US5056048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated digital standardized precision thermometer
Assignee: Panametrics LLC
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Filing: 1989-07-18
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Granted: 1991-10-08
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Expires: 2009-07-18
Abstract
Abstract An integrated standardized digital precision thermometer has a sheath including a temperature sensing element and a handle physically interconnected with the sheath and housing an integrated digital standardized thermometer circuit, including a analog to digital converter responsive to the temperature sensing element for converting an analog signal representative of the resistance of the sensing element to a digital signal representative of the resistance of the sensing element; and a microcomputer responsive to the digital signal representative of the resistance of the sensing element for converting the digital signal representative of the resistance of the sensing element to a standardized temperature scale.
Inventors
- 👤 Horst Seperant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/02; G01K1/028; G01K7/00; G01K7/16; G01K7/22; G01K7/24; G01K7/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An integrated digital standardized precision thermometer comprising: a sheath including a temperature sensing element; a handle, physically interconnected with said sheath and housing an integrated digital standardized thermometer circuit including: an analog to digital converter responsive to said temperature sensing element for converting an analog signal representative of the resistance of the sensing element, to a digital signal representative of the resistance of the sensing element; said analog to digital converter including a buffer circuit for correcting said digital signal; and a microcomputer, responsive to said digital signal representative of the resistance of said sensing element for conversion to a standardized temperature scale.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An integrated digital standardized precision thermometer comprising: a sheath including a temperature sensing element; a handle, physically interconnected with said sheath and housing an integrated digital standardized thermometer circuit including: an analog to digital converter responsive to said temperature sensing element for converting an analog signal representative of the resistance of the sensing element, to a digital signal representative of the resistance of the sensing element; said analog to digital converter including a buffer circuit for correcting said digital signal; and a microcomputer, responsive to said digital signal representative of the resistance of said sensing element for conversion to a standardized temperature scale.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermometer of claim 1 in which said analog to digital converter includes a dual-slope integrator and means for determining the period of the dual slope output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The thermometer of claim 1 in which said buffer circuit includes means for measuring the signal across a ratiometric circuit for compensating for current changes through the temperature sensing element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The thermometer of claim 1 in which said buffer circuit includes means for measuring the signal across the terminals and conductors interconnecting said thermometer circuit and said temperature sensing element to determine parasitic thermoelectric error in said terminals and conductors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The thermometer of claim 2 in which said buffer circuit includes means for measuring the signal representative of the ambient temperature at said standardized thermometer circuit in said handle for determining temperature drift.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The thermometer of claim 2 in which said microcomputer includes means for enabling said analog to digital converter to begin the dual slope period.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The thermometer of claim 2 in which said microcomputer includes means for accumulating a count during the period of said dual slope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The thermometer of claim 1 in which said microcomputer includes means for linearizing the output of said analog to digital converter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The thermometer of claim 1 in which said microcomputer includes means for calibrating said analog to digital converter for zero and span.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The thermometer of claim 5 in which said microcomputer includes means, responsive to said signal representative of the ambient temperature, for correcting for the zero and span drift of said analog to digital converter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The thermometer of claim 1 in which said microcomputer includes means for storing a coefficient of correction for said temperature sensing element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The thermometer of claim 1 in which said microcomputer includes means for storing an identification address of the integrated digital standardized precision thermometer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermometer of claim 1 in which said temperature sensing element is a platinum wire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The thermometer of claim 1 in which said handle is approximately in the range of two to eight inches long and three quarters of an inch to three inches in width.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermometer of claim 1 in which said microcomputer includes a digital communications interface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The thermometer of claim 15 in which said digital communication interface includes a digital interface connector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermometer of claim 16 in which said digital interface connector includes an RS-232C connector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The thermometer of claim 1 in which said microcomputer includes means for converting the sensed temperature into one of a number of predetermined units of temperature.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-10-07 | 1995-04-08 | 1995-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-07 | 1999-04-08 | 1999-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-07 | 2003-04-08 | 2003-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |