GB2525589A

GB2525589A - Toaster controls

Info

Publication number: GB2525589A
Application number: GB1407088.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Palmer; David Harvey
Original assignee: Kenwood Ltd
Current assignee: Kenwood Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-22
Filing date: 2014-04-22
Publication date: 2015-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-22
Also published as: GB2525589B; GB201407088D0

Abstract

A gesture controlled toaster 100 which is used for hands free toasting of various foods that includes a gesture control unit 202 for remote controlling the toaster . The gesture control unit comprises of a command database 304, a sensing unit 302 and a command processing unit 306. The command database comprises of a plurality of commands corresponding to a plurality of gestures with each command corresponding to a specific function of the toaster. The command database further comprises of a gesture database maintaining the plurality of gestures. The toaster has a sensing unit which is configured for capturing data of a gesture performed by a user and to process the captured data. The processing includes mapping motion corresponding to the gesture performed by the user with a known gesture using the gesture database and mapping the known gesture to an associated command using the command database. The command processing unit is configured for sending the associated command for performing a corresponding function. The function may preferably be one of adjusting a browning control, selecting one or more of a one-slice setting, a bagel setting, a defrost setting, a reheat setting and a stop toasting setting.

Description

GESTURE CONTROLLED TOASTER

DESCRIPTION

[0001] This invention relates to a toaster device and, more particularly, to a toaster control and display.

[0002] Historically, toasters offered mechanical controls such as knobs and, switches. However, consumers using these devices found the mechanical controls inconvenient to operate. For example, the mechanical controls often get very hard and consumers have to put in additional manual effort to operate the mechanical controls. In addition, a toaster cooks bread by passing an electric current through a heating element. The heat generated by the element also causes the toaster to become hot. Therefore, touching the toaster may cause discomfort or burns.

[0003] This resulted in Infrared (IR) based remote controls and touch sensitive input methods, which allowed the consumers to operate the devices through these controls, which could be operated from within a specific distance from the devices. However, these controls also have certain disadvantages such as operating the remote controls in the dark is not possible and also it is uncomfortable to operate using these touch based controls while cooking in the kitchen or while dining.

[0004] It is known that using the motion sensors/detectors, consumers may operate television, lights or other devices by recognizing the presence of a person. However, this method was disadvantageous that these actions had to be configured and changed manually to adjust to the specific user requirements, as they were not dynamic. Further, these sensors only worked on a binary sensing means to operate or not. Hence, there is a need to operate the kitchen appliances like toaster, when hands are dirty and to maintain hygiene while cooking.

[0005] Gesture control technology is known in art. The technology helps users to operate these devices using gestures without touching any control. The technology has been used in the entertainment devices (televisions, laptops) or automobiles. The implementation of such gesture control technology in a kitchen environment or small household equipment has unique demands to realise the technology with efficiency and without interference.

[0006] In view of the prohleins and the shortcomings of the existing solutions, the present invention includes a system of recognising user commands without the user being in physical contact with the machine controls. This ma)' he achieved through gesture control, iris control or neLiral control methods. More specifically, the solution to the problems is provided in a way such that it mitigates the existing problems around the implementation of such solutions within the home environment for appliances.

[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide gesture control unit that using hand motions provides contactless control. Since the user may operate toaster by no contact means, it alleviates any discomfort or burning. Gesture control may also simplify the user interface, instead of having controls requiring rotation or pushing, simple hand motions can achieve the same objective.

[0008] According to the invention, a toaster 100 includes a gesture control unit 202 for remote controlling the toaster 100. The gesture control unit 202 comprising a command database 304, a sensing unit 302 and a command processing unit 306. The command database 304 comprising a plurality of commands corresponding to a plurality of gestures. Each command corresponding to a specific function of the toaster 100. The command database 304 fLirtlier comprising a gesture database maintaining the plurality of gestures. The sensing unit 302 configured for capturing data of a gesture performed by a user and processing the captured data. The processing comprising mapping motion corresponding to the gesture performed by the user with a known gesture using the gesture database and mapping gesture to an associated command using the command database. The command processing unit 306 configured for sending the associated command for performing a corresponding function. The function is one of adjusting a browning control, selecting one or more of a one-slice setting, a bagel setting, a defrost setting, a reheat setting and a stop toasting setting.

[0009] Technical advantages of particular embodiments include the ability of the toaster to detect gestures and perform different functions, operations or tasks. The gestures may be mapped to a large number of commands by using a display to show the various user selectable functions. Accordingly, the functionality of the device maybe increased.

[0910] Other technical advantages will he readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages.

