Interpretive BIOS machine and method of use thereof

• US 5,812,393 A
• Filed: 05/14/1996
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microwave Science JV, LLC
• Original Assignee: Microwave Science, LLC
• Inventors: Drucker, Steven Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Elmore, Reba I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Ramesh
• Application Number:
  US08/647,568
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 364/143, 364/144, 364/477.05, 364/147, 364/142, 395/567, 395/651, 395/652, 219/703, 219/710, 219/719, 219/702, 219/720, 99/325, 126/39 R, 126/299 R, 126/299 F, 126/299 D, 345/567
• US Class Current: 700/15
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6435 Aspects relating to the user interface of the microwave heating apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/68 for monitoring or control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

The present invention provides an interpretive BIOS machine for controlling the cooking of food in a microwave oven or the conduct of a physical, chemical, or thermodynamic process stream wherein the microwave oven or process stream functionally operates by user independent commands. The interpretive BIOS machine is implemented by a microprocessor or computer having a memory for the storing of a program that contains the operating instruction for the present invention. Data is received into the interpretive BIOS machine from a data entry mechanism. That data is specific code that represents a plurality of desired cooking or process instructions selected by the user of the microwave oven or process stream. The present invention interprets the received data and transforms that data into time duration(s) and scaled power level(s) settings for the microwave oven or process stream.

Claims

1. An interpretive BIOS machine for a computer or microprocessor controlled host microwave oven or chemical, physical, or thermodynamic process steam, the oven or process stream having a data entry mechanism operatively disposed thereon for receiving a predetermined code derived externally therefrom, comprising:

a) a system controller having a memory, said controller operatively disposed intermediate the data entry mechanism and the host microwave oven or process stream; and

,

b) a plurality of functions stored in said memory, said functions having data determined by the predetermined code, said functions transforming selected user independent commands implemented by said controller.

2. An interpretive BIOS machine for a computer or microprocessor controlled host microwave oven or chemical, physical, or thermodynamic process stream the oven or process stream having a data entry mechanism operatively disposed thereon for receiving a predetermined code derived externally therefrom, comprising:

a) a system controller having a memory, said controller operatively disposed intermediate the data entry mechanism and the host microwave oven or process stream;

b) means, stored in said memory, for receiving and interpreting the predetermined code;

c) a scalar function having data determined by said interpreted predetermined code, said scalar function transforming said data into operating characteristics of the host microwave oven or process steam,

whereby said controller provides the host microwave oven or process stream with user independent functional commands.

3. The interpretive BIOS machine as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

means for calibrating the host microwave oven or process stream.

4. The interpretive BIOS machine as recited in claim 3, wherein said calibrating means comprises entering a selected code that compensates for elevation above mean sea level.

5. The interpretive BIOS machine as recited in claim 4, wherein said code is a selected National Postal Code.

6. The interpretive BIOS machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said code is selected from an elevation range performance characteristic table.

7. The interpretive BIOS machine as recited in claim 3, wherein said calibrating means comprises selecting a scaling factor that increases or decreases time duration of power level(s) and/or actual power levels of the microwave oven or process stream.

8. A method of controlling of cooking of food in a microwave oven or conduct of a chemical, physical, or thermodynamic process stream wherein the microwave oven or process stream functionally operates by user independent commands, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a controller with a memory containing an embedded interpretive BIOS machine, said controller operatively disposed within the microwave oven or process stream;

b) providing a data entry mechanism connectively disposed on the microwave oven or process stream and connectively disposed to said controller;

c) receiving data into said interpretive BIOS machine from said data entry mechanism, said data derived externally from said data entry mechanism;

d) selecting a mode of operation from said received data;

e) validating said selected mode of operation;

f) interpreting said received data into time duration and power level data;

g) converting said time duration and power level data to BIOS selected power level and time duration data;

h) scaling of said selected BIOS power level and time duration data; and

,

i) transmitting said scaled selected BIOS power level and time duration data to the microwave oven or process stream,

whereby the microwave oven cooks food relative to said scaled tine duration and scaled power levels or the chemical, physical, or thermodynamic process within a process stream is conducted according to BIOS scaled time duration(s) and power level(s).

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

(a) activating a calibration mode for the microwave oven or process stream;

(b) inputting selected encoded calibration data into said data entry mechanism;

(c) processing said selected encoded calibration data by said controller;

(d) indicating completion of said processing step by said controller, whereby the microwave oven maintains accurate power level duration.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said calibration mode step comprises depressing a mode key disposed on said data entry mechanism at least once.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said inputting selected encoded calibration data step comprises inputting data selected from the group consisting of a selected National Postal Code, a selected elevation above mean sea level, or a number selected from an elevation range performance characteristic table.

12. An interpretive BIOS machine for a computer or microprocessor controlled host microwave oven, the oven having a data entry mechanism operatively disposed thereon for receiving a predetermined code derived externally therefrom, comprising:

a) a housing having a cavity disposed therein;

b) a door disposed on said housing providing entry into said cavity;

c) means for radiating electromagnetic energy operatively disposed and adjacently spaced to said cavity;

said cavity sized to receive said electromagnetic energy;

d) means for controlling said electromagnetic energy radiated into said cavity;

e) a data entry mechanism, operatively disposed on said housing for the entry of the predetermined codes; and

,

f) at least one function stored within said means for controlling said electromagnetic energy,

whereby said function is capable of interpreting and transforming said predetermined code into encoded data entries for the functional control of the oven.