U.S. patent application number 17/705002 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-08 for wirelessly operable cooking appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Spectrum Brands, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Spectrum Brands, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dominic DiMarco, David Everett, Karl W. Marschke, Timothy Nott, Byron Seth Sawyer, Jacob Daniel Smith, Nicole Ann Sorenson.
Application Number | 20220287152 17/705002 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006362082 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220287152 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sorenson; Nicole Ann ; et
al. |
September 8, 2022 |
WIRELESSLY OPERABLE COOKING APPLIANCE
Abstract
A wirelessly operable cooking appliance for cooking food
products includes a wireless communication device. A computing
device, such as a smartphone, can wirelessly communicate with the
cooking appliance to control and monitor the cooking appliance.
Inventors: |
Sorenson; Nicole Ann;
(Verona, WI) ; Sawyer; Byron Seth; (Middleton,
WI) ; Nott; Timothy; (Madison, WI) ; DiMarco;
Dominic; (Madison, WI) ; Everett; David;
(Verona, WI) ; Smith; Jacob Daniel; (Madison,
WI) ; Marschke; Karl W.; (Madison, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Spectrum Brands, Inc. |
Middleton |
WI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Spectrum Brands, Inc.
Middleton
WI
|
Family ID: |
1000006362082 |
Appl. No.: |
17/705002 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15960219 |
Apr 23, 2018 |
11317474 |
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17705002 |
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14657618 |
Mar 13, 2015 |
9980321 |
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15960219 |
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62128921 |
Mar 5, 2015 |
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61953031 |
Mar 14, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 1/0266 20130101;
F24C 15/105 20130101; A47J 37/0676 20130101; A47J 36/321 20180801;
A47J 37/0611 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H05B 1/02 20060101
H05B001/02; A47J 36/32 20060101 A47J036/32; A47J 37/06 20060101
A47J037/06; F24C 15/10 20060101 F24C015/10 |
Claims
1-33. (canceled)
34. A cooking appliance, comprising: a housing; an electric heating
element disposed within the housing; at least one cooking plate
mounted on the housing for cooking a food item, the at least one
cooking plate comprising a food contact surface and a lower surface
opposed to the food contact surface, and configured to be heated by
the electric heating element; a sensing device configured to detect
an operational characteristic of the cooking appliance, the
operational characteristic comprising a cooking plate temperature
of the at least one cooking plate; and a control device configured
to: communicate with a user computing device via a wireless
network; receive a cooking configuration from the user computing
device via the wireless network, the cooking configuration
including at least a target cooking plate temperature of the at
least one cooking plate; and control the electric heating element
to heat the at least one cooking plate to the target cooking plate
temperature.
35. The cooking appliance of claim 34, wherein the sensing device
comprises a thermostat assembly having a sensing member configured
to contact the lower surface of the at least one cooking plate, and
wherein the thermostat assembly detects and monitors the
temperature of the at least one cooking plate.
36. The cooking appliance of claim 34, wherein the control device
is further configured to: control the electric heating element to
heat the at least one cooking plate to a predetermined temperature
before the food item is placed onto the food contact surface of the
at least one cooking plate; and generate an alert indicating that
the at least one cooking plate has reached the predetermined
temperature.
37. The cooking appliance of claim 34, wherein the control device
is further configured to: transmit the operational characteristic
to the user computing device.
38. The cooking appliance of claim 34, further comprising: a
temperature probe assembly configured to be inserted into the food
item placed on the food contact surface of the at least one cooking
plate and monitor an internal temperature of the food item.
39. The cooking appliance of claim 38, wherein the temperature
probe assembly is electrically connected to the control device and
sends a signal indicative of the internal temperature of the food
item to the control device.
40. The cooking appliance of claim 38, wherein the temperature
probe assembly is connected to the user computing device and sends
a signal indicative of the internal temperature of the food item to
the user computing device.
41. The cooking appliance of claim 34, wherein the food contact
surface is configured to provide a substantially flat surface, to
shape a waffle, to provide a bake dish, to provide a plurality of
bowl-type spaces, or to provide a plurality of dish-type
spaces.
42. The cooking appliance of claim 34, comprising a plurality of
cooking plates.
43. The cooking appliance of claim 34, wherein the cooking
appliance is a countertop cooking appliance.
44. The cooking appliance of claim 34, wherein the cooking
appliance is a toaster oven.
45. A cooking appliance, comprising: a first electric heating
element; a first cooking plate configured to contact a food item
placed thereon and be heated by the first electric heating element;
and a first temperature sensing device configured to detect a
temperature of the first cooking plate; a second electric heating;
a second temperature sensing device configured to detect a
temperature of the second cooking plate; and a control device
configured to: communicate with a user computing device via a
wireless network; receive a cooking configuration data from the
user computing device via the wireless network, the cooking
configuration comprising a target plate temperature; control at
least one of the first and second electric heating elements to heat
at least one of the first and second cooking plates to the target
cooking plate temperature.
46. The cooking appliance of claim 45, further comprising: a
temperature probe assembly comprising a temperature probe element,
the temperature probe element configured to be inserted into the
food item to measure an internal temperature of the food item;
47. The cooking appliance of claim 46, wherein the control device
is further configured to: control at least one of the first and
second heating elements based on the cooking configuration data to
heat the first cooking plate to reach the target cooking plate
temperature until the internal temperature of the food item reaches
a target probe temperature of the cooking configuration data.
48. The cooking appliance of claim 45, wherein the control device
is further configured to: control the at least one of the first and
second electric heating elements to preheat the first cooking plate
to a predetermined temperature before the food item is placed in
the cooking appliance; and generate an alert indicating that the
cooking appliance is ready to receive the food item for
cooking.
49. The cooking appliance of claim 45, wherein the control device
is further configured to: transmit the temperature of at least one
of the first and second cooking plates detected by at least one of
the first and second temperature sensing devices to the user
computing device via the wireless network.
50. The cooking appliance of claim 45, wherein the cooking
configuration data further comprises at least one of: a target
cooking temperature, a target probe temperature, a status of a
preheat operation, and a status of a cooking operation.
51. The cooking appliance of claim 45, further comprising: a first
housing, wherein the first cooking plate is detachably mounted on
the first housing; a second housing, wherein the second cooking
plate is detachably mounted on the second housing; wherein, the
first housing is pivotally coupled to the second housing.
52. The cooking appliance of claim 45, further comprising: a probe
storage configured to receive and store the temperature probe
assembly.
53. A cooking appliance, comprising: a bottom assembly comprising a
bottom heating subassembly, the bottom heating subassembly
comprising a bottom housing; a heating element disposed within the
bottom housing of the bottom heating subassembly; a bottom cooking
plate mounted on the bottom housing, wherein the bottom heating
subassembly is configured to secure the bottom cooking plate
thereon and to heat the bottom cooking plate; a temperature sensing
device configured to detect and monitor a temperature of the bottom
cooking plate; a top assembly; a hinge assembly, wherein the bottom
and top assemblies are coupled by the hinge assembly; and a control
device configured to: communicate with a user computing device via
a wireless network; and receive a cooking configuration from the
user computing device via the wireless network, and control the
heating element to heat the bottom cooking plate based upon the
cooking configuration.
54. The cooking appliance of claim 53, wherein, the cooking
configuration comprises a target cooking plate temperature; and the
control device is further configured to control the heating element
to heat the bottom cooking plate until the cooking plate
temperature reaches the target cooking plate temperature.
55. The cooking appliance of claim 53, further comprising: a
temperature probe assembly configured to measure a temperature of a
food item heated by the cooking appliance.
56. The cooking appliance of claim 53, wherein, the cooking
configuration comprises a target cooking temperature and a target
probe temperature; and the control device is further configured to
the heating element to heat the bottom cooking plate until an
internal temperature of the food item reaches the target cooking
temperature or the target probe temperature.
57. The cooking appliance of claim 53, wherein, the bottom housing
has a forward end and a rearward end; and the bottom cooking plate
has a food contact surface configured to receive a food item, the
food contact surface configured to be substantially flat from the
rearward end to the forward end.
58. A toaster oven, comprising: a housing; an electric heating
element disposed within the housing; a sensing device configured to
detect an operational characteristic of the toaster oven, the
operational characteristic comprising a temperature within the
toaster oven; and a control device configured to: communicate with
a user computing device via a wireless network; and receive a
cooking configuration from the user computing device via the
wireless network, the cooking configuration including at least a
target temperature within the housing of the toaster oven; and
control the electric heating element to heat the toaster oven to
the target temperature.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/960,219, filed on Apr. 23, 2018 and titled WIRELESSLY
OPERABLE COOKING APPLIANCE, which is a Continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/657,618, U.S. Pat. No. 9,980,321, filed on
Mar. 13, 2015 and titled WIRELESSLY OPERABLE COOKING APPLIANCE,
which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/953,031
titled Countertop Cooking Appliance For Use With A Remote
Communication Device filed Mar. 14, 2014 and to U.S. Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/128,921 titled WIRELESSLY OPERABLE COOKING
APPLIANCE filed Mar. 5, 2015, the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties. To the extent
appropriate a claim of priority is made to each of the
above-disclosed applications.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cooking appliances, such as electrically-heated grills,
typically require a user to remain close to the cooking appliance
while cooking. A user must stay near the cooking appliance and
cannot leave it for a long time because the user needs to monitor
the cooking appliance and a food item placed therein. For example,
a user of the cooking appliance has to frequently check the cooking
appliance to determine when the cooking appliance reaches an
appropriate temperature before placing a food item in the cooking
appliance, and whether the food time has been appropriately
heated.
SUMMARY
[0003] In general terms, this disclosure is directed to a
wirelessly operable cooking appliance. In one possible
configuration and by non-limiting example, the cooking appliance is
controlled through a user computing device via a wireless network.
Various aspects are described in this disclosure, which include,
but are not limited to, the following aspects.
[0004] One aspect is a cooking appliance comprising: a housing; a
heating element disposed within the housing; a cooking plate
mounted on the housing; and a control device configured to
communicate with a user computing device via a wireless network,
receive a cooking configuration from the user computing device via
the wireless network, and control the heating element to heat the
cooking plate based upon the cooking configuration.
[0005] Another aspect is a method of controlling a cooking
appliance, the method comprising: receiving cooking configuration
data from a user computing device via a wireless network, the
cooking configuration data including a target cooking temperature;
and controlling a heating element to heat a cooking plate until a
temperature of a food item reaches the target cooking
temperature.
[0006] Yet another aspect is a cooking appliance comprising: a
first assembly comprising: a first housing; a first heating element
disposed with the first housing; and a first cooking plate
detachably mounted on the first housing; a second assembly
comprising: a second housing pivotally coupled to the first
housing; and a second heating element disposed with the second
housing; a control circuit configured to communicate with a user
computing device via a wireless network and operable to: receive
cooking configuration data from the user computing device, the
cooking configuration data including a target cooking temperature;
and control at least one of the first and second heating elements
to heat the first cooking plate until a temperature of a food item
reaches the target cooking temperature.
[0007] Further, the present disclosure generally relates to cooking
appliances. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to
countertop cooking appliances, such as contact grills, rice
cookers, skillets, griddles, toaster ovens, waffle makers, and slow
cookers, and remote communication devices, such as mobile phones,
portable computers, tablet computers, personal digital assistants,
etc.
[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a countertop
cooking appliance includes a heating element, a sensor configured
to detect an operational characteristic of the countertop cooking
appliance, and a controller coupled to the sensor. The controller
is configured to send a signal indicative of the detected
operational characteristic to a remote communication device.
[0009] Another aspect of the disclosure is a countertop cooking
appliance. The countertop cooking appliance includes a heating
element and a controller. The controller includes a communication
interface configured to receive settings from a remote
communication device. The controller is configured to control the
heating element based at least in part on the settings received
from the remote communication device.
[0010] In another aspect of the disclosure, a remote communication
device for use with a countertop cooking appliance is provided. The
remote communication device includes a display device, a processor,
and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores
instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the
processor to: receive a user's selection of at least one setting to
cook a food item using the countertop cooking appliance, transmit
the at least one setting to the remote communication device,
receive at least one of food item data and operational data from
the countertop cooking appliance, determine when cooking of the
food item is complete, and display, on the display device, an alert
when cooking of the food item is complete.
[0011] The features, functions, and advantages described herein may
be achieved independently in various implementations described in
the present disclosure or may be combined in yet other
implementations, further details of which may be seen with
reference to the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example cooking appliance
system.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example method of operating the
system of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example cooking appliance
in a first position.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cooking appliance of
FIG. 3 in a second position.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a bottom assembly of the
cooking appliance.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bottom heating
subassembly, illustrating some components of the bottom heating
subassembly. I
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom heating
subassembly, illustrating a heat insulation panel.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bottom heating
subassembly, illustrating a bottom reflecting plate and a heating
element.
[0020] FIG. 9 is an example bottom cooking plate.
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates the cooking plate configured as a waffle
plate
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates the cooking plate configured as a bake
plate.
[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates the cooking plate configured as a muffin
pan.
[0024] FIG. 13 illustrates the cooking plate configured as a
griddle plate.
[0025] FIG. 14 illustrates the cooking plate configured as an
omelet plate.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the bottom heating
subassembly.
[0027] FIG. 16 illustrates that a pivotable stand is flipped
over.
[0028] FIG. 17 illustrates another example of the pivotable
stand.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of a top assembly of the
cooking appliance, illustrating an upper portion of the top
assembly.
[0030] FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the top assembly with a
housing cover and a control panel removed.
[0031] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the top assembly,
illustrating some components thereof.
[0032] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the top assembly,
illustrating a top reflecting plate and a heating element.
[0033] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the top assembly,
illustrating an example top cooking plate.
[0034] FIG. 23 illustrates another example of the top heating
element of the top assembly.
[0035] FIG. 24 illustrates the cooking appliance in a vertical
position.
[0036] FIG. 25 is a top view of another example hinge assembly.
[0037] FIG. 26 is a side view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 25.
[0038] FIG. 27 illustrates example functional operations of an
appliance control device.
[0039] FIG. 28 illustrates an example functional operation of a
user computing device executing an appliance control
application.
[0040] FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary architecture of a computing
device that can be used to implement aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of
operating a network configuration engine of the appliance control
application.
[0042] FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of
operating an appliance control engine of the appliance control
application.
[0043] FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of
performing a preheat operation with the user computing device.
[0044] FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of
performing a cooking operation with the user computing device.
[0045] FIG. 34 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a network configuration page.
[0046] FIG. 35 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a home screen page.
[0047] FIG. 36 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a preheat operation page.
[0048] FIG. 37 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a recipe information page.
[0049] FIG. 38 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a menu page.
[0050] FIG. 39 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a red meat food type page with a doneness
selection option.
[0051] FIG. 40 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a pork food type page with a cooking
temperature selection option.
[0052] FIG. 41 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a poultry food type page with a cooking
temperature selection option.
[0053] FIG. 42 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a fish food type page with a cooking
temperature selection option.
[0054] FIG. 43 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a miscellaneous food type page including
cooking plate temperature selection and probe temperature selection
options.
[0055] FIG. 44 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a manual cooking mode page including
cooking plate temperature selection and probe temperature selection
options.
[0056] FIG. 45 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a preheat status page.
[0057] FIG. 46 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a preheat-end and ready-to cook
notification page.
[0058] FIG. 47 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a cooking status page including a
temperature selection snapshot.
[0059] FIG. 48 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a cooking end notification page including
a continued cooking selection option.
[0060] FIG. 49 is an example interface of the appliance control
application that displays a rest timer page.
[0061] FIG. 50 is an exemplary system having a countertop cooking
appliance and a remote communication device;
[0062] FIG. 51 is an exemplary computing device;
[0063] FIG. 52 is a block diagram of the countertop cooking
appliance shown in FIG. 50;
[0064] FIG. 53 is a functional block diagram of the exemplary
system shown in FIG. 50;
[0065] FIG. 54 is a flow diagram of a method for cooking with a
countertop cooking appliance and a remote communication device;
[0066] FIG. 55 is a flow diagram of another method for cooking with
a countertop cooking appliance and a remote communication
device;
[0067] FIG. 56 is a flow diagram of yet another method for cooking
with a countertop cooking appliance and a remote communication
device.
[0068] FIG. 57 is an example display of the remote communication
device shown in FIG. 50.
[0069] FIG. 58 is another example display of the remote
communication device shown in FIG. 50.
[0070] FIG. 59 is an example display of the remote communication
device shown in FIG. 50.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0071] Various embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several
views.
[0072] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example cooking appliance
system 100. In the embodiments, the cooking appliance system 100
includes a cooking appliance 102 incorporating an appliance control
device 104, a user computing device 106 manipulated by a user (U)
and executing an appliance control application 108, a wireless
router 110, and a wireless network 112. The cooking appliance
system 100 is implemented in a user site (S).
[0073] The cooking appliance 102 operates to cook a food item. The
cooking appliance 102 provides a place for receiving a food item
and is configured to heat the food item on or within the place at a
predetermined temperature. An example cooking appliance 102 is
described and illustrated in more detail with reference to FIGS.
3-27.
[0074] In this document, the cooking appliance 102 is described and
illustrated primarily as a tabletop cooking appliance, such as a
countertop grill, and, therefore, the cooking appliance 102 is also
referred to herein as the countertop grill. In other embodiments,
however, the cooking appliance 102 can be of various types, other
than a tabletop grill, such as ovens, microwaves, bachelor
grillers, roasters, electric cookers, toasters, sandwich toasters,
and any other appliances operable according to the present
disclosure.
[0075] The appliance control device 104 operates to control various
parts of the cooking appliance 102. In some embodiments, the
appliance control device 104 is configured to communicate with the
user computing device 106 to receive a user cooking setting (e.g.,
a cooking configuration) via the wireless network 112, and control
the cooking appliance 102 to cook a food item based upon the user
cooking setting. An example control device 104 is described and
illustrated in more detail with reference to FIG. 27.
[0076] The user computing device 106 is operated by the user (U)
and executes the appliance control application 108 to control the
cooking appliance 102 via the wireless network 112. In some
embodiments, the user computing device 106 is a mobile computing
device, such as smartphones, tablet computers, and other mobile
devices. An example user computing device 106 is described and
illustrated in more detail with reference to FIG. 28.
[0077] The appliance control application 108 runs on the user
computing device 106 and provides an interface for the user (U) to
control the cooking appliance 102. The user (U) can set up various
cooking configurations that are sent to the appliance control
device 104 via the wireless network 112, which in turn operates the
cooking appliance 102 based upon the received cooking
configurations. An example appliance control application 108 is
described and illustrated in more detail with reference to FIG.
28.
[0078] The wireless router 110 is a networking device that provides
a wireless connection between the cooking appliance 102 and the
user computing device 106 and forwards data packets therebetween.
In some embodiments, the wireless router 110 is configured to
implement a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the user site
(S). In some embodiments, however, communication can occur directly
between the computing device 106 and the cooking appliance 102, and
the wireless router 110 is either not included, or is integrated
with one of the computing device 106 or the cooking appliance 102,
for example.
[0079] The wireless network 112 communicates digital data
wirelessly between one or more computing devices, such as between
the cooking appliance 102 and the user computing device 106. In
some embodiments, the wireless network 112 is configured as a
wireless local area network (WLAN) to cover the user site (S). In
other embodiments, the wireless network 112 can be any suitable
type of network and/or a combination of network. Examples of the
wireless network include the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a
wireless wide area network (WWAN), a mesh network, a virtual
private network (VPN), a cellular network, and/or any other network
that allows the cooking appliance system 100 to operate as
described herein.
[0080] The user site (S) is a place at which the cooking appliance
102 is used. In some embodiments, the user site (S) is a limited
area that does not require wide area networks (WANs). For example,
the user site (S) can be a house, building, and other limited
spaces where the user (U) is present to use the cooking appliance
102.
[0081] In some embodiments, the cooking appliance system 100
includes a server computing device arranged either within the user
site (S) or remotely from the user site (S). In some embodiments,
the server computing device is configured to store data that are
transmitted to the user computing device 106. For example, the
server computing device stores data including recipe information
and transmit the data to the user computing device 106 via a
network.
[0082] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example method 120 of operating
the system 100. In some embodiments, the method 120 includes
operations 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. In other embodiments,
the method 120 includes only some of the operations or one or more
additional operations. The operations 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and
132 can be performed in different orders in other embodiments.
[0083] At operation 122, a wireless connection is established
between the cooking appliance 102 and the user computing device 106
via the wireless network 112. In some embodiments, when the cooking
appliance 102 is turned on and the appliance control application
108 begins to run on the user computing device 106, the cooking
appliance 102 and the user computing device 106 are paired up to
establish a wireless connection through the wireless router 110. An
example method of establishing a wireless connection is illustrated
and described in more detail with reference to FIG. 30.
[0084] At operation 124, the cooking appliance 102 (e.g., the
appliance control device 104) receives cooking configuration data
from the user computing device 106. The cooking configuration data
include various cooking characteristics for cooking a particular
food item. Examples of cooking characteristics include a cooking
temperature. In some embodiments, a cooking temperature indicates a
temperature to which a particular food item needs to be heated to
reach so that a cooking of the food item is considered to be
complete. In other embodiments, a cooking temperature is defined at
a temperature at which a particular food item needs to be
cooked.
[0085] As described below, the cooking configuration data are
entered by the user (U) through the user computing device 106
executing the appliance control application 108.
[0086] At operation 126, the system 100 prompts the user (U) to
place the food item in the cooking appliance 102 for cooking. In
some embodiments, the appliance control application 108 is
configured to alert the user (U) when the cooking appliance 102 is
ready to receive the food item for subsequent cooking operations.
In other embodiments, the cooking appliance 102 is configured to
directly alert the user (U) without communicating through the user
computing device 106. The alert can be of various types, including
visual and/or audible notifications.
[0087] At operation 128, the appliance control device 104 controls
the cooking appliance 102 to heat the food item based upon the
received cooking configuration data. For example, the cooking
appliance 102 is operated to heat the food item until a temperature
of the food time has reached the predetermined cooking
temperature.
[0088] At operation 130, the system 100 verifies that the cooking
configuration has been satisfied. In some embodiments, the
appliance control application 108 receives information about the
food item in the cooking appliance 102 and determines whether the
food item has been cooked to meet the cooking configurations
received from the user (U). For example, the appliance control
application 108 determines whether the food item has been cooked to
meet the cooking configurations (e.g., the predetermined cooking
temperature) received from the user (U). In other embodiments, the
appliance control device 104 performs the determination and sends a
result to the user computing device 106 so that the appliance
control application 108 use the result for various purposes, such
as to alert the user (U) to the end of cooking, as described in
operation 132.
[0089] If the cooking configuration is verified to have been met
("YES" at the operation 130), the method 120 moves on to the
operation 132. Otherwise ("NO" at the operation 130), the method
120 returns to the operation 128.
[0090] At the operation 132, the system 100 is configured to alter
the user (U) that the cooking of the food time has ended. In some
embodiments, the appliance control application 108 is configured to
provide the alert to the user (U). In other embodiments, the
cooking appliance 102 is configured to directly alert the user (U)
without communicating through the user computing device 106. The
alert can be of various types, including visual and/or audible
notifications.
[0091] Referring to FIGS. 3-27, an example cooking appliance 102 is
illustrated and described in detail. In the illustrated example,
the cooking appliance 102 is a tabletop grill. As described above,
other embodiments of the cooking appliance 102 are also
possible.
[0092] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example cooking appliance
102 in a first position. In some embodiments, the cooking appliance
102 includes a bottom assembly 202 and a top assembly 204. The
bottom and top assemblies 202 and 204 are coupled by a hinge
assembly 206.
[0093] The bottom assembly 202 is configured as a base portion of
the cooking appliance 102. An example bottom assembly 202 is
described and illustrated with reference to FIGS. 5-17.
[0094] The top assembly 204 is configured as a top portion of the
cooking appliance 102. An example top assembly 204 is described and
illustrated with reference to FIGS. 18-23.
[0095] The hinge assembly 206 is used to pivotally connect the
bottom and top assemblies 202 and 204. The hinge assembly 206 is
configured to enable the top assembly 204 to pivot relative to the
bottom assembly 202 and selectively remain in a position that
orients the top assembly 204 at various angular positions relative
to the bottom assembly 202. In some embodiments, the hinge assembly
206 includes various types of locking mechanisms configured to
selectively lock a position of the top assembly 204 relative to the
bottom assembly 202 as desired. An example hinge assembly 206 is
described and illustrated with reference to FIGS. 25-26.
[0096] As illustrated, when the cooking appliance 102 is in the
first position, the top assembly 204 is closed and arranged at
about zero degree relative to the bottom assembly 202.
[0097] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cooking appliance 102 of
FIG. 3 in a second position. When the cooking appliance 102 is in
the second position, the top assembly 204 is opened and maintained
at various angles relative to the bottom assembly 202. In the
illustrated example, the top assembly 204 is oriented at about 90
degree relative to the bottom assembly 202. In other embodiments,
the hinge assembly 206 is configured to enable the top assembly 204
to pivot relative to the bottom assembly 202 and maintain the top
assembly 204 at other desired orientations, which ranges, for
example, from zero to 180 degrees, relative to the bottom assembly
202.
[0098] In other embodiments, the hinge assembly 206 is configured
to enable the top assembly 204 to floatingly pivot relative to the
bottom assembly 202 within a predetermined distance. In this
configuration, when a thicker food item is placed on the bottom
assembly 202 (e.g., a bottom cooking plate 212 (FIG. 5)) and the
top assembly 204 is hinged toward the bottom assembly 202 to close
the cooking appliance 102, the floatable hinge assembly 206 permits
the top assembly 204 to rise within the predetermined distance in
order to accommodate the thinker food item between the bottom and
top assembly 202 and 204. For example, the floatable hinge assembly
206 can be used for cooking a panini-type grilled sandwich.
Accordingly, the cooking appliance 102 can facilitate pivoting the
top assembly 204 relative to the bottom assembly 202 within a wider
range of motion, as well as accommodating thicker food items (e.g.,
thicker cuts of meat or thicker sandwiches) between the bottom and
top assemblies 202 and 204 (e.g., bottom and top cooking plates 212
and 380 (FIGS. 5 and 22)).
[0099] As set forth above, the illustrated cooking appliance 102 is
configured as a horizontal grill (i.e., a device configured to heat
a food item with the cooking plates oriented substantially parallel
to a countertop or other suitable support surface). However, it is
contemplated that the cooking appliance 102 can be a vertical grill
in other embodiments (i.e., a device configured to heat a food item
with the cooking plates oriented substantially perpendicular to the
countertop or other suitable support surface). Alternatively, the
cooking appliance 102 can have only one cooking plate (e.g., only
the bottom cooking plate 212 with no top cooking plate 380), or the
cooking appliance 102 can be configured to heat a food item with at
least one of the cooking plates 212 and 380 oriented in any
suitable manner.
[0100] Referring to FIGS. 5-17, an example bottom assembly 202 is
illustrated and described in more detail.
[0101] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the bottom assembly 202. In
some embodiments, the bottom assembly 202 includes a bottom heating
subassembly 210, a bottom cooking plate 212, a grease tray 214, and
a temperature probe assembly 218. Also shown are a tray receptacle
216 and a probe storage 220 that are provided to the heating
subassembly 210.
[0102] The bottom heating subassembly 210 is configured to secure
the bottom cooking plate 212 thereon and operates to heat the
cooking plate 212. The bottom heating subassembly 210 has a forward
end 226, a rearward end 228, a right side 230, and a left side 232.
An example heating subassembly 210 is illustrated and described in
more detail with reference to FIGS. 6-8.
[0103] The bottom cooking plate 212 is detachably mounted to the
bottom heating subassembly 210 and configured to receive food items
thereon for cooking. An example bottom cooking plate 212 is
illustrated and described in more detail with reference to FIGS.
9-14. Although the cooking appliance 102 is described herein to
include one bottom cooking plate 212, other embodiments of the
cooking appliance 102 can include a plurality of top cooking plate
212 of the same or different kinds.
[0104] The grease tray 214 is configured and arranged to collect
grease dripping from the bottom cooking plate 212. In some
embodiments, the grease tray 214 is removably secured to the bottom
heating subassembly 210 adjacent a forward end 292 (FIG. 9) of the
bottom cooking plate 212. For example, the grease tray 214 is at
least partially inserted into, and secured at, the tray receptacle
216 defined at the forward end 226 of the bottom heating
subassembly 210 so as to be arranged at the forward end 292 of the
bottom cooking plate 212. As described below, the bottom cooking
plate 212 is configured and arranged to define a slope that is
lower at its forward end 292 so that any liquid substances, such as
grease or water, flow toward the forward end 292 of the bottom
cooking plate 212, drip from the forward end 292 of the bottom
cooking plate 212, and are collected at the grease tray 214.
[0105] In some embodiments, the grease tray 214 has one or more
guide tabs 222 that slide over support guides 224 formed at the
tray receptacle 216.
[0106] The tray receptacle 216 is defined at the forward end 226 of
the bottom heating subassembly 210 and configured to removably
receive the grease tray 214 therein. In some embodiments, the tray
receptacle 216 includes one or more support guides 224 configured
to hold the guide tabs 222 of the grease tray 214, respectively, as
the grease tray 214 is inserted into the tray receptacle 216.
[0107] The temperature probe assembly 218 is configured to measure
a temperature of a food item heated by the cooking appliance 102.
In some embodiments, the temperature probe assembly 218 includes a
probe body 240, a temperature probe 242, a connector 244, and a
cord 246.
[0108] The probe body 240 is configured to mount the temperature
probe 242 and provides a handle for a user to manipulate the
temperature probe assembly 218. In some embodiments, the probe body
240 includes a cord management portion 248 around which the cord
246 is at least partially wrapped. In the illustrated example, the
cord management portion 248 is a channel formed around the probe
body 240, and a least a portion of the cord 246 is received within
the channel and wrapped around the probe body 240. The cord
management portion 248 can be used in various purposes, such as to
adjust a length of the cord 246 that extends from the probe body
240 and to store the cord 246 when the temperature probe assembly
218 is not in use.
[0109] The temperature probe 242 is a probe that will measure an
internal temperature of a food item while cooking. In some
embodiments, the temperature probe 242 is a metal probe with a
sharp point which is inserted into a food item.
[0110] The connector 244 is configured to connect the temperature
probe 242 to another electric device. In some embodiments, the
connector 244 is configured as a phone connector (also referred to
as a phone plug or phone jack) that is inserted into a socket 250
of the bottom heating subassembly 210 so that the temperature probe
242 is electrically connected to the appliance control device 104.
Other configurations of the connector 244 are possible.
[0111] In other embodiments, the connector 244 is configured to be
inserted into a socket of a computing device, such as a mobile
computing device, to monitor a temperature of a food item through
the computing device independently from the cooking appliance 102.
For example, the temperature probe assembly 218 is electrically
connected to the user computing device 106 by plugging the
connector 244 into one of plug sockets provided in the user
computing device 106, and the user (U) can monitor a temperature of
a food item through the user computing device 106 (e.g., through a
mobile application, such as the appliance control application 108,
running on the user computing device 106).
[0112] In yet other embodiments, the temperature probe assembly 218
is configured to wirelessly operate without the cord 246. In this
configuration, the temperature probe assembly 218 incorporates a
wireless communication module to communicate with the cooking
appliance 102 and/or the user computing device 106. In some
embodiments, the temperature probe assembly 218 can be operated by
a rechargeable battery included therein, and the cooking appliance
102 can include a docking station configured to receive the
temperature probe assembly 218 and recharge the battery of the
temperature probe assembly 218.
[0113] In yet other embodiments, the cooking appliance 102 can
operate without using the temperature probe assembly 218, and
employ other possible technologies to monitor a temperature of a
food item.
[0114] With continued reference to FIG. 5, the bottom heating
appliance 210 includes a probe storage 220 configured to receive
and store the temperature probe assembly 218 when not in use. In
some embodiments, the probe storage 220 provides a receptacle
configured to receive the probe body 240 of the temperature probe
assembly 218. In the illustrated example, the probe storage 220 is
formed on the right side 230 of the bottom heating subassembly 210
(see also FIG. 16). In some embodiments, the temperature probe
assembly 218 is configured to operate to sense a temperature even
when it is stored in the probe storage 220.
[0115] Referring to FIGS. 6-8, an example bottom heating
subassembly 210 is illustrated and described in more detail.
[0116] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom heating
subassembly 210, illustrating some components of the bottom heating
subassembly 210. In some embodiments, the bottom heating
subassembly 210 includes a bottom housing 260, a power supply
module 262, a cooking plate holding mechanism 264, a temperature
sensing device 266, a weight 268, and a bottom hinge portion
270.
[0117] The bottom housing 260 functions as a base frame for the
bottom heating subassembly 210. The bottom housing 260 defines a
cavity 271 for receiving components of the bottom heating
subassembly 210.
[0118] The power supply module 262 operates to supply power to
various components of the cooking appliance 102, such as the
appliance control device 104 and a heating element 288 (FIG. 8). In
some embodiments, the power supply module 262 employs a transformer
and/or a rectifier to convert an input voltage (e.g., AC mains) to
an output voltage (e.g., DC voltage) suitable for electric
components of the cooking appliance 102.
[0119] The cooking plate holding mechanism 264 is configured to
removably secure the cooking plate 212 to the bottom heating
subassembly 210. In some embodiments, the cooking plate holding
mechanism 264 includes one or more first hooks 272 and one or more
second hooks 274. In some embodiments, the first and second hooks
272 and 274 are arranged at the peripheral edges of the bottom
housing 260 and spaced apart at desired distances to hold the
cooking plate 212 by snapping or clamping the edges of the cooking
plate 212. The first hooks 272 can be configured to operate by
spring force while the second hooks 274 can be fixed to the bottom
housing 260. As shown in FIG. 7, the first hooks 272 are actuated
by a push button 276 to release the cooking plate 212 from the
bottom housing 260.
[0120] The temperature sensing device 266 is configured to detect a
temperature of the cooking plate 212. In some embodiments, the
temperature sensing device 266 is configured as a thermostat
assembly. In this example, the temperature sensing device 266 is
described primarily as the thermostat assembly 266. In other
embodiments, however, the temperature sensing device 266 uses
different sensing technologies. The thermostat assembly 266 is
configured to contact a lower surface of the cooking plate 212 when
the cooking plate 212 is mounted to the bottom heating subassembly
210. The thermostat assembly 266 is configured to be provided
electrical power from the power supply module 262.
[0121] In some embodiments, the thermostat assembly 266 includes a
thermostat housing 280, a sensing member 282, and a spring 284. The
thermostat housing 280 fixed on a bottom surface of the bottom
housing 260 and configured to movably support the sensing member
282. The sensing member 282 is slideably inserted into a
through-hole defined in the thermostat housing 280 and supported by
the spring 284 against the bottom surface of the bottom housing
260. The sensing member 282 is biased away from the bottom surface
of the bottom housing 260 by the spring 284. The sensing member 282
is configured to contact the lower surface of the cooking plate 212
and depressed when the cooking plate 212 is mounted onto the bottom
housing 260. In some embodiments, the thermostat assembly 266 is
configured to operate only when the cooking plate 212 is assembled
to the bottom housing 260 to depress the sensing member 282. In
other embodiments, the cooking appliance 102 is configured to turn
on only when the cooking plate 212 is assembled to the bottom
housing 260 to depress the sensing member 282.
[0122] Although the cooking appliance 102 is described herein to
include one temperature sensing assembly 266, other embodiments of
the cooking appliance 102 can include a plurality of temperature
sensing assemblies 266 or the like.
[0123] The weight 268 is used to provide an extra weight to the
bottom assembly 202 so that the cooking appliance 102 does not tip
over when the top assembly 204 is open relative to the bottom
assembly 202. In some embodiments, the weight 268 is arranged at or
adjacent the forward end 226 of the bottom heating subassembly 210.
The weight 268 can be removed as necessary.
[0124] The bottom hinge portion 270 is a lower portion of the hinge
assembly 206 configured to pivotally coupled to a top hinge portion
340 (FIG. 18) of the top assembly 204.
[0125] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom heating
subassembly 210, illustrating a heat insulation panel 286. The heat
insulation panel 286 is used to insulate the components of the
bottom heating subassembly 210 from heat generated from a heating
element 288 (FIG. 8) and the cooking plate 212. In some
embodiments, the heat insulation panel 286 is received in the
cavity 271 of the bottom housing 260 and disposed between the
bottom housing 260 and a bottom reflecting plate 287 (FIG. 8).
[0126] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bottom heating
subassembly 210, illustrating a bottom reflecting plate 287 and a
heating element 288.
[0127] The bottom reflecting plate 287 is received above the heat
insulation panel 286 within the cavity 271 of the bottom housing
260. The bottom reflecting plate 287 is configured to be shallow
and has a substantially flat bottom segment and oblique side
segments such that heat radiated downward or sideways from the
heating element 288 is reflected toward the underside of the
cooking plate 212 in a more evenly distributed manner, thereby
facilitating optimized heating of the cooking plate 212.
[0128] The heating element 288 is disposed above the bottom
reflecting plate 287 within the cavity 271 of the bottom housing
260 and beneath the cooking plate 212 such that the heating element
288 is disposed therebetween. The heating element 288 is configured
to be provided electrical power from the power supply module 262.
Although the cooking appliance 102 is described herein to include
one heating element 288, other embodiments of the cooking appliance
102 can include a plurality of heating elements 288 or the
like.
[0129] Referring to FIGS. 9-14, various examples of the bottom
cooking plate 212 are illustrated and described.
[0130] FIG. 9 is an example bottom cooking plate 212. In this
example, the bottom cooking plate 212 is configured as a grill
plate. In some embodiments, the bottom cooking plate 212 includes a
food contact surface 290 extending between a forward end 292 and a
rearward end 294, a grease dripping surface 296, a plurality of
ribs 298, and a plate mounting mechanism 300.
[0131] The food contact surface 290 provides a surface on which a
food item is placed for cooking. In some embodiments, the bottom
cooking plate 212 is arranged and configured such that the food
contact surface 290 slopes down from the rearward end 294 to the
forward end 292 when the bottom cooking plate 212 is mounted on the
bottom heating subassembly 210. The slope of the food contact
surface 290 can be determined such that liquid substances, such as
grease and water, extracted from a food item efficiently flow
toward the forward end 292 of the bottom cooking plate 212, thereby
dripping from the bottom cooking plate 212 into the grease tray
214. In some embodiments, the slope of the food contact surface 290
is determined such that about 42% of fat is removed from ground
chuck. In other embodiments, other configurations are possible.
[0132] In some embodiments, the slope of the food contact surface
290 is formed at an angle between about 5 and 15 degrees relative
to a supporting surface (e.g., a countertop or cooking surface) on
which the cooking appliance lies. In other embodiments, the angle
of the food contact surface 290 relative to the supporting surface
is about 8 degrees.
[0133] In some embodiments, the slope of the food contact surface
290 is formed by an orientation of the bottom cooking plate 212
relative to the bottom housing 260 while the bottom housing 260
stands in parallel with the supporting surface. In other
embodiments, the slope of the food contact surface 290 is formed
when the bottom housing 260 is configured to lie on the supporting
surface at a predetermined angle. In yet other embodiments, the
bottom cooking plate 212 is made to incorporate such a slope of the
food contact surface 290 when the bottom cooking plate 212 is
mounted to the bottom housing 260 in parallel and the bottom
housing 260 stands in parallel with the supporting surface. In yet
other embodiments, the slope of the food contact surface 290 is
formed by any combination of the configurations described
above.
[0134] The grease dripping surface 296 is formed at the forward end
292 of the bottom cooking plate 212. The grease dripping surface
296 extends from the food contact surface 290 toward the grease
tray 214, which is placed under the grease dripping surface 296 at
the forward end 226 of the bottom heating subassembly 210. The
grease dripping surface 296 is configured to effectively guide the
liquid substances flowing from the food contact surface 290 into
the grease tray 214.
[0135] The plurality of ribs 298 are provided on the food contact
surface 290 to improve cooking of a food item thereon.
[0136] The plate mounting mechanism 300 operates to mount the
bottom cooking plate 212 onto the bottom housing 260. The plate
mounting mechanism 300 is configured to cooperate with the cooking
plate holding mechanism 264 of the bottom heating subassembly 210.
In some embodiments, the plate mounting mechanism 300 includes one
or more first shoulders 302 and one or more second shoulders 304.
The first shoulders 302 are configured to engage the first hooks
272 of the cooking plate holding mechanism 264, and the second
shoulders 304 are configured to engage the second hooks 274 of the
cooking plate holding mechanism 262.
[0137] As described above, the cooking plate 212 is detachable from
the bottom heating subassembly 210 for various purposes, such as
cleaning. In some embodiments, the cooking plate 212 can have
various configurations on the food contact surface 290 for
different types of cooking. Various types of cooking plate 212 are
interchangeably mounted on the bottom heating subassembly 210 for
different types of cooking. Some examples of other embodiments of
the cooking plate 212 are illustrated in FIGS. 10-14.
[0138] FIG. 10 illustrates that the cooking plate 212 is configured
as a waffle plate. In this example, the food contact surface 290 is
configured to shape a waffle.
[0139] FIG. 11 illustrates that the cooking plate 212 is configured
as a bake plate. In this example, the food contact surface 290
provides a bake dish.
[0140] FIG. 12 illustrates that the cooking plate 212 is configured
as a muffin pan. In this example, the food contact surface 290
provides a plurality of bowl-type spaces to bake muffins.
[0141] FIG. 13 illustrates that the cooking plate 212 is configured
as a griddle plate. In this example, the food contact surface 290
provides a flat surface for cooking various food items.
[0142] FIG. 14 illustrates that the cooking plate 212 is configured
as an omelet plate. In this example, the food contact surface 290
provides a plurality of dish-type spaces for cooking omelets.
[0143] Although not specifically illustrated in FIGS. 10-14, the
components as described in FIG. 9 are applicable to the cooking
plate 212 in FIGS. 10-14. In addition to the configurations as
illustrated in FIGS. 9-14, the cooking plate 212 can have other
configurations for different types of cooking, such as a meatball
plate, a steam plate, a wok plate, and a multi-cooker plate.
[0144] The cooking plate 212 can be made of various materials.
Examples of such materials include aluminum, cast iron, stainless
steel, and any other materials suitable for providing cooking
surfaces.
[0145] FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the bottom heating
subassembly 210. In some embodiments, the bottom heating
subassembly 210 includes a pivotable stand 310. The pivotable stand
310 is pivotably connected at pivot points 312 adjacent the
rearward end 228 of the bottom heating subassembly 210. The
pivotable stand 310 is configured for selectively elevating the
back of the bottom assembly 202 to increase the angle of the bottom
cooking plate 212 relative to the a supporting surface (e.g., a
cooking table). By elevating the back of the bottom assembly 202,
liquid substances (e.g., grease) can be more effectively drained
from the bottom cooking plate 212 into the grease tray 214 while
heating a food item.
[0146] FIG. 16 illustrates that the pivotable stand 310 is flipped
over in a pivoting direction (R) to elevate the back of the bottom
heating subassembly 210.
[0147] In some embodiments, the slope of the food contact surface
290, as described with reference to FIG. 9, ranges between about 5
and 15 degrees relative to the supporting surface (e.g., a
countertop or cooking surface) when the bottom assembly 202 is
elevated at the back by the pivotable stand 310. In other
embodiments, the slope of the food contact surface 290 is formed at
about 8 degrees relative to the supporting surface when the bottom
assembly 202 lies on the supporting surface with the pivotable
stand 310 flipped out.
[0148] FIG. 17 illustrates another example of the pivotable stand
310. In this example, the pivotable stand 310 includes a cord
management portion 314. The cord management portion 314 is used to
manage at least a portion of a cord, such as a power cord 318
extending out from the power supply module 262. In some
embodiments, the cord management portion 314 includes one or more
notches 316 defined by the pivotable stand 310. At least a portion
of a cord (e.g., the power cord 318) can be contained within the
notches 316 and wrapped around the pivotable stand 310.
[0149] Referring to FIGS. 18-23, an example top assembly 204 is
illustrated and described in more detail.
[0150] FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the top assembly 204,
illustrating an upper portion of the top assembly 204. In some
embodiments, the top assembly 204 includes a top housing 320, a
housing cover 322, a control panel 324, and a handle 326.
[0151] The top housing 320 functions as a frame for the top
assembly 204. The top housing 320 defines a cavity 364 (FIG. 20)
for receiving components of the top assembly 204.
[0152] The housing cover 322 is configured to cover the top housing
320 to protect the components received within the top assembly 204
and provide aesthetic appearance. In some embodiments, the housing
cover 322 functions as replaceable skins. For example, the housing
cover 322 is removably attached to the top housing 320 and
replaceable by other housing covers 322 with different designs.
[0153] The control panel 324 is configured to receive a user input
for operating the cooking appliance 102. In some embodiments, the
control panel 324 is also configured to display various pieces of
information. The control panel 324 is electrically connected to the
appliance control device 104.
[0154] In some embodiments, the control panel 324 includes one or
more input buttons 330 for receive user inputs, a display screen
332 for displaying information, and a wireless communication panel
334.
[0155] In the illustrated example, the control panel 324 provides
four input buttons including first, second, third, and fourth
button 330A-330D. For example, the first button 330A is configured
to manually turn on and off the cooking appliance 102. The second
button 330B is configured to manually increase a temperature of the
cooking plate 212. The third button 330C is configured to manually
decrease a temperature of the cooking plate 212. The fourth button
330D is configured to manually select a monitoring mode. For
example, the fourth button 330D can enable a user to choose either
a temperature of the cooking plate 212 or a temperature of the
temperature probe assembly 218 to be shown on the display screen
332. In other embodiments, the control panel 324 can include more
or less than four input buttons 330. Other embodiments of the input
buttons 330 are configured to receive different user inputs than
illustrated herein.
[0156] The display screen 332 is configured to show various pieces
of information, such as user inputs entered through the input
buttons 330 and data associated with the cooking appliance 102. For
example, the display screen 332 is configured to display a
temperature of either the cooking plate 212 (and/or the cooking
plate 380) or the temperature probe assembly 218, and an operating
status of the cooking appliance 102 (e.g., power on/off). The
display screen 332 can be configured to digitally display such
information thereon.
[0157] As described herein, the control panel 324 can be configured
to receive only a few inputs directly from a user and display only
fundamental information (e.g., a temperature) because the user
computing device 106 is primarily used to control the cooking
appliance 102. As a result, the control panel 324 can provide a
simple design and manual user manipulation.
[0158] In some embodiments, the control panel 324 is configured as
a touch sensitive screen. The control panel 324 can include an
insulative panel coated with a transparent conductor. As the human
body is an electrical conductor, touching the surface of the
control panel 324 results in a distortion of the electrostatic
field of the control panel 324, which is measurable as a change in
capacitance. In some embodiments, the insulative panel is made of
flat glass. In other embodiments, the insulative panel is made of
thermoplastic polymers, such as polycarbonate. As thermoplastic
polymers (e.g., polycarbonate) are flexible, the control panel 324
can be configured to provide a curved surface.
[0159] In some embodiments, the input buttons 330 (such as
330A-330D) can be configured as touch sensitive buttons (e.g.,
tactile buttons) incorporated in the touch sensitive control panel
324. In other embodiments, spring elements 348 (FIG. 19) can be
placed under the input buttons 330 on the control panel 324 to
provide a physical feedback to a user when the input buttons 330
are depressed. The spring elements 348 provide spring force acting
against a user's force depressing the buttons 330 on the control
panel 324. An example of the spring elements 348 is illustrated in
FIG. 19.
[0160] The wireless communication panel 334 is configured to
provide information about a statue of a wireless communication
between the cooking appliance 102 and the user computing device
106. The wireless communication panel 334 provides the status
information in various manners. In some embodiments, the wireless
communication panel 334 includes one or more status indicators,
such as icons or symbols (e.g., a dot with curved lines radiating
from the dot), to indicate status of wireless connection. In other
embodiments, different color schemes and/or different operation
thereof can be used to indicate different status of wireless
connection. For example, a predetermined icon displayed on the
wireless communication panel 334 can change its color for different
status (e.g., green for stable connection and orange for unstable
connection). Further, such an icon displayed on the wireless
communication panel 334 can either flash or remain sold depending
on a connection status.
[0161] In some embodiments, the wireless communication panel 334
includes an indication belt 336 around the wireless communication
panel 334 to inform a status of wireless connection. The indicating
belt 336 can include one or more lighting elements that selectively
turn on to indicate that a wireless connection has been
established. In other embodiments, the indication belt 336 can be
used in other situations. For example, the indication belt 336 can
be configured to turn on when the cooking appliance 102 turns
on.
[0162] With continued reference to FIG. 18, the handle 326 is
configured to enable a user to open and close the top assembly 204
relative to the bottom assembly 202. In some embodiments, the
handle 326 includes a top hinge portion 340, opposing side handle
portions 342, a forward handle portion 344, and a cover hinge
assembly 346.
[0163] The top hinge portion 340 is an upper portion of the hinge
assembly 206. The top hinge portion 340 is pivotally coupled with
the bottom hinge portion 270. In some embodiments, the top hinge
portion 340 and the bottom hinge portion 270 are coupled together
with fasteners, such as screws.
[0164] The side handle portions 342 extends between the top hinge
portion 340 and the forward handle portion 344 along the sides of
the top housing 320. The side handle portions 342 are pivotally
connected to the top housing 320 at the cover hinge assembly 346
such that the top housing 320 are at least partially rotatable
relative to the handle 326.
[0165] The forward handle portion 344 extends between the opposing
side handle portions 342 and transverses a forward end 345 of the
top housing 320. The forward handle portion 344 provides a grip for
a user so that the user opens or closes the top assembly 204
relative to the bottom assembly 202.
[0166] The cover hinge assembly 346 pivotally couples the side
handle portions 342 to the top housing 320 so that the top assembly
204 pivots relative to the handle 326. As described above, the top
hinge portion 340 of the handle 326 is pivotally coupled to the
bottom hinge portion 270 of the hinge assembly 206. As such, the
cover hinge assembly 346 and/or the hinge assembly 206 enable the
top assembly 204 to floatingly pivot relative to the bottom
assembly 202 within a predetermined distance, so that, when a
thicker food item is placed on the bottom assembly 202, the cover
hinge assembly 346 and/or the hinge assembly 206 permit the top
assembly 204 to rise within the predetermined distance in order to
accommodate the thinker food item between the bottom and top
assembly 202 and 204.
[0167] FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the top assembly 204
with the housing cover 322 and the control panel 324 removed. In
some embodiments, the appliance control device 104 (including a
wireless communication device as described in FIG. 27) is disposed
under the control panel 324 within the top housing 320. The control
device 104 can effectively avoid heat generated at the bottom
assembly 202 by arranging the control device 104 in the top
assembly 204. In other embodiments, the control device 104 can be
disposed in the bottom assembly 202. An example of the control
device 104 is illustrated and described in more detail with
reference to FIG. 27.
[0168] In some embodiments, the top assembly 204 includes spring
elements 348 that are placed under the input buttons 330 on the
control panel 324 to provide a physical feedback to a user when the
input buttons 330 are depressed. The spring elements 348 provide
spring force acting against a user's force depressing the buttons
330 on the control panel 324.
[0169] In some embodiments, the top assembly 204 includes a heat
insulation structure 350 arranged within the top housing 320 at a
rearward end 347 of the top assembly 204. The heat insulation
structure 350 is used to reduce heat transfer from a top heating
element 376 (FIG. 21) and a top cooking plate 380 (FIG. 22) and
protect components of the top assembly 204 (including the appliance
control device 104) from the heat.
[0170] Referring to FIGS. 20-22, an example top assembly 204 is
illustrated and described in more detail.
[0171] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the top assembly 204,
illustrating some components thereof. In some embodiments, the top
assembly 204 includes a top cooking plate holding mechanism 360 and
a top heat insulation panel 362 within a cavity 364 defined by the
top housing 320.
[0172] The top cooking plate holding mechanism 360 is configured to
removably secure a top cooking plate 380 (FIG. 22) to the top
housing 320. In some embodiments, the top cooking plate holding
mechanism 360 includes one or more first hooks 366 and one or more
second hooks 368. In some embodiments, the first and second hooks
366 and 368 are arranged at the peripheral edges of the top housing
320 and spaced apart at desired distances to hold a top cooking
plate 380 by snapping or clamping the edges of the top cooking
plate 380. The first hooks 366 can be configured to operate by
spring force while the second hooks 368 can be fixed to the top
housing 320. In some embodiments, the first hooks 366 are actuated
by a push button 370 to release the top cooking plate 380 from the
top housing 320.
[0173] The top heat insulation panel 362 is used to insulate the
components of the top assembly 204 from heat generated from a
heating element 376 (FIG. 21) and a top cooking plate 380 (FIG.
22). In some embodiments, the top heating insulation panel 362 is
received in the cavity 364 of the top housing 320 and disposed
between the top housing 320 and a top reflecting plate 374 (FIG.
21). In particular, the top heating insulation panel 362 is
disposed between the top heating element 376 and the control panel
324 to protect the control panel 324 and the control device 104
therein from heat.
[0174] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the top assembly 204,
illustrating a top reflecting plate 374 and a heating element
376.
[0175] The top reflecting plate 374 is received above the top heat
insulation panel 362 within the cavity 364 of the top housing 320.
The top reflecting plate 374 is configured to be shallow and has a
substantially flat bottom segment and oblique side segments such
that heat radiated downward or sideways from the heating element
376 is reflected toward the underside of a top cooking plate 380
(FIG. 22) in a more evenly distributed manner, thereby facilitating
optimized heating of the top cooking plate 380.
[0176] The heating element 376 is disposed above the top reflecting
plate 374 within the cavity 364 of the top housing 320 and beneath
the top cooking plate 380 such that the heating element 376 is
disposed therebetween. The heating element 376 is configured to be
provided electrical power from the power supply module 262.
Although the cooking appliance 102 is described herein to include
one heating element 376, other embodiments of the cooking appliance
102 can include a plurality of heating elements 376 or the
like.
[0177] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the top assembly 204,
illustrating an example top cooking plate 380.
[0178] The top cooking plate 380 is detachably mounted to the top
housing 320 and configured to heat food items placed on the bottom
cooking plate 212. The top cooking plate 380 can be configured
similarly to the bottom cooking plate 212. In some embodiments, the
top cooking plate 380 includes a heating surface 382 and a plate
mounting mechanism 384.
[0179] The heating surface 382 provides a surface heated by the top
heating element 376. In some embodiments, a food item placed on the
bottom cooking plate 212 can contact the heating surface 382 as
well as the food contact surface 290 of the bottom cooking plate
212. In other embodiments, the heating surface 382 of the top
cooking plate 380 is arranged apart from the food item during
cooking.
[0180] The plate mounting mechanism 384 operates to mount the top
cooking plate 380 onto the top housing 320. The plate mounting
mechanism 384 is configured to cooperate with the top cooking plate
holding mechanism 360 of the top housing 320. In some embodiments,
the plate mounting mechanism 384 includes one or more first
shoulders 386 and one or more second shoulders 388. The first
shoulders 386 are configured to engage the first hooks 366 of the
top cooking plate holding mechanism 360, and the second shoulders
388 are configured to engage the second hooks 368 of the top
cooking plate holding mechanism 360.
[0181] As such, the top cooking plate 380 is detachable from the
top housing 320 for various purposes, such as cleaning. In some
embodiments, the top cooking plate 380 can have various
configurations on the heating surface 382 for different types of
cooking. Various types of cooking plate 380 are interchangeably
mounted on the top housing 320 for different types of cooking. For
example, the top cooking plate 380 can be configured similarly to
those as illustrated in FIGS. 10-14.
[0182] In some embodiments, the top cooking plate 380 is configured
similarly to the bottom cooking plate 212. For example, when the
bottom cooking plate 212 includes the plurality of ribs 298, the
heating surface 382 of the top cooking plate 380 can include a
plurality of ribs 390 corresponding to the ribs 298. In other
embodiments, the top cooking plate 380 and the bottom cooking plate
212 are configured differently.
[0183] In some embodiments, the top assembly 204 is used without
the top cooking plate 380 while the bottom assembly 202 is used
with the bottom cooking plate 212. For example, it can be desirable
to remove the top cooking plate 380 from the top housing 320 to
perform a broiling function using the cooking appliance 102.
[0184] Although the cooking appliance 102 is described herein to
include one top cooking plate 380, other embodiments of the cooking
appliance 102 can include a plurality of top cooking plate 380 of
the same or different kinds.
[0185] FIG. 23 illustrates another example of the top heating
element 376 of the top assembly 204. In this example, the top
heating element 376 is configured as a quartz-type heating element
including a quartz-type heating tube 391 and a guard 393
surrounding the heating tube 391. The heating tube 391 includes a
filament extending therethrough and connected to electrical leads
at both ends. As the filament is energized by passing current
therethrough via the electrical leads, infrared energy is emitted
from the filament toward a food item placed on the bottom cooking
plate 212 of the bottom assembly 202.
[0186] The quartz-type heating element 376 of this example can be
used either with or without the top cooking plate 380 attached to
the top assembly 204. In some embodiments, the top assembly 204
uses the quartz-type heating element 376 without the top cooking
plate 380 for broiling. In some embodiments, the appliance control
device 104 can adjust a level of operating the heating element 376
depending on different cooking (e.g., broiling) options. For
example, the heating element 376 can be selectively operated to be
turned off, half-heated, or fully-heated. Such different operations
of the heating element 376 can be selected by a user through the
appliance control application 108 running on the user computing
device 106, as illustrated below.
[0187] In other embodiments, the heating element 376 can be of any
suitable type, such as a halogen-type heating element.
[0188] FIG. 24 illustrates the cooking appliance 102 in a vertical
position. The cooking appliance 102 is configured to stand
vertically alone when the cooking appliance 102 is in the closed
position.
[0189] As illustrated, the cooking appliance 102 has two points 395
and 397 that contact a reference surface Sr when the cooking
appliance 102 stands vertically against the reference surface Sr.
In some embodiments, a first contact point 395 can be defined by a
rearward foot 399 of the bottom housing 260 as the rearward foot
399 of the bottom housing 260 lies on the reference surface Sr. A
second contact point 397 can be defined by the hinge assembly 206
and/or the bottom hinge portion 270 (e.g., a leg portion thereof)
of the bottom housing 260 as the bottom housing 260 lies on the
reference surface Sr. The cooking appliance 102 is configured such
that a center of gravity CG of the cooking appliance is positioned
between a first line L1 and a second line L2. The first line L1 is
a line extending vertically to the reference surface Sr and passing
the first contact point 395, and the first line L2 is a line
extending vertically to the reference surface Sr and passing the
second contact point 397.
[0190] Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, another example of the hinge
assembly 206 is illustrated and described. In particular, FIG. 25
is a top view of another example hinge assembly 206, and FIG. 26 is
a side view of the hinge assembly 206 of FIG. 25.
[0191] In this example, the hinge assembly 206 is configured to
contain electrical cords wired between the top and bottom
assemblies 202 and 204. For example, electrical cords connected
between the power supply module 262 and the top heating element 376
and/or the control device 104 can be placed within the hinge
assembly 206 and thus invisible from the outside of the cooking
appliance 102.
[0192] In some embodiments, the hinge assembly 206 includes a
bottom-side hinge channel 392, a pair of top-side hinge legs 394,
and a top-side hinge bar 396.
[0193] The bottom-side hinge channel 392 is formed in the bottom
housing 260 and configured to receive the top-side hinge bar 396.
The bottom-side hinge channel 392 can also receive a slack of
electrical cords extending from the power supply module 262.
[0194] The pair of top-side hinge legs 394 extends from the top
housing 320 and defines a through-hole therein for receiving one or
more electrical cords wired from the power supply module 262.
[0195] The top-side hinge bar 396 transversely extends between the
pair of top-side hinge legs 394 and can be at least partially
received within the bottom-side hinge channel 392. The top-side
hinge bar 396 can pivot within the bottom-side hinge channel 392 as
the top assembly 204 moves relative to the bottom assembly 202
between the closed and open positions. The top-side hinge bar 396
defines an elongate hole therewithin and in communication with the
through-holes of the top-side hinge legs 394 for receiving the
electrical cords. Further, the top-side hinge bar 396 can include
an opening in communication with the elongate hole therein and the
bottom-side hinge channel 392. Electrical cords extending from the
power supply module 262 can enter elongate hole of the top-side
hinge bar 396 through the opening thereof.
[0196] In the illustrated example of FIGS. 25 and 26, the hinge
assembly 206 is configured for contact grill types. In other
embodiments, the configurations of this example can apply to
different types of hinge assemblies.
[0197] FIG. 27 illustrates example functional operations of the
appliance control device 104. In some embodiments, the appliance
control device 104 includes a user interface device 402, a heating
element control device 404, a temperature probe control device 406,
and a communication device 408.
[0198] The user interface device 402 operates to control the
control panel 324. In some embodiments, the user interface device
402 receives user inputs through the control panel 324 and displays
various pieces of information (e.g., a temperature of the heating
elements 288 and 376 and/or a temperature of the temperature probe
assembly 218) on the control panel 324.
[0199] The heating element control device 404 operates to manage
and control at least one of the heating elements 288 and 376. In
some embodiments, the heating element control device 404 receives a
temperature signal indicative of a temperature detected from the
thermostat assembly 266 and determines a temperature of at least
one of the heating elements 288 and 376 based upon the temperature
signal. The heating element control device 404 can also receive
user settings (e.g., cooking configuration data) input from the
control panel 324 of the cooking appliance 102 and/or the user
computing device 106. The heating element control device 404 can
use the temperature signal and/or the user settings for controlling
the cooking appliance 102 (e.g., the heating elements 288 and
376).
[0200] The temperature probe control device 406 operates to manage
and control the temperature probe assembly 218. In some
embodiments, the temperature probe control device 406 receives a
temperature signal indicative of a temperature detected from the
temperature probe assembly 218 and determines a temperature of the
temperature probe assembly 218 based upon the temperature signal.
The temperature probe control device 406 can use the temperature
signal for controlling the cooking appliance (e.g., the heating
elements 288 and 376).
[0201] The communication device 408 operates to communicate with
the user computing device 106. In some embodiments, the
communication device 408 receives various data (e.g., cooking
configuration data including target cooking temperatures) from the
user computing device 106, and transmits various pieces of
information about the cooking appliance 102 (e.g., a current
temperature determined based upon the temperature signals from the
temperature probe assembly 218 and/or the thermostat assembly 266)
to the user computing device 106, which can then process the
information and display it to the user (U). One example of the
communication device 408 employs a Wi-Fi network module, such as
GS2100M module available from Gainspan Corporation (San Jose,
Calif.). Other examples of the communication device 408 can use any
other Wi-Fi modules or a group of electrical components that are
designed to create a working certified or uncertified Wi-Fi
module.
[0202] An example appliance control application 108 running on the
user computing device 106 is illustrated and described more detail
with reference to FIGS. 28-34.
[0203] FIG. 28 illustrates an example functional operation of the
user computing device 106 executing the appliance control
application 108. In some embodiments, the appliance control
application 108 is configured to perform a network configuration
engine 420, an appliance control engine 422, and a data management
engine 424.
[0204] The network configuration engine 420 operates to establish a
wireless connection between the cooking appliance 102 and the user
computing device 106. An example operation of the network
configuration engine 420 is illustrated and described with
reference to FIG. 30.
[0205] The appliance control engine 422 operates to receive data
(e.g., cooking configuration data including target cooking
temperatures) from a user (U) through the user computing device
106, and control the cooking appliance 102 based upon the received
data. The appliance control engine 422 also operates to receive
data (e.g., a current temperature determined based upon the
temperature signals from the temperature probe assembly 218 and/or
the thermostat assembly 266) from the appliance control device 104
of the cooking appliance 102, and display the received data on the
user computing device 106. An example operation of the appliance
control engine 422 is illustrated and described with reference to
FIGS. 31 and 32.
[0206] The data management engine 424 operates to manage data
stored in the user computing device 106. In some embodiments, the
data management engine 424 is configured to communicate a remote
server computing device via a communications network to manage and
update the data stored in the user computing device 106. For
example, such data managed by the data management engine 424
include recipe information. The data management engine 424 can
retrieve recipe data from the remote server computing device and
transmit them to the user computing device 106. The data management
engine 424 can also send data (e.g., customized recipe data) to the
server computing device for storage or other types of
management.
[0207] FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary architecture of a computing
device that can be used to implement aspects of the present
disclosure, including the user computing device 106, and will be
referred to herein as the computing device 500. The computing
device 500 illustrated in FIG. 29 is used to execute the operating
system, application programs, and software modules (including the
software engines) described herein.
[0208] The computing device 500 is a computing device of various
types. In some embodiments, the computing device 500 is a mobile
computing device. Examples of the computing device 500 as a mobile
computing device include a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone and a
tablet computer), a wearable computer (e.g., a smartwatch and a
head-mounted display), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
handheld game console, a portable media player, a ultra-mobile PC,
a digital still camera, a digital video camera, and other mobile
devices. In other embodiments, the computing device 500 is other
computing devices, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer,
or other devices configured to process digital instructions.
[0209] It is recognized that the architecture illustrated in FIG.
29 can also be implemented in other computing devices used to
achieve aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the
appliance control device 104 can be configured to employ at least
part of the architecture of FIG. 29. To avoid undue repetition,
this description of the computing device 500 will not be separately
repeated herein for each of the other computing devices.
[0210] The computing device 500 includes, in some embodiments, at
least one processing device 502, such as a central processing unit
(CPU). A variety of processing devices are available from a variety
of manufacturers, for example, Intel or Advanced Micro Devices. In
this example, the computing device 500 also includes a system
memory 504, and a system bus 506 that couples various system
components including the system memory 504 to the processing device
502. The system bus 506 is one of any number of types of bus
structures including a memory bus, or memory controller; a
peripheral bus; and a local bus using any of a variety of bus
architectures.
[0211] The system memory 504 includes read only memory 508 and
random access memory 510. A basic input/output system 512
containing the basic routines that act to transfer information
within the computing device 500, such as during start up, is
typically stored in the read only memory 508.
[0212] The computing device 500 also includes a secondary storage
device 514 in some embodiments, such as a hard disk drive, for
storing digital data. The secondary storage device 514 is connected
to the system bus 506 by a secondary storage interface 516. The
secondary storage devices and their associated computer readable
media provide nonvolatile storage of computer readable instructions
(including application programs and program modules), data
structures, and other data for the computing device 500.
[0213] Although the exemplary environment described herein employs
a hard disk drive as a secondary storage device, other types of
computer readable storage media are used in other embodiments.
Examples of these other types of computer readable storage media
include magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video
disks, Bernoulli cartridges, compact disc read only memories,
digital versatile disk read only memories, random access memories,
or read only memories. Some embodiments include non-transitory
media.
[0214] A number of program modules can be stored in secondary
storage device 514 or memory 504, including an operating system
518, one or more application programs 520, other program modules
522, and program data 524.
[0215] In some embodiments, the computing device 500 includes input
devices to enable a user to provide inputs to the computing device
500. Examples of input devices 526 include a keyboard 528, a
pointer input device 530, a microphone 532, and a touch sensitive
display 540. Other embodiments include other input devices. The
input devices are often connected to the processing device 502
through an input/output interface 538 that is coupled to the system
bus 506. These input devices 526 can be connected by any number of
input/output interfaces, such as a parallel port, serial port, game
port, or a universal serial bus. Wireless communication between
input devices and interface 538 is possible as well, and includes
infrared, BLUETOOTH.RTM. wireless technology, 802.11a/b/g/n,
cellular, or other radio frequency communication systems in some
possible embodiments.
[0216] In this example embodiment, a touch sensitive display device
540 is also connected to the system bus 506 via an interface, such
as a video adapter 542. The touch sensitive display device 540
includes touch sensors for receiving input from a user when the
user touches the display. Such sensors can be capacitive sensors,
pressure sensors, or other touch sensors. The sensors not only
detect contact with the display, but also the location of the
contact and movement of the contact over time. For example, a user
can move a finger or stylus across the screen to provide written
inputs. The written inputs are evaluated and, in some embodiments,
converted into text inputs.
[0217] In addition to the display device 540, the computing device
500 can include various other peripheral devices (not shown), such
as speakers or a printer.
[0218] When used in a local area networking environment or a wide
area networking environment (such as the Internet), the computing
device 500 is typically connected to the network through a network
interface, such as a wireless network interface 546. An example of
a wireless network interface 546 is a Wi-Fi communication device
(such as configured to communicate according to one of the IEEE
802.11 family of communication protocols) or a BLUETOOTH.RTM.
communication device. Other possible embodiments use other
communication devices. For example, some embodiments of the
computing device 500 include an Ethernet network interface, or a
modem for communicating across the network.
[0219] The computing device 500 typically includes at least some
form of computer-readable media. Computer readable media includes
any available media that can be accessed by the computing device
500. By way of example, computer-readable media include computer
readable storage media and computer readable communication
media.
[0220] Computer readable storage media includes volatile and
nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any
device configured to store information such as computer readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.
Computer readable storage media includes, but is not limited to,
random access memory, read only memory, electrically erasable
programmable read only memory, flash memory or other memory
technology, compact disc read only memory, digital versatile disks
or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,
magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any
other medium that can be used to store the desired information and
that can be accessed by the computing device 500. Computer readable
storage media does not include computer readable communication
media.
[0221] Computer readable communication media typically embodies
computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or
other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or
other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery
media. The term "modulated data signal" refers to a signal that has
one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner
as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, computer
readable communication media includes wired media such as a wired
network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as
acoustic, radio frequency, infrared, and other wireless media.
Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope
of computer readable media.
[0222] The computing device illustrated in FIG. 29 is also an
example of programmable electronics, which may include one or more
such computing devices, and when multiple computing devices are
included, such computing devices can be coupled together with a
suitable data communication network so as to collectively perform
the various functions, methods, or operations disclosed herein.
[0223] FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 600 of
operating the network configuration engine 420. In some
embodiments, the method 600 includes operations 602, 604, 606, 608,
610, 612, 614, 616, and 618. The method 600 includes operations
that are performed by one or more processors, such as the
processing device 502 as illustrated in FIG. 29. In other
embodiments, the method 600 includes only some of the operations or
one or more additional operations. The operations can be performed
in different orders in other embodiments.
[0224] In some embodiments, the method 600 is performed when a
wireless connection is initially set up between the cooking
appliance 102 and the user computing device 106 via the wireless
network 112. Once a wireless connection has been initially
established via the router 110, the user computing device 106 can
be connected to the cooking appliance 102 via the router 110
without performing the method 600.
[0225] At the operation 602, the network configuration engine 420
receives a service set identifier (SSID) from the cooking appliance
102. The SSID may be entered by a user of the user computing device
106. Alternatively, the SSID may be broadcast or otherwise
transmitted to the user computing device 106 by the cooking
appliance 102. Although the method 600 is described in terms of
establishing a connection between the cooking appliance 102 and the
user computing device 106 using an SSID (e.g., for wireless
communication using WiFi protocols), other embodiments use other or
additional communication protocols such as BlueTooth.RTM. or
ZigBee.RTM.. In those embodiments, an appropriate identifier for
the communication protocol of the cooking appliance 102 is received
by the user computing device 106.
[0226] At the operation 604, the network configuration engine 420
displays information about the cooking appliance 102 on the user
computing device 106. The information about the cooking appliance
102 is determined based upon the SSID received from the cooking
appliance 102.
[0227] At the operation 606, the network configuration engine 420
receives a user selection of the cooking appliance 102. Where there
are multiple cooking appliances 102 detected by the user computing
device 106, a list of available cooking appliances 102 is displayed
on the user computing device 106 at the operation 604. A user (U)
can select one of the displayed cooking appliances 102 through the
user computing device 106.
[0228] At the operation 608, the network configuration engine 420
prompts the user to enter identification information about the
selected cooking appliance 102. In some embodiments, the network
configuration engine 420 displays a page asking for specific
information identifying the selected cooking appliance 102. For
example, the user can type in relevant identification information
through the user computing device 106 as required. The
identification information is information unique to the selected
cooking appliance 102, such as a serial number. In some
embodiments, the identification information is provided with the
cooking appliance 102, and the user can find the information and
enter the information through the user computing device 106. The
operation 608 can ensure a secured connection between the cooking
appliance 102 and the user computing device 106.
[0229] At the operation 610, the network configuration engine 420
operates to wirelessly connect to the cooking appliance 102 based
upon the SSID received at the operation 602 and the identification
information received at the operation 608.
[0230] At the operation 612, the network configuration engine 420
displays a list of wireless connections available between the
cooking appliance 102 and the user computing device 106.
[0231] At the operation 614, the network configuration engine 420
receives a user selection of one of the available wireless
connections. For example, the user can select the network 112 using
the router 110 in the illustrated example of FIG. 1.
[0232] At the operation 616, the network configuration engine 420
prompts the user to enter a wireless connection password that has
been set up in the network 112 via the router 110.
[0233] At the operation 618, the network configuration engine 420
sends a SSID of the user computing device 106 and the wireless
connection password to the cooking appliance 102 to allow the
cooking appliance 102 to set up a network access with the router
110. Once the network access has been set up with the router 110,
the cooking appliance 102 and the user computing device 106 can
communicate via the network 112 using the router 110.
[0234] In some embodiments, the cooking appliance 102 is configured
to remain on even if the cooking appliance 102 and the user
computing device 106 lose its connectivity. In other embodiments,
the cooking appliance 102 is configured to be automatically turned
off when a network connection is lost between the cooking appliance
102 and the user computing device 106.
[0235] FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 630 of
operating the appliance control engine 422. In some embodiments,
the method 630 includes operations 632, 634, 636, 638, 640, 642,
644, 646, and 648. The method 630 includes operations that are
performed by one or more processors, such as the processing device
502 as illustrated in FIG. 29. In other embodiments, the method 630
includes only some of the operations or one or more additional
operations. The operations can be performed in different orders in
other embodiments.
[0236] At the operation 632, the appliance control engine 422
performs a preheat operation. For example, the appliance control
engine 422 operates the cooking appliance 102 to heat the bottom
cooking plate 212 and/or the top cooking plate 380 to a
predetermined temperature before putting a food item to be cooked
in the cooking appliance 102. An example preheat operation is
illustrated and described in more detail with reference to FIG.
32.
[0237] At the operation 634, when the preheat operation ends, the
appliance control engine 422 alerts a user that the preheat
operation has completed. The alert can be of various types,
including visual and/or audible notifications on the user computing
device 106.
[0238] At the operation 636, the appliance control engine 422
prompts the user to place a food item in the cooking appliance 102.
In some embodiments, the appliance control engine 422 displays a
notice that asks the user to place a food item in the cooking
appliance 102 and then provide a user selection of a cooking
operation through the user computing device 106, as illustrated in
FIG. 46.
[0239] At the operation 638, the appliance control engine 422
prompts the user to place the temperature probe assembly 218 into
the food item as necessary.
[0240] At the operation 640, the appliance control engine 422
performs a cooking operation. In some embodiments, the appliance
control engine 422 heats the food item until a temperature of the
food item reaches a target cooking temperature automatically set
for a particular type of food time or manually selected by the
user.
[0241] At the operation 642, the appliance control engine 422
alerts a user that the cooking operation has completed. The alert
can be of various types, including visual and/or audible
notifications on the user computing device 106.
[0242] At the operation 644, the appliance control engine 422
prompts the user to remove the temperature probe assembly 218 from
the food item. In some embodiments, the appliance control engine
422 displays a notice that asks the user to remove the temperature
probe assembly 218 from the food item and then provide a user input
through the user computing device 106 to verify that the
temperature probe assembly 218 has been removed.
[0243] At the operation 646, the appliance control engine 422
prompts the user to remove the food item from the cooking appliance
102. In some embodiments, the appliance control engine 422 displays
a notice that asks the user to remove the food item from the
cooking appliance 102 and then provide a user input through the
user computing device 106 to verify that the food item has been
removed.
[0244] At the operation 648, the appliance control engine 422
performs a rest timer operation. The rest timer operation can be
used to provide optimal food conditions for serving. In the rest
timer operation, the appliance control engine 422 can provide a
timer for measuring a preset time. The preset time is determined
based upon types of food items. In some embodiments, the appliance
control engine 422 displays a notice that asks the user to remove
the food time from the cooking appliance 102 and rest the food time
for a preset time before serving. The appliance control engine 422
measures the preset time (e.g., countdown the preset time) and
alerts the user when the preset time passes.
[0245] FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 670 of
performing the preheat operation with the user computing device 106
executing the appliance control application 108. In some
embodiments, the method 670 includes operations 672, 674, 676, 678,
680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692, 694, 696, and 698. The method
670 includes operations that are performed by one or more
processors, such as the processing device 502 as illustrated in
FIG. 29. In other embodiments, the method 670 includes only some of
the operations or one or more additional operations. The operations
can be performed in different orders in other embodiments.
[0246] At the operation 672, the user computing device 106 (e.g.,
the appliance control engine 422 of the appliance control
application 108 running on the user computing device 106) receives
a user selection of a type of food item that the user wants to cook
in the cooking appliance 102. At this operation, the user computing
device 106 provides various cooking options. In some embodiments,
the user computing device 106 is configured to perform either an
automatic cooking mode or a manual cooking mode (also referred to
herein as a custom cooking mode). In the automatic cooking mode,
the user computing device 106 can display a list of preset food
types and prompts the user to select one of them. In the manual
cooking mode, the user can adjust cooking characteristics, such as
a target cooking temperature, a target cooking plate temperature,
and a target probe temperature.
[0247] In some embodiments, a target cooking temperature is defined
as a temperature to which the user wants a cooking item to reach. A
target cooking plate temperature can be defined as a temperature at
which the user wants to heat and maintain the cooking plates while
cooking. A target probe temperature can be defined as a temperature
to which the user wants a temperature of the food item to reach.
The temperature of the food item is monitored from the temperature
probe assembly 218.
[0248] At the operation 674, the user computing device 106
determines whether a custom cooking mode is selected. If the custom
cooking mode is selected ("YES" at the operation 674), the method
670 moves on to the operation ***. Otherwise ("NO" at the operation
674), the method 670 continues at the operation 676.
[0249] At the operation 676, the user computing device 106
determines whether a miscellaneous food type is selected. If a
miscellaneous food type is selected ("YES" at the operation 674),
the method 670 moves on to the operation 682. Otherwise ("NO" at
the operation 674), the method 670 continues at the operation
678.
[0250] In some embodiments, a miscellaneous food type is designed
to be used when a food item is difficult to be categorized in
particular food types. For example, the miscellaneous food type can
be used for a vegetarian food type, such as vegetables and
vegetarian meals. In other embodiments, the miscellaneous food type
can be used for food items that are too thin to insert the
temperature probe assembly 218, such as sliced potatoes and
onions.
[0251] At the operation 678, the user computing device 106 receives
a user selection of a target cooking temperature. In some
embodiments, the user computing device 106 displays various options
that enable the user to enter a target cooking temperature. For
example, the user can simply accept a preset cooking temperature
associated with the type of food item selected at the operation
672. Alternatively, the user can adjust a degree of doneness for
the selected type of food item, as illustrated in FIG. 39. The user
computing device 106 can also provide an interface that enables the
user to adjust a target cooking temperature as the user desires.
Example displays of the user computing device 106 at the operation
678 are illustrated in FIGS. 39-44.
[0252] At the operation 680, the user computing device 106 receives
a user selection of a preheat operation start. In some embodiments,
the user computing device 106 displays a user-selectable button
thereon that the user can select when the user wants to begin
heating the cooking plates 212 and/or 380. An example of such a
button is illustrated in FIGS. 39-44. When the user tabs the button
on the user computing device 106, the user computing device 106
sends a command signal to the appliance control device 104 of the
cooking appliance 102 so that at least one of the cooking plates
212 and 380 is heated based on the selected preheat configuration.
For example, at least one of the cooking plates 212 and 380 is
heated to the selected cooking temperature (e.g., the target
cooking temperature or the target cooking plate temperature).
[0253] The operation 682 is performed from either the operation 674
or the operation 676. At the operation 682, the user computing
device 106 receives a user selection of a target cooking plate
temperature. In some embodiments, the user computing device 106
displays various user-selectable buttons thereon, such as those
illustrated in FIGS. 43 and 44, so that the user selects or adjusts
a target cooking plate temperature as desired.
[0254] At the operation 684, the user computing device 106 receives
a user selection of using the temperature probe assembly 218. In
some embodiments, the user computing device 106 displays a
user-selectable button thereon, such as those illustrated in FIGS.
43 and 44, so that, by selecting the button, the user chooses to
use the temperature probe assembly 218 to monitor a temperature of
the food item while cooking.
[0255] At the operation 686, the user computing device 106
determines whether the temperature probe option is selected at the
operation 684. If the temperature probe assembly 218 is selected to
be used ("YES" at the operation 686), the method 670 moves on to
the operation 688. Otherwise ("NO" at the operation 686), the
method 670 returns to the operation 680.
[0256] At the operation 688, the user computing device 106 receives
a user selection of a target probe temperature. In some
embodiments, the user computing device 106 displays a
user-selectable button thereon, such as those illustrated in FIGS.
43 and 44, so that the user selects or adjusts a target probe
temperature as desired. As described above, a target probe
temperature can be defined as a temperature to which the user wants
a temperature of a food item to reach. As the temperature of the
food item is monitored from the temperature probe assembly 218, the
monitored temperature indicates a temperature inside the food item
to which the temperature probe assembly 218 is inserted.
[0257] At the operation 690, the user computing device 106 displays
a status of preheat operation. In some embodiments, the user
computing device 106 shows a progress bar, as illustrated in FIG.
45, to visualize the progression of the preheat operation. The user
computing device 106 can further display the currently-selected
preheat configuration, such as the type of food item and the target
cooking temperature selected as above. In other embodiments, the
status of preheat operation can be represented in different
manners.
[0258] At the operation 692, the user computing device 106
determines whether a user selection of changing the preheat
configuration is received. In some embodiments, the user computing
device 106 shows one or more user-selectable buttons that enable
the user to change the currently-set preheat configuration. For
example, the user can change the type of food item and/or the
target temperature (e.g., the target cooking temperature, the
target cooking plate temperature, and/or the target probe
temperature). If the change is received ("YES" at the operation
692), the method 670 moves to the operation 694. Otherwise ("NO" at
the operation 692), the method 670 continues on at the operation
696.
[0259] At the operation 694, the user computing device 106 operates
to reset the preheat configuration based upon the user change
received at the operation 692. For example, the target temperature
and/or the type of food item are modified to accord with the change
made at the operation 692. In some embodiments, the user computing
device 106 sends a signal to the appliance control device 104 of
the cooking appliance 102 so that at least one of the cooking
plates 212 and 380 is heated based on the changed preheat
configuration.
[0260] At the operation 696, the user computing device 106 monitors
a temperature of at least one of the cooking plates 212 and 380. In
some embodiments, the thermostat assembly 266 is used to monitor a
temperature of the bottom cooking plate 212. The appliance control
device 104 can receive a signal indicative of the cooking plate
temperature and send it to the user computing device 106. In some
embodiments, the user computing device 106 can then process and
display the temperature information thereon.
[0261] At the operation 698, the user computing device 106
determines whether the cooking plate temperature has reached the
target temperature. If the cooking plate temperature is determined
to have reached the target temperature ("YES" at the operation
698), the method 670 continues on at the operation 634 and
subsequent operations as illustrated in FIG. 31. Otherwise ("NO" at
the operation 698), the method 670 returns to the operation 690 to
continue the preheat operation.
[0262] FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 710 of
performing the cooking operation with the user computing device 106
executing the appliance control application 108. In some
embodiments, the method 710 includes operations 712, 714, 716, 718,
720, 722, and 724. The method 710 includes operations that are
performed by one or more processors, such as the processing device
502 as illustrated in FIG. 29. In other embodiments, the method 710
includes only some of the operations or one or more additional
operations. The operations can be performed in different orders in
other embodiments.
[0263] At the operation 712, the user computing device 106 receives
a user selection of a cooking operation start. In some embodiments,
the user computing device 106 displays a user-selectable button
thereon that the user can select when the user wants to begin
cooking after placing a food item in the cooking appliance 102. An
example of such a button is illustrated in FIG. 46. When the user
tabs the button on the user computing device 106, the user
computing device 106 sends a command signal to the appliance
control device 104 of the cooking appliance 102 to maintain the
temperature of at least one of the cooking plates 212 and 380 to
heat the food item.
[0264] At the operation 714, the user computing device 106 displays
a status of cooking operation. In some embodiments, the user
computing device 106 shows a progress bar, as illustrated in FIG.
47, to visualize the progression of the cooking operation. The user
computing device 106 can further display the currently-selected
cooking configuration, such as the current temperature (e.g., the
current cooking plate temperature and/or the current probe
temperature), the type of food item, and the target cooking
temperature selected as above. In other embodiments, the status of
preheat operation can be represented in different manners.
[0265] At the operation 716, the user computing device 106 displays
one or more cooking configuration change options. In some
embodiments, the user computing device 106 shows one or more
user-selectable buttons that enable the user to change the
currently-set cooking configuration. For example, the user can
change the type of food item and/or the target temperature (e.g.,
the target cooking temperature, the target cooking plate
temperature, and/or the target probe temperature).
[0266] At the operation 718, the user computing device 106
determines whether a user selection of changing the cooking
configuration is received. If the change is received ("YES" at the
operation 718), the method 710 moves to the operation 720.
Otherwise ("NO" at the operation 718), the method 710 continues on
at the operation 722.
[0267] At the operation 720, the user computing device 106 operates
to reset the cooking configuration based upon the user change
received at the operation 718. For example, the target temperature
and/or the type of food item are modified to accord with the change
made at the operation 718. In some embodiments, the user computing
device 106 sends a signal to the appliance control device 104 of
the cooking appliance 102 so that at least one of the cooking
plates 212 and 380 is heated based on the changed cooking
configuration.
[0268] At the operation 722, the user computing device 106 monitors
a temperature of the food item. In some embodiments, the food
temperature is monitored by the temperature probe assembly 218
inserted into the food item. In other embodiments, the food
temperature is detected by the thermostat assembly 266 that is used
to monitor a temperature of the bottom cooking plate 212. A
predetermined algorithm can be used to calculate the food
temperature based upon the temperature of the bottom cooking plate
212. Alternatively, the cooking plate temperature can be used as
the food temperature in some embodiments, such as where a food item
is small or thin enough to have a uniform temperature throughout
the food item. In yet other embodiments, the food temperature can
be monitored in various manners.
[0269] In this operation, the appliance control device 104 can
receive a signal indicative of the food temperature and send it to
the user computing device 106. In some embodiments, the user
computing device 106 can then process and display the temperature
information thereon.
[0270] At the operation 724, the user computing device 106
determines whether the food temperature has reached the target
cooking temperature. If the food temperature is determined to have
reached the target cooking temperature ("YES" at the operation
724), the method 710 continues on at the operation 642 and
subsequent operations as illustrated in FIG. 31. Otherwise ("NO" at
the operation 724), the method 710 returns to the operation 714 to
continue the cooking operation.
[0271] In some embodiments, when the food temperature reaches the
target cooking temperature, the cooking appliance 102 is configured
to be automatically turned off.
[0272] Referring to FIGS. 34-49, an example interface 800 of the
appliance control application 108 running on the user computing
device 106.
[0273] FIG. 34 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a network configuration page 802
(including 802A and 802B). In some embodiments, the network
configuration page 802 is operated by the network configuration
engine 420. The network configuration page 802 is configured to
enable a user to set up a communications network between the
cooking appliance 102 and the user computing device 106. In some
embodiment, the network configuration page 802 includes a first
button 804 for looking up available cooking appliances 102 and a
second button 806 for selecting one of the available cooking
appliances 102. A first network configuration page 802A shows no
cooking appliance 102 is found to be available or added by a user.
A second network configuration page 802B shows a list of available
cooking appliances 102 ("Cooking Appliance A" in the illustrated
example) when such cooking appliances 102 are detected. The user
can select the available cooking appliance 102 to establish a
network connection as illustrated in FIG. 30.
[0274] FIG. 35 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a home screen page 812. In some
embodiments, the home screen page 812 includes a preheat operation
button 814 and a button 816 for other functions.
[0275] The preheat operation button 814, when selected, causes the
appliance control application 108 to display a preheat operation
page 822 as illustrated in FIG. 45.
[0276] The button 816 for other functions, when selected, causes
the appliance control application 108 to display various pieces of
information thereon, as illustrated in FIG. 37.
[0277] FIG. 36 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a preheat operation page 822. The
preheat operation page 822 can display various food selection
options prior to a preheat configuration page (e.g., pages 862,
872, 882, 892, 902, and 922) and a preheat operation status page
(e.g., page 932). In some embodiments, the preheat operation page
822 includes a menu option button 824 and a list of cooking modes
826.
[0278] The menu option button 824, when selected, causes the
appliance control application 108 to display a list of different
menu items that a user can select as necessary. An example of the
menu items is illustrated in FIG. 38.
[0279] The list of cooking modes 826 provides different cooking
modes available for the cooking appliance 102. A user can select
one of the cooking modes as desired. In some embodiments, the
cooking modes are preset and stored in the user computing device
106. In other embodiments, various cooking modes can be downloaded
from a remote server computing device when the user computing
device 106 is available for data communications with the server
computing device. In yet other embodiments, various cooking modes
are created or modified from existing cooking modes by a user
through the user computing device 106.
[0280] In some embodiments, the list of cooking modes 826 includes
an automatic cooking mode and a manual cooking mode. In the
automatic cooking mode, the appliance control application 108
prompts a user to select one of preset food item types, and then
the user computing device 106 sends a signal to the appliance
control device 104 of the cooking appliance 102 to enable the
appliance control device 104 to operate the cooking appliance 102
based upon a predetermined cooking configuration for the selected
food item type. In the illustrated example, when a user selects one
of food types 828 listed in the page 822, the automatic cooking
mode is executed and the cooking appliance 102 is operated with a
cooking configuration (e.g., a target cooking temperature and a
cooking time) preset for the selected food type. In some
embodiments, example food types 828 in the automatic cooking mode
include red meat 828A, pork 828B, poultry 828C, fish 828D, and
vegetarian food items 828E. Examples of preset cooking
configurations for each food type are illustrated and described
with reference to FIGS. 36-41.
[0281] In the manual cooking mode, the appliance control
application 108 prompts a user to configure a cooking configuration
as the user desires. In the illustrated example, when a user
selects a custom cooking 830, the manual cooking mode is executed
and the cooking appliance 102 is operated based upon a cooking
configuration (e.g., a target cooking temperature, a target probe
temperature, a target cooking plate temperature, and a cooking
time) selected and adjusted by the user. An example of the manual
cooking mode is illustrated and described in more detail with
reference to FIG. 43.
[0282] In some embodiments, the appliance control application 108
provides a searing mode in which the cooking appliance 102 is
operated to sear a food item in a predetermined manner depending on
the type of food item.
[0283] FIG. 37 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a recipe information page 832. In
some embodiments, the recipe information page 832 is brought up
when the button 816 in the home screen page 812 is selected by a
user.
[0284] In some embodiments, the recipe information page 832 is
configured to show different recipes stored in the user computing
device 106. In some embodiments, the recipe information can be
preset and stored in the user computing device 106. In other
embodiments, data including recipe information can be transmitted
from a remote server computing device when a data communications
network is established between the user computing device 106 and
the server computing device. The recipe information can be modified
by a user and saved in the user computing device 106 and/or any
server computing device.
[0285] FIG. 38 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a menu page 842. In some embodiments,
the menu page 842 is brought up when the menu option button 824 is
selected by a user.
[0286] The menu page 842 provides various functional options that a
user can select. In some embodiments, the menu page 842 includes a
preheat and cooking operation button 844 and a recipe information
button 846. The preheat and cooking operation button 844, when
selected, causes the appliance control application 108 to execute
the preheat operation and/or the cooking operation. The recipe
information button 846, when selected, causes the appliance control
application 108 to display various recipes on the interface 800.
Other embodiments of the menu page 842 can include other options
associated with use of the cooking appliance 102.
[0287] FIG. 39 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a red meat food type page 862. In
some embodiments, the red meat food type page 862 is brought up
when the red meat button 828A is selected by a user.
[0288] In the red meat food type page 862, a target cooking
temperature can be adjusted by selecting a level of doneness, such
as very rare, rare, medium rare, medium, well, and very well done.
In some embodiments, each of different levels of doneness is
associated with different cooking temperatures. In the illustrated
example, the level of doneness can be selected by sweeping gesture
864.
[0289] Further, the red meat food type page 862 includes a cooking
temperature selection button 866. A user can manually adjust a
target cooking temperature by sliding gesture 868 along the cooking
temperature selection button 866.
[0290] The red meat food type page 862 can include a preheat start
button 870 that, when selected, causes the appliance control
application 108 to start the preheat operation.
[0291] FIG. 40 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a pork food type page 872. In some
embodiments, the pork food type page 872 is brought up when the
pork button 828B is selected by a user.
[0292] In the pork food type page 872, a target cooking temperature
is preset and recommended to a user. The pork food type page 872
includes a cooking temperature selection button 874. When a user
wants to adjust a target cooking temperature differently from the
recommended one, the user can manually adjust a target cooking
temperature by sliding gesture 876 along the cooking temperature
selection button 874.
[0293] The pork food type page 872 can include a preheat start
button 878 that, when selected, causes the appliance control
application 108 to start the preheat operation.
[0294] FIG. 41 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a poultry food type page 882. In some
embodiments, the poultry food type page 882 is brought up when the
poultry button 828C is selected by a user.
[0295] In the poultry food type page 882, a target cooking
temperature is preset and recommended to a user. The poultry food
type page 882 includes a cooking temperature selection button 884.
When a user wants to adjust a target cooking temperature
differently from the recommended one, the user can manually adjust
a target cooking temperature by sliding gesture 886 along the
cooking temperature selection button 884.
[0296] The poultry food type page 882 can include a preheat start
button 888 that, when selected, causes the appliance control
application 108 to start the preheat operation.
[0297] FIG. 42 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a fish food type page 892. In some
embodiments, the fish food type page 892 is brought up when the
fish button 828D is selected by a user.
[0298] In the fish food type page 892, a target cooking temperature
is preset and recommended to a user. The fish food type page 892
includes a cooking temperature selection button 894. When a user
wants to adjust a target cooking temperature differently from the
recommended one, the user can manually adjust a target cooking
temperature by sliding gesture 896 along the cooking temperature
selection button 894.
[0299] The fish food type page 892 can include a preheat start
button 898 that, when selected, causes the appliance control
application 108 to start the preheat operation.
[0300] FIG. 43 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a miscellaneous food type page 902.
In some embodiments, the miscellaneous food type page 902 is
brought up when the vegetarian food items button 828E is selected
by a user.
[0301] In some embodiments, a miscellaneous food type is designed
to be used when a food item is difficult to be categorized in
particular food types. For example, the miscellaneous food type can
be used for a vegetarian food type, such as vegetables and
vegetarian meals. In other embodiments, the miscellaneous food type
can be used for food items that are too thin to insert the
temperature probe assembly 218, such as sliced potatoes and
onions.
[0302] In some embodiments, the miscellaneous food type page 902
includes a target cooking plate temperature selection button 904. A
user can manually adjust a target cooking plate temperature by
sliding gesture 906 along the cooking plate temperature selection
button 904.
[0303] The miscellaneous food type page 902 can include a probe
selection button 908. When a user selects the probe selection
button 908, the temperature probe assembly 218 is used to monitor a
temperature of a food item through which the temperature probe
assembly 218 is inserted.
[0304] In some embodiments, the miscellaneous food type page 902
includes a target probe temperature selection button 910. A user
can manually adjust a target probe temperature of the temperature
probe assembly 218 by sliding gesture 912 along the target probe
temperature selection button 910. The temperature of a food item
monitored by the temperature probe assembly 218 is used to verify
that the internal temperature of the food item has reached the
target probe temperature.
[0305] The miscellaneous food type page 902 can include a preheat
start button 914 that, when selected, causes the appliance control
application 108 to start the preheat operation.
[0306] FIG. 44 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a manual cooking mode page 922. In
some embodiments, the manual cooking mode page 922 is brought up
when the custom cooking 830 is selected by a user.
[0307] In some embodiments, the manual cooking mode page 922 is
configured similarly to the miscellaneous food type page 902.
Therefore, the same reference numbers are used in FIGS. 43 and 44
to the extent available, and the description of the manual cooking
mode page 922 is omitted for brevity purposes.
[0308] FIG. 45 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a preheat status page 932. The
preheat status page 932 is displayed when the preheat operation is
performed.
[0309] In some embodiments, the preheat status page 932 includes a
progress bar 934 to visualize the progression of the preheat
operation.
[0310] The preheat status page 932 can display a currently-selected
preheat configuration 936, such as the type of food item and the
selected target cooking temperature. In the illustrated example,
steak has been selected as a type of food item, and a target
cooking temperature has been selected at 130.degree. F. (or a rare
level of doneness).
[0311] In some embodiments, the preheat status page 932 includes
one or more buttons 938 and 940 that permits a user to modify the
currently-selected preheat configuration 936.
[0312] FIG. 46 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a preheat end notification page 942.
The preheat end notification page 942 is displayed when the preheat
operation is complete.
[0313] In some embodiments, the preheat end notification page 942
displays a visual notification 944 alerting a user that the preheat
operation has ended and the cooking appliance is ready for cooking
operation. In other embodiments, the preheat end notification page
942 can provide an audible notification to alert a user to the end
of preheat operation.
[0314] The preheat end notification page 942 includes a close
button 946 and a cooking operation button 948. A user can select
the close button 946 to not proceed with a cooking operation or to
stop using the cooking appliance 102. To continue on with a cooking
operation, the user can select the cooking operation button
948.
[0315] FIG. 47 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a cooking status page 952. The
cooking status page 952 is displayed when the cooking operation is
performed.
[0316] In some embodiments, the cooking status page 952 includes a
current temperature display 954 for display a current temperature
(e.g., a current cooking plate temperature or a current probe
temperature), and a progress bar 956 to visualize the progression
of the cooking operation.
[0317] The cooking status page 952 can display a currently-selected
cooking configuration 958, such as the type of food item and the
selected target cooking temperature. In the illustrated example,
steak has been selected as a type of food item, and a target
cooking temperature has been selected at 130.degree. F. (or a rare
level of doneness).
[0318] In some embodiments, the cooking status page 952 includes
one or more buttons 960 and 961 that permits a user to modify the
currently-selected cooking configuration 958.
[0319] The cooking status page 952 can also include a cook timer
963 to indicate a time left until cooking ends. Other types of
timer are possible in other embodiments.
[0320] FIG. 48 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a cooking end notification page 962.
The cooking end notification page 962 is displayed when the cooking
operation is complete.
[0321] In some embodiments, the cooking end notification page 962
displays a visual notification 964 alerting a user that the cooking
operation has ended. In other embodiments, the cooking end
notification page 962 can provide an audible notification to alert
a user to the end of cooking operation.
[0322] The cooking end notification page 962 includes a close
button 966 and an additional cooking operation button 968. A user
can select the close button 966 to stop using the cooking appliance
102. To continue on with another preheat or cooking operation, the
user can select the additional cooking operation button 968.
[0323] FIG. 49 is an example interface 800 of the appliance control
application 108 that displays a rest timer page 972. The rest timer
page 972 can be displayed when the cooking operation is complete.
The rest timer operation can be used to provide optimal food
conditions for serving.
[0324] In some embodiments, the rest timer page 972 includes a
timer display 974, a skip timer button 976, and a start timer
button 978. The timer display 974 is designed to set up a time and
visualize a timer for measuring the set time. In some embodiments,
the rest time is preset based upon types of food items. Once the
time is over, the rest timer page 972 can alert the user that the
rest time lapses. Selecting the skip timer button 976, the user can
skip the rest timer operation. When the start timer button 978 is
selected, the rest time can start.
[0325] Referring again to FIGS. 3-26, it is noted that the cooking
appliance 102 can include other modules and components than those
described above to perform various functions. In some embodiments,
the cooking appliance 102 employs a sensing technology for
detecting smoke in or around the cooking appliance 102 and alerting
the user directly from the cooking appliance 102 or through the
user computing device 106.
[0326] Referring to FIGS. 50-59, another example countertop cooking
appliance is described and illustrated.
[0327] Typical countertop cooking appliances, such as contact
grills, rice cookers, skillets, griddles, toaster ovens, waffle
makers, and slow cookers often require a user of the appliance to
remain close to the appliance. Some countertop cooking appliances
need to be preheated to a particular temperature before a food item
may be cooked with the countertop cooking appliance. The user of
the countertop cooking appliance must remain near the countertop
cooking appliance to determine when the countertop cooking
appliance has reached the appropriate temperature before beginning
to cook the food item with the countertop cooking appliance. Some
countertop cooking appliances include a visual or audible
notification, such as a light or buzzer, to indicate that the
countertop cooking appliance has reached the desired temperature.
Such notifications, however, are typically only effective when the
user is relatively close to (e.g., in the same room as) the
countertop cooking appliance.
[0328] Similarly, some cooking operations may be performed by a
countertop cooking appliance for a period of time without requiring
significant action by the user. For example, a food item may need
to cook on a contact grill for five to seven minutes. At least for
the first five minutes that the item is cooking, the user is not
needed. However, if the user does not remain close to the
countertop cooking appliance, the user may not know when the five
minutes has elapsed and may not hear or see an indication from the
countertop cooking appliance that the time has elapsed.
[0329] Moreover, a user of a countertop cooking appliance may need
to physically check a food item being cooked to determine when the
food item is cooked to a desired degree. For some food items, such
as chicken or pork food items, the internal temperature of the food
item needs to reach a certain minimum temperature for food safety.
To check the food item, the user may visually inspect the food item
or may cut open the food item to detect how cooked the item is at a
certain point. Such checking of the doneness of a food item is
often inaccurate, lengthens the cooking process (e.g., due to
repeated opening of the countertop cooking appliance allowing heat
to escape), may produce an aesthetically less pleasing food item
(e.g., due to repeated cutting, etc.), and may produce an inferior
food item (e.g., by allowing moisture contained within the food
item to escape). Some users may use an external food thermometer to
check the internal temperature of the food item being cooked (for
food safety reasons and/or desired degree of doneness). Such
thermometers typically require the user to remain close to the
thermometer to read the temperature measured by the thermometer,
may not be able to remain in the food item while it is being
cooked, and/or may require the user to repeatedly open/access the
food.
[0330] Furthermore, countertop cooking appliances sometimes include
a display for providing limited information to a user of the
appliance. For example, the display may indicate a time,
temperature, and/or speed at which the device is operating. The
display may be an electronic display, such as a liquid crystal
display (LCD) or a series of one or more indicator lights, or a
physical display, such as setting markings beside a control lever
and/or selection buttons. Such displays may, however, provide
limited information to a user of the appliance and require a user
to be close to the appliance, i.e., close enough to read the
display, to receive any information from the appliance.
[0331] It may be advantageous to provide a user with systems,
methods, and computer-readable media to provide information to a
user of a countertop cooking appliance locally and or remotely,
and/or to provide the user with additional control over the
countertop cooking appliance.
[0332] As described below, the countertop cooking appliances of the
present disclosure are configured to communicate with a remote
communication device. In some embodiments, the countertop cooking
appliances are heated countertop cooking appliances for container
and/or surface cooking. The countertop cooking appliances are
configured to send data to the remote communication device.
[0333] The data that the countertop cooking appliances send to the
remote communication device includes, for example, food item data,
operational data for the countertop cooking appliance, and
maintenance and/or error data concerning the countertop cooking
appliance. Example food item data includes the weight of the food
item(s) placed on the countertop cooking appliance, the temperature
of food item(s) on the countertop cooking appliance, and/or the
thickness of the items placed on the countertop cooking appliance.
Operational data for the countertop cooking appliance can include a
temperature of a cooking surface of the countertop cooking
appliance, an air temperature within the countertop cooking
appliance, a status of the countertop cooking appliance (e.g., on
or off, preheating, cleaning cycle, etc.), the current settings of
the countertop cooking appliance, and the like. Maintenance and
error data includes data concerning suggested or required
maintenance procedures (e.g., cleaning a filter, draining a drip
pan), and identification of errors and possible solutions.
[0334] The remote communication device is configured, such as by
suitable programming, to communicate with the countertop cooking
appliance. Specifically, the remote communication device is
configured to receive data from the countertop cooking appliance
and display the data to the user. In some embodiments, the remote
communication device is configured to allow the user to remotely
control at least some aspects of the countertop cooking appliance.
For example, the remote communication device may be configured to
be able to turn the countertop cooking appliance on and off, set a
timer on the countertop cooking appliance, change/set one or more
settings of the countertop cooking appliance (e.g., set
temperature), and/or instruct the countertop cooking appliance to
perform a series of actions.
[0335] The remote communication device is configured to be able to
inform and alert a user based on data received from the countertop
cooking appliance and/or user settings. For example, the user can
set a timer on the remote communication device to be alerted when a
food item should be done (according to the recipe). The remote
communication device can alert the user, based on data received
from the countertop cooking appliance, when the countertop cooking
appliance reaches a specified condition, such as a surface
temperature, or when the food item on the countertop cooking
appliance reaches a certain internal temperature.
[0336] Additional aspects of the present disclosure relate to
interactive instructions and/or recipes. The remote communication
device can store, import, and/or retrieve recipes that utilize the
countertop cooking appliance and instructions for using the
countertop cooking appliance. Recipes may simply be displayed to
the user or may interact with the user and/or the countertop
cooking appliance (via the remote communication device). For
example, when a user selects an interactive recipe, the settings of
the countertop cooking appliance to prepare the recipe (e.g., the
temperature) may be transmitted and applied to the countertop
cooking appliance. When a recipe includes multiple steps, the
interactive recipe may step the user through the steps of the
recipe as each step is completed. The remote communication device
can determine when a step is completed based on data received from
the countertop cooking appliance and/or based on the user
indicating that a step is completed.
[0337] FIG. 50 is an illustration of an example system 1100 having
a countertop cooking appliance 1102 and a remote communication
device 1104. The remote communication device 1104 is
communicatively coupled to the countertop cooking appliance 1102
directly and/or via a network 1106. A data store 1108 is
communicatively coupled with the countertop cooking appliance 1102
and the remote communication device 1104 via the network 1106. The
countertop cooking appliance 1102 includes an external temperature
probe 1110.
[0338] In some embodiments, the system 1100 is configured similarly
to the cooking appliance system 100 as described above. For
example, the countertop cooking appliance 1102, the remote
communication device 1104, and the network 1106 are configured
similarly to the cooking appliance 102, the user computing device
106, and the wireless network 112, respectively.
[0339] The countertop cooking appliance 1102 is a countertop
contact grill. In other embodiments, the countertop cooking
appliance 1102 is a rice cooker, a skillet, a griddle, a toaster
oven, a waffle maker, a slow cooker, or any other suitable heated
appliance for container and/or surface cooking. The countertop
cooking appliance 1102 is configured to communicate with the remote
communication device 1104 by suitable programming loaded onto the
countertop cooking appliance 1102.
[0340] A remote communication device, as used herein, is a device
that is separate from the countertop cooking appliance 1102 and
that is capable of receiving communication from the countertop
cooking appliance 1102. In the exemplary embodiment, the remote
communication device 1104 is a mobile phone. In other embodiments,
the remote communication device 1104 is a desktop computer, a
tablet computer, a laptop computer, a television, a radio, a
personal digital assistance, a pager, any other suitable
communication device, or any combination thereof. Additionally, in
some embodiments, the remote communication device 1104 is a device
specifically dedicated to the countertop cooking appliance 1102
such that the remote communication device 1104 is configured to
communicate specifically with the countertop cooking appliance.
Although only one remote communication device is shown in FIG. 50,
it is contemplated that more than one remote communication device
1104, including different types of remote communication devices,
may be used with system 1100. The remote communication device 1104
is configured to communicate with the countertop cooking appliance
1102 by suitable programming loaded onto the remote communication
device 1104. In some embodiments, an application (sometimes
referred to as an "app") is downloaded and/or installed on the
remote communication device 1104. The installed application
configures the remote communication device 1104 to communicate with
the countertop cooking appliance 1102 and otherwise function as
described herein.
[0341] The countertop cooking appliance 1102 communicates with the
remote communication device 1104 directly and/or by utilizing
network 1106. The appliance 1102 communicates with the remote
communication device 1104 using any suitable wired or wireless
communication protocol. For example, the countertop cooking
appliance 1102 may communicate with the remote communication device
using, along with appropriate communication protocols, a radio
frequency (RF) transceiver, a Bluetooth.RTM. adapter, a Wi-Fi
transceiver, a ZigBee.RTM. transceiver, a near field communication
(NFC) transceiver, an infrared (IR) transceiver, and/or any other
device capable of communicating directly with remote communication
device 1104. (Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth
Special Interest Group of Kirkland, Wash.; ZigBee is a registered
trademark of the ZigBee Alliance of San Ramon, Calif.) Wired
communication between the countertop cooking appliance 1102 and the
remote communication device 1104 may use any suitable wired
communication protocol including, without limitation, USB, RS232,
I2C, SPI, analog, and proprietary I/O protocols.
[0342] The network 1106 is a communication network. In an exemplary
embodiment, the network 1106 is a wireless local area network
(WLAN). The network 1106 may be any suitable type of network and/or
a combination of networks. The network 1106 may be wired or
wireless or a combination thereof and of any or multiple
communication protocols. The network 1106 may include, without
limitation, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area
network (WAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a mesh network, a virtual
private network (VPN), a cellular network, and/or any other network
that allows system 1100 to operate as described herein.
[0343] The data store 1108 is configured to store data associated
with the countertop cooking appliance 1102 and/or the remote
communication device 1104. Such data may include food item data,
operational data for the countertop cooking appliance, and
maintenance and/or error data concerning the countertop cooking
appliance. The data store 1108 may also store instructions and/or
recipes for use with the countertop cooking appliance 1102.
Although a single data store 1108 is shown in FIG. 50, system 1100
may include one or multiple data stores. The data store 1108 may be
a standalone data store (e.g., a part of a server connected to
network 1106), may be located within countertop cooking appliance
1102, and/or may be located within the remote communication device
1104. Moreover, the data store 1108 may be a distributed data store
that exists across multiple computers, devices, and/or
locations.
[0344] Temperature probe 1110 is communicatively coupled to
countertop cooking appliance 1102 to provide temperature data to
countertop cooking appliance 1102. The temperature probe 1110
detects a temperature around a probe element 1112 and provides a
signal indicative of the detected temperature to the countertop
cooking appliance 1102. In the illustrated embodiment, the
temperature probe 1110 is removably connected to the countertop
cooking appliance 1102 with a wire 1114. Alternatively, the
temperature probe 1110 may be wirelessly coupled to the countertop
cooking appliance 1102. The temperature probe 1110 is configured to
be inserted into a food item being cooked with the countertop
cooking appliance 1102 in order to detect the internal temperature
of the food item and transmit a signal indicative of the
temperature to the countertop cooking appliance 1102. In some
embodiments, the temperature probe 1110 is configured similarly to
the temperature probe assembly 218 as described above.
[0345] Various embodiments described in this disclosure include
computing devices. FIG. 51 shows an example of a computing device
1200 intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such
as laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants,
servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate
computers. Computing device 1200 is also intended to represent
various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital
assistants, cellular telephones, smart phones, and other similar
computing devices. The components shown here, their connections and
relationships, and their functions, are meant to be examples only,
and are not meant to limit implementations of the subject matter
described and/or claimed in this document.
[0346] In the exemplary embodiment, countertop cooking appliance
1102 and remote communication device 1104 (shown in FIG. 50) each
include some or all of a computing device 1200. For example, the
countertop cooking appliance 1102 may include a communication
interface and associated controls rather than a complete computing
device 1200. Computing device 1200 includes a bus 1202, a processor
1204, a main memory 1206, a read only memory (ROM) 1208, a storage
device 1210, an input device 1212, and output device 1214, and a
communication interface 1216. Bus 1202 includes a path that permits
communication among the components of computing device 1200.
[0347] Processor 1204 includes any type of conventional processor,
microprocessor, or processing logic that interprets and executes
instructions. Processor 1204 can process instructions for execution
within the computing device 1200, including instructions stored in
the main memory 1206 or on the storage device 1210 to display
graphical information for a GUI on an external input/output device,
such as display 1214 coupled to a high speed interface. In other
implementations, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may be
used, as appropriate, along with multiple memories and types of
memory. Also, multiple computing devices 1200 may be connected,
with each device providing portions of the necessary operations
(e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers, or a
multi-processor system).
[0348] Main memory 1206 may include a random access memory (RAM) or
another type of dynamic storage device that stores information and
instructions for execution by processor 1204. Main memory 1206
stores information within the computing device 1200. In one
implementation, main memory 1206 is a volatile memory unit or
units. In another implementation, main memory 1206 is a
non-volatile memory unit or units. Main memory 1206 may also be
another form of computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic or
optical disk.
[0349] ROM 1208 may include a conventional ROM device or another
type of static storage device that stores static information and
instructions for use by processor 1204.
[0350] The storage device 1210 is capable of providing mass storage
for the computing device 1200. Storage device 1210 may include a
magnetic and/or optical recording medium and its corresponding
drive. In one implementation, the storage device 1210 may be or
contain a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk device, a
hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, a flash
memory or other similar solid state memory device, or an array of
devices, including devices in a storage area network or other
configurations. A computer program product can be tangibly embodied
in an information carrier. The computer program product may also
contain instructions that, when executed, perform one or more
methods, such as those described above. The information carrier is
a computer- or machine-readable medium, such as main memory 1206,
ROM 1208, the storage device 1210, or memory on processor 1204.
[0351] Input device 1212 includes a conventional mechanism that
permits computer device 1200 to receive commands, instructions, or
other inputs from a user, including visual, audio, touch, button
presses, stylus taps, etc. Additionally, input device 1212 may
receive location information. Accordingly, input device 1212 may
include, for example, a camera, a microphone, one or more buttons,
a touch screen, and/or a GPS receiver. Output device 1214 may
include a conventional mechanism that outputs information to the
user, including a display (including a touch screen) and/or a
speaker. Communication interface 1216 may include any
transceiver-like mechanism that enables computing device 1200 to
communicate with other devices and/or systems. For example,
communication interface 1216 may include mechanisms for
communicating with another device or system directly or via a
network, such as network 1106 (shown in FIG. 50).
[0352] As described herein, computing device 1200 facilitates the
presentation of content, such as an instruction, along with food
item data, operational data for the countertop cooking appliance,
and maintenance and/or error data. Computing device 1200 may
perform these and other operations in response to processor 1204
executing software instructions contained in a computer-readable
medium, such as main memory 1206. A computer-readable medium may be
defined as a physical or logical computer-readable memory device
and/or carrier wave. The software instructions may be read into
main memory 1206 from another computer-readable medium, such as
data storage device 1210, or from another device via communication
interface 1216. The software instructions contained in main memory
1206 may cause processor 1204 to perform processes described
herein. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of
or in combination with software instructions to implement processes
and systems consistent with the principles of the subject matter
disclosed herein. Embodiments are not limited to any specific
combination of hardware circuitry and software.
[0353] The processor 1204 can execute instructions within the
computing device 1200, including instructions stored in the main
memory 1206. The processor may be implemented as chips that include
separate and multiple analog and digital processors. The processor
may provide, for example, for coordination of the other components
of the computing device 1200, such as control of user interfaces,
applications run by computing device 1200, and wireless
communication by computing device 1200.
[0354] Computing device 1200 may communicate wirelessly through
communication interface 1216, which may include digital signal
processing circuitry where necessary. Communication interface 1216
may provide for communications under various modes or protocols,
such as GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS, or MMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA,
PDS, WCDMA, CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others. Such communication may
occur, for example, through radiofrequency transceiver. In
addition, short-range communication may occur, such as using a
Bluetooth.RTM., WiFi, or other such transceiver(s) (not shown). In
addition, a GPS (Global Position system) receiving module may
provide additional navigation- and location-related data to
computing device 1200, which may be used as appropriate by
applications running on computing device 1200.
[0355] Thus, various implementations of the systems and techniques
described here can be realized in digital electronic circuitry,
integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application
specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware,
software, and/or combinations thereof. These various
implementations can include implementation in one or more computer
programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable
system including at least one programmable processor, which may be
special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and
instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a
storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output
device.
[0356] These computer programs (also known as programs, software,
software applications or code) include machine instructions for a
programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level
procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in
assembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms
"machine-readable medium" "computer-readable medium" refers to any
computer program product, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic
discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs))
used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable
processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives
machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The
"machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium," however,
do not include transitory signals. The term "machine-readable
signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions
and/or data to a programmable processor.
[0357] FIG. 52 is a simplified block diagram of the countertop
cooking appliance 1102. The countertop cooking appliance 1102
includes a controller 1302, a heating element 1304, a sensor 1306,
and an external sensor input 1308.
[0358] Except as otherwise described herein, the controller 1302 is
substantially identical to the computing device 1200. In other
embodiments, the controller 1302 is any other analog circuitry,
digital circuitry, or analog and digital circuitry configured to
operate as described herein. As FIG. 52 is a simplified block
diagram, not all components that are present in a countertop
cooking appliance 1102, e.g., wires, switches, relays, power
supplies, etc., are illustrated in FIG. 52.
[0359] Heating element 1304 provides, under the control of the
controller 1302, the heat for cooking a food item with the
countertop cooking appliance 1102. Although a single heating
element 1304 is shown, countertop cooking appliance 1102 may
include any number of heating elements 1304 suitable to permit
countertop cooking appliance 1102 to cook food items.
[0360] Sensor 1306 is a temperature sensor configured to detect a
temperature of a portion of the countertop cooking appliance 1102.
In the example embodiment, the sensor 1306 detects the temperature
of the contact grill surfaces (not shown) of the countertop cooking
appliance 1102 on which the food item is cooked. The sensor 1306
provides a signal indicative of the detected temperature to the
controller 1302. The controller 1302 uses the detected signal as
feedback for controlling the countertop cooking appliance 1102. The
controller 1302 may also determine the temperature based on the
signal and present the temperature to a user through output device
1214 (shown in FIG. 51) and/or by transmission to remote
communication device 1104. In other embodiments, sensor 1306 is any
other sensor that detects an operational characteristic of
countertop cooking appliance 1102 to produce operational data about
countertop cooking appliance 1102 or that detects a characteristic
of a food item associated with the countertop cooking appliance
1102. Example sensor types include weight sensors configured to
detect the weight of an item placed on/in the countertop cooking
appliance 1102, position sensors configured to detect the relative
position orientation of the countertop cooking appliance 1102 or a
portion of the countertop cooking appliance 1102 (e.g.,
opened/closed, upside down), moisture sensors to detect the
presence and/or amount of moisture, and ambient temperature
sensors. Moreover, although one sensor 1306 is illustrated,
countertop cooking appliance 1102 may include any suitable number
of similar or different sensors 1306.
[0361] External sensor input 1308 couples the external temperature
probe 1110 (shown in FIG. 50) to the countertop cooking appliance
1102. As described above, the external temperature probe 1110
detects a temperature at probe element 1112 and generates a signal
indicative of the detected temperature. The signal is transmitted
to the countertop cooking appliance 1102, and more specifically to
the controller 1302, through the external sensor input 1308. The
controller 1302 may determine the detected temperature based on the
signal and present the temperature to a user through the output
device 1214 (shown in FIG. 51) and/or by transmission to the remote
communication device 1104. In other embodiments, controller 1302
sends the signal indicative of the detected temperature to the
remote communication device 1104 without determining the detected
temperature. The remote communication device 1104 may then
determine the detected temperature based on the signal and display
the detected temperature to the user.
[0362] Turning to FIG. 53, a functional block diagram of system
1100 includes the countertop cooking appliance 1102, the remote
communication device 1104 the network 1106, and the data store
1108. The other structural components of the system 1100 shown in
FIGS. 1-3, while still included as part of system 1100, are not
shown in the functional diagram of FIG. 53.
[0363] The countertop cooking appliance 1102 includes multiple
components that may be, for example, part of controller 1302 and
may be embodied in one or more software modules executed by
controller 1302. The countertop cooking appliance 1102 includes a
communication receiving component 1402, a communication determining
component 1404, and a communication transmitting component 1406,
and a temperature control component 1408. Communication receiving
component 1402 receives data, such as food item data, operational
data, and maintenance and/or error data. Moreover, communication
receiving component 1402 receives data and instructions from a
remote communication component 1104 and input device 1212. The
communication determining component 1404 is configured to
calculate, compare, and determine results based on inputs, such as
from the communication receiving component 1402. For example, the
communication determining component determines a temperature based
on a signal representative of the temperature received from sensor
1306 (shown in FIG. 52). Communication transmitting component 1406
is configured to output received data and/or determined values to
output device 1214, to the data store 1108, and/or to remote
communication component 1104. The temperature control component
1408 controls the heating element 1304 (shown in FIG. 52) based on
data from 30814-1316 (SP-1959) sensor 1306 and user inputs. Thus,
the user may set a desired temperature for the countertop cooking
appliance 1102 via the input device 1212 or the remote
communication device 1104 and the temperature control component
1408 operates the heating element 1304 to achieve the desired
temperature.
[0364] As described above, the remote communication device 1104 may
be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a
television, a radio, a personal digital assistance, a pager, and/or
any other suitable communication device. The remote communication
device 1104 includes multiple components that may be, for example,
part of a computing device 1200 and may be embodied in one or more
software modules executed by the computing device 1200.
[0365] The remote communication device 1104 is configured to
receive data, such as food item data, operational data, and
maintenance and/or error data from the countertop cooking appliance
1102. The remote communication device 1104 includes an input
component 1410, a determining component 1412, an output component
1414, and a presentation component 1416. The input component 1410
is configured to receive data from countertop cooking appliance
1102 and to retrieve data from other components within system 1100,
such as data store 1108. In some embodiments, the input component
1410 retrieves recipe data and/or instructions from data store
1108. Recipe data may include, but is not limited to, recipes
stored on the data store 1108 and instructions associated with the
recipes. An instruction associated with a recipe may include a
specific amount of various food items to be combined, a temperature
at which to cook a food item, a length of time to cook a food item,
and the like. Remote communication device input component 1410 is
also configured to receive a selection of an item, such as a
selection of a recipe, by a user.
[0366] The remote communication device determining component 1412
is configured to calculate, compare, and/or determine results based
on inputs, such as from the remote communication device input
component 1410. For example, the remote communication device
determining component 1412 determines a temperature of the
countertop cooking appliance 1102 based on a signal from the
countertop cooking appliance 1102 received through the input
component 1410. The determining component 1412 also compares
detected temperatures to setpoint temperatures to determine, for
example, whether or not the countertop cooking appliance 1102 is at
the desired temperature, whether or not the food item on the
countertop cooking appliance 1102 is at the desired internal
temperature, whether or not a predetermined length of cooking time
has elapsed, etc.
[0367] The remote communication device output component 1414 is
configured to output data to the presentation component 1416, to
the data store 1108, and/or to the countertop cooking appliance
1102. The remote communication device display component 1416 is
configured to display data, such as recipes, instructions, food
item data, operational data, and error/maintenance data to the user
on the output device 1214 of the remote communication device
1104.
[0368] FIGS. 54-56 are flow diagrams of several methods for cooking
with a countertop appliance. Although, the methods will be
described with reference to the components of the system 1100, the
methods may be performed using any suitable system including a
countertop cooking appliance and a remote communication device. The
methods described herein may be performed by the remote
communication device 1104 and/or food preparation appliance 1102
using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and
software. Moreover, the methods may be performed by the components
described with reference to FIG. 53. Further, the methods, or
portions of the methods, described herein may be performed using a
software application loaded onto the remote communication device
1104 that specifically configures the remote communication device
1104 to perform at least some steps of the methods.
[0369] FIG. 54 is a flow diagram of a method 1500 for cooking with
a countertop cooking appliance. The method 1500 includes receiving
1502, on remote communication device 1104, a user selection to cook
a food item with the countertop cooking appliance 1102. The remote
communication device 1104 retrieves and displays to the user, at
1504, a list of instructions for the user to select from. The
instructions are a list of food items to be cooked without a recipe
(e.g., chicken breast-fresh, chicken breast-frozen, steak,
fish-frozen, etc.) and/or a list of recipes for preparing a food
item (e.g., savory hamburgers, steak with mushroom sauce, grilled
Cajun chicken sandwich, etc.). The instructions may be sorted and
displayed to the user according to any suitable organization,
including alphabetical ordering, grouping by food type, ordered by
length of time required to prepare/cook, etc. Moreover, in some
embodiments, the remote communication device also displays to the
user a search box, through which the user may search for a
particular food item, recipe, and/or instruction.
[0370] At 1506, when the user selects an instruction, the remote
communication device 1104 retrieves and displays the instruction to
the user. Regardless of whether the instruction is a recipe or an
instruction without a recipe, the instruction will identify the
settings for the countertop cooking appliance 1102 to cook the
selected food item/recipe, the time required, and/or the sequence
of steps to cook the item. The sequence of steps may be simple
(e.g., cook at *375 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-9 minutes) or more
complex (e.g., cook at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes, reduce
heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes, remove from heat and
let rest for 2 minutes). After the instructions are provided, the
user may apply the appropriate settings to the countertop cooking
appliance 1102 and cook the food item/recipe according to the
instructions.
[0371] In some embodiments, the method 1500 includes receiving a
user instruction to take a photograph with the remote communication
device and upload the photograph to a remote location. Thus the
user may take photographs of the food item before, during, and/or
after preparation and upload the photograph(s) to remote devices,
such as a social media website, a file sharing website, the data
store 1108, etc. The photograph(s) may also be associated with the
instructions for the food item photographed, so that users may view
photographs of the food item prepared according to the instructions
when reviewing and selecting instructions. Moreover, in some
embodiments, the user may add comment(s) to the photograph and the
comment(s) will be displayed with, or otherwise associated with,
the photograph.
[0372] FIG. 55 is a flow diagram of a method 1600 for cooking with
a countertop cooking appliance. The method 1600 includes receiving
1602, on remote communication device 1104, a user selection to cook
a food item with the countertop cooking appliance 1102. The
communication device 1104 retrieves and displays to the user, at
1604, a list of instructions for the user to select from. At 1606,
when the user selects an instruction, the remote communication
device 1104 retrieves and displays the instruction to the user. At
1608, the remote communication device 1104 transmits to the
countertop cooking appliance 1102 the settings for the countertop
cooking appliance 1102 to cook the selected food item/recipe. The
countertop cooking appliance 1102 settings are set by the
countertop cooking appliance 1102 as instructed by the remote
communication device 1104. The settings include the temperature to
which the countertop cooking appliance 1102 is to be set. Depending
on the recipe and/or food item, the instructions may include a
sequence of temperatures and a time for each temperature. For
example, when cooking a steak on a contact grill, it may be
desirable to sear the steak at a high temperature for a short time
before reducing the temperature to a lower temperature for the
remaining time required to cook the steak. The instructions
transmitted to the countertop cooking appliance 1102 can instruct
the countertop cooking appliance 1102 to follow the sequence of
settings automatically. Moreover, the user may adjust the settings
to be different than included in the retrieved instructions and/or
may select from options provided in the instructions.
[0373] At 1610, the remote communication device 1104 receives data
from the countertop cooking appliance 1102. In this embodiment, the
remote communication device receives operational data, such as the
status of the countertop cooking appliance 1102 (e.g., off/on,
power setting, temperature setting, etc.) and the temperature data
about the countertop cooking appliance 1102. The remote
communication device 1104 may also receive food item data from the
countertop cooking appliance 1102. Thus, the remote communication
device 1104 is informed of the temperature of the countertop
cooking appliance 1102 and can determine when the countertop
cooking appliance 1102 is preheated to the correct temperature for
cooking the selected food item/recipe. In some embodiments, the
countertop cooking appliance 1102 determines when it has reached
the desired temperature and alerts the user through its output
device 1214 and/or by sending an alert to the remote communication
device 1104. Alternatively, or additionally, the remote
communication device 1104 may determine, based on the received
temperature data, when the countertop cooking appliance 1102 is
heated to the desired temperature. Upon determining, either
directly or from an alert received from the countertop cooking
appliance 1102, that the desired temperature has been reached, the
remote communication device 1104 alerts the user that the
countertop cooking appliance 1102 is ready for use with a visual
and/or audible alert on the remote communication device 1104. In
some other embodiments, the countertop cooking appliance 1102 does
not need to be preheated and the countertop cooking appliance 1102
is ready to use immediately.
[0374] The remote communication device 1104 alerts 1612 the user
when the cooking time for the food item has elapsed. Once the
countertop cooking appliance 1102 is ready for use to cook the
selected food item/recipe, the user places the item on/in the
countertop cooking appliance 1102 and informs the remote
communication device 1104 that the cooking has started. In other
embodiments, the countertop cooking appliance 1102 determines that
cooking has begun based on the output of one or more sensor (such
as a weight sensor detecting the food item placed on/in the
countertop cooking appliance 1102, a sensor detecting that a
previously open lid is closed and latched, etc.). The remote
communication device 1104 monitors the elapsed time after cooking
has begun and alerts the user when the predetermined cooking time
for the food item/recipe has elapsed. The predetermined cooking
time is set automatically based on the cooking time contained in
the selected instruction. The user may adjust the predetermined
time to be different than the time included in the retrieved
instructions and/or may select from options provided in the
instructions (e.g., to select between a rare, medium, or well done,
steak).
[0375] Additionally, in some embodiments, the remote communication
device 1104 may adjust the predetermined time based on data
received from the countertop cooking appliance 1102. For example,
the countertop cooking appliance 1102 may receive a thickness of
the food item from the countertop cooking appliance 1102 (such as
by a contact grill countertop cooking appliance 1102 detecting how
far apart a bottom and top grill element are on the contact grill).
The remote communication device 1104 is able to determine, such as
by look-up table or through use of an adjustment formula, cooking
time adjustments that may be needed based on the thickness of the
food item. Similarly, the remote communication device 1104 may
determine adjustments to the cooking time based on variations in
the temperature data regarding the countertop cooking appliance
1102. Thus, when for example a user repeatedly opens the countertop
cooking appliance 1102 causing the temperature to drop below the
desired cooking temperature for brief periods of time, the remote
communication device 1104 can determine and incorporate cooking
time adjustments needed to compensate for the periods during which
the temperature was different than the selected temperature.
[0376] FIG. 56 is a flow diagram of a method 1700 for cooking with
a countertop cooking appliance. The method 1700 includes receiving
1702, on the remote communication device 1104, settings for the
countertop cooking appliance 1102. The settings may be manually
selected by the user and/or may be derived from an
instruction/recipe as described above with respect to the methods
1500 and 1600. The settings include a temperature at which the
countertop cooking appliance 1102 should operate and a food item
data value that will indicate that the food item to be cooked with
the countertop cooking appliance 1102 has completed cooking. In the
example embodiment, the food item data value that indicates the
food item has completed cooking is the internal temperature of the
food item measured, for example, by the temperature probe 1110
inserted into the food item. In other embodiments, different food
item data values may be used to determine completion of cooking.
When countertop cooking appliance 1102 is a rice cooker, for
example, the remote communication device 1104 may determine
completeness of cooked rice based on a detected amount of moisture
remaining, a weight of the rice and water within the rice cooker, a
detected volume of rice within the rice cooker, a temperature of
the air within the rice cooker, or a temperature of the
cooking/cooked rice.
[0377] At 1704 the settings for the countertop cooking appliance
1102 are transmitted by the remote communication device 1104 to the
countertop cooking appliance 1102. Thus, in the example embodiment,
the temperature for the countertop cooking appliance 1102 is
transmitted to the countertop cooking appliance 1102 and the remote
communication device 1104 operates according to the received
temperature setting. In some embodiments, the settings also tell
the countertop cooking appliance 1102 what data to send to the
remote communication device 1104. Thus, the countertop cooking
appliance 1102 does not send and the remote communication device
1104 does not receive unnecessary and/or unwanted data.
[0378] The remote communication device 1104 receives, at 1706, the
food item data from the countertop cooking appliance 1102 and
alerts the user, at 1708, when the food item has finished cooking
based, at least in part, on the received food item data. Thus, the
remote communication device 1104 receives the temperature of the
food item and compares the received data to the desired temperature
that indicates the food item is cooked as desired. The desired
temperature may be automatically set by the remote communication
device 1104 based on the type of food item, may be manually set by
the user, and/or may be selected by the user from options (such as
between rare, medium, and well done steak). In some instances, the
user may be permitted to change the desired temperature only after
acknowledging a warning about deviating from recommended
temperatures.
[0379] The methods 1500, 1600, and 1700 described above are neither
the only methods that may be performed using the system 1100, nor
are they exclusive from each other. The features of the methods
1500, 1600, and 1700 may combined in various permutations and
combinations for use with the system 1100. For example, the ability
to photograph a food item and upload the photograph to a social
media site as described with respect to method 1500 may be a part
of the method 1600 and/or 1700.
[0380] FIGS. 57-59 illustrate displays on the remote communication
device 1104 when used in conjunction with the countertop cooking
appliance 1102.
[0381] FIG. 57 shows a menu display on the remote communication
device 1104 after a communication connection has been established
between the remote communication device 1104 and the countertop
cooking appliance 1102. The menu includes selectable options to
turn the countertop cooking appliance 1102 on/off, set the
temperature of the countertop cooking appliance 1102, and view
recipes for use with the countertop cooking appliance 1102. In
other embodiments, the menu may include more or fewer options. For
example, in some embodiments, the menu includes a statistical data
option to view statistical data about the countertop cooking
appliance 1102 (hours of use, serial number, etc.), a help option
to access help files and instructions for operating the countertop
cooking appliance 1102, a monitor option to monitor the settings,
food item data, and/or operational data without controlling the
countertop cooking appliance 1102, and/or a maintenance option to
view recommended/required maintenance procedures.
[0382] In FIG. 58, the remote communication device 1104 is
displaying an example recipe selected by a user.
[0383] In FIG. 59, the remote communication device 1104 includes a
display for setting and monitoring the current temperature of the
remote communication device 1104.
[0384] Technical effects of the methods, systems, and
computer-readable media described herein include at least one of:
(a) receiving a user selection to cook a food item with a
countertop cooking appliance; (b) retrieving and displaying to a
user a list of instructions for the user to select from; (c)
retrieving and displaying instruction to a user; (d) transmitting
countertop cooking appliance settings to a countertop cooking
appliance; (e) receiving data from a countertop cooking appliance;
(f) alerting a user that a cooking time for a food item has
elapsed; and (g) alerting a user when a food item has finished
cooking.
[0385] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
[0386] Although certain embodiments of this disclosure have been
described above with a certain degree of particularity, those
skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed
embodiments without departing from the spirit of scope of this
disclosure. All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward,
downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above,
below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are
only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's
understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create
limitations particularly as to the position, orientation or use of
the disclosure. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled,
connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may
include intermediate members between a connection of elements
relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do
not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and
in fixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter
contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not
limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without
departing from the spirit of the disclosure as defined in the
appended claims.
[0387] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the
various versions, embodiment(s) or aspects thereof, the articles
"a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one
or more elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having"
are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements. The use of terms
indicating a particular orientation (e.g., "top", "bottom", "side",
etc.) is for convenience of description and does not require any
particular orientation of the item described.
[0388] The various examples and teachings described above are
provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to
limit the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art
will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may
be made without following the example examples and applications
illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *