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).

  • Patent number: 11819157
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: 11825010
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: 11785130
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: 11765261
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC.
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Publication number: 20220257051
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Publication number: 20220232117
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Publication number: 20220232116
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: 10975902
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Virgil Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter
  • Patent number: 10951751
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: 10874252
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills LLC
    Inventors: Michael Virgil Colston, Daniel Altenritter, Matthew Czach
  • Publication number: 20200358893
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: 10791208
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: 10735523
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: 10735575
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: 10708409
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Publication number: 20200145524
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Publication number: 20200053160
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: D897771
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills LLC
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: D901243
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills LLC
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston
  • Patent number: D921427
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Virgil Colston