Cooking Appliance and Method for Recipe Adjustment

The present subject matter relates generally to cooking appliances, and more particularly to a method for recipe adjustment at a cooking appliance.

Cooking appliances, such as oven and microwave appliances, may include cooking modes for automated cooking time and power for various foods. However, a user may desire different levels of doneness for foods cooked using automated cooking modes, or require different steps, or changes to the steps, to a recipe. The user may manually enter changes to the automated cooking mode or recipe to obtain the desired level of doneness. The user may manually change steps to the recipe. Additionally, the user may be required to manually monitor cooking of the food, rather than relying on predetermined or automated audio or visual signals. However, such manual changes and monitoring detract from the automation of the cooking mode by requiring manual entry or manual overrides.

Accordingly, a cooking appliance, and a method for recipe adjustment, that removes one or more of these drawbacks would be beneficial and advantageous.

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a cooking appliance including a controller configured to store or receive instructions that, when executed, causes the cooking appliance to perform operations. The operations include obtaining a user cooking mode signal corresponding to a cooking mode; determining a change from the cooking mode by comparing the cooking mode to a cooking metric; determining a difference between the cooking metric and the cooking mode; and generating an output signal to the user communicating the difference between the cooking mode and the cooking metric.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a cooking appliance including a controller configured to store or receive instructions that, when executed, causes the cooking appliance to perform operations. The operations include obtaining a user cooking mode signal corresponding to a cooking mode; obtaining, via an imaging device, a cooking metric; determining a change from the cooking mode by comparing the cooking mode to a cooking metric; determining a difference between the cooking metric and the cooking mode; and generating an adjusted cooking mode after exceeding a quantity of instances of differences between the cooking metric versus the cooking mode.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for adjusting a cooking mode at a cooking appliance. The method includes obtaining a user cooking mode signal corresponding to a cooking mode; obtaining, via an imaging device and a temperature sensor, a cooking metric; determining a change from the cooking mode by comparing the cooking mode to a cooking metric; and determining a difference between the cooking metric and the cooking mode.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In the context of an angle or direction, such terms include values within ten degrees greater or less than the stated direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Embodiments of a cooking appliance and method for recipe or cooking mode adjustment are provided herein. Embodiments of the cooking appliance and method provided herein may provide a system and method for updating an automated cooking mode or recipe.

As used herein, “cooking mode” may refer to heating, cooling, wait periods, flows, and other functions, controls, or commands as may be performed, or commanded to, a cooking appliance. “Cooking mode” may additionally, or alternatively, include visual and/or audio signals, control signals, electronic communications, or references to recipes, or steps thereof, as may be performed by, or commanded to, the cooking appliance (e.g., heating, cooling, waiting, etc.) or the user (e.g., addition of ingredients, movements, wait periods, steps, etc.).

Embodiments provided herein include determining a change from a predetermined cooking mode by comparing the cooking mode to a cooking metric. Embodiments may include obtaining the cooking metric relative to a stored or executed cooking mode. The embodiment may include obtaining a user cooking mode signal corresponding to a user-selected cooking mode. For instance, the user may select a cooking mode corresponding to a desired food (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, vegetable, starch, etc., or combinations thereof). The user cooking mode signal includes one or more predetermined cooking times, cooking positions, periods of time for cooking the food, or instructions associated with cooking the food (e.g., audio and/or visual instructions provided to a display, control interface, or remote device, etc., e.g., instructing recipe steps, wait/cooling/heating times, addition of ingredients, etc.). The user cooking mode signal includes temperature settings and outputs, control commands, and timers for operating the cooking device corresponding to the cooking mode.

The cooking metric may be obtained by an imaging device, a timer device, a temperature sensor, or a user input signal corresponding to a control command. The cooking metric may include one or more of a cooking temperature, a cooking position, or one or more a period of time. The cooking position includes placement, removal, turning, flipping, changing rack or heating elements, or other physical manipulation of food at a cooking chamber, heating element, or cookware device. The period of time includes one or more elapses of time for which the food is provided at the cooking temperature and/or at the cooking position.

