Induction Cooktop Coil Clustering for Multi-Cookware Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cookware item detection techniques on induction cooktops fail to accurately determine the number, position, size, shape, and orientation of cookware items, especially when they are close to each other, leading to incorrect identification and power distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a coverage factor matrix to identify local maxima, calculate centroids, and cluster coils to estimate the position, shape, and orientation of cookware items by determining the minimum distances from each coil to local maxima, allowing for precise identification and power control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional cookware item detection techniques are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the measurement precision of cookware item identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooktop surface into multiple detection zones corresponding to individual coils, and further segments cookware detection by identifying local maxima in coverage factor matrices. This segmentation allows precise identification of multiple cookware items simultaneously by treating each local maximum as a separate detection target, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by creating coverage factor matrices that represent the spatial distribution of magnetic field coverage across the cooktop. By transforming physical coil coverage into a matrix representation and analyzing local maxima in this dimensional space, the system achieves high-precision multi-item detection without requiring complex hardware modifications.
2Reliability
If conventional detection techniques are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of power distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using coverage factor matrices to continuously monitor and identify cookware position and size, then using this information to dynamically control power distribution to individual coils. The system measures coverage factors, identifies local maxima corresponding to cookware items, and adjusts coil activation accordingly, ensuring reliable and accurate power distribution adaptability.
3Measurement precision
If simple detection methods are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the measurement precision of cookware position and size deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically identify cookware items, determine their positions and sizes, and configure power distribution without user intervention. The coverage factor matrix analysis and local maximum identification algorithms autonomously perform detection and estimation tasks, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for identifying cookware items placed on top of an induction cooktop having a plurality of coils. The method includes the following steps: acquire coverage factor information for each coil and collect it into a matrix; identify all local maxima in the matrix; find the coordinates of each of the local maxima as follows: when the local maxima is a single coil, the coordinates are those of the coil center, and when the local maxima is a region of contiguous coils, the coordinates are those of a centroid of the region; calculate distances from each coil to each of the coordinates of the identified local maxima; determine a minimum among the distances; classify the coils in clusters, based on the distances from the local maxima; and use the identified coil clustering to estimate the position, shape, size, and orientation of the cookware items.