Abstract:
A remote timer, thermometer and paging system includes a first unit having a radio frequency transmitter, a housing having a recess formed therein and a timer for selecting a time period. The system includes a temperature sensor in communication with the first unit for measuring temperature. The system also includes a second unit having a radio frequency receiver adapted to communicate with the radio frequency transmitter of the first unit. The first unit is adapted to wirelessly transmit an alert signal to the second unit when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor matches a pre-selected temperature or when the selected time period has expired. The second unit is insertible into the recess for storage inside the first unit and is removable from the first unit for moving the second unit to a remote location away from the first unit. The first unit includes a controller that deactivates the radio frequency transmitter when the second unit is at least partially inserted into the recess and activates the radio frequency transmitter when the second unit is removed from the recess so as to provide for wireless communication between the first and second units.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to food preparation and more specifically relates to timers and thermometers that are used to ensure that food, such as meat, is adequately cooked. 
   The accurate and reliable measurement of temperatures is particularly important in the food preparation industry. Cooking to exact temperature ranges is critical in gourmet cooking and to avoid undercooking food items. As a result, a number of devices have been developed to accurately measure the temperature of food items being cooked. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,845 to Tymkewicz et al. discloses a temperature sensing and indicating device including a housing and an arm that is retractable and extendable into and out of the housing so that the length of the arm can be varied in a predetermined manner. A probe having a temperature sensor therein is enclosed by the arm so that varying the external length of the arm exposes varying lengths of the probe, whereby the exposed length of the probe is inserted into a medium so that the temperature sensor senses the temperature of the medium and converts the temperature sensed into a signal. Using a microprocessor, the signal is conditioned and converted for controlling a visual display that provides a visual indication of the temperature sensed. The visual indication includes a digital numeric display and an analog display. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,322 discloses a temperature monitoring device that is typically used with household cooking ranges, ovens, microwave ovens and the like. The device includes a probe having an internal cavity that receives a temperature expansive material such as wax. The cavity is in communication with a displaceable member such as a piston that is responsive to the pressure of the temperature expansive material and is mechanically linked to a latch mechanism that inhibits the operation of a sonic or ultra-sonic signal generator. The assembly is interconnected by adjustment means permitting a variable space between the latch mechanism and the displaceable member, whereby the trigger temperature mechanism can be adjusted. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,783 to Archer discloses an electronic chef&#39;s fork which displays indicia such as food type and degree of doneness for a selected food type and temperature, and which includes control areas by which a user selects a meat type. The electronic chef&#39;s fork includes operational circuitry that enables a user to select among an array of food type options and to designate a degree of doneness for the selected food types. A prompt message is provided to indicate the degree of doneness attained for the selected food type when the device is inserted into food. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,125 discloses a barbecue kettle including a bowl and a cover with the bowl having a food support grid adjacent and an upper rim and a charcoal grid below the food grid along with a cover holder adjacent the rim of the bowl. The cover has a removable thermometer that can sense the internal temperature of the kettle and can also be used as a food thermometer. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,719 discloses a food-handling device which a retractable boom mounted temperature probe. The tool has a probe mounted on a manually retractable boom, the probe being extendable over various sites of the food being checked. The boom is pivotally attached to the elongated arm of a spatula and, by a scissor-like action, is raised out of and lowered into the food. The tool is provided with a temperature indicator in the form of a digital readout. 
   Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,848, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, teaches 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 temperature readings for the food being cooked, and a temperature sensor connectable to the first unit for providing temperature readings to the first unit, the temperature sensor including a substantially rigid temperature probe insertable into the food being cooked and a substantially flexible communication line extending between the temperature probe and the first unit so that the substantially rigid temperature probe is positionable at a plurality of orientations relative to the first unit. The system also includes a second unit including a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the temperature readings transmitted by the radio frequency transmitter and a visual display for displaying the received temperature readings, wherein the second unit is movable to a second location remote from the first location while maintaining radio contact with the first unit so as to allow for continuous temperature monitoring of the food being cooked. 
   Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,505, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, teaches a method of remotely monitoring the cooking of meat includes providing a first hand-held unit having a first liquid crystal display and a radio frequency transmitter, providing a temperature sensor in communication with the first unit, the temperature sensor including a substantially rigid temperature probe and a substantially flexible communication line extending, positioning the first unit adjacent a heating compartment, providing a second hand-held unit having a second liquid crystal display and a radio frequency receiver for receiving the temperature readings transmitted by the radio frequency transmitter, selecting a meat for temperature monitoring, selecting a taste preference associated with the selected meat, placing the meat in thermal communication with the heating compartment, inserting the probe into the meat for obtaining temperature readings for the meat, communicating the temperature readings from the probe to the first unit, moving the second unit to a second location spaced from the first unit and transmitting the temperature readings by radio frequency from the first unit to the second unit. 
   Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,308, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, teaches 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 temperature readings for the food being cooked, and a temperature sensor connectable to the first unit for providing temperature readings to the first unit, the temperature sensor including a substantially rigid temperature probe insertable into the food being cooked and a substantially flexible communication line extending between the temperature probe and the first unit so that the substantially rigid temperature probe is positionable at a plurality of orientations relative to the first unit. The system also includes a second unit including a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the temperature readings transmitted by the radio frequency transmitter and a visual display for displaying the received temperature readings, wherein the second unit is movable to a second location remote from the first location while maintaining radio contact with the first unit so as to allow for continuous temperature monitoring of the food being cooked. 
   In spite of the above advances, there remains a need for improved paging systems. There also remains a need for improved timer and/or temperature monitoring systems. There is also a need for systems that include remote wireless units that enable an operator to move away from a base unit located next to a grill, stove, microwave, heating and/or cooking unit. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a remote paging system includes a first unit having a radio frequency transmitter and including a housing having a recess formed therein, and a second unit, such as a pager unit, having a radio frequency receiver adapted to communicate with the radio frequency transmitter of the first unit, whereby the second unit is insertible into the recess of the housing for storing the second unit with or inside the first unit. 
   In certain preferred embodiments, the second unit is at least partially insertible into the recess of the housing for deactivating the radio frequency transmitter and is removable from the recess of the housing for activating the radio frequency transmitter so as to provide for wireless communication between the first and second units. The first unit may includes a switch located in the recess of the housing that is movable between a first position for deactivating the radio frequency transmitter and a second position for activating the radio frequency transmitter. The second unit preferably engages the switch when at least partially inserted into the recess of the housing for moving the switch into the first position for deactivating the radio frequency transmitter, the radio frequency receiver, or both the transmitter and the receiver. The switch may be a pressure switch. 
   The first unit preferably comprises a temperature monitoring element for selecting a temperature and a controller in communication with the temperature monitoring element for generating an alert signal when a monitored temperature matches the selected temperature. The controller may be in communication with the radio frequency transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the alert signal from the radio frequency transmitter to the radio frequency receiver of the second unit. The first unit may also include a timer for selecting a time period and a controller in communication with the timer for generating an alert signal when the selected time period has expired. The controller is in communication with the radio frequency transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the alert signal from the radio frequency transmitter to the radio frequency receiver of the second unit. In certain preferred embodiments, the first unit includes both a temperature monitoring element and a timer. In other preferred embodiments, the first unit may include either a temperature monitoring element or a timer. 
   The first unit may include a visual display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The visual display may selectively display temperature information and/or time information. 
   In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, a remote paging system includes a first unit having a radio frequency transmitter, a housing having a recess formed therein, and a temperature sensor for measuring temperature, the temperature sensor being in communication with the first unit. The system desirably includes a second unit having a radio frequency receiver adapted to communicate with the radio frequency transmitter of the first unit, the second unit being insertible into the recess of the housing for storing the second unit with the first unit. The first unit is desirably adapted to wirelessly transmit an alert signal to the second unit when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor matches a pre-selected temperature. The first unit may also include a timer for selecting a time period and a controller in communication with the timer for generating an alert signal when the selected time period has expired. The controller is desirably in communication with the radio frequency transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the alert signal from the radio frequency transmitter to the radio frequency receiver of the second unit. The second unit is at least partially insertible into the recess of the housing for deactivating the radio frequency transmitter and is removable from the recess of the housing for activating the radio frequency transmitter so as to provide for wireless communication between the first and second units. 
   In certain preferred embodiments, the recess of the first unit is bounded by an outer surface of the housing. In these embodiments, after the second unit is fully inserted into the recess of the housing, the second unit has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the outer surface of the housing that surrounds the recess. In some preferred embodiments, the housing has a curved surface that surrounds the recess and after the second unit is fully inserted into the recess, the second unit has an exposed curved surface that matches the curved surface of the housing that surrounds the recess. In still other preferred embodiments, the housing has a spherical surface that surrounds the recess and after the second unit is fully inserted into the recess, the second unit has an exposed spherical surface that matches the spherical surface of the housing that surrounds the recess. 
   In further preferred embodiments of the present invention, a remote timer, thermometer and paging system includes a first unit having a radio frequency transmitter and including a housing having a recess formed therein, the first unit including a timer for selecting a time period. The system desirably includes a temperature sensor for measuring temperature, the temperature sensor being in communication with the first unit. The system preferably includes a second unit having a radio frequency receiver adapted to communicate with the radio frequency transmitter of the first unit. The first unit is adapted to wirelessly transmit an alert signal to the second unit when the temperature measured the temperature sensor matches a pre-selected temperature or when the selected time period has expired. The second unit is preferably insertible into the recess for storage inside the first unit and is removable from the first unit for moving the second unit away from the first unit. 
   In certain preferred embodiments, the first unit includes a controller that deactivates the radio frequency transmitter when the second unit is at least partially inserted into the recess and activates the radio frequency transmitter when the second unit is removed from the recess so as to provide for wireless communication between the first and second units. In other preferred embodiments, the radio frequency transmitter and/or the radio frequency receiver may be activated by switches on either the first unit or the second unit. 
   These and other preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a remote timer, thermometer and paging system including a housing, a temperature sensor and a paging unit, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a bottom plan view of the housing shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a bottom plan view of the paging unit shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows a front elevational view of the housing shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4B  shows a side elevational view of the housing shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4C  shows a rear elevational view of the housing shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows a visual display on the housing shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5B  shows a visual display on the housing shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a visual display on the housing shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6B  shows a visual display on the housing shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  shows a schematic view of a remote timer, thermometer and paging system, in accordance with still further preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a paging system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. The system  10  includes a housing  12  having a front end  14  and a rear  16 . The housing includes a rotatable dial  18 , a first control  20  for selecting whether a temperature is to be displayed in Fahrenheit or Celsius and a second control  22  for selecting whether or not a time display is to be shown on visual display  24 . The housing also includes a remote finder button  26  that may be depressed so as to locate remote pager  28 . The remote timer, thermometer and paging system also includes a temperature probe  30  having a flexible connecting wire  32  and a plug  34  insertible into an electrical outlet accessible at an outer surface of the housing  12 . 
     FIG. 2  shows a bottom plan view of housing  12  including battery compartment  36  for holding one or more batteries and a battery cover  38  that selectively covers the battery compartment  36 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the remote paging unit  28  includes a battery compartment  40  adapted to receive one or more batteries  42  and a battery cover  44  that selectively covers the battery compartment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the paging unit  28  may have a pull cord or similar element attached thereto for removing the paging unit from the recess of the first unit. 
     FIG. 4A  shows a front elevational view of the housing  12 . The housing includes visual display  24  that is preferably divided into an upper section  46  and a lower section  48 . In certain preferred embodiments, the upper section  46  displays an alert temperature, which is a final desired cooking temperature selected by a user. The lower section  48  of the visual display  24  may display the actual recorded temperature or may show a timer display as will be described in more detail below. 
   The housing  12  includes a rotatable knob  18  that may be rotated to the left for reducing a final desire cooking temperature and/or a length of time selected for cooking. The rotatable knob  18  may be rotated to the right for increasing the final desire cooking temperature and/or the length of time desired for cooking. Housing  12  preferably includes a first control  20  for toggling the visual display  24  between displaying temperature in Fahrenheit or in Celsius. Housing  12  also includes second control  22  which may be engaged for toggling the lower section  48  of the visual display  24  between displaying the measured temperature or displaying a time for cooking. In one preferred embodiment, once the plug  34  of the temperature probe is plugged into the housing, the lower section  48  of the visual display  24  will automatically show the temperature recorded by the temperature probe. If an operator desires to show how much time is left for cooking, after the temperature probe is plugged into the housing, an operator may depress the second control  22  for changing to time remaining. 
     FIG. 4B  shows a side elevational view of housing  12  including front end  14  and rear  16 . The housing includes rotatable knobs  18  and sloping face  50  which includes the visual display  24  ( FIG. 4A ). Housing  12  also includes second control  22  which may be engaged for toggling between a display of an actual measure temperature and the time remaining for cooking. 
     FIG. 4C  shows a rear elevational view of housing  12 . The rear of housing  12  includes a recess  52  formed therein that is sized and shaped to receive the paging unit  28  shown in  FIG. 1 . The housing includes a switch  54  providing in the recess  52 . When the paging unit is inserted into the recess  52 , a leading edge of the paging unit preferably engages the switch  54  for deactivating radio transmissions between the housing  12  and the paging unit  28 . When the paging unit  28  is removed from the housing  12 , the switch  54  preferably moves into an extended position for activating a radio transmitter that sends signals from the housing  12  to the remote paging unit  28 . The recess  52  also preferably includes a projection or guide  56  that guides the paging unit into proper seating or alignment within the recess. The guide  56  preferably guides the paging unit into place and further ensures that the switch  54  is properly engaged when the paging unit is inserted into the recess. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4B , the rear  16  of the housing  12  preferably has a curved or spherical surface and a rear  45  of paging unit  28  also preferably has a curved or spherical surface that matches the curved/spherical surface of the rear  16  of the housing  12 . As a result, when the paging unit  28  has been inserted into the recess of the housing, the exposed surface of the paging unit has a curved or spherical surface that matches the curved or spherical surface of the housing that surrounds the recess. Once inserted into the recess, the exposed surface of the paging unit  28  is preferably flush with the outer surface of the housing that surrounds the recess  52  ( FIG. 4C ). 
   In order to remove the paging unit from the housing, the paging unit may have a pull cord attached thereto. In other preferred embodiments, the exposed surface of the paging unit may be pressed into the recess, whereby the paging unit pops slightly out of the recess for being grasped and removed from the recess. The first unit may include one or more springs provided in the recess for selectively ejecting the paging unit from the housing. The one or more springs preferably engage the paging unit to force the paging unit at least partially out of the recess. 
     FIG. 5A  shows the visual display  24  when the remote paging unit is inserted into the recess in the rear of the housing and when the temperature probe is not plugged into the housing. In this state, the upper section  46  of the visual display shows the alert temperature or the final desired cooking temperature that has been selected by an operator. The alert temperature may be shown in Fahrenheit or Celsius. In order to toggle between Fahrenheit and Celsius, an operator may engage first control  20  ( FIG. 4A ). With the temperature probe decoupled from the housing, the lower section  48  of the visual display  24  shows the time remaining for cooking. In the particular preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , the time display includes hours and minutes remaining in a cooking operation. In other preferred embodiments, however, the time display may show time in minutes and seconds; hours, minutes and seconds; or days, hours, minutes and seconds. The present invention contemplates that any length of time or time unit may be displayed on the visual display  24  and still fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   The exact length of time selected and displayed on the lower section  48  may be controlled by rotating knob  18  ( FIG. 4A ). Referring to  FIG. 4A , the knob  18  may be rotated to the left for reducing the time shown on the lower section  48 . The rotatable know  18  may be rotated to the right for increasing the time shown in lower section  48 . In other preferred embodiments, the rotatable knob  18  may be turned to the left for increasing time and to the right for decreasing time. In still other preferred embodiments, the rotatable knob  18  may be replaced by any mechanism well-known to those skilled in the art for selecting a time period for cooking. 
     FIG. 5B  shows visual display  24  after the temperature probe has been coupled with the housing. Once the temperature probe is coupled with the housing, the lower section  48  of the visual display  24  shows the temperature measured by the temperature probe, while the upper section  46  of the visual display  24  continues to show the final desired cooking temperature. In certain preferred embodiments, even after the temperature probe has been coupled with the housing, the lower section  48  may still display the time remaining in a cooking operation. In certain preferred embodiments, referring to  FIG. 1 , the second control  22  may be engaged for changing the lower section  48  so that it no longer shows the actual temperature measured by the temperature probe and now shows the time remaining in the cooking operation. An operator may engage the second control  22  once again to change back from the time remaining in the cooking operation to the actual temperature measured by the temperature probe. Thus, an operator can manipulate the lower section  48  of the visual display  24  so that is toggles back and forth between the time remaining in the cooking operation and the actual measured temperature, even after the temperature probe has been coupled with the housing. 
   The visual display also preferably indicates whether the pager has been removed from the housing.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the visual display when the pager has been removed from the housing. In  FIG. 6A , the lower section  48  of the visual display  24  includes a radio wave transmission symbol  58  that is activated when the paging unit is removed from the recess in the rear of the housing.  FIG. 6A  shows the visual display when the temperature probe is not coupled with the housing and/or when the second control has been engaged for changing the lower section  48  from showing a actual measured temperature to the time remaining in a cooking cycle.  FIG. 6B  shows visual display  24  after the pager has been removed from the recess and the temperature probe is coupled with the housing. The lower section  48  of the visual display shows the radio transmitting symbol  58  which indicates that radio signals are being sent to the paging unit. 
     FIG. 7  shows a schematic view of the remote timer, thermometer and paging system of the present invention. The system includes housing  12  having front end  14  and rear  16  with recess  52  formed in the rear. The recess  52  includes a switch  54  that is depressed when the paging unit is inserted into the recess and is extended when the paging unit is removed from the recess. The housing includes a controller  60 , such as a controller including a microprocessor, and a radio transmitter  62  that is coupled with the controller  60 . The controller  60  is preferably in communication with the visual display and all of the knobs and bottoms provided on the housing. The controller is preferably in two-way communication with the radio frequency transmitter  62  and the switch  54 . 
   The system  10  also preferably includes the remote paging unit  28  including a radio frequency receiver  64  and a controller  66 . The paging unit  28  also preferably includes an audible signal generator  68  for generating a beep, alarm or sound. The paging unit  28  may also include an LED for other type of light generating element  70 . 
   In operation, a user selects a final desired cooking temperature and/or a time period for cooking. The user may decrease or increase the final desire cooking temperature by manipulating one or more of the knobs and/or controls provided of the first unit. The user may also select a length of time for cooking by manipulating the same knobs and/or controls. The user may monitor the cooking temperature or the time remaining for cooking by staying next to the housing, without using the remote paging unit. With the paging unit in the recess of the housing, the radio frequency transmitter  62  is preferably deactivated. At the same time, the paging unit is also preferably deactivated, thereby saving battery power. In this mode, when the final desired cooking temperature has been reached or the time for cooking has expired, a visual or audible sound will be generated by the first unit. 
   When an operator desires to move away from the housing  12  of the first unit, the remote paging unit  28  may be removed from the rear  16  of the housing. Once the remote paging unit  28  is removed, the radio transmitter  62  in the housing is activated and the radio receiver  64  in the paging unit  28  is activated. Radio frequency signals  72  are periodically transmitted from the radio frequency transmitter  62  to the radio frequency receiver  64 . Once a desired cooking temperature has been reached and/or the time for cooking has expired, an alert signal will be sent from the first unit to the paging unit. The paging unit  28  will preferably receive the alert signal and generate a visual or audible indicator. The wireless transmission from the housing  12  to the remote paging unit  28  will be terminated once the paging unit is reinserted back into the rear  16  of the housing  12 . Upon reinsertion, an edge of the remote paging unit  28  preferably engages the depressible switch  54  for deactivating wireless transmission. 
   In certain preferred embodiments, the controller  66  in the wireless paging unit  28  includes at least one microprocessor. In other preferred embodiments, the radio frequency receiver  64  and the remote paging unit  28  may also include a radio frequency transmitter for sending signals back to the housing  12 . In these particular embodiments, the radio frequency transmitter  62  and the housing  12  also includes a radio frequency receiver for receiving the signals from the remote paging unit. The remote paging unit may also include one or more control buttons or knobs on an exterior surface thereof for controlling operation of the remote paging unit  28  or the first unit. In other preferred embodiments, one or more of the elements found on the first unit may be transferred to the remote paging unit  28 . In addition, one or more elements found in the remote paging unit may be transferred to the first unit. Thus, any of the elements found in the system may be found on either the first unit, the remote paging unit  28 , or on both the first unit and the remote paging unit  28 .