US4286465A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic device to record temperatures and the time of occurrence
Assignee: Dartmouth College
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Filing: 1979-09-17
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Granted: 1981-09-01
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Expires: 1999-09-17
Abstract
Abstract A digital min-max thermometer that periodically records temperature and the corresponding time of that temperature and rates minimum and maximum values of temperature for a predetermined time interval (e.g., a 24-hour period). The minimum and maximum values can then be displayed on demand. The apparatus disclosed includes, as well, degree-day information and frost alarm capabilities.
Inventors
- 👤 Irving H. Thomae
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K1/00; G01K1/02; G01K3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A digital min-max thermometer that comprises, in combination: temperature transducer means for periodically sensing the temperature in the surrounding environment and for providing a signal representative of that temperature; time keeping means to provide the corresponding time of occurrence of the temperature thus sensed; storage means for storing previously attained minimum and maximum values of temperature and the time of occurrence thereof; means for comparing the most recently sensed temperature with stored values of temperature for a limited subinterval of time to find local minimum and maximum temperatures for that subinterval, there being a set of contiguous subintervals that together form a major time interval, minimum and maximum temperatures and corresponding times of occurrence for each said set being stored; means for reviewing the stored minimum and maximum temperatures of each set of contiguous subintervals to find the greatest and least temperatures recorded during the most recent major time interval terminating at the time of review and the times of occurrence thereof; and means for displaying the most extreme temperatures for said major time interval together with the time of occurrence of each such extreme.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A digital min-max thermometer that comprises, in combination: temperature transducer means for periodically sensing the temperature in the surrounding environment and for providing a signal representative of that temperature; time keeping means to provide the corresponding time of occurrence of the temperature thus sensed; storage means for storing previously attained minimum and maximum values of temperature and the time of occurrence thereof; means for comparing the most recently sensed temperature with stored values of temperature for a limited subinterval of time to find local minimum and maximum temperatures for that subinterval, there being a set of contiguous subintervals that together form a major time interval, minimum and maximum temperatures and corresponding times of occurrence for each said set being stored; means for reviewing the stored minimum and maximum temperatures of each set of contiguous subintervals to find the greatest and least temperatures recorded during the most recent major time interval terminating at the time of review and the times of occurrence thereof; and means for displaying the most extreme temperatures for said major time interval together with the time of occurrence of each such extreme.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 1 in which said signal representative of temperature is an analog signal and that contains means to digitize the analog signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 2 in which the means to digitize is an A/D converter and in which the A/D converter, the time keeping means, the storage means, the comparator means, and the means for reviewing are all part of a single microcomputer chip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 3 that further includes adder and storage means to permit accumulation of degree days which also can be displayed upon demand.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for displaying instant or present temperatures and time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said temperature transducer means comprises a plurality of transducers with means to permit selection of the output or channel to be displayed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 1 in which the temperature transducer is a linear semiconductor device with output proportional to absolute temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 1 in which the temperature transducer is a thermistor or other non-linear device with output not linearly related to temperature, and in which a table of numerical values stored in a read-only-memory is used to correct for the non-linearity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 1, incorporating means for setting the time-keeping means to the correct time of day.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 1, in which the minimum length of the major interval is one subinterval of time less than the maximum length of a major interval.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 10, in which the subinterval is three hours in length and the major interval varies from twenty-one to twenty-four hours in length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A digital min-max thermometer as defined by claim 1 in which the tranducer means comprises a plurality of temperature transducers and in which the storage means is adapted to store previously attained minimum and maximum values of temperature for at least one of the plurality of temperature transducers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 1 that further includes means for continuously integrating temperature to provide degree-day information and for accumulating that information, and means for displaying the degree-day information thus accumulated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 1 that includes means to perform a linear extrapolation periodically of temperature to the time corresponding to the next previous day's minimum; and means for comparing the extrapolated temperature with the freezing point of water and operable to provide a warning if the extrapolated temperature is less than the freezing point of water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A digital min-max thermometer as claimed in claim 1 that includes means to perform a linear extrapolation periodically of temperature to the time corresponding to the previous day's minimum; and means for displaying the extrapolated temperature on demand.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |