CN114786544A

CN114786544A - Electric cooking appliance with adaptive power

Info

Publication number: CN114786544A
Application number: CN202080053344.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·尼埃; J·普雷斯·威廉姆斯; P·斯科特; L·舒尔格
Original assignee: Bourne Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Bourne Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 2019-06-10
Filing date: 2020-06-10
Publication date: 2022-07-22
Also published as: WO2020252049A1

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cooking appliance, and in some embodiments, to an electric pressure cooker configured for use in low income economies, less populated areas, and/or areas without reliable power connections.

Description

Electric cooking appliance with adaptive power

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims benefit and priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/859,216 filed on day 10, 6/2019 and U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/971,005 filed on

day

6, 2/2020. Both of these disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cooking appliance, and in some embodiments to an electric pressure cooker configured for use in low income economies, less populated areas, and/or areas without reliable power connections.

Background

Many consumers are not burdened with prepaying for electric cooking appliances like electric appliances (e.g., electric pressure cookers). Further, power outages are common in many power grids in developing countries (these grids are often referred to as "weak" or "unreliable", indicating the frequency of outage and/or voltage swing). Therefore, current electric pressure cookers and cooking appliances are not suitable for this market.

Existing electric pressure cookers are attractive to consumers because they are easy to use, cost effective, time efficient, and energy efficient. However, such existing electric pressure cookers are not attractive to consumers in developing countries because they are expensive to purchase and unreliable to cook using existing electrical connections. Furthermore, existing electric pressure cookers/appliances do not include any integrated functionality for optimizing use with weak or unreliable electrical grids or integrating payment processing technology into the appliance. Accordingly, electric pressure cookers and other cooking appliances have low commercial viability in kenyan and other similar emerging markets.

Disclosure of Invention

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an electric cooking appliance is provided, and in some embodiments, is configured to provide innovative payment processing techniques, and in some embodiments, independently or additionally includes functionality for addressing weak or unreliable power grids. The present invention will allow the user to cook even when the electrical connection is broken or severed. The present invention relates to electric cooking appliances, including but not limited to electric pressure cookers.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, there is provided an Electric Cooking Appliance (ECA) and comprising: a container configured to contain food contents for cooking; a cooking element configured to heat the container; at least one sensor configured to sense at least one of a temperature of the container, a pressure of the container, and at least one electrical characteristic of power used and/or otherwise supplied to the ECA; a controller (which may include or be a computer processor having computer instructions operative thereon configured to cause the cooking appliance/component to perform certain, and in some embodiments a plurality of, and in some embodiments all such functions disclosed herein), the controller being configured with at least one of an energy selector, a pressure selector, and a time selector for controlling at least one of an amount of power supplied to the cooking element, a time at which power is supplied to the cooking element, and a pressure of the container; a payment module in communication with the controller, the payment module configured to accept at least one of a hard currency and an electronic payment.

In such embodiments (as well as other embodiments), one and/or another of the following additional features, functions, steps, materials, structures, and/or instructions (collectively, "features") may be included to produce yet another embodiment of the disclosure:

-a first source of externally supplied power;

-a source of stored power, the stored power being at least one of integrally formed with or attached to the cooking appliance;

-the controller is configured to supply power to the cooking element primarily from/to a first power source;

-the controller is operable to supply electrical power when the payment module receives at least one of a predetermined amount of hard currency and an electronic payment;

-the controller is configured to supply power from at least one of a first source and a stored power source in dependence on a selected amount and a selected time period of supplying power to the cooking element;

-upon interruption of power supplied by a first source/the first source the controller at a first time, the controller is configured to supply power from/to a storage source;

-the power interruption comprises at least one of a cessation of power supplied to the ECA and a change in voltage supplied to the ECA, and at a first time the power supplied by the first source is interrupted, the controller is optionally configured to adjust at least one of an amount of power supplied to the cooking element, a time of power supplied to the cooking element, and a pressure within the container to complete cooking of food placed in the container;

-the container is configured for removable closure of the housing interior;

