Abstract:
A method of steeping tea including receiving a tea type; receiving tea data records, each including tea type, steeping time and steeping temperature; matching the tea type to one of the number of tea data records to obtain a corresponding steeping time and a corresponding steeping temperature; receiving successive sensed temperature readings of the steeping liquid; comparing the successive sensed temperature readings with the corresponding steeping temperature; once one of the successive sensed temperature readings reaches the corresponding steeping temperature, providing a first alert that the steeping temperature has been reached; after the first alerting step, receiving a dry tea input indicating that a dry tea has been added to the brewing liquid; activating a countdown of the corresponding steeping time after receiving the dry tea input; and once the corresponding steeping time elapses according to the countdown, providing a second alert indicating that the steeping time has elapsed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 60/894,033 filed Mar. 9, 2007, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    One or more embodiments of the present invention generally relates to an electronic tea thermometer and timer device. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    Tea drinking is a time honored tradition in many countries throughout the world. Tea is typically prepared through a brewing process. According to one brewing process, a predetermined volume of water is heated to an appropriate temperature to obtain heated water, which is then mixed with a predetermined amount of dry tea and steeped for a predetermined time duration to obtain brewed tea. The recommended steeping temperature and steeping time can vary widely based on the type of tea used in the brewing process. 
         [0006]    The quality of the resulting brewed tea may be sacrificed if the recommended steeping temperature and time are not followed. Even for an avid tea drinker, keeping track of the recommended values for each tea type is an often cumbersome task. Many casual tea drinkers default to “average” steeping temperatures and steeping times, which may increase the variability of the brewing process and may decrease the quality of the resulting brewed tea. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic tea thermometer and timer device for simplifying and streamlining the brewing process is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the electronic tea thermometer and timer device can be utilized in combination with a heating element to heat water and steep tea in a single vessel. In yet another aspect of the present invention, an electronic tea thermometer and timer device is provided which integrates a temperature sensing feature and a timer feature within a single, integral unit. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, a method of steeping tea is disclosed. The method of steeping tea includes receiving a tea type; receiving tea data records, each including tea type, steeping time and steeping temperature; matching the tea type to one of the number of tea data records to obtain a corresponding steeping time and a corresponding steeping temperature; receiving successive sensed temperature readings of the steeping liquid; comparing the successive sensed temperature readings with the corresponding steeping temperature; once one of the successive sensed temperature readings reaches the corresponding steeping temperature, providing a first alert that the steeping temperature has been reached; after the first alerting step, receiving a dry tea input indicating that a dry tea has been added to the brewing liquid; activating a countdown of the corresponding steeping time after receiving the dry tea input; and once the corresponding steeping time elapses according to the countdown, providing a second alert indicating that the steeping time has elapsed. 
         [0009]    The above embodiments, and other embodiments, objects, features, and advantages of the multiple embodiments of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a system diagram of an electronic tea thermometer and timer unit according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an electronic tea thermometer and timer unit according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the electronic tea thermometer and timer unit shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the electronic tea thermometer and timer unit shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the method steps of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts an electronic tea thermometer and timer unit  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The unit  10  generally includes a main electronic device  12 , a user input device  14  and a temperature input device  16 . The main electronic device  12  generally includes a micro processing unit (MPU)  18 , a memory  20 , timer module  21  (e.g., clock timer), a display  22 , an indicator  24 , and interfaces  26  and  28 . 
         [0016]    In at least one embodiment, the user input device  14  includes one or more depressable buttons or keys that can be actuated by a user. In at least one embodiment, the temperature input device  16  is an elongated metal temperature probe for sensing the temperature of water that at least partially surrounds the probe. In at least one embodiment, the temperature probe is capable of sensing temperatures in the range of −9 to 150 C. (16 to 320 F.). 
         [0017]    The MPU  18  can be adapted to carry out one or more steps of a tea brewing process. In at least one embodiment, the MPU  18  is adapted to execute machine instructions for carrying out one or more steps of the tea brewing process and memory  20  is adapted to store machine instructions that are to be executed by the MPU  18 . The memory  18  can be non-volatile memory, for example, read-only memory or flash memory, and can be configured to store data relating to the tea brewing process, e.g., steeping temperatures and steeping times for a number of tea types. The memory  18  can also be configured to store software and/or firmware relating to the tea brewing process. Timer module  21  is electronically connected to MPU  18 . In at least one embodiment, a timing algorithm can be stored in memory  20  and executed by MPU  18 , which electronically communicates with the timer module  21  to keep the elapsed and/or remaining time during a countdown period. In at least one embodiment, the timing algorithm can be set for time periods in the range of 10 seconds to 99 minutes and 59 seconds. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the tea brewing data is stored in the memory  20  before the memory  20  and the other components of the main electronic device  12  are assembled. In another embodiment, the tea brewing data is stored on the memory  20  after assembly. Table 1 lists the tea brewing data according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Tea Type 
                 Steeping Temperature 
                 Steeping Time 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 White 
                 155 
                 120 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Green 
                 170 
                 150 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Oolong 
                 195 
                 240 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Black 
                 212 
                 300 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Herbal 
                 205 
                 360 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Puerh 
                 190 
                 480 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Darjeeling 
                 212 
                 120 seconds 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0019]    Table 2 lists the tea brewing data according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Tea Type 
                 Steeping Temperature 
                 Steeping Time 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 White 
                 155 
                  90 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Green 
                 170 
                 150 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Oolong 
                 190 
                 240 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Black 
                 205 
                 240 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Herbal 
                 205 
                 360 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Puerh 
                 205 
                 270 seconds 
               
               
                   
                 Darjeeling 
                 205 
                 120 seconds 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0020]    The display  22  is electrically connected to the MPU  18 , which can format data for display on display  22 . The display  22  can be configured to display information relating to the tea brewing process, e.g., sensed water temperature and timer values. Additional non-limiting information can include tea types, steeping temperatures, and steeping times. A non-limiting example of display  22  is a liquid crystal display (LCD). 
         [0021]    The indicator  24  is electrically connected to the MPU  18 , which can transmit signals to indicator  24  to activate indicator  24 . Non-limiting examples of indicator  24  include an audio indicator, e.g., buzzer, and/or a visual indicator, e.g. light emitting diode (LED) capable of emitting a colored light, e.g., green light. 
         [0022]    The interfaces  26  and  28  are electrically connected to the MPU  18 . The interfaces  26  and/or  28  convert non-electrical input received from the user input device  14  and/or the temperature input device  16  into electrical output signals that can be transmitted to MPU  18  for further processing. 
         [0023]    In at least one embodiment, the temperature input device  16  and timer module  21  are electronically coupled to the MPU  18  to provide an integrated unit for brewing tea, including, temperature measurements and/or timing of steeping times. 
         [0024]    The “term electronically coupled” is not limited to direct electrical connections and includes indirect electrical connections. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4  depict an electronic tea thermometer and timer device  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The device  100  generally includes a housing  112 , a temperature probe  114 , and a clip  116 . 
         [0026]    The housing  112  includes components of the main electronic device  12  and the user input device  14  of  FIG. 1 . The housing  112  forms an internal cavity for disposing MPU  18 , memory  20 , timer module  21 , display  22 , indicator  24 , and interfaces  26  and  28 . The indicator  24  includes a visual indicator  118  and an audible indicator. The visual indicator  118  is an LED capable of displaying sustained and/or intermittent (e.g. blinking) light, e.g., green light. The audible indicator can be a speaker capable of generating a buzzing sound. 
         [0027]    The upper surface of the housing  112  includes first, second, third and fourth buttons  120 ,  122 ,  124  and  126 , which serve as the user input device  14 . The buttons  120 ,  122 ,  124  and  126  are situated around the periphery of the upper surface, although the placement of the buttons on the surface of the housing  112  can be modified depending on the implementation of the present invention. Further, the number of input buttons can also be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In at least one embodiment, the first, second, third and fourth buttons  120 ,  122 ,  124  and  126  are referred to as the “Start/Stop,” “Enter,” “+/Min,” and “−/Sec” buttons, respectively. The main electronic device  10  can be turned on by pressing any of the buttons  120 ,  122 ,  124  or  126 . In at least one embodiment, the main electronic device  12  has an auto power off feature in which the device  12  shuts down after 10 minutes of inactivity. For example, the beginning of inactivity may be the point at which the tea brewing cycle has been completed, i.e., after the indicator signals the end of the steeping period. In at least one embodiment, if the user input device  14  is actuated, then the period of inactivity restarts. In at least one embodiment, the temperature units can be changed between C and F by pressing and holding the “Start/Stop” button for 3 seconds. 
         [0028]    The upper surface of housing  112  includes a substantially rectangular opening or transparent material to accommodate viewing of information displayed on display  22 . The upper surface of housing  112  also includes a substantially circular opening or transparent material to accommodate viewing of the LED indicator  118 . 
         [0029]    In at least one embodiment, the temperature probe  114  is connected to the housing  112  and extends substantially orthogonally from the lower surface of housing  112 . The temperature probe  114  can be made of a conductive metal or metal alloy. The temperature probe  114  is connected to the interface  28  for converting the thermal data received from the probe  114  into an electronic output signal. 
         [0030]    In at least one embodiment, the clip  116  includes a gripping portion  128  for engaging the side of a tea brewing vessel, for example, a tea kettle or pot. The gripping portion  128  can include a coating  130  for enhancing the gripping ability of the clip. The coating  130  can be made of a polymeric material, for example, a soft rubber or silicone. 
         [0031]    The display  22  can include an upper display portion  132  and a lower display portion  134 . In at least one embodiment, the upper display portion  132  can display the time remaining or elapsed during a timing period. The lower display portion  136  can display the current temperature of the water during the water heating step and/or steeping step. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart  200  including the method steps for brewing tea with the electronic tea thermometer and timer unit  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In block  202 , the unit  10  is turned on by pressing any of the input buttons  120 ,  122 ,  124  or  126 . 
         [0033]    In block  204 , the tea type is selected. In at least one embodiment, the tea type is selected from a number of pre-selected tea types, e.g., the tea types identified in Table 1. The display  22  can be configured to display the tea type by name or abbreviation. The user can cycle through the tea types by utilizing the “+/Min” or “−/Sec” buttons. The user can select the presently displayed tea type by pressing the “Enter” button. The selected tea type is transmitted to the MPU  18 , which retrieves the steeping temperature and steeping time information from a table stored in memory  20 . The selected tea type can also be stored on memory  20 . 
         [0034]    In block  206 , the retrieved steeping temperature and time values are displayed on display  28 . In at least one embodiment, the steeping temperature is displayed in the lower display portion  134  and the steeping time is displayed in the upper display portion  132 . 
         [0035]    In block  208 , the steeping temperature and time values are set by the user. In at least one embodiment, the steeping temperature value is initially displayed in a blinking mode in the lower display portion  134 . At this point, the user is presented with the opportunity to adjust the steeping temperature. This situation may arise if the tea type to be brewed is not stored in memory  20 , and the user, instead, selects a similar tea type from the database. If the user decides to adjust the steeping temperature, the user selects the “+/Min” button to increase the steeping temperature and/or “−/Sec” button to decrease the steeping temperature. Once the user is satisfied with the steeping temperature (either initially or through adjustment), then the user presses the “Enter” button to set the steeping temperature. Subsequently, the steeping temperature value is displayed in a blinking mode in the upper display portion  132 . At this point, the user is presented with the opportunity to adjust the steeping time. If the user decides to adjust the steeping time, the user selects the “+/Min” button to increase the steeping time and/or “−/Sec” button to decrease the steeping time. Once the user is satisfied with the steeping time (either initially or through adjustment), then the user presses the “Enter” button to set the steeping time. 
         [0036]    After the steeping temperature and time is set, the user presses the “Enter” button to initiate a temperature checking mode, as depicted in block  210 . In one embodiment, a brewing vessel, e.g., a tea kettle, is filled with the appropriate volume of water and placed on a cooking element, e.g. stove top. At this point, the user can initiate the temperature checking mode and place at least a portion of the temperature probe  114  into the water contained within the vessel. The user then turns on the cooking element to start the process of heating the water. During the temperature checking mode, the MPU  18  either continuously or intermittently received the temperature of the water as measured by the temperature probe  114 . The received temperatures can be displayed on display  22  to give the user feedback. During the temperature checking mode, the MPU  18  compares each received temperature to the set steeping temperature. 
         [0037]    Once the received temperature reaches the selected steeping temperature, the indicator  24  is automatically activated (block  212 ). In one embodiment, the steeping liquid, e.g., water, is brought to a boil before insertion of the temperature probe  114 . At this point, the heat applied to the steeping liquid is reduced, and then the temperature probe is inserted into the steeping liquid. In this embodiment, the temperature of the steeping liquid is lowered to reach the selected steeping temperature. In another embodiment, the temperature probe  114  is inserted into the steeping liquid before heat is applied. In this embodiment, the temperature of the steeping liquid is raised to reach the selected steeping temperature. 
         [0038]    In at least one embodiment, step  212  includes activating the audible indicator and the visual indicator. The activation of indicator  24  prompts the user to add the dry tea to the steeping water. When the user adds the dry tea to the steeping water, the user presses the “Start/stop” button to deactivate the indicator  24  and to automatically initiate timer countdown mode (block  214 ). The countdown begins from the selected steeping time. During the timer countdown mode, the MPU  18  executes instructions for keeping track of the elapsed time period. Further, the remaining or elapsed time can be displayed on display  22  to give the user feedback. Once the selected steeping time completely elapses, the indicator  24  is automatically activated (block  216 ). In at least one embodiment, step  216  includes activating the audible indicator and the visual indicator. The activation of indicator  24  prompts the user to deactivate the indicator  24  and that the tea brewing process has concluded. At this point, the user can pour the brewed tea product from the brewing vessel to a tea cup or other personal drinking container, e.g., tea cup, for drinking enjoyment. 
         [0039]    Advantageously, the main electronic device  12  of unit  10  presents an integrated solution for heating water and steeping tea with minimal user intervention. Once the user selects a steeping temperature and time, the user has to press an input button only twice (i.e., once after conclusion of the temperature checking mode and once after conclusion of the countdown mode) during the brewing process. Moreover, the storage of tea data records, each including a tea type, steeping temperature and steeping time, in the database  20 , allows the user easy access to tea brewing information that allows for consistent brewing of a wide variety of tea types. The combination of the temperature measuring feature and timing feature with a single, integral unit facilitates a user friendly and repeatable process and system for brewing tea of consistent quality. 
         [0040]    While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the device, system and techniques of one or more embodiments of the present invention can be utilized to brew coffee or hot chocolate.