Appliance Mode Coordination via Mobile Network Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for appliances that can simplify complex cooking tasks, enhance cooking and food preparation experiences, minimize waste, and reduce energy consumption, while existing technologies have not effectively addressed these requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system of appliances controlled by a mobile device through a network, where each appliance receives instructions corresponding to selected modes, activating specific control routines to conform to global settings such as quiet, party, cooking, or vacation modes, optimizing operations across multiple appliances and utilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple appliances are controlled individually, then each appliance can be optimized for specific tasks, but the system complexity and user control burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies a universal mode-based control framework that can be implemented across multiple different appliance types (oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc.). Each appliance maintains its specific functions while being governed by common operational modes (eco-mode, quick-mode, quiet-mode) that provide system-wide coordination without requiring complex individual control logic for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central controller or communication network as an intermediary that receives mode selections and distributes appropriate control instructions to multiple appliances. This mediator coordinates the operations of individual appliances, enabling optimized control without requiring direct user interaction with each device or complex point-to-point control architecture.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex control routines are implemented for each appliance, then operational precision and task completion improve, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system pre-defines complete operational modes that include all necessary control routines and parameter settings for coordinated appliance operation. When a user selects a mode (e.g., eco-mode or quick-mode), the system has already prepared the appropriate sequence of operations, timing, and control parameters, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex individual appliance settings while ensuring precise coordinated execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple individual appliance control routines into integrated mode-based control sequences. Instead of requiring separate control logic for each appliance, the system merges their operations into unified modes where control routines are coordinated across appliances (e.g., the oven preheating while the refrigerator adjusts temperature), simplifying user interaction while maintaining operational precision through combined control.
3Reliability
If appliances operate independently without coordination, then device autonomy is maintained, but energy consumption and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coordinated control system implements feedback mechanisms where appliances communicate their operational status, sensor data, and performance metrics to the central controller. This feedback enables the system to optimize energy consumption by adjusting appliance operations based on real-time conditions (e.g., delaying non-critical appliance operations when energy demand is high, coordinating load distribution) while maintaining device autonomy through automated decision-making based on predefined modes and real-time data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic coordination of appliance operations where control parameters and operational timing are adjusted in real-time based on system-wide conditions. Appliances can dynamically shift between independent and coordinated operation modes, allowing the system to optimize energy consumption by coordinating appliance cycles (e.g., staggering high-power appliance operations) while preserving device autonomy when coordination is not beneficial.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a plurality of appliances is disclosed. The appliances comprise a plurality of controllers in communication with a mobile device. Each of the controllers is configured to receive an instruction from the mobile device corresponding to a selected mode of a plurality of modes and apply the selected mode among the plurality of appliances as a selected global setting of a plurality of available global settings. The controller is further operable to activate an appliance specific control routine for each of the plurality of appliances based on the selected global setting and control each appliance based on the appliance specific control routine. The appliance specific control routine comprises a plurality of controls configured control an operation of each of the appliances causing the operation to conform to the selected mode.