Cooking device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in operating cooking devices, such as ovens and hobs, due to the need to manipulate cooking utensils with wet hands or being unable to use touchscreen elements effectively, leading to challenges in changing settings safely and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device equipped with a control unit that accepts voice signals as control commands only upon recognition of the user's presence, using a communication interface and proximity sensors to ensure safe hands-free operation, with features like code words and randomized passwords for secure voice control, and cookware detection for accurate zone selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice recognition device is activated continuously, then user can operate device hands-free, but energy is wasted when no user is present
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user presence using a sensor before activating the voice recognition device. This preliminary action ensures that the voice recognition function is only activated when a user is actually present, avoiding continuous operation and reducing energy waste while maintaining hands-free operation capability when needed.
2Ease of operation
If voice control is enabled without presence confirmation, then operation is simplified, but unintended changes may occur when no user is present
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the sensor continuously monitors user presence and provides real-time feedback to the control unit. This feedback ensures that voice commands are only processed when a user is detected, preventing unintended changes while maintaining simple voice-based operation when a user is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of user presence through sensor detection before accepting and executing voice commands. This preliminary check ensures that only authenticated user inputs are processed, maintaining control accuracy while preserving operational simplicity through voice interface.
3Measurement precision
If touchscreen interface is used, then precise control is achieved, but user cannot operate when hands are wet or occupied with utensils
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical touchscreen interface with an acoustic voice recognition interface. This substitution allows users to control the cooking device through voice commands rather than physical contact, enabling operation when hands are wet or occupied with cooking utensils while maintaining precise control through voice-activated functions.
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 safe and efficient voice-controlled operation of cooking regions, preventing unintended changes and ensuring user safety by confirming presence before executing voice commands, allowing hands-free operation without risking device settings changes when no user is present.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor and responds to moving infrared sources. When the sensor detects such a moving infrared source, that is to say a human, it switches on the microphone.
Implementation Method 2
a communication interface for receiving voice signals as control commands from a user
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a cooking device with at least one cooking region comprising: a control unit configured to be coupled with a communication interface for receiving voice signals as control commands from a user, wherein the control unit is configured for controlling a power supply to the at least one cooking region, wherein the control unit is configured to accept commands from the communication interface only upon recognition of the presence of the user.