Cloud-Connected Outdoor Grill Control via Mobile Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor appliances, such as grills and smokers, lack remote control capabilities beyond a limited range due to Bluetooth radio limitations, restricting users' ability to control and monitor their appliances from a distance.
Innovation Solution
A computer system and cloud computing platform that enables communication and control of electronically-controlled appliances by receiving inputs from computing systems, generating notifications, and transmitting instructions to hardware controllers for remote operation, allowing users to control appliances via mobile devices or cloud services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If BLUETOOTH radio is used for communication, then wireless control capability is provided, but control range is limited to proximity of the appliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the appliance. The mobile device receives control inputs from the user via a graphical user interface, processes these inputs, and transmits commands to the appliance through BLUETOOTH radio. This intermediary approach allows the user to control the appliance remotely using the mobile device's larger display and processing capabilities, effectively extending the control range beyond what a simple remote control could achieve.
2Device complexity
If appliance has access only to mobile device information, then communication is simplified, but control options and functionality are very limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control system where the appliance can receive and execute various types of commands through a single communication interface. The control system is designed to handle multiple functions including temperature control, timer settings, lighting, and other appliance-specific operations. The graphical user interface on the mobile device provides access to all these functions through a unified interface, making the system versatile without requiring separate communication channels for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the appliance transmits status information back to the mobile device. This allows the user to monitor appliance operation, view current settings, and receive notifications about appliance state changes. The feedback loop enables more sophisticated control options as users can make informed decisions based on real-time appliance status, expanding the effective control capabilities beyond simple on/off commands.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system then receives a second input from the software application indicating that specified functions are to be performed on the electronically-controlled appliance, and transmits instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions. These functions are then interpreted and carried out by a hardware controller on the electronically-controlled appliance.