Dynamic Recipe Substitution via IoT Appliance and Ingredient Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals face challenges in deciding what to cook for a meal while shopping, as they often purchase ingredients only to discover they lack necessary items or have non-functional cooking appliances at home.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that adjusts food recipes based on available IoT-enabled cooking devices and market database information, identifying substitute ingredients and prioritizing them by similarity, sales goals, and cooking time constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user purchases ingredients based on a recipe without verification, then they may have complete ingredients for the recipe, but they waste time and money discovering at home they lack necessary items or have non-functional cooking appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by checking ingredient availability and appliance functionality before the user completes their shopping or begins cooking. The processor queries databases to confirm ingredients are available at the selected store and that required appliances are present and functional in the user's kitchen, preventing wasted trips and failed cooking attempts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a user strictly follows a recipe with specific ingredients, then they achieve the intended flavor and quality, but they cannot adapt when ingredients are unavailable or when time constraints change
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies recipe parameters dynamically based on user constraints. When ingredients are unavailable, the processor identifies substitute ingredients from the database that match the dish type and dietary requirements. When time constraints change, the system adjusts cooking times and sequences, or selects recipes with appropriate duration, maintaining recipe quality while adapting to new conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The recipe execution system transitions from static, fixed-ingredient recipes to dynamic, adaptive recipe management. The processor continuously evaluates ingredient availability, appliance status, and user constraints, automatically adjusting the recipe plan to maintain cooking success under varying conditions while preserving the essential characteristics of the intended dish.
3Reliability
If a user manually checks ingredient availability and appliance functionality, then they ensure accurate recipe execution, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-verification by querying databases for ingredient availability and checking appliance inventory against recipe requirements. The processor autonomously confirms that all necessary ingredients are available at the user's selected store and that required appliances are present and functional, eliminating the need for manual checking while maintaining high verification reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The program directs a computer processor to implement a program that selects at least one substitute ingredient for a food recipe based on a plurality of determined criteria. The program receives a food recipe comprising one or more ingredients, instructions, and preparation time. The program determines time constraints of a user. The program identifies one or more Internet of Things (IoT) enabled cooking devices that are available in a kitchen associated with the user to carry out the instructions of the food recipe. The program searches a market database in a market to identify available options for the at least one substitute ingredient found in the market database based on a similarity level of the at least one substitute ingredient compared with at least one ambiguous ingredient in the food recipe, and selects the at least one substitute ingredient according to the plurality of determined criteria.