Patent Application
20190133380
The invention relates to a method of operating a kitchen machine, a kitchen machine for the preparation of foods, as well as an ambience system.
Kitchen machines, by means of which foods can effectively be prepared, are known from the prior art. These types of kitchen machines are often capable of guiding a user through a recipe, and indicating the different steps for carrying out the recipe one after the other to the user. Furthermore, diverse functions are often integrated in these types of kitchen machines, to heat dishes, stir ingredients or even steam cook. One major advantage of such a kitchen machine is that many functions, which are required for the preparation of meals are integrated in one single device.
Such functions have thus far been limited, however, essentially to the direct cooking context to facilitate the cooking process for the user. However, cooking is often connected with emotions and/or undergoes, in different situations, a different prioritization by the user. In this way, the user may want to experience an emotional cooking evening in some situations, in other situations the user may want to get himself into the mood for an event, and in yet other situations, the user may want to get to the cooking results as effectively as possible. Kitchen machines known from the prior art can thus far, however, only have little influence on the respective situation or surroundings of the user during the cooking.
It is thus the object of the present invention to at least partially resolve the disadvantages known from the prior art. It is in particular an object of the present invention to improve the situational impression of the user while preparing foods, and/or to improve a cooking experience with a fitting ambience.
The object of the invention is achieved by a method of operating a kitchen machine with the features of the independent claim 1, a kitchen machine with the features of the independent claim 9, as well as by an ambience system with the features of the independent claim 15.
Further features and details of the invention result from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. Features and details described in conjunction with the method according to the invention also apply in conjunction with the kitchen machine according to the invention and/or the ambience system according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure, reference is or can always mutually be made to the individual aspects of the invention.
According to the invention, a method of operating a kitchen machine, suitable for preparing foods, comprising the following steps:
Preferably, the kitchen machine is a kitchen machine which is suitable for the semiautomatic or fully-automatic preparation of the foods. To that end, the kitchen machine can comprise a control unit for working through the recipe, for example. Furthermore, the kitchen machine can comprise a stirring unit, a means for heating the foods and/or further functions for the performing of the cooking process. Thus, the user can preferably first specify the recipe for preparing the foods, wherein the recipe is assigned to at least one thematic category. The determination of the thematic category can be effected directly or indirectly from the recipe. Thus, the recipe can be linked with tags for example, which directly represent the thematic category. However, it is likewise conceivable that the thematic category is determined from different tags of the recipe and/or from further user input. This can be effected by means of a controller of the kitchen machine, and/or by means of an external server, to which the kitchen machine can be connected. In particular, the thematic category can be determined automatically, or at least party automatically, wherein e.g. the thematic category is selected in accordance with the weekday and/or the calendar of the user. In particular, a user configuration to that end can be stored in advance. Furthermore, it is also possible that first the thematic category is determined, e.g. by the selection of the user. Thereupon, the recipe that is assigned to the thematic category, or which is assigned the thematic category, can be specified from the thematic category in a random fashion, or based upon further factors. Preferably, the thematic category and the recipe are linked to one another in advance, directly or indirectly.
Preferably, the thematic category further includes at least one of the following categorizations:
An entertainment medium in the context of the present invention can be understood as a sound compilation, for example, i.e. e.g. a musical piece or a selection of background noises (e.g. sound of the ocean, a fitting narration, or a sequence of verbal instructions). Furthermore, the entertainment medium in particular can be understood as a video, or a video clip, which can be displayed on a display device of the kitchen machine, for example. The dependency of the entertainment medium can be effected dependent upon existing lists, where e.g. different entertainment media (such as music titles) can be assigned to a thematic category. In particular, the provided entertainment medium can be selected from multiple entertainment media in a random manner, which correspond to the thematic category. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the entertainment medium is determined automatically from the thematic category, preferably based upon a sequence of sounds of a sound compilation. Thus, it is conceivable that the thematic category is e.g. “emotion-oriented”, and slow musical pieces are provided as a result. Preferably, the entertainment medium can be provided in a digital or analog form, wherein the entertainment medium is provided e.g. on a CD, as a file of a storage unit of the kitchen machine, or via streaming access. The speed of the cooking process can be increased by video tutorials, for example, and thus the feeling of the user with respects to the cooking process can be improved, in particular if the user is in a hurry.
Thus, an ambience suitable to the respective recipe can be created by the method according to the invention. The ambience can already be created when preparing the foods, e.g. to create a pleasant anticipation of the food, and/or the ambience can be improved by the entertainment medium during the subsequent meal.
Furthermore, it is conceivable in a method according to the invention that the method includes the following step:
Thus, the selection of the recipe can for example be effected via a display device of the kitchen machine and the recipe type can result automatically, in particular based upon tags linked with the recipe. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the selection of the recipe occurs in a random manner from the recipe collection, dependent upon the type of recipe. In this case, the user may select only the recipe type in advance, for example, whereupon the recipe is specified dependent upon the recipe type. A recipe collection can comprise a list of multiple recipes in a database, for example. The recipe data can advantageously include a composition of the foods, a guide for carrying out the cooking steps, or the like. Preferably, at least some recipe data can be provided by the kitchen machine per se. Furthermore, the recipe type can be directly or indirectly linked with the thematic category, wherein e.g. the recipe type can be determined from the thematic category, or the thematic category can be determined from the recipe type, for example. Thus, it is conceivable that the recipe type includes the keyword “Italian”, while the thematic category may include the keyword “Mediterranean” in an abstracted form, so that different thematic categories can fit certain types of recipes. In particular, however, the thematic category and the recipe type can at least partially or completely match. Through the recipe type, the provision of an additional intermediate level for the selection of the entertainment medium, which can permit further assignments within a data structure, is possible. As a result, an improved selection of the entertainment medium can be made possible in regard to the respective situation.
Preferably, in a method according to the invention, the specifying of the recipe can be carried out by selecting the recipe from a recipe collection by a user, or automatically. The recipe collection can, as described above, include a list of a database, wherein meta data and/or actual data of the recipes can be provided in the database. It is thus conceivable that merely the metadata, such as the name and/or keywords of the recipes, are stored, and the actual cooking steps of the recipe are made available only after the selection, e.g. by downloading from the internet. In the automatic selection of the recipe, the recipe type can be determined by the user, for example, and/or the selection can be effected based upon further user input, e.g. information on existing ingredients. By specifying the recipe and the recipe collection, a selection of the entertainment medium, or the assignment of the thematic category, can be facilitated, so that a suitable entertainment medium can be selected in a more targeted manner.
Advantageously, a method according to the invention may further comprise the following steps:
in particular wherein the provision of the entertainment medium occurs through the external entertainment media collection. The access, in particular of the kitchen machine, to the external database, can be effected in a wireless manner, i.e. e.g. optically, via Bluetooth, or WLAN, or in a cable-bound manner. The external database can preferably include a USB storage device, an internet streaming service, a cloud and/or the like. In particular, the external database can be provided on an external server. The external entertainment media collection preferably includes a database of a streaming service, a directory and/or a folder structure of files on a USB memory device or the like. The selection of the entertainment medium can be extended by the external database, in particular independently from the kitchen machine. It is thus conceivable that the user receives access to the entertainment media collection via a subscription service, and/or can upgrade the media collection by additional purchases. Furthermore, it is not necessary, due to the external entertainment media collection, that the entertainment media are provided directly on the kitchen machine, so that a storage unit of the kitchen machine can have a smaller size.
In addition, it is conceivable that the method comprises the following step in a method according to the invention:
in particular, wherein the provision of the entertainment medium occurs through the internal entertainment media collection. The internal entertainment media collection can advantageously be provided directly with the acquisition of the kitchen machine, so that for e.g. at least some music tracks are already present on the kitchen machine. In particular, the selection of the entertainment medium can be effected out of the internal and/or external entertainment media collection. Thus, it is conceivable that some entertainment media are provided through the internal entertainment media collection, and some entertainment media are provided through the external entertainment media collection, so that a broader selection from the internal and external entertainment media collection in combination is possible. It is of advantage in a purely internal entertainment collection that the kitchen machine is not connected to an external database, and thus an internet connection, or an interface with the external database at all is not necessary. Moreover, the internal entertainment media collection can be matched to internal, provided recipes, so that the access to an external database is not necessary. Preferably, the internal and/or the external entertainment media collection can be assigned to a thematic category, in particular so that the assignment of the entertainment medium to be provided results from the assignment of the entertainment media collection to the thematic category.
In the scope of the invention, the method can further include the following step:
in particular wherein the playing of the entertainment medium is carried out by the kitchen machine and/or by an activation of at least one external playing device. If the external playing device is activated, the external playing device can, e.g. receive a signal from the external database and/or from the kitchen machine, which signal activates the external playing device. In particular, multiple external playing devices can be activated. It is thus conceivable that the external playing device is only indirectly connected to the kitchen machine and is completely activated by an external server. Additionally or alternatively, the kitchen machine can also comprise an internal playing device . A playing device in the context of the present invention can preferably include a loudspeaker and/or a display device, via which the entertainment medium is presentable to the user. An internal playing device can comprise, e.g., a display of the kitchen machine and/or a loudspeaker of the kitchen machine. An external playing device can include a mobile telephone, a HiFi system, a television and/or the like. Through the integration of the playing into the method, it is possible that the entertainment medium can be played directly for the user. As a result, the cooking experience can be further automated and the comfort of the user can be improved.
Moreover, the method according to the invention can include the following steps:
in particular, wherein the profile collection is automatically compiled based upon a history of the user or by a selection of the user. The profile collection can include a database, which stores the different entertainment media, or at least comprises metadata for the entertainment media. It is thus conceivable that indications to the entertainment media are present in the database so that these entertainment media can be called up via the references, particularly individually, to be played. At least one or multiple method steps can be repeated on the basis of the profile collection. It is thus conceivable that within the profile collection, multiple entertainment media are provided successively, for example, wherein the profile collection per se can be assigned to a thematic category, or the entertainment media with the profile collection can be selected in dependence upon the thematic category. Under the user history, a user behavior can be understood, in particular which behavior repeats itself. It is thus conceivable that the profile collection is created out of the selections of recipes and/or entertainment media made in the past. The profile collection can in particular be extendable. The cooking experiences can thus be personalized, wherein it can be ensured, through the profile collection, that the entertainment medium provided pleases the user. The profile collection can in particular be assigned to a user profile, and the method can include the following step:
Multiple users of the kitchen machine can thus, for example, create individual profile collections, and/or multiple user profiles with multiple profile collections can be created on a server.
In a method according to the invention, the method can preferably further include the following step:
The transmission interface can advantageously be configured to transmit the profile data to a mobile telephone and/or a server. As a result, it is conceivable e.g. that a user can share their profile collection with other users, so that the other users can also have access to the already previously created profile collection.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a kitchen machine for preparing foods is claimed. The kitchen machine comprises a user interface, by means of which a user input for specifing a recipe is made possible. Moreover, the kitchen machine comprises a control unit which is configured to determine a thematic category assigned to the recipe, wherein the control unit can be brought into a communication connection with a storage unit, so that an entertainment medium can be provided dependent upon the thematic category. The control unit can advantageously include a microprocessor, a CPU and/or an integrated circuit. The entertainment medium is in particular stored in the storage unit so that the entertainment medium can be called up.
A kitchen machine according to the invention thus brings with it the same advantages as have already been described in detail with respect to a method according to the invention. The specifying of the recipe by the user can be advantageously carried out through a direct specifying of the recipe, e.g. through selection via a touchscreen, or an indirect specifying of the recipe via a selection of a recipe type via the user input. The storage unit can preferably include an entertainment media collection. The storage unit can thus comprise a database in which metadata or actual data of different entertainment media are stored. The user interface can preferably be configured optically, mechanically, and/or acoustically. It is thus conceivable that the user interface includes one or multiple operating buttons on the kitchen machine, a gesture recognition, a speech recognition or the like. The communication connection of the control unit with the storage unit can e.g. be provided through a wiring inside the kitchen machine, if the storage unit is an internal storage unit of the kitchen machine. The control unit can accordingly constantly be in communication connection the first storage unit. Moreover, it is conceivable, however, that the kitchen machine can be wirelessly or in a cable-bound manner be brought into communication connection with an external storage unit. To that end, a transmission interface for communication with the control unit and/or the storage unit can preferably be provided, in particular wherein the communication connection is e.g. a LAN, WLAN, Bluetooth, or USB connection.
Within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that the user interface includes a display, in particular wherein a recipe type and/or the recipe can be displayed to the user by the display. As a result, a visual communication can be made possible with the user, for example, wherein the recipe and/or the recipe type can be selectable via the user interface. The user interface can preferably be a touchscreen, which makes possible a comfortable input possibility for the user. A simple, intuitive operation of the kitchen machine can thus be achieved through the user interface, and an abundance of information can simultaneously be made available for the user. The cooking experience as a whole can further be improved as a result.
In a kitchen machine according to the invention, it is moreover conceivable that the control unit is configured allow the user to make a creation of a profile collection via the user interface, wherein the profile collection can be stored in the storage unit or in a further storage unit. The further storage unit can preferably be an internal or an external storage. It is conceivable that a first, internal storage unit is provided in the kitchen machine, and the kitchen machine can be connected to a second, external storage unit. The profile collection can moreover be storable internally and/or externally. In particular, a synchronization can be provided between the first and second storage units, which synchronization matches the data of both storage units. The cooking experience can further be personalized and thus improved as a whole for the user through the profile collection.