For instance, the imaging device may include a camera operably coupled to a processor and configured to determine the cooking position of the food, such as when food is placed, removed, or manipulated at a cooking chamber, heating element, or cookware device. The temperature sensor may determine the cooking temperature at the cooking chamber, heating element, or cookware device, or may include a sensor directed to the food to determine an internal or surface temperature at the food. The timer device may determine the period of time for which the food is provided at the cooking temperature, or at the cooking position, or combinations thereof.

The user input signal may include any one or more inputs at a control interface at the appliance or remote device that alters a cooking temperature, a timer, or operation of a heating element. Operation of the heating element may include operation of a dual-eye heating element, an upper or lower oven element or one or more zonal heating elements, a conventional or convection heating element, etc. The control command includes one or more of a cooking temperature signal, a timing signal, or an on/off signal to provide or discontinue heat, timing, or other appliance function.

A computing device, such as a local appliance controller or a remote computing device (e.g., cloud computing server, smartphone, tablet, other appliance, etc.), monitors and determines a difference between the cooking metric and the predetermined cooking mode or recipe. The computing device may compare a quantity of instances of the differences between the cooking metric versus the cooking mode. The computing device may generate an output signal to the user reflecting the difference between the predetermined cooking mode and a prior-obtained cooking metric, or average of a plurality of obtained cooking metrics, or a plurality of obtained cooking metrics at or above a threshold quantity of occurrences. The output signal may include an audio and/or visual signal communicating to the user the difference(s) between the predetermined cooking mode and the cooking metric based on the user's prior actions relative to the cooking mode.

The computing device may be configured to generate an adjusted cooking mode after exceeding a quantity of instances of differences between the cooking metric versus the cooking mode. The adjusted cooking mode may form a new predetermined cooking mode based on the prior-obtained cooking metric, such as may correspond to historic user inputs and changes. The new predetermined cooking mode may be automatically utilized by the cooking appliance. Additionally, or alternatively, the adjusted cooking mode may be stored as a version that is selectable by the user in addition to, or separately from, the initial predetermined cooking mode.

The computing device may be configured to obtain from the user a user signal corresponding to storing a version of the cooking mode, or replacing the predetermined cooking mode with the adjusted cooking mode.

Additionally, or alternatively, embodiments may include generating the output signal suggesting manual user changes to the cooking mode based on the prior-obtained cooking metric.

Embodiments of the cooking appliance and method provided herein may improve cooking performance by facilitating customization of recipes, cooking times, temperatures, or cooking positions based on user preference (e.g., levels of doneness, browning, texture, etc.), differences in environment (e.g., altitude, humidity, ambient temperature, ambient pressure, etc.), differences in heat source (e.g., gas, electric, conventional, convection, etc.), or other differences in environment, appliance, user preference, or ingredients. Embodiments provided herein may improve communication and recording of recipes among a plurality of users, such as user-specific differences in recipe or cooking mode, that may otherwise reside with a single user.

Referring to, for this exemplary embodiment, cooking appliancemay include an insulated cabinetwith an interior cooking chamberdefined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall, and a pair of opposing side walls. Cooking chamberis configured for the receipt of cookware and one or more food items to be cooked. Cooking applianceincludes a doorpivotally mounted, e.g., with one or more hinges (not shown), to cabinetat the openingof cabinetto permit selective access to cooking chamberthrough opening. A handlemay be mounted to doorto assist a user with opening and closing door. For example, a user can pull on handleto open or close doorand access cooking chamber.

