Thermometer with user settable memory functions
View Patent ↗A system and method for fast temperature measurement during a cooking process uses a high temperature thermometer with a user settable memory feature. The thermometer includes a processor and a memory for storing recommended safe cooking temperatures for a plurality of food items, for example, different meats. A plurality of keys on the thermometer provide an input mechanism for a user of the thermometer to select a type of food item being cooked and display the recommended safe cooking temperature, or to change the stored cooking temperature for a food item.
1. An instant-read thermometer for detecting the temperature of a food item during cooking, comprising:
a housing, said housing further comprising:
a memory storing recommended safe temperatures for one or more types of food items;
a plurality of keys for selecting a type of food item;
a display for displaying the recommended safe temperature for the selected type of food item and the current temperature of the food item;
a processor operatively coupled with the memory, the plurality of keys and the display; and
a temperature sensing probe operatively coupled to the housing and placeable at one or more locations relative to a food item for detecting the current temperature of the food item
the memory further storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
enter a SET mode in response to a user pressing a first key of the plurality of keys;
display a save temperature for a selected food item in response to a user pressing a second key of the plurality of keys;
change the saved temperature in response to a user pressing one or more of the plurality of keys;
store the changed temperature in the memory as a recommended safe temperature for the selected food item associated with second key;
display a save temperature for a second selected food item in response to input from a third key and display an indicia representing the second selected food item;
receive input from one or more keys to change the displayed temperature; and
store the changed temperature in the memory as a recommended safe temperature for the second food item associated with the third key.
2. The thermometer of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a communications interface for wirelessly communicating with a smart device and the processor responds to input from the smart device to change temperatures stored in the memory.
3. The thermometer of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of keys further comprises a SET key and one or more selection keys for selecting a food item during cooking.
4. The thermometer of claim 1 , wherein the processor further comprises a microcontroller.
5. A method of using an instant-read thermometer with user-settable memory functions, said thermometer comprising a temperature sensing probe placeable at one or more locations relative to a food item for measuring a temperature of the food item, a memory storing one or more recommended safe temperatures associated with one or more types of food items, a plurality of keys, a display for displaying the recommended safe cooking temperature for an associated type of food item and a measured temperature of the food item, and a processor operatively coupled with the memory, the plurality of keys and the display, the processor adapted and configured to:
receive input from a first key to enter a temperature setting mode;
receive input from a second key indicating a selected food item and display an indicia representing the selected food item;
access the memory to retrieve a recommended safe cooking temperature for the selected food item and display the retrieved temperature;
receive input from one or more keys to change the displayed temperature to a changed temperature;
receive input from the first key to save the changed temperature in the memory in association with the selected food item;
receive input from a third key indicating a second selected food item and display an indicia representing the second selected food item;
access the memory to retrieve a recommended safe cooking temperature for the second selected food item and display the retrieved temperature;
receive input from one or more keys to change the displayed temperature; and
receive input from the first key to exit a temperature setting mode.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the plurality of keys further comprises third, fourth and fifth keys that indicate a type of food item and the second, third, fourth and fifth keys also function as arrow keys.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the thermometer further comprises a communications interface and the processor communicates with a smart device wirelessly coupled to the thermometer by the communications interface.
8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
placing the probe into contact with a food item;
controlling the processor to display a saved recommended temperature associated with the food item by pressing a key;
controlling the processor to display a current temperature of the food item as sensed by the probe;
once the sensed temperature is higher or approaching a preset threshold lower than the saved recommended temperature, controlling the processor to provide an indication.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
wirelessly coupling the thermometer with a smart device; and
controlling the thermometer using the smart device.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of keys further comprises a plurality of keys that indicate a type of food item.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the indication comprises an audible alert or causing the displayed current temperature to flash.