Refrigerator-oven

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0001The present invention is directed to a combination appliance for cooling/freezing and cooking a food item, and more specifically to a self-contained refrigerator/freezer and oven, for refrigerating/freezing and cooking food in the same enclosed chamber, which can be actuated by the operator from a variety of remote locations around the world through a public exchange computer communications system, the public switched telephone network or the Internet.

0002Many families today have two wage earners and as a consequence, there can be a significant delay when they both return from work before the evening meal can be prepared. Not only that, but sometimes their schedules change during the day so that the time when the evening meal is to be prepared must be changed.

0003There are a number of combination refrigeration systems and heating units known wherein the food is confined to the same space. U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,593, Mansbery et al., the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, is directed to a food heating and cooling unit which may be actuated from a remote location. However, U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,593 describes a refrigerator oven wherein the refrigerator is a thermoelectric heat pump and the oven is a microwave oven.

0004Conventional ovens, either gas or electric, offer the advantage of more traditional cooking processes which allow browning of a product and avoid the problems of accelerated and uneven cooking of some products (breads and chesses for instance) that arise with microwave cooking. Because the volume of the typical conventional oven is considerably larger than that of a microwave oven, a higher capacity cooling system is required than for the refrigerator oven with a microwave heating unit.

0005Thus the need exists for a combination refrigerator/freezer oven with a conventional oven and a cooling system with sufficient capacity to handle the cooling requirements of a conventional oven. Furthermore the need exists for a means for remote activation of the heating and cooling units.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0006In view of the aforementioned needs, the invention contemplates a combination refrigerator/freezer and oven that provides for selective cooling and cooking of foods. The present invention further contemplates the combination refrigerator and oven is capable of actuation from a remote location. For ease of reference, the preferred embodiment of a refrigeration module will be discussed. However, it is understood that the invention is suitably comprised of a combination freezer and oven that provides selective freezing, thawing and cooking.

0007One aspect of the present invention contemplates a combination appliance for cooling and cooking a food item, comprising a frame, a door, a heat element, an inlet duct, a return duct, and a refrigeration module. The frame comprises a cooking chamber and a refrigeration module chamber, and the cooking chamber having an opening through which access to the interior of the cooking chamber is provided. The door moveably mounted to the frame for movement between an open position where the opening is uncovered and a closed position where the opening is covered. The heat element is disposed within the cooking chamber to selectively provide heat to the cooking chamber. The inlet duct extends between the refrigeration module chamber and the cooking chamber, and has an inlet in communication with the refrigeration module chamber and an outlet in communication with the cooking chamber. The return duct extends between the refrigeration module chamber and the cooking chamber, the return duct has an inlet in communication with the cooking chamber and an outlet in communication with the refrigeration module chamber. The refrigeration module comprises a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and base. The compressor, condenser, and evaporator are mounted on the base to form a module. An insulated housing covers the evaporator to thermally isolate the evaporator from the condenser. The insulated housing has an inlet and an outlet, which align with the outlet of the return duct and the inlet of the inlet duct, respectively, when the refrigeration module is mounted within the refrigeration module chamber, to thereby form a refrigerated air path between the evaporator and the cooking chamber.

0008When remote actuation is desired, the present invention contemplates a first means for controlling the operation of the heating element and the refrigeration module, and a second means for sending and receiving data concerning the heating element and the refrigeration module to and from the remote location via either a telephone or the Internet, whereby an individual may evaluate data concerning the heating element and the refrigeration module received through the second means thus enabling the individual to direct and control the first means through the second means.

0009Another aspect of the present invention contemplates a combination appliance for freezing and cooking a food item, comprising a frame, a door, a heat element, an inlet duct, a return duct, and a refrigeration module. The frame comprises a cooking chamber and a freezer module chamber, and the cooking chamber having an opening through which access to the interior of the cooking chamber is provided. The door moveably mounted to the frame for movement between an open position where the opening is uncovered and a closed position where the opening is covered. The heat element is disposed within the cooking chamber to selectively provide heat to the cooking chamber. The inlet duct extends between the freezer module chamber and the cooking chamber, and has an inlet in communication with the freezer module chamber and an outlet in communication with the cooking chamber. The return duct extends between the freezer module chamber and the cooking chamber, the return duct has an inlet in communication with the cooking chamber and an outlet in communication with the refrigeration module chamber. The freezer module comprises a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and base. The compressor, condenser, and evaporator are mounted on the base to form a module. An insulated housing covers the evaporator to thermally isolate the evaporator from the condenser. The insulated housing has an inlet and an outlet, which align with the outlet of the return duct and the inlet of the inlet duct, respectively, when the freezing module is mounted within the refrigeration module chamber, to thereby form a refrigerated air path between the evaporator and the cooking chamber.

0010When remote actuation is desired, the present invention contemplates a first means for controlling the operation of the heating element and the freezer module, and a second means for sending and receiving data concerning the heating element and the freezer module to and from the remote location via either a telephone or the Internet, whereby an individual may evaluate data concerning the heating element and the freezer module received through the second means thus enabling the individual to direct and control the first means through the second means.

0011Another aspect of the present invention contemplates a time-bake cooking cycle for a refrigerated oven used to cook a food item. The refrigerated oven comprises a cooking chamber selectively closeable by a door, a heating element for heating the cooking chamber, a refrigeration unit for cooling the cooking chamber, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the cooking chamber, a data input device for inputting user-selected cooking cycle parameters, and a controller. The controller operably coupling the heating element, refrigeration unit, temperature sensor, and the data input device to selectively actuate the heating element and the refrigeration unit in response to the sensed temperature and to implement the cooking cycle as defined by the cooking cycle parameters. The time-bake cooking cycle comprising a cool cycle and a bake cycle. In an alternate embodiment, the time-bake cooking cycle further comprises a warm cycle. During the cool cycle the temperature of the cooking chamber is maintained at a first predetermined temperature to prevent spoilage of the food item in the cooking chamber. The bake cycle following the cool cycle maintains the temperature of the cooking chamber at a temperature to cook the food item in the cooking chamber. The warm cycle is suitably configured to follow the bake cycle to maintain the temperature of the cooking chamber at a temperature suitable for serving the food item upon removal from the cooking chamber.

0012The time-bake cooking cycle may further comprise a second cool cycle initiated after one of the cook cycle or the warm cycle. The time-bake cooking cycle would typically include a data input cycle prior to the cool cycle wherein user-defined operating parameters are stored in the controller. The user-defined operating parameters comprise an End Time representing the time of day that the cooking of the food is to be completed and a Bake Time representing the length of time to cook the food.

0013Yet, another aspect of the present invention contemplates a time-bake cooking cycle for a freezer oven used to cook a food item. The freezer oven comprises a cooking chamber selectively closeable by a door, a heating element for heating the cooking chamber, a freezer unit for cooling the cooking chamber, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the cooking chamber, a data input device for inputting user-selected cooking cycle parameters, and a controller. The controller operably coupling the heating element, freezer unit, temperature sensor, and the data input device to selectively actuate the heating element and the freezer unit in response to the sensed temperature and to implement the cooking cycle as defined by the cooking cycle parameters. The time-bake cooking cycle comprising a freeze cycle, a bake cycle, and a warm cycle. In an alternate embodiment, the time-bake cooking cycle comprises a freeze cycle, a bake cycle, and a warm cycle or cool cycle, or both. During the freeze cycle the temperature of the cooking chamber is maintained at a first predetermined temperature to prevent spoilage of the food item in the cooking chamber. The bake cycle following the freeze cycle maintains the temperature of the cooking chamber at a temperature to cook the food item in the cooking chamber. The warm cycle following the bake cycle maintains the temperature of the cooking chamber at a temperature suitable for serving the food item upon removal from the cooking chamber.

0014In another embodiment, the time-bake cooking cycle comprises a cool cycle initiated following the completion of one of the cook cycle or the warm cycle. The time-bake cooking cycle would typically include a data input cycle prior to the freeze cycle wherein user-defined operating parameters are stored in the controller. The user-defined operating parameters comprise an End Time representing the time of day that the cooking of the food is to be completed and a Bake Time representing the length of time to cook the food.

0015Still other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the best modes best suited for to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

0016The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a functional block diagram of combination cooling/freezing and cooking system for food, which may be actuated from a remote location;

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram overview of the software included in the present invention;

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flow chart describing the initialization of the home appliances for remote access;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flow chart describing the remotely located software used to communicate with the home appliances from a remote location;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flow chart illustrating the selection of a particular home appliance for remote operation;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a flow chart describing management of the home appliances, which includes determining which home appliances will be available for possible remote access;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a flow chart illustrating the determination of food dishes that will be available for preparation in the home appliances from a remote location;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a flow chart describing how the home appliances operation buttons are accessed from a remote location;

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flow chart illustrating how a food dish is programmed for preparation in a home appliance from a remote location;

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a flow chart describing the process for reproducing the information displayed by home appliance at a remote location;

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is an isometric view of a refrigerator oven;

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a perspective view of a combination refrigerating and cooking system with a drawer containing the refrigeration module in the open position;

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a perspective view of a combination refrigerating and cooking system with a door providing access to the cooking chamber in the open position; and

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a block diagram of the components of the refrigeration module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

0031Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations, of the present invention. For ease of reference, the preferred embodiment of a refrigeration module will be discussed. However, it is understood that the invention is suitably comprised of a combination refrigerator/freezer and oven that provides selective refrigerating, freezing, thawing and cooking.

0032Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the cooking and refrigeration chamber is indicated at <b>10</b> in dotted outline. Contained within the chamber is a refrigeration module <b>11</b> that is utilized for cooling the cavity <b>17</b>. Temperature control <b>14</b> is used to turn the refrigeration module <b>11</b> on and off. Temperature sensor <b>15</b> is used by temperature control <b>14</b> to maintain a desired temperature.

0033The heat element <b>18</b> as shown is connected to the control relays <b>19</b>. Ordinarily, the heat element <b>18</b> may either be an electric resistive element or a gas burner, however other types of heat elements such as microwave, radiated heat elements, infra red, or any other heat source may also be utilized. As shown the heat element is controlled by control relays <b>19</b>. Temperature control <b>14</b> can be used to activate and deactivate control relays <b>19</b>. The type of control applied is dependent upon the type of heat element used. The location of the heat element <b>18</b> is normally at the bottom of the cavity <b>17</b>. However, it can be located anywhere in the cavity. A second heat element (not shown) may also be placed at the top of the cavity <b>17</b> for broiling.

0034Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11-13</figref> there is shown a combination appliance <b>1100</b>. The combination appliance <b>1100</b> comprises a door <b>1102</b> which covers a cavity <b>17</b> that is used as a cooking chamber. A window <b>1104</b> enables a user to view the contents of the cooking chamber. The appliance <b>1100</b> further comprises vertical walls <b>1108</b>, a top surface <b>1110</b> and a control panel <b>1116</b> mounted on the top surface. Burners <b>1112</b> are also mounted on top surface <b>1110</b>. The burners <b>1112</b> may be gas, electrical, or other heating means well known in the art.

0035The control panel <b>1116</b> is used for obtaining input for operating the cooking chamber. Mounted on the control panel <b>1116</b> are control knobs <b>1114</b> which are used to control the burners. A display <b>1118</b> is mounted on the control panel <b>1116</b> and is used as a local control for the cooking chamber. The display would ordinarily comprise selectors <b>1120</b>, which commonly are either pushbuttons or touchscreen, and/or a dial selector <b>1122</b> which may be used for selecting a temperature for the cooking chamber or scrolling through menu choices.

0036Within the cavity <b>17</b> is the heat element <b>18</b>, an outlet <b>1134</b> duct and an inlet duct <b>1136</b>. The heat element <b>18</b> may be gas, electric, or any other heat source. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, the heating element is at the bottom of the cavity <b>17</b>. However, heat element <b>18</b> may be located anywhere in the cavity <b>17</b>. It is further contemplated that a second heat element (not shown) may be mounted at the top of the cavity <b>17</b> for broiling. As indicated by arrow <b>1132</b>, heat rises from heat element <b>18</b>.

0037Drawer <b>1106</b> is adapted to slide in and out to provide access to the refrigeration chamber <b>1160</b> containing the refrigeration module <b>11</b>, mounted on the bottom <b>1124</b> of the drawer <b>1106</b>. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> with continued reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11-13</figref>, the refrigeration module <b>11</b> performs a refrigeration cycle to withdraw heat from cooking chamber so that the temperature in cavity <b>17</b> will be lower than the ambient temperature surrounding the appliance <b>1100</b>. The Refrigeration module <b>11</b> is a closed-loop system that uses a fluid, or refrigerant, to move heat from one place to another. Drawer <b>1106</b> is aligned such that when it is in a closed position, the ducts connecting inlet duct <b>1136</b> and outlet <b>1134</b> duct are aligned with the warm air inlet <b>1152</b> and cool air outlet <b>1154</b> of the thermally insulated evaporator housing <b>1128</b>.

0038The refrigeration module <b>11</b> comprises a compressor <b>1126</b>, condenser <b>1144</b>, an expansion valve <b>1146</b> and an evaporator <b>1142</b> within a thermally insulated housing <b>1128</b>. Tubing <b>1130</b> is used to connect the compressor <b>1126</b> to the condenser <b>1144</b>, the condenser <b>1144</b> to the expansion valve <b>1146</b>, the expansion valve <b>1146</b> to the evaporator <b>1142</b>, and the evaporator <b>1142</b> to the compressor <b>1126</b> and provides the path for the fluid, or refrigerant. Arrows <b>1148</b> indicate the direction of the fluid, or refrigerant, flow through the tubing <b>1130</b>.

0039In operation, cool, liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator <b>1142</b>. The refrigerant in evaporator <b>1142</b> absorbs heat from cavity <b>17</b> communicated from inlet duct <b>1136</b> to warm air inlet <b>1152</b> and changes state from a liquid to a vapor. The vapor refrigerant exits evaporator <b>1142</b> and moves into compressor <b>1126</b>. Compressor <b>1126</b> raises the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant so that the refrigerant will move through refrigeration module <b>11</b>. The increase in pressure causes the refrigerant to flow out of compressor <b>1126</b> and into condenser <b>1144</b>. Condenser <b>1144</b> releases heat from the refrigerant to the outside air. Refrigeration module <b>11</b> may include a condenser fan <b>16</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) for facilitating the movement of heat away from condenser <b>1144</b>. The vapor refrigerant exits from condenser <b>1144</b> and goes to the expansion valve <b>1146</b>. At expansion valve <b>1146</b>, the pressure of the refrigerant is reduced and the refrigerant is cooled to the point where it returns to a liquid state. The cool, liquid refrigerant exits expansion valve <b>1146</b> and re-enters evaporator <b>1142</b>. Upon entering evaporator <b>1142</b>, the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from warm air <b>1150</b> drawn into evaporator <b>1142</b> through warm air inlet <b>1152</b>. As warm air <b>1150</b> passes over evaporator <b>1142</b>, it gives up some of its heat to produce cool air <b>1156</b> which is re-circulated by evaporator fan <b>16</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) through cool air outlet <b>1158</b> and back into cavity <b>17</b>.

0040Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the digital controller unit <b>20</b> comprises the following items: computer <b>21</b> with microprocessor with random access memory and read only memory for control program storage and operation, visual alpha/numeric display <b>22</b>, and data/control entry keyboard <b>23</b>. Also included is the communications interface circuits <b>25</b>. It is understood that the communication interface is any suitable communication interface known in the art. Examples include but are not limited to power line communication protocols, Ethernet, and wireless interfaces.

0041In operation, the computer <b>21</b> executes a control program stored in electronic memory and by using input/output signals which enable the multiple functions of the digital controller unit <b>20</b>. These functions are 1) receiving operating commands and data from the data/control entry keyboard; 2) displaying cooking times and related information and providing visual operator feedback for keyboard data entries; 3) monitoring safety interlock switches such as the door as well as temperature sensors; 4) control signals to power control relays which in turn actuates the refrigeration module <b>11</b> or the heat element <b>18</b>; 5) manage internal clock and timing functions as required; 6) responding to control requests submitted via digital control from remote locations.

0042The alpha/numeric display <b>22</b> informs the user of important information such as cooking time, operating mode and visual operator feedback of keyboard keys pressed.

0043Provision has also been included for the complex DISPLAY from the front of the refrigerated oven. This includes a remote display interface circuit board, which interfaces with the Display of the oven directly and relays the display contents at any point in time to the internal communication interface controller. The communication interface controller requests the display contents up to 10 times a second. The communication interface controller then packages up the display sequences and sends it out through the communication interface. The appliance server running on the home computer receives the display sequence through the communication interface operably coupled to the home computer and upon request relays this information on to the current programs running on the home computer or at the office.

0044The keyboard data control entry <b>23</b> is an array of electronic switches located at the front of the digital controlling unit. The switches are interfaced with the computer and provide the user a method of entering data and commands to the computer. Each switch enters specific information such as numeric values zero through nine; direct commands start/stop, etc.; automated macro commands designed to reduce user time and involvement (i.e., potato sets cooking time appropriate for cooking a potato, initiates the cooking process and stops the operation after the specified time). The front panel provides legend labels which denote the purpose of each keyboard button. This is typical of a state of the art oven.

0045The DC power supply <b>24</b> receives AC power from the electrical power distribution and produces all DC voltage and current required to operate the digital controlling unit. The communication interface <b>25</b> provides communication with remote control of four functional categories: temperature control, electrical power control, safety interlocks and remote control. An electronic temperature sensor (not shown) located in the cold air path is electronically interfaced to the computer. This allows the computer control algorithm stored in memory to measure the refrigerator temperature if the measured temperature is above an established set point or correction signal is sent to a control relay that energizes the refrigeration system. This is mutually exclusive of cooking activities of course.

0046The electronic power control at the communication interface <b>25</b> is provided to allow low voltage, low power logic signals from the personal computer <b>26</b> to energize or de-energize control relays that activate the cooking system or refrigeration system.

0047The software involved consists of three major parts. The first part is the appliance server which directly controls all of the appliances in a home. This is accomplished using the communication interface protocol which is generally found in home networks. The second part of the software portion of Applicant's invention is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for easily controlling home appliances as well as managing the meals that are to be cooked. The third part of the software allows homeowners to control and monitor their appliances while away from the home through the GUI or from their favorite worldwide web browser. Many homes and small offices are being equipped with “Thin Servers”. These so called “Thin-Servers” are appliance-like devices that control home computer/print networks, Internet connections, home lighting and intelligent appliances. The home computer or “Thin-Server” can be used to monitor and control the home appliances, including microwaves, ovens and refrigerators, as well as other appliances. The protocol used to control such an appliance from the home server is one that has been developed specifically for the home network communication interface. The communication interface protocol allows one to provide an abstract definition of say an appliance and be able to query it and perform operations on it. Communication interface can operate over many different types of networks, power lines, uses existing power lines in an existing home to communicate to the appliances. This avoids retrofitting a home with a new network. Applicant's invention uses object oriented methodologies in many ways. The system is written in an object oriented language. Second, the communication interface protocol is object oriented by design. Each communication interface device is considered an object with attributes that can be interrogated or changed directly via operations or methods. Lastly, the technology used to communicate with the home appliances from anywhere in the world is a remote interface means for selective control and monitoring of appliance via a remote disposed data terminal. The remote interface is any suitable remote interface known in the art. Essentially, this technology allows one to easily design objects (such as home appliances) in one's home. These objects can be directly manipulated from any computer around the world.

0048The use of the remote interface is an important aspect for the remote operation of the appliance. A remote interface object on the home server is built for each home appliance. These objects take requests from the software to control the appliance. The software could be located locally on the home server or could be remotely located at one's office in another state or country. This allows a homeowner to remotely monitor their home with unprecedented ease and ability. One can also use any worldwide web browser, including, but not limited to Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator/Communicator, to monitor or control a home appliance. This is accomplished by using a version of Applicant's software which is written as a Java applet. This applet is launched within the browser and provides the means to communicate with remote interface objects on one's home server that controls the home appliances. The home appliances are controlled via software running on the home server. The home server must be able to communicate using the communication interface protocol via some network media. The communication media interface for communicating information between the oven and the home server is used. The communication media is any suitable communication medium known in the art, such as powerline, Ethernet, and wireless communication. The software on the home server that controls the home appliance is called the appliance server. This is a program that among other things understands communication interface. When started, the appliance server searches for all home appliances in the home. It does this by broadcasting a communication interface request on the communication media to which all communication interface compliant home appliances respond. Response includes its address on the network, the type, manufacturer and model of the appliances. The appliance server knows, based on the appliances manufacturer and model, how to control the appliance. After discovering all home appliances in the home, the appliance server then creates a remote interface object for each appliance. If the home appliances are powered on after the appliance server has started, the appliance broadcasts an announcement that is received by the appliance server. The appliance is then made available via a remote interface object.

0049The preferred remote interface is as follows. <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li id="ul0002-0001" num="0050"> SetClock (Integer Hours, Integer Minutes) </li><li id="ul0002-0002" num="0051"> GetStatus (Integer Status) </li><li id="ul0002-0003" num="0052"> StartCooling ( ) </li><li id="ul0002-0004" num="0053"> StopCooling ( ) </li><li id="ul0002-0005" num="0054"> SetCookTime (Integer Hours, Integer Minutes, Integer Seconds) </li><li id="ul0002-0006" num="0055"> SetTemperatureLevel (Integer Temp) </li><li id="ul0002-0007" num="0056"> GetTemperatureLevel (Integer Temp) </li><li id="ul0002-0008" num="0057"> Cancel ( ) </li><li id="ul0002-0009" num="0058"> Start ( ) </li><li id="ul0002-0010" num="0059"> ReadDisplay (String DisplayStr) </li><li id="ul0002-0011" num="0060"> SetSafeTemperatureLevel (Integer Temp) </li></ul></li></ul>

0061This is the basic interface required to control any home appliance. Other interfaces can be provided based upon the type, manufacturer and model of a specific home appliance.

0062The remote interface objects representing home appliances wait for requests. Applicant's software GUI and Applicant's Java applet are two programs that communicate with the remote interface objects in order to control the appliances. These programs are referred to as remote interface clients. Once the client programs connect to these objects, they operate on them as if they were locally defined and created within the client program. The client programs can then use the object's interface to manage the remote appliance.

0063As far as safety is concerned, the remote interface object provides an interface for specifying a safe temperature level. If the temperature of the unit rises above this level, the remote interface object will tell the home appliance to shut down. The object will also notify all client programs that are connected to it that a high temperature condition has occurred. An object can also notify all connected clients if a home appliance has stopped responding to input.

0064The core of software system is the management/GUI software that allows the user to view each home appliance being controlled. Each appliance can be programmed to keep a dish cool until it is time to be cooked. Dishes can be defined by the user which spells out the steps to cook the dish and whether or not it needs to be kept cool before cooking.

0065A major feature of software is the ability to monitor and manage home appliances from remote locations. Applicant's software accomplishes this by providing an appliance server is software that runs on the home server. This software is a remote interface server that spawns a remote interface appliance object for each home appliance that it discovers on the home network. These appliance objects continually monitor the real home appliance as well as wait for the GUI software to connect to it. The Applicant's software that connects the appliance objects is referred to as client software. The client software can be run at home on the home server or on another machine in the home. Remote interface objects are inherently distributed. This means that not only can any computer in the home manage home appliances through the remote interface appliance objects, but from any computer in the world, one can monitor and manage appliances in their home. The client software described earlier communicates with appliance objects residing on the home server. The client software is configured with the Internet address of the home server. This allows it to remotely communicate with the home server through the Internet. The client software communicates with the appliance objects through a well known port number. The client software transparently makes requests to the home objects which passes the requests along to the real appliance.

