Patent Application
20190251202
This application claims the priority benefit of China application serial no. 201810144630.4, filed on Feb. 12, 2018. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.
The disclosure relates to a smart analysis technique, and in particular, to a smart recipe recommendation apparatus, a method thereof, and an automatic cooking apparatus.
In recent years, food safety problems have occurred frequently. Many people will now consider cooking at home so that they can monitor food ingredients and flavoring additives. A housewife can generally handle ten to twenty dishes by heart, but may need to refer to recipes provided by other people to complete other dishes. Moreover, as more and more exotic food restaurants are available, people become readier to accept exotic foods and are willing to taste them at home. Domestic dishes themselves may total well over thousands of types, and foreign dishes are even innumerable. Ordinary people can hardly handle all dishes according to several cookbooks, and it is even harder to find a recipe that matches preferences or requirements at the moment.
On the other hand, recipes usually describe required ingredients, amounts, and handling procedures for each dish. However, chances are that people may not be able to obtain certain ingredients at the moment, or the purchased ingredients may not be those prescribed in the recipe, so that the dish cannot be completed, or the cooked result is inconsistent with the recipe.
The embodiments of the invention provide a smart recipe recommendation apparatus, a method thereof, and an automatic cooking apparatus that integrate big data and update recipe variants in real time according to the latest external information to allow people to easily obtain a recipe that matches preferences at the moment.
The smart recipe recommendation method according to an embodiment of the invention includes the following steps. Recipe variants in recipes are updated in real time, wherein the recipe variants are related to adjustable content of each of the recipes. A search indicator is obtained, wherein the search indicator is related to preferences for the recipes. The recipes are screened and sorted according to the search indicator. Screened and sorted results of recipes are provided.
In an embodiment of the invention, updating the recipe variants in the recipes in real time includes the following step. Content of the recipes is updated according to external information. The external information is related to the recipe variants. The recipe variants include at least one ingredient variant. Each ingredient variant includes one or a combination of a place of origin of an ingredient, seasonality, a purchase price, quality, and a carbon footprint. The content of each of the recipes includes ingredient parameters and a cooking procedure.
In an embodiment of the invention, the ingredient variant is recorded in an ingredient variable database, and updating the content of the recipes according to the external information includes the following step. Data in the ingredient variable database is updated any time according to the external information.
In an embodiment of the invention, screening and sorting the recipes according to the search indicator includes the following step. Whether the search indicator is an unquantifiable variable is sequentially determined. If the search indicator is the unquantifiable variable, recipes that do not match the search indicator are excluded.
In an embodiment of the invention, after whether the search indicator is the unquantifiable variable is determined, the method further includes the following step.
If the search indicator is not the unquantifiable variable, a weight corresponding to the search indicator is obtained.
In an embodiment of the invention, after whether the search indicator is the unquantifiable variable is determined, the method further includes the following steps. Degrees of match of the recipes are calculated according to the weight corresponding to the search indicator to obtain match scores of the recipes. The recipes are sorted according to the match scores of the recipes.
In an embodiment of the invention, the weight corresponding to the search indicator is equal, is prioritized, or is defined through an input operation.
In an embodiment of the invention, obtaining the search indicator includes the following steps. A current location and a current time are obtained. The ingredient parameters in the recipes are screened according to the current location and the current time.
In an embodiment of the invention, after the screened and sorted results of the recipes are provided, the method further includes the following steps. A post-search indicator is obtained, wherein the post-search indicator is related to preferences for the recipes. The recipes in the screened and sorted results are screened and sorted according to the post-search indicator. Screened and sorted results of recipes are provided.
In an embodiment of the invention, before the at least one search indicator is obtained, the method further includes the following steps. A user interface including input options for the search indicator is provided. An input operation corresponding to the search indicator performed on the user interface is received.
The smart recipe recommendation apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a storage device and a processor coupled to the storage device. The storage device records recipes. The processor updates recipe variants in the recipes in real time, obtains a search indicator, screens and sorts the recipes according to the search indicator, and provides screened and sorted results of the recipes. The recipe variants are related to adjustable content of each of the recipes, and the search indicator is related to preferences for the recipes.
In an embodiment of the invention, the smart recipe recommendation apparatus further includes a communication transceiver coupled to the processor. The communication transceiver receives external information. The external information is related to the recipe variants. The recipe variants include ingredient variants. Each of the ingredient variants includes one or a combination of a place of origin of an ingredient, seasonality, a purchase price, quality, and a carbon footprint. The processor updates content of the recipes according to the external information. The content of each of the recipes includes ingredient parameters and a cooking procedure.
In an embodiment of the invention, the storage device includes an ingredient variable database recording the ingredient variants. The processor updates data in the ingredient variable database any time according to the external information obtained via the communication transceiver.
In an embodiment of the invention, the processor sequentially determines whether the search indicator is an unquantifiable variable. If the search indicator is the unquantifiable variable, the processor excludes recipes that do not match the search indicator.
In an embodiment of the invention, the storage device further records a weight corresponding to the search indicator. If the search indicator is not the unquantifiable variable, the processor obtains the weight corresponding to the search indicator.
In an embodiment of the invention, the processor calculates degrees of match of the recipes according to the weight corresponding to the search indicator to obtain match scores of the recipes and sorts the recipes according to the match scores of the recipes.
In an embodiment of the invention, the weight corresponding to the search indicator is equal, is prioritized, or is defined through an input operation.
In an embodiment of the invention, the processor obtains a current location and a current time and screens the ingredient parameters in the recipes according to the current location and the current time.
In an embodiment of the invention, the processor obtains a post-search indicator, screens and sorts the recipes in the screened and sorted results according to the post-search indicator, and provides screened and sorted results of the recipes. The post-search indicator is related to preferences for the recipes.
In an embodiment of the invention, the smart recipe recommendation apparatus further includes a display and an input device coupled to the processor. The display displays a user interface including input options for the search indicator. The input device receives an input operation corresponding to the search indicator performed on the user interface.
The automatic cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes automatic cooking appliances, a storage device, and a processor. The automatic cooking appliances perform cooking operations through mechanical components of the automatic cooking appliances. The storage device records recipes. The processor is coupled to the automatic cooking appliances and the storage device. The processor updates recipe variants in the recipes in real time, obtains a search indicator, screens and sorts the recipes according to the search indicator, provides screened and sorted results of the recipes, obtains a decided content on the recipes in the screened and sorted results, and performs the cooking operations through the automatic cooking appliances according to the decided content. The recipe variants are related to adjustable content of each of the recipes, and the search indicator is related to preferences for the recipes.
Accordingly, in the smart recipe recommendation apparatus, the method thereof, and the automatic cooking apparatus of the embodiments of the invention, the ingredient variable database is updated with the latest external information in real time to adaptively adjust the ingredient parameters (e.g., the ingredient names, amounts, shapes, components, etc.) and the cooking procedure in the recipe, so that the user can obtain the best recipe content any time upon inquiry and successfully complete the cooking. Moreover, as a large number of recipes are available, the embodiments of the invention further provide better screened and sorted results according to the user's preferences for the user to choose from. On the other hand, the automatic cooking apparatus is operated with the automatic cooking appliances to avoid human errors and is especially suitable for modern people who are too busy to cook.
To provide a further understanding of the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the disclosure, exemplary embodiments, together with the reference drawings, are described in detail below.
The display 110 may be a display panel of various display types, such as LCD and LED. The input device 120 may be a device, such as a mouse, a touch panel, a keyboard, and a button, capable of receiving a user input operation.
The storage device 130 may be a fixed or movable random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk drive, solid-state drive of any form or a similar device and is configured to record information, data, and files of various types including applications, an ingredient variable database 131, recipes 133 from various countries, parameters corresponding to recipes, weights corresponding to search indicators, match scores, etc. The stored contents and their applications will be described in the embodiments below.
The communication transceiver 150 may be a transceiver supporting communication technologies such as 3G/4G mobile communication, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and optical fiber networks and is configured to receive or transmit data via the Internet or internal networks.
The processor 160 is coupled to the display 110, the input device 120, the storage device 130, and the communication transceiver 150, and the processor 160 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a programmable microprocessor for general or specific purposes, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable controller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), another similar device, or a combination of the devices above. In the present embodiment, the processor 160 is configured to execute all operations of the smart recipe recommendation apparatus 100.
It is noted that the electronic components of the present embodiment are formed in an integral device. However, in other embodiments, the electronic components may be separately formed on several devices, and information is transmitted via corresponding communication transceivers. For example, the display 110 and the input device 120 may be provided in a smartphone, and the processor 160 and the storage device 130 may be provided in a server.
To facilitate comprehension of operation procedures of the invention, multiple embodiments are described in detail below. In the description below, a method of the present embodiment is described with reference to the components in
The processor 160 updates recipe variants in the recipes 133 recorded in the storage device 150 in real time (step S210). Referring to
On the other hand, ingredient parameters (including ingredient names, amounts, shapes, affecting components, ingredient preparation time, etc.) and a cooking procedure (i.e., cooking steps) may need to be adjusted due to changes in the updated ingredient variants (e.g., adding the amount by 20%, putting the ingredient after boiling water instead, etc.). Therefore, the processor 160 further updates the content (i.e., the ingredient parameters and the cooking procedure) of the recipes 133 or even provides options of alternative ingredients according to the obtained external information. In addition, the processor 160 also obtains a current location and a current time and screens the ingredient parameters in the recipes 133 according to the current location and the current time to exclude food ingredients that do not match in terms of the season, the place of origin, etc. Accordingly, the most suitable recipe content can be provided after comprehensive consideration.
