FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus. More particularly it pertains to a cooking apparatus that can cook various dishes remote from a user and automatically.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] As is well known, cooking a dish requires knowing its recipe and quantity required. The recipe is a set of instructions including various ingredients required, their order of provisioning in a cooking apparatus where the dish is being prepared, relative quantity, treatment or process. Different recipes have different sets of instructions, ingredients and processes required to prepare corresponding dishes. Upon following the instructions and providing ingredients accordingly in a cooking apparatus, finally a dish as per recipe desired by a user can be prepared.

[0004] Cooking presently is a manual process. A cook has to be continuously present near the cooking apparatus, monitor various processes such as temperature etc. and provide right ingredients in right quantity at the right time to finally have a dish cooked as per recipe he/she wanted.

[000$] Hence there is a need in the art for a system that can enable automatic cooking for various dishes even when the user is remote from the cooking apparatus.

[0006] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

[0007] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term "about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0008] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0009] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[00010] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[00011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for a cooking apparatus that can cook different dishes remotely and automatically at time desired by a user.

[00012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide for a cooking apparatus that ensures safety while cooking various dishes remotely from a user.

SUMMARY

[00013] The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus that can cook various dishes remote from a user and automatically. More particularly, it relates to a cooking apparatus wherein the user can control the cooking apparatus using Internet.

[00014] In an aspect, present disclosure elaborates upon a cooking apparatus that can include: a control circuit; at least one current operated motor; at least one dispenser configured to dispense at least one ingredient in an external cooking pot; and a stirrer configured to stir the at least one ingredient in the external cooking pot; wherein the control circuit can operate any or a combination of the at least one current operated motor, the at least one dispenser, and the stirrer basis a dish preparation information provided by a user to enable the cooking apparatus prepare a dish in the external cooking pot.

[0001$] In another aspect, the control circuit can include a microcontroller eg Arduino UNO R3 or customised , that can execute machine language instructions basis the dish preparation information to enable the control circuit perform the operation.

[00016] In yet another aspect, the cooking apparatus can include a transceiver and the dish preparation information can include a recipe and its quantity needed by the user and can be provided by the user at any or a combination of the cooking apparatus and a remote computing device operatively communicating with the cooking apparatus using the transceiver.

[00017] In an aspect, the recipe can be selected by the user from a plurality of recipes stored at any or a combination of the cooking apparatus, the computing device, and a computer application operatively communicating with the cooking apparatus.

[00018] In another aspect, the machine language instructions can include those pertaining to any or a combination of quantity of ingredient held in the at least one dispenser to be dispensed, time instant of the dispensing of the at least one ingredient from start of cooking, time instants from start of cooking of the stirring and time periods of the stirring, time instants from start of the cooking of the heating and time periods of the heating, and temperature range to be maintained at different time periods in the cooking apparatus during preparation of the dish.

[00019] In yet another aspect, an electronic switch connected with the heater can switch off the heater automatically upon occurrence of at least one fault condition.

[00020] In an aspect, the at least one fault condition can include any or a combination of temperature of the dish going outside a pre-determined temperature range, insufficient quantity of the at least one ingredient, power to the cooking apparatus being cut-off, and any malfunction of any components of the cooking apparatus.

[00021] In another aspect, the external cooking pot can be configured as a pressure cooker, and the instructions can include time instants from start of cooking to provide steam pressure to the at least one ingredient, values of the steam pressure, and time periods of provisioning of the steam pressure.

[00022] In yet another aspect, the computing device can be an electronic personal computing device and can communicate with the cooking apparatus any or a combination of Wi-Fi, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Bluetooth, and Internet.

[00023] In an aspect, the cooking apparatus can include at least one sensor to provide feedback of the cooking to the control circuit to enable better results from the operation.

[00024] In another aspect, the control circuit can include a memory containing instructions pertaining to a plurality of recipes, the instructions configured to be updateable by the user.

[00025] In yet another aspect, the cooking apparatus can be coupled with the external cooking pot using a lid configured on the external cooking pot.

[00026] In an aspect, base of the external cooking pot can contain a valve to remove excess water from the base.

[00027] Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

[00028] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00029] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:

[00030] FIG. 1 illustrates main components of the proposed cooking apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00031] FIG.2 illustrates another means of dispensing ingredients in the cooking pot of the proposed cooking apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00032] FIG. 3 illustrates rack and pinion arrangement as is used in proposed cooking apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00033] FIG.4 illustrates a control circuit of the proposed apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00034] FIG. 5 illustrates overall operation of the proposed cooking apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00035] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[00036] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

[00037] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general- purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human operators.

[00038] If the specification states a component or feature "may”, "can”, "could”, or "might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.

[00039] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a,” "an,” and "the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in” includes "in” and "on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[00040] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[00041] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named element.

[00042] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

[00043] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

[00044] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

[0004$] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[00046] The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus that can cook various dishes remote from a user and automatically. More particularly, it relates to a cooking apparatus wherein the user can control the cooking apparatus using Internet.

[00047] In an aspect, present disclosure elaborates upon a cooking apparatus that can include: a control circuit; at least one current operated motor; at least one dispenser configured to dispense at least one ingredient in an external cooking pot; and a stirrer configured to stir the at least one ingredient in the external cooking pot; wherein the control circuit can operate any or a combination of the at least one current operated motor, the at least one dispenser, and the stirrer basis a dish preparation information provided by a user to enable the cooking apparatus prepare a dish in the external cooking pot.

[00048] In another aspect, the control circuit can include a microcontroller that can execute machine language instructions basis the dish preparation information to enable the control circuit perform the operation.

[00049] In yet another aspect, the cooking apparatus can include a transceiver and the dish preparation information can include a recipe and its quantity needed by the user and can be provided by the user at any or a combination of the cooking apparatus and a remote computing device operatively communicating with the cooking apparatus using the transceiver.

[00050] In an aspect, the recipe can be selected by the user from a plurality of recipes stored at any or a combination of the cooking apparatus, the computing device, and a computer application operatively communicating with the cooking apparatus.

[00051] In another aspect, the machine language instructions can include those pertaining to any or a combination of quantity of ingredient held in the at least one dispenser to be dispensed, time instant of the dispensing of the at least one ingredient from start of cooking, time instants from start of cooking of the stirring and time periods of the stirring, time instants from start of the cooking of the heating and time periods of the heating, and temperature range to be maintained at different time periods in the cooking apparatus during preparation of the dish.

[00052] In yet another aspect, an electronic switch connected with the heater can switch off the heater automatically upon occurrence of at least one fault condition.

[00053] In an aspect, the at least one fault condition can include any or a combination of temperature of the dish going outside a pre-determined temperature range, insufficient quantity of the at least one ingredient, power to the cooking apparatus being cut-off, and any malfunction of any components of the cooking apparatus.

[00054] In another aspect, the external cooking pot can be configured as a pressure cooker, and the instructions can include time instants from start of cooking to provide steam pressure to the at least one ingredient, values of the steam pressure, and time periods of provisioning of the steam pressure. [00055] In yet another aspect, the computing device can be an electronic personal computing device and can communicate with the cooking apparatus any or a combination of Wi-Fi, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Bluetooth, and Internet.

[00056] In an aspect, the cooking apparatus can include at least one sensor to provide feedback of the cooking to the control circuit to enable better results from the operation.

[00057] In another aspect, the control circuit can include a memory containing instructions pertaining to a plurality of recipes, the instructions configured to be updateable by the user.

[00058] In yet another aspect, the cooking apparatus can be coupled with the external cooking pot using a lid configured on the external cooking pot.

[00059] In an aspect, base of the external cooking pot can contain a valve to remove excess water from the base.

[00060] While the invention disclosed is described as an exemplary embodiment herein with a cooking pot using a lid etc. as further elaborated, it can be readily understood that the cooking apparatus disclosed can be positioned over any external cooking pot and can dispense, mix and heat ingredients in it using appropriate components that can be configured in the cooking apparatus. The components can work according to a recipe and its quantity as selected by a user (as further elaborated) to finally prepare a dish in the external cooking pot accordingly. In another embodiment, the cooking pot can be part of the cooking apparatus being elaborated herein.

[00061] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

[00062] In an aspect, apparatus disclosed prepares a dish according to a recipe selected by a user. Upon the user selecting the recipe and its quantity thereafter (using, for instance, a website or mobile application as further described), control circuit of the proposed cooking apparatus operates its various components (as further described) to prepare a dish as per dish preparation information provided by a user. The dish preparation information can include a recipe, its quantity and time it is needed by the user

[00063] The user need not be present near the proposed cooking apparatus and cooking can proceed at a time preset by the user.

[00064] In another aspect, the proposed cooking apparatus can dispense various ingredients in its cooking pot and process the ingredients (such as heating and stirring.) as required to prepare the dish.

[00065] For instance, recipe of a dish (for instance rice with peas, 500 grams) selected by a user may require half a liter of water to be dispensed in the cooking pot of the cooking apparatus, heating this water to 80 degrees centigrade, thereafter dispensing 200 grams of rice in the cooking pot, cooking the mixture for next half hour at 50 degrees centigrade, dispensing 100 grams of peas in the cooking pot, cooking the mixture for a further period of ten minutes at same temperature, and cooling thereafter.

[00066] Proposed cooking apparatus may be operatively connected to a user using a website or mobile application that can be installed on a user mobile device and Internet. Using the website or mobile application and Internet, a user can select above recipe and its quantity and time he wants it to be ready (say 7 PM). The required ingredients may already be filled in appropriate ingredient dispensers of the cooking apparatus. Upon setting a 'cook' button on the mobile application, propose system /apparatus may proceed with cooking in such a manner that the required quantity of the dish is ready at 7 PM.

[00067] The user need not be present near the proposed cooking apparatus, and there need not be any further Internet connection between the website or mobile application and the cooking apparatus after a cook command is given.

[00068] The recipe can be selected by the user from a plurality of recipes stored at any or a combination of the cooking apparatus, a computing device (such as mobile device of the user), and a website operatively communicating with said cooking apparatus.

[00069] As known, every recipe contains description of ingredients required, cooking process, approximate number of people it will server, spices etc. Proposed apparatus can execute machine level instructions for a recipe so that upon a user selecting a recipe the proposed cooking apparatus can operate its various components so as to prepare a dish as per the recipe selected.

[00070] For instance, for cooking a vegetable firstly chopped vegetables and some water is needed. After cooking to a certain time in certain temperature, spices/ingredient needed to marinate it. Again it needs cooking in less water for a certain time. After that, remaining water in the cooking apparatus may need to be evaporated.

[00071] In another instance, for cooking vegetable biryani, firstly some lentil is put in the water to boil and after some time rice is needed in the same water containing lintel. Lentil and rice cannot be put simultaneously because of the fact both take different times to cook in the same environment. Thereafter, some spices and other ingredients needs to be added.

[00072] In an aspect, control circuit of the proposed cooking apparatus can have a microcontroller with a unique identification (UID). The proposed cooking apparatus can use appropriate communication means such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LAN, WAN, Internet etc. to connect to a computing device (that can as well be the user mobile device with the website or mobile application configured to enable a user operate the proposed cooking apparatus installed on it). In an exemplary embodiment, the UID can be for instance, Internet Protocol (IP) address of the microcontroller using which the microcontroller can be configured on the Internet and can communicate with any Internet enabled device. Due such configuration and communication using Internet, proposed cooking apparatus can be understood as an Internet of Things (loT) device.

[00073] Using such communication means and UID of the microcontroller, proposed cooking apparatus can connect with one or more computing devices that have their own UIDs, as can be readily understood). Similarly, one or more proposed cooking apparatuses can be connected to one computing device/mobile device/smartphone. Flowever, as can be appreciated, at one time one cooking apparatus should be connected to only one computing device although the configuration can be changed to another similar cooking apparatus /another computing device at option of the user. For the purpose 'reset' button can be provide on the cooking apparatus to enable its connection with another computing device.

[00074] In an aspect, the website or mobile application can enable proposed cooking apparatus to be paired with the user mobile device to enable the user mobile device (interchangeably termed as mobile device herein) control the cooking apparatus by using a QR code that can be scanned by the mobile device to enable such pairing.

[0007 $1 An appropriate user interface to select various recipes can be provided on the mobile device. For instance a dropdown menu can be provided. A user may also create his /her own recipes that can be stored in a database of the proposed cooking apparatus (as further elaborated) for future use.

[00076] The ingredient dispensers of the proposed cooking apparatus can be provided appropriate labels. Upon selection of a recipe and its quantity, the website or mobile application can display on the mobile device various ingredients, their quantity and labels of ingredient dispensers in which such ingredients are to be provided. The user can accordingly provide appropriate quantities of various ingredients of a dish in appropriate ingredient dispensers before proceeding with cooking.

[00077] The website or mobile application can enable the user set a time at which the dish should be ready. Upon such selection, the cooking apparatus can automatically start operating in such a manner that the dish is ready at the preset time.

[00078] Before providing a final confirmation to the proposed cooking apparatus, (for instance by pressing start button 510 as further elaborated in FIG.5) a user may be allowed to select another recipe and schedule another time for preparation of dish according to the revised selection.

[00079] Upon completion of cooking, the user can get a push notification on his/her mobile device confirming same. The cooking apparatus can be configured with an LCD display for providing status of operations, various error messages etc.

[00080] FIG. 1 illustrates main components of the proposed cooking apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00081] As illustrated, cooking apparatus 1 00 can be configured as an upper part shown as TV. The upper part can be coupled to a lower part that can be an external cooking pot 102 with appropriate gaskets etc. such as gasket 1 1 8 shown. Dimensions of cooking apparatus 100 can be adjusted so that it fits over opening of cooking pot 102. In this manner, proposed cooking apparatus 100 can be fitted over any suitable external cooking pot available in the market. As can be readily appreciated, the cooking apparatus 100 itself may as well be supplied with pot 102.

[00082] In an aspect, cooking apparatus 1 00 can include a surface 101 that can hold cooking pot 102 (interchangeably termed as pot 102 herein) and provide necessary heat to cook food that is held in cooking pot 1 02. As can be readily understood, pot 102 (or cooking apparatus 100) can itself be configured with appropriate heating elements. Base 1 03 of pot 1 02 can be kept on surface 101. Pot 102 can have a handle 105. A lid 104 with handle 106 can be coupled to top opening of pot 102 and the two held locked together using locking mechanism 1 10. A pressure release outlet 1 12 can be configured in lid 104 to let off steam from pot 102 when it exceeds designed limits of pot 102, or as per cooking instructions of a dish selected to be cooked in the pot 102 by a user. As can be appreciated, most cooking requires water that generates steam to facilitate cooking under pressure.

[00083] A stirrer 107 of the cooking apparatus can be configured to stir contents in pot 102. Stirrer 107 can be operated through motor 109. Motor 109 can be switched on or off as per the cooking instructions and thereby stirrer 107 can stir contents of pot 102.

[00084] Pressure release outlet 1 12 can be held closed by valve 1 1 1 .Valve 1 1 1 can be lifted per cooking instructions so as to release steam from pot 102. In an exemplary embodiment, a motor 1 16 can be connected to a pulley 1 14 through connecting rod 1 1 5. Pulley 1 14 can be connected via string 1 13 to valve 1 1 1 . When motor 1 16 rotates in a direction, pulley 1 14 can as well rotate and thereby pull string 1 13 to lift valve 1 1 1 from opening 1 12 thereby releasing steam (and pressure) from pot 1 12, as shown at 1 19. Reversing direction of rotation of motorl 16 can position the valve 1 1 1 back on opening 1 12 thereby enabling steam and pressure to be built up again inside pot 102. Motor 1 16 can be operated as per the cooking instructions. Motor 1 16 can be mounted on lid 104 using stand/mounting 1 17.Cooking pot 102 and lid 104 can be held tight against each other using sealant /washerl 1 8. When valve 1 1 1 is removed cooking can be done at atmosphere pressure ie the lid ( 104) is acting just like open lid. [00085] Various dispensers to dispense various ingredients can as well be mounted on lid 106 and can operate according to the cooking instructions to dispense ingredients into pot 102.

[00086] All the motors mentioned in the invention are connected with the microcontroller such that their axle rotate as per instructions feed in the microcontroller or control unit . This instruction is fed by user of the personal computer or by expert chef or using machine learning resources or methods .

[00087] In an exemplary embodiment, a dispenser120 can contain an ingredient (such as a spice) and have a valve 122 operable by motor 121. Motor 121 can operate open/close valve 122 according to the cooking instructions and accordingly ingredient in dispenser120 can be dispensed in pot 102. Various dispensers can be likewise configured. Other dispensers can be in form of syringes whose pistons can be pushed by linear motors to dispense ingredients within per the cooking instructions into pot 102. All such embodiments and their variations/modifications are fully a part of the present disclosure. It can readily be appreciated that diepsenser120 directly be connected to a water inlet to dispense water in pot 102 per the cooking instructions.

[00088] Bottom of pot 102 can have water outlet 124 whose valve can be operated using motor 123. In this manner, excess water remaining in pot 102 can be drained per the cooking instructions.

[00089] In an exemplary embodiment, a temperature sensor (not shown) can be configured on top of lid 1 04. A pressure sensor inside pot 102 can be used to maintain required steam pressure in it per cooking instructions by triggering motor 1 16 as required to lift valve 1 1 1. Valve 1 1 1 can itself be a weighted valve and so lift up automatically (as in a pressure cooker ) when steam pressure in pot 102 exceeds a pre set limit, thereby providing safety to the cooking apparatus.

[00090] As can be readily understood, various valves can be solenoid operated instead of motor operated.

[00091] In an aspect, proposed cooking apparatus can have a control circuit 400 as further elaborated in FIG.4 that can operate various components as described above to prepare a dish as per dish reparation information as provided by a user, as further elaborated. [00092] FIG.2 illustrates another means of dispensing ingredients in the cooking pot of the proposed cooking apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00093] FIG.2 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the proposed apparatus. Flerein stirrer 107 can be of a different shape. Further, motor 121 can be configured with a rack and pinion arrangement. Rack 301 ( as elaborated further) can have holes in it that can be so configured that as motor 121 linearly moves the rack using pinion arrangement, initially it uncovers a hole in lid 106 to discharge any built-up steam in pot 102 and thereafter uncovers another hole in lid 104 to enable dispenser 120 dispense its ingredients in pot 102.Further holes of larger diameters can be configured for more increase flow rate of discharge of ingredient from dispenser 120 and accordingly dispenses as much quantity of ingredients (s) held in dispenser 120 as is required per the cooking instructions. The rack and pinion motor will run to dispense proportionate amount of ingredient in the pot. The decision on proportionate amount can be done by one or combination of calibration by observations, hit and trial methods, user's experience and experimentation. Also it is updated accordingly with the instructions for every different recipes as per number of serve.

[00094] In this embodiment valve 1 1 1 need not be connected to any motor and can be a weighted valve configured to release steam when pressure in pot 1 02 reaches a pre-set limit, thereby providing safety to the cooking operations.

[00095] FIG. 3 illustrates rack and pinion arrangement as is used in proposed cooking apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00096] As shown, a rack 301 with different holes shown as 303, 304, 305, 306 etc. can move linearly to and fro with help of a pinion connected to axle of a motor 121 (that can be a servo motor). The holes can align with one in the lid 104 and in container/ dispenser 120 having ingredients as required, as further elaborated.

[00097] In a first step of the motion of rack 301 , hole 303 can be aligned with hole 302 in the lid in the cooking apparatus causing steam to be released. Once all steam has come out, hole 304 can instead align hole 302 with dispenser 120 causing ingredients therein to be dropped in pot 1 02. Further holes (305, 306 etc.)can similarly be aligned fully or partially between dispenser 120 and hole 302 in lid 104 to discharge varying quantities of ingredients ( such as spices) as required in pot 102. The cooking instructions can rotate motor 121 as required.

[00098] In an alternate exemplary embodiment, dispenser 120 can be in form a pump or peristaltic pump to dispense ingredients as require in pot 102.

[00099] FIG.4 illustrates a control circuit of the proposed apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[000100] In an aspect, proposed cooking apparatus 100 can include a control circuit 400. Circuit 400 can include a microcontroller 402 that can execute machine language instructions based upon a recipe and its quantity selected by a user and provide necessary control signals for operation of various components such as ingredient dispensers, stirrer, heater and valves etc. already described accordingly, per the machine language instructions.

[000101] In another aspect, circuit 400 can include a transceiver 404 to facilitate all communications between the microcontroller 402 and an external computing device ( such as a mobile device ) using which a user can provide dish preparation information to the proposed cooking apparatus /microcontroller 402, select a recipe and its quantity to the microcontroller 402. The dish preparation information can include a recipe, its quantity and time it is needed by the user. The user can provide all this information using appropriate interfaces on the computing device /mobile device communicating with circuit 400. Transceiver 404 can enable such communications using Wi-Fi, LAN, Internet etc., thereby enabling remote operation of the proposed cooking apparatus.

[000102] In yet another aspect, circuit 400 can include various sensors 406 that can provide data for execution of the cooking instructions as well as for safe operation of the cooking apparatus. The sensors can include, for instance, temperature sensor to sense the temperature of food being cooked and switch on/off the heater accordingly, pressure sensor to measure pressure of steam generated in the pot and operate valve 1 1 1 accordingly, and weight /volume sensors operatively coupled to the ingredient dispensers (such as dispenser120) to accurately measure ingredients being dispensed in the pot 102. Further, an electronic switch ( not shown here and easily available in the market) is connected with the knob of the the heater to obtain different degrees of temperature by rotating in general (or sliding it). Electronic switch can also on/off the heater remotely. One more electronic switch is connected with the main supply of power to make the power supply on/off of the whole house. These two switches are connected with the microcontroller. In case of any fault microcontroller will switch off the heater with the help of electronic switch connected with heater and it.

[000103] Every hot body or surface must follow the the standard cooling curve as per Newton's law of cooling in thermodynamics as msdT/dt = kAe*(sigma)*( T - TO ), when the temperature difference is not too large. Here simbols have their usual meaning. With the help of microcontroller and temperature sensor If the cooking pot(102) or heater is not getting cooled as per above thermodynamic law, by mistake the heater is not switched off, the microcontroller will switch off the main supply of power of the house for safety. All these is achieved by temperature sensor and programming of microcontroller. With the help of temperature sensor and microcontroller, the temperature of cooking pot or heater is recorded with time, after the instructions to switch off the heater. Now this recorded temperature is compared with the calculated temperature as per Newton's law of cooling. In case of deviation beyond the permissible valve, the microcontroller will give instructions to switch off the main power supply.

[000104] In an exemplary embodiment, transceiver 404, connected with microcontroller, can be a Wi-Fi module ESP8266 that can enable the microcontroller 402 to receive information as required from a remote computing device.

[00010$] In an aspect, proposed cooking apparatus can be configured with at least one temperature sensor ( as one of sensors 406) that can provide necessary feedback to the microcontroller 402 to switch on or off the heater as required so as to maintain required cooking temperature in pot 102.

[000106] In another aspect, in case the temperature at any time during cooking exceeds a pre-set temperature, the temperature sensors can enable the microcontroller 402 to trigger an alarm. The alarm can be in form of an audible alert on the cooking apparatus itself, and can as well be provided as an alert notification on the website or mobile applicationconfigured to operate the proposed apparatus. [000107] In another exemplary embodiment, upon temperature exceeding as elaborated above, the microcontroller 402 can automatically stop further heating as well as further processing of the cooking instructions.

[000108] In an aspect, control circuit 400 can include a database 408. Database 408 can store information pertaining to a plurality of recipes offered by the proposed cooking apparatus. Upon selection of a recipe by a user, microcontroller 402 can retrieve from database 408 information pertaining to it and use the information to execute the machine language instructions. The machine language instructions can as well be stored in database 408, or generated by the microcontroller 402.

[000109] As can be readily understood, database 408 can as well be configured in a computing device (such as user mobile device 502 as further elaborated) in communication with proposed cooking apparatus or even a website in communication with proposed cooking apparatus. Database 408 can be added with new recipe information continuously thus allowing for proposed cooking apparatus to offer an increasing range of recipes.

[000110] FIG. 5 illustrates overall operation of the proposed cooking apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[000111] As shown a user 502 can operate a user mobile device 504 that is operatively configured to communicate with control circuit 400 of the proposed cooking apparatus 100. Mobile device 504 can have a selection interface shown as 506 using which user 502 can select a recipe and its quantity required , along with time the dish as per the recipe and its quantity is required. Thereafter, user502 can press start 510 on the user mobile device 504. Upon such an action, mobile device 504 can transmit a dish preparation information 508 to control circuit 400 configured in cooking apparatus 100.

[000112] The dish preparation information can include recipe selected by user 502, quantity of recipe selected and time at which a dish as per the recipe and its quantity is required.

[000113] Upon receipt of the dish preparation information 508, control circuit 400 can operate various parts of the cooking apparatus 100 such as any or a combination of dispensers, stirrer, heater etc. to finally have ready a dish 512 at time required by user 502. Sensors as already elaborated can provide necessary data to the control circuit 400 and ingredient dispensers can dispense various ingredients in quantity and time required in cooking pot

[000114] As can be appreciated, various dispensing mechanisms can be used in the proposed cooking apparatus. For instance, the dispensers can be arranged in a circular carousel and can dispense their ingredients as required through a hole/channel in the lid 104 into the cooking pot 102. A motor can position various dispensers as required (according to the machine language instructions provided by controller 402) over the hole and sensors in the dispensers can help dispense required quantity /volume of ingredients in the cooking pot 102. In another variant, holes through which ingredients are discharged into the cooking pot 1 02 can be configured to be opened or closed (including partially open /partially closed) using circular discs that can be rotated using electromagnets. As can be readily understood, all such embodiments and their modifications are fully a part of the present disclosure.

[000115] In another exemplary embodiment, the ingredient dispensers can be configured to hold frozen ingredients as well (such as frozen peas) wherein the corresponding dispenser can be surrounded by cooling coils configured to maintain a pre-determined temperature therein. Based upon the machine language instructions, at appropriate time the cooling coil can be switched off and instead a heating coil configured in the dispenser can be switched on so that to thaw the peas and bring them up to right temperature before dispensing them in the cooking pot.

[000116] It would be appreciated that components as elaborated above are only exemplary and any other similar component or sub-components can be included as part of the proposed cooking apparatus . The components can be merged or sub-divided as well as configured to communicate with each other/ external components (including external computing devices) using appropriate communication technologies.

[000117] Further, although the proposed cooking apparatus has been elaborated as above to include all the main components , it is completely possible that actual implementations may include only a part of the proposed components or a combination of those or a division of those into sub-units. Therefore, all possible modifications, implementations and embodiments of where and how the proposed cooking apparatus is configured are well within the scope of the present invention. [000118] In interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises” and "comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ....and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

[000119] While some embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, those are completely exemplary in nature. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as elaborated herein only and it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. All such modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents are completely within the scope of the present disclosure. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[000120] The present disclosure provides for a cooking apparatus that cooks different dishes remotely and automatically at time desired by a user.

[000121] The present disclosure provides for a cooking apparatus that ensures safety while cooking various dishes remotely from a user.