Patent Description:
This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, to near-infrared spectroscopy, and more particularly, to simplifying spectroscopic evaluation of edible oils, such as to facilitate measurement in situ in a fryer or food preparation environment.

Food scientists employ a variety of analytical tools to assist in quantitative evaluation of various characteristics of products, from raw materials to finished goods. Generally, analytical tools may rely upon careful control and preparation of a sample for evaluation, such as according to a standardized test or evaluation protocol in a "bench" setting. In this manner, traceable and repeatable results may be obtained. Examples of such techniques, such as may be applied to edible oils, include Fourier Transform (FT) Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), and Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC), as illustrative examples. Use of analytical techniques to evaluate edible oils helps to verify or maintain quality throughout the production and distribution process. For example, after processing, bench analytical techniques may be used to verify that minor components, such as free fatty acid, are at or below specified levels. Analytical techniques may also be used to assess edible oils for a presence of contaminants or adulterants.

Edible oils used for frying food, such as in deep fat frying applications, undergo a variety of degradation mechanisms as such oils age in use. Such degradation mechanisms may adversely impact oil quality, and may include oxidative processes, hydrolysis, and pyrolysis, as illustrative examples. Edible oils used for frying may be subject to an end-use monitoring regime (e.g., subject to regulatory requirements), and such requirements may be specific to particular geographic locales. Such requirements may be specified in terms of limits relating to polar material (e.g., Total Polar Material (TPM)), free fatty acid (FFA) content, color (e.g., Gardner color unit), or polymer content, as illustrative examples. The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that testing, logging, and analyzing parameters relating to edible oils in actual use scenarios may present various challenges. For example, bench analytical techniques may provide robust repeatability for evaluation of samples, but sample preparation may be cumbersome and may not generally provide results in real-time or near-real-time. Moreover, use of bench analytical techniques may involve specialized skills in sample preparation, sample handling, execution of tools for quantitative analysis, and reporting of results. Even if the sampling process were simplified, unskilled personnel may have difficulty in interpreting results reported quantitatively in terms of TPM, FFA, a color metric, a polymer content, or other technical parameters.

In another approach, an electrical technique may be used to estimate oil degradation, such as using a capacitive sensor immersed in the edible oil. By contrast, use of a spectroscopy technique (e.g., reflectance spectroscopy) as described herein allows a user to optically probe an edible oil in situ (e.g., in a fryer tank and at operating temperature) without requiring contact between the sensor assembly (such as a hand-held assembly) and the oil.

<CIT> discloses a device and method for measuring the quality of frying oil using an optical sensor to calculate an output indicative of the quality of the frying oil using a precalculated model relating chemical species and quality of the frying oil.

<CIT> discloses a spectrometer system to determine attributes of an object, e.g. cooking oil.

The present invention is directed to an automated method for spectroscopic evaluation of a characteristic of edible oil, as defined in appended independent claim <NUM>. The present invention is also directed to a system for spectroscopic evaluation of a characteristic of edible oil, as defined in appended independent claim <NUM>. Particular embodiments are defined in the appended dependent claims. The scope of the present invention is solely defined and restricted by the appended claims.

The present inventors have also recognized that TPM, FFA, or other parameters, when viewed in isolation, may provide an indication of oil quality such as to trigger activity such as filtering the oil or replacing it, but such parameters alone may not provide indicia of a likely overall quality of food prepared using the oil. Indicia of food quality are generally specified subjectively in terms of flavor, texture, aroma, or combinations thereof. The present inventors have recognized that a combination of analytically-determined parameters may be used to evaluate both oil quality and to predict resulting food quality.

In an example, a technique such as a method may include spectroscopic evaluation of a characteristic of edible oil.

In an example, the technique may include transmitting the value to another device for at least one of presentation or storage.

As mentioned above, the present inventors have recognized, among other things, that spectroscopy may be used to characterize edible oils in situ, such as using a reflectance spectroscopy technique in a near-infrared range of wavelengths. For example, a value of a characteristic of the edible oil may be determined, such as established using a model profile obtained from a repository in a secure manner.

<FIG> illustrates generally an example showing a system <NUM> that may include a spectrometer <NUM>, such as for characterization of edible oil <NUM> in situ, such as within a tank of a frying apparatus <NUM> (e.g., a commercial deep fat fryer). Evaluation of a characteristic of the edible oil <NUM> may be performed with the oil at normal operating temperature (e.g., <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit = <NUM>). The spectrometer <NUM> may include a user interface <NUM>, such as including a user input and a display, as mentioned in relation to other examples described herein. The spectrometer <NUM> may be portable, such as sized and shaped to be manipulated by a user by hand. The spectrometer may be configured to emit light <NUM> comprising a specified range of infra-red wavelengths, and to receive a reflection from edible oil <NUM> in situ in a frying apparatus <NUM> housing the edible oil. The spectrometer <NUM> may then establish reflectance data corresponding to the received reflection without requiring physical contact between the spectrometer <NUM> and the oil <NUM>.

The spectrometer <NUM> may include a processor circuit configured to provide reflectance data comprising a series of values corresponding to discrete wavelength values spanning a specified range of wavelengths. As an illustrative example, the specified range may include wavelengths from about <NUM> nanometers to about <NUM> nanometers. The spectrometer <NUM> may include a housing and hardware configuration similar to the SCiO apparatus (available from Consumer Physics, Tel Aviv, Israel), such as to provide reflectance data from a range of <NUM> nanometers to <NUM> nanometers. The use of reflectance spectroscopy in the near-infrared range of wavelengths is illustrative, and other spectroscopic techniques may be used. The spectrometer <NUM> may be coupled via a wireless communication channel 120A to another device, such as a device <NUM> (e.g., a mobile device such as a cellular handset, a tablet device, a "phablet" device having a cellular or wireless networking adaptor, a laptop or desktop computer, or a base-station located in a facility housing the frying apparatus <NUM>, as illustrative examples).

The wireless communication channel 120A may be established according to a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth® (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) as described in the Bluetooth® Core Specification, v. <NUM>, published December <NUM>, <NUM>, by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group, Kirkland, Washington) or according to one or more other standards (e.g., the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) <NUM> family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, mobile communications standards such as relating to <NUM> / Long Term Evolution (LTE), or the IEEE <NUM>. <NUM> family of standards, as illustrative examples).

The device <NUM> may include one or more processor circuits coupled to one or more memory circuits. For example, the device <NUM> may be configured to transform received reflectance data provided by the spectrometer <NUM> such as using a model profile to generate a value of a characteristic being assessed. The device <NUM> may be coupled through another wireless communication channel 122A to a repository <NUM> such as a remotely-located server or a cloud-based (e.g., distributed) facility establishing the repository <NUM>. For example, the wireless communication channel 122A may be established according to a wireless networking protocol mentioned above, or a digital cellular networking protocol, as illustrative examples. The repository <NUM> may include at least one secure model profile 114A (e.g., an encrypted model profile or a model profile that is otherwise access-controlled). In one approach, the device <NUM> may obtain the model profile 114A from the repository <NUM>, such as in response to receiving a request or selection from the user either via the device <NUM> or a user interface associated with the spectrometer <NUM>. The repository <NUM> or another device may store a key 116A corresponding to the encrypted model profile 114A. For example, a key 116A may be provided to a user to enable use of a model profile 114A in response to validation that the user is permitted to apply the model profile for use in transforming received reflectance data. Alternatively, or in addition, another verification scheme may be used such as to selectively permit access to an access-controlled model profile 114A. One or more criteria may be applied to the transformed reflectance data. For example, a value of a characteristic being assessed, such as a parameter relating to Free Fatty Acid (FFA), Total Polar Material (TPM), a color metric, or a polymer content, may then be used to establish a simplified representation of a status of the edible oil <NUM> for presentation to a user (such as shown illustratively in the examples shown and described in relation to <FIG>). The simplified representation (e.g., a color code such as green or red) may be presented to the user via the user interface <NUM> of the spectrometer or the device <NUM> (e.g., via an edible oil management application running on the device <NUM>), as illustrative examples.

In another example, the device <NUM> serves as an intermediary device, and the repository <NUM> (or other facility such as a cloud-based resource) may perform the transformation of the reflectance data to establish a value of the characteristic being assessed, such as using the model profile 114A and key 116A. In yet another example, the spectrometer <NUM> includes one or more processor circuits coupled to one or more memory circuits, and the device <NUM> need not be used. For example, the spectrometer <NUM> may transmit reflectance data to the repository <NUM> for processing (e.g., transformation), or the spectrometer <NUM> may securely receive the model profile 114A from the repository <NUM> and apply the model profile 114A to transform reflectance data.

In the examples described herein, one or more of the spectrometer <NUM> or the device <NUM> may one or more of transmit, store, or receive respective values of assessed characteristics relating to the edible oil <NUM>, such as for purposes of trending, reporting, or auditing. For example, one or more client devices 118A through 118N may be used to obtain or generate reports or other data relating to a series of assessments performed using the spectrometer <NUM> (e.g., as shown illustratively in the examples of <FIG>), such as through communication channels 122B or 122C. The repository <NUM> may be implemented as a device (e.g., a server or a base-station) located at a single facility such as a restaurant or food production facility, or the repository <NUM> may be a remote server, such as serving multiple sites. A single spectrometer <NUM> may be used to assess a characteristic of edible oil <NUM> across multiple pieces of frying equipment, or multiple spectrometers may be used in communication with the repository <NUM>, such as through respective devices such as a device <NUM>. In this manner, edible oil management may be provided to support a variety of system <NUM> topologies at different operational scales, such as facilitated by an easy-to-use spectrometer <NUM> (e.g., a hand-held assembly) that may provide a simplified representation of a status of the edible oil <NUM> without requiring contact (e.g., immersion) in the edible oil <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates generally an example comprising a technique <NUM>, such as an automated method, including obtaining reflectance data from an edible oil in situ at <NUM>, such as using a spectrometer. The use of reflectance data is illustrative, and other types of spectroscopy (e.g., absorption spectroscopy) could be used in relation to the technique <NUM> of <FIG> or in relation to other examples described herein. At <NUM>, a model profile may be securely obtained. For example, upon initial configuration of a system comprising a spectrometer, an encrypted representation of a model profile may be received, such as in response to a user selection or according to a procedure in which a model profile is validated for use by a particular user. As an illustrative example, a spectrometer may be configured for use at a specified site or in relation to a specified vendor, and a corresponding model profile may be provided in a secure manner for use in assessing a desired characteristic (e.g., FFA, TPM, a color metric, a polymer content, etc.). Geographic variations may exist in terms of which characteristics are of interest to particular users, such as in view of regulatory considerations. A user may be inhibited from using a particular model if access-control limitations are not met, such as relating to oil type, geography, spectrometer type, or other criteria. In this manner, erroneous estimates of the desired characteristic may be avoided.

At <NUM>, the reflectance data obtained at <NUM> may be transformed to generate a value representative of the characteristic being assessed. As mentioned in relation to other examples herein, such a characteristic may include one of a free fatty acid (FFA) value, a Gardner color unit, a total polar material (TPM) level, or a polymer content, as illustrative examples. As an illustration, the model profile may include a set of regression coefficients corresponding to or otherwise established using a partial least squares (PLS) regression model. The regression coefficients may correspond to wavelength-dependent weighting factors to be applied to corresponding reflectance values. In an example, the model profile may, when decrypted or otherwise enabled for use by a user, provide a vector that may be multiplied by a representation of the reflectance data to provide a scalar value representative of the characteristic being assessed. The resulting scalar value may be one or more of transmitted or stored, such as for reporting, trending, or auditing. The present inventors have also recognized, among other things, that a user (such as a line employee at a restaurant or maintenance personnel) may benefit from receiving a simplified representation of the characteristic being assessed. Such a simplified representation may be established using one or more criteria, such as via a threshold comparison or binning as discussed in relation to the illustrative examples of <FIG>. Accordingly, at <NUM>, the simplified representation may be established by applying a criterion to the value of the determined characteristic. The simplified representation may be presented to a user for assessment of oil quality.

<FIG> illustrates generally an example comprising another technique <NUM>, such as an automated method, including obtaining reflectance data from an edible oil in situ, using a spectrometer. As in the example of <FIG>, in <FIG>, at <NUM>, reflectance data may be obtained from edible oil in situ, using a spectrometer. At <NUM>, two or more model profiles may be securely obtained, such as corresponding to different edible oil characteristics to be assessed. At <NUM>, the reflectance data obtained at <NUM> may be transformed using the two or more model profiles to generate respective values representative of respective oil characteristics. At <NUM>, a simplified representation of the result of the transformations at <NUM> may be established, such as for presentation to the user. In this manner, the simplified representation established at <NUM> unifies results from the separate transformations performed at <NUM>, as discussed below in relation to the illustrative examples of <FIG>. The simplified representation determined at <NUM> may define a predictive assessment of a quality of food prepared using the edible oil from which the reflectance data was obtained at <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates generally an example comprising a technique <NUM>, such as an automated method, including obtaining a decryption key, such as for use in applying a model profile to transform data obtained using spectroscopy. At <NUM>, a decryption key may be obtained (such as in response to a request from a user). The decryption key may include key data relating to a symmetric or asymmetric key infrastructure. For example, the decryption key may be specific to a particular model profile, a specific user or organization, a specific geography, or established in relation to other criteria (such as related to a type of edible oil being consumed). At <NUM>, a model profile may be securely received, such as from a repository. The repository may house a library of different model profiles, such as for use in characterizing one or more different specified types of oil, such as canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, or blends thereof (e.g., a canola oil, corn oil, and soybean oil blend). The different specified types of oil may also include high oleic oils comprising one or more of canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, or blends thereof, as illustrative examples. For example, a secure session scheme may be used to transmit an encrypted representation of the model profile from the repository, using an internet protocol (IP) network. At <NUM>, the model profile may be decrypted and then used to transform data obtained using spectroscopy. As mentioned above, the model profile may contain a vector defining regression coefficients to be applied to a representation of the reflectance data in order to transform the reflectance data from a raw or intermediate form to a calibrated value.

Optionally, the model profile to be securely received may be selected. For example, at <NUM>, a selection from a user may be received corresponding to a desired accuracy level (e.g., with respect to a corresponding primary standard), and a corresponding model profile may be provided. For example, certain model profiles may be provided that are specific to one edible oil species, or a "universal" model may be selected to provide an estimate of the desired characteristic when used in relation to multiple oil species. For example, a "universal" model profile may provide a specified level of accuracy when used in relation to characterizing two or more different specified types of oil, such as canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, or blends thereof (e.g., a canola oil, corn oil, and soybean oil blend). The different specified types of oil may also include high oleic oils comprising one or more of canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, or blends thereof, as illustrative examples. In another example, optionally, at <NUM>, a selection from a user may be received corresponding to a characteristic to be assessed (e.g., FFA, TPM, or other characteristics). Management of access to particular secure model profiles may be performed according to dynamic or pre-defined agreements (e.g., defining permissions for particular users to decrypt and apply a model profile). For example, access to certain model profiles providing characteristics relating to particular oil types or characteristics to be assessed may be managed on a subscription basis or according to geographical locale, as illustrative examples. Use of encrypted models may facilitate enforcement of specified service levels. For example, models may be certified or decertified based on specified date ranges or other criteria. If models are updated (such as mentioned below in relation to the example of <FIG>), a prior revision of the model may be de-certified or otherwise deactivated.

<FIG> illustrates generally an example comprising a technique <NUM>, such as an automated method, including transforming data obtained using spectroscopy to obtain a value indicative of a characteristic of edible oil. As mentioned in relation to other examples herein, reflectance data may be obtained using a spectrometer. At <NUM>, the reflectance data may be converted into equivalent absorbance data such as via applying an expression (e.g., log(<NUM>/R)) to reflectance values, "R. " At <NUM>, the absorbance data may be adjusted such as using multiplicative scatter correction, such as to reduce or eliminate wavelength-dependent scatter. At <NUM>, derivative values for the adjusted data from <NUM> may be estimated, such as using a finite-difference technique, such as to establish a vector indicative of a first derivative of the adjusted data from <NUM>. At <NUM>, a vector defining regression coefficients (e.g., a model profile) may be applied to the estimated derivative values to obtain a scalar value indicative of the characteristic being assessed. As mentioned above, the model profile may represent a set of coefficients determined using a partial least squares (PLS) regression technique.

<FIG> illustrates generally an example comprising a technique <NUM>, such as an automated method, including establishing a model profile for use in transforming data obtained using spectroscopy to obtain a value indicative of a characteristic of edible oil. At <NUM>, data may be obtained from a "field" spectrometer (e.g., a low-cost hand-held spectrometer of the type to be used in the field or its equivalent) across a range of specified sample conditions. For example, such conditions may include a range of edible oil temperatures, a variety of oil types, a variety of oil states from new (e.g., fresh) to degraded (e.g., used and approaching or at a discard threshold). Other conditions may include the type of food being fried in the oil for which the model profile will be established (e.g., french-fried potatoes, breaded chicken, or egg rolls, as illustrative examples). At <NUM> data may be obtained from the same samples using a primary analytical technique or reference technique (e.g., a bench analytical technique performed according to a published standard, or obtained via a different instrument than the field spectrometer). For example, at <NUM>, sampling may be replicated using the primary technique and correlated with the corresponding data obtained from the sample under similar conditions as were obtained at <NUM> with the field spectrometer (or its equivalent).

At <NUM>, a regression may be applied to the spectrometer data to correlate it with the primary analytical technique (or another reference technique) to establish the model profile. For example, a partial least squares regression technique may be used, such as to establish a model profile comprising a vector of weights to be applied to data obtained from the spectrometer. In this manner, a regression-derived model may be established corresponding to (a) a desired oil characteristic to be assessed and (b) calibrated to suppress one or more of bias or error associated with sample variations such as oil type or temperature dependence. Optionally, at <NUM>, the model profile may be encrypted, such as to prevent unauthorized use of the model profile or to inhibit the model profile from being duplicated or otherwise used in systems in which the model profile has not been validated. Various techniques can be used to securely store, securely transmit, securely decode, or securely encode the model, or to validate that the model is authentic (e.g., using a hash and comparing a determined hash value from a model instance to a stored hash value indicative of a valid or authentic model, and indicating whether the hash values match). At <NUM>, the model profile may be stored in a repository, such as a centralized server or cloud-based facility. As mentioned in relation to other examples herein, the repository may implement permissions and a secure transaction facility to securely transfer the model profile (or related key information) or otherwise impose permissions on use of the model profile.

<FIG> illustrates generally an example comprising a technique <NUM>, such as an automated method, including updating a model profile or a criterion used to establish a simplified representation of a characteristic of an edible oil using aggregated population data. For example, at <NUM>, values of the edible oil characteristic may be received and aggregated, such as using a repository comprising a remote server or other resource. Aggregated population data may be generated. Such aggregated population data may reveal trends or other information that permit refinement or revision of the model profile or a criterion used to establish the simplified representation mentioned in relation to other examples herein. For example, at <NUM>, the population data may be used to update at least one of a criterion used to establish the simplified representation or a model profile used for establishing the characteristic being assessed. As an illustrative example, if population data indicate that oil is being replaced or discarded well below a present "discard" threshold, then the discard threshold may be reduced to increase sensitivity. Thresholds used for binning (e.g., as shown illustratively in <FIG>) may be established adaptively using one or more machine learning techniques, such as a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) approach, a soft independent modeling of class analogies (SIMCA) approach, or using one or more other techniques. In such a manner, clusters of values of edible oil characteristics may be used to determine thresholds for a simplified representation (e.g., oil state) provided to a user. In another example, the aggregated population data may be correlated with subjective assessments of food quality (e.g., taste, texture / mouthfeel, or aroma, as illustrative examples) to determine weightings of edible oil characteristics having predictive value relating to food quality.

<FIG> illustrates generally an example <NUM> comprising a user input and display, such as a touch-screen user interface <NUM>, such as may be used to receive inputs to control a spectrometer or to present results, such as a simplified representation of a characteristic of an edible oiled being assessed using the spectrometer. Such a user interface may be included as a portion of a spectrometer (such as the spectrometer <NUM> shown in <FIG>), or a separate device in communication with the spectrometer, such as a mobile device or tablet. As an illustrative example, an input <NUM> may be used to receive an indication from the user that a particular model profile is to be selected, and a separate menu may show available model profiles authorized for use. Another input <NUM> may be used to receive an indication from the user that the spectrometer is to be calibrated. For example, the SCiO device mentioned elsewhere herein may be calibrated before each use, such as by coupling the SCiO device to a cover or base including a material having a known spectroscopic profile, and triggering a calibration. An input <NUM> may used to receive an indication from the user that a sample is to be initiated, such as to obtain reflectance data from an edible oil in situ.

As mentioned in relation to various examples herein, a model profile may be used to transform data obtained using the spectrometer to establish a value of a characteristic being assessed, such as TPM, FFA, color, polymer level. The value itself may be presented on the display of the touch-screen user interface <NUM> or a simplified representation may be presented. For example, the simplified representation may include a visual indication that the oil is at an intermediate state between fresh and a state where replacement is recommended, such as via a "traffic light" (green/yellow/red) style representation having three indicators 825A, 825B, or 825C representing oil states. Such states may be defined in a variety of manners, such as including a first state corresponding to "OK" or "Fresh," an intermediate state such as "Used" or "Filter," indicative that the oil is not yet at the discard point, and a third state indicative that the oil should be discarded.

The interface of the example <NUM> of <FIG> shows user inputs unified with a display for presentation of results, but these elements could also be separate. For example, the inputs may be provided by soft-keys aligned with a display, or by a separate keypad or input (e.g., switches, knobs, etc.). The display may include a bit-field display or other display (e.g., an LED or liquid-crystal display having pre-defined display elements, such as a numerical indicator <NUM> having seven-segment digits or other arrangement or indicators 825A, 825B, 825C comprising LED lamps). As an illustrative example, a unitless scale may be shown, such as a simplified numerical scale having values from one to five, or one to ten, such as having higher values to indicate higher oil quality (e.g., with five indicating new or fresh oil on a five-point scale or ten indicating new or fresh oil on a ten point scale).

<FIG> illustrates generally illustrative examples of techniques for establishing a simplified representation of a characteristic of an edible oiled being assessed using the spectrometer, such as by evaluating criteria 905A, 905B, or 905C, applied to respective values obtained using respective model profiles. In an illustrative example, a characteristic being assessed (such as one of α, β, or γ as shown illustratively in <FIG>) may include thresholds defining regions or "bins" A, B, and X respectively corresponding to different ranges of values, as shown by the axis, V. The characteristics α, β, or γ may correspond to one of an FFA, TPM, a color metric, a polymer content, or a Testo® value, respectively, as illustrative examples. The thresholds defining the regions A, B, and X for each of α, β, or γ may be predetermined, or may be adjusted in an adaptive or dynamic matter such as according to aggregated population statistics or in relation to a detected or selected geographical locale of the spectrometer, as illustrative examples. In an illustrative example, a simplified representation of a value of an edible oil characteristic may include a "traffic light" style display as shown by the indicators 915A, 915B, and 915C. Use of separate indicators is illustrative, and a single indicator capable of changing color may be used, for example, such as an LED lamp, a feature on a bit-field display, or a display backlight color. In an example, a single characteristic, α, may be used to establish the simplified representation according to the first criterion 905A. For example, if reflectance data is obtained, transformed, and the model profile corresponding to characteristic α is applied, resulting in a value 910A within the region A, then the first indicator 915C may be illuminated indicating that the edible oil is acceptable for further use.

If reflectance data from a later sample of the same oil reveals a value 910B within region B after applying the model profile corresponding to the parameter α, then the second indicator 915B may be illuminated to indicate that the edible oil is in an intermediate state, and so on. As described in relation to <FIG>, a simplified representation may represent a unified representation of various criteria applied to multiple characteristics being assessed. For example, two or more characteristics selected from α, β, and γ may be applied jointly according to specified rules. For example, such rules may be expressed in terms of a Boolean "OR" (e.g., if any of α, β, or γ provides a value within the region B, then the result is illuminate the middle indicator 915B, or if any of α, β, or γ provides a value within the region X, then illuminate the third indicator 915A). This assumes that region A represents new or lightly used oil, region B represents an intermediate state, and X may represent a region where replacement (discard) is recommended. An illustrative example of a first rule set is included below in Table <NUM>:.

Use of three bins to define each of the criteria 905A, 905B, or 905C to determine the simplified representation is illustrative. Other counts of bins may be used, such as a simple two-region approach (e.g., a "red light" / "green light" representation), or thresholds defining four regions (e.g., defining "new," "used," "filter," and "discard" regions, for example).

<FIG> illustrates generally an illustrative example of a report that may be generated using stored data obtained from a spectrometer (such as in the context of the system <NUM> shown in <FIG>) to assess one or more characteristics of an edible oil. In the illustrative example of <FIG>, a repository may store results obtained from a single site encompassing multiple fryer units, or multiple sites encompassing multiple fryer units. The report may include information suitable for tracing a specific spectrometer used for testing, along with identifying information relating to a site where the fryer units were tested. Values of edible oil characteristics being assessed with the spectrometer may be reported (as illustrated by columns α and β). If a simplified representation was established, such as mentioned in relation to other examples herein, the simplified representation may also be reported (e.g., shown in the RESULT column), such as illustrating an indication provided to a user of the spectrometer at the time the edible oil was sampled. As mentioned above in relation to <FIG> and other examples, the simplified representation may be established using one or more criteria applied to the edible oil characteristic being sampled, such as using fixed or adjustable threshold defining two or more "bins.

<FIG> illustrates generally an illustrative example of a report providing a time-evolution of a characteristic of an edible oil using data obtained from a spectrometer. In the illustrative example of <FIG>, a graphical representation of time-evolution may be plotted, such as generated using data stored in a repository and obtained from spectrometer (e.g., in the context of the system <NUM> shown in <FIG>). In <FIG>, a value <NUM> of the characteristic being assessed (e.g., TPM, FFA, a color metric, or another characteristic) is plotted over time and treatment (e.g., filtering) or replacement of the oil (such as denoted at time, "R") is visible. Thresholds or areas defining regions such as A, B, and X may be overlaid to indicate how the value <NUM> would relate to a simplified representation of oil status presented to a user, such as to demonstrate continuous compliance with a regulatory or quality limit corresponding to a threshold (such as a threshold defined by a boundary between regions denoted "B" and "X" in <FIG>).

The results shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> were obtained using a SCiO device mechanically anchored above a respective oil sample. The oil sample was housed in a heat-safe container with an open lid to provide an optical path length of approximately <NUM> inches (approximately <NUM>). Oil samples were placed in an oven, the oven heated to <NUM> degrees Celsius, until the oil sample temperature reached approximately <NUM>. Triplicate samples were obtained over a duration of about <NUM> seconds total. The reflectance data obtained from the SCiO device was transformed in accordance with the technique <NUM> described in relation to <FIG>. A partial least squares (PLS) regression technique was performed to determine a regression vector by comparing sampled results obtained using the SCiO device to results obtained using a primary standard or other reference. The resulting regression vectors may be used as respective model profiles as mentioned in relation to other examples described herein to provide a calibrated scalar value of the characteristic being assessed. In each of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the regression statistics are shown along with a relationship between values obtained using the SCiO device (after applying the regression to transform the reflectance data).

<FIG> illustrates generally an illustrative example of experimentally-obtained results including an estimated color parameter value obtained by transforming spectroscopic data, plotted versus corresponding measurements of the color parameter using a primary technique. A regression line <NUM> is shown overlaid on a <NUM>:<NUM> line <NUM>, for comparison. Triplicate measurements for each of a high oleic canola oil, a soybean oil, and a blend (canola oil, corn oil, and soybean oil) are shown.

<FIG> illustrates generally an illustrative example of experimentally-obtained results including an estimated free fatty acid (FFA) value obtained by transforming spectroscopic data, plotted versus corresponding measurements of the FFA value using a primary technique. A regression line <NUM> is shown overlaid on a <NUM>:<NUM> line <NUM>, for comparison. Triplicate measurements for each of a high oleic canola oil, a soybean oil, and a blend (canola oil, corn oil, and soybean oil) are shown.

<FIG> illustrates generally an illustrative example of experimentally-obtained results including an estimated Testo® instrument value obtained by transforming spectroscopic data, plotted versus corresponding measurements of the Testo® instrument value using a Testo® instrument. A regression line <NUM> is shown overlaid on a <NUM>:<NUM> line <NUM>, for comparison. Triplicate measurements for each of a high oleic canola oil, a soybean oil, and a blend (canola oil, corn oil, and soybean oil) are shown.

<FIG> illustrates generally an illustrative example of experimentally-obtained results including an estimated TPM value obtained by transforming spectroscopic data, plotted versus corresponding measurements of the TPM value using a GPC. A regression line <NUM> is shown overlaid on a <NUM>:<NUM> line <NUM>, for comparison. Triplicate measurements for each of a high oleic canola oil, a soybean oil, and a blend (canola oil, corn oil, and soybean oil) are shown.

