US6759635B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cooking system for sensing the status of a food item
Assignee: Spectrum Brands Inc
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Filing: 2002-01-10
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Granted: 2004-07-06
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Expires: 2022-01-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for determining the status of a food item using time-temperature data. The system includes a method comprising, sensing a number of temperatures associated with a food item, comparing data related to the sensed temperatures with predetermined temperature data, determining the status of the food item based on the comparison, and causing a predetermined action based on the status of the food item. The method may further involve inputting user information corresponding to the food item, which may include type of food, or the desired level of doneness. The system also includes an apparatus for determining the status of a food item. This apparatus may include a sensor for sensing a plurality of temperatures, a means for determining the status of the food item based on the plurality of temperatures, and an indicator for indicating the status of the food item. The determining means may include a microprocessor. The apparatus may further, include a control sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence Lile
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:44
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B1/00; H05B1/02; H05B1/0227; H05B1/0252; H05B1/0258; H05B1/0261; H05B1/0263; A; A47; A47J; A47J36/00; A47J36/32; A47J37/00; A47J37/06; A47J37/12; A47J37/1266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 87
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for determining the presence of a food item in contact with a temperature sensor comprising: obtaining present time-temperature data associated with the food item; comparing the present time-temperature data to predetermined time-temperature data; determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with the temperature sensor based on the comparison; and causing a predetermined action based on a status of the food item.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for determining the presence of a food item in contact with a temperature sensor comprising: obtaining present time-temperature data associated with the food item; comparing the present time-temperature data to predetermined time-temperature data; determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with the temperature sensor based on the comparison; and causing a predetermined action based on a status of the food item.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 further including inputting user information corresponding to the food item.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein inputting user information includes inputting a type of food corresponding to the food item.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein inputting user information includes inputting a desired level of doneness of the food item.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein causing a predetermined action includes activating a user-perceivable signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining present time-temperature data includes calculating a plurality of delta values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 6 further including heating the food item for a predetermined period of time after determining from the plurality of delta values that the food item has been placed in contact with the temperature sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7 wherein causing a predetermined action includes activating an audio or visual signal when the food item is ready to be flipped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of determining whether the food item is done, based on the comparison of the present time-temperature data to the predetermined time-temperature data, and if the food item is not done, repeating the steps of obtaining present time-temperature data, comparing the present time-temperature data to the predetermined time-temperature data, and determining whether the food item is done, until the food item is done.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising causing a predetermined action based on whether the food item is done.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein causing a predetermined action includes automatically shutting off a heating medium on which the food item is being heated.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for cooking a food item comprising: heating the food item by a heating medium; obtaining present time-temperature data associated with the food item; comparing the present time-temperature data to predetermined time-temperature data; determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with a temperature sensor based on the comparison; and causing a predetermined action based on a status of the food item.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for cooking a food item comprising: heating the food item by a heating medium; obtaining present time-temperature data associated with the food item; comparing the present time-temperature data to predetermined time-temperature data; determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with a temperature sensor based on the comparison; and causing a predetermined action based on a status of the food item.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein heating includes heating the food item on a surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein heating includes heating the food item in a cavity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 further including inputting user information corresponding to the food item.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15 wherein inputting user information includes inputting a type of food corresponding to the food item.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein obtaining present time-temperature data includes successively sensing a plurality of temperatures.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17 wherein successively sensing a plurality of temperatures includes periodically sensing one temperature per period over a number of periods.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 18 further including storing the periodically sensed temperatures in a memory unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 19 further including calculating a plurality of delta values from the plurality of periodically sensed temperatures.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising determining whether the food item is ready to be flipped, based on the comparison of the present time-temperature data with the predetermined time-temperature data, and if the food item is not ready to be flipped, repeating the step of obtaining present time-temperature data, and determining whether the food item is ready to be flipped, until the food item is ready to be flipped.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 21 wherein causing a predetermined action includes activating a user-perceivable signal when the food item is ready to be flipped.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising determining whether the food item is done, based on the comparison of the present time-temperature data with the predetermined time-temperature data, and if the food item is not done, repeating the step of obtaining present time-temperature data, and determining whether the food item is done, until the food item is done.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23 wherein causing a predetermined action includes activating a user-perceivable signal when the food item is done.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 wherein activating a user-perceivable signal includes activating a visual signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 wherein activating a user-perceivable signal includes activating an audio signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 further including simplifying the inputting of user information corresponding to the food item.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 27 wherein simplifying includes providing a narrowed list of food items that is a subset of a master list of food items.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 12 further including: providing at least two sensors, wherein at least one sensor is a control temperature sensor and at least one sensor is a food temperature sensor; placing the food item in contact with the food temperature sensor and not in thermal relationship with the control sensor; obtaining the present time-temperature data using the food temperature sensor; and obtaining control time-temperature data using the control temperature sensor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 29 further including: calculating a plurality of food delta values from the present time-temperature data; calculating a plurality of control delta values from the control time-temperature data; and determining a plurality of normalized delta values based on the food delta values and the control delta values.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 30 further including: determining from the normalized delta values that the food item has been placed in contact with said food temperature sensor; and heating the food item for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 31 further including determining that no food item has been place in contact with said food temperature sensor for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 32 wherein causing the predetermined action includes automatically shutting off the heating medium after determining that no food item has been placed in contact with said food temperature sensor for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for determining the status of a food item comprising: at least one sensor for sensing a plurality of successive temperatures; a determining means for determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor based on the plurality of successive temperatures; and an indicator operably associated with the determining means for indicating a status of the food item.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for determining the status of a food item comprising: at least one sensor for sensing a plurality of successive temperatures; a determining means for determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor based on the plurality of successive temperatures; and an indicator operably associated with the determining means for indicating a status of the food item.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the determining means calculates a plurality of delta values based on the plurality of successively sensed temperatures.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein a memory stores the plurality of successively sensed temperatures.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the determining means determines from the plurality of delta values that the food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 37 further including means for instructing the heating medium to heat the food item for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 38 further including a means for determining that no food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 39 further including a means for automatically shutting off the heating medium after determining that no food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 40 further including a user interface for inputting user information corresponding to the food item.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
67 words
A system for cooking a food item comprising: a heating medium for heating a food item; at least one sensor for sensing a plurality of temperatures at the heating medium; a means for determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor based on the plurality of temperatures; and an indicator signal for indicating a status of the food item.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
67 words
A system for cooking a food item comprising: a heating medium for heating a food item; at least one sensor for sensing a plurality of temperatures at the heating medium; a means for determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor based on the plurality of temperatures; and an indicator signal for indicating a status of the food item.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 42 wherein the heating medium is a heating surface.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 42 wherein the heating medium is a heating cavity.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 42 further including a user interface for inputting user information corresponding to the food item.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 45 wherein the user information comprises a type of food to be cooked.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 45 wherein the user information comprises a desired level of doneness of the food item.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 42 further including a memory unit for storing the plurality of temperatures.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 48 wherein the plurality of temperatures includes a plurality of successively sensed temperatures.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 49 further including predetermined delta data, wherein the means for determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor calculates a plurality of delta values from the successively sensed temperatures, and compares the plurality of delta values with the predetermined delta data.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 50 where the means for determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor makes such determination based on the plurality of delta values, and instructs the heating medium to heat the food item for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 51 further including means for determining that no food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 52 further including a means for automatically shutting off the heating medium after determining that no food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 42 further including a visual signal for indicating when the food item is ready to be flipped.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 42 further including an audio signal for indicating when the food item is ready to be flipped.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 42 further including a visual signal for indicating when the food item is done.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 42 further including an audio signal for indicating when the food item is done.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 42 further comprising a control temperature sensor for sensing a plurality of control temperatures.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
75 words
A system for cooking a food item comprising: means for heating the food item by a heating medium; means for sensing a plurality of temperatures; means for comparing data relating to the plurality of temperatures with predetermined temperature data; means for determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with said means for sensing based on the comparison; and means for causing a predetermined action based on a status of the food item.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
75 words
A system for cooking a food item comprising: means for heating the food item by a heating medium; means for sensing a plurality of temperatures; means for comparing data relating to the plurality of temperatures with predetermined temperature data; means for determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with said means for sensing based on the comparison; and means for causing a predetermined action based on a status of the food item.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the means for heating is a heating surface.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the means for heating is a heating cavity.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 59 further including means for inputting user information corresponding to the food item.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 62 wherein the means for inputting user information includes a means for inputting a desired level of doneness of the food item.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the means for sensing a plurality of temperatures includes a means for successively sensing the plurality of temperatures.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 64 wherein the means for sensing a plurality of temperatures includes a means for periodically sensing one temperature per period over a number of periods.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 65 further including means for storing a plurality of temperatures.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 66 further including: means for calculating a plurality of delta values from the plurality of sensed temperatures; and means for comparing the plurality of delta values with predetermined delta data.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 67 including: means for determining from the plurality of delta values that the food item has been placed in contact with said means for sensing; and means for heating the food item for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 68 including means for determining that no food item has been placed in contact with said means for sensing for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 69 including means for automatically shutting off the heating medium after determining that no food item has been placed in contact with said means for sensing for a predetermining period of time.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the means for causing a predetermined action is a visual signal.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the means for causing a predetermined action is an audio signal.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 62 further including means for simplifying the inputting of user information corresponding to the food item.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 73 wherein the means for simplifying includes a narrowed list of food items wherein the list is a subset of master list of food items.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
87 words
The system of claim 59 further comprising: at least two sensors means, wherein at least one sensor means is a control temperature sensor means and at least one sensor means is a food temperature sensor means, and wherein the food item is placed in contact with the food temperature sensor means and not in thermal relationship with the control temperature sensor means; means for obtaining present time-temperature data using the food temperature sensor means; and means for obtaining control temperature data using the control temperature sensor means.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 75 further including: means for calculating a plurality of food delta values from the present time-temperature data; means for calculating a plurality of control delta values from the control temperature data; and means for determining a plurality of normalized delta values based on the food delta values and the control delta values.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 76 further comprising: means for determining from the plurality of normalized delta values that the food item has been placed in contact with the food temperature sensor means; and means for heating the food item for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining whether a food item has been placed in contact with the temperature sensor based on the comparison comprises determining whether the food item has been flipped.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said step of determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with a temperature sensor based on the comparison comprises determining whether the food item has been flipped.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the determining means for determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor based on the plurality of successive temperature comprises means for determining whether the food item has been flipped.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 42 whether the determining means for determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor based on the plurality of temperatures comprises means for determining whether the food item has been flipped.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the means for determining whether the food item has been placed in contact with said at least one sensor based on the comparison comprises means for determining whether the food item has been flipped.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4884626A
Cited
US6299920B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-07-06 | 2008-01-05 | 2008-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-07-06 | 2012-01-05 | 2012-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-07-06 | 2016-01-05 | 2016-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |