Patent Publication Number: US-2011061459-A1

Title: Method and Apparatus for Enhancing Measurement Accuracy for Beverage Preparations

Description:
FIELD 
     The exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention relates to measurement system. More specifically, the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention relates to measuring device for beverage preparations. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A typical measuring cup contains one or more measurement line(s) wherein each measurement line has an associated measurement unit or volume next to the measurement line indicating the measurement and/or capacity. For example, if the measurement line indicates a 16 ounce (“oz”) liquid volume, a symbol of 16 oz is typically printed next to the measurement line. Such conventional measuring cups are widely employed in various settings such as restaurants and coffee shops. 
     A problem associated with a typical measuring cup is readability because the symbol is often difficult to discern when the liquid substance to be measured covers or blocks the reading of the measurement line(s). In a coffee shop scenario, a barista may, for example, have difficulty times reading the measurement symbol(s) as well as measurement line(s) when the liquid substance such as milk rising above the measurement line(s) and symbol(s). An adjustment process of liquid substance such as milk is typically needed to reach a predefined and/or desirable level of measurement for the liquid substance. The adjustment process usually adds complication as well as additional time for coffee preparations. In addition, a certain amount of liquid substance such as milk is discarded or wasted during the process of adjustment. 
     SUMMARY 
     A measuring device capable of enhancing accuracy of measurements for beverage preparations is disclosed. The measuring device includes a container having an opening. The opening is configured to allow a stream of liquid substance such as milk to enter. The container has a bottom and a side wall, wherein the side wall elevates from the bottom to the opening. The container is capable of retaining the stream of liquid substance. The side wall further includes markers, wherein each marker indicates a measurement of an ingredient in accordance with the size of the beverage. 
     Additional features and benefits of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, figures and claims set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only. 
         FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional (“3D”) diagram illustrating a measuring device used for beverage preparations in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a 3D diagram illustrating a measuring device used for coffee preparations with specific markers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a 3D diagram illustrating an alternative measuring device used for coffee preparations with specific markers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG.  4 AB illustrate a measuring device used for coffee preparations with color inserts in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a 3D diagram illustrating a measuring device for beverage preparations using measuring sensors in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a 3D diagram illustrating a measuring device used for beverage preparations capable of controlling the liquid dispenser in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a pictorial illustration showing a measuring device used for coffee preparations with specific markers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an alternative pictorial illustration showing a measuring device used for coffee preparations with specific markers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a pictorial illustration showing a measuring device used for coffee preparations with alternative markers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a process of preparing a cup of coffee using a measuring device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention is described herein in the context of a method, device, and apparatus of improving accuracy of ingredient measurements for beverage preparations. 
     Those of ordinary skills in the art will realize that the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment(s) is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the exemplary embodiment(s) as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and description to refer to the same or like parts. 
     In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be understood that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. It, however, will be understood that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skills in the art having the benefit of embodiment(s) of this disclosure. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Rather, the dimensions of the various features may be expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) or method. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which the exemplary embodiment(s) belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and this exemplary embodiment(s) of the disclosure unless otherwise defined. 
     As used herein, the singular forms of article “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items 
     A measuring pitcher capable of enhancing accuracy of milk measurements for coffee preparations is disclosed. The pitcher includes a container with an opening for retaining milk. The opening is configured to allow a stream of milk to enter the container. The container has a bottom and a side wall, wherein the side wall elevates from the bottom to the opening. The side wall further includes a “Tall” marker, a “Grande” marker, and a “Venti” marker, wherein each marker indicates a measurement of milk in accordance with the cup size of the coffee. 
       FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional (“3D”) diagram  100  illustrating a measuring device used for beverage preparations in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Diagram  100  includes an opening  102  and a container  104  wherein container  104  further includes a side wall  106  and a bottom  108 . Side wall  106  elevates or rises from bottom  108  to opening  102  to form a receptacle capable of holding liquid or solid substance. Container  104 , in one example, also includes a handle  116  coupled to side wall  106  for hand handling or holding the measuring device. It should be noted that the underlying concept of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention would not change if one or more elements were added to or removed from diagram  100 . 
     Side wall  106 , in one embodiment, includes special marker or markers embossed on side wall  106  to enhance readability. For example, a “Grande” marker molded or carved or printed on side wall  106  indicates that measurement  114  pointed by a pointer  112  is the amount of ingredient needed for making a Grande size cup of coffee. Grande size cup, for instance, is able to hold 16 ounce (“oz”) of coffee. Grande size cup, in some instances, is also known as a medium size cup. Note that the marker can include other symbols, such as Tall, Venti, Small, Medium, Large, Mocha, Espresso, Latte, Cappuccino, and the like. 
     Pointer  112 , which is also embossed or printed on side wall  106 , includes two ends wherein a first end points to the marker such as Grande while the second end points to measurement  114  indicating the surface of liquid substance. The liquid substance can be milk, cocoa, or syrup. In one embodiment, the second end includes a horizontal dotted line indicating the surface of liquid substance. In an alternative embodiment, various types of color coding inserts are used for measuring the amount of ingredients necessary for preparing a cup of beverage, such as coffee, cocoa, or cold drinks. Coffee can be one of many types of coffee related drinks including, but not limited to, Mocha, Espresso, Latte, Cappuccino, and the like. 
     Depending on the applications, the measuring device can be made or manufactured by different types of material, such as stainless steel, iron, metal, stainless alloy, glass, plastic, ceramic, polymer, clay, and the like. Also, the design or shape of measuring device can change based on the applications. For example, the measuring device may include a spout with a curved rim for guided pouring of the liquid substance. It should be noted that the shape of the device can be taller and/or the opening can be smaller. 
     The measuring device, which can be made from any color or transparency in a form of glass, metals, plastics and/or ceramics, is used by a barista to prepare a cup of coffee. A purpose of the embodiment(s) is to pre-measure an amount of milk needed prior to steaming it whereby more accurate measurements for specific sizes of drink can be achieved. Accurate measurement reduces the waste of milk. Other advantages include establishing an enhanced learning curve for new baristas to master minimal coffee standards imposed by corporations such as Starbucks™ or Peet&#39;s™. The standards and/or measurements can be described in metrics, English measurement units, or other volume expressions in foreign languages. In addition, the measurements can be set at any angle for readability enhancement. 
       FIG. 2  is a 3D diagram  200  illustrating a measuring device used for coffee preparations with specific markers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Similar to diagram  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , diagram  200  also includes an opening  102  and a container  104  wherein container  104  further includes a side wall  106  and a bottom  108 . Side wall  106  elevates from bottom  108  to opening  102  to form a receptacle capable of holding liquid substance such as milk. Container  104 , in one example, also includes a handle  116  coupled to side wall  106  for hand handling or holding the measuring device. Container  104  further includes a spout, mouth, nose, nozzle, or lip  220  for guided liquid pouring or transferring. It should be noted that the underlying concept of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention would not change if one or more elements were added to or removed from diagram  200 . 
     Diagram  200  includes a “Tall” marker, a “Grande” marker, and a “Venti” marker  204  embossed on side wall  106  for enhancing readability. For example, markers  110  and  202 - 204  are located closer to the rim of opening  102  whereby they can be easily observed by a barista or user. Side wall  106  also includes a tall pointer  206  and a venti pointer  208  wherein the first end of tall pointer  206  points to “Tall” marker  202  while the second end of tall pointer  206  points to a measurement  212  of an ingredient for a “Tall” size cup of coffee. Also, the first end of Venti pointer  208  points to “Venti” marker  204  while the second end of Venti pointer  208  points to a measurement  210  of an ingredient for a “Venti” size cup of coffee. The Tall size cup has different capacity or volume than the Venti size cup. For example, a Tall size cup can hold 12 oz of coffee while a Venti size cup may hold up to 20 oz of coffee. 
     In one embodiment, the measuring device is configured to have an opening  102  and a container  106 . The measuring device is also known as a measuring cup, a measuring pitcher, a measuring jug, a measuring bowl, a measuring glass, and the like. While opening  102  can be referred to as an entrance, container  106  may be referred to as a body. Opening  102  allows a stream of liquid substance to enter or pass, while container  106  retains the stream of liquid substance. The liquid substance, for example, can be milk, Mocha Syrup, Espresso Shot, cocoa, liquid sugar, et cetera. 
     Side wall  106  includes various markers, wherein each marker indicates a measurement of an ingredient in accordance with the size of beverage. Container  106  can be made of stainless alloy or other types of composite or plastic materials. Container  106  includes a spout for guided pouring of the liquid substance. For example, a barista is able to transfer measured milk from a measuring device to a cup via spout  220 . The markers further include a “T+T” symbol and a “T+G” symbol for combined cup sizes. The “T+T” symbol indicates a Tall plus Tall and the “T+G” symbol indicates a Tall plus Grande. Furthermore, the markers can include a “small” marker, a “medium” marker, and a “large” marker, wherein the small marker indicates that a size of small cup can hold 12 oz of drink. The size of a medium cup can hold up to 16 oz of coffee, the size of a larger cup can hold up to 20 oz of liquid beverage. 
     Grande marker  110  is embossed on side wall  106  toward the rim of opening  102  and includes an embossed line indicating a reading of a measurement. Side wall  106  includes an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein the inside surface includes measurement mechanism capable of detecting the amount of the liquid substance. The outside surface is configured to display said measurement. The markers can include electrical sensors capable of transmitting measurements to a remote location. In addition, a color insert can be coupled to side wall  106  and is capable of changing its color to indicate the level of measurement detected. 
       FIG. 3  is a 3D diagram  300  illustrating an alternative measuring device used for coffee preparations with specific markers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Similar to diagram  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , diagram  300  includes an opening  102  and a container  104  wherein container  104  further includes a side wall  106  and a bottom  108 . Side wall  106  elevates from bottom  108  to opening  102  to form a receptacle capable of holding liquid substance such as milk. Container  104 , in one example, also includes a handle  116  coupled to side wall  106  for hand handling or holding the measuring device. Container  104  further includes a spout, mouth, nose, nozzle, or lip  220  for guided liquid pouring or transferring. It should be noted that the underlying concept of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention would not change if one or more elements were added to or removed from diagram  300 . 
     The measuring device illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes a “Small” marker  302 , a “Medium” marker  304 , and a “Large” marker  306  embossed on side wall  106 , wherein each marker indicates a measurement of an ingredient for a cup of coffee. Side wall  106  further includes a small pointer  308 , a medium pointer  309 , and a large pointer  310 . A small measurement line  312  and small pointer  308  are embossed on side wall  106 . Small measurement line  312 , for example, indicates the amount of milk needed to prepare for a 12 oz cup of coffee. The first end of small pointer points to “Small” marker  302  and the second end of small pointer points to small measurement line  312 . A medium measurement line  314 , for example, indicates the amount of milk needed to prepare a 16 oz cup of coffee. The first end of medium pointer points to “Medium” marker  304  and the second end of medium pointer  309  points to medium measurement line  314 . A large measurement line  316 , for example, indicates the amount of milk needed for a 20 oz cup of coffee. The first end of large pointer  310  points to “Large” marker  306  and the second end of large pointer  310  points to large measurement line  316 . Note that different types of coffee related drink may require different amount of ingredients and/or milk. 
     An advantage of employing the embodiment(s) of the presently illustrated measuring device is to reduce the wasted milk during the preparation of coffee such as a Latte or Mocha. In addition, it simplifies coffee making process thereby the learning curve or training period for new baristas is shortened. 
     For instance, a measuring device measures the exact amount of milk prior to being steamed regulating in, for example, five (5) different measurements: Venti, Grande, Tall and combinations to Tall+Tall and Tall+Grande of specific cup sizes. The embodiment(s) of the invention reduces milk waste and maximize the value of each drink for a coffee shop, with labeling the different measurements of milk to pour prior to steaming it based on the size of the drink. The inside of the steaming pitchers, for example, can be labeled for specifics based on sizes of drink. 
       FIG. 4A  is a diagram  400  illustrating a measuring device used for coffee preparations with color inserts in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Similar to diagram  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , diagram  400  also includes an opening  102  and a container  104  wherein container  104  further includes a side wall  106  and a bottom  108 . Side wall  106  elevates from bottom  108  to opening  102  to form a receptacle capable of holding liquid substance such as milk. Container  104 , in one example, also includes a handle  116  coupled to side wall  106  for hand handling or holding the measuring device. Container  104  further includes a spout for guided liquid pouring or transferring. It should be noted that the underlying concept of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention would not change if one or more elements were added to or removed from diagram  400 . 
     The measuring device illustrated in diagram  400  employs one or more sets of color coded measuring inserts  402 - 408 . Each color coded pre-measuring insert, for example, is a pre-determined amount of ingredient needed for preparing a specific size of a drink. Note that different drink sizes can have different capacities, such as 8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz, 20 oz and so on. Also, beverage can be any types of drink, such as coffee, latte, Mocha, Cappuccino, cocoa, tea, and the like. Each insert can be configured to be usable for preparing one or more types of drinks. In one aspect, a color coded insert can be inserted into a specialized pocket built in the side wall for readability. The insert can be directly inserted into the liquid substance for taking a measurement. Alternatively, measurements can be obtained using color coded inserts, high or low relief imprints, etched, stickers, magnets, and/or internal slips with the measurements. 
     An advantage of using the inserts is to reduce waster of the liquid substance through the use of a color coded pre-measuring device. To prepare a cup of Latte, the color coded measuring inserts, for example, used in conjunction with standard pitchers for steaming milk, create a near perfect amount of milk for whatever a barista is preparing. Note that the color coded measuring inserts, for one instance, are made of plastic materials and/or heat resistant sticking substances. Another benefit for employing an accurate measuring device is to shorten the learning curve for new a barista&#39;s training while serving drinks. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrate a set of color coded measuring inserts  450  used for coffee preparations in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A set of color coded measuring inserts  450 , in one embodiment, includes a kids insert  452 , a cappuccino insert  454 , a mocha insert  456 , and a latte insert  458 , wherein each insert further includes one or more measurement bars indicating unit(s) of capacity. The unit of capacity, as illustrated, is fluid ounce (“fl oz”). In one embodiment, each insert includes a specific predetermined color code representing a specific drink. For example, kids insert  452  is assigned to yellow color and cappuccino insert  454  is assigned to blue color. While mocha insert  456  is assigned to brown color, latte insert  458  is assigned to green color. It should be noted that color codes can be reassigned to different types of drinks. 
     Each color code contains oz or fl oz measurement bars representing amount of milk needed for each drink. For example, latte insert  458  includes measurement bars for 8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz, and 20 oz indicating the necessary amount of milk to make or prepare an 8, 12, 16, or 20 oz of latte. Note that measurements account for steamed milk aeration as well as additional ingredients such as Mocha Syrup, Espresso Shot, et cetera. The color coded measuring insert may change its color gradually from one color to another to indicating a process of reaching to a desirable measurement. 
       FIG. 5  is a 3D diagram  500  illustrating a measuring device for beverage preparations using measuring sensors in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Diagram  500  includes an opening  102  and a container  104  wherein container  104  further includes a side wall  106  and a bottom  518 . Side wall  106  elevates from bottom  518  to opening  102  to form a receptacle capable of holding liquid substance such as milk. Container  104 , in one example, also includes a handle  116  coupled to side wall  106  for hand handling or holding the measuring device. Container  104  further includes a spout  220  for guided liquid pouring or transferring. It should be noted that the underlying concept of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention would not change if one or more elements were added to or removed from diagram  500 . 
     The measuring device shown in diagram  500  includes a sensor  506  which is capable of detecting various levels of volume for liquid substance. In one embodiment, sensor  506  employs various sensing mechanisms, such as heat sensing, pressure sensing, liquid detecting, motion detecting, optical sensing, and the like. Upon sensing liquid substance, sensor  506  transmits the measurement(s) to a control chip  508 . Control chip  508  is capable of processing and converting the measurement(s) to displayable data. After data processing, the measurement detected by sensor  506  is displayed on a display  510 . Display  510  is a built-in image displaying element such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) or flat panel digital imaging screen situated outside of container  104 . Display  510  is able to display measurements  516  or  518  upon receipt of displaying information from chip  508  via communication  512 . It should be noted that communication  512  can be a wire or connection traveling from bottom  518  to display  510  via side wall  106 . Alternatively, communication  512  can be a wireless communication link. 
     In one embodiment, the measuring device can be calibrated to a specific setting such as a Grande size (16 oz) Latte. Display  510 , for example, displays a green color when the milk starts to dispense into container  104 . The green color displayed on display  510  starts to change to yellow as the milk starts to accumulate in container  104 . The yellow color begins to change to orange when the milk starts to move closer to the desirable amount of milk. Display  510  displays red color when the milk reaches the desirable amount of milk. It should be noted that display  510  can also be replaced by light emitting diode (“LED”) for illuminating optical color change. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the components, process steps, and/or data structures described herein may be implemented using various types of operating systems, computing platforms, computer programs, and/or general purpose machines. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that devices of a less general purpose nature, such as hardwired devices, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like, may also be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Where a method comprising a series of process steps is implemented by a computer or a machine and those process steps can be stored as a series of instructions readable by the machine, they may be stored on a tangible medium such as a computer memory device (e.g., ROM (Read Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), FLASH Memory, Jump Drive, and the like), magnetic storage medium (e.g., tape, magnetic disk drive, and the like), optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, paper card and paper tape, and the like) and other known types of program memory. 
       FIG. 6  is a 3D diagram  600  illustrating a measuring device used for beverage preparations capable of controlling the liquid dispenser in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Diagram  600  includes a liquid dispenser  602  and a measuring pitcher  604  with an opening  102 . Measuring pitcher  604  further includes a side wall  106  and a bottom  518 . Side wall  106  elevates from bottom  518  to opening  102  to form a receptacle capable of holding liquid substance such as milk. Measuring pitcher  604 , in one example, also includes a handle  116  coupled to side wall  106  for hand handling or holding the pitcher  604 . In one embodiment, handle  116  also provides a function of antenna for transmitting wireless signals  606 . It should be noted that the underlying concept of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention would not change if one or more elements were added to or removed from diagram  600 . 
     Dispenser  602 , in one embodiment, includes a nozzle  608  and a dispensing control unit  610 , wherein dispensing control unit  610  gates the liquid flow through nozzle  608  in response to wireless signals  606  emitted by handle  116 . During the operation, when sensor  506  detects measurement  620  or  622 , chip  508  instructs dispenser  602  to turn on or shut off nozzle  608  via wireless signals  606 . 
       FIG. 7  is a pictorial illustration showing a measuring device  700  used for coffee preparations with specific markers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Device  700  includes a body  702 , a handle  716 , and a spout  720  wherein device  700  is made of metal or stainless materials. The inside wall of body further includes a “GRANDE” marker  710  and a “VENTI” marker  704 . Measuring device  700  also includes pointers and measurement lines such as a Grande pointer  712  and a Grande line  706  embossed on the side wall.  FIG. 8  is an alternative pictorial illustration showing a measuring device  800  used for coffee preparations with specific markers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the underlying concept of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention would not change if one or more elements were added to or removed from device  800 . 
       FIG. 9  is a pictorial illustration showing a measuring device  900  used for coffee preparations with alternative markers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Device  900  includes a body, a handle  916 , and a spout wherein device  900  is made of metal or stainless materials. The inside wall of body further includes a “T+T” marker  902 , a “1.0 L” marker  904 , and a “T+G” marker  906 . Measuring device  900  also includes pointers and measurement lines such as a T+T pointer  912  and a T+T line  910  embossed on the side wall. 
     The exemplary aspect of the present invention includes various processing steps, which will be described below. The steps of the aspect may be embodied in machine or computer executable instructions. The instructions can be used to cause a general purpose or special purpose system, which is programmed with the instructions, to perform the steps of the exemplary aspect of the present invention. Alternatively, the steps of the exemplary aspect of the present invention may be performed by specific hardware components that contain hard-wired logic for performing the steps, or by any combination of programmed computer components and custom hardware components. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart  1000  illustrating a process of preparing a cup of coffee using a measuring device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. At block  1002 , a Latte preparing process, in one embodiment, receives a request of a Grande sized Latte. At block  1004 , a measuring device capable of preparing a Latte drink is obtained. At block  1006 , a barista identifies a measurement line embossed on a wall of the measuring device indicated by a “GRANDE” marker pointed by a pointer. Milk is subsequently, at block  1008 , poured into an opening of the measuring device until the surface of the milk touches the measurement line. At block  1010 , the milk is transferred from said measuring device into a Grande sized cup. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those of skills in the art that based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention.