INTERNET OF THINGS-BASED UTENSIL WITH AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Abstract

The present invention discloses an Internet of Things (IoT)-based utensil with automatic temperature control, designed to regulate the internal temperature of food or beverages. The system comprises a temperature sensor, microcontroller unit (MCU), heating/cooling element, wireless communication module, and power management system. The temperature sensor continuously monitors the internal temperature, while the MCU processes this data and adjusts the heating or cooling element to maintain the desired temperature. The wireless module allows remote control and monitoring via a mobile app or smart device. Adaptive control algorithms enable the utensil to learn user preferences and optimize temperature regulation over time, improving energy efficiency. The invention also integrates machine learning for predictive adjustments based on past usage data. The system provides real-time notifications, manual override options, and predictive analytics, enhancing convenience and accuracy compared to traditional temperature-controlled utensils.

Specification

Description:[014] 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.
[015] 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.
[016] 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 to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[017] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
[018] The word "exemplary" and/or "demonstrative" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" and/or "demonstrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes," "has," "contains," and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as an open transition word without precluding any additional or other elements.
[019] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "an instance" or "one instance" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[020] In an embodiment of the invention and referring to Figures 1, the present invention relates to an Internet of Things (IoT)-based utensil with automatic temperature control, wherein temperature regulation within the utensil is achieved through advanced software algorithms and integrated hardware components. This invention provides a solution for automatic, precise, and adaptive temperature control for food and beverage items, offering a higher level of usability, energy efficiency, and user convenience compared to traditional temperature-controlled utensils. The system utilizes sensors, heating/cooling elements, and communication interfaces to monitor and adjust the temperature based on real-time data, while the software platform provides a seamless interface for users to interact with the system and control the temperature remotely.
[021] The primary hardware components of the IoT-based utensil include a temperature sensor, heating/cooling element, a microcontroller unit (MCU), wireless communication module, power management system, and a user interface (UI). Each of these components works together to regulate the temperature inside the utensil in a way that is transparent and automated for the user. The temperature sensor continuously monitors the internal temperature of the utensil and sends the data to the MCU. The MCU processes this information, compares it to pre-set or user-defined thresholds, and sends instructions to the heating or cooling element to either increase or decrease the temperature.
[022] The heating/cooling element is responsible for adjusting the temperature inside the utensil. In the case of a heated utensil, the element could be a resistive heating pad or a thermoelectric cooling module, depending on the specific application. The element is connected to the MCU through an output interface, such as a relay or power transistor, which controls the power supplied to the element based on the MCU's processing. The communication between the MCU and the heating/cooling element ensures that the temperature remains within a user-set range, either cooling or heating as needed.
[023] A key feature of the present invention is the IoT connectivity through the wireless communication module, which allows the utensil to connect to external devices like smartphones, tablets, or smart home systems. The communication module supports standards like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee, depending on the intended use case. This enables the user to monitor and control the temperature of the utensil remotely, providing them with greater flexibility and convenience. Additionally, the communication module can send real-time data to cloud-based servers for data analytics, which may be used to optimize temperature control over time and offer predictive features, such as forecasting when the temperature may need adjustment based on usage patterns.
[024] The MCU is programmed with software that processes sensor data, controls the heating/cooling elements, and interfaces with the wireless communication module. The software includes adaptive control algorithms that automatically adjust the temperature based on both user preferences and external conditions. The algorithms allow the utensil to learn over time, optimizing its performance based on past usage data. This predictive capability improves the efficiency of the system, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and maintaining a consistent temperature profile.
[025] In operation, the system works as follows: the user interacts with the utensil through a mobile application or a connected device, setting the desired temperature range for the contents. The temperature sensor continuously monitors the internal temperature, and if the temperature deviates from the set point, the MCU processes this information and activates the heating or cooling element as required. The communication module allows the user to receive real-time notifications regarding the temperature status, including alerts when the set temperature is reached or if the utensil is in danger of overheating or overcooling.
[026] One of the novel aspects of the invention is the integration of energy-efficient components such as the adaptive power management system. The power management system adjusts the power supplied to the heating or cooling elements based on the real-time temperature data, optimizing energy consumption and preventing wastage. For example, if the temperature reaches a predefined threshold, the power management system reduces the power output, thereby preventing excessive heating or cooling, which would otherwise lead to inefficiency.
[027] The user interface (UI) in the mobile application or smart device allows for intuitive control of the utensil's temperature. The UI provides the user with real-time temperature data, historical usage logs, and recommendations based on the data gathered over time. It also allows users to manually override automated temperature adjustments, if desired, providing full control over the operation of the utensil.
[028] In addition to the standard temperature control functions, the invention includes a learning capability. The utensil is equipped with machine learning algorithms that process user behavior and adjust its operation accordingly. For example, if the user frequently sets the utensil to a specific temperature range, the system can automatically adjust to that preference without requiring the user to manually input the temperature each time. This learning capability ensures a personalized experience for each user, improving convenience.
[029] To validate the invention's efficacy and performance, a series of experiments were conducted comparing the energy consumption and temperature accuracy of the IoT-based utensil against traditional manual temperature-controlled utensils. The results, summarized in the table below, highlight the improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and user convenience.

[030] From the table above, it is clear that the IoT-based utensil with automatic temperature control offers significant improvements over traditional models. Not only does it reduce energy consumption by optimizing power usage, but it also offers much greater temperature accuracy and remote control capabilities. Furthermore, the learning algorithm enhances the overall user experience by adapting to the user's preferences over time.
[031] The integration of IoT technology ensures that the user remains in control of the utensil at all times, even when they are not physically present. The ability to remotely adjust the temperature provides flexibility and peace of mind, especially when dealing with sensitive items like baby bottles or hot beverages. The cloud-based data analytics can provide users with insights into their usage patterns, allowing them to make informed decisions about their utensil use and improving overall user satisfaction.
[032] In conclusion, the present invention represents a significant advancement in temperature-controlled utensils. By incorporating IoT functionality, adaptive temperature control, energy-efficient power management, and remote monitoring and control, this invention not only improves the performance of traditional temperature-controlled utensils but also enhances the user experience. The integration of machine learning algorithms for adaptive learning further optimizes the operation of the utensil, ensuring precise and reliable temperature management over time. The inventive aspects of this IoT-based utensil with automatic temperature control overcome the shortcomings of prior art, offering greater efficiency, flexibility, and user control, thereby setting a new standard in the field of temperature management in kitchen utensils. , Claims:1. An Internet of Things (IoT)-based utensil with automatic temperature control, comprising:
a) a temperature sensor configured to continuously monitor the internal temperature of the utensil;
b) a microcontroller unit (MCU) operatively connected to the temperature sensor, configured to process temperature data and compare it with predefined or user-defined thresholds;
c) a heating or cooling element operatively connected to the MCU, capable of adjusting the temperature within the utensil based on the MCU's instructions;
d) a wireless communication module configured to enable remote communication between the utensil and an external device, allowing for temperature monitoring and control via a user interface (UI);
e) a power management system for optimizing energy consumption by adjusting power supply to the heating or cooling element based on real-time temperature data;
f) adaptive control software embedded in the MCU, configured to automatically adjust the temperature based on user preferences, external conditions, or historical data.
2. The IoT-based utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee protocols, enabling remote control via a smartphone, tablet, or smart home system.
3. The IoT-based utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating or cooling element is a resistive heating pad or thermoelectric cooling module, depending on the specific temperature control application within the utensil.
4. The IoT-based utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the MCU is further programmed with machine learning algorithms to adapt the temperature control based on usage patterns and user behavior, automatically adjusting the temperature settings over time.
5. The IoT-based utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface (UI) provides real-time temperature data, usage logs, recommendations based on past data, and manual override controls for user-defined temperature adjustments.
6. The IoT-based utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power management system includes adaptive control mechanisms that reduce or increase power output to the heating or cooling element based on the deviation of internal temperature from the set threshold.
7. The IoT-based utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adaptive control software is configured to send notifications or alerts to the user's external device when the temperature reaches a preset threshold or when the utensil is at risk of overheating or overcooling.
8. The IoT-based utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor, thermocouple, or infrared sensor, providing high accuracy and fast response times in monitoring the temperature of the contents within the utensil.
9. The IoT-based utensil as claimed in claim 4, wherein the machine learning algorithms enable the system to automatically adjust the temperature to frequently used values, reducing the need for manual input from the user over time.
10. The IoT-based utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module is further configured to communicate with cloud-based servers for storing historical temperature data and usage patterns to provide predictive analytics and optimized temperature adjustments based on the accumulated data.

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