Microwave processing systems and methods

• US 20100187224A1
• Filed: 10/14/2009
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Jung, Edward K.Y., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,927,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/720
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2206/045 Microwave disinfection, sterilization, destruction of waste...
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6447 Method of operation or details of the microwave heating apparatus related to the use of detectors or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6455 the sensors being infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/688 for thawing
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/705 using microwave tuning

Abstract

Generally and not exclusively, a method for controlling a process condition of at least one item within a microwave chamber may include receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber, applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber, remotely monitoring a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber at least one of simultaneously with or following the applying of the one or more microwave energy beams, and estimating the process condition for microwaving the at least one item in the microwave chamber based at least partially on the monitoring of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

Claims

1. A method of estimating a process condition of at least one item within a microwave chamber, comprising:

receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber;

applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber;

remotely monitoring a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber at least one of simultaneously with or following the applying of the one or more microwave energy beams; and

estimating the process condition for microwaving the at least one item in the microwave chamber based at least partially on the monitoring of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for at least one item of food or drink in the microwave chamber.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber from at least one of a package, a label, or an RFID tag associated with the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

scanning the microwave chamber using at least one of the one or more microwave energy beams to detect the one or more initial values of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

monitoring at least one of a microwave or IR emission.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

receiving an input from a user of the microwave chamber indicative of the one or more initial values of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

monitoring a mass of at least a portion of the item.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

monitoring a geometry of at least a portion of the item.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

at least one of intermittently, continuously, or periodically applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber in accordance with a predetermined application schedule.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

dynamically adjustably applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

dynamically adjustably applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber at least partially in response to remotely monitoring a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber at least one of simultaneously with or following the applying of the one or more microwave energy beams.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber based at least partially on a user-specified input.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber after receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein remotely monitoring a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber at least one of simultaneously with or following the applying of the one or more microwave energy beams comprises:

remotely monitoring a spatial variation of a spectral emission of the at least one item in the microwave chamber to infer the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein remotely monitoring a spatial variation of a spectral emission of the at least one item in the microwave chamber to infer the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties comprises:

remotely monitoring a spatial variation of a spectral emission at one or more microwave or infrared wavelengths.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein remotely monitoring a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber at least one of simultaneously with or following the applying of the one or more microwave energy beams comprises:

applying probe radiation and monitoring at least one of an absorption or a scattering of the probe radiation by the at least one item in the microwave chamber to infer the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein applying probe radiation and monitoring at least one of an absorption or a scattering of the probe radiation by the at least one item in the microwave chamber to infer the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties comprises:

applying at least one of electromagnetic probe radiation or ultrasonic probe radiation.

19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein applying probe radiation and monitoring at least one of an absorption or a scattering of the probe radiation by the at least one item in the microwave chamber to infer the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties comprises:

transmitting ultrasonic probe radiation to the at least one item through a base contacting the at least one item or through a gaseous space at least partially surrounding the at least one item.

20. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein applying probe radiation and monitoring at least one of an absorption or a scattering of the probe radiation by the at least one item in the microwave chamber to infer the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties comprises:

applying a spectrally varying probe radiation and spectrally monitoring at least one of an absorption or a scattering of the probe radiation by the at least one item.

21. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein remotely monitoring a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber at least one of simultaneously with or following the applying of the one or more microwave energy beams comprises:

remotely monitoring spatial variation of a response of the at least one item in the microwave chamber to the applying of the one or more microwave energy beams to infer the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties.

22. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein estimating the process condition for microwaving the at least one item in the microwave chamber based at least partially on the monitoring of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

at least one of extrapolating or interpolating the process condition based at least partially on the remotely monitoring a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

23. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein estimating the process condition for microwaving the at least one item in the microwave chamber based at least partially on the monitoring of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

performing a table lookup of the process condition based at least partially on the remotely monitoring a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

24. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises a first item and a second item in the microwave chamber, and wherein estimating the process condition for microwaving the at least one item in the microwave chamber based at least partially on the monitoring of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

estimating a first finishing time for microwaving the first item in the microwave chamber; and

estimating a second finishing time for microwaving the second item in the microwave chamber.

25. The method as recited in claim 24, further comprising:

dynamically adjusting at least one of the one or more microwave energy beams so that the first finishing time and the second finishing time are approximately equal.

26. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of detecting or identifying the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

27. The method as recited in claim 26, wherein at least one of detecting or identifying the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

scanning the microwave chamber using at least one of the one or more microwave energy beams.

28. The method as recited in claim 26, wherein at least one of detecting or identifying the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

imaging the item in the microwave chamber using at least one digital imaging device.

29. The method as recited in claim 26, wherein at least one of detecting or identifying the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

receiving a signal from at least one of a packaging or a labeling associated with the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

30. The method as recited in claim 26, wherein at least one of detecting or identifying the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

recognizing the at least one item in the chamber using at least one of the one or more microwave energy beams.

31. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

providing an indication of the estimated process condition of the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

32. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

ceasing the application of the one or more microwave energy beams at a time correlated with an estimated finishing time.

33. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises a first item and a second item in the microwave chamber, and wherein the method further comprises:

providing a first indication of a first estimated process condition of the first item in the microwave chamber; and

providing a second indication of a second estimated process condition of the second item in the microwave chamber.

34. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of indicating or providing or displaying a history of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

35. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of indicating or providing or displaying a spatial profile of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

36. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises a first item and a second item in the microwave chamber, and wherein the method further comprises:

at least one of indicating or providing or displaying a history of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the first item in the microwave chamber; and

at least one of indicating or providing or displaying a history of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the second item in the microwave chamber.

37. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of indicating or providing or displaying a time history of the one or more microwave energy beams.

38. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of indicating or providing or displaying a spatial profile of the one or more microwave energy beams.

39. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of indicating or providing or displaying a time history of a power level of the one or more microwave energy beams.

40. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of indicating or providing or displaying a time history showing a correlation between one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber and a power level of the one or more microwave energy beams.

41-79. -79. (canceled)

80. A microwave processing system, comprising:

a chamber configured to receive at least one item for processing;

a source configured to apply microwave energy to the at least one item within the chamber; and

a control system operatively coupled to the source, and wherein at least one of the chamber, the source, or the control system being configured to;

receive one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber;

apply one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber;

remotely monitor a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber at least one of simultaneously with or following the applying of the one or more microwave energy beams; and

estimate a process condition for microwaving the at least one item in the microwave chamber based at least partially on the monitoring of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

81. The system as recited in claim 80, wherein at least one of the chamber, the source, or the control system being configured to receive one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

at least one of the chamber, the source, or the control system being configured to receive one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber from at least one of a package, a label, or an RFID tag associated with the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

82. The system as recited in claim 80, wherein at least one of the chamber, the source, or the control system being configured to receive one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

at least one of the chamber, the source, or the control system being configured to scan the microwave chamber using at least one of the one or more microwave energy beams to detect the one or more initial values of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties.

83. The system as recited in claim 80, wherein at least one of the chamber, the source, or the control system being configured to receive one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

at least one of the chamber, the source, or the control system being configured to monitor at least one of a microwave or IR emission.

84. The system as recited in claim 80, wherein at least one of the chamber, the source, or the control system being configured to apply one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber comprises:

at least one of the chamber, the source, or the control system being configured to dynamically adjustably apply one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber.

85-97. -97. (canceled)

98. An apparatus, comprising:

circuitry for receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for at least one item in a microwave chamber;

circuitry for applying one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber;

circuitry for remotely monitoring a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber at least one of simultaneously with or following the applying of the one or more microwave energy beams; and

circuitry for estimating the process condition for microwaving the at least one item in the microwave chamber based at least partially on the monitoring of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber.