Cloud Grill Control Beyond Bluetooth Range Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor appliances, such as grills and smokers, lack remote control capabilities beyond a limited Bluetooth range, requiring users to be physically present for operation and offering restricted functionality through mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A 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 functions like temperature, fuel burn rate, and cooking cycles from any location with internet access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Bluetooth radio is used for remote control, then user can control appliance from distance, but control range is limited and functionality is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud computing platform as an intermediary between the user's mobile device and the outdoor appliance. The appliance communicates with the cloud platform via Wi-Fi or other network connections, and the user interacts with the appliance through a mobile application that connects to the cloud platform. This intermediary architecture eliminates Bluetooth range limitations and enables full functionality access from anywhere with internet connection.
2Reliability
If manual controls are used, then appliance operation is simple and reliable, but user must be physically present at the appliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical controls with an electronic control system that includes a controller, communication module, and mobile application. The mechanical dial or button interface is substituted with digital controls accessible through a smartphone or tablet, allowing users to operate the appliance remotely while maintaining reliable electronic control of burners, temperature, and cooking functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A cloud computing system for use in remote cooking can receive 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.