Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of analyzing one or more samples in succession with a single beam wavelength scanning spectrophotometer comprising the steps of (a) passing radiation from a radiation source to a radiation detector over a defined optical path, said path including a wavelength selective element, said wavelength selective element being scanned over a selected wavelength range, (b) storing a first set of signals representative of radiation passing to said radiation detector, said first set of signals being spread over said selected wavelength range to form a first spectral response, (c) inserting a sample in said defined optical path, (d) producing a second set of signals representative of radiation through said sample to said radiation detector, said second set of signals being spread over a second selected wavelengths range to form a second spectral response, (e) calculating absorbance or transmittance of said sample at predetermined wavelengths using said first and second spectral responses, (f) repeating said steps (c) through (e) for each successive different sample, (g) monitoring ambient temperature in the region of said radiation detector, and (h) modifying at least one of said first or said second sets of signals according to ambient temperature when said first and said second sets of signals are produced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of analyzing one or more samples in succession with a single beam wavelength scanning spectrophotometer comprising the steps of (a) passing radiation from a radiation source to a radiation detector over a defined optical path, said path including a wavelength selective element, said wavelength selective element being scanned over a selected wavelength range, (b) storing a first set of signals representative of radiation passing to said radiation detector, said first set of signals being spread over said selected wavelength range to form a first spectral response, (c) inserting a sample in said defined optical path, (d) producing a second set of signals representative of radiation through said sample to said radiation detector, said second set of signals being spread over a second selected wavelengths range to form a second spectral response, (e) calculating absorbance or transmittance of said sample at predetermined wavelengths using said first and second spectral responses, (f) repeating said steps (c) through (e) for each successive different sample, (g) monitoring ambient temperature in the region of said radiation detector, and (h) modifying at least one of said first or said second sets of signals according to ambient temperature when said first and said second sets of signals are produced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second sets of signals are modified by a circuit providing a temperature coefficient of gain of substantially of the same magnitude but opposite sign to a temperature coefficient of sensitivity of said radiation detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
176 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of (j) measuring said ambient temperature at a first instant of time which is (i) immediately prior to a period when said first set of signals is generated, or (ii) immediately subsequent to said period when said first set of signals is generated, or (iii) during said period when said first set of signals is generated, (k) storing measured temperatures at said first instant, (l) measuring said ambient temperature at a second instant of time which is (i) immediately prior to a period when said second set of signals is produced, or (ii) immediately subsequent to said period when said second set of signals is produced, or (iii) during said period when said second set of signals is produced, and (m) modifying one of said first set of signals or said second set of signals in accordance with a difference in ambient temperature between said first and second second instant of time, said step (m) compensating for changes in sensitivity of said radiation detector with temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said selected wavelength range in said step (a) is equivalent to said second selected wavelength range in said step (d).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the calculated absorbance or transmittance of said sample obtained in step (e) is displayed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the calculated absorbance or transmittance of said sample obtained in step (e) is converted to concentration for display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
175 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of (j) measuring said ambient temperature at first instant of time which is (i) immediately prior to a period when said first set of signals is generated, or (ii) immediately subsequent to said period when said first set of signals is generated, or (iii) during said period when said first set of signals is generated, (k) modifying said first set of signals in accordance with a difference in said ambient temperature measured at said first instant of time and a predetermined temperature, (l) measuring said ambient temperature at a second instant of time which is (i) immediately prior to a period when said second set of signals is produced, or (ii) immediately subsequent to said period when said second set of signals is produced, or (iii) during said period when said second set of signals is produced, and (m) modifying said second set of signals in accordance with a difference in said ambient temperature measured at said second instant of time and said predetermined temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said selected wavelengths range in said step (a) is equivalent to said second selected wavelength range in said step (d).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the calculated absorbance or transmittance of said sample obtained in step (e) is displayed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the calculated absorbance or transmittance of said sample obtained in step (e) is converted to concentration for display.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
194 words
