Method and system for creating a food or drink recipe

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods for creating a food or drink recipe and systems for implementing the same. Ingredients in the food or drink recipe are combined to create a desired characteristic of the end food or drink product. Some or all of the ingredients can be subject to one or more methods of preparation. The ingredients are selected based on compatibility between pairs of ingredients.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for providing a food or drink recipe, comprising:
 receiving, from a user via an interface on a computer device, an end product, wherein the end product is entered by the user or selected by the user from one or more end products;   receiving, from the user and via the interface, a desired characteristic of the end product, wherein the desired characteristic is entered by the user or selected by the user from one or more desired characteristics;   receiving, from the user and via the interface, a first ingredient appropriate for being used in the end product, wherein the first ingredient is entered by the user or selected by the user from one or more first ingredients appropriate for creating the desired characteristic of the end product; and   receiving, from the user and via the interface, at least one second ingredient, wherein the at least one second ingredient is entered by the user or selected by the user from one or more second ingredients, wherein the at least one second ingredient, when combined with the first ingredient, is suitable for creating an actual characteristic that approaches the desired characteristic.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a preparation method is applied to the first ingredient or the at least second ingredient before they are combined to create an actual characteristic that approaches the desired characteristic. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the preparation method is selected from the group consisting of a cooking technique, a cocktail preparation technique, a baking technique, a processing technique, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 providing, to the user via the interface, a preparation method based on the first ingredient or the at least second ingredient, whereby the first ingredient or the at least second ingredient is prepared according to the preparation method before they are combined to create an actual characteristic that approaches the desired characteristic.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 rendering a food or drink recipe comprising the first ingredient at a first quantity and the at least one second ingredient at a second quantity, wherein the first and second quantities are suitable for creating an actual characteristic that approaches the desired characteristic.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the quantity of one of the ingredients is determined additionally based on a desired intensity value of the ingredient in the end product. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the quantity of each ingredient is determined such that an absolute intensity of each of the ingredients is identical. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the user and via the interface, at least one third ingredient, wherein the at least one third ingredient is entered by the user or selected by the user from one or more third ingredients and is suitable, when combined with the first ingredient and the at least second ingredient, for creating an actual characteristic that approaches the desired characteristic.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 rendering a food or drink recipe comprising the first ingredient at a first quantity, the at least one second ingredient at a second quantity, and the at least one third ingredient at a third quantity, wherein the first, second and third quantities are suitable for creating an actual characteristic that approaches the desired characteristic.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computer device is selected from the group consisting of a networked device, a local device, a vending machine, a food dispensing machine, a drink dispensing machine, an automated drink maker, an automated cocktail maker, an automated food preparation machine, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a mobile device, a handheld device, a tablet, an iPad, a Kindle, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a networked television, a networked media player, and a networked digital video recorder (DVR). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the desired characteristic represents a taste, a flavor, a smell, a texture, or a color, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more second ingredients are compatible with the first ingredient selected by the user. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more second ingredients has a compatibility score with the first ingredient that is above a set value. 
     
     
         14 . A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer having a processor and a memory connected to the processor, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer program mechanism encoded thereon, wherein the computer program mechanism may be loaded into the memory of the computer and cause the computer to carry out the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A method for providing a food or drink recipe, comprising:
 receiving, from a user via an interface on a computer device, one or more ingredients, wherein the one or more ingredients are entered by the user or selected by the user using the interface from a plurality of ingredients;   receiving, from the user and via the interface, an end characteristic, wherein the end characteristic is associated with at least one of the one or more ingredients, and wherein the end characteristic is selected from the group consisting of an end product, a desired characteristic and a combination thereof, each of which being associated with the at least one of the one or more ingredients; and   providing, to the user via the interface, a food or drink recipe comprising a quantity for each of the one or more ingredients, thereby creating an actual characteristic that approaches the end characteristic.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing, to the user via the interface, a preparation method based on the first ingredient or the at least second ingredient, whereby the first ingredient or the at least second ingredient is prepared according to the preparation method before they are combined to create an actual characteristic that approaches the desired characteristic.   
     
     
         17 . A method for creating a food or drink recipe, comprising:
 selecting, via an interface on a computer device, a type of end product, wherein the end product is selected by the user from one or more end products;   selecting, via the interface, a desired characteristic of the end product, wherein the desired characteristic is selected by the user from one or more desired characteristics;   selecting, via the interface, a first ingredient appropriate for being used in the end product, wherein the first ingredient is selected by the user from one or more first ingredients appropriate for being used in the end product; and   selecting, via the interface, at least one second ingredient, wherein the at least one second ingredient is selected by the user from one or more second ingredients, wherein the at least one second ingredient, when combined with the first ingredient, is suitable for creating an actual characteristic that approaches the desired characteristic.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 causing, via the interface, a food or drink recipe to be rendered, wherein the food or drink recipe comprises the first ingredient at a first quantity and the at least one second ingredient at a second quantity.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 receiving, via the interface, a preparation method based on the first ingredient or the at least second ingredient, whereby the first ingredient or the at least second ingredient is prepared according to the preparation method before they are combined to create an actual characteristic that approaches the desired characteristic.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 selecting, via the interface, a composition frame, wherein the composition frame comprises one or more ingredient types for further selection.   
     
     
         21 . A system for creating a food or drink recipe, comprising:
 a database comprising different types of end products and a means for allowing selection of a type of end product,   a means for allowing a selection of a desired characteristic of the end product,   a means for providing a selection of one or more first ingredients appropriate for being used in the selected type of end product, and for allowing selecting one or more of the first ingredients,   a means for providing a selection of one or more second ingredients by their compatibilities with the first ingredient, the one or more second ingredients suitable for approaching the characteristic, and for allowing selecting one or more of the second ingredients, and   a means for calculating quantities of the selected first and second ingredients, the quantities being appropriate for approaching the characteristic.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a means for allowing a selection of preparation method for at least one of the one or more first ingredients or the one or more second ingredients.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the means for providing a selection of the one or more second products is adapted for linking the type of end product to a composition frame consisting of a number of ingredient types and for repeating providing a selection and allowing selecting of one or more second ingredients until at least one ingredient is selected for each ingredient type by its compatibility with the first ingredient and/or one or more or all of the already selected second ingredients.