US4100602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recipe conversion calculator
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1976-11-10
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Granted: 1978-07-11
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Expires: 1996-11-10
Abstract
Abstract To permit a cook to easily adapt an existing recipe, a calculator includes logic circuitry for calculating and storing the ratio of servings desired to servings stated in the recipe. The calculator also includes a keyboard for entering the quantity of each ingredient stated in the recipe. Desired units of measure and stated units of measure can be entered through marked keys. The calculator converts a stated quantity in the stated units to the amount required for the desired number of servings in the desired units of measure. The results are displayed on a visual display.
Inventors
- 👤 Ascher H. Shapiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/02; G06F15/025; G06F15/0258
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
For converting recipes from a given number of servings and given units of measure to a desired number of servings and desired units of measure, a calculator including: a control panel having keys and associated indicia describing a series of steps by which the user enters data and control signals into the calculator in a sequence compatible with the dedicated structure thereof, said control panel including a numeric keyboard comprising a plurality of individually actuatable keys for entering the desired number of servings, the given number of servings and the given numerical quantity of each ingredient, and a keyboard comprising a plurality of individually actuatable keys for entering the given units of measure for each ingredient, each of said keys representing and being labeled with indicia denoting a specific unit of measure; divider means for operating upon signals representing the desired number and given number of servings to establish the ratio of the desired number to the given number; register means for storing the calculated servings ratio; divider means for calculating a conversion factor as a function of desired units and given units of measure; means for multiplying the signal representing the given numerical quantity of an ingredient by a signal representing the conversion factor to generate a signal representing the correct numerical amount of the ingredient for the desired number of servings and the desired units of measure; and display means for providing a visual representation of the last-mentioned signal and of the desired units of measure associated therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
For converting recipes from a given number of servings and given units of measure to a desired number of servings and desired units of measure, a calculator including: a control panel having keys and associated indicia describing a series of steps by which the user enters data and control signals into the calculator in a sequence compatible with the dedicated structure thereof, said control panel including a numeric keyboard comprising a plurality of individually actuatable keys for entering the desired number of servings, the given number of servings and the given numerical quantity of each ingredient, and a keyboard comprising a plurality of individually actuatable keys for entering the given units of measure for each ingredient, each of said keys representing and being labeled with indicia denoting a specific unit of measure; divider means for operating upon signals representing the desired number and given number of servings to establish the ratio of the desired number to the given number; register means for storing the calculated servings ratio; divider means for calculating a conversion factor as a function of desired units and given units of measure; means for multiplying the signal representing the given numerical quantity of an ingredient by a signal representing the conversion factor to generate a signal representing the correct numerical amount of the ingredient for the desired number of servings and the desired units of measure; and display means for providing a visual representation of the last-mentioned signal and of the desired units of measure associated therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A calculator as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for calculating the conversion factor comprises: means for converting each unit-representing input signal to an output signal expressing the unit of measure as a multiple of a common base unit; and means for dividing the output signal representing the given unit of measure by the output signal representing the desired unit of measure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A calculator as recited in claim 1 wherein said display means is capable of representing fractional amounts in both integer fractions and decimal fractions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A calculator as recited in claim 2 wherein said display means is capable of representing fractional amounts in both integer fractions and decimal fractions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A calculator as recited in claim 3 further including means for rounding fractional amounts of ingredients expressed in decimal form to integer fraction form.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A calculator as recited in claim 4 further including means for rounding fractional amounts of ingredients expressed in decimal form to integer fraction form.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A calculator as recited in claim 1 further including indicia providing instructions as to the proper sequence of operating said various means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3436012A
Cited
US3973113A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-10 | 1982-01-09 | 1982-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-10 | 1986-01-09 | 1986-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-10 | 1990-01-09 | 1990-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |