Controlling heat capability of appliance according to user proximity and notifying remote users via internet for increased safety

Abstract

A stove controller starts an unattended timer when a cooking process is started. The controller monitors whether motion is detected in the kitchen prior to the unattended timer expiring and resets the unattended timer each time motion is detected. If the unattended timer expires without any motion being detected, the controller disables the heating elements of the stove and starts a return timer. The controller monitors whether motion is detected in the kitchen prior to the return timer expiring. When motion is detected, the controller automatically re-enables the heating elements of the stove so that cooking can continue. If motion is not detected and the return timer expires, the controller locks the stove until a reset procedure is performed. Alerts of the stove activity are sent to external devices over the Internet, and the reset procedure may be performed on the controller or on one of the external devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for notifying remote users of lack of user presence around an appliance that is generating heat, the system comprising:
 a switch selectively limiting flow of a power source to the appliance according to a control signal; 
 a controller coupled to the switch and generating the control signal; 
 a sensor coupled to the controller and detecting presence of a user in a proximity of the appliance; and 
 a network interface of the controller coupled to a computer network; 
 wherein the controller starts an unattended timer after heat generation is started by the appliance; 
 the controller restarts the unattended timer each time the sensor detects the user is within the proximity of the appliance while heat generation by the appliance is enabled; 
 in response to the unattended timer reaching a predetermined expiry duration while heat generation by the appliance is enabled, the controller controls the control signal to disable heat generation by the appliance and sends one or more alert notifications via the computer network; 
 wherein the controller starts a return timer after heat generation is disabled by the appliance; 
 in response to the sensor detecting the user is within the proximity of the appliance prior to return timer reaching a predetermined expiry duration, the controller controls the control signal to re-enable heat generation by the appliance and send one or more alert notifications via the computer network; and 
 in response to the sensor not detecting the user is within the proximity of the appliance prior to return timer reaching a predetermined expiry duration, controls the control signal to reenable heat generation by the appliance only in response to receiving a reset signal via the computer network. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined expiry duration is dynamically changeable according to one or more configuration messages received by the controller via the computer network. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a server coupled to the controller via the computer network; 
 wherein the controller sends the one or more alert notifications to the server; and 
 in response to receiving the one or more alert notifications from the controller, the server determines a user device associated with the controller and sends one or more alert messages to the user device. 
 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 in response to the server receiving the one or more alert notifications from the controller, the server selects the user device from a plurality of user devices associated with the controller according to a current date/time when the alert notification is received; and 
 the user device selected is a particular one of the user devices designated to receive alerts associated with the controller during a date/time range that includes the current data/time when the alert notification is received. 
 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the power switch includes a flow sensor that generates a start signal in response to the flow sensor detecting heat generation started by the appliance; and 
 the controller starts the unattended timer in response to receiving the start signal from the flow sensor. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor IS a wireless receiver detecting a wireless signal transmitted by a user device within the proximity of the appliance. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clock chip coupled to the controller; 
 wherein the controller further controls the switch to only allow heat generation by the appliance during one or more predetermined date/time ranges; and 
 the one or more predetermined date/time ranges are set according to one or more messages received via the computer network. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 in response to an event occurrence, the controller controls the control signal to disable heat generation by the appliance; 
 the controller sends one or more event notifications corresponding to the event occurrence via the computer network; and 
 after disabling heat generation in response to the event occurrence, the controller only controls the control signal to reenable heat generation by the appliance in response to receiving a reset signal via the computer network. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a reminder device coupled to the controller but located outside the proximity of the appliance detected by the sensor; 
 wherein, upon the unattended timer being within an about-to-expire threshold of the predetermined expiry duration, the controller controls the reminder device to remind the user to return to the proximity of the appliance. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the reminder device includes at least one of a speaker and a light utilized to remind the user to return to the proximity of the appliance. 
     
     
       11. A method of notifying remote users of lack of user presence around an appliance that is generating heat, the method comprising:
 selectively limiting flow of a power source to the appliance according to a control signal; 
 starting an unattended timer after heat generation is started by the appliance; 
 detecting presence of a user in a proximity of the appliance; 
 restarting the unattended timer each time the user is detected within the proximity of the appliance while heat generation by the appliance is enabled; 
 in response to the unattended timer reaching a predetermined expiry duration while heat generation by the appliance is enabled, controlling the control signal to disable heat generation by the appliance and sending one or more alert notifications via a computer network; 
 starting a return timer after heat generation is disabled by the appliance; 
 in response to detecting the user is within the proximity of the appliance prior to return timer reaching a predetermined expiry duration, controlling the control signal to re-enable heat generation by the appliance and send one or more alert notifications via the computer network; and 
 in response to not detecting the user is within the proximity of the appliance prior to return timer reaching a predetermined expiry duration, controlling the control signal to reenable heat generation by the appliance only in response to receiving a reset signal via the computer network. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , dynamically changing the predetermined expiry duration according to one or more configuration messages received via the computer network. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 sending the one or more alert notifications to a server via the computer network; and 
 in response to receiving the one or more alert notifications, determining by the server a user device associated with the appliance and sending one or more alert messages to the user device. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 in response to the server receiving the one or more alert notifications, selecting by the server the user device from a plurality of user devices associated with the appliance according to a current date/time when the alert notification is received; 
 wherein the user device selected is a particular one of the user devices designated to receive alerts associated with the appliance during a date/time range that includes the current data/time when he alert notification is received. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 generating a start signal in response to a flow sensor detecting heat generation started by the appliance; and 
 starting the unattended timer in response to receiving the start signal from the flow sensor. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , wherein detecting presence of the user in the proximity of the appliance is performed by a wireless receiver detecting a wireless signal transmitted by a user device within the proximity of the appliance. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising only allowing heat generation by the appliance during one or more predetermined date/time ranges. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 in response to an event occurrence, controlling the control signal to disable heat generation by the appliance; 
 sending one or more event notifications corresponding to the event occurrence via the computer network; and 
 after disabling heat generation in response to the event occurrence, only controlling the control signal to reenable heat generation by the appliance in response to receiving a reset signal via the computer network. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 providing a reminder device located outside the proximity of the appliance; and 
 upon the unattended timer being within an about-to-expire threshold of the predetermined expiry duration, controlling the reminder device to remind the user to return to the proximity of the appliance. 
 
     
     
       20. A controller for notifying remote users of lack of user presence around an appliance that is generating heat, the controller comprising one or more processors executing software instructions thereby causing the processors to performs steps of:
 starting an unattended timer after heat generation is started by the appliance; 
 detecting presence of a user in a proximity of the appliance; 
 restarting the unattended timer each time the user is detected within the proximity of the appliance while heat generation by the appliance is enabled; 
 in response to the unattended timer reaching a predetermined expiry duration while heat generation by the appliance is enabled, generating a control signal to disable heat generation by the appliance and sending one or more alert notifications via a computer network; 
 starting a return timer after heat generation is disabled by the appliance; 
 in response to detecting the user is within the proximity of the appliance prior to return timer reaching a predetermined expiry duration, controlling the control signal to re-enable heat generation by the appliance and send one or more alert notifications via the computer network; and 
 in response to not detecting the user is within the proximity of the appliance prior to return timer reaching a predetermined expiry duration, controlling the control signal to reenable heat generation by the appliance only in response to receiving a reset signal via the computer network. 
 
     
     
       21. A method for managing presence information comprising:
 characterizing presence information corresponding to motion detection in proximity of a heat generating appliance based on inputs from a plurality of sensing devices;   processing at least a portion of the characterized presence information according to a plurality of timing criteria, wherein individual timing criteria defines a threshold related to evaluating the characterized presence information corresponding to motion detection based on an elapsed time;   managing operational parameters of one or more resources required to operate the heat generating appliance based on the processed at least a portion of the characterized presence information and the plurality of timing criteria, wherein the managed operational parameters include:
 at least one operational parameter causing a cessation of heat from the heat generating appliance based on the characterized presence information and at least one timing criterion from the plurality of timing criteria; and 
 at least one operational parameters causing a re-enabling of generation of heat from the heat generating appliance based on the characterized presence information and at least one timing criterion from the plurality of timing criteria; and 
   transmitting a combination of the operational parameters and at least one of the characterized presence information and the processed timing criteria via a communication network.   
     
     
       22. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein managing operational parameters of one or more resources required to operate the heat generating appliance incudes at least one initiating a lockout of the heat generating appliance, removing a lockout of the heat generating appliance, disabling a power source associated with the heat generating appliance, partially disabling a power source associated with the heat generating appliance, and disabling a gas source associated with the heat generating appliance. 
     
     
       23. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein managing operational parameters of one or more resources required to operate the heat generating appliance includes partially disabling a power source associated with the heat generating appliance. 
     
     
       24. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein transmitting the at least one of the operational parameters, the characterized presence information, and the processed timing criteria via a communication network includes transmitting log file information. 
     
     
       25. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein characterizing presence information in proximity of a heat generating appliance based on inputs from the plurality of sensing devices includes characterizing presence information in proximity of a plurality of heat generating appliances, the plurality of devices within a defined area. 
     
     
       26. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the plurality of sensing devices includes at least one primary sensing device and at least one secondary sensing device. 
     
     
       27. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein timing criteria corresponding to a threshold to receive the characterized presence information includes a threshold time for detecting presence information after a first trigger event. 
     
     
       28. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein timing criteria corresponding to a threshold to receive the characterized presence information includes a threshold time for failing to detect presence information after a second trigger event. 
     
     
       29. The method as recited in claim 21 further comprising transmitting user provided communications via the communication network. 
     
     
       30. The method as recited in claim 21 further comprising obtaining at least one of a modification of timing criteria or new timing criteria via the communication network. 
     
     
       31. A system for managing operation of a heat generating appliance comprising:
 a controller coupled to a resource control switch, the resource control switch generating one or more control signals to manage operation of at least one heat generating appliance, wherein the controller includes at least one processor and a memory and is configured to execute computer-executable instructions that cause the controller to:
 receive inputs from a plurality of sensing devices corresponding to motion detection; 
 process at least a portion of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices according to a plurality of timing criteria, wherein individual timing criteria is used to evaluate the motion detection based on an elapsed time proximate to the heat generating appliance; 
 generate control signals to cause modification of operational parameters of one or more resources required to operate the heat generating appliance based on the processed at least a portion of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices according to a plurality of timing criteria, wherein the modification of the operational parameters include modifying:
 at least one operational parameter causing a cessation of heat from the heat generating appliance based on the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices and at least one timing criterion from the plurality of timing criteria; and 
 at least one operational parameters causing a re-enabling of generation of heat from the heat generating appliance based on the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices and at least one timing criterion from the plurality of timing criteria; and 
 
 transmit a combination of the operational parameters, a subset of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices, and the processed timing criteria via a computer network. 
   
     
     
       32. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein individual timing criteria corresponds to a threshold based on characterized sensor information derived from the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices. 
     
     
       33. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the controller is further operable to generate log information associated with the processing of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices according to the plurality of timing criteria. 
     
     
       34. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein controller is further operable to generate at least one interface for obtaining user input. 
     
     
       35. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the controller is integrated into the heat generating appliance. 
     
     
       36. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the controller is separate from the at least one heat generating appliance. 
     
     
       37. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein at least one sensing devices is configured to provide an alarm and wherein the controller is further operable to process an alarm. 
     
     
       38. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the resource control switch generates one or more control signals to manage operation of a plurality of heat generating appliances, and wherein the controller is operable to generate control signals to cause modification of operational parameters of one or more resources required to operate the plurality of heat generating appliances based on the processed at least a portion of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices according to a plurality of timing criteria. 
     
     
       39. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the at least one of the operational parameters, a subset of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices, and the processed timing criteria to a network resource via a communication network. 
     
     
       40. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the at least one of the operational parameters, a subset of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices, and the processed timing criteria to a user designated device via a communication network. 
     
     
       41. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the controller is configured to receive a command from a communication network and generate control signals to cause the modification of operational parameters of one or more resources required to operate the heat generating appliance based on the received command. 
     
     
       42. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the controller is further configured to identify at least one override event, and wherein processing at least a portion of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices according to a plurality of timing criteria includes processing the at least a portion of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices according to the plurality of timing criteria and the override event. 
     
     
       43. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein at least some portion of the timing criteria corresponds to at least one a time of day, an identified individual associated with the heat generating appliance or presence information associated with a plurality of individuals. 
     
     
       44. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein at least one of the sensing devices corresponds to a power monitoring device, and wherein processing at least a portion of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices according to the plurality of timing criteria includes determining that the heat generating appliance has been activated for use based on power consumption. 
     
     
       45. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein at least one of the sensing devices corresponds to least one of a wireless device, motion sensor, physical control, pressure sensor, temperature sensor, wireless detector, or resource meter. 
     
     
       46. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein generating control signals to cause the modification of operational parameters of one or more resources required to operate the heat generating appliance includes locking out the heat generating appliance responsive to determining of a tampering. 
     
     
       47. A method for managing information generated by a plurality of sensing devices associated with one or more heat generating appliances comprising:
 obtaining, by a network-based resource, information from a controller associated with at least one heat generating appliance, the information including a combination of operational parameters, characterized presence information corresponding to motion detection in proximity of the one or more heat generating appliances based on inputs from a plurality of sensing devices, and processed timing criteria via a computer network, wherein individual timing criteria corresponds to a threshold for the controller to evaluate the information from the plurality of sensing devices based on an elapsed time;   processing the obtained information according to one or more rules associated with the controller; and   responsive to the processing of the received information according to one or more rules associated with the controller, transmitting at least one of a notification or a command to modify at least one of the combination of operational parameters of a designated heat generating appliance, wherein the one or more rules correspond to at least one of rule for modifying an operational parameter to cause re-enablement of heat from the one or more heat generating appliances based on the characterized presence information corresponding to the motion detection in proximity of the one or more heat generating appliances.   
     
     
       48. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein transmitting the at least one of the notification or the command to modify an operational parameter of a designated heat generating appliance includes transmitting a command to at least one of a lockout of the designated heat generating appliance or a reduced operational status of the designated heat generating appliance. 
     
     
       49. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein transmitting the at least one of the notification or the command to modify an operational parameter of a designated heat generating appliance includes transmitting an alert notification based on designated alert notification criteria specified in the one or more rules. 
     
     
       50. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein obtaining, by the network-based resource, information from a controller associated with at least one heat generating appliance includes obtaining information from one or more controllers associated with a plurality of heat generating appliances. 
     
     
       51. The method as recited in claim 50, wherein individual of the one or more controllers associated with the plurality of heat generating appliances corresponds to an identified premises, and wherein two or more controllers correspond to different premises. 
     
     
       52. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein the plurality of sensing devices includes at least one primary sensing device and at least one secondary sensing device. 
     
     
       53. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein transmitting the at least one of a notification or a command to modify an operational parameter of the designated heat generating appliance includes transmitting an alert notification based on designated alert notification criteria specified in the one or more rules includes transmitting a request to a designated to authorize an operational parameter associated with the at least one designated heat generating appliance. 
     
     
       54. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein transmitting the at least one of a notification or a command to modify an operational parameter of the designated heat generating appliance includes transmitting an alert notification based on designated alert notification criteria specified in the one or more rules includes transmitting a command to generate at least one output by the controller. 
     
     
       55. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein processing the received information according to one or more rules associated with the controller includes processing the received information according to a plurality of rules, wherein at least a first portion of rules corresponds to a first user and a second portion of rules corresponds to a second user. 
     
     
       56. The method as recited in claim 55, wherein the second portion of rules correspond to an administrator of a multi-premises facility associated with a plurality of controllers. 
     
     
       57. The method as recited in claim 55, wherein the second portion of rules correspond to an identified individual. 
     
     
       58. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein transmitting the combination of the operational parameters and at least one of the characterized presence information and the processed timing criteria includes transmitting the combination of the operational parameters and at least one of the characterized presence information and the processed timing criteria to a remote user device via a communication network, wherein the remote user device is a mobile phone, and wherein the mobile phone is configured to control at least one of the operational parameters. 
     
     
       59. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein transmitting the combination of the operational parameters, the subset of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices, and the processed timing criteria includes transmitting the combination of the operational parameters, the subset of the received inputs from the plurality of sensing devices, and the processed timing criteria to a remote user device via a communication network, wherein the remote user device is a mobile phone, and wherein the mobile phone is configured to control at least one of the operational parameters. 
     
     
       60. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein transmitting at least one of the notification or the command to modify at least one of the combination of operational parameters of the designated heat generating appliance includes transmitting at least one of the notification or the command to modify at least one of the combination of operational parameters of the designated heat generating appliance to a remote user device via a communication network, wherein the remote user device is a mobile phone, and wherein the mobile phone is configured to control at least one of the operational parameters.