Method of kitchen planning

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the process and products as per the first portion of the independent claims.

Background Art

[0002] Within the art and science of interior design, domestic or residential

kitchen planning is a complex discipline that needs to reconcile the requirements of an aesthetically pleasing environment with the ergonomics of storage, food preparation, and cooking. An overview of the field may be gathered from BEAMISH, Julia, et al. Kitchen planning: Guidelines, codes, standards. John Wiley , 2013. ISBN 1 1 18367626.

[0003] Known aids in kitchen layout encompass simple questionnaires such as JPH0667602A, drafting apparatus such as US4896427A, model kits such as GB2202361A, computerized room planning methods such as

DE102013007232A1 or WO201501 1472A2, and cooperative design systems such as JP2001 195438.

Summary of invention

[0004] The invention as claimed is hereinafter disclosed in such a way that the technical problem with which it deals can be appreciated and the solution can be understood.

Technical Problem

[0005] Conventional model kits like the one proposed in GB2202361 A bear the disadvantage that, for typical layouts, the floor unit tends to be fraught with models. Also, a copious supply of models is required to provide for all contingencies. Lastly, efficient planning of stacked elements is hardly feasible.

[0006] A downside to known computer-aided approaches, on the other hand, lies in the complexity of their user interfaces, with design options and configuration variants often buried beneath layers of software menus. Solution to Problem

[0007] The problem is solved as per the characterizing portion of the independent claims.

Advantageous effect of invention

[0008] The invention provides for a highly intuitive planning process that

especially lends itself to kitchen design but is equally suited for other types of rooms. To this end, an embodiment combines the benefits of a model kit with those of a digital planning approach by allowing the straightforward handling of physical models to be added to the layout while preserving all options for computer-aided manipulation and photorealistic rendering.

Brief description of drawings

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus as per the invention.

[0010] Figure 2 illustrates a step of a method as per the invention.

[001 1] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an artifact usable in the method.

Description of embodiments

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the invention, as is shown in Figure 1 , takes the form of an interactive self-service kiosk to be used at or near the point of sale (POS). As may be gathered from the drawing, the POS hardware comprises a prominent monitor screen (1 ) showing a rendered image of the layout being designed. Said screen (1 ) is attached to an extensive desktop accommodating four different samples (2) presented in decorative pedestals (3), each of which pertains to a finish or fitting available for the furniture being laid out. Besides these stands, the desktop provides an ample surface (4) into which a horizontal touchscreen (5) is neatly embedded. It is readily understood that an alternative embodiment may take the form of, for example, a portable apparatus integrated in a carrying case.

[0013] Figure 2 elucidates the intended use of this touchscreen (5), which

displays the layout as a plan view or outline. For interaction with the touchscreen (5), a choice of three miniature models (6) of furniture or appliances occupies the desk space (7) beneath it. To augment the layout with an added kitchen cabinet, the model (6) of the desired cabinet has been picked up from this selection and briefly impressed onto the touchscreen (5) at its envisaged position within the layout. To this end, intuitively, each grid location on the touchscreen (5) maps to a position within the layout in accordance with the plan view visible on the

touchscreen (5). Congruously, the touchscreen (5) updates the displayed layout as soon as the model (6) is lifted back up. Corresponding

mechanisms, by means of the same model (6), may be derived to rotate or transpose the element thus "imprinted".

[0014] Note that, as opposed to known approaches, the model (6) may be

removed from the touchscreen (5) and placed back onto the desk space (7) for further use as soon as the layout has been amended.

[0015] In this scenario, the cost-effective utilization of a touchscreen (5) is

facilitated by the advantageous design of the handheld artifacts (6) that are used as operating agents in much the same way as a mechanical stamp or punch: To allow not only its type, but also its orientation to be detected through the touchscreen (5) when the latter is contacted, each model (6) possesses a uniquely formed undersurface or "footprint", which is exemplified in Figure 3. In the instance depicted, circular cut-outs in the plastic foam (8) covering the model's underside reveal three contact points (9) that form a rotationally asymmetrical dot pattern - in the present case, defining an isosceles triangle.

[0016] When combined with a capacitive multi-touch screen and an aluminum or other conductive base (10) of the model (6), the electrical link between its top side and contact points (9) would cause the capacitive load of the user's hand to register at all three contact points (9) simultaneously. Based on the simple geometric encoding outlined above, simple software-based pattern recognition may then be employed to establish both the type and alignment of the artifact (6). Furthermore, this approach permits the use of any off-the-shelf capacitive touchscreen (5) primarily designed for the human hand.

[0017] In an embodiment designed for a large variety of artifacts (6), in view of the limited grid resolution of state-of-the-art touchscreens (5), the geometric configuration of contact points (9) may be employed exclusively to identify the alignment. In this case, the type of the respective artifact (6) could be determined by a known mechanism such as an optical reader or RFID interrogator.

[0018] Having finished the design, the user may upload his completed layout to a web server, making it available for further amendment as needed. For instance, having returned home from a retail store equipped with the apparatus described above, the prospective buyer may access the interactively designed layout through a web browser for further

modification. This capability renders the invention especially useful in the context of cross-channel business models that integrate online and offline distribution.

[0019] Alternatively, the user may choose to have the kiosk display a quick

response (QR) or similar barcode, scanning of which through a

conventional snnartphone would allow him to take a virtual walk through his laid-out kitchen.

Industrial applicability

[0020] The invention may be applied, inter alia, throughout the household

appliance, domestic kitchen planning, and interior design industries.

Reference signs list

[0021 ]

Monitor screen

2 Sample

3 Pedestal

4 Surface

5 Touchscreen

6 Artifact

7 Desk space

8 Plastic foam 9 Contact point

10 Base Citation list

[0022] The following documents are cited hereinbefore.

Patent literature

[0023] JP H0667602 A (SEKISUI HOUSE KK) 03.1 1 .1994

[0024] US 4896427 A (SMITH JOSEPH W K [GB]; BANNISTER KEVIN F [GB]) 30.01 .1990

[0025] GB 2202361 A (MATHER JEAN) 21 .09.1988

[0026] DE 102013007232 A (HOPPE PETER [DE]) 30.10.2014

[0027] WO 2015/011472 A (WEST RETAIL GROUP LTD [GB]) 29.01 .2015

[0028] JP 2001195438 A (MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC WORKS LTD) 19.07.2001

Non-patent literature

[0029] BEAMISH, Julia, et al. Kitchen planning: Guidelines, codes, standards.

John Wiley , 2013. ISBN 1 1 18367626.