System and method for controlling food processing steps of a multi-function cooking apparatus and food processing steps of remote kitchen appliances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-function cooking apparatuses face challenges in maintaining reproducible cooking results when operating under changing conditions, particularly when using remote kitchen appliances that may not meet the technical specifications defined in the recipe program, leading to deviations in cooking outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A control system that communicates with both the cooking apparatus and remote kitchen appliances to synchronize food processing steps, adjusts recipe parameters based on the available appliances' technical specifications, and ensures that all appliances are registered and compliant with the required settings to maintain reproducibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a recipe program specifies particular remote kitchen appliances with defined technical specifications, then the desired cooking result can be achieved, but the system cannot adapt when different or substitute appliances are available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking result reproducibilityVSAvoidappliance substitution flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts recipe program parameters (temperature, time, power levels) based on the actual technical specifications of available remote kitchen appliances. When a substitute appliance is detected, the system modifies the control parameters to compensate for differences in heating power, temperature ranges, or cooking speeds, thereby maintaining reproducible cooking results across different appliance configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static recipe execution model to a dynamic one where the recipe program is automatically adjusted based on real-time detection of available appliances. The control system validates appliance availability, compares technical specifications, and adaptively modifies cooking parameters during system initialization before execution begins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the system validates and adjusts recipe programs for available remote appliances, then cooking result reproducibility is maintained, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking result reproducibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system automatically performs appliance detection, validation, and recipe adjustment without requiring user intervention. The system self-validates whether required remote appliances are available and self-adjusts the recipe program parameters accordingly, reducing the need for complex user interfaces or manual configuration while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control system receives information about available remote kitchen appliances, validates their technical specifications against recipe requirements, and uses this feedback to automatically adjust control parameters. This closed-loop approach ensures reproducibility while managing complexity through automated decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the system checks appliance registration and technical specification compliance, then cooking quality is ensured, but the operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking quality consistencyVSAvoidsystem initialization time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs appliance validation, registration checks, and recipe adjustment operations in advance before the actual cooking process begins. By completing these preparatory validations during system initialization, the system ensures cooking quality consistency without adding time to the actual cooking duration, as all adjustments are made beforehand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3370123B1System and method for controlling food processing steps of a multi-function cooking apparatus and food processing steps of remote kitchen appliances
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3370123B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370123B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3370123B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A control system (100), method and computer program product for controlling food processing steps performed by a multi-function cooking apparatus (200) and food processing steps performed by one or more remote kitchen appliances (301, 302) for preparing a food product. A recipe program interface (120) is configured to access on a data storage device (400) a recipe program for preparing the food product wherein the recipe program is configured to be executed by the cooking apparatus (200) and to synchronize food processing steps performed by the cooking apparatus with food processing steps performed by the one or more remote kitchen appliances (301, 302). A validation component (130) is configured to check if the one or more remote kitchen appliances are registered with the cooking apparatus (200) in an appliance registry (160), and is further configured to check if technical specifications (150-1) of registered remote kitchen appliances comply with control parameters in respective recipe program instructions.