Food Preparation Equipment on Secure Publish-Subscribe Mesh Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional food preparation apparatuses in kitchens often use different communications protocols that cannot securely communicate with each other or a central kitchen management system, leading to inefficiencies and management challenges.

Innovation Solution

A networked food preparation apparatus with a single board computer and I/O circuit that uses a publish/subscribe message-based protocol over a wireless mesh network, enabling secure communication and control among various food preparation devices, including ovens, fryers, and refrigerators, through a Bluetooth mesh network, and integrating with a central management system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different communications protocols are used by food preparation apparatuses from several manufacturers, then each apparatus can operate independently with its own protocol, but secure communication between apparatuses and central kitchen management system cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility among different apparatusesVSAvoidsecurity of communication

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal publish/subscribe message-based protocol that enables different food preparation apparatuses from various manufacturers to communicate through a common interface. This universal protocol layer sits above individual apparatus protocols, allowing multi-vendor compatibility while maintaining security through standardized authentication and encryption mechanisms for centralized kitchen management communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a message broker or gateway as an intermediary that translates between different apparatus-specific protocols and the standardized publish/subscribe protocol. This mediator enables secure centralized management by routing all communications through a controlled interface that enforces security policies, while allowing apparatuses to retain their native protocols internally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional communication protocols are used in food preparation apparatuses, then implementation is simpler with existing protocols, but secure communication and centralized management cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of implementationVSAvoidsecurity and centralized control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication system into multiple layers: apparatus-specific control protocols for simple implementation at the device level, and a standardized publish/subscribe protocol for secure inter-apparatus and cloud communication. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - simple protocols for manufacturing ease, and secure protocols for reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If traditional network architectures are used without mesh networking, then network setup is simpler, but network security and device interconnectivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork configuration complexityVSAvoidnetwork security

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic mesh network where devices can automatically join, leave, and reconfigure connections without manual intervention. The network topology adapts dynamically to device availability, providing robust security through encrypted peer-to-peer communications while maintaining simple deployment through automatic network formation and self-healing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables devices to automatically provision themselves onto the mesh network with secure credentials, automatically establish encrypted connections, and self-manage their network presence. This self-service approach maintains security through automated authentication and certificate management while reducing configuration complexity to minimal user actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12418435B2Networked food preparation apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 DUKE MANUFACTURING CO

AI summary

A kitchen network system comprising a plurality of food preparation apparatuses. Each of the food preparation apparatuses has a physical data bus, a single board computer, and an input/output (I/O) circuit communicatively coupled to the processor via the physical data bus. The single board computer comprises a processor that generates a control signal for controlling an operation of the food preparation apparatus and communicates the control signal on the physical data bus according to a publish/subscribe message-based protocol. In addition, the processor transmits and receives data for provisioning the single board computer to a wireless mesh network and connects the provisioned single board computer as a node on the wireless mesh network. The I/O circuit is responsive to the control signal for driving one or more components of the food preparation apparatus to perform the operation.