Hob Pot-Lift Gesture Detection for Accurate Zone Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hobs, particularly electrical and induction models, face challenges in user-friendly operation due to difficulties in recognizing and selecting cooking zones, leading to potential errors from inadvertent movements of cookware, which complicates the handling and interaction between pot movements and user interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A hob with a pot detection unit and control unit that facilitates intuitive zone selection through gestures, such as lifting or shifting pots, and provides visual indications on the user interface to ensure correct zone selection and parameter adjustments, allowing for seamless interaction between pot movements and interface operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hob is operated by moving cookware on the cooking surface to adjust parameters, then the user can interact with the hob through intuitive gestures, but inadvertent movements of the cookware can cause unintended changes in operating parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of cookware position and intention through sensors before executing parameter changes. The control unit analyzes the movement trajectory and duration to distinguish between intentional zone selection gestures and inadvertent cookware shifts, only triggering parameter adjustments when the movement pattern matches predefined selection criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback through a display showing the detected cookware position, selected cooking zone, and current operating parameters. This feedback loop allows users to confirm their intended action before parameter changes are applied, and to see the system's interpretation of their gestures, enabling correction of misrecognized movements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cooking zones with predefined sizes and shapes are provided, then the hob can accommodate different cooking requirements, but it becomes difficult for users to recognize which operating element corresponds to which function or setting
Solution Approach 1:
The hob automatically detects the cookware position and dimensions using sensors, and self-determines which cooking zone is being used and what parameters should be applied. The system eliminates the need for users to manually select zones or interpret complex control panel layouts, as the hob autonomously configures the appropriate cooking parameters based on the detected cookware characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface employs visual indicators such as colored displays or illuminated zones to show which cooking zone is currently selected and what operating mode is active. Different colors or lighting patterns indicate different cooking functions or parameter states, providing intuitive visual feedback that helps users understand the hob's current configuration without needing to memorize control element functions.
3Reliability
If the hob requires user confirmation through the user interface for parameter maintenance during cookware movement, then parameter accuracy can be maintained, but the handling becomes very complicated with multiple operation modes and input means
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on the detected cookware movement characteristics. For slow, deliberate movements, the system enters a parameter maintenance mode with confirmation prompts. For rapid or erratic movements indicative of inadvertent shifts, the system automatically maintains parameters without requiring user interaction, thus adapting the complexity of the interface to the user's actual intent.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present application relates to a hob (2) and methods for operating such a hob (2). The hob (2) comprises a cooking surface (3) adapted to receive a number of pots, an user interface (12) allowing an user to select a cooking zone (4, 6, 8, 10) associated to a pot and to adjust at least one operating parameter of the selected cooking zone (4, 6, 8, 10), a pot detection unit (28) adapted to detect the presence and non-presence of pots on the cooking surface (3), a control unit (30)cooperating with the pot detection unit (28) and the user interface (12) and adapted to control the function of commands received through the user interface (12), wherein the user interface (12) is adapted to indicate the user the presence of every pot of the number of pots on their associated cooking zones (4, 6, 8, 10) and to indicate the user the actually selected cooking zone (4, 6, 8, 10) whose at least one operating parameter is adjustable through the user interface (12) by the user and wherein in one operation mode the control unit (30) is adapted to cause a selection of a certain cooking zone (4, 6, 8, 10) and to provide a corresponding indication on the user interface (12) that the certain cooking zone (4, 6, 8, 10) is from now on selected, if a corresponding signal from the pot detection unit (28) was received by the control unit (30) that a temporal interruption of a presence of a pot on the certain cooking zone (4, 6, 8, 10) was detected.