Outdoor Grill Remote Control via Cloud Server Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor appliances, such as grills and smokers, lack remote control capabilities beyond a limited range and do not allow users to access or control functions beyond their connected mobile device, restricting their functionality and usability.
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 execution via a hardware controller, allowing communication with remote computing systems and enabling features like temperature control, cooking cycles, and recipe management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Bluetooth radio is used for remote control, then control capability is improved, but control range is limited and functionality is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the mobile device and the outdoor appliance. The mobile device communicates with the server over the internet, which then relays commands to the appliance. This mediator architecture enables long-range communication beyond Bluetooth limitations and provides expanded functionality through server-side processing and cloud services.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from direct short-range Bluetooth communication to long-range internet-based communication by adding the server dimension. This dimensional shift in communication architecture allows users to control appliances from anywhere with internet access, fundamentally expanding the operational range beyond physical proximity constraints.
2Device complexity
If manual controls are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation from remote location is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical controls with an electronic control system that includes electronic components, processors, and communication interfaces. This substitution enables remote electronic control through mobile devices while maintaining the core appliance functions, resolving the trade-off between simplicity and remote operability.
3Measurement precision
If electronic controls are used, then precision control is improved, but user presence at appliance is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a remote intermediary that receives control commands from the mobile device and transmits them to the appliance's electronic control system. This enables precise electronic control to be executed remotely without requiring the user to be physically present at the appliance, eliminating the time loss associated with travel and presence requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a smoker (115, 202, 302), comprising a hopper; a combustion area, wherein the hopper is configured to load combustible pellets into the combustion area; and an electronic hardware controller (116) comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non volatile computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the smoker (115, 202, 302) to: receive permission from a mobile device (101, 203, 303, 601) to establish network communication with one or more remote computing systems (113, 201); establish network communication with the one or more remote computing systems (113, 201); receive one or more communications from the one or more remote computing systems (113, 201), the one or more communications originating from the mobile device (101, 203, 303, 601) and comprising instructions for controlling the smoker (115, 202, 302); and adjust at least one function of the smoker (115, 202, 302) based on the instructions of the received one or more communications. The invention relates also to a method for communicating with and controlling operation of a smoker comprising a hopper for loading combustible pellets into a combustion area of the smoker.