Oven Camera Assembly for Protected User Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oven appliances do not effectively prevent protected users, such as children or elderly individuals, from operating them unsupervised due to the lack of a reliable user identification and monitoring system, posing safety risks from high temperatures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a camera assembly and controller in the oven appliance that downloads protected user detection software from a remote computing device to identify and monitor users, determining if they are protected users by analyzing images and triggering alerts or notifications when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a camera assembly and software system are added to detect and identify protected users, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A camera assembly acts as an intermediary component to capture images of users, which are then processed by software to determine whether a protected user is present. This intermediary system enables safety monitoring without requiring direct physical intervention or complex mechanical safety devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces potential mechanical or physical safety mechanisms with an optical (camera) and software-based detection system. Instead of using mechanical locks, physical barriers, or complex mechanical interlocks, the system uses image capture and digital processing to identify protected users and prevent unsafe operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If user detection and identification systems are implemented, then protection against harmful factors is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from high temperaturesVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The oven appliance performs self-monitoring by automatically capturing images with the camera assembly and processing them through software to identify protected users. The system serves itself by autonomously detecting safety risks and triggering appropriate responses without requiring external monitoring devices or manual safety checks by users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the camera continuously monitors the user, the software processes the visual information to determine protected user status, and the control system receives feedback to either allow or prevent operation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures safety while maintaining ease of operation for authorized users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11799682B2Oven appliance with smart protected user detection

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A method of operating an oven appliance, where the oven appliance includes a camera assembly operable to obtain an image, is provided. The method includes downloading a protected user detection software from a remote computing device to the oven appliance. The method also includes initiating a cooking operation of the oven appliance. The method further includes detecting, with the camera assembly, a user at the oven appliance after initiating the cooking operation and using the protected user detection software to determine that the detected user is a protected user.