Microwave Oven Chamber Scanner for Automatic QR Code Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave ovens require manual operation to read bar codes, which is inconvenient and requires skill, and often necessitate additional space and devices for scanning, leading to enlarged oven size and suboptimal package accommodation.
Innovation Solution
A scanner is integrated inside the cooking chamber with laser emitters to automatically read bar or QR codes on food packages, ensuring a fixed position and optimal space, and an input voltage control unit adjusts cooking times based on the encoded information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a scanner is placed outside the cooking chamber on the housing, then the scanner can read bar codes, but the oven size is enlarged and additional space is required for package accommodation
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner is merged with the cooking chamber structure by placing it on the upper panel inside the chamber. This integration allows the scanner to read bar codes while occupying minimal additional space within the existing oven volume, eliminating the need for external scanner housing and reducing overall oven size.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner is positioned on the upper panel of the cooking chamber, utilizing the vertical dimension inside the chamber rather than extending outward on the housing. This dimensional repositioning allows bar code reading functionality to be incorporated without increasing the external footprint of the oven.
2Ease of operation
If a scanner is placed outside the cooking chamber, then bar code reading is possible, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner is combined with the cooking chamber's upper panel structure, eliminating the need for separate external scanner housing and mounting mechanisms. This integration reduces device complexity by merging multiple components into a single unified structure.
3Device complexity
If manual bar code scanning is required, then the scanner can be simple, but the ease of operation decreases due to skill requirements and repeated reading operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service bar code reading by automatically positioning the package using laser emitters and target marks, then automatically scanning the bar code without requiring manual intervention or user skill. The scanner reads the code automatically once the package is in position, eliminating repeated reading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Laser emitters are used to pre-position the package on the upper panel by matching laser beams with target marks on the package. This preliminary positioning action ensures the bar code is automatically in the correct reading position before the scanner operates, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and skill-based operation.
4Ease of operation
If the scanner is drawn out of the scanner guide for reading, then bar codes can be read, but the ease of operation decreases due to restricted drawing distance and need to return the scanner
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning function is extracted from the traditional scanner guide mechanism and relocated to the upper panel inside the cooking chamber. This extraction eliminates the need for the scanner to be drawn in and out of a guide, simplifying the mechanism while maintaining bar code reading capability.
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
Enables high-quality food preparation by automatically reading codes, optimizing space and cooking times, and maintaining consistent performance despite voltage fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
laser emitters located on the upper panel inside the cooking chamber
Implementation Method 2
a scanner configured to read a bar or QR code from a package containing a food product
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave oven includes a cooking chamber, a working panel, a scanner that reads a bar or QR code from a food package, laser emitters located on the upper panel of the cooking chamber, input voltage control unit and controller. The scanner is placed inside the cooking chamber on its upper panel. The scanner, laser emitters and input voltage control unit are connected to the controller. When a package containing a food product is placed into the cooking chamber, the laser emitters match the target marks applied on the food package to provide a fixed position of a bar or QR code located on the food package and enable the scanner to read the bar or QR code on the food package, enabling the microwave oven to prepare the food product according to a cooking program determined for the food product and encoded into the bar or QR code.