[0011] In order that the invention maybe clearly understood and readily carried into effect, certain embodiments thereof will now he described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure I shows, in perspective view, one example of a toaster of the invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a gesture-based control system according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a gesture-based control system; Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a toaster according to the present invention; and Fig. 5 illustrate images of different hand gestures that may be used to operate a toaster according to the present invention.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, a toaster 100 in accordance with the present invention has a box-like exterior body 102 that includes an opening 104, positioned on the top surface of body 102. The opening 104 allows slices of bread to be placed into a bread holder 106. The toaster 100 may have two or more openings for toasting two or more slices of bread. The toaster 100 may further include a lever 108 that enables the lowering of bread placed into the bread holder 106 into a toasting chamber and initiating a toasting cycle. Alternatively, the bread placed in the bread holder 106 may he lowered into toasting chamber by performing a gesture.

[0013] A sensor 110 located on the exterior surface at one side of body 102. The sensor 110 capturing data of a gesture performed by a user in a predetermined region near the toaster 100.

The sensor 110 may be configured to capture one or more of video, audio, infrared, electric field or like. A gesture performed by the user may include a specific motion performed by user's hand in a specific configuration. Some examples of gestures performed by the user are explained in conjunction with FIG. 5 below. The user may perfonn gestures corresponding to one or more available functions: initiating a toasting cycle, adjusting brownness, selecting one or more of a one-slice setting, a bagel setting, a defrost setting, a reheat setting and a stopping a toasting cycle. The browning control allows a user to set desired toast color from light to dark. When a light toast color is selected, the length of toasting cycle is shortened and when a dark toast color is selected, the length of toasting cycle is lengthened. The one-slice setting allows a user to toast one-slice of bread, which requires less time to toast than two slices of bread. When selected, the length of the toasting cycle is decreased accordingly. The bagel setting allows a user to toast bagels in the toaster i 00. Bagels require more toasting time as they have greater density than normal slices of bread. Therefore, when selected, the length of the toasting cycle is increased from default setting for two-slice bread. Although the bagel setting is employed for toasting bagels, it can also he used when toasting other bread-like foods that require a toasting time similar to a bagel. The defrost setting allows a user to toast frozen bread slices, which will require additional time to defrost and toast. Therefore, when selected, the length of the toasting cycle is increased from a default setting. The reheat setting allows a user to reheat a toasted slice of bread in the toasting chamber without additional browning or toasting. When selected, the toasting cycle is set to a predetermined time appropriate for reheating toasted bread. The stop toasting setting allows the user to stop an in-progress toasting cycle.

[0014] The output of the sensor 110 is coupled to a processor for receiving the sensor input and performing gesture recognition. The processor configured to map motion corresponding to the gesture performed by the user with a known gesture using a gesture database maintaining a plurality of gestures, then map the known gesture to an associated command using a command database maintaining a plurality of commands and then sending the associated command for performing the associated function. This is explained in further detail in conjunction with FIGs.

2, 3, and 4 below.

[0015] The toaster 100 may further include LEDs ii 2 and a display 114 to provide feedback to the user about a detected gesture. The toaster 100 may further include one or more buttons 116 that may be used when the gesture control does not work as expected.

[0016] Referring now to FIGs. 2 and 3, the toaster 100 includes a gesture control unit 202 interacting with a control circuitry 204. The gesture control unit 202 configured to detect a gesture and send a corresponding command to the control circuitry 204 to execute the corresponding function. A user 206 interacts with the toaster 100 by performing gestures.

[0017] The gesture control unit 202 further includes other enabling blocks including a sensing unit 302, a command database 304 and a command processing unit 306. The command database 304 maintains a plurality of commands corresponding to a plurality of gestures. Each command corresponding to a specific function of the toaster 100. The command database 304 further comprising a gesture database maintaining a plurality of the gestures. Each gesture in the gesture database is defined by a trajectory of a user's hand. Alternatively, the gesture database maybe part of the command database 304.

[0018] The sensing unit 302 receives data captured by the sensor 110. The data corresponds to a gesture performed by the user 206. Then, the sensing unit 302 maps motion corresponding to the gesture performed by the user 206 with a known gesture using the gesture database.

Accordingly, the sensing unit 302 is configured to analyse signals in the captured data for possible use of a user hand within it, and when a hand is detected it follows the hand to record a trajectory, wherein the recorded trajectory is compared with trajectories stored in the gesture database to detect the known gesture corresponding to the gesture performed by the user 206.

[0019] The gesture control unit 202 may further include a display unit 308 that sends information of the detected motion to the display 114. This provides a feedback to the user 206 that helps the user 206 to perform the gesture correctly.

