WIRELESS THERMOMETER COMMUNICATING WITH COOKTOP FOR CLOSED LOOP ELEMENT CONTROL

• US 20160196739A1
• Filed: 01/07/2015
• Published: 07/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Naber, Christopher Nils, Jessie, Jeffrey Lynn
• Application Number:
  US14/591,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20160196739A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop

Abstract

Methods, devices and systems are provided that enable closed loop control of a cooking appliance. A remote device is configured to receive cooking environment data related such as cooking temperature and to transmit that data to a smart device such as a smartphone. The smart device contains a program permitting user data entry for selecting cooking programs and for processing received cooking environment data in accordance with the contained program. The smart device may then transmit control instructions to the cooking appliance to enable closed loop control thereof.

Claims

1. A system for wireless closed loop control of a cooking appliance, comprising:

a cooking appliance having a control system;

at least one cooking environment condition responsive probe;

a first transmitter/receiver configured to transmit data from said at least one probe;

a second transmitter/receiver coupled to said control system; and

a smart device,

wherein said smart device is configured for communications with said first transmitter/receiver and said second transmitter/receiver, and

wherein said smart device contains a user configurable application for controlling cooking parameters of said cooking appliance based at least in part on data from said at least one probe.

2. A system as in claim 1, further comprising:

a router configured for communications among said first transmitter/receiver, said second transmitter/receiver, and said smart device.

3. A system as in claim 2, wherein said router is configured for connection to the Internet.

4. A system as in claim 3, wherein said smart device is enabled for communication over the Internet.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first transmitter/receiver, said second transmitter/receiver, and said smart device are configured for communications using one of WiFi, Bluetooth®

, and ZigBee®

technology.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one cooking environment condition responsive probe is responsive to one or more of temperature, pressure, viscosity, and moisture.

7. A system as in claim 1, wherein said smart device comprises one of a smartphone, a tablet device, a personal computer, and a standalone device.

8. A system as in claim 1, further comprising:

a connector coupled to said cooking appliance control system,

whereby said second transmitter/receiver may be coupled to said control system.

9. A system as in claim 8, wherein said connector is an RJ45 connector.

10. A system for enabling wireless closed loop control of a cooking appliance, comprising:

at least one cooking environment condition responsive probe;

a housing;

a communications board mounted within said housing and configured to wirelessly transmit data from said at least one probe; and

an input/output board mounted on said housing and configured to display data from said at least one probe.

11. A system as in claim 10, wherein said at least one cooking environment condition responsive probe is responsive to one or more of temperature, pressure, viscosity, and moisture.

12. A system as in claim 10, further comprising:

a jack mounted to said housing and configured to receive signals from said at least one cooking environment condition responsive probe and to convey said signals to said communications board.

13. A system as in claim 10, wherein said display is a touch responsive display, whereby user input may be entered through said input/output board.

14. A system as in claim 10, further comprising:

a power supply mounted within said housing.

15. A system as in claim 14, wherein said power supply is a battery.

16. A system as in claim 15, wherein said battery is a rechargeable battery.

17. A system as in claim 10, wherein said communications board is configured for communications using one of WiFi, Bluetooth®

, and ZigBee®

technology.

18. A method for implementing closed loop control of a cooking appliance, comprising:

collecting data related to at least one cooking environment condition;

communicating the data to a smart device remote from the cooking environment;

processing the data within the smart device; and

controlling the cooking environment condition based on the processed data.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein communicating comprises wirelessly transmitting one of WiFi, Bluetooth®

, and ZigBee®

protocols.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein collecting comprises collecting one or more of temperature, pressure, viscosity, and moisture cooking environment data.