-the contents are heated to a pressure above atmospheric;

-a user interface on which the selector is provided;

each selector may be configured as at least one of a preprogrammed button and a rotary dial;

-after starting to supply power to the cooking element, the user does not need to interact with the ECA at any time during cooking of the food;

-a notification device configured to notify a user of at least one of: initiating supply of power to the cooking element; and upon completion of the cooking process, wherein the notification device may comprise at least one of an audio device and a visual device;

the audio device may comprise a speaker and/or the visual device comprises a light;

-a pressure release device, wherein the pressure release device releases the pressure inside the container manually or automatically upon completion of the cooking process;

-the controller is configured to supply power to the cooking element to establish two cooking phases: a first stage configured to bring the contents of the container to at least one of a desired temperature and pressure and preferably both; and a second stage configured to cook food within the container by maintaining temperature and pressure within the container at least one of, and preferably both of, the desired temperature and pressure;

-insulation surrounding most or all of the container;

-the power interruption comprises at least one of a power outage and a voltage change;

upon power interruption, the controller may be further configured to determine whether the cooking appliance is in a first phase or a second phase (see above);

if the ECA is in the second stage, the ECA is configured to:

■ remain cooking without supplying additional power to the cooking element, or

■ providing additional power to the cooking element via first source/the first source and/or stored/second power source/the stored/second power source;

-if the cooking appliance is in a first phase (see above), the controller is configured to continue supplying power to the cooking element or to terminate supplying power to the cooking element via the first source/the first source and/or the stored/second power source/the stored/second power source;

-the controller may be configured to notify the user of a power outage via the notification device;

upon notification of a power outage, the controller is configured to receive user input to determine whether to continue cooking;

-circuitry for protecting the ECA and its components from at least one of power interruption, power surge and voltage change, and optionally configurable to break an electrical connection with/to a first power source at the time of at least one of power interruption, power surge and voltage change;

-a step-up transformer and/or a step-down transformer.

-the payment module may be further configured such that the payment amount corresponds to at least one of:

the amount of time that power is supplied to the cooking element,

the amount of power supplied to the cooking element, an

The amount of power and the amount of time used to cook the meal.

-the payment module is integrated with the ECA or is a separate component to which the ECA can be electrically connected;

-the container comprises at least one of a housing assembly, a housing with a removable inner pot, and wherein the ECA further comprises a lid assembly;

-a power source comprising a battery and a capacitor;

-a second cooking element configured to operate upon interruption of power and operable only with the second power source.

-a communication device configured to enable a user to remotely control operation of the ECA, wherein the communication device may comprise wireless communication including at least one of bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and one or more cellular networks;

-user payment information is stored in a memory of the ECA;

-the payment information is updated by wireless communication via at least one of the remote server and the mobile device;

-the electronic payment comprises a prepaid card;

-a display configured to display at least one of power, cost, reimbursement status, and cooking status of the ECA.

-the display is a component of the ECA or a mobile device; and is provided with

-the display may be configured to display a market price/cost of power;

in some embodiments, there is provided an Electric Cooking Appliance (ECA) system, comprising: ECA according to any one of the above embodiments (including embodiments of one or a combination of the above features); and a server containing user account information, the user account information including payment information, wherein the ECA is in communication with the server. The operation of the ECA includes communicating with a server, wherein a user logs into a corresponding user account via at least one of a mobile device, a standalone computer, and the ECA begins cooking upon receiving information from the server or at least one of the mobile device and the standalone computer.

In some embodiments, an Electric Cooking Appliance (ECA) is provided and includes: a container configured to contain food for cooking, the container configured to have a lid removably secured to the container; a cooking element for heating the container; at least one sensor configured to sense at least one of a temperature and/or pressure of the container and at least one electrical characteristic of the power supplied to the ECA; a controller configured with at least one of an energy selector, a pressure selector, and a time selector for controlling at least one of an amount of power supplied to the cooking element, a time of power supplied to the cooking element, and a cooking pressure; and a payment module in communication with the controller, the payment module configured to accept at least one of a hard currency and an electronic payment. The controller is configured to supply power to the cooking element primarily from at least an externally supplied source of power, and is operable to supply power from at least an external source of power in accordance with a selected amount and a selected time period of supplying power to the cooking element when the payment module receives at least one of a predetermined amount of hard currency and an electronic payment. Upon interruption of power supplied by the controller by the first source at a first time, the controller is configured to at least one of: supplying power from a second power source; and adjusting at least one of the amount of power, pressure, and time to complete cooking of food placed in the container.

In some embodiments, an Electric Cooking Appliance (ECA) method is provided and includes: providing a cooking appliance according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above; loading food into the container of the cooking appliance; sealing the container with a removable lid; selecting, via a corresponding selector, at least one of energy and time for controlling at least one of an amount and time of power supplied to the cooking element; and effecting payment via the payment module such that the controller enables operation of the cooking element. When the payment module receives at least one of a predetermined amount of hard currency and an electronic payment, power is supplied from at least an external power source according to a selected amount and a selected time period of power supplied to the cooking element, and when power supplied by at least the external power source is interrupted, the controller is configured to at least one of: supplying power from a second source; and adjusting at least one of an amount of power supplied to the cooking element, a time of power supply to the cooking element, and a pressure within the container to complete cooking of food placed in the container.

These and other embodiments and advantages and objects thereof will become more apparent in the following detailed description and the corresponding concurrently filed drawings.

Drawings

Fig.1 is a schematic illustration of an Electric Cooking Appliance (ECA) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig.2 is a flow diagram of certain functions of an ECA according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

fig.3 is a flow diagram of certain functions of an ECA according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to an Electric Cooking Appliance (ECA), and more particularly to an electric pressure cooker appliance (or, in some embodiments, a rice cooker appliance).

Fig.1 is a schematic illustration of an Electric Cooking Appliance (ECA) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, in some embodiments, the ECA includes a pressure relief valve (manual/automatic) 1, a lid assembly 2, a removable inner cooking pot/container 3, a housing assembly 4, a payment module (in some embodiments, with a display) 5, a user interface 6 (e.g., a touch screen, one or more buttons/dials, etc.), a cooking controller 7b (in some embodiments, the cooking controller includes associated one or more buttons/dials, etc.; in some embodiments, the user interface 6 is part of and/or associated with the controller), an adaptive response module 8 (which may be part of and/or associated with the controller), and a base/base assembly 9.

The ECA works by heating food and, in some embodiments, water, within a sealed inner pot/container 3, which results in a pressure and temperature rise above atmospheric (i.e., pressure), allowing the cooking process to occur at a faster rate than atmospheric pressure. Sealed pots also reduce heat loss during cooking, resulting in less energy required than other cooking methods.

In some embodiments, to use the ECA, the user first loads a quantity of food (and in some embodiments, water) into the inner pot/container 3 and then places the inner pot/container into the housing assembly 4, and the user closes the lid assembly 2 which locks onto the housing assembly 4 thereby sealing the cookware therein. The user may then interact with the user interface 6 of the ECA to set desired cooking parameters (such as cooking time, cooking pressure, cooking temperature, etc.). The user interface may be configured with one or more preprogrammed buttons, one or more rotary dials, or the like (or a touch screen).

In some embodiments, after starting the cooking process, the user does not need to interact with the cooking appliance during the cooking process, as the controller 7b and the sensor assembly 7a interact to control the cooking process. In some embodiments, the cooking appliance/controller may be configured to provide an indication (e.g., an audible and/or visual cue) of completion of the cooking process via, for example, a display and/or speaker (see, e.g., reference numeral 5), and the user may then release the pressure within the inner cookware and open the lid, and via the pressure release valve 1 (which may be automatic and controlled via the controller). Such a cooking process is therefore desirable for users who do not want to constantly attend to meals during the cooking process (i.e., a "once and for all" cooking method). Therefore, electric pressure cookers are attractive for at least this reason.

In some embodiments, the ECA operates by a two-stage cooking process. The first stage (the "heating" stage) involves bringing the contents of the inner pot to the desired temperature and pressure (preferably both, although in some embodiments at least one). The second stage (the "cooking" stage) cooks the food by maintaining the food at temperature and pressure (preferably both, although in some embodiments at least one) for the duration of the desired cooking time. Insulation may be included to enclose most (and preferably all) of the inner cooking pot (and/or housing) such that a very small continuous energy input (and in some embodiments, an initial energy input) is required for a cooking stage.

In some embodiments, the ECA is configured to continue the cooking process even if there is an interruption in the power supply. This may include a long outage, a short outage, a voltage change, or some other disturbance to the steady electricity supply. Accordingly, an adaptive power response unit may be included with the ECA and configured to keep the ECA running despite such events and (in some embodiments) alert the user that cooking cannot be completed due to a lack of power supply, and/or perform another function to assist the user in using the cooking appliance despite a disturbance in the power supply, for example, by extending the cooking time and/or providing a second source of power (e.g., a battery).

For example, and as detailed in fig.2, upon interruption or fluctuation of the power supply, the Adaptive Power Response Unit (APRU)8 may be configured to determine (e.g., by circuitry or digital processing or both) whether the cooking appliance is in a heating phase or a cooking phase. If the cooking appliance is in the cooking stage, the cooking appliance may use the existing heat already present in the pot or some additional energy provided by the adaptive power response unit (and/or the second power source) to maintain cooking. If the cooking appliance is in a heating phase, the adaptive power response unit may continue or terminate cooking based on the energy required to complete cooking. The adaptive power response may also communicate to the user that there is a power outage and allow the user to determine whether to continue cooking with the cooking appliance. In some embodiments, the adaptive power response unit may be part of an ECA controller (e.g., software, computer instructions operable on a controller or processor configured to operate in accordance with the various steps disclosed herein, and/or specific circuitry).

The adaptive power response unit may also operate to protect the electronics (e.g., controller) in the pan from damage due to variable voltages (for example). Similar to the function of other protective appliances, the APRU can quickly sense any voltage spikes or surges and then disconnect the power connection to the rest of the ECA. In the event that the voltage does not settle quickly, existing power may be utilized with step-up and/or step-down transformers. The adaptive power response unit may include an energy reserve capacity to keep it working under all conditions (e.g. it may run as/the second power source (such as a battery)).

As previously described, in some embodiments, the ECA is configured to respond to any and all power fluctuations that the ECA may experience when plugged into a power supply. For example, in some embodiments, the APRU is a voltage surge protector configured to protect the electronics and/or the cooking program may be adjusted accordingly to account for disturbances in the power supply. In some embodiments, the APRU may also include a voltage sensor, such that if there is a voltage (threshold amount) fluctuation, the APRU and/or the controller may adjust the cooking program accordingly to ensure that the user's food is still properly cooked.

In some embodiments, the APRU may also adjust the ECA in response to a power outage, whether short-term or long-term. For example, the APRU may be or may include an energy storage device, such as, but not limited to, a battery, a supercapacitor, or the like, that provides a predetermined amount of charge to complete cooking. The energy storage device may also provide sufficient power to maintain the functionality of the cooking controller and all other electronic components in order to ensure optimal cooking results and to communicate the remaining time of cooking to the user. Embodiments of such energy storage devices include different sized power capacities. Other embodiments also include power supplies from other energy storage devices. Further, in some embodiments, the APRU may be or may include a boost and/or buck power converter and/or a different heating element.

In some embodiments, the ECA includes a payment module 5 (which in some embodiments includes a display); the method associated with the payment module is found in fig. 3. For example, the ECA may include a payment module configured to enable a user to pay a small amount to use the ECA for a certain amount of time or meal (or meals). The cooking appliance may be configured not to operate when the payment balance of the user is exhausted or the user has not paid. The payment amount may correspond to an amount of time the ECA is allowed to run, an amount of power used by the ECA, and/or a flat price per meal (or some other predetermined payment scheme). Such a payment module may be integrated into the ECA, or it may be included as a separate module in communication with the cooking appliance. To this end, in some embodiments, payment may be made via a mobile payment system (e.g., MPESA or prepaid card in kenyan) or a remote server-based credit system. To this end, the ECA may comprise, for example, wired or wireless communication means: bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, which may be incorporated into the controller in some embodiments or may be a separate module.

In some embodiments, payment module 5 comprises a Pay-As-You-book (PAYC) module. This functionality enables integration of financial programs into the ECA and, as noted, may be referred to as "pay-as-you-boil" (PAYC). In some embodiments, the payment module is configured to provide the ability to (remotely) enable and disable ECAs. Such functionality may be implemented by, for example, a SIM or global system for mobile communications (GSM) connection or an external telephone-based connection. The invention may also include data through a connection to GSM or SIM or to an application or account that will give the customer information about their payment plan. The PAYC module may also be built into the front display of the cooking appliance, or it may be included as a physically separate attachment module. It may be removable from the cooking appliance or built into the hardware.

Thus, in some embodiments, consumers of ECAs may afford to cook meals in a manner similar to the way cooking fuels are typically purchased by the target markets.

Thus, in some embodiments, the payment module enables the ECA to cook the meal if the consumer has sufficient funds in their payment account. If the consumer does not, the payment module will not allow the user to open the cooking appliance. In some embodiments, the operator of the ECA may collaborate with a local utility company.

In some embodiments, the ECA may include one and/or another feature/function of:

-consumer payment account information stored in the cloud;

the user's account will be updated over the data connection and then pushed to the ECA;

-storing payment account information on the ECA, the payment account information being updatable by a signal communicated to the device to unlock the device;

the payment information may be via a prepaid card (e.g. with NFC or numeric code), where the user may buy a new card or top up an existing card in person or by mobile payment;

-connecting the user's phone to the ECA by a cable connection, wherein the user can charge the cellular phone and communicate about the payment status;

the payment module may also be configured to display the power/cost/reimbursement status/cooking status used by the cooking appliance, which may be provided in front of the ECA as part of the existing user interface, or it may be elsewhere. Such a display may include a power usage monitor that will display power used in kilowatt-hours (kWh) or other relevant units, such as kenya power units.

-built-in conversion to multiply it with the current electricity price in the usage market to display electricity cost;

-a module for receiving an electricity price over a mobile data connection; and

-a programmable price component.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, steps, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary only and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, steps, and configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the claims supported by the present disclosure and equivalents thereto, embodiments of the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure relate to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, step, and method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, steps, and methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, steps, and methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure and contemplated embodiments.

The embodiments disclosed herein can also be combined with one or more features and complete systems, devices and/or methods to produce yet further embodiments and inventions. Furthermore, some embodiments may be distinguished from the prior art by the specific absence of one and/or another feature disclosed in one or more specific prior art references; that is, the claims of certain embodiments may be distinguished from the prior art by including one or more negative limitations.

Moreover, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, examples of which have been provided. The acts performed as part of the described methods may be ordered in any suitable way. Thus, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, although shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

Any and all references to publications or other documents (including but not limited to patents, patent applications, articles, web pages, books, etc.) presented anywhere in this application are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Furthermore, all definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles "a" and "an", as used herein in the specification and claims, should be understood to mean "at least one", unless expressly indicated to the contrary.

The phrase "and/or" as used herein in the specification and claims should be understood to refer to "either or both" elements so combined, i.e., elements that are present in combination in some cases and in isolation in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" elements so combined. Other elements may optionally be present in addition to the elements specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with open language such as "including", references to "a and/or B" may refer in one embodiment to only a (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, only B (optionally including elements other than a); in yet another embodiment, refers to both a and B (optionally including other elements); and so on.

As used herein in the specification and claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" and/or "should be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., including at least one, but also including many elements or more than one of a list of elements, and (optionally) additional unlisted items. To the extent that such terms are not mutually inconsistent, such terms as "only one" or "exactly one" or "consisting of … when used in a claim, shall mean that exactly one element is included in a collection or list of elements. In general, as used herein, the term "or" followed by an exclusive term such as "any," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of" should only be construed to indicate an exclusive alternative (i.e., "one or the other but not both"). "consisting essentially of …" is used in the claims in its ordinary sense as used in the patent Law arts.

As used herein in the specification and claims, with respect to a list of one or more elements, the phrase "at least one" should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each element specifically listed in the list of elements, and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements referred to by the phrase "at least one," whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of a and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of a or B," or, equivalently "at least one of a and/or B") can refer in one embodiment to at least one a, optionally including more than one a, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, refers to at least one B, optionally including more than one B, with a being absent (and optionally including elements other than a); in yet another embodiment, refers to at least one a, optionally including more than one a and at least one B, optionally including more than one B (and optionally including other elements); and so on.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "consisting of …," and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to include but not be limited to. Only the transition phrases "consisting of …" and "consisting essentially of …" should be closed or semi-closed transition phrases, respectively, as set forth in section 2111.03 of the U.S. patent office patent examination program manual.

Claims

1. An Electric Cooking Appliance (ECA) comprising:

a container configured to contain food contents for cooking;

a cooking element configured to heat the container;

at least one sensor configured to sense at least one of a temperature of the container, a pressure of the container, and at least one electrical characteristic of power used and/or otherwise supplied to the ECA;

a controller configured with at least one of an energy selector, a pressure selector, and a time selector for controlling at least one of an amount of power supplied to the cooking element, a time of power supply to the cooking element, and a pressure of the container;

and

a payment module in communication with the controller, the payment module configured to accept at least one of a hard currency and an electronic payment;

2. the ECA according to claim 1, further comprising a first source of externally supplied power.

3. The ECA according to claim 2, further comprising a source of stored power that is at least one of integrated with or attached to the cooking appliance.

4. The ECA according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to supply power to the cooking element primarily from the first power source.

5. The ECA according to claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to supply power when the payment module receives at least one of a predetermined amount of hard currency and an electronic payment

6. The ECA according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to supply power from at least one of the first source and the stored power source according to a selected amount and a selected time period of supplying power to the cooking element.

7. The ECA according to claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to supply power from the storage source upon interruption of power supplied by the controller by the first source at a first time.

8. The ECA according to claim 7, wherein power interruption comprises at least one of a power stop supplied to the ECA and a voltage change supplied to the ECA, and wherein upon an interruption of power supplied by the controller by the first source at a first time, the controller is optionally configured to adjust at least one of an amount of power supplied to the cooking element, a time of power supplied to the cooking element, and a pressure within the container to complete cooking of food placed in the container.

9. The ECA according to claim 1, wherein the container is configured for removable closure of a housing interior.

10. The ECA according to claim 1, wherein the contents are heated to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure.

11. The ECA according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface, said selector disposed on said user interface.

12. The ECA according to claim 1, wherein each selector is configured as at least one of a pre-programmed button and a rotary dial.

13. The ECA according to claim 1, wherein a user does not need to interact with the ECA at any time during food cooking after starting to supply power to the cooking element.

14. The ECA according to claim 1, further comprising a notification device configured to notify a user of at least one of: initiating supply of power to the cooking element; and when the cooking process is complete.

15. The ECA of claim 14, wherein the notification device comprises at least one of an audio device and a visual device.

16. The ECA of claim 14, wherein the audio device comprises a speaker and the visual device comprises a light.

17. The ECA according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure relief device, wherein the pressure relief device releases pressure within the container either manually or automatically upon completion of a cooking process.

18. The ECA according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to supply power to the cooking element to establish two cooking phases: a first stage configured to bring the contents of the container to at least one of a desired temperature and pressure and preferably both; and a second stage configured to cook food within the container by maintaining temperature and pressure within the container at least one of, and preferably both of, the desired temperature and pressure.

19. The ECA according to claim 1, further comprising insulation surrounding most or all of the container.

20. The ECA according to claim 1, wherein the power interruption comprises at least one of a power outage and a voltage change.

21. The ECA according to claim 2, further comprising a source of stored power that is at least one of integrated with or attached to the cooking appliance.

22. The ECA according to any one of claims 2 to 21, wherein the controller is operable to supply power when the payment module receives at least one of a predetermined amount of hard currency and an electronic payment

23. The ECA of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to supply power from at least one of the first source and the stored power source according to a selected amount and a selected time period of supplying power to the cooking element.

24. The ECA according to any one of claims 4 to 23, wherein the controller is configured to supply power from the storage source upon interruption of power supplied by the controller by the first source at a first time.

25. The ECA of claim 24, wherein power interruption includes at least one of a cessation of power supplied to the ECA and a change in voltage supplied to the ECA, and wherein upon interruption of power supplied by the controller by the first source at a first time, the controller is optionally configured to adjust at least one of an amount of power supplied to the cooking element, a time of power supplied to the cooking element, and a pressure within the container to complete cooking of food placed in the container.

26. The ECA of any one of claims 2 to 25, wherein the container is configured for removable closure of a housing interior.

27. The ECA according to any one of claims 2 to 26, wherein the contents are heated to a pressure above atmospheric.

28. The ECA according to any one of claims 2 to 27, further comprising a user interface on which the selector is disposed.

29. The ECA of any one of claims 2 through 28, wherein each selector is configured as at least one of a preprogrammed button and a rotary dial.

30. The ECA according to any one of claims 2 to 29, wherein a user does not need to interact with the ECA at any time during cooking of food after starting to supply power to the cooking element.

31. The ECA according to any one of claims 2 to 30, further comprising a notification device configured to notify a user of at least one of: initiating supply of power to the cooking element; and when the cooking process is complete.

32. The ECA of claim 31, wherein the notification device comprises at least one of an audio device and a visual device.

33. The ECA of claim 31, wherein the audio device includes a speaker and the visual device includes a light.

34. The ECA according to any one of claims 2 to 33, further comprising a pressure relief device, wherein the pressure relief device manually or automatically releases the pressure within the container upon completion of a cooking process.

35. The ECA according to any one of claims 2 to 34, wherein the controller is configured to supply power to the cooking element to establish two cooking phases: a first stage configured to bring the contents of the container to at least one of a desired temperature and pressure and preferably both; and a second stage configured to cook food within the container by maintaining the temperature and pressure within the container at least one of, and preferably both of, the desired temperature and pressure.

36. The ECA according to any one of claims 2 to 35, further comprising insulation surrounding most or all of the container.

37. The ECA of any one of claims 2 through 36, wherein the power interruption includes at least one of a power outage and a voltage change.

38. The ECA of claim 37, wherein, upon power interruption, the controller is further configured to determine whether the cooking appliance is in the first phase or the second phase.

39. The ECA of claim 38, wherein if the ECA is in the second stage, the ECA is configured to:

to keep cooking without supplying additional power to the cooking element, or

Providing additional power to the cooking element via a first source/the first source and/or a stored/second power source/the stored/second power source.

And wherein:

if the cooking appliance is in the first phase, the controller is configured to continue supplying power to the cooking element or terminate supplying power to the cooking element via the first source/the first source and/or the stored/second power source/the stored/second power source.

40. The ECA according to claim 14 or 32, wherein the controller is configured to notify the user of a power outage via the notification device.

41. The ECA according to claim 40, wherein upon notification of a power outage, the controller is configured to receive a user input to determine whether to continue cooking.

42. The ECA according to any one of claims 1 to 41, further comprising circuitry for protecting the ECA and its components from at least one of power interruption, power surge and voltage change.

43. The ECA according to claim 42, wherein the circuit is configured to break an electrical connection with/to the first power source upon at least one of a power interruption, a power surge and a voltage change.

44. The ECA according to claim 42 or 43, further comprising a step-up transformer and/or a step-down transformer.

45. The ECA according to any one of claims 1 to 44, wherein the payment module is further configured such that the payment amount corresponds to at least one of:

the amount of time that power is supplied to the cooking element,

the amount of power supplied to the cooking element,

and

the amount of power and the amount of time used to cook the meal.

46. The ECA according to any one of claims 1 to 44, wherein the payment module is integrated with the ECA or is a separate component to which the ECA may be electrically connected.

47. The ECA according to any one of claims 1 to 46, wherein the container comprises at least one of a housing assembly, a housing with a removable inner pot, and wherein the ECA further comprises a lid assembly.

48. The ECA according to any one of claims 1 through 47, wherein the second power source comprises a battery and a capacitor.

49. The ECA according to any one of claims 1 to 48, further comprising a second cooking element configured to operate upon an interruption of power and operable with only the second power source.

50. The ECA according to any one of claims 1 to 49, further comprising a communication device configured to enable a user to remotely control the operation of the ECA.

51. The ECA according to claim 50, wherein the communication means comprises wireless communication including at least one of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and one or more cellular networks.

52. The ECA according to any one of claims 1 to 51, wherein user payment information is stored in a memory of the ECA.

53. The ECA according to claim 52, wherein payment information is updated by wireless communication via at least one of a remote server and a mobile device.

54. The ECA according to any one of claims 1 to 53, wherein the electronic payment comprises a prepaid card.

55. The ECA according to any one of claims 1 to 54, further comprising a display configured to display at least one of power, cost, reimbursement status, and cooking status of the ECA.

56. The ECA according to claim 55, wherein said display is a component of the ECA or a mobile device.

57. The ECA according to any one of claims 55 or 56, wherein the display is configurable to display a market price/cost of power.

58. An Electric Cooking Appliance (ECA) system, comprising:

the ECA according to any one of claims 1 to 57;

a server containing user account information including payment information, wherein the ECA is in communication with the server;

wherein

The operation of the ECA comprises communication with a server;

a user logging into a corresponding user account via at least one of a mobile device, a standalone computer, and the ECA;

the ECA initiates cooking upon receiving information from the server or at least one of the mobile device and the standalone computer.

59. An Electric Cooking Appliance (ECA) comprising:

a container configured to contain food for cooking, the container configured to have a lid removably secured to the container;

a cooking element for heating the container;

at least one sensor configured to sense at least one of a temperature and/or pressure of the container and at least one electrical characteristic of the power supplied to the ECA;

a controller configured with at least one of an energy selector, a pressure selector, and a time selector for controlling at least one of an amount of power supplied to the cooking element, a time at which power is supplied to the cooking element, and a cooking pressure; and

a payment module in communication with the controller, the payment module configured to accept at least one of a hard currency and an electronic payment; and is

Wherein:

the controller is configured to supply power to the cooking element primarily from at least an externally supplied source of power;

upon the payment module receiving at least one of a predetermined amount of hard currency and an electronic payment, the controller is operable to supply power from at least an external power source according to a selected amount of power to be supplied to the cooking element and a selected time period;

upon interruption of power supplied by the controller by the first source at a first time, the controller is configured to at least one of:

supplying power from a second power source; and

adjusting at least one of an amount of power, pressure, and time to complete cooking of food placed in the container.

60. An Electric Cooking Appliance (ECA) method, comprising:

providing a cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 57;

loading food into the container of the cooking appliance;

sealing the container with a removable lid;

selecting, via a corresponding selector, at least one of energy and time for controlling at least one of an amount and time of power supplied to the cooking element;

effecting payment via the payment module such that the controller enables operation of the cooking element;

supplying power from at least an external power source according to a selected amount and a selected time period of supplying power to the cooking element when the payment module receives at least one of a predetermined amount of hard currency and an electronic payment;

and

upon interruption of power supplied by at least the external power source, the controller is configured to at least one of: supplying power from a second source; and adjusting at least one of an amount of power supplied to the cooking element, a time of power supply to the cooking element, and a pressure within the container to complete cooking of food placed in the container.