US6587739B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Appliance communication and control system and appliances for use in same
Assignee: Sunbeam Products Inc
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Filing: 2000-09-29
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Granted: 2003-07-01
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Expires: 2020-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A system of intelligent appliances coupled by common household power lines or wireless links. In particular, the system includes one of more of a kitchen console, a breadmaker, a slow cooker, and a rice cooker/steamer. 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.
Inventors
- 👤 Vincent D. Abrams
- 👤 Alexander Edwin Izzard, III
- 👤 Glen Cunningham
- 👤 Kenneth R. Parker
- 👤 Timothy E. Woods
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:52
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B15/00; G05B15/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S388/00; Y10S388/935; Y10S388/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
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; and wherein the first programmable controller device may program the at least one programmable food preparation device to operate in accordance with food preparation parameters programmed in the first programmable controller, wherein the food preparation parameters include at least one of a recipe, a recipe modification, a desired time of food preparation completion, and a modification to the desired time of food preparation completion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
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; and wherein the first programmable controller device may program the at least one programmable food preparation device to operate in accordance with food preparation parameters programmed in the first programmable controller, wherein the food preparation parameters include at least one of a recipe, a recipe modification, a desired time of food preparation completion, and a modification to the desired time of food preparation completion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the first programmable controller includes a network communications interface coupled to the first processor and to a communications network, and the first programmable controller may transmit and receive programming communications via one of the communications network by the network communications interface and the power distribution system by the power line interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
The system of claim 2 , the system further comprising a second programmable controller device having a third processor and a third power line interface coupled to the third processor and the power distribution system; wherein the second programmable controller device communicates with the first programmable controller and the at least one programmable food preparation device, under the control of the first, second and third processors, via the power distribution system and the first, second and third power line interfaces; and wherein the first and second programmable controller devices may program each other and the at least one programmable food preparation device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein the second programmable controller includes a second network communications interface coupled to the third processor and to the communications network, and the second programmable controller may transmit and receive programming communications via one of the communications network by the second network communications interface and the power distribution system by the third power line interface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein the first programmable controller device includes a kitchen console and the second programmable controller device includes one of a personal computer and an alarm clock.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one programmable food preparation device includes at least one of a breadmaker, a coffee maker, a slow cooker, a steamer and a rice cooker.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein the steamer and the rice cooker are combined to create a rice cooker/steamer combination.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one programmable food preparation device includes a control panel, heating control and monitoring circuitry, and at least one condition sensor coupled to the second processor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one condition sensor includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a liquid sensor, a weight sensor, a torque sensor, and a lid sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
175 words
A food preparation appliance comprising: a processor; a power line interface coupled to the processor and coupleable to a power distribution system; a control panel coupled to the processor; at least one food preparation compartment for preparing food; a heater coupled to the processor and in thermal conductive contact with the at least one food preparation compartment; at least one condition sensor coupled to the processor; and a housing containing the processor, the power line interface, the control panel, the at least one food preparation compartment, the heater, and the at least one condition sensor; wherein the processor may communicate via the power line interface when coupled to the power distribution system; the control panel programs and interacts with the processor; the processor controls and monitors the heater; the heater heats the at least one food preparation compartment; the processor monitors the at least one condition sensor; and the at least one condition sensor detects at least one condition associated with one of the at least one food preparation compartment, the ingredients, and the housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
175 words
A food preparation appliance comprising: a processor; a power line interface coupled to the processor and coupleable to a power distribution system; a control panel coupled to the processor; at least one food preparation compartment for preparing food; a heater coupled to the processor and in thermal conductive contact with the at least one food preparation compartment; at least one condition sensor coupled to the processor; and a housing containing the processor, the power line interface, the control panel, the at least one food preparation compartment, the heater, and the at least one condition sensor; wherein the processor may communicate via the power line interface when coupled to the power distribution system; the control panel programs and interacts with the processor; the processor controls and monitors the heater; the heater heats the at least one food preparation compartment; the processor monitors the at least one condition sensor; and the at least one condition sensor detects at least one condition associated with one of the at least one food preparation compartment, the ingredients, and the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The appliance of claim 10 , wherein the food preparation appliance comprises one of a breadmaker, a coffee maker, a slow cooker, a steamer and a rice cooker.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The appliance of claim 11 , wherein the steamer and the rice cooker are combined to create a rice cooker/steamer combination.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The appliance of claim 10 , wherein the at least one condition sensor includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a liquid sensor, a wight sensor, a torque sensor, and a lid sensor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The appliance of claim 10 , further comprising a motor coupled to the processor and contained in the housing; and a stirring attachment removably attached to the motor and extending into the at least one food preparation compartment; wherein the processor controls and monitors the motor; the motor rotates the stirring attachment; and the stirring attachment agitates ingredients within the at least one food preparation compartment.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of preparing food comprising selecting a recipe to be prepared and a desired time of food preparation completion; programming the recipe and the desired time of food preparation completion into a programmable controller device; receiving instructions from the programmable controller regarding preparation of ingredients for use in the recipe; executing the instructions regarding the preparation of the ingredients; placing the ingredients into at least one food preparation appliance having a processor in communication with the programmable controller device; notifying the programmable controller device of the execution of the instructions regarding the preparation of the ingredients and of the placement of the ingredients into the at least one food preparation appliance; activating the programmable controller device to execute aspects of the programming of the recipe and the desired time of food preparation completion that involve operating the at least one food preparation appliance containing the ingredients; and allowing the programmable controller device to operate the at least one food preparation appliance so that the food preparation is completed at the desired time of food preparation completion.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of preparing food comprising selecting a recipe to be prepared and a desired time of food preparation completion; programming the recipe and the desired time of food preparation completion into a programmable controller device; receiving instructions from the programmable controller regarding preparation of ingredients for use in the recipe; executing the instructions regarding the preparation of the ingredients; placing the ingredients into at least one food preparation appliance having a processor in communication with the programmable controller device; notifying the programmable controller device of the execution of the instructions regarding the preparation of the ingredients and of the placement of the ingredients into the at least one food preparation appliance; activating the programmable controller device to execute aspects of the programming of the recipe and the desired time of food preparation completion that involve operating the at least one food preparation appliance containing the ingredients; and allowing the programmable controller device to operate the at least one food preparation appliance so that the food preparation is completed at the desired time of food preparation completion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the programmable controller device electronically receives the recipe and the instructions from one of an attached electronic data storage medium, a removable electronic data storage medium, a personal digital assistant, a locally networked personal computer, and a remotely networked computer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the programmable controller device electronically receives the desired time of food preparation completion from at least one of a control panel, an audible communication, a telephonic communication, an electronic communication, a wireless communication, and an internal algorithmic computation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the electronic communication is one of an e-mail message, a signal from an alarm clock in communication with the programmable controller device, a direct network communication from a local computer, and a direct network communication from a remote computer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the programmable controller device is one of a kitchen console, an alarm clock, a personal digital assistant, and a personal computer, and the at least one food preparation appliance is at least one of a breadmaker, a coffee maker, a slow cooker, a steamer and a rice cooker.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-30 | 2006-12-30 | 2007-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-30 | 2010-12-30 | 2011-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-30 | 2014-12-30 | 2015-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |