Method and apparatus for managing the thermal activity of a microwave oven

• US 6,249,710 B1
• Filed: 06/19/1998
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microwave Science JV, LLC
• Original Assignee: Microwave Science, LLC
• Inventors: Raynault, David Marcel, Drucker, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US09/100,629
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 700/13, 700/14, 700/15, 700/18, 700/17, 700/208, 700/210, 700/211, 702/130, 702/528.34, 704/9, 704/246, 704/251, 704/275, 704/1, 704/3, 219/702, 219/703, 219/710, 219/719, 219/720
• 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 6/6438 allowing the recording of a program of operation of the microwave heating apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/668 Microwave heating devices connected to a telecommunication network
• 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. The 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 the 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 Cold Oven Manager for a microwave oven, receiving at least one internal thermal aberration parameter stimulus, comprising:

a) a computer with a memory;

b) a program stored within said memory, said program having at least one thermal aberration data structure responsive to the received parameter stimulus;

c) an instruction set derived from said at least one internal thermal aberration parameter stimulus; and

,

d) a work requirement derived from said instruction set;

whereby the Cold Oven Manager adjusts said work requirement to reflect the thermal conditions of the microwave oven.

2. A Cold Oven Manager as recited in claim 1 wherein, said work requirement providing the Cold Oven Manager with at least one work instruction for the microwave oven.

3. A Cold Oven Manager for a microwave oven, the microwave oven having 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, and cavity disposed therein, the cavity sized to receive a specimen, the microwave oven receiving commands to perform work on the specimen, comprising:

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

b) means for deriving a code for entry into said data mechanism;

c) means, stored in said memory, for receiving and interpreting said code;

d) a scaling data structure having data determined by said interpreted code, said data being scaled to the sample mass, sample geometry, and sample composition specific work producing operating characteristics, in-situ elevation, and age degraded performance characteristics of said host microwave oven or process stream;

e) means, stored in said memory, for receiving data from the BIOS machine, said data defining the thermal activity of the microwave oven, said means processing said data; and

,

f) an instruction set generated from said processed data, said instruction set commanding the BIOS machine to alter the work commands;

whereby work performed on the specimen reflects the thermal conditions of the microwave oven.

4. A Cold Oven Manager for a microwave oven, the microwave oven having a BIOS machine operatively disposed therein, the microwave oven having a cavity disposed therein, the cavity sized to receive a specimen, the microwave oven receiving commands to perform work on the specimen, comprising:

a) a program operatively disposed within the BIOS machine;

b) said program receiving data from the BIOS machine said data comprises the last work performed and duration cycle finish time;

c) an instruction set generated from said data, said instruction set commanding the BIOS machine to alter the work commands; and

,

d) a Work Manager interactively disposed to the BIOS machine, said Work Manager interactively connected to and communicating with the Cold Oven Manager, said Work Manager receiving said instruction set from the Cold Oven Manager, whereby said Work Manager alters work to be performed on the specimen; and

whereby said altered work is scaled to increase the work performed on the specimen.

5. The Cold Oven Manager as recited in claim 4, wherein said altered work is scaled to decrease the work performed on the specimen.

6. The Cold Oven Manager as recited in claim 5, wherein said BIOS machine defines the thermal activity of the microwave oven.

7. The Cold Oven Manager as recited in claim 6, wherein said Work Manager defines the thermal activity of the microwave oven.

8. The Cold Oven Manager as recited in claim 7, wherein said program processes said data.

9. The Cold Oven Manager as recited in claim 8, wherein said program flags data indicating insufficient mass disposed within said cavity to receive power.