EP2638327A2

EP2638327A2 - An oven detecting presence and/or position of tray

Info

Publication number: EP2638327A2
Application number: EP11779708.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mustafa Kuntay Karaaslan; Mustafa Yuksel
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2010-11-12
Filing date: 2011-11-11
Publication date: 2013-09-18
Also published as: WO2012062890A2; WO2012062890A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to an oven (1) comprising an oven cavity (6) having two side walls (2, 102), a rear wall (3), a ceiling (4) and a base (5), wherein the cooking process is performed, at least one cover (7) providing access to the oven cavity (6), at least one supporter (9) disposed on the side walls (2.102), whereon the tray is emplaced and at least one camera (10) that provides the inside of the oven cavity (6) to be viewed.

Description

AN OVEN DETECTING PRESENCE AND/OR POSITION OF TRAY

The present invention relates to an oven that detects the presence and/or position of the tray.
In state of the art, where the tray, whereon the products to be cooked are placed, is positioned inside the oven is decided by the user. The oven realizes the cooking process assuming the position the tray is placed by the user to be the most suitable position. However, the effect of the hot air blown on the foodstuffs to be cooked changes with respect to the position of the tray in the oven cavity. Therefore, it is important to detect the position of the tray in terms of cooking performance.
In the state of the art Japanese Patent Document No. JP5240446, determining the area of the upper surface of the substance to be cooked by determining, by means of a camera, the distance from the camera to the upper surface of the food that is cooked is explained.
In the state of the art International Patent Document No. WO2010012340, detecting the position of the tray wherein the food product to be cooked is placed by means of a sensor is explained.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of an oven that detects the presence and/or the position of the cooking tray placed therein and regulates the cooking effectiveness with respect to this information.
The oven realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises an oven cavity having two side walls, a rear wall, a ceiling and a base, wherein the cooking process is performed, at least one cover providing access to the oven cavity, at least one supporter disposed on the side walls whereon the tray is placed and at least one camera providing the inside of the oven cavity to be viewed, at least one indicator disposed in the oven cavity, with features visually discernible by the camera and at least one control unit that determines the presence and/or the position of the tray by means of the indicator images relating to the oven cavity pictures received from the camera.
The data required for detecting the presence and/or the position of the tray are prerecorded by the producer in the control unit, which can convert imaging data received from the camera into digital imaging data. The camera is placed into the oven in an angle wherefrom the indicator images can be easily recorded. The control unit compares these imaging data with the prerecorded data and detects the presence and/or the position of the tray accordingly. Thus, the oven regulates the cooking effectiveness with respect to the position of the tray during cooking, blows hot air and provides the cooking performance to be increased. Furthermore, this embodiment aids in developing smart oven embodiments.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the oven comprises more than one indicator positioned between the supporters or such that their levels are under or above the supporter levels. These indicators are visually identical. At least one object blocking the indicator in the oven cavity prevents the camera from detecting it.For example, when the tray is placed on the supporter, this prevents the indicator situated between the said supporter and the one below or above from being viewed by the camera. The images of the indicators that are detected are counted by the control unit and compared with the data in its memory. Thus, the presence and/ or the position of the tray is detected.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the oven comprises more than one indicator in label form.
In a derivate of this embodiment, more than one indicator, having the same features with one another, are disposed on the cover. The camera detects the indicators while there are no trays in the oven cavity and only the indicators above or below the level of the tray are detected after the tray is placed into the oven cavity. The detected indicators are counted by means of the control unit. The data relating to the number of indicators the camera counts according to the present level of the tray provide the control unit to determine the presence and/ or the position of the tray.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the oven comprises at least one alerter in different color. The data relating to the presence and/ or the position of the tray according to color data of the indicator are recorded by the producer in the memory of the control unit, which detects the presence and/ or the position of the tray according to color data of the indicator. When the tray is placed into the oven cavity, the indicator disposed between the supporter that remains below or above the supporter whereon the tray is placed and itself cannot be viewed by the camera. The detected indicator image is compared by the control unit with the data in its memory and the presence and/ or the position of the tray is determined.
In a derivative of this embodiment, the oven comprises the side wall, the rear wall and/or the cover wherein their surfaces bound by opposite supporters in the horizontal axis are in different colors and function as indicators. When the tray is placed into the oven cavity, the surface disposed between the supporter that is below or above the supporter whereon the tray is placed and itself cannot be viewed by the camera. The detected surface/indicator image is matched by the control unit with the data in its memory and the presence and/ or the position of the tray is determined.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the oven comprises the rear wall or the side wall or the cover or the base or the ceiling having an indicator of at least one different shape with respect to one another. The data relating to the presence and/ or the position of the tray according to shape data of the indicator are recorded by the producer in the memory of the control unit, which detects the presence and/ or the position of the tray in accordance with the shape data of the indicator. The data relating to the presence and/ or the position of the tray according to pattern data of the indicator are recorded by the producer in the memory of the control unit, which detects the presence and/ or the position of the tray according to pattern data of the indicator. When the tray is placed into the oven cavity, the indicator disposed between the supporter that is below or above the supporter whereon the tray is placed and itself cannot be viewed by the camera. The detected indicator image is matched up by the control unit with the data in its memory and the presence and/ or the position of the tray is determined.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the oven comprises at least one protector that protects the camera. The protector and the camera have a closed section inside the environment wherein the cooking process is performed. During cooking, factors like the ingredients of the product, heat, vapor, dirt, oil can damage the camera and prevent its functioning. The camera is protected by means of the protector and functions without malfunctioning.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the oven comprises at least one alerter that sends a visual warning for informing the user about the presence and/or position of the tray. The presence and/or the position of the tray detected by the control unit is disclosed to the user as a visual warning.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the oven comprises the alerter that sends an audible warning for informing the user about the presence and/or the position of the tray. The presence and the position of the tray detected by the control unit is disclosed to the user as an audible warning. Thus, the user is informed about the presence and/or the position of the tray without going near the oven.
By means of the present invention, the oven is realized that provides the hot air, delivered by the oven for cooking the nutrients, to be utilized more effectively.
The oven realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the perspective view of an oven.
Figure 2 – is the front schematic view of an oven.
Figure 3 – is the front schematic view of an oven wherein the tray is placed.
Figure 4 – is the sideways cross-sectional view of an oven.
Figure 5 – is the front schematic view of an oven.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Oven
102. Side wall
Rear wall
Ceiling
Base
Oven cavity
Cover
Protector
Supporter
Camera
Indicator
Control unit
Alerter

