Electronic Cooking Assistant

{
  "publication_number": "US2017195542A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Electronic Cooking Assistant",
  "abstract": "In one embodiment, an apparatus, method, and system for acquiring at least one image inside a cooking device including a housing having a front surface, back surface, and an interior; at least one attachment element removably coupled to the back surface of the housing, the attachment element configured to secure the housing to an external surface of the cooking device; a camera positioned at least partially within the interior of the housing, the camera configured to acquire the at least one image; and a controller configured to manage i) acquisition of the at least one image acquired by the camera and ii) transmission of the at least one image to a remote electronic device.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An apparatus for acquiring at least one image inside a cooking device, comprising: a housing having a front surface, back surface, and an interior; at least one attachment element removably coupled to the back surface of the housing, the attachment element configured to secure the housing to an external surface of the cooking device; a camera positioned at least partially within the interior of the housing, the camera configured to acquire the at least one image; and a controller configured to manage i) acquisition of the at least one image acquired by the camera and ii) transmission of the at least one image to a remote electronic device.",
    "2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooking device is an oven, and wherein the external surface of the cooking device comprises a window of the oven.",
    "3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises: a camera opening configured to receive the camera; and a data port configured to receive and transmit data.",
    "4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store the at least one image.",
    "5. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a plurality of cameras wherein each of the plurality of cameras is designed to view different locations inside the cooking device.",
    "6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of cameras is electronically controlled by the remote electronic device.",
    "7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of cameras is manually positionable.",
    "8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one display configured to present cooking data.",
    "9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cooking data includes at least temperature data, pressure data, instructional data, and the at least one image.",
    "10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one display is configured to display an alert or notification.",
    "11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor configured to detect a location pressure.",
    "12. An apparatus for acquiring at least one image inside a cooking device, comprising: a housing having a front surface, back surface and a receiver opening configured to receive a portable electronic device including at least one camera; at least one attachment element removably coupled to the back surface of the housing, the attachment element configured to secure the housing to an external surface of the cooking device; and a controller configured to manage i) acquisition of at least one image acquired by the at least one camera and ii) transmission of the at least one image to a remote electronic device.",
    "13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cooking device is an oven, and wherein the external surface of the cooking device comprises a window of the oven.",
    "14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the attachment element is at least one suction element.",
    "15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising at least one display configured to present cooking data.",
    "16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cooking data includes at least temperature data, pressure data, instructional data, and the at least one image.",
    "17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a pressure sensor configured to detect a location pressure.",
    "18. A method for monitoring an item being cooked within a cooking device, comprising: capturing, by an image capturing device mounted to an external surface of the cooking device, at least one image of the item being cooked within the cooking device; saving the at least one image to a memory; and transmitting the at least one image, by a controller, to a remote electronic device.",
    "19. The method of claim 18, wherein the image capturing device includes at least one camera.",
    "20. The method of claim 19, wherein the capturing further comprises electronically adjusting the camera via the portable electronic device.",
    "21. The method of claim 20, wherein the capturing further comprises obtaining images from multiple angles within the cooking device.",
    "22. The method of claim 18, further comprising: locating a reference device on the at least one image; determining a temperature of the item being cooked based on the reference device; and determining if the item being cooked is overcooked based on the determined temperature.",
    "23. The method of claim 18, wherein the reference device is a temperature sensing device.",
    "24. The method of claim 23, further comprising determining a temperature of the item being cooked based on the reference device.",
    "25. The method of claim 18, further comprising: determining a predefined cooking time; and transmitting an audio alert when the predefined cooking time is complete.",
    "26. The method of claim 18, further comprising displaying cooking data on a display of the image capturing device, wherein the cooking data includes at least temperature data.",
    "27. A method for capturing at least one image of at least one item in a cooking device, comprising: coupling a portable electronic device to a device holding apparatus, the portable electronic device having a camera to acquire at least one image; capturing, by the camera, the at least one image of the at least one item being cooked in the cooking device; and storing the captured images.",
    "28. The method of claim 27, further comprising determining a pressure in the vicinity of the cooking device.",
    "29. The method of claim 27, further comprising determining a temperature of the item being cooked based upon the at least one image of a temperature sensing device."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Cooking provides a way for cooks (e.g. chefs) to prepare healthy foods in a creative way. As a chef, cooking puts you in control of what yourself and others are able to eat. Cooking provides a way for those with dietary restrictions to cook foods that are safe for them to eat. In today's busy society, cooking provides a way for family to get together and socialize with one another. Socializing with family stabilizes family relationships, builds bonds between family members, and allows time to unwind with each other after a long day of school or work. Items such a pottery and shrink art can be cooked to make arts and crafts. Arts and crafts can help promote a creative lifestyle. While technology, such as ovens, mixers and the like, are gradually becoming infused with more technology, ordinary users are often without the benefit of technology in their cooking endeavors. Sometime technology can assist with better or more efficient cooking results. Technology is today also a means to a social connection with others. Regardless, today, technology does not readily assist ordinary users with cooking and socializing about cooking. Thus, there is need to facilitate cooking though use of technology that can allow for not only better cooking results but also socializing with respect to cooking.\n\nAn electronic cooking assistant and cooking methods are described herein that use technology to assist in monitoring, controlling and/or socializing with respect to cooking. An electronic cooking assistant may have a camera to capture images or video of items inside or on a cooking device.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04W 4/21",
    "A23L 5/10",
    "A23V 2002/00",
    "A47J 36/321",
    "F16B 47/00",
    "G03B 17/561",
    "G08B 21/24",
    "G08B 3/10",
    "H04N 2005/2255",
    "H04N 23/51",
    "H04N 23/54",
    "H04N 23/555",
    "H04N 23/62",
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    "H04N 5/2252",
    "H04N 5/2253",
    "H04N 5/23203",
    "H04N 5/23216",
    "H04N 5/23293",
    "H04N 5/247",
    "H04N 5/907",
    "H04W 4/206"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A23L 5/10",
    "F16B 47/00",
    "G03B 17/56",
    "G08B 21/24",
    "G08B 3/10",
    "H04N 23/90",
    "H04N 5/907",
    "H04W 4/21"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "THOMAS C DOUGLASS",
    "YEUNG ADRIENNE"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "THOMAS C DOUGLASS",
    "YEUNG ADRIENNE"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-12-29",
  "publication_date": "2017-07-06",
  "priority_date": "2015-12-31",
  "application_number": "US-201615393707-A",
  "family_id": "59235143",
  "citations": [
    "US2008016944A1",
    "US2012133645A1",
    "US2013222672A1",
    "US2014240125A1",
    "US2015330640A1"
  ]
}