0066It is not necessary to have the menu management software installed in order to remotely monitor and manage home appliances in one's home. All it takes is a worldwide web browser, including but not limited to Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator/Communicator. The Applicant's software is also available in the form of a Java applet that can be run from the browser. Having the software available from a browser, users can use just about any type of computer operating system to remotely connect to their home and control home appliances. This gives people unprecedented access and control over their home while away.

0067Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, a block diagram representation of the overall software included in the invention. Two major components of the software used by the invention are shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. The first software component runs on the home computer and has been titled Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b>. The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> can be attached to a communication media <b>150</b> via a variety of computer industry communication protocols. The present invention discloses a communication interface is Subsystem protocol <b>120</b> to communicate with the home appliances <b>200</b>. The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> receives information from the internet and translates this information into specific commands to operate the home appliances <b>200</b>.

0068After the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> is started, it will initialize the communication interface Subsystem <b>120</b> and identify the various home appliances <b>200</b> that are connected to the communication media <b>150</b> and enable communication with the communication interface Subsystem <b>120</b>. The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will also create a remote interface appliance object <b>110</b> for each home appliance <b>200</b> that can communicate with the communication interface Subsystem <b>120</b>. The remote interface appliance objects <b>110</b> will allow the Tonight's Menu Client Software or Browser Software <b>50</b> to locate the remote interface appliance objects <b>110</b> through the Internet and communicate with the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b>.

0069Thus, a user on a remote computer running the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b> connected through the Internet through the remote interface appliance objects <b>110</b> to the Tonight's Menu Appliance Software <b>100</b> can communicate and operate home appliances <b>200</b>.

0070Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> is brought on line in phases. First, all the Appliances <b>100</b> to be connected to the system have to be turned on. Second, the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> has to be started. After the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> is started, it will initialize the remote interface Subsystem <b>115</b> which broadcasts out on the communication media <b>150</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) it's address on the network. The communication interface Subsystem <b>120</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) acts as a network where every appliance <b>200</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) is identified by an address that is available to anyone accessing the communication interface Subsystem <b>120</b>.

0071The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will create a remote interface appliance manager object <b>125</b> which provides a well known object for managing the set of discovered appliances. The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will also create a remote interface food dish manager object <b>140</b> that provides a well known object for management of defined food dishes.

0072The user configures and selects what appliances <b>200</b> will be used to prepare the food dishes for the day. Once the user has selected the appliances <b>200</b>, a list of those appliances <b>200</b> will be contained in a initialization file. The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will retrieve the list of configured appliances <b>155</b> and communicate with the configured appliances <b>200</b> to ascertain what type of appliance it is, whether a microwave or conventional oven, what model, what are its capabilities, etc. After this information has been obtained, the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will initialize the communication interface device on board each appliance <b>175</b> and create a remote interface appliance object for all the appliances <b>180</b>. The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> initialization routines form the framework for communicating with the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b>.

0073Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the Tonight's Menu Appliance Software <b>50</b> contains the procedures for communicating with the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> in diagramatic fashion. In the figure, the procedure is commenced with a remote interface subsystem initialization routine <b>51</b>. The remote interface Subsystem initialization routine <b>51</b> initializes an object management system, which allows the user to communicate between the Remote Appliance Object <b>45</b> and the remote interface appliance objects <b>110</b> located on the user's home computer.

0074The remote interface Subsystem Initialization Routine <b>51</b> will contact the remote interface Appliance Manager <b>52</b> on the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> and obtain information regarding the various Appliances <b>200</b> connected to the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b>. Once the remote interface Subsystem Initialization Routine <b>51</b> has obtained a list of Appliances <b>200</b> connected to the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b>, the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b> Remote Appliance Objects <b>45</b> will bind to the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software's <b>100</b> remote interface Appliance Manager Object <b>53</b>.

0075In addition, the remote interface Subsystem Initialization Routine <b>51</b> will also contact the remote interface Dish Manager <b>54</b> on the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> and obtain information regarding the various food dishes to be prepared. After the remote interface Subsystem Initialization Routine <b>51</b> has received the information regarding the food dishes, the Tonight's Menu Client Software's <b>50</b> will bind to the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software's <b>100</b> remote interface Dish Manager Object <b>55</b>. Upon completion of the binding process, the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b> will allow the user to Open An Appliance <b>300</b>, Manage An Appliance <b>400</b> or Manage Dishes <b>500</b>.

0076Looking to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the Opening An Appliance Software <b>300</b> allows the user to access an Appliance <b>200</b> using Applicant's invention. The user will select the open appliance option from the file menu <b>310</b>. This will indicate to the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b> that the user wants to view or act upon a particular appliance <b>200</b> that is managed by the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b>. At Block <b>320</b>, the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b> communicates with the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> located on the home computer through the appliance manager remote interface object. A list of defined appliances <b>200</b> is retrieved from the appliance manager. This list is used to display a list of available appliances <b>330</b>.

0077When the user has selected an appliance to open, a user interface window is created <b>340</b>. This window will graphically represent the microwave or conventional oven that is being controlled. This includes the portrayal of keypad buttons as well as an Display of the appliance <b>200</b>. The selected remote interface object is then associated with the window representing the appliance <b>350</b>. Finally, the window is displayed in the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b>. This function also includes automatically updating the Display without the users need to interact.

0078<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates the various options a user can exercise regarding the management of appliances software <b>400</b> that is specified in block <b>410</b> to <b>470</b>. The list of appliances and the information about the appliances <b>200</b> is stored on the home computer. The Management of Appliances Software <b>400</b> allows the user to modify and maintain the information regarding the appliances <b>200</b> remotely. Block <b>410</b> shows the Management of Appliances Software <b>400</b> interrogating the remote interface Appliance Manager on the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> for the list of appliances. After the remote interface Appliance Manager receives the list of all the remote interface appliance objects <b>110</b>, it will present the list in a list box and the user will have several options available. The options the user will have available pertaining to the list box includes being able to add an appliance <b>430</b>, modify an appliance <b>450</b> and delete an appliance <b>460</b>.

0079An appliance is added by sending a message to the remote interface Appliance Manager <b>52</b> requesting to add an appliance <b>430</b>. This message is a function call on the appliance and on the remote interface Appliance Manager <b>52</b>. The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will create a remote interface Object and make it available for communication. Once that is complete, an empty remote interface Appliance Object <b>435</b> will be created and a dialogue box will appear on the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b> and prompt the user for new information regarding the capabilities of the appliance <b>440</b>. After the user enters the appliance information including the appliance's communication interface address on the home computer, this information is transmitted to the home computer and stored in the initialization file which will be retrieved the next time the Tonight's Menu Appliance Serve Software <b>100</b> is started.

0080The Modified Appliance <b>450</b> and the Delete Appliance <b>460</b> activities are contained in Blocks <b>430</b> through <b>470</b>. Block <b>450</b> shows where the decision is made whether to modify the appliance <b>200</b>, if the decision is yes, the user is prompted for new information regarding the appliance <b>440</b>. If the user makes the decision to delete an appliance <b>460</b>, the remote interface Appliance Object is removed <b>470</b>.

0081<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, discloses the management of dishes software <b>500</b> flow chart which details the steps necessary for an appliance <b>200</b> to prepare a food dish. The dish manager remote interface object <b>510</b> is located on the home computer in order to centralize the management of the food dishes. The management of dishes software <b>500</b> allows the user to add a food dish <b>530</b>, modify food dishes <b>550</b>, modify cooking steps <b>570</b> or delete food dishes <b>580</b>.

0082Once the user is presented with a list of food dishes <b>520</b>, the user can choose to add a dish <b>530</b> and the program will create an empty remote interface dish object <b>540</b>. The software will prompt the user for new values of dish properties or cooking information <b>560</b>. This information would include a description of the food dish, comments regarding the food dish, list of cooking steps and whether the food dish should be kept cool prior to cooking. If the user selects the modify dish option <b>550</b>, the user will again be prompted for new values of dish properties <b>560</b>. At this point, the user can modify a variety of information regarding the food dish including the description of the food dish or the cooking steps.

0083Blocks <b>605</b> through <b>630</b> illustrate how to add a cooking step, modify a cooking step or delete a cooking step. A cooking step includes the cooking duration, the cooking time in hours, minutes and seconds, cooking temperature for conventional ovens and cooking levels for microwaves. If the user chooses to add a cooking step, the software will add a cooking step <b>605</b> after it presents the user with a list of the present cooking steps <b>600</b>. The software will create an empty remote interface step object <b>610</b> and prompt the user for new values of step properties <b>615</b>. The user will also be prompted for new values of step properties <b>615</b>, if the user selects the modify step <b>620</b> option. Furthermore, a cooking step can also be deleted <b>625</b> by removing the pertinent remote interface step object <b>630</b>.

0084Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, the flow chart illustrates utilization of the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b> in combination with the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> to operate a home appliance <b>200</b> from a remote location. After the user has executed the Opening an Appliance software <b>300</b>, the user can press a button on the remotely located user interface for the particular appliance <b>820</b> to be used. The software will analyze and determine the button code <b>830</b> and invoke the button press method on a remote appliance remote interface object <b>840</b>. Information regarding a particular button that was pressed by the user will be transmitted from the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b> to the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b>.

0085Once the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> receives this information, the receive button code from remote interface object <b>850</b> will begin processing this data. The button information will be checked to ascertain whether it is a valid code <b>860</b>, and if not, an error message <b>870</b> will be sent to the user. If the button information is a valid code, the data is will be translated into the appropriate communication interface packet and transmitted to the specific appliance <b>880</b> to be used. The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will notify the user that it has successfully received the user's remote button command.

0086<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> provides a flow chart describing how a user would program an appliance to prepare a food dish from a remote location <b>900</b>. Blocks <b>905</b> through <b>925</b> illustrate how the user would be presented with a list of dishes <b>905</b> to facilitate the selection of a dish to be cooked and be prompted to supply the software with a specific time when the food dish is to be ready <b>910</b>. Once the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b> has received the proposed finished times for the food dish <b>910</b>, the software will determine the appropriate start time <b>915</b>. The software will calculate whether the time required to prepare the meal is sufficient in order to complete the meal by the finish time selected by the user <b>920</b>. If there is insufficient time to prepare the dish before the finish time, the software will loop back and request the user to re-enter another dish finish time. However, if there is enough time to cook the dish <b>920</b>, the food dish information will be sent to the appliance server via the remote interface appliance server <b>925</b>.

0087The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will receive the food dish information via a remote interface appliance object <b>930</b>. After the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> has received the dish information, the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b>, also performs a check to determine whether there is enough time to cook the dish <b>935</b>. If there is not sufficient time to cook the dish before the dish finish time, the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will return an error code to the user. If there is sufficient time to cook the dish, the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will start cooling the dish in the appliance <b>945</b>. The software will then determine the appropriate time to start cooking the dish in order to have it completed by the desired finish time.

0088The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will periodically check whether it is time to start cooking the dish <b>950</b>. If it is time to start cooking the dish, the Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> will send the appropriate button press sequences to execute the predetermined cooking step <b>955</b>. The program will determine if the software has reached the last cooking step <b>960</b>. If the software has not reached the last cooking step, the program will loop back to the time to start cooking routine <b>950</b> in order to determine whether it is time to start the next cooking step. If the software has reached the last cooking step, then the software will provide the appliance <b>200</b> with instructions to keep the dish warm <b>970</b>.

0089<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, shows the flow chart for the remotely drawing the appliance display software <b>1000</b>. This flow chart illustrates how the appliance's <b>200</b> display screen is able to be reproduced for the user at a remote location. The Tonight's Menu Appliance Server Software <b>100</b> uses a remote display interface circuit board (“RDIB”) that allows for a real time remote location acquisition and display of a microwave or conventional oven's display screen. The RDIB acquires and processes the display data and on demand transmits it to the communication interface adapter for eventual display at a remote location. A typical microwave or conventional oven will have a six position LED Display and there are sixteen segments in each position which the RDIB scans and captures the illuminated LED's on each of the six different positions for translation. The RDIB then translates the illuminated six different positions into a character or a number <b>1010</b>.

0090The RDIB will buffer one (1) second worth of sequences of the display <b>1020</b> prior to translating the display information into a communication interface packet. Once the one (1) second buffer of display information is translated into a communication interface packet, this information is transmitted to the appliance server <b>1030</b>. After the communication interface packet is sent to the appliance server, the appliance server will buffer two (2) seconds of the display information <b>1040</b> prior to transmitting it to the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b>. The buffering of an additional second of display information will improve the transmission process of the display information to the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b>.

0091Once the Tonight's Menu Client Software has received the display information through the remote interface appliance objects <b>1050</b>, the software will determine the number of display sequences to show <b>1060</b>. The Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b> will determine whether it has finished its display sequences <b>1070</b>. If not, the software loops back to the receive display information through the remote interface appliance object routine <b>1050</b>. If the Tonight's Menu Client Software <b>50</b> has finished with the display sequences, it will paint the display screen of the specified appliance on the user's remote interface <b>1080</b>. The software will briefly delay the painting of the appliance's display information to imitate a display refresh process on an appliance <b>1090</b>. Finally, the programs will loop back to the finish with display sequence <b>1070</b> in order to determine whether it has finished displaying all of the pertinent information.

0092It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the preceding description of remotely drawing the appliance display software, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, may be accomplished in a myriad of manners. The capture of the appliance display generally pertains to the retrofitting of an existing appliance. The person skilled in the art will understand that the method described herein may be incorporated into a new appliance. For example, a remote computer accesses the new appliance over any communications channel known in the art. The remote computer then interrogates the appliance for status information and updates. Upon receiving the request for a status update, the appliance may then collect or aggregate the current status information. Having collected the information requested by the remote computer, the appliance then transmits the information to the remote computer using any suitable communications channel. Thus the remote computer is not simply capturing the display of the appliance, but rather presenting to the user status information independent of the information currently be displayed on the appliance display.

0093The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of the ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance to the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.