DESC:
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking apparatus. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for cooking with minimal human intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Cooking is preparation of food, most usually with heat or fire. It is an activity unique to humans and archaeological evidence suggests it may have started about a million years ago, while phylogenetic analysis suggests that human ancestors may have invented cooking as far back as 1.8 million to 2.3 million years ago.
[0004] Over its evolution, cooking is now one or several techniques and even many arts, depending upon how it is practiced. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, from grilling food over an open fire to using electric stoves, to baking in various types of ovens, reflecting unique environmental, economic and cultural traditions and trends. The ways or types of cooking also depend on the skill and type of training an individual cook has. Cooking is done both by people in their own dwellings and by professional cooks and chefs in restaurants and other food establishments. While cooking can also include chemical reactions induced at normal temperatures (such as pickling), using heat for cooking remains the most predominant method. In some circumstances cooking is considered even as an art form, and is highly regarded and rewarded as in, for instance, the Michelin awards.
[0005] As cooking has evolved, various tools and devices to assist in cooking have kept pace. These range from the very simple, hand operated knife, grinder etc.to quite sophisticated microprocessor controlled ovens, microwave ovens and the like, and many devices in between such as mixers, grinders, stoves etc. Such devices aim to lessen efforts and time of a cook while he/she prepares a dish. Some devices are specially adapted to assist in cooking the prepared ingredients. These include devices dedicated to particular types of food, such as toaster ovens and electric corn poppers, and devices for controlling cooking temperature, such as electric frying pans and woks and electrically heated, insulated crocks for long, slow simmering
[0006] Despite all these advances, cooking remains a highly judgmental, time-consuming process involving a plurality of steps that defy any automation. .‘Secret recipes’ that cannot be duplicated are present even now. Websites abound that give many recipes, some being touted as ‘simple and easy’ ones. For instance, a supposedly simple ‘ Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs’recipe as found at one such website involves the following steps:
[0007] In a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper and sear until golden, 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken thighs to slow cooker. Whisk together soy sauce, ketchup, honey, garlic, ginger, Sriracha, and lime juice. Pour sauce over chicken and toss to combine. Cover and cook until no longer pink, on low for 6 hours or high for 2 hours. Serve with rice and garnish with coriander.
[0008] As can be seen, even the simpler recipes require several steps and can be highly time consuming. Further, many people may simply not understand the ingredients and techniques described and thereby be content to remain with their ‘tried and tested’ recipes thus losing out on a variety of cooking that can trulybe an adventure besides offering nutritious food. Even a simple dish, such as a boiled egg, if it is to be prepared properly, may require continuous monitoring and actions.
[0009] Further, most of the existing devices are too complicated and big to enable a normal household user make use of them. They make require complex setting up of containers and cleaning thereafter.
[00010] Further, existing devices do not allow for any level of customization to a user’s own taste preferences, neither do they provide for adaptive self-learning.
[00011] Hence, there is a need in the art for an apparatus that enables a person to prepare a variety of recipes even if he/she is not well versed in cooking. Proposed apparatus should require minimal human intervention so that the person can devote himself/herself to alternate tasks, and, at the same time, be highly customizable to the person’s individual tastes.
[00012] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[00013] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[00014] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[00015] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[00016] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[00017] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[00018] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an automatic cooking apparatusthat prepares various dishes automatically.
[00019] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an automatic cooking apparatusthat has a small size with simple installation for ease of cooking in a domestic setup.
[00020] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an automatic cooking apparatusthat is very easy to clean.
[00021] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an automatic cooking apparatusthat enables food to be cooked as per the user’s taste preferences, taking user feedback into account.
[00022] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an automatic cooking apparatusthat enables users to eat healthy since they know all the constituents.
[00023] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an automatic cooking apparatusthat reduces dependence on household helps like maids, cooks and thelike.

SUMMARY
[00024] This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of an automatic cooking apparatus that is further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining/limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[00025] The present disclosure relates to cooking apparatuses. In particular it relates to an apparatus for cooking with minimal human intervention
[00026] In an aspect, present disclosure elaborates upon a cooking apparatus that can include:a processor configured to execute instructions pertaining to a recipe, the instructionscomprising details of ingredients and cooking steps required to be followed for preparing a food item per the recipe; a common tray configured to hold a plurality of cartridges, at least some of the plurality of cartridges being configured to hold the ingredients, wherein each of the plurality of cartridges can be removable from the common tray; anda cooking pan configured to receive, using one or more actuators configured in the cooking apparatus, upon a signal from a user to preparethe food item, the ingredients from the respective cartridges based on a sequence defined in the recipe, and cook the received ingredients based on cooking parameters that form part of therecipe.
[00027] In another aspect, at least one of the plurality of cartridges can be disposable and can be replaced by a second cartridge after it is empty.
[00028] In yet another aspect, at least one of the plurality of cartridges can be configured to hold a spice-based ingredient.
[00029] In an aspect, the signal to prepare thefood itemcan be received from a touch display configured on the apparatus or from a portable computing device operatively coupled with the apparatus or a website operatively coupled with the apparatus.
[00030] In another aspect, an application configured in the portable computing device or the website can enable selection of therecipe item by the user.
[00031] In yet another aspect, the apparatus can be configured to receive feedback after the food item is prepared and evaluated by the user, and can enable customization of the recipe by generating a taste matrix and using adaptive learning.
[00032] In another aspect, the plurality of cartridges can include a first set of cartridges that can contain only spices and ingredients having long shelf-life, and a second set of cartridges that can contain ingredients that are required to be fresh, wherein the first and second set of cartridges can be physically separate.
[00033] In yet another aspect, the apparatus can include a stirrer that can be operatively coupled with the cooking pan and can be configured to stir the one or more ingredients during the cooking process.
[00034] In an aspect, the stirrer can be configured in a bottom-up configuration with respect to the cooking pan.
[00035] In another aspect, the apparatus can include a first weight sensor configured below at least one of the plurality of cartridges, and a second weight sensor configured below thecooking pan, wherein the first weight sensor can sense weight of the at least of one the plurality of cartridges to enable computation of amount of an ingredient released from the at least of one the plurality of cartridges into the cooking pan, and wherein the second weight sensor can enable measurement of concentration of the ingredient in the food item.
[00036] In yet another aspect, the apparatus can include a temperature sensor that can create a heat map to measure the temperature of the food item, the temperature sensor being configured above the cooking pan.
[00037] In an aspect, the apparatus can include a consistency sensor configured to determine thickness/thinness of a gravy being prepared in the apparatus.
[00038] In another aspect, the apparatus can include a camera sensor that can provide a live video stream of the cooking to the user upon request.
[00039] In an aspect, the signal can include time the food item is expected to be ready and the apparatus can execute the instructions accordingly.
[00040] In another aspect, the apparatus can automatically selectthe recipe based upon provision by the user to the apparatus of a list of ingredients and time a food item is required.
[00041] In yet another aspect, the apparatus can detect when a cartridge is not holding ingredient required and can inform the user accordingly, while stopping the cooking till the ingredient is provided.
[00042] In an aspect, the signal can include number of people for which the food item is required, and the apparatus can adjust quantity of the ingredients accordingly.
[00043] In another aspect, the instructions can be received from any or a combination of a memory configured in the apparatus, Internet, and an external device operatively connected to the apparatus.
[00044] In yet another aspect, the recipe can pertain to a one-pot food item.
[00045] In an aspect, the apparatus can provide to the user list of ingredients and their quantity required for preparing the food item and corresponding cartridges in which the ingredients should be provided by the user, and can monitor the provisioning before proceeding with the cooking.
[00046] In another aspect, the apparatus can provide to the user details of preferred suppliers from whom to procure the ingredients.
[00047] In yet another aspect, the apparatus can include a cleansing liquid container which, after the food item is prepared and taken out from the apparatus, can automatically dispense a predetermined amount of the cleansing liquid into the cooking pan so as to clean at least a part of the apparatus.
[00048] In an aspect, the cleansing liquid can be also pumped into at least one of the plurality of cartridges so as to self-clean the at least one of the plurality of cartridges.
[00049] In another aspect, the cleaning can be done at a pre-determined time after completion of cooking, or when manually required by the user.
[00050] Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
[00051] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00052] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[00053] FIG. 1 illustrates architecture of apparatus proposed to illustrate its overall working, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00054] FIG. 2 illustrates functional units/components of apparatus proposed, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00055] FIG. 3 illustrates arrangement of different sensors in the proposed apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00056] FIG. 4 illustrates configuration of ingredients and spice cartridges in the proposed apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00057] FIG. 5 illustrates how cooking instructions can be executed by the proposed apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00058] FIG. 6 illustrates how proposed apparatus can create customized recipes per taste preferences of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00059] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary process flow to illustrate working of the apparatus proposed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00060] FIG. 8 illustrates a method of working of apparatus proposed, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00061] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary computer system 900 in which or with which embodiments of the present invention may be utilized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00062] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[00063] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[00064] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human operators.
[00065] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) toperform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[00066] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[00067] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[00068] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[00069] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[00070] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[00071] Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks (e.g., a computer-program product) may be stored in a machine-readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary tasks.
[00072] Systems used in proposed apparatus depicted in some of the figures may be provided in various configurations. In some embodiments, the systems may be configured as a distributed system where one or more components of the system are distributed across one or more networks in a cloud computing system.
[00073] In exemplary implementation, computing devices used in proposed apparatus may be any of a variety of types of computing device, including without limitation, a desktop computer system, a data entry terminal, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a handheld personal data assistant, a smartphone, a body-worn computing device incorporated into clothing, a computing device integrated into a vehicle (e.g., a car, a bicycle, etc.), a server, a cluster of servers, a server farm, etc.
[00074] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[00075] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[00076] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[00077] The present disclosure relates to cooking apparatuses. In particular it relates to an apparatus for cooking with minimal human intervention.
[00078] In an aspect, present disclosure elaborates upon a cooking apparatus that can include:a processor configured to execute instructions pertaining to a recipe, the instructions comprising details of ingredients and cooking steps required to be followed for preparing a food item per the recipe; a common tray configured to hold a plurality of cartridges, at least some of the plurality of cartridges being configured to hold the ingredients, wherein each of the plurality of cartridges can be removable from the common tray; anda cooking pan configured to receive, using one or more actuators configured in the cooking apparatus, upon a signal from a user to prepare the food item, the ingredients from the respective cartridges based on a sequence defined in the recipe, and cook the received ingredients based on cooking parameters that form part of the recipe.
[00079] In another aspect, at least one of the plurality of cartridges can be disposable and can be replaced by a second cartridge after it is empty.
[00080] In yet another aspect, at least one of the plurality of cartridges can be configured to hold a spice-based ingredient.
[00081] In an aspect, the signal to prepare the food item can be received from a touch display configured on the apparatus or from a portable computing device operatively coupled with the apparatus or a website operatively coupled with the apparatus.
[00082] In another aspect, an application configured in the portable computing device or the website can enable selection of the recipe by the user.
[00083] In yet another aspect, the apparatus can be configured to receive feedback after the food item is prepared and evaluated by the user, and can enable customization of the recipe by generating a taste matrix and using adaptive learning.
[00084] In another aspect, the plurality of cartridges can include a first set of cartridges that can contain only spices and ingredients having long shelf-life, and a second set of cartridges that can contain ingredients that are required to be fresh, wherein the first and second set of cartridges can be physically separate.
[00085] In yet another aspect, the apparatus can include a stirrer that can be operatively coupled with the cooking pan and can be configured to stir the one or more ingredients during the cooking process.
[00086] In an aspect, the stirrer can be configured in a bottom-up configuration with respect to the cooking pan.
[00087] In another aspect, the apparatus can include a first weight sensor configured below at least one of the plurality of cartridges, and a second weight sensor configured below the cooking pan, wherein the first weight sensor can sense weight of the at least of one the plurality of cartridges to enable computation of amount of an ingredient released from the at least of one the plurality of cartridges into the cooking pan, and wherein the second weight sensor can enable measurement of concentration of the ingredient in the food item.
[00088] In yet another aspect, the apparatus can include a temperature sensor that can create a heat map to measure the temperature of the food item, the temperature sensor being configured above the cooking pan.
[00089] In an aspect, the apparatus can include a consistency sensor configured to determine thickness/thinness of a gravy being prepared in the apparatus.
[00090] In another aspect, the apparatus can include a camera sensor that can provide a live video stream of the cooking to the user upon request.
[00091] In an aspect, the signal can include time the food item is expected to be ready and the apparatus can execute the instructions accordingly.
[00092] In another aspect, the apparatus can automatically select the recipe based upon provision by the user to the apparatus of a list of ingredients and time a food item is required.
[00093] In yet another aspect, the apparatus can detect when a cartridge is not holding ingredient required and can inform the user accordingly, while stopping the cooking till the ingredient is provided.
[00094] In an aspect, the signal can include number of people for which the food item is required, and the apparatus can adjust quantity of the ingredients accordingly.
[00095] In another aspect, the instructions can be received from any or a combination of a memory configured in the apparatus, Internet, and an external device operatively connected to the apparatus.
[00096] In yet another aspect, the recipe can pertain to a one-pot food item.
[00097] In an aspect, the apparatus can provide to the user list of ingredients and their quantity required for preparing the food item and corresponding cartridges in which the ingredients should be provided by the user, and can monitor the provisioning before proceeding with the cooking.
[00098] In another aspect, the apparatus can provide to the user details of preferred suppliers from whom to procure the ingredients.
[00099] In yet another aspect, the apparatus can include a cleansing liquid container which, after the food item is prepared and taken out from the apparatus, can automatically dispense a predetermined amount of the cleansing liquid into the cooking pan so as to clean at least a part of the apparatus.
[000100] In an aspect, the cleansing liquid can be also pumped into at least one of the plurality of cartridges so as to self-clean the at least one of the plurality of cartridges.
[000101] In another aspect, the cleaning can be done at a pre-determined time after completion of cooking, or when manually required by the user.
[000102] FIG. 1 illustrates architecture of apparatus proposed to illustrate its overall working, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[000103] In an aspect, present disclosure elaborates upon an apparatus 100 that enables autonomous cooking of food via novel techniques.In an exemplary embodiment being elaborated herein the apparatus 100 can cook one-pot dishes (dish interchangeably termed as a food item herein)without any supervision or monitoring, based upon recipe of same selected by a user. One-pot dishes are basically dishes that can be cooked in a pan or a pot and do not involve any element of frying, baking, and roasting in the cooking process. One-pot dishes consist of Indian and Asian curries, Noodle and Rice bowls, Pasta dishes, Soups and a host of other similar recipes. It can readily be understood however, that by appropriate configurations of various components of the proposed apparatus (for instance cooking pan being elaborated further) other food items involving frying and baking etc. may also be prepared.
[000104] In another aspect, the proposed apparatus 100 can have various cartridges to hold and dispense various ingredientsincluding condiments into a cooking pan. Cooking can be done in the cooking pan as per cooking instructions (interchangeably termed as instructions herein) of the recipe selected by the user, as elaborated further. For the purpose, microcontrollers, sensors, motors, heaters,valves, dispensers etc. can be provided at various places in the apparatus as elaborated further. A built-in stirrer inside the cooking pan can keep stirring continuously the food being cooked, so as to enable uniform cooking.In an aspect, the stirrer can be configured in bottom of the cooking pan so that the user has a clear view of food being cooked. The cooking pan can be heated as required, as per the cooking instructions.
[000105] In yet another aspect, the proposed apparatus can have a plurality of cartridges and associated microcontrollers, valves, motors, sensors etc. as elaborated further.
[000106] In an exemplary embodiment, apparatus 100 can be operatively configured with a mobile application (also interchangeably referred to as app hereinafter) that can be downloaded and installed on a User Mobile Device illustrated as UMD 102. Using the application on the UMD 102, a user 104 can select a recipe he/she wants to prepare a food item for. The mobile application/UMD 102 can be ‘paired’ with theapparatus using means known in the art such as nearfield communication(for instance, Bluetooth or NFC), LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, Internet etc. In another exemplary embodiment, proposed apparatus can have a website that the user can visit and select the recipe. The user can send a signal using the mobile application of the website to apparatus 100 based upon which the apparatus can execute instructions pertaining to the recipe as elaborated further, and accordingly prepare corresponding food item.
[000107] While selecting the recipe, the user can also be asked to indicate time he/she wants the corresponding food item to be ready. In case the user selects an inappropriate time (for instance, too soon or too late) proposed apparatus can advise the user appropriately. The user can also provide additional information such as number of people who will be partaking the dish/ food item. All this can form part of selected recipe information shown as 106 that the proposed apparatus can receive from the user. In an exemplary embodiment, information 106 can be sent using the user mobile device 102 to the proposed apparatus 100.
[000108] In another aspect, once the user has finalized the recipe including quantity of people etc. that he wants the food item for, proposed apparatus 100 can execute instructions pertaining to the recipe, the instructions comprising details of ingredients and cooking steps required to be followed for preparing a food item per the recipe. The instructions can be received from any or a combination of a memory configured in the apparatus, Internet, and an external device operatively connected to the proposed apparatus.
[000109] The instructions can be in machine language and can enable the apparatus to determine how the various ingredients, spices and condiments etc. are to be dispensed and processed to prepare dish/food item as per the recipe. The instructions may be executed by an on-board microprocessor that may be configured in the apparatus itself. For instance, the instructions can indicate, to the apparatus, time at which an ingredient is to be added, it is to be boiled using boiling water for how long, how much salt thereafter has to be added, etc.
[000110] Thereafter, apparatus 100 can provide ingredients information 108 on display of UMD 102. Ingredients information 108 can include weight/volume/quantity of each ingredient to be provided. The ingredients may include various vegetables, water, oil etc. as required for a dish. As illustrated at 110, user 104 can provide these ingredients in specified/ pre-determined containers/cartridges configured in the proposed apparatus, as elaborated further.
[000111] In an exemplary embodiment, mobile application of the proposed apparatus may provide to the user 104 details of preferred suppliersof ingredients required, and enable the user 104 to procure the ingredients using well-known e-commerce methods. Or the user 104 may already have the ingredients/procure them from othersuppliers.
[000112] In an exemplary embodiment, proposed apparatus may operate in a reverse fashion. That is, on a user interface the user may specify the ingredients he readily has, along with time he wants the cooked food to be ready (say in 20 minutes) when the proposed apparatuscan suggest appropriate recipes to the user. The user may select one of them when the proposed apparatus may proceed further as described above with the list of ingredients etc.
[000113] Thereafter, the user 104 can load the required ingredients in specified cartridges (interchangeably termed as containers herein) andjust tap ‘cook’ (or any equivalent ‘call to action’ button on user interface of the mobile application operatively configured to work with the proposed apparatus to provide an appropriate signal to the apparatus. Accordingly, UMD 102 can send a ‘cook’ command 112 to the proposed apparatus.
[000114] Upon receiving the cook command/signal, the proposed apparatus 100 can proceed to preparing the food item per recipe selected by user104. For the purpose, apparatus 100 can execute the instructions thereby operating various dispensers, motors, valves etc. as elaborated further so that the dish/food item is ready at time set by the user in cooking pan of the proposed apparatus.
[000115] In another alternate embodiment, memory of the proposed apparatus can be configuredto store a plurality of recipes relating to one or more food dishes, said memory comprising instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of the proposed apparatus, can enable the proposed apparatus/cooking device to identify/understand which dish/food item has been selected by the user and then retrieve, through a plurality of pre-configured cartridges, the ingredients required to make the dish, and mix/cook the received ingredients at configurations defined in the instructions such as temperature, time, cooking intensity, among other parameters Such instructions can also indicate the sequence in which the ingredients need to be retrieved/received by the apparatus, and time at which each ingredient is to be received. In case a defined ingredient is not received for some reason, for instance that the container/cartridge containing the ingredient is empty, the proposed apparatus can display a message on the application configured on the portable mobile device asking the user to fill up the respective container.
[000116] In a simple exemplary embodiment, the user may want a hard- boiled egg at 6PM when he returns from office. For this simple recipe, the list of ingredients can be only an egg, to be placed in the cooking pan itself, and a literof water to be placed in the appropriate cartridge. After doing so, the user can press the ‘ON’ button on the mobile application. The apparatus can detect that there is a food item per a recipepending and can automatically shift into a ‘stand-by mode’. The cooking instructions can indicate that the egg has to be boiled for 20 minutes. Accordingly, at appropriate time (say 5:30PM), the cooking instructions can be executed. The water cartridge of the apparatus can pour required quantity of water in the cooking pan. Thereafter, water therein can be boiled for 20 minutes, and then the apparatus can be switched off/revert to standby mode. When the user returns from office at 6 PM, he/she can find the hard-boiled egg ready for him.
[000117] While the above is a simple example, in a similar manner instructions pertaining to recipes of various dishes can be executed. Ingredients as required can be provided to appropriate cartridges. Ingredients can be processed/ chopped/blended etc. as required and finally discharged into the cooking pan as per appropriate times. Spices and condiments can further be added in quantity and at time required. Contents of the cooking pan can be held at one or different temperatures as required. A stirrer can be mounted in the cooking pan itself (at its top or at its bottom) so as to stir contents herein. Appropriate cooking times and temperatures such as intervals, boil, simmer etc. can all be part of the cooking instructions. In another embodiment, the stirrer may be mounted in the bottom of the cooking pan so as to provide an unhindered view of cooking as it happens in the cooking pan.
[000118] In an aspect, at a pre-determined time after completion of cooking, or manually when required by the user, proposed apparatus can run a self-cleaning cycle in which the cooking pan as well as the cartridges previously holding the ingredients can get thoroughly cleaned.
[000119] In an aspect, proposed apparatus 100 can allow the user 104 to customize taste and other relevant parameters of a recipe so that it is prepared according to his/her diet and taste preferences. The user can change amount of spices being dispensed, firmness/hardness of item (such as vegetables and meat) being cooked, adjust the consistency (thickness) of gravy etc.For the purpose, at end of a cooking cycle the proposed apparatus can receive feedback from the user (for example, via a form on the user’s mobile device or even within a display on the apparatus itself). The feedback can include instructions for future recipes. For instance, if the user found a dish made according to an existing recipe too bland he can ask for more spice to be put in the future.
[000120] Based upon such feedback, proposed apparatus canprepare/generate a taste matrix/ profile of the user. This matrix can then be applied to any recipe to generate a customized recipe per user’s taste preferences.
[000121] In another exemplary embodiment, typically for most recipes start of the cooking requires dispensing of appropriate amount of water/oil in the cooking pan. Cooking instructions for the recipe can accordingly enable valves of the appropriate cartridges to be opened till the right amount of water/oil has been discharged into the cooking pan, such amount being measured by sensors that can be configured in the corresponding cartridges and can provide appropriate inputs to the on-board microprocessor so that right cooking parameters can be maintained.
[000122] In yet another exemplary embodiment, another recipe may require water to be boiled and then diced vegetable (say 100 grams of cabbage) be put into the cooking pan and two minutes thereafter 4 grams of salt. Appropriate ingredient cartridges may be containing the cabbage and the water already. As cooking starts, cooking instructions may enable water to be boiled in the pan. Sensor in the cooking pan may communicate to the on-board processor when water comes to boil. At that time, the cabbage cartridge may start dicing the cabbage and push out/dispense the diced cabbage into the pan beneath that is holding the boiling water. Sensors (either in the pan or in the cabbage cartridge) may determine when 100 grams of cabbage has been discharged and communicate this information to the on-board microprocessor that may accordingly stop further dicing and pushing out of the cabbage. In an exemplary embodiment, the user may have anyway kept only about 100 grams of cabbage only in the cabbage cartridge, as per cooking instructions and so, in this manner, wastage can be minimal. After two minutes of boiling the diced cabbage, the salt cartridge can discharge 4 grams of salt in the cooking pan.In an alternate exemplary embodiment, pre-diced cabbage can be put into an ingredient cartridge and at appropriate time it may be dispensed into the pan beneath that is holding the boiling water.
[000123] FIG. 2 illustrates functional units of apparatus proposed, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[000124] In an aspect, apparatus 100 proposed may include one or more processor(s) 202. The one or more processor(s) 202 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) 202 are configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory 204 of the apparatus 100. The memory 204 may store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network service. The memory 204 may include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[000125] In another aspect, apparatus 100 may also include an interface(s) 206. The interface(s) 206 may include a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, and the like. The interface(s) 206 may facilitate communication of the apparatus 100 with various devices coupled to the apparatus 100. The interface(s) 206 may also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the apparatus 100. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, processing engine(s) 208 and data 220 (that can be in form of a database aswell).
[000126] The processing engine(s) 208 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing engine(s) 208. In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the processing engine(s) 208 may be processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing engine(s) 208 may include a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the processing engine(s) 208. In such examples, the apparatus 100 may include the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to apparatus 100 and the processing resource. In other examples, the processing engine(s) 208 may be implemented by electronic circuitry.
[000127] The data 220 may include data that is either stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the components of the processing engine(s) 208.
[000128] In an aspect, the engine(s) 208 may include a selected recipe information receive unit 210, a cooking instructions execution unit 212, an ingredients provisioning unit 214, a feedback and customization unit 216 and a cleaning unit 218 that may implement functionalities to enable applications or functions performed by the apparatus 100 or the processing engine(s) 208.It would be appreciated that these are only exemplary units and any other unit or sub-unit can be included as part of the proposed apparatus. These units too can be merged or divided into super-units or sub-units as may be configured and can be spread across one or more computing devices operatively connected to each other using appropriate communication technologies
Selected Recipe Information Receive Unit 210
[000129] In an aspect, unit 210 can receive from the user information regarding therecipe selected by the user for which the user wants to prepare a food item. As already elaborated, recipe information can also include number of people for whom the selected dish/food item is to be made, time it is expected to be ready etc.
[000130] As elaborated, the proposed apparatus can be operatively configured with a mobile application. The application can provide on the user’s mobile device (UMD) the recipespresently offered by the apparatus and thereafter enable the user to select one of them. Different classifications such as vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Indian, continental etc. can be provided to facilitate the selection.
[000131] In yet another aspect, unit 210 can receive from the user suggested ingredients (that can be, for instance, the ingredients the user has readily available) and suggest a recipe accordingly.
[000132] In an aspect, unit 210 can automatically select the recipe based upon provision by the user to proposed apparatus of a list of ingredients and time a food item is required.
[000133] In an exemplary embodiment, unit 210 can be any device, such as a receiver with an electronic circuitry for receiving data from appropriately configured devices (such as mobile device of the user) and processing it onwards. Unit 210 can include one or more processors dedicatedly used to perform functionalities of unit 210 as elaborated above.
Cooking Instructions Execution Unit 212
[000134] In an aspect, unit 212 can execute instructions (interchangeably termed as cooking instructions herein) pertaining to a recipe, the instructions comprising details of ingredients and cooking steps required to be followed for preparing a food item per the recipe.
[000135] In an aspect, unit 212 can enable, upon a signal from a user to prepare the food item, operation of one or more actuators configured in the proposed cooking apparatus to provide the ingredients from cartridges held in a common tray to a cooking pan configured to receive the ingredients. Further, unit 212 can provide the ingredients based on a sequence defined in the recipe, and can enable cooking of the received ingredients in the cooking pan based on cooking parameters that can form part of the recipe.
[000136] In another aspect, a plurality of the cartridges can be held in the common tray and at least some of the plurality of cartridges can be configured to hold the ingredients. Each of the plurality of cartridges can be removable from the common tray.
[000137] In yet another aspect, the instructions can be received from any or a combination of a memory configured in the proposed apparatus, Internet, and an external device operatively connected to the proposed apparatus.
[000138] In an exemplary embodiment, unit 212 can receive selected recipe information from unit 210 and thereafter can receive instructions pertaining to the selected recipe as above and thereafter execute them.
[000139] In an exemplary embodiment, unit 212 can receive such cooking instructions from data 220 (that can be stored in a memory configured in said apparatus), based upon selected recipe information provided by unit 210.
[000140] The instructions can be in the form of machine language instructions indicating requirement of various ingredients (such as grains, spices, condiments etc.), cartridges where they are to be stored and how they are to be dispensed and processed to prepare food itemper the recipe selected. For instance, the cooking instructions can indicate at what time an ingredient is to be added, it is to be boiled using boiling water for how long, how much salt thereafter has to be added etc. etc.
[000141] In another aspect, the cooking instructions can be executed by unit 212 to generate control signals for various microcontrollers, heaters, motors, valves etc. in order to prepare the dish as per its recipe. For the purpose, unit 212 can also receive inputs from various sensors etc. as well.
[000142] The cooking instructions can be passed to the microcontrollers etc. as required by different means. In an exemplary embodiment, unit 212 can receive such instructions the Internet/cloud and can accordingly enable operation of different components of proposed apparatus, the apparatus being Internet enabled. In another aspect, unit 212 can be configured within the apparatus itself and cooking instructions can be directly passed onto microcontrollers etc. in the apparatus using a microprocessor in unit 212. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the cooking instructions can be downloaded by the user on a storage device (for instance a USB) and can be inserted into an appropriate port provided on the apparatus and further executed by an on-board microprocessorin the proposed apparatus. All such means, and any other ones by which cooking instructions can be provided to operate various microcontrollers, motors, valves etc. in the apparatus are fully a part of the present disclosure.
[000143] In an exemplary embodiment, a cooking instruction may require half liter of water to be put in the cooking pan and then brought to a boil. Unit 212 can process this instruction and accordingly enable dispensing of one liter of water from the water cartridge configured in the proposed apparatus. Sensors operatively connected to the cooking pan/ water cartridge may confirm to unit 212 when half liter of water has been received in the cooking pan and valve configured in water cartridge may stop dispensing water thereafter. A temperature sensor configured in the cooking pan (that may be an infra-red contact less sensor) can advise unit 212 present temperature of the water. Unit 212 can enable switching on of a heater beneath the water pan and bring the water to boil, that may be indicated by a temperature of 100 Degrees Centigrade as determined by the temperature sensor. Thereafter, unit 212 can put the heater at low power so that the water simmers.
[000144] In a similar manner unit 212 can execute various cooking instructions to enable operation of various micro-controllers, switches, heaters, ingredient dispensers, spice dispensers, motors, valves etc. configured in the apparatus according to them.
[000145] In an aspect, unit 212 may pass information regarding ingredients required to an ingredients provisioning unit 214 as under and, upon receipt of signal from unit 214 that ingredients have been loaded into respective cartridges, proceed further with the cooking instructions. In an exemplary embodiment, unit 212 may manually provide a ‘start cooking’ button on the mobile app that the user can press after the ingredients have been loaded in the apparatus and the apparatus can proceed with further execution of the cooking instructions.
[000146] In an exemplary aspect, unit 212 can include one or more processors dedicatedly used to perform functionalities of unit 212 as elaborated above.
Ingredients Provisioning Unit214
[000147] In an aspect, unit 214 can provide to the user a list of ingredients required for preparing the dish selected by the user as above. The list can be extracted from the cooking instructions and can include ingredients such as cabbage, potato, tomatoes, cheese, fish, meat and the like that are required for the selected dish, along with quantity ( for instance, weight) of each. The list can also provide labels of cartridges in which each ingredient is to be put/loaded. For instance, onions to be chopped may be put into a cartridge configured for chopping and labelled accordingly. Another cartridge may be configured for mixing and labelled accordingly. Relevant ingredients may be loaded in the same.
[000148] In another exemplary embodiment, proposed apparatus may require partially processedingredients, for example chopped onions and the cartridges etc. may be labeled accordingly. Or, instead of labels, containers may be provided with numbers and the ingredient list may specify the numbers instead.All these modifications and embodiments are fully a part of the present disclosure.
[000149] In another aspect, unit 214 can monitor as ingredients are loaded into various cartridges and ensure proper quantity as required is loaded. Thereafter unit 214 can convey appropriate signals to unit 212 so that the cooking instructions may proceed further.
[000150] In an exemplary embodiment, unit 214 can enable audible alarms when a cartridge has received weight/volume/number of ingredient as required by the cooking instruction. Appropriate sensors may be configured in the cartridges for the purpose. In this manner, overloading of the cartridges can be avoided and correct loading can be monitored..
[000151] In an exemplary aspect, unit 214 can include one or more processors dedicatedly used to perform functionalities of unit 214 as elaborated above.
Feedback and Customization Unit 216
[000152] In an aspect, unit 216 can enable a use to give feedback on a dish/food item prepared by the proposed apparatus and thereby customize the recipe of the dish to his/her taste preferences.
[000153] For instance, the user may find a dish cooked by the proposed apparatus too hot (having too much chilly, that is). Unit 216 may enable a user interface on user mobile device 102 using which the user can lower the amount of chilly in the dish, so as to generate a customized recipe that the proposed apparatus can use in the future.
[000154] Over time, based upon different feedbacks of the user, unit 216 can develop a taste profile/matrix of the user, as compared to its standard recipes. For instance, the taste matrix may indicate lower chilly by 25 % and increase consistency by 10 %. Unit 216 may use this taste matrix over a standard recipe selected by the user to create corresponding customized recipes as per taste of the user.
[000155] In an exemplary aspect, unit 216 can include one or more processors dedicatedly used to perform functionalities of unit 216 as elaborated above.
Cleaning Unit 218
[000156] In an aspect, at a pre-determined time after completion of cooking, or manually when required by the user, unit 218 can run a self-cleaning cycle in which the cooking pan as well as the cartridges previously holding the ingredients can get thoroughly cleaned.
[000157] In an aspect, the self-cleaning cycle can include putting a pre-determined amount of cleaning liquid (that can be dispensed from an appropriate container configured in the proposed apparatus) into the cooking pan that can be heated. At the same time, the stirrer in the cooking pan can vigorously agitate the cleaning liquid present and in this manner facilitate cleaning of the cooking pan after a cooking cycle.
[000158] In another aspect, during a cleaning cycle the cleaning liquid can also be pumped through various ingredient cartridges thereby cleaning them. Dispensing/ processing mechanisms (such as a chopper) inside a cartridge can be used to agitate the cleaning liquid. Thereafter the cleaning liquid can be discharged into the cooking pan and disposed from there.
[000159] In an aspect, unit 218 can enable operation of a cleansing liquid container which, after the food item is prepared and taken out from said apparatus, can automatically dispense a predetermined amount of the cleansing liquid into the cooking pan so as to clean at least a part of proposed apparatus. Unit 218 can as well enable pumping of the cleansing liquid into at least one of the plurality of cartridges so as to self-clean the at least one of said plurality of cartridges. The cleaning can be done at a pre-determined time after completion of cooking, or when manually required by said user.
[000160] In an exemplary aspect, unit 218 can include one or more processors dedicatedly used to perform functionalities of unit 218 as elaborated above.
[000161] Although the proposed apparatus has been elaborated as above to include all the main units, it is completely possible that actual implementations may include only a part of the proposed units or a combination of those or a division of those into sub-units in various combinations across multiple devices that can be operatively coupled with each other, including in the cloud. Further the units can be configured in any sequence to achieve objectives elaborated. Also, it can be appreciated that proposed apparatus can be configured in a computing device or across a plurality of computing devices operatively connected with each other, wherein the computing devices can be any of a computer, a laptop, a smartphone, an Internet enabled mobile device and the like. Therefore, all possible modifications, implementations and embodiments of where and how the proposed apparatus is configured are well within the scope of the present invention.
[000162] FIG. 3 illustrates arrangement of different sensors in the proposed apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[000163] In an aspect, the proposed apparatus can have a variety of sensors to enable its correct operation. The sensors can monitor various parameters of a dish as it is being cooked and ensure that they are according to thecooking instructions so that dish finally prepared is per its recipe. In an exemplary embodiment, the various parameters can be temperature of food, weight of ingredients and concentration/consistency of the gravy of food cooked.
[000164] In an aspect, proposed apparatus can have an IR temperature sensor. Sensor 302 can enable measurement of temperature of food being cooked in cooking pan 308 in a contact less manner and provide areal-time measurement of the temperature to the proposed apparatus/its on-board processor. Sensor 302 can ensure correct cooking temperature at all times as its input can be used to modulate power to heating mechanism that provides heat to cooking pan 308.
[000165] Sensor 302 can create a heat map to measure precisely temperature of the food item being cooked by providing appropriate inputs for the same to processor(s) 202 that can store corresponding set of instructions. In an exemplary embodiment, sensor 302 can be configured above the cooking pan 308.
[000166] In another aspect, a camera sensor 304 can be placed above cooking pan 308. Camera sensor 304 can provide a live video stream of the food being cooked to the user when requested.
[000167] In yet another aspect, a weight sensor 310 can be configured below the cooking pan 308 as shown so as to provide real-time feedback of the weight of the food present inside to the proposed apparatus/on-board processor. In a similar manner, weight sensors can also be configured to sense weight of contents being dispensed from ingredient cartridges (including spices) so as to ensure that right contents are discharged into the cooking pan at the right time. When the correct amount of a particular ingredient or a particular spice has been dispensed, corresponding dispensing mechanisms (such as motors, valves, pistons etc.) canbe stopped.
[000168] In an aspect, a consistency sensor 310 as illustrated can provide information on how thin or thick the gravy of a dish is. If required, more amount of water can be dispensed in the cooking pan 308, or it canbe lessened by evaporating the water present in the cooking pan 308 by providing more heat to it. In an exemplary embodiment, sensor 310 can enable automatic dispensing of water or heat as required to achieve consistency of gravy as required.
[000169] As already elaborated, all data being gathered by various sensors such as those elaborated above can be sent to the on-board processorof proposed apparatus thereby enabling it to execute the various cooking instructions and thereby prepare a dish according to the cooking instructions selected.
[000170] The onboard microprocessor in the apparatus can control the various microcontrollers, motors etc. based upon various inputs it can receive from sensors as above and thereby execute the cooking instructions to prepare the recipe selected. Dish as per recipe can be cooked in the cooking pan 308.
[000171] FIG. 4 illustrates configuration of ingredients cartridges in the proposed apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[000172] In an exemplary embodiment, various ingredients (including spices) can be provided as per cooking instructions to cooking pan of the proposed apparatus as described hereunder.
[000173] In an aspect, the proposed apparatus can have cartridges shown as 402a, 402 b…etc. Cartridges 402 can have different labels/ numbers to identify them. Each cartridge can be configured for specific purposes and for dispensing ingredients within to a cooking pan (such as cooking pan 308 illustrated in FIG.3)
[000174] For instance, one cartridge can be for chopping (or can hold and dispense chopped ingredients such as onions, cheese cubes etc.) while another can be for grinding ingredients put in them (or can hold and dispense ground ingredients such as thickening starch). Still other cartridge can be for whisking and yet another for warming/thawing a frozen ingredient.A cartridge can hold water while yet another can hold cooking oil.Yet another can hold sugar.
[000175] It can be appreciated that these are exemplary embodiments and a plurality of cartridges can be likewise configured. The cartridges can do the processing of ingredients within as per the cooking instructions and thereafter dischargeappropriate quantity of their contents (per the cooking instructions) into the cooking pan (for e.g. cooking pan 308 as shown in FIG. 3) that can be configured beneath them.
[000176] In an aspect, ingredients to be held in these cartridges can be vegetables or meat.
[000177] In an exemplary embodiment, cartridges can as well hold spices/condiments that can use a carousel as described herein.
[000178] As can be readily appreciated, the cartridges can as well contain partially processed ingredients. For instance, chopped onions can straightaway be provided to a cartridge. In such an embodiment, the cooking instructions for different recipes maybe altered accordingly. Besides, cartridges can be replaced as required, or many cartridges can be of the same type. For example, if a recipe requires chopped onions as well as parsley, two such cartridges can be put in the apparatus one for chopped onions and another for chopped parsley. All such combinations are fully a part of the present disclosure.
[000179] In another aspect, the apparatus can have a spicing mechanism as well inorder to provide spices/condiments to the cooking pan/ dish being cooked therein as required. In an exemplary embodiment, the spicing mechanism can constitute a carousel/tray shown as 404, tray 404 holding different replaceable cartridges 406a, 406b, 406c…etc, each cartridge containing a spice/condiment.Tray 404 can have sensors to determine quantity of spices/condiments present in the cartridges as well as that discharged. The carousel 404 can be configured to discharge required quantity of spices at appropriate time into the cooking pan 308 as per the cooking instructions. One or more cartridges 406 can be configured to hold spices/condiments as required. Sensors in tray 404 can also raise an alert when a corresponding cartridge is nearing an empty state. The alert can be displayed on the user mobile device (such as 102) in FIG.1, or can be displayed on the apparatus itself thereby enabling the userto replace empty cartridges. Such sensors can be configured within the cartridges 406 themselves
[000180] In an exemplary embodiment, the spice carousel 404 can contain six different spice cartridgesper a pre-defined configuration. Each spice cartridge can have a piston mechanism driven by a motor configured in the corresponding slot of tray 404. Each revolution of the motor may displace the piston to dispense a pre-determined spice amount from a nozzle configured in the cartridge into the cooking pan 308 below. The motors may be rotated by as many revolutions as required by the cooking instructions to dispense required amount of spices into the cooking pan 308.
[000181] In an aspect, a cartridge 406 or a cartridge 402 can be replaced without disturbing/replacing the other cartridges. In an exemplary embodiment, spice in a cartridge can last for a pre-determined meal numbers (say 25) after which the cartridge may need to be replaced. Cartridges can be of single use disposable type.
[000182] In yet another aspect, the cooking pan 308 can be configured to receive contents of various cartridges of weight/volume as required and further process the mixture as per the cooking instructions. Further, the cooking pan 308 can be heated as per the cooking instructions. A stirrer in the cooking pan can be used to stir the contents as per the cooking instructions.
[000183] In an exemplary embodiment, while the spice carousel 404 can be held above the cooking pan 308 so as to easily dispense spices into the cooking pan 308 as and when required, the ingredient cartridges 402 can be held circumferentially around the cooking pan 308 so as to easily dispense the larger quantity of ingredients when required in cooking pan.
[000184] FIG. 5 illustrates how cooking instructions can be executed by the proposed apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[000185] As elaborated above, proposed apparatus relies upon various sensors and processing the data generated by them in order to execute various cooking instructions. In order that it can accurately execute various cooking instructions irrespective of local parameters such as regional geographies and climates itcan be configured to measure, amongst others, parameters of contents of the cooking pan such as temperature, weight, consistency and visual feedback.
[000186] A typical cooking instruction (in human readable language) can be, for example:
Cook 400 grams tomatoes at 85 degrees Celsius for 12 minutes
[000187] It can be appreciated that for tomatoes /any other vegetable etc. to be cooked properly, it is important that irrespective of location and season, this instruction be followed rigorously.
[000188] Various sensors embedded in proposed apparatus can measure various parameters and thereby provide real-time feedback of cooking as it is happening to the proposed apparatus/onboard processor within. The processor can take this data and run it through appropriate control algorithms to generate action signals in accordance with cooking instructions such as, for example, change temperature in the cooking pan, dispense ingredients in the cooking pan, control speed of dispensing etc.to bring these values as close as possible to that required by the cooking instructions by using a feedback control circuit as described hereunder. Various controllers, motors, valves, heaters etc.can receive these action signals and act accordingly.
[000189] As illustrated in FIG. 5, proposed apparatus can determine a desired output response (based upon the cooking instructions, for example, a desired temperature in the cooking pan ) as shown at 502 and provide the same to a comparison engine 514 that can also receive a feedback output 512 as described hereunder. The difference or actuating error shown as 516 can be passed to a processor running an appropriate control algorithm based upon which the processor 504 can activate an actuator 506 that can generate an actual output response 508 (for instance, the actual temperature in the cooking pan). Sensor 510 can detect /measure response 508 and provide a feedback output 512. This feedback output 512 can be compared with desired output response 502 at comparison engine 514 to generate error 516, in this manner providing real-time feedback.
[000190] In a similar manner, cooking instructions of different recipes can be handled. Control algorithms present inside the apparatus/its on-board processor can process incoming sensor data and send output to various actuators. Such algorithms can be developed using multiple iterations and also take into current location/climatic conditions and historical experimental data to give the requiredoutput.
[000191] In an aspect, proposed apparatus can enable a user to provide feedback on a food item cooked (using, for instance, a mobile application configured on a user mobile device operatively connected to the proposed apparatus). Based upon such feedback, proposed apparatus can generate a taste matrix of the user and accordingly customize various recipes per taste profile of the user by adjusting /varying various cooking instructions pertaining to a recipe. In this manner, proposed apparatus can use adaptive learning and taste matrix to customize various recipes for a user and likewise, for a plurality of users.
[000192] FIG. 6 illustrates how proposed apparatus can create customized recipes per taste preferences of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[000193] In an aspect, proposed apparatus allows a user to customize relevant parameters of a recipe so that it is prepared according to his/her taste preferences. The user can change amount of spices being dispensed, firmness/hardness of item (such as vegetables and meat) being cooked, adjust the consistency (thickness) of gravy etc.
[000194] For the purpose, at end of a cooking cycle the proposed apparatus can receive feedback from the user (for example, via a form on the user’s mobile device or even within a display on the proposed apparatus itself). The feedback can include instructions for future recipes. For instance, if theuser found a dish made according to an existing recipe too bland he can ask for more spice to be put in the future.
[000195] Based upon such feedback, proposed apparatus canprepare a taste matrix/profile of the user. This matrix can then be applied to any recipe to generate a customized recipe which caters to the particular user’s taste preferences.
[000196] As can be appreciated, quality of taste matrix/profile of a user keeps on improving as he/she generates more and more feedback.
[000197] As illustrated in FIG. 6, user feedback 602 can be provided to taste learning algorithm 604 that can be configured in the proposed apparatus. Accordingly, a user taste matrix 606 can be generated. Anytime a user selects a dish with a standard recipe 608, taste matrix 606 can be applied on standard recipe 608 to create a customized recipe 610 that can then form part of the user recipe data engine 612. Dishes created from the user recipe data engine 612 can then be used in a similar manner as above to provide user feedback 614 to taste learning algorithm 604. In this manner, as the user provides more feedback, taste matrix 606 can be continuously improved to provide more and more tasty dishes to a user as per the user’s taste preferences, thereby providing for adaptive learning.
[000198] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary process flow to illustrate working of theapparatus proposed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[000199] As illustrated at 702 a user can select/choose a recipe. The recipe can be selected using a mobile application (app) that can be downloaded on the user’s mobile device.
[000200] The proposed apparatus can advise the ingredients required to the user for preparing a food item per the selected recipe by displaying them on the user’s mobile device. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated at 704, proposed apparatus can also enable the user to order the ingredients from a ‘preferred’ grocery partner (that may have, for example, entered into an appropriate agreement for the purpose withthe administrators of the proposed apparatus).
[000201] As illustrated at 706, proposed apparatus can enable the user to load the ingredients into various cartridges as elaborated above. Each ingredient can go into its designated cartridge that can be identified by means of their numbers/labels that can be provided to the user along with the list of ingredients.
[000202] In an exemplary embodiment, proposed apparatus can enable audible alarms when a cartridge has received weight/volume/number of ingredient as required by the cooking instruction. Appropriate sensors may be configured in the cartridges for thepurpose.Inthis manner, overloading of the cartridges can be avoided.
[000203] Once the cartridges have been loaded, the user may be provided a ‘call to action’button on his/her mobile device, as illustrated at 708. For instance, the user may be provided a button ‘cook’ on his mobile device. When the user presses this button, appropriate signal can be provided to the proposed apparatus to start executing the cooking instructions. As already elaborated, system proposed can execute the cooking instructions as pertime schedule set by the user, or can start executing them immediately.
[000204] As described above, proposed apparatus can cook the ingredients in the cooking pan using microcontrollers, actuators, motors, sensors, valves etc. that can be operated according to the cooking instructions.
[000205] After the cooking instructions have been executed ( that is ,the ingredients have been cooked as per them, with spices/condiments added as per the cooking instructions, proposed apparatus can display an appropriate message on the user’s mobile device as illustrated at 710 that the food item is ready.
[000206] FIG. 8 illustrates a method of working of apparatus proposed, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[000207] In an aspect, the proposed method can be described in general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, units, functions, etc., that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The method can also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, computer executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices.
[000208] The order in which the method as described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However, for ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method may be considered to be implemented in the above described system.
[000209] In an aspect, the method of preparing a food item can include, at step 802, receiving, at the apparatus, information regarding a recipeselected by a user, and at step 804, retrieving, at the apparatus, instructions pertaining to the recipe, the instructions comprising details of ingredients and cooking steps required to be followed for preparing the food item per the recipe.
[000210] The method can further include, at step 806, passing, from the apparatus to the user list of ingredients required for the food item and enabling the user to load the ingredients into the apparatus, and at step 808, cooking the ingredients using the apparatus basis the instructions.
[000211] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary computer system 900 in which or with which embodiments of the present invention may be utilized.
[000212] In an aspect, proposed apparatus can include computer system 900, or be operatively connected to the computer system 900 to enable itsvarious feature and operation. As described above, embodiments of the present disclosure include various steps, which have been described above. A variety of these steps may be performed by hardware components or may be tangibly embodied on a computer-readable storage medium in the form of machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with instructions to perform these steps. Alternatively, the steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.
[000213] As shown in the figure, computer system 900 includes an external storage device 910, a bus 920, a main memory 930, a read only memory 940, a mass storage device 950, communication port 960, and a processor 970. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system 900 may include more than one processor and communication ports. Examples of processor 970 include, but are not limited to, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2 processor(s), or AMD® Opteron® or Athlon MP® processor(s), Motorola® lines of processors, FortiSOC™ system on a chip processors or other future processors. Processor 970 may include various units associated with embodiments of the present invention.
[000214] Communication port 960 can be any of an RS-232 port for use with a modem based dialup connection, a 10/100 Ethernet port, a Gigabit or 10 Gigabit port using copper or fiber, a serial port, a parallel port, or other existing or future ports. Communication port 960 may be chosen depending on a network, such a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or any network to which computer system 900 connects.
[000215] Memory 930 can be Random Access Memory (RAM), or any other dynamic storage device commonly known in the art. Read only memory 940 can be any static storage device(s) e.g., but not limited to, a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) chips for storing static information e.g., start-up or BIOS instructions for processor 970. SANs and VSANs may also be deployed.
[000216] Mass storage 950 may be any current or future mass storage solution, which can be used to store information and/or instructions. Exemplary mass storage solutions include, but are not limited to, Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk drives or solid-state drives (internal or external, e.g., having Universal Serial Bus (USB) and/or Firewire interfaces), e.g. those available from Seagate (e.g., the Seagate Barracuda 7200 family) or Hitachi (e.g., the Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000), one or more optical discs, Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) storage, e.g. an array of disks (e.g., SATA arrays), available from various vendors including Dot Hill Systems Corp., LaCie, Nexsan Technologies, Inc. and Enhance Technology, Inc.
[000217] Bus 920 communicatively couples processor(s) 970 with the other memory, storage and communication blocks. Bus 920 can be, e.g. a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) / PCI Extended (PCI-X) bus, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), USB or the like, for connecting expansion cards, drives and other subsystems as well as other buses, such a front side bus (FSB), which connects processor 970 to software system. Optionally, operator and administrative interfaces, e.g. a display, keyboard, and a cursor control device, may also be coupled to bus 920 to support direct operator interaction with computer system 900. Other operator and administrative interfaces can be provided through network connections connected through communication port 960.
[000218] External storage device 910 can be any kind of external hard-drives, floppy drives, IOMEGA® Zip Drives, Compact Disc - Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disc - Re-Writable (CD-RW), Digital Video Disk - Read Only Memory (DVD-ROM). Components described above are meant only to exemplify various possibilities. In no way should the aforementioned exemplary computer system limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[000219] While some embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, those are completely exemplary in nature. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as elaborated herein only and it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. All such modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents are completely within the scope of the present disclosure. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[000220] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[000221] The present disclosure provides for an automatic cooking apparatus that prepares various dishes automatically.
[000222] The present disclosure provides for an automatic cooking apparatusthat has a small size with simple installation for ease of cooking in a domestic setup.
[000223] The present disclosure provides for an automatic cooking apparatusthat is very easy to clean.
[000224] The present disclosure provides for an automatic cooking apparatusthat enables food to be cooked as per the user’s taste preferences, taking user feedback into account.
[000225] The present disclosure provides for an automatic cooking apparatusthat enables users to eat healthy since they know all the constituents.
[000226] The present disclosure provides for an automatic cooking apparatusthat reduces dependence on household helps like maids, cooks and the like.
,CLAIMS:
1. A cooking apparatus comprising:
a processor configured to execute instructions pertaining to a recipe, said instructions comprising details of ingredients and cooking steps required to be followed for preparing a food item per said recipe;
a common tray configured to hold a plurality of cartridges, at least some of said plurality of cartridges being configured to hold said ingredients, wherein each of said plurality of cartridges are removable from said common tray; and
a cooking pan configured to receive, using one or more actuators configured in said cooking apparatus, upon a signal from a user to prepare said food item, said ingredients from said respective cartridges based on a sequence defined in said recipe, and cook said received ingredients based on cooking parameters that form part of said recipe.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of cartridges is disposable and is replaced by a second cartridge after it is empty.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of cartridges is configured to hold a spice-based ingredient.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said signal to prepare said food item is received from a touch display configured on said apparatus or from a portable computing device operatively coupled with said apparatus or a website operatively coupled with said apparatus.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein an application configured in said portable computing device or said website enables selection of said recipe item by the user.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is configured to receive feedback after said food item is prepared and evaluated by the user, and enable customization of said recipe by generating a taste matrix and using adaptive learning..
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of cartridges comprise a first set of cartridges that contain only spices and ingredients having long shelf-life, and a second set of cartridges that contain ingredients that are required to be fresh, wherein said first and second set of cartridges are physically separate.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a stirrer that is operatively coupled with said cooking pan and configured to stir said one or more ingredients during the cooking process.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said stirrer is configured in a bottom-up configuration with respect to the cooking pan.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a first weight sensor configured below at least one of said plurality of cartridges, and a second weight sensor configured below said cooking pan, wherein the first weight sensor senses weight of said at least of one said plurality of cartridges to enable computation of amount of an ingredient that is released from said at least of one said plurality of cartridges into the cooking pan, and wherein the second weight sensor enables measurement of concentration of said ingredient in said food item.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a temperature sensor that creates a heat map to measure the temperature of said food item, said temperature sensor being configured above said cooking pan.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a consistency sensor configured to determine thickness/thinness of a gravy being prepared in said apparatus.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a camera sensor that provides a live video stream of said cooking to said user upon request.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said signal comprises time said food item is expected to be ready and wherein said apparatus executes said instructions accordingly.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus automatically selects said recipe based upon provision by said user to said apparatus of a list of ingredients and time a food item is required.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus detects when a cartridge is not holding ingredient required and informs said user accordingly, while stopping the cooking till said ingredient is provided.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said signal comprises number of people for which said food item is required, and wherein said apparatus adjusts quantity of said ingredients accordingly.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said instructions are received from any or a combination of a memory configured in said apparatus, Internet, and an external device operatively connected to said apparatus.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said recipe pertains to a one-pot food item.
20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus provides to said user list of ingredients and their quantity required for preparing said food item and corresponding cartridges in which said ingredients should be provided by said user, and monitors said provisioning before proceeding with said cooking.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said apparatus provides to said user details of preferred suppliers from whom to procure said ingredients.
22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a cleansing liquid container which, after said food item is prepared and taken out from said apparatus, automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of said cleansing liquid into said cooking pan so as to clean at least a part of said apparatus.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said cleansing liquid is also pumped into at least one of said plurality of cartridges so as to self-clean said at least one of said plurality of cartridges.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 and claim 23, wherein said cleaning is done at a pre-determined time after completion of cooking, or when manually required by said user.