Microwave Oven Removable One-Touch Button Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microwave ovens require complex user interactions, such as scanning bar codes, selecting recipes, and pressing start buttons, which can be daunting for children and elderly individuals with limited experience.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of removable one-touch buttons with solid state memory that contain food data and images, allowing users to initiate cooking processes with a single press without navigating menus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a bar code reader and keyboard interface are used for inputting food data and selecting recipes, then the oven can store and process multiple cooking recipes, but the user interface becomes too complex for children or elderly people to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecipe storage and processing capabilityVSAvoiduser interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the user interface into separate functional buttons, each dedicated to a specific food type or cooking function. Instead of requiring users to navigate through menus and input data via keyboard, each button represents a segmented function that can be activated with a single press, simplifying the interface while maintaining multiple recipe capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service functionality where the oven automatically detects the food type through the pressed button and autonomously selects the appropriate cooking parameters and recipe. The system serves itself by eliminating the need for manual data input and menu navigation, allowing users to simply press the button corresponding to their food type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If multiple sequential steps are required for scanning bar codes, selecting recipes, and pressing start button, then the oven can provide precise control over cooking parameters, but the operation time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking parameter control precisionVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-configures cooking parameters and recipes within the oven's control system before user interaction. When a user presses a button, the pre-programmed cooking parameters are immediately activated without requiring sequential steps for parameter selection. This preliminary preparation of cooking data eliminates time-consuming manual input while maintaining precise control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple sequential operations (food type selection, recipe selection, parameter setting, and start command) into a single button press action. Each button integrates multiple functions that would otherwise require separate steps, merging the selection of food type, recipe, and cooking parameters into one simultaneous action that maintains precision while reducing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8835821B2Microwave oven with one-touch button user interface

Publication Date: 2014.09.16 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A cooking oven, particularly a microwave oven, provides for detecting food data and for adjusting food heating and/or cooking process. The oven particularly includes an user interface with at least one socket-shaped seat adapted to receive a removable plug-shaped button which stores the food data and which is adapted to be pressed by the user for starting the heating and/or cooking process or for programming such heating or cooking.