Food preparation system

• US 20040267382A1
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evan T. Ward, Glen Cunningham, Jim Montagnino, Joanne Lala, John Hamann, Kenneth R. Parker, Lily Kunz, Mark Devine, Maureen E. Carroll, Mike Swieboda, Stephen J. Zwonitzer, Timothy E. Woods
• Original Assignee: Evan T. Ward, Glen Cunningham, Jim Montagnino, Joanne Lala, John Hamann, Kenneth R. Parker, Lily Kunz, Mark Devine, Maureen E. Carroll, Mike Swieboda, Stephen J. Zwonitzer, Timothy E. Woods
• Inventors: Devine, Mark, Carroll, Maureen E., Parker, Kenneth R., Zwonitzer, Stephen J., Cunningham, Glen, Ward, Evan T., Woods, Timothy E., Lala, JoAnne, Swieboda, Mike, Montagnino, Jim, Kunz, Lily, Hamann, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,110,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/22
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 2043/0733 Weighing means
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5437 Wired telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5495 having measurements and testing channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators

Abstract

A system of intelligent appliances coupled by common household power lines or wireless links. One or more of the appliances serves as a system controller and may include a further communications interface for coupling to an external communications network, such as the telephone network. The system can thus be accessed and controlled remotely. The system can also communicate with and obtain information from remote sources such as Internet-based facilities.

Claims

1-14. -14. (cancelled)

15. A mixer apparatus comprising:

a motor;

a processor, the processor controlling the operation of the motor and monitoring the operation of the motor; and

a weight sensor, the weight sensor being coupled to the processor.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 comprising a display, the display being coupled to the processor and displaying a weight sensed by the weight sensor.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising a motor control and monitoring circuit coupled to the motor and to the processor, wherein the motor control and monitoring circuit controls a speed of the motor in accordance with a signal from the processor and monitors the speed and torque of the motor and provides the monitored speed and torque to the processor.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor controls the speed of the motor in accordance with the monitored torque of the motor.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor changes the speed of the motor from a first speed to a second speed in accordance with a speed profile.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the weight sensor senses the weight of the apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 15 comprising an analog-to-digital converter, wherein the weight sensor is coupled to the processor via the analog-to-digital converter.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor periodically obtains weight information from the weight sensor.

23. The apparatus of claim 15 comprising user input means, the user input means being coupled to the processor.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor performs a volume and weight conversion operation.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 comprising a storage device, the storage device containing density information for at least one ingredient.

26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the weight sensor includes at least one of a piezoelectric sensor, a strain gauge, a load cell and a load cell with an integral strain gauge.

27. The apparatus of claim 15 comprising a power line interface, the power line interface being coupled to the processor, wherein the power line interface allows the mixer apparatus to communicate with at least one other apparatus coupled to a common power line.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein a weight sensed by the weight sensor is communicated to the at least one other apparatus.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the processor performs a volume and weight conversion operation using density information received from the at least one other apparatus.