In-Oven Camera Feedback for Dynamic Heating Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooking appliances lack the capability to systematically produce complex meals with precision and speed, requiring extensive human intervention and multiple appliances, as they cannot dynamically adjust heating patterns to consistently cook food to desired outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a heating element that can emit waves at variable powers and wavelengths, controlled by a computing device with a camera for image capture and analysis, allowing for dynamic heat adjustment algorithms to ensure precise cooking based on food type and state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cooking appliances are used, then cooking can be performed, but the ability to systematically produce complex meals with precision and speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element dynamically adjusts its operating parameters (power level, wavelength) during the cooking process based on real-time feedback from the camera system. This enables the system to adapt to changing food states and achieve precise cooking results while maintaining high productivity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a camera that captures images of the food during cooking, and the computing device analyzes these images to determine cooking progress. This visual feedback loop enables precise control of the heating element to achieve desired cooking outcomes while reducing the need for manual intervention.
2Extent of automation
If conventional cooking appliances are used, then cooking can be performed, but extensive human intervention and multiple appliances are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple functions into a single cooking appliance: the heating element provides thermal energy, the camera captures visual data, and the computing device processes images and controls heating parameters. This integration achieves high automation while consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate appliances and manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment through the camera-based visual feedback system. The computing device automatically analyzes food appearance and adjusts heating parameters without human intervention, enabling the appliance to cook complex meals autonomously.
3Manufacturing precision
If dynamic heat adjustment is implemented, then precise cooking can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms with an optical-based feedback system. Instead of using multiple sensors and complex mechanical adjustment devices, the patent uses a camera to capture visual information and a computing device to process images and control heating, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving precise cooking control.
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 the automated and consistent production of complex meals with reduced human intervention, using image recognition and heat adjustment algorithms to achieve precise cooking results.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element disposed within a cooking chamber and operable to selectively emit waves at any of a plurality of powers and/or peak wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
a computing device operable to supply power to the heating element to vary the power and/or peak wavelength of the emitted waves and generate heat within the cooking chamber
Implementation Method 3
a camera operable to capture an image of the cooking chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include a cooking appliance comprising a heating element disposed within a cooking chamber and operable to selectively emit waves at any of a plurality of powers and/or peak wavelengths, a camera operable to capture an image of the cooking chamber, and a computing device operable to supply power to the heating element to vary the power and/or peak wavelength of the emitted waves and generate heat within the cooking chamber, and instruct the camera to capture the image when the heating element is emitting at a stabilized power and/or peak wavelength. The computing device is operable to generate an adjusted captured image by adjusting the captured image with respect to the stabilized power and/or peak wavelength. The computing device comprises feedback components operable to receive the adjusted captured image, extract features, and analyze the one or more features to determine an event, property, measurement and/or status.