Kitchen machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors lack safe handling and operation features to prevent accidental or involuntary activation of critical functions, particularly in noisy kitchen environments where voice commands may be misinterpreted.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an optical system with speech recognition and a loudspeaker for voice output, along with a camera for lip reading, to ensure that voice commands are only executed when a user is directly in front of the device and facing it, using a specific code word for activation and deactivation, and a separate power supply for the recognition components to maintain functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice recognition is used to control food processor functions, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of accidental or involuntary activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical recognition system as an intermediary between the user and the voice recognition system. The camera captures images of the user's face and determines whether the user is directly in front of and facing the food processor. This intermediary check prevents accidental voice command activation by ensuring only authorized users can control the device, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through voice control.
2Reliability
If optical recognition system is added to verify user position, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera serve multiple functions: it is used both for optical recognition to verify user position and for monitoring the food processing operation. By making the camera multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still achieving improved reliability through optical verification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances safety by preventing accidental operation, allowing users to control critical functions intuitively through voice commands while ensuring accuracy and reducing the risk of misinterpretation, and is suitable for visually impaired users.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system, in particular in the form of an electronic camera with evaluation electronics, which makes it possible to check whether a person is directly in front of the food processor and is also facing it
Implementation Method 2
a sound transducer 19, in particular in the form of an electronic microphone, which is arranged in particular in the area of the control panel 3, facing the user of the food processor 1, the spoken word or another acoustic signal from the user or the resulting one Sound pressure converted into electrical signals
Implementation Method 3
a loudspeaker is further preferably provided in or on the food processor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically operated food processor (1) with a mixing bowl (4) and a mixer (5) in the mixing bowl (4). In order to further improve a food processor of this type in an advantageous manner, in particular with regard to handling and operation, it is proposed to provide the food processor (1) with an acoustic transducer (19) and with stored speech recognition software, it being possible to use speech recognition (E) to cause the food processor (1) to carry out a routine task.