A cooking device comprising an imaging system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking devices face challenges in maintaining homogeneous illumination within the cooking cavity, leading to shadows and reduced effectiveness of imaging systems due to varying light sources from the outer environment, which hinders the user's ability to monitor the cooking process without opening the oven door.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device equipped with a camera-based imaging system, multiple light sensors, and a control unit that adjusts illumination elements to ensure consistent lighting across the cooking surface, using sensors to detect light levels and regulate illumination to meet predetermined requirements, and an optional warning system for non-homogeneous conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If illumination elements are added to provide homogeneous illumination in the cooking cavity, then image capture quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors detect the actual light levels in different regions of the cooking cavity, and the control unit adjusts the illumination elements accordingly to achieve homogeneous illumination. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures optimal lighting conditions for the imaging system while maintaining adaptability to varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the cooking cavity into multiple cooking regions, each with its own illumination element and sensor. This allows independent control of lighting in different local areas, ensuring homogeneous illumination across the entire cavity while enabling targeted adjustment of specific regions based on their individual lighting requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and illumination elements are added to ensure homogeneous illumination, then imaging system effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the illumination elements to serve dual purposes: providing lighting for the cooking cavity and acting as adjustable light sources for the imaging system. The sensors simultaneously monitor both the cooking conditions and the illumination levels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining imaging effectiveness.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the door is kept closed during cooking to maintain temperature, then energy efficiency is improved, but visual monitoring becomes difficult without sufficient illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures the illumination elements and control system to automatically provide optimal lighting conditions before the cooking process begins. The illumination system is programmed to activate and adjust according to the cooking phase, ensuring that sufficient light is available for visual monitoring through the door without requiring the door to be opened, thus maintaining energy efficiency while enabling visual feedback.
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 ensures effective monitoring of the cooking process by maintaining homogeneous illumination, enhancing image capture quality and user experience by automatically adjusting light levels and providing alerts for non-ideal lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least a sensor which detects the amount of light transmitted onto the cooking surface by the illumination element
Implementation Method 2
an illumination element which is disposed into the body so as to illuminate the cooking cavity (2) and which transmits light into the cooking cavity (2)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooking device (1) comprising a cooking cavity (2) having a cooking surface wherein the foodstuffs to be cooked are placed; a body (3) in the form of a box with the front side open which surrounds the cooking cavity (2); a control unit (5) which is disposed on the body (3) and which has electronic components enabling the cooking process to be controlled; an imaging system (6) which is arranged on the body (3) and which has a camera (7) enabling the images of the interior of the cooking cavity (2) to be captured; an illumination element (8) which is disposed into the body (3) so as to illuminate the cooking cavity (2); and a sensor (9) which detects the amount of light delivered onto the cooking surface by the illumination element (8).