Next, the processor 160 displays a user interface via the display 110. The user interface includes input options (e.g., columns, lists, and menus) for search indicators. The search indicator is related to a user's preferences for the recipes 133 (e.g., low-calorie, fast, Italian, etc.). It is noted that parameter content of the recipes 133 may include dish names, dish series, dish classification, ingredient names, dish portions, dish calories, cooking difficulties, ingredient preparation time, cooking time, nutritional information, cooking methods, cooking appliances, textures, flavors, etc. The user interface may directly provide options of corresponding content as reference for inputting the search indicator, or provide blank fields open for input or even commands of specific rules, which are not limited in the embodiments of the invention. On the other hand, the processor 160 simultaneously receives an input operation or command corresponding to the search indicator inputted by the user on the user interface via the input device 120, such that the processor 160 obtains the inputted search indicator (step S220).
Then, the processor 160 can screen and sort the recipes according to the search indicator (step S230). Referring to
Next, the processor 160 determines whether there is still any search indicator for which the unquantifiable variable determination has not been performed (step S440). If affirmative, returning to step S410. If negative (namely, the determination of step S410 has been performed for all of the inputted search indicators), the processor 160 calculates degrees of match (or referred to as relevance) of the recipes 133 with the search indicator according to the weights corresponding to the search indicators (e.g., a degree of match between a weight of portion and the dish portion in the recipes 133, a degree of match between a weight of time and the cooking time in the recipes 133, etc.) to obtain match scores of each of the recipes 133 (for example, by adding the degrees of match between each of the parameter contents and the corresponding weights in each of the recipes 133) (step S450) and sort the recipes 133 according to the match scores of the recipes 133. For example, the processor 160 sorts the match scores in a descending order, or merely obtains three highest match scores. Then, the processor 160 provides screened and sorted results of the recipes 133 (step S240). For example, the screened and sorted results are presented by the display 110. After the input device 120 receives the user's selection operation on a specific recipe 133 in the screened and sorted results, the processor 160 displays detailed content of the selected recipe 133 via the display 110.
It is noted that if there are excessive screened and sorted results or the user suddenly thinks of an additional search indicator, the processor 160 may further obtain a post-search indicator via the input device 120. The post-search indicator represents preferences for the recipes 133 in a next round. Based on the procedure of
On the other hand, people generally prepare two to three courses for a meal, and it may be necessary to prepare five courses or more during festivities. A total number of the food ingredients may well be more than ten for each meal, and it is inconvenient for people to write down the ingredient names. Accordingly, the processor 160 may receive selection operations (e.g., selecting or dragging to a storage list) on the recipes in the screened and sorted results of the first round, the second round, or even further rounds via the input device 120, and generate a shopping list including the ingredient names according to the ingredient names in the recipes corresponding to the selection operations. The shopping list may include the ingredient names, current prices, amounts, sizes, weights, etc., and part of the information may be obtained by consulting relevant web pages or servers via the communication transceiver 150. In addition, the processor 160 may further obtain information including web page links, prices, and price comparisons for the ingredient names on shopping websites via the communication transceiver 150 and present contents of the shopping list along with shopping web pages via the display 110 for people to directly purchase food ingredients online.
The embodiments of the invention further provide an automatic cooking apparatus to assist people who are not good at cooking or are too busy to cook. Referring to
Reference may be made to descriptions of
After step S240 of
In summary of the above, in the smart recipe recommendation apparatus, the method thereof, and the automatic cooking apparatus of the embodiments of the invention, the ingredient variable database is updated with the latest external information in real time to adaptively adjust the ingredient parameters (e.g., the ingredient names, amounts, shapes, components, etc.) and the cooking procedure (steps) in the recipe, so that the user can obtain the best recipe content any time he/she consults the recipe and successfully complete the cooking without selecting food ingredients of undesirable conditions (e.g., food ingredients that are not in season or are expensive). Moreover, as a large number of recipes are available, the embodiments of the invention further provide better screened and sorted results according to the user's preferences. In other words, the user can obtain suitable recommended recipes after inputting several key conditions. On the other hand, the automatic cooking apparatus is operated with the automatic cooking appliances to avoid human errors and save time and is especially suitable for people who are too busy to cook or not good at cooking.
Although the invention is disclosed as the embodiments above, the embodiments are not meant to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art may make slight modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the invention shall be defined by the claims attached below.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201810144630.4 | Feb 2018 | CN | national |