<FIG> illustrates generally an illustrative example of experimentally-obtained results including an estimated Total Polar Material (TPM) value obtained by transforming spectroscopic data, plotted versus corresponding measurements of the TPM value performed according to American Oil Chemist's Society (AOCS) Cd <NUM>-<NUM>. A regression line <NUM> is shown overlaid on a <NUM>:<NUM> line <NUM>, for comparison. Triplicate measurements for each of a high oleic canola oil, a soybean oil, and a blend (canola oil, corn oil, and soybean oil) are shown.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of an example comprising a machine <NUM> upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed herein may be performed. The machine <NUM> may be included as a portion of elements shown in the system <NUM> of <FIG>. In various examples, the machine <NUM> may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. The machine <NUM> may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, a portable (e.g., hand-held) spectrometer such as including a microprocessor or microcontroller, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

Examples, as described herein, may include, or may operate by, logic or a number of components, or mechanisms. "Circuitry" refers generally a collection of circuits implemented in tangible entities that include hardware (e.g., simple circuits, gates, logic elements, etc.). Circuitry membership may be flexible over time and underlying hardware variability. Circuitries include members that may, alone or in combination, perform specified operations when operating. In an example, hardware of the circuitry may be immutably designed to carry out a specific operation (e.g., hardwired). In an example, the hardware comprising the circuitry may include variably connected physical components (e.g., execution units, transistors, simple circuits, etc.) including a computer readable medium physically modified (e.g., magnetically, electrically, such as via a change in physical state or transformation of another physical characteristic, etc.) to encode instructions of the specific operation.

In connecting the physical components, the underlying electrical properties of a hardware constituent may be changed, for example, from an insulating characteristic to a conductive characteristic or vice versa. The instructions enable embedded hardware (e.g., the execution units or a loading mechanism) to create members of the circuitry in hardware via the variable connections to carry out portions of the specific operation when in operation. Accordingly, the computer readable medium is communicatively coupled to the other components of the circuitry when the device is operating. In an example, any of the physical components may be used in more than one member of more than one circuitry. For example, under operation, execution units may be used in a first circuit of a first circuitry at one point in time and reused by a second circuit in the first circuitry, or by a third circuit in a second circuitry at a different time.

The machine <NUM> may include an output controller <NUM>, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.).

The term "machine readable medium" may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine <NUM> and that cause the machine <NUM> to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Nonlimiting machine readable medium examples may include solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. Accordingly, machine-readable media are not transitory propagating signals. Specific examples of massed machine readable media may include: non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic or other phase-change or state-change memory circuits; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

The instructions <NUM> may further be transmitted or received over a communications network <NUM> using a transmission medium via the network interface device <NUM> utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communication networks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellular networks such as conforming to one or more standards such as a <NUM> standard or Long Term Evolution (LTE)), Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) <NUM> family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE <NUM>. <NUM> family of standards, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. In an example, the network interface device <NUM> may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communications network <NUM>. In an example, the network interface device <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. The term "transmission medium" shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine <NUM>, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software.

These embodiments are also referred to generally as "examples.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim.

Claim 1:
An automated method (<NUM>) for spectroscopic evaluation of a characteristic of edible oil (<NUM>), the method comprising:
using a spectrometer (<NUM>), optically obtaining (<NUM>) reflectance data from the edible oil (<NUM>) in situ in a frying apparatus (<NUM>) housing the edible oil (<NUM>), the reflectance data corresponding to a specified range of infra-red wavelengths;
transforming (<NUM>) the reflectance data using a model profile (114A) corresponding to the characteristic being assessed to generate a value corresponding to the characteristic; and
applying (<NUM>) a criterion to the value to establish a simplified representation of the characteristic for presentation to a user for assessment of oil quality;
characterized in that the model profile (114A) is securely obtained (<NUM>), by receiving ar encrypted representation of the model profile (114A) from a repository and by decrypting the representation of the model profile (114A) using a key, the key received in response to validatior that the user is authorized to decrypt and apply the model profile (114A) for transforming the reflectance data.