Patents by Inventor Michael Virgil Colston
Michael Virgil Colston has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11819157Abstract: Embodiments are directed to smoking food in an outdoor grill using a customized smoking routine. In one scenario, an electronic controller of an outdoor grill receives an input to initiate smoke generation according to a specified smoke generation pattern, including: adding a specified amount of combustible pellets to a combustion area within the outdoor grill, such that the combustible pellets begin to burn, measuring a current internal temperature of the outdoor grill and, if below a threshold value, adding a specified amount of additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to another threshold value, allowing the internal temperature to cool a temperature below the first threshold value and, upon determining that the temperature of the outdoor grill has cooled below the first specified threshold value, adding additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to at least the second threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: 11825010Abstract: Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: 11785130Abstract: Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: 11765261Abstract: Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC.Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Publication number: 20220257051Abstract: Embodiments are directed to smoking food in an outdoor grill using a customized smoking routine. In one scenario, an electronic controller of an outdoor grill receives an input to initiate smoke generation according to a specified smoke generation pattern, including: adding a specified amount of combustible pellets to a combustion area within the outdoor grill, such that the combustible pellets begin to burn, measuring a current internal temperature of the outdoor grill and, if below a threshold value, adding a specified amount of additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to another threshold value, allowing the internal temperature to cool a temperature below the first threshold value and, upon determining that the temperature of the outdoor grill has cooled below the first specified threshold value, adding additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to at least the second threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Publication number: 20220232117Abstract: Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Publication number: 20220232116Abstract: Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: 10975902Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for assembling a device while maintaining the aesthetic appearance and structural integrity of a visible surface of the device. In one or more implementations of the invention, a system includes a first assembly piece with an assembly region that comprises an opening defined by first and second connecting elements. The system further includes a second assembly piece and a fastening assembly, where a portion of the second assembly piece is shaped to fit within the assembly region opening and the fastening assembly spans the first and second connecting elements to secure the first assembly piece to the second assembly piece, and tightening of the fastening assembly causes the second connecting element to deform, pressing a surface of the second assembly piece against an adjacent surface of the first connecting element and retaining a substantially even visible surface of the device.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventors: Michael Virgil Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter
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Patent number: 10951751Abstract: Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: 10874252Abstract: A grilling device includes an oven section having an outer wall with opposing side portions and an encircling body portion extending therebetween. The body portion has an access opening and the grilling device includes a lid that selectively covers the access opening by means of a handle attached thereto. The grilling device also includes opposing hinge elements connected to opposite sides of the lid and to the side portions of the outer wall, as opposed to the encircling body portion. In particular, the hinge elements are connected to respective rear areas of the side portions. Accordingly, the path of opening the lid has a different shape or curvature and thereby positions the handle substantially lower than if the hinge elements were connected to the body portion adjacent to the access opening. The opposing side portions have a substantially oval shape and the hinge elements have an elongated configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills LLCInventors: Michael Virgil Colston, Daniel Altenritter, Matthew Czach
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Publication number: 20200358893Abstract: Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: 10791208Abstract: Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: 10735523Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: 10735575Abstract: Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: 10708409Abstract: Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Publication number: 20200145524Abstract: Embodiments are directed to controlling an electronically-controlled appliance using a software application and providing a user interface for controlling an electronically-controlled appliance. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication from a remote computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is communicably connected to the remote computing system. The computer system provides a notification in the software application indicating that the electronically-controlled appliance is available to receive instructions, and receives a user input at the software application indicating that certain functions are to be performed by the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system further generates instructions configured to control the electronically-controlled appliance based on the functions specified in the received user input, and sends the generated instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Publication number: 20200053160Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: D897771Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills LLCInventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: D901243Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills LLCInventor: Michael Virgil Colston
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Patent number: D921427Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Virgil Colston