Physical Attribute Recording Method and System

• US 20070116084A1
• Filed: 11/10/2006
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shake Awake Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: Shake Awake Products, LLC
• Inventors: Rund, Richard, Wang, Ma, Charlety, Pierre, Yong, Quan
• Granted Patent: US 7,561,982 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/100
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/022 for recording
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/026 arrangements for monitoring a plurality of temperatures, e.g. by multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/12 combined with sampling devices for measuring temperatures of samples of materials

Abstract

An exemplary method for recording measurements derived from a probe includes receiving a probe identification from a probe, receiving a start instruction, receiving at least one signal from the probe after receiving the start instruction, and converting the at least one signal into a reading based on at least the probe identification. An exemplary system for measuring an attribute includes a controller unit having a processor, a memory connected to the processor, a display connected to the processor, a control interface connected to the processor, and a connection module connected to the processor; and at least one probe, each probe having a sensor, elements to provide identification of the type of probe, and a connector for connecting to a connection module of the controller unit. A further exemplary controller unit includes software for performing the exemplary method.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a probe identification from a probe,

receiving a start instruction,

receiving at least one signal from the probe after receiving the start instruction, and

converting the at least one signal into a reading based on at least the probe identification.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reading is a temperature reading.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising sending at least one of the at least one reading to an external device when in communication with the external device.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein sending includes connecting to the external device.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein sending further includes sending the at least one reading after receiving the reading from the probe.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising

determining when the probe has stabilized, and

storing the stabilized reading, and

wherein sending includes sending the stabilized reading.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the probe has stabilized when three consecutive readings are within a range of ±

1 percent.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising storing the at least one reading.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the reading,

when acceptance of the reading is received, storing the reading, and

when refusal of the reading is received, repeating receiving the signal, converting, and displaying steps to obtain a new reading.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining when the probe has stabilized, and

notifying an user that a reading is available.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing information associated with at least one type of reading in response to a request.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving updated information relating to at least one type of reading.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining when the probe has stabilized,

displaying the reading once stabilization has occurred,

retrieving information associated with the reading, and

displaying the information.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the reading is a temperature reading and the information includes acceptable temperature information.

15. A system comprising:

a controller unit having

a processor,

a memory connected to said processor,

a display connected to said processor,

a control interface connected to said processor, and

a connection module connected to said processor; and

at least one probe, each probe having

means for producing a signal representative of a physical attribute,

means for identifying the type of probe, and

means for connecting to said connection module of said controller unit.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said signal producing means includes a temperature sensor.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein said signal producing means includes at least one of a pH sensor, a salinity sensor, and a sugar level sensor.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein said signal producing means includes at least one of a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, and a distance sensor.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein said signal producing means includes a fat sensor.

20. The system according to claim 15, further comprising means for analyzing data obtained from at least one probe.

21. The system according to claim 15, wherein said connection module includes a USB connection, and said connecting means includes a USB connection.

22. The system according to claim 15, wherein said connection module includes an antenna connected to said processor.

23. The system according to claim 15, wherein said connection module includes

a transmitter connected to said processor, and

a receiver connected to said processor.

24. The system according to claim 15, wherein said control interface includes a plurality of buttons in communication with said processor.

25. The system according to claim 15, wherein said controller unit further includes means for notifying a user when a reading from a probe has stabilized.

26. A system comprising:

means for connecting to a probe,

means for receiving a start instruction,

means for receiving at least one signal from the probe after receiving the start instruction, and

means for converting the at least one signal into a reading.