brightness gradient detects general contamination, food contour identifies contamination affecting food visibility, pixel information provides detailed contamination patterns, and reflection light detects contamination on the transparent window. This multi-functional approach improves detection accuracy while consolidating the system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where detection results from multiple techniques are combined and processed to generate comprehensive contamination level and area information. The feedback loop allows the system to continuously monitor and adjust contamination assessment based on real-time data from all detection methods, improving overall detection accuracy while maintaining systematic control over the complexity through centralized processing.
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
Ensures clear and accurate image capture by identifying and addressing contamination, enhancing the monitoring of cooking progress and food quality.
Implementation Method 1
an image capturer for obtaining an image of food located in the cooking apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a fourth contamination detection technique for detecting contamination of the image capturer by detecting reflection light of a lighting included in the cooking apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a cooking apparatus including an image capturer for obtaining an image of food located in the cooking apparatus, a memory, and a processor configured to execute the instructions to cause the cooking apparatus to: obtain an image through the image capturer; obtain contamination level information according to a plurality of contamination detection techniques for detecting contamination of the image capturer based on the obtained image; identify a weight of the contamination level information based on at least one of a type of food or a cooking phase; obtain final contamination level information based on the contamination level information and the weight; and identify a contamination level of the image capturer based on the final contamination level information.