It is moreover conceivable that, in a kitchen machine according to the invention, the storage unit comprises an external database and/or an internal storage of the kitchen machine with an internal database. In particular, the external and the internal database can thus form a common database in order to provide the entertainment medium. As a result, the selection of different entertainment media can be increased, while the internal storage can be limited, the external database on a server can, however, be extended at any time. As a result, the selection of the entertainment media which are available can be adaptable, and thusly, the entertainment medium can be selected and provided from current entertainment media.
It is moreover conceivable in a kitchen machine according to the invention, that the control unit is configured to activate an external playing device in such a manner that the entertainment medium can be played by the external playing device. To that end, the control unit, e.g. via a transmission interface of the kitchen machine, can be in communication connection directly with the external playing device, or indirectly via a server. As a result, e.g. a HiFi system can be activatable in the household of the kitchen machine so that a user can enjoy a high sound quality of the HiFi system, while the installation space of the kitchen machine can be minimized and the kitchen machine only requires a small space requirement in the user's kitchen.
It is moreover conceivable within the scope of the invention that an internal playing device is provided which can be activated by the control unit, in such a way that the entertainment medium can be played. The internal playing device can preferably include a loudspeaker on the kitchen machine. An external playing device is thus not necessary, and the user can get the benefit of the entertainment medium via the internal playing device with the purchase of the kitchen machine. Furthermore, the internal playing device can be particularly advantageously tuned to the machine in its compatibility. The improved cooking experience can thus be provided to the user in a simple manner.
In a kitchen machine according to the invention, the control unit can preferably be configured to initiate, in particular carry out, a method according to the invention. Under the initiating of the method, it can be understood to that end that at least a partial working through of the method steps, e.g. by an external server, is triggered by a signal of the kitchen machine. Thus, for example, the selection of the recipe by the user can be sent to the server, which server, based upon the data provided, chooses the entertainment medium. Preferably, control unit is, however, configured to carry out the method in particular inside the kitchen machine. To that end, a corresponding computing capacity can advantageously be made available through the control unit.
According to a further aspect of the invention, an ambience system with a server for providing an external entertainment media collection and a kitchen machine according to the invention is claimed. The kitchen machine here can be brought in communication connection with the server, in particular for access to an external database of the server. Preferably, the kitchen machine comprises a transmission interface to that end, via which the communication connection between the kitchen machine and the external database can be realized. In particular, it can be provided that an external playing device for playing the entertainment medium out of the external and/or an internal entertainment media collection is provided. Here, the player can be in communication connection, or can be brought into communication connection with the kitchen machine or the external database, so that the entertainment medium is, in particular, automatically playable. An ambience system according to the invention thus comes with the same advantages as have already been described in detail with respect to a kitchen machine according to the invention and/or a method according to the invention.
Further measures improving the invention result from the following description of several exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are schematically illustrated in the figures. All features and/or advantages resulting from the claims, the description or the illustrations, including constructive details, spatial arrangements, and method steps, can be essential to the invention in and of themselves, as well as also in the most various combinations. Here, it should be noted that the figures are only of a descriptive character, and are not intended to limit the invention in any form. Shown are in:
In the following figures, the identical reference characters are used for the same technical features, even from different exemplary embodiments.
The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively by means of examples. It goes without saying that individual features of the embodiments, insofar technically reasonable, can freely be combined, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
1 Kitchen machine
2 External player device
3 Server
3.1 External database
4 Transmission interface
5 User interface
5.1 Display
5.2 Input means
6 Control unit
7 Storage unit
8 Internal Memory
8.1 Internal database
9 Internal player device
10 Current recipe type
11 Recipe
12 Recipe collection
20 Thematical category
21 Entertainment medium
22 External entertainment media collection
23 Internal entertainment media collection
30 Data structure
31 Profile collection
40 Ambience system
100 Method
101 Compiling of 31
101.1 Selection by 30
101.2 History
102 Storing of 31
103 Sending of 31
104 Specifying of 11
104.1 Manual selection of 11
105 Determination of 10
105.1 Manual selection of 10
106 Determination of 20
107 Access to 3.1
108 Provision of 22
109 Provision of 23
110 Provision of 21
111 Playing of 21
111.1 Controlling of 2
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2017 126 107.9 | Nov 2017 | DE | national |
