Systems and methods for identifying a size of a cookware item
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooktop appliances face inefficiencies due to the use of universal operational parameters for heating elements, leading to under-cooking or over-cooking of cookware items of varying sizes and materials, as these parameters do not account for the specific heating properties of different cookware.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a plurality of heating zones and an image capture device that identifies the size of cookware items through image analysis, adjusting operational parameters accordingly to optimize cooking performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If universal operational parameters are used for heating elements, then the appliance can operate with simple control, but cooking performance deteriorates due to under-cooking or over-cooking of cookware items of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an image capture device to automatically detect and identify cookware items on the cooktop, and the controller automatically selects appropriate cooking parameters without user intervention. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation while improving cooking performance through automated adaptation to different cookware items.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (power level, temperature, cooking time) based on the identified cookware item characteristics. The controller retrieves and applies item-specific parameters from a database, enabling reliable cooking performance across different cookware sizes and types while keeping the interface simple for users.
2Manufacturing precision
If cookware-specific parameters are used to improve cooking performance, then cooking precision improves, but the system complexity increases due to need for item identification and parameter management
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual parameter selection and adjustment with an automated image recognition and control system. The image capture device captures images of cookware, the processor identifies item characteristics, and the controller automatically applies appropriate parameters, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing perceived system complexity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital representation (image) of the physical cookware item and uses this copy for identification and parameter selection. This allows the system to determine cookware characteristics without physical contact or complex sensors, simplifying the hardware while maintaining high cooking precision.
3Measurement precision
If image capture device is added to identify cookware size, then cooking accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture device serves multiple functions: identifying cookware presence, determining item size, recognizing cookware type, and verifying proper placement on heating zones. This multi-functionality justifies the addition by providing comprehensive cookware analysis through a single device, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance including a cooktop including a plurality of heating zones, each heating zone heated by at least one heating element; an image capture device directed toward the cooktop; and a controller operably connected to the image capture device and the at least one heating element, wherein the controller is configured to perform an operation. The operation includes receiving one or more inputs relating to a cooking operation; receiving an image signal of the cooktop via the image capture device after receiving the one or more inputs, the image signal including a cookware item; identifying a size of the cookware item in the received image signal; adjusting one or more parameters of the cooking operation based on the identified size of the cookware item; and initiating the cooking operation based on the one or more adjusted parameters.