Outdoor Grill App Control Through Cloud-Mediated Remote Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor appliances, such as grills and smokers, often require manual operation and have limited remote control capabilities due to range limitations of Bluetooth radios, restricting users' ability to control functions and access information beyond their mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A software application and user interface that enables remote control of electronically-controlled appliances by receiving user inputs, generating instructions, and sending them to the appliance for interpretation and execution via a hardware controller, allowing communication with remote computing systems and cloud services for enhanced functionality.
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 user must be within proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based server as an intermediary between the mobile device and the appliance. The mobile device communicates with the server over the internet, which then relays commands to the appliance via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This mediator extends the effective control range beyond direct Bluetooth proximity limitations, allowing users to control appliances from anywhere with internet access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from direct short-range communication to a multi-dimensional communication architecture that includes cloud-based internet connectivity. By adding the internet dimension to the control pathway, the system overcomes the spatial limitations of Bluetooth range and enables remote control from any location with network access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic controls are used, then appliance functionality is enhanced, but user interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud server acts as an intelligent intermediary that handles the complexity of translating between the simplified mobile device interface and the appliance's electronic control system. The server manages communication protocols, command translation, and system coordination, shielding the user from underlying complexity while enabling advanced functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions. These functions are then interpreted and carried out on the electronically-controlled appliance via the hardware controller.