Touchscreen Cooking Program Board for Readable Kitchen Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for managing cooking programs in commercial kitchens, such as the 'bon system,' face challenges with readability, loss of information, and inefficiencies in communicating dish orders to cooking appliances, leading to difficulties in scheduling and resource optimization.

Innovation Solution

A virtual token board system on a touchscreen display allows for the graphical representation of cooking programs as virtual receipts, enabling chronological and spatial arrangement of cooking tasks, with tokens having code names and graphic representations, facilitating intuitive scheduling and resource allocation through drag-and-drop functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a traditional bon system is used to manage cooking programs, then information can be recorded, but readability is poor and information can be lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation lossVSAvoidreadability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical bon slips with virtual receipts displayed on a touchscreen. Each virtual receipt is a digital copy of the order information that can be clearly read and cannot be lost, directly resolving the contradiction between information loss and readability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical bon slip system is replaced with an electronic touchscreen interface. The virtual receipts are displayed graphically with code names and visual representations, eliminating the readability issues of handwritten bon slips while preventing information loss through digital storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If virtual receipts are displayed chronologically without arrangement, then all programs are visible, but scheduling efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling efficiencyVSAvoidarrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual receipts can be dynamically arranged on the touchscreen in chronological order or according to optimization parameters. The system allows flexible repositioning and reordering of receipts, enabling efficient scheduling while adapting to different kitchen workflow requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent displays virtual receipts in a two-dimensional spatial arrangement on the touchscreen, allowing them to be positioned both chronologically and spatially. This dimensional organization enables kitchen staff to quickly identify and schedule multiple programs simultaneously, improving productivity without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of time

If manual arrangement of cooking programs is performed, then scheduling flexibility is achieved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime consumptionVSAvoidscheduling flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically optimizes the arrangement of virtual receipts based on selected optimization parameters such as energy consumption, time requirements, or weight loss. This self-service arrangement feature reduces the time required for manual scheduling while maintaining flexibility through parameter-based optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by displaying multiple arrangement options based on different optimization criteria. Kitchen staff can review these optimized arrangements and make adjustments as needed, achieving both time efficiency and scheduling flexibility through interactive feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2211117B1Method for selecting and assembling representatives for programs and cooking device for same
Publication Date: 2015.12.02 RATIONAL AG
  • EP2211117B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2211117B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2211117B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves using a function device for execution of a program i.e. cooking program. An input device and a display device are designed as a sensor screen or a touch screen (1) of a cooking appliance. Program representatives in the form of virtual vouchers (102G, 103B), are arranged in respective areas of the display device, where each area is in the form of a virtual voucher board (200). Each program representative is changed by touching a part of the area or when moving closer to or away from the part of the area and/or by an input action in a visual presentation. An independent claim is also included for a cooking appliance comprising a heating device.