[0020] Next, the sensing unit 302 maps the known gesture to an associated command using the command database 304. Based on the match, the command processing unit 306 sends the associated command to the control circuitry 204. Finally, the control circuitry 204 executes the command to perform a suitable action as desired by the user 206. Additionally, the executed commands may be displayed through the display unit 308 integrated with the gesture control unit 202.

[0921] In an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the display I 14 shows available functions. The user 206 moves a cursor on the display 114 by performing a known gesture to select an available function. For example, the user 206 may move an open hand to move the cursor on the display 114 and select an available function. Once, the cursor is in the right position, the user 206 may perform another gesture to activate the selected function.

[0022] Referring now to Figure 4, is a flowchart 400 illustrating a gesture control process utilizing a number of features described herein, in accordance with a particular embodiment. At step 402, raw data of a particular gesture movement performed by the user 206 is received. The raw data is processed at step 404, where the actual trajectory is determined. At step 406, the determined trajectory is mapped to a known gesture in the gesture database. For example, a detected hand motion maybe mapped to a gesture involving a hand wave gesture. Further, mapping the trajectory to a gesture may include accessing a user settings database, which may include user data comprising, for example, user precision and noise characteristics or thresholds, user-created gestures and any other user-specific data including user identities. User-specific information allows different users of the toaster 100 to have different settings and motion input characteristics. For example, a child may have less precision than an adult when inputting gestures such that the child may have fewer gestures available. Moreover, a more experienced user may have more functions available through gesture input.

[0923] At step 408, the sensed action or gesture is mapped to an associated command. This step may include accessing the command database 304, which may include correlation between gestures and commands. Further, different users may have different mappings of gestures to commands and different user-created commands. Thus, the command database 304 may also include user-specific mapping instructions or characteristics, user-created functions (e.g., increasing the toasting cycle for bagels by an additional 60 seconds) and any other function information which may be applicable to map a particular gesture to one or more commands. The command database 304 may further include user identities to identify users providing gestures and selecting appropriate commands.

[0024] At step 410, the control circuitry 204 executes the appropriately-mapped one or more commands to perform a suitable function as desired by the user 206.

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates some exemplary gestures that may be stored in the gesture database of the present invention. For example, to trigger the gesture control unit 202 to initialize, a hand 502 maybe raised in a region within the field of view 504 of the sensor i tO and a hand wave gesture 506 may be performed for 2 to 5 seconds.

[0026] Once the system is initialized, the user 206 may perform one or more gestures including a heart-shaped hand gesture (508), a right-angle-shaped hand gesture (510), a cross finger gesture (512), a hand rotating a knob gesture (514), a thumbs-up gesture (516), a clapping hands gesture (518), an open hand pushing-down gesture (520) and an open hand pushing-up gesture (522).

Each of the gestures 508-522 may correspond to one or more functions including initiating a toasting cycle, adjusting a browning control, selecting one or more of a one-slice setting, a bagel setting, a defrost setting, a reheat setting and a stopping a toasting cycle. For example, the thumbs-up gesture (516) may correspond to initiate a toasting cycle and the hand rotating a knob gesture (514) corresponds to adjusting a browning control. Further, the open hand pushing-down gesture (520) may correspond to pushing a bread placed into the bread holder 106 into the toasting chamber and the open hand pushing-up gesture (522) may correspond to lifting a bread placed out of the toasting chamber.

[0027] Alternatively, an open hand may be used to control a cursor via tracking free hand movement (the cursor is visible on the display I 4). The display 114 shows various available functions. The user 206 moves a cursor on the display I 14 by performing a known gesture to select an available function. The user 206 may select the appropriate function by moving the hand and placing the cursor on the setting on the display I 14. Thereafter, the user 206 may perform press and release to activate the setting. For example, holding an open hand over the appropriate setting, pressing forward until the function is selected and releasing by pulling back slightly to complete the activation.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is: 1. A toaster (100) comprising a gesture control capability, wherein the toaster comprising: a sensor (I 10) for capturing data of a gesmre performed by a user (206); a processor for processing the captured data, the processor configured to: map motion corresponding to the gesture performed by the user (206) with a known gesture using a gesture database maintaining a plurality of gestures; map the known gesture to an associated command using a command database (304) maintaining a plurality of commands, wherein each command corresponding to a specific function of the toaster (100); sending the associated command; a control circuitry (204) for receiving the associated command and performing the associated function, characterized in that, the function is one of initiating a toasting cycle, adjusting a browning control, selecting one or more of a one-slice setting, a bagel setting, a defrost setting, a reheat setting and a stopping a toasting cycle.
2. The toaster (100) of claim 1, wherein the gesture performed by the user (206) includes a specific motion performed by the user's hand in a specific configuration.
3. The toaster (100) of claim I, wherein the plurality of gestures in the gesture database includes two or more of a hand wave gesture (506), a heart-shaped hand gesture (508), a right-angle-shaped hand gesture (510), a cross finger gesture (512), a hand rotating a knob gesture (514), a thumbs-up gesture (516), a clapping hands gesture (518), an open hand pushing-down gesture (520) and an open hand pushing-up gesture (522).
4. The toaster (100) of claim 1, wherein the sensor (110) captures the data in a predetermined region near tile toaster (I 00).
5. The toaster (100) of claim I, wherein each gestLire in the gesture database is defined by a trajectory of a user's band.
6. The toaster (100) of claimS, wherein the processor is conhgured to analyse signals in the captured data for possible use of a user hand within it, and when a hand is detected, follow the hand to record a trajectory, wherein the recorded trajectory is compared with trajectories stored in the gesture database to detect the known gesture corresponding to the gesture performed by the user (206).
7. The toaster (100) of claimi, wherein the processor is further configured to map motion with a known gesture by identifying the user (206) and match the motion to the known gesture based on the user identify, wherein the command database (304) comprises a plurality of gestures for each user using the toaster (100).
8. The toaster (100) of claimi further comprising a display unit (308) to generate an image of the detected motion.
9. The toaster (100) ofclaim8, wherein the display unit (308) shows available functions, wherein the user (206) moves a cursor on the display unit (308) by performing a known gesture to select an available function and activate the selected function.
10. The toaster (100) of claimi, wherein the sensor (110) is placed on a side face of the toaster (100), wherein the sensor (110) captures data in a predetermined region on the side of the toaster (100).
11. A gesture control unit (202) for remote controlling a toaster (100), wherein the gesture control unit (202) comprising: a command database (304) maintaining a plurality of commands corresponding to a p1 urality of gestures, wherein each command corresponding to a specific function of the toaster (100), wherein the command database (304) further comprising a gesture database maintaining a plurality of the gestures; a sensing unit (302) for: capturing data of a gesture performed by a user (206); processing the captured data coinpri sing: mapping motion corresponding to the gesture performed by the user (206) with a known gesture using the gesture database; mapping the known gesture to an associated command using the command database; and a command processing unit (306) for sending the associated command for performing a corresponding function; characterized in that, the function is one of initiating a toasting cycle, adjusting a browning control, selecting one or more of a one-slice setting, a bagel setting, a defrost setting, a reheat setting and a stopping a toasting cycle.
12. The gesture control unit (202) of claim 11, wherein each gesture in the gesture database is defined by a trajectory of a user's hand, wherein the sensing unit (302) is configured to analyse signals in the captured data for possible use of a user hand within it, and when a hand is detected, follow the hand to record a trajectory, wherein the recorded trajectory is compared with trajectories stored in the gesture database to detect the known gesture corresponding to the gesture performed by the user (206).
13. The gesture control unit (202) of claim 11, further comprising a display unit (308) to show the executed commands.
14. The gesture control unit (202) of claim 13, wherein the display unit (308) configured to generate an image of the detected motion.
15. The gesture control unit (202) of claim 13, wherein the display unit (308) configured to display available functions, wherein the user (206) moves a cursor on the display unit (308) by performing a known gesture to select an available function.
!6 The gesture control unit (202) of claim I I, the command processing unit (306) sending the associated command to a control circuitry (204) of the toaster (100), wherein the control circuitry (204) performing the corresponding function to the associated command.
17. The gesture control unit (202) of claim I I, wherein the gesture performed by the user (206) includes a specific motion performed by user's hand in a specific configuration, the plurality of gestures in the gesture database includes two or more of a hand wave gesture (506), a heart-shaped hand gesture (508), a right-angle-shaped hand gesture (510), a cross finger gesture (5 12), a hand rotating a knob gesture (5 14), a thLlmhs-LIp gesture (Si 6), a clapping hands gesture (Si 8), an open hand pushing-down gesture (520) and an open hand pushing-up gestLire (522).
18. The gesture control unit (202) of claim 11, wherein the sensing unit (302) includes a sensor (110) is placed on a side face of the toaster (100), wherein to capture data of a gesture performed by the user (206) in a predetermined region near the toaster (100).
19. The gesture control unit (202) of claiml I, wherein the sensing unit (302) configured to map motion with a known gesture by identifying the user (206) and match the motion to the known gesture based on the user identify, wherein the command database (304) comprises a plurality of gestures for each user using the toaster (100).
20. The gesture control unit (202) of claim 11, wherein the system is training free.
21. A toaster substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.