Cloud-Based Remote Control for Outdoor Grills Beyond Bluetooth Range
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 functions and access information from mobile devices.
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 and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If BLUETOOTH radio is used for remote control, then wireless communication capability is improved, but communication range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud computing platform as an intermediary between the outdoor appliance and the user's mobile device. The appliance communicates with the cloud platform over the internet, which then relays commands and data to the user's device, enabling remote control beyond Bluetooth range limitations.
2Device complexity
If manual controls are used, then device complexity is reduced, but user convenience for remote operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud computing platform serves as a mediator that handles complex communication protocols, device authentication, and control signal translation. This allows the appliance itself to remain relatively simple while providing sophisticated remote control capabilities through the cloud intermediary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a network dimension to the control system by introducing WiFi and internet connectivity alongside traditional controls. This creates a multi-dimensional control architecture where users can interact with the appliance through multiple channels: direct local controls, Bluetooth for nearby wireless control, and cloud-based internet connectivity for remote control.
3Measurement precision
If electronic controls are used, then control precision is improved, but user presence requirement persists
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud computing platform enables precise electronic control to be maintained while eliminating the user presence requirement. The platform receives and processes control commands from the user's mobile device anywhere in the world, then translates and transmits them to the appliance's electronic control system, maintaining precision without requiring physical presence.
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.