Kitchen Utensil Motion Sensing for Context-Aware Cooking Hob Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intelligent kitchen utensils fail to accurately determine the action being performed with the utensil, leading to incorrect interpretation of sensor readings due to lack of position, displacement, and acceleration data, resulting in varying cooking results depending on the cook's expertise and manual regulation of cooking hobs based on sensory perception.
Innovation Solution
A kitchen utensil equipped with a multi-axis accelerometer and gyroscope that assesses the context of use, combining temperature, conductivity, and spatial position data to interpret and process sensor readings accurately, allowing the cooking hob to adapt its output for desired food states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature probes are used to monitor food state, then temperature information is obtained, but the actual action being performed with the utensil cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines temperature sensing with motion sensing (accelerometer and gyroscope) into a single integrated probe system. This merging allows the device to simultaneously capture both thermal data and contextual movement data, enabling accurate interpretation of temperature readings based on the probe's actual use state.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensors act as intermediaries that provide contextual information about probe manipulation. By measuring acceleration and orientation, these sensors mediate between the raw temperature readings and their correct interpretation, distinguishing between intentional temperature changes and artifacts of probe movement.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature measuring points are used along the probe, then core temperature detection is improved, but the actual position of the probe with respect to food cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple temperature sensors with motion sensing capabilities into an integrated probe system. This combination allows simultaneous acquisition of temperature data from multiple points and spatial orientation data, enabling correlation between temperature gradients and probe position.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a spatial dimension to temperature measurement by incorporating accelerometer and gyroscope data. This transforms the measurement from purely thermal to spatio-thermal, allowing interpretation of temperature readings in the context of probe orientation and position in three-dimensional space.
3Measurement precision
If temperature-based determination of probe inclination is used, then probe orientation can be assessed, but results are highly disturbed by food anisotropy and spatial gradient in heat application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces motion sensors (accelerometer and gyroscope) as intermediaries to directly measure probe orientation. This bypasses the unreliable temperature-based inference method and provides direct, accurate measurement of probe inclination independent of food thermal properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the thermal-based orientation detection method with a mechanical sensing approach using accelerometers and gyroscopes. This substitution eliminates the interference from food anisotropy and heat gradients, providing reliable orientation data through direct mechanical measurement of probe attitude.
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
The utensil significantly improves cooking results by accurately determining the food's cooking state and adapting the hob's output, reducing the reliance on sensory perception and expertise, leading to more consistent meal preparation.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor 12 comprises an accelerometer 12a and a gyroscope 12b
Implementation Method 2
The sensor 12 comprises an accelerometer 12a and a gyroscope 12b
Implementation Method 3
Other 'intelligent' kitchen utensils are known in the art. Such known utensils include lance-shaped thermometers that may be inserted into foodstuff
Implementation Method 4
Temperature probes of the type described in EP1239703B1 combine temperature information with other physical parameters related to food state, such as conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking system includes a kitchen utensil and a cooking hob, wherein the kitchen utensil is provided with one or more sensors arranged on the kitchen utensil. The sensors include acceleration sensors, gyroscopic sensors, and inclination sensors. The cooking appliance is provided with a control unit configured to receive data from the sensors and to elaborate information on how the kitchen utensil is being used, and to control the cooking appliance accordingly.