Cooking apparatus and method of using the cooking apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking apparatuses have a limited number of pre-programmed cooking options, making it difficult to cook foods not included in the memory, and require manual intervention to add or replace cooking programs, which is time-consuming and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A cooking apparatus with a communication unit that can receive cooking parameterization information via a communication protocol, allowing the selection of food categories and desired doneness, and enabling remote monitoring and control, thus expanding cooking options without the need for manual program changes or additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control and command unit contains a limited number of pre-programmed cooking programs, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability is worsened as it becomes difficult to add new cooking programs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication unit as an intermediary between the cooking apparatus and external devices (smartphones, tablets, servers). This intermediary enables the transfer of cooking parameterization information without requiring changes to the core control unit structure. The communication unit acts as a bridge that receives external cooking programs and converts them into a format usable by the existing control system, thereby increasing adaptability while maintaining device complexity at acceptable levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by receiving cooking parameterization information in the form of coefficients that define cooking programs. Instead of adding complete program structures to the control unit memory, the system receives parameter sets (coefficients) that can be interpreted by the existing processor. This approach allows dynamic expansion of cooking program variety through parameter modification rather than structural change, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual intervention is required to add or replace cooking programs in the memory, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time increases as the user cannot find an immediate solution when a program is missing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by allowing cooking parameterization information to be downloaded and stored in the control unit memory before it is needed. Users can proactively acquire new cooking programs through the communication unit and store them in advance, so when a cooking need arises, the program is already available immediately. This eliminates the time loss associated with manual program creation or real-time configuration, as the system prepares cooking programs beforehand through automated downloads.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically receiving, processing, and storing cooking parameterization information without requiring manual intervention. The communication unit autonomously handles the acquisition of new cooking programs from external sources, and the processor automatically converts and stores the parameter data in the appropriate memory format. This self-service mechanism eliminates the time-consuming manual program setup process while maintaining simplicity in the overall device architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cooking apparatus functions independently without a remote terminal, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability is worsened as the user cannot access external cooking programs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the communication unit to support multiple operational modes: it can function as a receiver for cooking parameterization information from external devices, as a transmitter for sending cooking status data, and as a standalone interface when no external device is present. The same hardware component adapts its function based on the presence and state of connected devices, allowing the system to expand its food category range through external connections while maintaining simple independent operation when needed, without adding separate dedicated components for each mode.
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
The solution provides flexibility in cooking a wide range of foods and doneness levels without modifying the apparatus, allowing for remote monitoring and control, reducing user intervention and enabling simultaneous cooking of different foods with varying doneness.
Implementation Method 1
a cooking system with a cooking site designed to receive a food and comprising a heating element designed to heat the said food
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking apparatus includes a cooking system exhibiting a cooking site, a communication unit able to exchange information with a remote terminal according to a communication protocol, the communication unit being designed to receive a cooking parametrization information item including a set of coefficients, a control and command unit for the cooking system including a processor designed to regulate a cooking temperature according to a cooking setpoint. The control and command unit is designed to be disposed in a first configuration in which the cooking setpoint is dependent on the selected category of food, or alternatively in a second configuration in which the cooking setpoint is dependent on the set of coefficients received by the communication unit.