Cooking Device Voice Control with User Presence Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in operating cooking devices, such as ovens and hobs, when their hands are wet or occupied with utensils, making it hard to adjust settings using touchscreen elements.

Innovation Solution

A cooking device equipped with a control unit that accepts voice signals or data signals from a remote control device, requiring user presence confirmation via proximity sensors or cookware detection, ensuring safe hands-free operation by only executing commands when a user is present and within line-of-sight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If touchscreen elements are used for operation of the cooking device, then the device can provide precise control options, but the user cannot operate the device when hands are wet or occupied with utensils

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidadaptability to different user conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical touchscreen interface with a voice recognition system. The control unit receives and processes voice signals instead of requiring physical contact with touchscreen elements, allowing users to operate the cooking device when their hands are wet or occupied with cooking utensils.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces voice signals as an intermediary between the user and the cooking device control system. The communication interface captures voice signals from the user, which are then processed by the control unit to execute cooking commands, eliminating the need for direct physical interaction with the device interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the cooking device accepts voice signals without user presence verification, then hands-free operation is enabled, but accidental changes from broadcast signals or ambient sounds may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidreliability of control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements user presence detection as a preliminary action before accepting voice commands. The system verifies that a user is present and actively interacting with the device before processing voice signals, preventing accidental activation from ambient sounds or broadcast signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system confirms user presence through detection signals before executing voice commands. This feedback loop ensures that only intentional user input is processed, maintaining reliable control while enabling hands-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20220275944A1Cooking device

Publication Date: 2022.09.01 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES

AI summary

A cooking device with at least one cooking region comprises a control unit (2) configured to be coupled with a communication interface (12,16) for receiving voice signals as control commands from a user or data signals as control commands from a remote control device. The control unit (2) is configured for controlling a power supply to the at least one cooking region (4-1,4-2,4-3). The control unit (2) is configured to accept commands from the communication interface (12,16) only upon recognition of the presence of the user.