The oven (1) comprises an oven cavity (6) having two side walls (2, 102), a rear wall (3), a ceiling (4) and a base (5), wherein the cooking process is performed, at least one cover (7) providing access to the oven cavity (6), at least one supporter (9) disposed on the side walls (2), whereon the tray is placed and at least one camera (10) that provides the inside of the oven cavity (6) to be viewed.
The oven (1) comprises at least one indicator (11), disposed in the oven cavity (6) that is visually discernible by the camera (10) and at least one control unit (12) that detects the presence of the tray and/or the position of the tray by means of the images received from the camera (10) relating to the indicator (11) (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4).
The indicator (11) disposed on the walls (2, 102, 3, 4, 5) or the cover (7) is recorded by means of the camera (10) and delivered to the control unit (12) (Figure 3). The data relating to the features of the indicator (11) are prerecorded in the memory of the control unit (12) by the producer. The data transferred to the control unit (12) by the camera (10) and the data recorded in the memory are compared by the control unit (12). The control unit (12) determines the presence and/or the position of the tray in the oven cavity (6) in light of these data. Thus, the oven (1) controls the functioning parameters of the heater and the fan (work duration, start-stop times, working temperature, speed etc.) according to the position the tray is placed during cooking. Accordingly, increase in cooking performance is provided.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the oven (1) comprises more than one indicator (11) disposed on the side wall (2, 102), rear wall (3) or the cover (7) positioned to be between the supporters (9) or with their levels remaining below or above the supporter (9) levels. The camera (10) can detect all of the indicators (11) disposed in the oven cavity (6) before the tray is placed on any of the supporters (9). When at least one tray is placed in the oven cavity (6), the images detected by the camera (10) with respect to the level wherein the tray is placed are transferred to the control unit (12). The control unit (12) detects the presence and/or the position of the tray by comparing the data prerecorded in its memory with the number, color, shape, pattern data of the indicator (11) in the images.
In a derivative of this embodiment, more than one indicator (11) all having the same features (color, shape, pattern) is disposed on at least one of the walls (2, 102, 3, 4 and 5) or on the cover (7). The camera (10) detects all the present indicators (11) when there are no trays in the oven cavity (6). After the tray is placed into the oven cavity (6), the indicators (11) disposed below or above the level of the tray are detected by means of the camera (10). The detected indicators (11) are counted by the control unit (12) and the control unit (12) determines on which supporter (9) the tray is disposed on in the oven cavity (6) according to the obtained number of indicators (11). In a derivative of this embodiment, more than one indicator (11) all having different appearances from each other is disposed on one of the walls (2, 102, 3, 4 and 5) or on the cover (7). The camera (10) detects all the indicators (11) present when there are no trays in the oven cavity (6). After the tray is placed into the oven cavity (6), the indicators (11) disposed below or above the level wherein the tray is placed are detected by means of the camera (10). The detected indicators (11) are counted by the control unit (12) and the control unit (12) determines on which supporter (9) the tray is disposed in the oven cavity (6) according to the number of indicators (11) obtained.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the indicators (11) are in label form (Figure 4).
In an embodiment of the present invention, indicators (11) of different colors are provided. The data relating to the colors and positions of the indicators (11) are recorded by the producer in its memory of the control unit (12) which detects the presence and/or the position of the tray according to the color data of the indicator (11). When the tray is placed on the supporter (9) for the cooking process, viewing of the indicator (11), disposed at the level of the supporter (9) whereon the tray is placed, by the camera (10) is prevented due to the tray blocking the indicator (11). The control unit (12) matches the data prerecorded by the producer in its memory with the color data of the indicator (11) detected by the camera (10) and determines the presence and/or the position of the tray.
In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the walls (2, 102, 3, 4 and 5) or the cover (7) comprises an indicator (11) having different shape (Figure 5). The data relating to the presence and/ or the position of the tray according to shape data of the indicator (11) are recorded by the producer in the memory of the control unit (12), which detects the presence and/ or the position of the tray according to shape data of the indicator (11). The detected indicator (11) image is recorded by the camera (10) according to the position of the supporter (9) whereon the tray is placed for cooking. The control unit (12) matches the data prerecorded by the producer in its memory with the data of the indicator (11) detected by the camera (10) and determines the presence and/or the position of the tray.
In a derivative of this embodiment, the oven (1) comprises the side wall (2) or rear wall (3) or cover (7), wherein their surfaces confined by the alignments of opposite supporters (9) are painted in different colors. These surfaces function like an indicator (11) and the color data of the surfaces, except for the surface situated at the level of the supporter (9) whereon the tray is placed, is detected by means of the control unit (12). The control unit (12) detects the presence and/or the position of the tray by means of the detected color data of the indicator (11) with the images relating to the oven cavity (6) detected by the camera (10).
In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the walls (2, 102, 3, 4 and 5) or the cover (7) comprises an indicator (11) having different pattern. The data of the presence and/or the position of the tray according to the pattern data of the indicator (11) are recorded by the producer in the memory of the control unit (12), which determines the presence and/or the position of the tray according to the pattern data of the indicator (11). Thus, the presence and/or the position of the tray is determined according to the indicator (11) the image of which is recorded or not recorded.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the oven (1) comprises at least one protector (8) that protects the camera (10). The protector (8) and the camera (10) have a closed section inside the environment wherein the cooking process is performed. During cooking, factors like oil, ingredients of the product, heat, vapor, dirt can damage the camera (10) and prevent its functioning. Thus, the camera (10) is protected and functions without malfunctioning.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the oven (1) comprises at least one alerter (13) that sends a visual or audible warning for informing the user about the presence and/or the position of the tray. The presence and/or the position of the tray determined by the control unit (12) is disclosed to the user in the form of visual or audible warning. Thus, the user is informed about the presence and/or the position of the tray without going near the oven (1).
By means of the present invention, the oven (1) determines the presence and/or the position of the tray by means of its indicator (11). The operating performance of the oven (1) is regulated according to detection of the tray position and the utilization ratio of the hot air blown on the foods increases. The user is informed by a visual or audible warning.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

An oven (1) comprising an oven cavity (6) having two side walls (2, 102), a rear wall (3), a ceiling (4) and a base (5), wherein the cooking process is performed, at least one cover (7) providing access to the oven cavity (6), at least one supporter (9) disposed on the side walls (2), whereon the tray is placed and at least one camera (10) that provides the inside of the oven cavity (6) to be viewed,

characterized by at least one indicator (11), disposed in the oven cavity (6) with features visually discernible by the camera (10) and at least one control unit (12) that determines the presence and/or the position of the tray by means of the indicator (11) images in the images received from the camera (10).
An oven (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by more than one indicator (11) disposed on the side wall (2), the rear wall (3) or the cover (7) so as to be between the supporters (9) or to remain below or above their levels.
An oven (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by indicators (11) that are of the same color, pattern or shape as one another.
An oven (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the indicator (11) in label form.
An oven (1) as in Claim 1 and 2, characterized by the indicator (11) in different color.
An oven (1) as in Claim 1 and 2, characterized by the indicators (11) in different shapes.
An oven (1) as in Claim 1 and 2, characterized by the indicators (11) in different patterns.
An oven (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by at least one protector (8) that protects the camera (10).
An oven (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by at least one alerter (13) that informs the user with at least one visual or audible warning for informing the user about the presence and/or the position of the tray.