Systems and methods for an automated barbecue smoker

Abstract

Devices, systems, and computer-readable medium are provided for a barbecue smoker device. A barbecue smoker device is provided, that includes a multi-wall container, a food platform, a heat source, an air vent at the top of the barbecue smoker device, an air flow control mechanism at the lower portion of the barbecue smoker device, and a plurality of sensors coupled to the barbecue smoker device. The barbeque smoker device may include a control device for automated control of the air flow control mechanism. A system for remotely controlling a barbecue smoker device is provided, where the system includes a barbecue smoker device including a processor and a display unit, a mobile device in wireless communication with the barbecue smoker device, and the mobile device displaying a graphical user interface that is configured to receive input from a user causing a configuration change in the barbecue smoker device.

1 . An adjustable barbecue smoker device for cooking food, the barbecue smoker device comprising:
 a container body having an upper portion and a lower portion;   a food platform;   a heat source;   an upper vent disposed at the upper portion of the container body;   at least one lower vent disposed at the lower portion of the container body;   an air flow control mechanism disposed at the lower portion of the container body;   at least one sensor; and   a control device configured to collect data from the at least one sensor and to adjust airflow using the air flow control mechanism based on the data collected.   
     
     
         2 . The barbecue smoker device of  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the lower portion of the container body has a substantially hyperboloid shape. 
     
     
         3 . The barbecue smoker device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan associated with the at least one lower vent configured to draw air into the container body, wherein a plane of rotation of blades of the fan is substantially perpendicular to a wall of the container body where the at least one lower vent is disposed. 
     
     
         4 . The barbecue smoker device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan associated with the at least one lower vent configured to draw air into the container body, the fan oriented to direct airflow vertically downward. 
     
     
         5 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable barbecue smoker device of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the container body comprises an exterior wall spaced apart from an interior wall by an insulating layer. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable barbecue smoker device of  claim 13 , wherein the insulating layer comprises an air gap. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable barbecue smoker device of  claim 13 , wherein the insulating layer comprises a ceramic. 
     
     
         16 . The barbecue smoker device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device is programmed to determine desired smoking conditions based on user input regarding food to be cooked. 
     
     
         17 . A barbecue smoker device for cooking food, the barbecue smoker device comprising:
 a container body having an upper portion and a lower portion, at least part of the lower portion of the container body having a substantially hyperboloid shape;   a food platform;   a heat source;   an upper vent disposed at the upper portion of the container body; and   at least one lower vent disposed at the lower portion of the container body.   
     
     
         18 . The adjustable barbecue smoker device, wherein the lower portion of the container body comprises an exterior wall spaced apart from an interior wall by an insulating layer. 
     
     
         19 . A system for remotely controlling a barbecue smoker device, the system comprising:
 a barbecue smoker device according to  claim 1  coupled to a processor and a display unit; and   a mobile device in wireless communication with the barbecue smoker device, the mobile device configured to display a graphical user interface;   wherein the graphical user interface is configured to receive input from a user, the input causing a configuration change in the barbecue smoker device.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the barbecue smoker device is configured to communicate data from the one or more sensors to the mobile device. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the input relates to a change in cook time. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the input causes a change in the operational status of the air flow control mechanism. 
     
     
         23 . A non-transitory machine readable storage medium storing at least one program that, when executed by at least one processor of a mobile device, causes the at least one processor to perform a method for remotely controlling a barbecue smoker device comprising:
 receiving information related to a food item via a graphical user interface displayed on the mobile device;   determining an desired cooking condition for the food item based on the information;   displaying the desired cooking condition on the graphical user interface; and   receiving an input from a user causing a configuration change in a barbecue smoker device according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         24 . The non-transitory machine readable storage medium of  claim 23 , wherein the information related to the food item includes a type of the food item, a weight of the food item, and a shape of the food item. 
     
     
         25 . The non-transitory machine readable storage medium of  claim 23 , wherein the optimal cooking condition for the food item is determined using an algorithm. 
     
     
         26 . The non-transitory machine readable storage medium of  claim 23 , wherein the input relates to a change in cook time.