Wireless remote cooking thermometer system

• US 8,240,914 B1
• Filed: 04/15/2010
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maverick Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Maverick Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Chapman, Peter A., Chang, Chee-Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): Verbitsky, Gail
• Application Number:
  US12/760,909
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 374/155, 374/120, 374/100, 374/102, 374/141, 374/208, 374/163, 374/183, 374/179, 374/185, 374/170, 99342-344, 340/870.17, 340/870.04, 340/870.01, 340/501, 340/588, 340/589, 340/584, 340/585
• US Class Current: 374/155
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/06 for preparation purposes

Abstract

A wireless remote cooking thermometer system includes a first unit positionable at a first location adjacent food being cooked, the first unit including a radio frequency transmitter adapted to transmit a temperature signal associated with temperature readings of the food being cooked. The system also includes at least one microprocessor operative to calibrate taste and choice preferences. The system also includes a temperature probe and a second unit that includes a noise generator or visual indicator and a radio frequency receiver for reception of the signal from the transmitter.

Claims

1. A wireless remote cooking thermometer system, comprising:

a first hand-held unit positionable at a first location adjacent food being cooked, said first hand-held unit including a radio frequency transmitter operative to transmit a signal associated with internal temperature readings of the food being cooked;

said system including at least one microprocessor operative to calibrate a taste preference and a choice preference associated with the food being cooked;

a temperature sensor for measuring the internal temperature of the food being cooked having a probe and being connectable to said first hand-held unit; and

a second hand-held unit including a noise generator for providing an audible signal or a visual indicator and a radio frequency receiver for reception of the signal associated with the internal temperature readings transmitted by said frequency transmitter of said first hand-held unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the probe of the temperature sensor further comprises a substantially rigid section having a distal end and a proximal end, the substantially rigid section including a substantially straight portion adjacent the distal end of the probe and a curved section between the substantially straight portion and the proximal end of the probe, wherein the proximal end of the probe is attached to a flexible communication line.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the flexible communication line includes a plug and the first unit includes a communication jack adapted to receive the plug for connecting the temperature sensor with the first unit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first hand-held unit further comprises a liquid crystal display for selectively displaying the taste preference.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator comprises a liquid crystal display.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode display.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second unit includes a liquid crystal display that is adapted to display cooking information including a type of meat being cooked, a selected taste preference for the meat being cooked, and a measured temperature of the meat being cooked.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the taste preference include rare, medium rare, medium and well done.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the choice preference comprises beef, veal or lamb.

10. A wireless programmable thermometer timer system, comprising:

a first hand-held unit having a radio frequency transmitter, one or more data entry keys associated with a food selection preference, a taste selection preference, and a first visual display for displaying a temperature reading, the food selection preference and the taste preference;

a temperature sensor having a substantially rigid temperature probe insertable in a food being cooked and connectable to said first hand-held unit;

a micro-processor operable to establish a temperature setting based on the food selection preference and the taste selection preference, monitor the temperature sensor reading and communicate the temperature sensor reading to the radio frequency transmitter; and

a second hand-held unit including a radio frequency receiver for reception of data associated with the temperature sensor reading transmitted by the radio frequency transmitter.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second hand-held unit includes a visual indicator.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the visual indicator comprises a second liquid crystal display.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second liquid crystal display of the second unit is adapted to display cooking information including a selected meat preference, a selected taste preference for the meat being cooked, and a measured temperature of the meat being cooked.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the visual display comprises a light-emitting diode display.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the visual display of the first unit comprises a liquid crystal display adapted to display cooking information including a selected meat preference, a selected taste preference for the meat being cooked, and a measured temperature of the meat being cooked.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the taste preferences include rare, medium rare, medium and well done.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the second hand-held unit includes an audible signal generator.