Referring still to, cooking appliancemay include a seal (not shown) between doorand cabinetthat assists with maintaining heat and cooking vapors within cooking chamberwhen dooris closed as shown in. A glass pane, or multiple glass panes, provide for viewing the contents of cooking chamberwhen dooris closed and assist with insulating cooking chamber. A baking rack may be positioned in cooking chamberfor the receipt of food items or cookware devices (e.g., utensils) containing food items. For example, the cooking chamber may include a first baking rackand a second baking rack. Each of first baking rackand second baking rack may be conveniently moved into and out of cooking chamberwhen dooris open (i.e., via rails provided on each of side walls). First baking rackmay be arranged above second baking rack(e.g., in the vertical direction V). Thus, first baking rackmay be closer to top wall of cabinetthan second baking rack.

One or more heating elements may be provided at the top, bottom, or both of cooking chamber, and may provide heat to cooking chamberfor cooking. Such heating element(s) can be gas, electric, microwave, or a combination thereof. For example, in the embodiment shown in, cooking applianceincludes a first top heating elementand a second top heating element, where second top heating elementis positioned adjacent to first top heating element. Other configurations with or without a wall may be used as well. For instance, a bottom heating element may be incorporated in addition to, or alternatively to, the first and second top heating elementsand.

In some embodiments, cooking appliancemay additionally, or alternatively, have a convection heating elementand convection fanpositioned adjacent the back wall of cooking chamber. Convection fanmay be powered by a convection fan motor. Further, convection fanmay be a variable speed fan i.e., the speed of fanmay be controlled or set anywhere between and including, e.g., zero and one hundred percent (0%-100%). In certain embodiments, cooking appliancealso includes a bidirectional triode thyristor (not shown), i.e., a triode for alternating current (TRIAC), to regulate the operation of convection fansuch that the speed of fanmay be adjusted during operation of cooking appliance. The speed of convection fanmay be determined by controller(). In addition, a sensor such as, e.g., a rotary encoder, a Hall effect sensor, or the like, may be included at the base of fanto sense the speed of fan. The speed of fanmay be measured in, e.g., revolutions per minute (“RPM”). In some embodiments, the convection fanmay be configured to rotate in two directions, e.g., a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation opposing the first direction of rotation. For example, in some embodiments, reversing the direction of rotation, e.g., from the first direction to the second direction or vice versa, may still direct air from the back of the cavity. As another example, in some embodiments reversing the direction results in air being directed from the top and/or sides of the cavity rather than the back of the cavity.

In various embodiments, more than one convection heater, e.g., more than one convection heating elementsand/or convection fans, may be provided. In such embodiments, the number of convection fans and convection heaters may be the same or may differ, e.g., more than one convection heating elementmay be associated with a single convection fan. Similarly, top heating elements and/or bottom heating elements may be provided in various combinations, e.g., one top heating element with two or more bottom heating elements, two or more top heating elements,with no bottom heating element, etc.

Referring back to, cooking appliancemay include a user interfacehaving a displaypositioned on an interface paneland having a variety of user input devices, e.g., controls. Interfacemay allow the user to select various options for the operation of ovenincluding, e.g., various cooking and cleaning cycles. Operation of cooking appliancemay be regulated by a controllerthat is operatively coupled, i.e., in communication with, user interface, heating elements,,and other components of ovenas will be further described.

For example, in response to user manipulation of the user interface, controllermay operate the heating element(s), timer devices, or other control elements of the cooking appliance. Controllermay receive measurements from one or more temperature sensors. Controllermay also provide information such as a status indicator, e.g., a temperature indication, to the user with display. Controllermay also be provided with other features as will be further described herein.

Controllermay include a memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs, or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of cooking appliance. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. The memory may store information accessible by the processor(s), including instructions that can be executed by processor(s). For example, the instructions can be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processor(s), cause the processor(s) to perform operations. For the embodiment depicted, the instructions may include a software package configured to operate the system to, e.g., execute the exemplary methods described below. Controllermay also be or include the capabilities of either a proportional (P), proportional-integral (PI), or proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control for feedback-based control implemented with, e.g., temperature feedback from one or more sensors.

Controllermay be positioned in a variety of locations throughout cooking appliance. In the illustrated embodiment, controlleris located next to user interfacewithin interface panel. In other embodiments, controllermay be located under or next to the user interfaceotherwise within interface panelor at any other appropriate location with respect to cooking appliance. In the embodiment illustrated in, input/output (“I/O”) signals are routed between controllerand various operational components of cooking appliancesuch as heating elements,,, convection fan, controls, display, alarms, and/or other components as may be provided. In one embodiment, user interfacemay represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block.

In the illustrated embodiments, the user input device is provided as touch type controls. However, it should be understood that controlsand the configuration of cooking applianceshown inare illustrated by way of example only. For example, the user interfacemay be provided as a touchscreen which provides both the displayand the controls. As further examples, the user interfacemay include various input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interfacemay include other display components, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. In some embodiments, user interfacemay be in communication with controllervia one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. In other embodiments, the user interfacemay be configured as an external computing device or remote user interface device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or other device capable of connecting to the controller.

Referring briefly to, in some embodiments, the cooking appliancemay be included as an interconnected systemof computing devices communicatively coupled over a computing network. The computing networkmay include a wired or wireless local area network (LAN), an interconnected system of appliances or computing devices, or internet-connectivity network. A remote computing devicemay include a remote user interface device, such as a handheld user interface with a display thereon, e.g., a touchscreen display. The remote computing devicemay connect to the controllerwirelessly using any suitable wireless connection, such as, but not limited to, wireless radio, WI-FI®, BLUETOOTH®, ZIGBEE®, laser, infrared, and any other suitable device or interface. For example, in some embodiments, the remote computing device may be an application or “app” executed by a remote user interface device such as a smartphone, a tablet, or another appliance. Signals generated in controllermay operate appliancein response to user input via the user interfaceat the cooking applianceor remote computing device.

While cooking applianceis shown as a wall oven, the present invention could also be used with other cooking appliances such as, e.g., a stand-alone oven, an oven with a stove-top, or other configurations of such ovens. Numerous variations in the oven configuration are possible within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, variations in the type and/or layout of the controls, as mentioned above, are possible. As another example, the cooking appliancemay include multiple doorsinstead of or in addition to the single doorillustrated. Such examples include a dual cavity oven, a French door oven, and others. The examples described herein are provided by way of illustration only and without limitation.

In some embodiments, such as shown in, cooking chambermay be divided into several distinct heating zones. For instance, cooking chambermay include a first heating zone, a second heating zone, and a third heating zone. It should be understood that any suitable number of heating zones may be incorporated into cooking chamber, including more or less than three heating zones. Each of the heating zones may be spaced apart from one another (e.g., along the vertical direction V, the lateral direction L, and/or transverse direction T). In other words, the first heating zonemay be spaced apart from the second heating zoneand the third heating zone, etc. Accordingly, each heating zone may be controlled separately from one another (e.g., to or at a different temperature or power level, using a different criterion, or using a different heating cycle).

In one example, first heating zonecorresponds to first top heating element. In other words, first top heating elementmay be configured to provide heat to the first heating zone. First top heating elementmay be located predominantly to a first side of cooking chamberin the lateral direction L (e.g., proximal to the first side, distal to an opposite second side, and/or otherwise corresponding to first heating zone). Accordingly, first top heating elementmay provide heat predominantly to first heating zonewhile having reduced heating impact on second heating zoneand third heating zone. First heating zonemay be positioned at or near a top of cooking chamber. For example, first heating zonemay correspond to first baking rack(e.g., a first half thereof). Accordingly, first heating zonemay be a first broil zone.

Similarly, second heating zonemay correspond to second top heating element. In other words, second top heating elementmay be configured to provide heat to the second heating zone. Second top heating elementmay be located predominantly to the second side of cooking chamberin the lateral direction L (e.g., proximal to the second side, distal to the first side, and/or otherwise corresponding to second heating zone). Accordingly, second top heating elementmay provide heat predominantly to second heating zonewhile having reduced heating impact on first heating zoneand third heating zone. Second heating zonemay be positioned at or near a top of cooking chamber. Additionally, or alternatively, second heating zonemay be adjacent to first heating zonein the lateral direction L. For example, second heating zonemay correspond to first baking rack(e.g., a second half thereof). Accordingly, second heating zonemay be a second broil zone. In some embodiments, second top heating elementdoes not overlap with first heating zone(e.g., in a vertical direction). For example, first top heating elementis positioned vertically over first heating zoneand second heating elementis positioned vertically over second heating zone.

Third heating zonemay be defined spaced apart from first heating zoneand second heating zone. For instance, third heating zonemay be located beneath first heating zoneand second heating zonein the vertical direction V, as shown in. In some embodiments, third heating zoneis a baking zone. Accordingly, third heating zonemay receive heat primarily from a third heating element, e.g., a bottom heating element, or convection heating element. However, this embodiment is not limited, and third heating zonemay receive heat from a bottom heating element, a side heating element, or a combination of available heating elements.

Each of the first heating zone, second heating zone, and third heating zonemay be controlled according to an individual cooking mode. For example, each of the first heating zone, second heating zone, and third heating zonemay be controlled according to a cooking temperature, cooking time, or period of time. The individual cooking modes may be classified as power levels, and may be the same, or, in some instances, different from each other.

In some embodiments, an imaging device or camerais provided within cooking chamber. Generally, cameramay be a video camera, a digital camera, or other imaging device with an electronic image sensor, e.g., a charge coupled device (CCD) or a CMOS sensor. Cameramay be configured to obtain images in visible light, infrared light (IR), or other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. When assembled, camerais in communication (e.g., wired or wireless communication) with controllersuch that controllermay receive a signal from cameracorresponding to the image captured by camera. Cameramay be configured to capture images of cooking chamber(e.g., an interior of cabinet), or cookware devices at the cooking chamber. For instance, cameramay capture images of cookware placed in each of first heating zone, second heating zone, and/or third heating zone, etc.

One or more camerasmay be located in any suitable location within cooking chamber, such that each of first heating zone, second heating zone, and/or third heating zoneare visible to camera. For example, as shown in, cameramay be located at or near a top of cooking chamberin the vertical direction V (e.g., between the first and second heating elements,along the lateral direction L). Additionally or alternatively, cameramay be located at or near a center of cooking chamberin the lateral direction L. The specific location of camerais not limited, however, and one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate multiple potential locations for camera. Embodiments of the cooking applianceinclude the cameraoperably and communicatively coupled to the controllerto generate and transmit signals to the controller, such as based on one or more steps of a method for adjusting a recipe or cooking mode described herein.

Referring briefly to, a schematic view of a system for recipe or cooking mode adjustment is provided (hereinafter, “system”). Embodiments of the systemmay include one or more embodiments of cooking appliance. It should be appreciated that embodiments of the cooking appliancemay include one or more oven appliances,, such as configured in regard to cooking chamber, door, camera, and heating elements described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, cooking appliancemay include a cooktop appliancehaving one or more stovetop heating elementsconfigured as gas, electric, or induction heating elements, or combinations thereof. Heating elementsmay be configured as single or dual-zone heating elements or burner zones, such as having two or more concentric heating elements or burner zones. One or more imaging devices may be positioned relative to the heating elementsto capture images associated with food and/or cookware devices positioned at, or removed from, the cooktop appliance.

It should be appreciated that embodiments of the systemmay include any one or more configurations or cooking appliance, such as, but not limited to, oven appliances, cooktop appliances, microwave appliances, induction heaters, or other cooking apparatuses.

Referring now to, a flowchart outlining steps of a method for cooking mode or recipe adjustment are provided (hereinafter, “method”). One or more steps of the methodmay be stored as instructions at the controller, remote device, or computing network. Instructions may be communicated to the cooking appliance, such as one or more embodiments of the cooking appliancedepicted and described herein, via signals generated from sensors, imaging devices, or user inputs such as described herein. It should be appreciated that embodiments of the methodmay be stored or performed at various embodiments of cooking appliance, or other configurations of cooking appliance generally described herein.

Methodincludes atobtaining a user cooking mode signal corresponding to a user-selected cooking mode. For instance, the user may select a cooking mode corresponding to a desired food (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, vegetable, starch, etc., or combinations thereof). The user cooking mode signal includes one or more predetermined cooking times, cooking positions, periods of time for cooking the food, or instructions associated with cooking the food (e.g., audio and/or visual instructions provided to a display, control interface, or remote device, etc.). The user cooking mode signal includes temperature settings and outputs, control commands, and timers for operating the cooking device corresponding to the cooking mode.

Methodincludes atdetermining a change from a predetermined cooking mode. Methodatmay include determining a change from a predetermined cooking mode by comparing the cooking mode to a cooking metric. In some embodiments, methodmay include atobtaining the cooking metric relative to the stored or executed cooking mode. For instance, obtaining the cooking metric may include correlating or corresponding the cooking metric to the cooking mode, or a cooking parameter of the cooking mode. The cooking parameter may include one or more of a cooking temperature, a cooking position, or one or more of a period of time.

The cooking metric may be obtained by an imaging device (e.g., imaging device), a timer device (e.g., a timer function at controller, user interface, computing device, or other appropriate timer device), a temperature sensor (e.g., temperature sensor), or a user input signal corresponding to a control command (e.g., user input signal received at user interface, computing device, or other appropriate user interface). The cooking metric may include one or more of a set or actual cooking temperature, a cooking position, or one or more a period of time.

The cooking position includes placement, removal, turning, flipping, changing rack or heating elements, or other physical manipulation of food at a cooking chamber, heating element, or cookware device. For instance, the imaging devicemay be configured to detect, record, monitor, or capture the cooking position at the cooking appliance. The cooking position may include placement at one or more heating zones,,, or one or more heating elements, or single, dual, or multi-zone heating elements or burner zones. The cooking position may include whether the food or cookware device is positioned at the cooking chamber, the heating zones,,, or the heating element, or removed therefrom. The cooking position may include whether the food or cookware device is flipped, turned, covered, uncovered, or other manipulation of the food.

The period of time includes one or more elapses of time for which the food is provided at the cooking temperature and/or at the cooking position. For instance, the period of time may include an elapsed time for which the food or cookware device is at, or removed from, one or more cooking positions. For instance, a first period of time may include an elapsed time for which the food or cookware device is at, or removed from, the cooking chamber, the heating zones,,, convection heating element, fan, or the heating element. A second period of time may include an elapsed time for which the food or cookware device is exposed to, or removed from, the set or actual cooking temperature at the cooking position. The periods of time may be delineated by changes in cooking position, changes in set or actual cooking temperature, or both.

In various embodiments, the imaging devicemay be operably coupled to the controllerand configured to determine the cooking position of the food. The imaging device, the temperature sensor, or both, may be configured to determine the cooking temperature at the cooking chamber, heating element, or cookware device, or may include a sensor directed to the food to determine an internal or surface temperature at the food. Additionally, or alternatively, the controllermay command a set temperature at the cooking appliance, such as at the cooking chamber, the heating zones,,, convection heating element, fan, or the heating element. The user interfacemay include a timer device configured to determine the period of time for which the food is provided at one or more cooking temperatures, or at one or more cooking positions, or combinations thereof.

The user may provide the user input signal including any one or more inputs at the user interfaceat the cooking applianceor computing devicethat alters a cooking temperature, a timer, or operation of a heating source (e.g., one or more heating zones,,, convection heating element, fan, heating element). The control command includes one or more of a cooking temperature signal for setting a cooking temperature or power at one or more heating zones,,, convection heating element, fan, or heating element. The control command includes one or more of a timing signal or an on/off signal to provide or discontinue heat, power, timing, or other appliance function.