Abstract: A disclosed computer-implemented method for heating an item in a chamber of an electronic oven towards a target state includes heating the item with a set of applications of energy to the chamber while the electronic oven is in a respective set of configurations. The set of applications of energy and respective set of configurations define a respective set of variable distributions of energy in the chamber. The method also includes sensing sensor data that defines a respective set of responses by the item to the set of applications of energy. The method also includes generating a plan to heat the item in the chamber. The plan is generated by a control system of the electronic oven and uses the sensor data.

Abstract: An optical system includes a splitting optic configured to receive a light beam from a light source and form a set of light bands radiating from the optical system at predetermined angles relative to illuminate a scene. The optical system further includes a lens configured to project a field of view of the scene into a two-dimensional format. The optical system further includes an optical sensor arranged offset from the central axis of the lens to capture a segment of the field of view projected by the lens.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a substrate that is configured to redirect a predetermined percentage of an input light beam at a plurality of angles to form a set of output beams at each of the angles such that light beams redirected at each of the angles cooperate to form bands of light at a range of predetermined distances from the optical apparatus.

Abstract: This disclosure includes methods and systems that utilize energy absorption monitoring for intelligent electronic ovens with energy steering. One disclosed method for heating an item in an electronic oven includes introducing an application of energy into a heating chamber using an energy source coupled to an injection port, changing a distribution of the application of energy in the heating chamber by setting a configuration of the oven to a first configuration, and measuring an energy return from the heating chamber while the oven is in the first configuration. The measuring is conducted using a radio frequency directional power sensor. The method also includes determining that the energy return from the heating chamber exceeds a level, adjusting, in response to determining that the energy return exceeds the level, the configuration of the oven from the first configuration to an altered first configuration, and saving the altered first configuration in a memory.

Abstract: Method and systems for heating an item in a chamber where a first electromagnetic wave is applied to an array of variable reflectance elements and a corresponding array of variable impedance devices are disclosed. The corresponding array includes first and second variable impedance devices. The first wave is reflected from the array to the item when the first device has a first impedance value. The reflecting places a local maximum of energy at a first location on the item. An impedance of the first device is altered. A second electromagnetic wave is applied and reflected. The reflecting places the local maximum at a second location on the item. Altering the impedance of the first variable impedance device alters a reflectance of a first variable reflectance element in the array of variable reflectance elements.

Abstract: A disclosed computer-implemented method for heating an item in a chamber of an electronic oven towards a target state includes heating the item with a set of applications of energy to the chamber while the electronic oven is in a respective set of configurations. The set of applications of energy and respective set of configurations define a respective set of variable distributions of energy in the chamber. The method also includes sensing sensor data that defines a respective set of responses by the item to the set of applications of energy. The method also includes generating a plan to heat the item in the chamber. The plan is generated by a control system of the electronic oven and uses the sensor data.

Abstract: A disclosed computer-implemented method for heating an item in a chamber of an electronic oven towards a target state includes heating the item with a set of applications of energy to the chamber while the electronic oven is in a respective set of configurations. The set of applications of energy and respective set of configurations define a respective set of variable distributions of energy in the chamber. The method also includes sensing sensor data that defines a respective set of responses by the item to the set of applications of energy. The method also includes generating a plan to heat the item in the chamber. The plan is generated by a control system of the electronic oven and uses the sensor data.

Abstract: Universal electronic oven heating functionality modules and associated methods are disclosed herein. One such module includes an energy steering element, a controller with control logic for the energy steering element, a first means for forming a seal with an opening, and a casing to enclose the controller and the energy steering element. The casing can include top and bottom side elements. One such method includes providing a functionality module with a mounting plate, the first means for forming a seal, and the casing. The method also includes providing an electronic oven with a heating chamber and a second means for forming a seal with the functionality module. The heating chamber can have a first opening for a heating chamber door, and a second opening for functionality module reception. The method also includes engaging the functionality module with the heating chamber to form a seal between the first and second means.

Abstract: An electronic oven and associated methods for heating an item by controlling a distribution of microwave energy using a set of reflective elements are disclosed. The electronic oven can include a chamber, a microwave energy source coupled to an injection port in the chamber, a set of actuators connected to the set of reflective elements, and a controller that controls the set of actuators. The controller can reposition the set of reflective elements via the set of actuators, and stores instructions that independently cause a repositioning of each reflective element in the set of reflective elements using the set of actuators. The set of actuators and set of reflective elements are each sets of at least three units.

Abstract: This disclosure includes methods and systems that utilize energy absorption monitoring for intelligent electronic ovens with energy steering. One disclosed method for heating an item in an electronic oven comprises introducing an application of energy into a heating chamber using an energy source coupled to an injection port, changing a distribution of the application of energy in the heating chamber by setting a configuration of the oven to a first configuration, and measuring an energy return from the heating chamber while the oven is in the first configuration. The measuring is conducted using a radio frequency directional power sensor. The method also comprises determining that the energy return from the heating chamber exceeds a level, adjusting, in response to determining that the energy return exceeds the level, the configuration of the oven from the first configuration to an altered first configuration, and saving the altered first configuration in a memory.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a substrate that is configured to redirect a predetermined percentage of an input light beam at a plurality of angles to form a set of output beams at each of the angles such that light beams redirected at each of the angles cooperate to form bands of light at a range of predetermined distances from the optical apparatus.

Abstract: An optical system includes a splitting optic configured to receive a light beam from a light source and form a set of light bands radiating from the optical system at predetermined angles relative to illuminate a scene. The optical system further includes a lens configured to project a field of view of the scene into a two-dimensional format. The optical system further includes an optical sensor arranged offset from the central axis of the lens to capture a segment of the field of view projected by the lens.

Abstract: A sensing method, including: emitting a signal beam; sampling the reflected signal at a sensor with a field of view larger than the signal beam; and determining a surface parameter based on the bright and dark regions associated with the sampled signal.

Abstract: Approaches relating to electronic ovens are disclosed. One approach involves an electronic oven with a heating chamber and an energy source that is coupled to an injection port in the heating chamber for introducing an application of energy into the chamber. The electronic oven also comprises a control system to adjust a distribution of the application of energy in the heating chamber, and a set of radio frequency (RF) responsive sensors in the heating chamber. Each RF responsive sensor in the set of RF responsive sensors directly responds to the application of energy in the heating chamber. The control system includes a machine learning system. The control system uses data from each RF responsive sensor in the set of RF responsive sensors to create a set of training data. The control system uses the set of training data to train the machine learning system.

Abstract: Method and systems for heating an item in a chamber comprising applying a first electromagnetic wave to an array of variable reflectance elements and corresponding array of variable impedance devices is disclosed. The corresponding array includes first and second variable impedance devices. The method also comprises reflecting, when the first device has a first impedance value, the first wave from the array to the item. The reflecting places a local maximum of energy at a first location on the item. The method also comprises altering an impedance of the first device. The method also comprises applying a second electromagnetic wave, and reflecting the second wave from the array to the item. The reflecting places the local maximum at a second location on the item. Altering the impedance of the first variable impedance device alters a reflectance of a first variable reflectance element in the array of variable reflectance elements.

Abstract: Method and systems for heating an item in a chamber comprising applying a first electromagnetic wave to an array of variable reflectance elements and corresponding array of variable impedance devices is disclosed. The corresponding array includes first and second variable impedance devices. The method also comprises reflecting, when the first device has a first impedance value, the first wave from the array to the item. The reflecting places a local maximum of energy at a first location on the item. The method also comprises altering an impedance of the first device. The method also comprises applying a second electromagnetic wave, and reflecting the second wave from the array to the item. The reflecting places the local maximum at a second location on the item. Altering the impedance of the first variable impedance device alters a reflectance of a first variable reflectance element in the array of variable reflectance elements.

Abstract: A sensing method, including: emitting a signal beam; sampling the reflected signal at a sensor with a field of view larger than the signal beam; and determining a surface parameter based on the bright and dark regions associated with the sampled signal.

Abstract: A disclosed computer-implemented method for heating an item in a chamber of an electronic oven towards a target state includes heating the item with a set of applications of energy to the chamber while the electronic oven is in a respective set of configurations. The set of applications of energy and respective set of configurations define a respective set of variable distributions of energy in the chamber. The method also includes sensing sensor data that defines a respective set of responses by the item to the set of applications of energy. The method also includes generating a plan to heat the item in the chamber. The plan is generated by a control system of the electronic oven and uses the sensor data.

Abstract: An electronic oven with a set of variable reflectance elements for controlling a distribution of heat in the electronic oven and associated methods are disclosed herein. The electronic oven includes a chamber, an energy source coupled to an injection port in the chamber, and a set of variable reflectance elements located in the chamber. In some of the disclosed approaches the variable reflectance elements are nonradiative. A control system of the electronic oven can be configured to alter the states of the variable reflectance elements to thereby alter and control the distribution of energy within the chamber.

Abstract: A sensing method, including: emitting a signal beam; sampling the reflected signal at a sensor with a field of view larger than the signal beam; and determining a surface parameter based on the bright and dark regions associated with the sampled signal.