Cooking Program Interface With Visual Guidance for Error-Free Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances require operators to consult manuals or help functions for program selection and operation, leading to potential errors, especially for inexperienced users, due to the complexity of cooking programs that depend on various parameters like core temperature and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance with a touchscreen display that provides visual instructions, including short films, to guide operators through the selection and execution of cooking programs, offering real-time operational information and eliminating the need for manual reference, thereby simplifying the process and reducing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If cooking programs are made intelligent with multiple parameters (core temperature, energy consumption), then cooking precision and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking precisionVSAvoidprogram complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking appliance automatically monitors core temperature via sensor, adjusts energy consumption, and manages cooking parameters without operator intervention. The system serves itself by making intelligent decisions based on real-time data, eliminating the need for operators to manually manage complex parameters while maintaining high cooking precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors core temperature through an inserted sensor and uses this feedback to automatically adjust cooking parameters and energy consumption. This closed-loop control enables precise cooking while simplifying operation, as the system self-regulates based on real-time feedback rather than requiring manual parameter management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If operating information is provided via text manuals or help functions, then information completeness is improved, but ease of operation and time efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidoperator ease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces text-based information delivery (manuals, help functions) with visual video instructions displayed on the appliance's screen. This substitution transforms abstract text information into concrete visual demonstrations, making operating information immediately understandable without requiring reading or manual consultation, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining information completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides video instructions and visual guidance before the operator needs to perform actions. By displaying step-by-step visual instructions in advance, the operator is prepared beforehand for each operation, eliminating the need to pause and consult manuals during the cooking process, thus improving both ease of operation and time efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If visual instructions with short films are provided before program selection, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator ease of useVSAvoiddisplay energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display shows video instructions and visual information in periodic intervals rather than continuously. The screen activates to display relevant visual guidance when needed (before program selection, during critical operations) and remains inactive otherwise, reducing energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation when visual information is actually required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Visual instructions are displayed in advance before the operator needs them, allowing the display to be turned off afterward. By providing all necessary visual guidance beforehand, the system minimizes the duration of display activation, reducing energy consumption while ensuring the operator receives complete visual instructions when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2078899B1Method for controlling a cooking program and cooking device
Publication Date: 2015.07.29 RATIONAL AG
  • EP2078899B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for running a cooking program in a cooking appliance for cooking food (1,133) in a cooking chamber. First, the cooking program is selected via a display device and/or operating device using a functional unit (10) and/or at least one accessory (110) of the cooking appliance. An expected cooking process, an expected cooking result, a function, an expected advantage and/or use of each selectable cooking program is displayed on the display device for selecting the cooking program from at least two selectable cooking programs. After the cooking program has been selected, an instruction for operating the functional unit (10) and/or the accessory (110) for carrying out the selected cooking program is displayed on the display device depending on the selected cooking program. The invention also relates to a cooking appliance for carrying out the method.