Abstract: A cooking system and methods are provided. The cooking system includes a cooking appliance and an interactive assembly. The interactive assembly includes a display device that presents various images and information to a user, e.g., suggested recipes. An image capture device of the system can capture one or more images of food items being cooked, and based on the captured images, a controller of the system can classify the food item and can determine one or more parameters indicative of how the food item is or has been cooked by the cooking appliance. Thereafter, a machine-learned model of the controller determines one or more suggested recipes to present to a user based on the classification of the food item and how the food item is prepared. Then, the suggested recipes are presented to a user.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a cooking process using an over-the-range appliance mountable over a cooktop appliance includes obtaining an image of a cooking utensil that is positioned on the cooktop appliance and is performing a cooking process. The method further includes determining that a lid is required for the cooking process, e.g., based on a recipe being run as a software application on the over-the-range appliance. The image may be analyzed using artificial intelligence techniques to determine that the lid is not present when required, and responsive action may be implemented, e.g., by turning off the cooktop appliance or providing a user notification.

Abstract: A cooking appliance and method of obtaining user feedback related to cooking processes performed by the cooking appliance includes operating a heating element to perform the cooking process in accordance with a cooking recipe, determining that the cooking process has been completed, obtaining an audio stream using a microphone mounted to or positioned proximate to the cooking appliance, analyzing the audio stream to identify user feedback related to the cooking recipe, and adjusting at least one parameter of the cooking recipe for implementation during a subsequent cooking process.

Abstract: A method of operating a voice assistant activation system, the voice assistant activation system comprising a microphone, a first voice assistant module, and a second voice assistant module. The method includes receiving, via the microphone, a voice input; transmitting the voice input via a first virtual microphone to the first voice assistant module; transmitting the voice input via a second virtual microphone to the second voice assistant module; activating the first voice assistant module when the voice input comprises a first keyword; and activating the second voice assistant module when the voice input comprises a second keyword.

Abstract: An over-the-range appliance mountable over a cooktop appliance is provided. The over-the-range appliance includes a cabinet comprising a bottom panel defining a central aperture, a lighting box mounted within the central aperture. The lighting box defines a lighting recess and one or more light sources are mounted to the lighting box and are positioned within the lighting recess. A diffuser plate is positioned over the one or more light sources and encloses the lighting recess.

Abstract: An over-the-range appliance mountable over a cooktop appliance is provided. The over-the-range appliance includes a cabinet comprising a bottom panel defining a central aperture, a lighting box mounted within the central aperture. The lighting box defines a lighting recess and one or more light sources are mounted to the lighting box and are positioned within the lighting recess. A diffuser plate is positioned over the one or more light sources and encloses the lighting recess.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a cooking process using an over-the-range appliance mountable over a cooktop appliance includes obtaining an image of a cooking utensil that is positioned on the cooktop appliance and is performing a cooking process. The method further includes determining that a lid is required for the cooking process, e.g., based on a recipe being run as a software application on the over-the-range appliance. The image may be analyzed using artificial intelligence techniques to determine that the lid is not present when required, and responsive action may be implemented, e.g., by turning off the cooktop appliance or providing a user notification.

Abstract: A method of operating a voice assistant activation system, the voice assistant activation system comprising a microphone, a first voice assistant module, and a second voice assistant module. The method includes receiving, via the microphone, a voice input; transmitting the voice input via a first virtual microphone to the first voice assistant module; transmitting the voice input via a second virtual microphone to the second voice assistant module; activating the first voice assistant module when the voice input comprises a first keyword; and activating the second voice assistant module when the voice input comprises a second keyword.

Abstract: A method for operating a door assembly of an appliance, the door assembly including a display and being configured for providing selective access to a cavity of the appliance, the method including determining that the door has been shut, determining that an item is present within the cavity, determining that a primary application is displayed on the display, and displaying a control interface over a sub-portion of the application on the display when the application is displayed on the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining a location of an appliance are provided. In particular, the systems and methods include features for automatically obtaining a location of an appliance, e.g., for registration purposes. In one example aspect, a system includes an appliance that includes features for providing a local appliance network, a user device for connecting to the local appliance network, and a remote computing device communicatively coupled with the user device. To obtain the location of the appliance, the user device first connects with the local appliance network. The user device then obtains data indicative of the geographic location of the user device while connected to the appliance network and routes the data to the remote computing device. As the range of the local appliance network is limited, the location of the user device while connected to the local appliance network is assumed as the geographic location of the appliance.

Abstract: Consumer appliances and methods for their use are generally provided herein. A method may include receiving an incentivized media file, and presenting the incentivized media file on a consumer appliance. The method may also include generating a discrete block of a blockchain in response to presenting the incentivized media file, and transmitting the discrete block to a blockchain network wirelessly connected to the consumer appliance.

Abstract: Methods of directing an instructional demonstration at a remote device, as provided herein, may include transmitting a recipe data packet configured to initiate a user-guided presentation of a plurality of sequenced recipe panels at the remote device. The method may further include transmitting a video signal configured to initiate a real-time video feed at the remote device in tandem with the user-guided presentation and receiving a user-progress signal from the remote device. The user-progress signal may correspond to a currently-displayed recipe panel of the plurality of sequenced recipe panels at the remote device. The method may still further include presenting a panel marker at an instructor device spaced apart from the remote device. The panel marker may indicate the currently-displayed recipe panel at the remote device.

Abstract: A method of directing an instructional demonstration at a remote device, as provided herein, may include transmitting a recipe data packet configured to initiate a remote user-guided presentation of a plurality of sequenced recipe panels and transmitting a video signal configured to initiate a real-time video feed at the remote device in tandem with the user-guided presentation. The method may further include receiving a remote-status signal from a remote cooking appliance. The remote-status signal may correspond to a currently-detected condition at the remote cooking appliance. The method may still further include presenting a remote-status marker at an instructor device. The remote-status marker may indicate the currently-detected condition.

Abstract: A cooking system and methods are provided. The cooking system includes a cooking appliance and an interactive assembly. The interactive assembly includes a display device that presents various images and information to a user, e.g., suggested recipes. An image capture device of the system can capture one or more images of food items being cooked, and based on the captured images, a controller of the system can classify the food item and can determine one or more parameters indicative of how the food item is or has been cooked by the cooking appliance. Thereafter, a machine-learned model of the controller determines one or more suggested recipes to present to a user based on the classification of the food item and how the food item is prepared. Then, the suggested recipes are presented to a user.

Abstract: A user engagement system and methods for operating the same to display notification messages are provided herein. The user engagement system may include a camera assembly, an image monitor, and a controller configured to initiate a message-display operation based on a signal received from a user device. The camera assembly may be mounted in a fixed position and directed away from a cabinet of a cooking appliance. The image monitor may be directed away from the cabinet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining a location of an appliance are provided. In particular, the systems and methods include features for automatically obtaining a location of an appliance, e.g., for registration purposes. In one example aspect, a system includes an appliance that includes features for providing a local appliance network, a user device for connecting to the local appliance network, and a remote computing device communicatively coupled with the user device. To obtain the location of the appliance, the user device first connects with the local appliance network. The user device then obtains data indicative of the geographic location of the user device while connected to the appliance network and routes the data to the remote computing device. As the range of the local appliance network is limited, the location of the user device while connected to the local appliance network is assumed as the geographic location of the appliance.

Abstract: Consumer appliances and methods for their use are generally provided herein. A method may include obtaining a purchase authorization from a user of the consumer appliance authorizing the purchase of a software application, generating a discrete block of a blockchain in response to obtaining the purchase authorization, and transmitting the discrete block to a blockchain network wirelessly connected to the consumer appliance. The method may further include downloading and implementing the software application using the appliance controller and graphical user interface.

Abstract: Consumer appliances and methods for their use are generally provided herein. A method may include receiving an incentivized media file, and presenting the incentivized media file on a consumer appliance. The method may also include generating a discrete block of a blockchain in response to presenting the incentivized media file, and transmitting the discrete block to a blockchain network wirelessly connected to the consumer appliance.

Abstract: A method of using a remote server to operate an appliance includes an appliance sending data indicative of usage patterns of the appliance to a remote server. The remote server identifies a routine event based on the data and sends an event initiation prompt including operational data related to the routine event to the appliance or a user of the appliance. The user may confirm that the routine should be initiated, and such confirmation may be communicated to the appliance before the appliance initiates the routine event.

Abstract: A method of operating a cooking appliance in coordinated communication with, for example, a remote server and a user device, is provided. The method may include receiving a recipe selection signal of a predetermined recipe at the remote server, and transmitting a recipe information signal to the cooking appliance based on the predetermined recipe. The method may further include receiving an appliance confirmation signal from the cooking appliance in response to a discrete recipe action of the predetermined recipe being performed at the cooking appliance subsequent to receiving the recipe selection signal. The method may still further include transmitting a determined status signal to the user device based on the received appliance confirmation signal.