Method and apparatus for managing electromagnetic radiation usage

• US 5,883,801 A
• Filed: 04/21/1997
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• 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, Murphy, Victor, Raynault, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Elmore, Reba I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US08/840,526
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 364/142, 364/143, 364/144, 364/147, 364/146, 364/477.02, 364/477.04, 364/477.05, 219/703, 219/710, 219/719, 219/702, 219/720, 126/299, 395/651, 395/652, 395/567
• 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: H05B 6/687 for cooking
• 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. The present invention monitors and adjusts the work performed on a specimen disposed within the microwave oven or process stream.

Claims

1. A work manager for a microwave oven, said microwave oven receiving a predetermined code derived externally therefrom, comprising:

a specimen requiring work performed thereon disposed within the microwave oven;

a controller disposed within the microwave oven, said controller having a memory and a sensor for detecting power consumed by the microwave oven, said sensor being connectively disposed upstream from the generation of microwave energy by the microwave oven;

a program operatively disposed in said memory;

said program receiving data disposed in said predetermined code defining work requirements of said specimen;

said program receiving power data from said sensor;

said program processing said work requirements and said power data; and

,

an instruction set generated by said program, said instruction set operatively commanding the microwave oven,

whereby work performed on said specimen remains independent of power consumed by the microwave oven.

2. A work manager for a microwave oven, the microwave oven having a cavity disposed therein, the cavity sized to receive a specimen intended for work to be performed thereon, at least one power sensor connectively disposed upstream from the generation of microwave energy by the microwave oven for detecting power supplied to the microwave oven, comprising:

a predetermined code, derived externally from the work manager, said predetermined code extracted from the specimen and entered into the microwave oven;

an interpretive BIOS machine operatively disposed within the microwave oven, said BIOS machine receiving said predetermined code;

said BIOS machine receiving power data from the power sensor;

processing said power data and said predetermined code by said BIOS machine;

an instruction set generated by said BIOS machine, said instruction set transforming said power data and said predetermined code into commands for work to be performed on the specimen by the microwave oven,

whereby the specimen receives required work independent of power supplied to the microwave oven.

3. A work manager as recited in claim 2, wherein said predetermined code delineates a work characteristic particular to said specimen.

4. A work manager as recited in claim 3, wherein said characteristic is selected from a group consisting of the mass of said specimen, the dimensional and geometric characteristics of said specimen, and the material composition of said specimen.

5. A work manager as recited claim 4, wherein said specimen composition, geometric, dimension, and mass bearing code is transmitted to the BIOS machine, said BIOS machine interprets said specimen composition, geometric, dimensional, and mass bearing code.

6. A power manger as recited in claim 5, wherein said BIOS machine interactively comprises at least one microprocessor, at least one memory, at least one power sensor operatively connected to the microwave oven, said sensor periodically transmits selected power data to the BIOS machine for processing.

7. A work manager as recited in claim 6, wherein said power data is selected from the group consisting of voltage, current, work, time, power factor, peak voltage, and peak current.

8. A work manager as recited in claim 7, wherein said power data is inclusive of the phase relationship between said group members.

9. A work manager as recited in claim 8, wherein said specimen is an organic material having a defined mass.

10. A work manager as recited in claim 9, wherein said specimen is an inorganic material having a defined mass.

11. A work manager as recited in claim 10, wherein said material is a food group.

12. A work manager as recited in claim 2, wherein said predetermined code comprises a profile indicative of the work to be performed on said specimen.

13. A work manager as recited in claim 12, wherein said profile is selected from a group consisting of altitude, atmospheric pressure, time, geometry, power, specimen dimensions and geometric shape, specimen mass, and specimen material composition.

14. A work manager as recited in claim 13, wherein said predetermined code comprises at least one symbol.

15. A work manager for a microwave oven, comprising:

a specimen contained within the microwave oven, said specimen having work performed thereon by the microwave oven;

a controller operatively disposed within said microwave oven, said controller having a memory and at least one power sensor connectively disposed upstream from the generation of microwave energy by the microwave oven;

said sensor periodically transmitting power data to said controller;

a program operatively stored in said memory of said controller;

a predetermined code derived externally from the microwave oven, said predetermined code extracted from said specimen and entered into said microwave oven;

said code having a data function delineating said specimen'"'"'s characteristic dimensional geometry, food group, composition, and mass;

said controller operatively receiving said data function from said microwave oven;

said program processing said power data and said data function;

said program transforming said processed data into at least one command function; and

,

an instruction set generated by said controller, said instruction set containing said function command;

said instruction set, implemented by said controller, commands and controls the power generated by the microwave oven,

whereby said controller commands and controls the work performed on said specimen independent of power supplied to said microwave oven.