A single beam wavelength scanning spectrophotometer comprising first means for passing radiation from a radiation source to a radiation detector over a defined path, said first means including a wavelength selective element capable of being scanned across a selected wavelength range, second means for storing a first set of signals representative of radiation striking said radiation detector, said first set of signals being spread over said selected wavelength range to form a first spectral response, third means for inserting a sample in said defined path, fourth means for producing a second set of signals representative of radiation striking said radiation detector when said sample is inserted in said defined path, said second set of signals being spread over a second selected wavelength range to form a second spectral response, fifth means for calculating transmittance or absorbance of said sample at predetermined wavelengths of said first and second spectral response, sixth means for monitoring ambient temperature in the region of said radiation detector, and seventh means for modifying at least one of said first and second second sets of signals according to ambient temperature when said first and said second sets of signals are produced.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
194 words
A single beam wavelength scanning spectrophotometer comprising first means for passing radiation from a radiation source to a radiation detector over a defined path, said first means including a wavelength selective element capable of being scanned across a selected wavelength range, second means for storing a first set of signals representative of radiation striking said radiation detector, said first set of signals being spread over said selected wavelength range to form a first spectral response, third means for inserting a sample in said defined path, fourth means for producing a second set of signals representative of radiation striking said radiation detector when said sample is inserted in said defined path, said second set of signals being spread over a second selected wavelength range to form a second spectral response, fifth means for calculating transmittance or absorbance of said sample at predetermined wavelengths of said first and second spectral response, sixth means for monitoring ambient temperature in the region of said radiation detector, and seventh means for modifying at least one of said first and second second sets of signals according to ambient temperature when said first and said second sets of signals are produced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 11, wherein said seventh means comprises a temperature sensitive element in said region of said radiation detector, said temperature sensitive element modifying gain of an amplifier, wherein said radiation detector has an output connected to an input of said amplifier such that said gain varies inversely to that of said output of said radiation detector with changes in said ambient temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
185 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 11, wherein said sixth means includes eight means for measuring said ambient temperature at a first instant of time, said first instant of time occuring immediately prior to a period when said first set of signals is generated or immediately subsequent to said period when said first set of signals is generated or during said period when said first set of signals is generated, ninth means for storing said ambient temperature measured at said first instant of time, and tenth means for measuring said ambient temperature at a second instant of time, said second instant of time occurring immediately prior to a period when said second set of signals is produced or immediately subsequent to said period when said second set of signals is produced or during said period when said second set of signal is produced, and wherein said seventh means modified said first or said second set of signals in accordance with a difference in ambient temperature between said first and second instants of time, said difference compensating for changes in sensitivity of said radiation detector with temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 13, wherein said selected wavelength range for said first set of signals is equivalent to said second selected wavelength range for said second set of signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 13, wherein eleventh means are provided for displaying said transmittance or absorbance of said sample.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 13, wherein eleventh means are provided for converting transmittance or absorbance calculated by said fifth means into concentration for display.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
193 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 11, wherein said sixth means includes eighth means for measuring said ambient temperature at a first instant of time, said first instant of time occurring immediately prior to a period when said first set of signals is generated or immediately subsequent to said period when said first set of signals is generated or during said period when said first set of signals is generated, and ninth means for measuring said ambient temperature at a second instant of time, said second instant of time occurring immediately prior to a period when said second set of signals is produced or immediately subsequent to said period when said second set of signals is produced or during said period when said second set of signals is produced, and wherein said seventh means includes tenth means for modifying said first set of signals in accordance with a difference between said ambient temperature measured at said first instant of time and a predetermined temperature, and eleventh means for modifying said second set of signals in accordance with a difference between said ambient temperature measured at said second instant of time and said predetermined temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 17, wherein said selected wavelength range for said first set of signals is equivalent to said second selected wavelength range for said second set of signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 17, wherein twelfth means are provided for displaying said transmittance or absorbance of said sample.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 17, wherein twelfth means are provided for converting transmittance or absorbance calculated by said fifth means into concentration for display.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 11, wherein said selected wavelength range for said first set of signals is equivalent to said second selected wavelength range for said second set of signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 11, wherein eighth means are provided for displaying said transmittance or absorbance of said sample.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A spectrophotometer according to claim 11, wherein eight means are provided for converting transmittance or absorbance calculated by said fifth means into concentration for display.