TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001 ] Embodiments are generally related to the field of home appliances and apparatus. Embodiments are also related to smart home appliances. Embodiments are further related to smart and intelligent flame control and temperature control systems for cooking stoves. Embodiments are particularly related to a smart cooking stove with an embedded intelligent flame control and temperature control unit for automating the fuel/gas flow in the cooking stove.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A cooking stove also known as, cooker/stove/gas stove typically uses natural gas, propane, butane, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or any other flammable gas as a fuel source. In particular, cooking stoves have redefined the cooking style and conventional kitchen setup in most of the developing nations including India and urbanized groups across the world. Cooking stoves play a huge role in the urban dwellers typically residing in apartments or limited space dwelling. It is therefore, cooking stoves have become most popular cooking appliance used by ordinary families, and it brings a greater convenience for housewives in cooking. Conventional cooking stoves include a core body typically made of stainless steel into grooves (in this context the grove can be a circular hole) typically ranging from single groove to four grooves are provided into which a burner assembly can be setup.

[0003] It is however, with the modernization and global interest in bringing smart and intelligent features to their kitchen world. The conventional cooking stoves are unable to match the requirements of smart and intelligent aficionados which limit the scope of the cooking stove in modern kitchens. Furthermore, the conventional cooking stoves are unable to provide a considerable level of basic necessities such as efficiency and embedded intelligence. The conventional cooking stove also do not have built-in safety measures, such as gas leak detection and gas level indication, etc.

[0004] Based on the foregoing a need therefore exists for an improved smart cooking device. A need also exits for an improved a smart cooking stove with an embedded intelligent flame control and temperature control unit for automating the fuel/gas flow in the cooking stove, as described in greater detail herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiment and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. [0006] One aspect of the disclosed embodiments is to provide an improved smart cooking stove.

[0007] Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is to provide smart and intelligent flame control and temperature control systems for cooking stoves.

[0008] Further aspect of the disclosed embodiments is to provide an improved smart cooking stove with an embedded intelligent flame control and temperature control unit for automating the fuel/gas flow in the cooking stove.

[0009] The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. A smart cooking stove with an embedded intelligent flame control and temperature control unit for automating the fuel/gas flow in the cooking stove, is disclosed herein. The smart cooking stove comprises a smart cooking stove frame that is operatively configured with at least one burner unit. The smart cooking stove frame further comprises a microphone module for sensing a plurality of sound signals such as for example, but not limited to, a whistle of a cooker. At least one IR temperature contactless sensor for sensing and measuring the temperature of the burner unit. A Gas leak sensor for detecting the leakage of the fuel/gas in the cooking stove. A voice recognition module for receiving and processing a plurality of voice signal commands at the smart cooking stove. At least one vessel detection module to detect the presence of a vessel on the burner unit of the cooking stove. [0010] The smart cooking stove frame unit comprises a smart/water proof touch display unit for enabling the user to feed/control the smart components of the cooking stove. A control module configured with the touch display unit for receiving and processing the inputs with respect to the smart cooking stove. A battery unit for providing the required voltage for the smart components of the smart cooking stove. A remote access module for receiving and processing the remote feeds/inputs from at least one remote device such as, a remote controller, mobile phone or any other smart device. The smart cooking stove proposed herein can be an intelligent gas stove that is automated through means of embedded technology to provide ease in functioning and improved security measures such as automatic gas leak alert, automatic gas level indicator and temperature-controlled cooking modes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011 ] The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally- similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates top view of the smart cooking stove 100 with an embedded intelligent flame control and temperature control unit for automating the fuel/gas flow in the cooking stove, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; and [0013] FIG. 2 illustrates bottom view of the smart cooking stove with an embedded intelligent flame control and temperature control unit for automating the fuel/gas flow in the cooking stove, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The particular values and configurations discussed in these non -limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

[0015] The embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. The embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0016] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0017] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates top view of the smart cooking stove 100 with an embedded intelligent flame control and temperature control unit for automating the fuel/gas flow in the cooking stove, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The smart cooking stove 100 comprises a smart cooking stove frame 110 that is operatively configured with at least one burner unit 3&5. The smart cooking stove frame 110 further comprises a microphone module 1 for sensing a plurality of sound signals such as for example, but not limited to, a whistle of a cooker. At least one IR temperature contactless sensor 2&6 for sensing and measuring the temperature of the burner unit. A Gas leak sensor 21 for detecting the leakage of the fuel/gas in the cooking stove 100. A voice recognition module 9 for receiving and processing a plurality of voice signal commands at the smart cooking stove 100. At least one vessel detection module 10 to detect the presence of a vessel on the burner unit 3&5 of the cooking stove 100.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates bottom view of the smart cooking stove 200 with an embedded intelligent flame control and temperature control unit for automating the fuel/gas flow in the cooking stove, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The smart cooking stove frame unit 110 comprises a smart/water proof touch display unit 4 for enabling the user to feed/control the smart components of the cooking stove 100. A control module 25 configured with the touch display unit for receiving and processing the inputs with respect to the smart cooking stove. A battery unit 27 that is charged using a thermal charging module 28 for providing the required voltage for the smart components of the smart cooking stove 100. A remote access module 29 for receiving and processing the remote feeds/inputs from at least one remote device such as, a remote controller, mobile phone or any other smart device. The smart cooking stove 100 proposed herein can be an intelligent gas stove that is automated through means of embedded technology to provide ease in functioning and improved security measures such as automatic gas leak alert, automatic gas level indicator and temperature-controlled cooking modes. The smart cooking stove comprises at least one gas valve 25 and gas flow control module connected to a gas pipe 23 having gas inlet 22. The stove 100 also includes a gas leak sensing module 21 for detection of leakage of gas in the stove 100.

[0020] The smart gas stove 100 deals with applying the latest advancements in embedded systems and mechanical systems to create an intelligent and automated gas stove. The invention in general has a smart touchscreen module 9 integrated onto the cooktop glass panel to allow user input. The input can be variable cooking modes according to the menu which is inbuilt onto the system and can accommodate various types of dishes. The time required for the particular dish can be input easily.

[0021 ] The user input drives the major working processes of the system. The invention is, by all means, an intelligent cooking system that requires human input only to initiate the cooking process. The system continues the rest of the cooking process in an intelligent manner. The user interacts with the intelligent stove system through the GUI which is displayed on the touchscreen module. Initially, the user is shown a menu to select the burner in which he/she wishes to initiate the cooking process, along with options to control screen brightness and to activate Child - Lock mode. When the user selects a burner from the menu, he/she is presented with a list of cooking modes, which are designed to suit different dishes and cooking styles. The major cooking modes implemented into the invention include, Warm Mode, Slow cooking/simmering mode, Egg boil mode, Saute mode, Deep fry mode, Popcorn mode, Pasta mode, Pan-fry mode, Deep fry mode, Roast mode, Toast mode, Vegetable cook mode, Rice cook mode, Tea / coffee mode, Milk boil mode, Pressure cooker mode, Roti mode, Deep fry mode. New cooking modes can be added accordingly for various other dishes.

[0022] The working principles of each and every cooking modes can be explained by visualizing the workflow in a specific cooking mode. When the user interacts with the GUI, on selecting a mode, the command flow passes to the control module, which in turn activates the gas flow and ignition module. The control module then acquires data from temperature module for a selected period of time specified by the user and generated by an in-build timing module in the control unit. From the acquired temperature values, the gas flow module alternates between different values to control flame intensity and maintain precision in cooking temperature and to control wastage of cooking gas.

[0023] The security aspect of the system is a continuously monitoring gas leak detection module that passes data to control module to alert the user when gas leakage occur. Each cooking mode is again equipped with an emergency off button to turn off gas flow in case of emergency during commencement of a cooking mode.

[0024] It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the field.