91av

A host of Internet-enabled appliances are clamouring to join the Electrolux
Screen Fridge, which began trials last month
(91av, 21 October, p 61).
NCR of Dayton, Ohio, is patenting a wide range of appliances
that can be controlled over the Internet, beginning with a microwave oven that
can cook “intelligently” while you are out (EP 1028604). An infrared video
camera inside the oven creates a thermal image of the food. This is mapped with
colours according to temperature and compared with a library of reference maps
for hot, cooked food. You can view the stored and current images over the Web,
and cook until they match—or let the oven do the job automatically.