Food preparation system

• US 7,110,829 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Parker, Kenneth R., Cunningham, Glen, Woods, Timothy E., Lala, JoAnne, Swieboda, Mike, Montagnino, Jim, Kunz, Lily, Devine, Mark, Hamann, John, Carroll, Maureen E., Zwonitzer, Stephen J., Ward, Evan T.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US10/871,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20040267382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 700 2- 4, 700/9, 700/83, 700/82, 700/15, 700 86- 88, 700202-205, 700/211, 725/79, 340/310.01, 710/110
• US Class Current: 700/2
• 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. A food preparation system comprising:

a controller device having a first processor and a first power line interface coupled to the first processor and to a power distribution system; and

at least one programmable food preparation device having a second processor and a second power line interface coupled to the second processor and to the power distribution system;

wherein the controller device and the at least one food preparation device communicate with each other, under the control of the first and second processors, via the power distribution system and the first and second power line interfaces;

wherein the at least one food preparation device is adapted to receive and store one or more recipe steps from the controller; and

wherein the at least one food preparation device is adapted to prepare food in accordance with the one or more recipe steps.

2. The food preparation system of claim 1, wherein the controller device is coupled to a communications network and is adapted to download and store said one or more recipe steps from the communications network.

3. The food preparation system of claim 2 wherein the communications network comprises a local area network.

4. The food preparation system of claim 2 wherein the communications network comprises the Internet.

5. The preparation system of claim 2 wherein the communications network comprises a cable television network.

6. The food preparation system of claim 1 wherein the food preparation device cooks food.

7. The food preparation system of claim 1 wherein the first controller device further comprises a clock.

8. A food preparation system comprising:

a first programmable controller device having a first processor and

a first power line interface coupled to the first processor and a power distribution system; and

at least one programmable food preparation device having;

a second processor and a second power line interface coupled to the second processor and the power distribution system;

wherein the first programmable controller device and the at least one programmable food preparation device communicate with each other, under the control of the first and second processors, via the power distribution system and the first and second power line interfaces;

wherein the at least one programmable food preparation device is programmed to receive and store one or more recipes from the first programmable controller; and

wherein the at least one programmable food preparation device is programmed to execute machine readable code to prepare food in accordance with the one or more recipes.