THERMOMETER CALIBRATION
First Claim
1. A method for calibrating a thermometer, said thermometer comprising a primary temperature sensor and a reference temperature sensor, said reference temperature sensor being positioned proximate to the primary temperature sensor and being responsive to an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor, said method comprising:
- controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a first temperature value;
measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said first temperature value;
repeating the controlling and measuring for at least one other temperature value different than the first temperature value; and
utilizing the temperature values and the measured characteristics to solve a calibration equation, said calibration equation relating temperature and measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor for use in calibrating the reference temperature sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for calibrating a thermometer is disclosed. The thermometer comprises a primary temperature sensor for determining the temperature of a target. The thermometer also comprises a reference temperature sensor positioned proximate to the primary temperature sensor and being responsive to an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor. One calibration method calibrates the reference temperature sensor. This calibration can utilize a non-electrically conductive liquid bath for temperature control. Another calibration method calibrates the reference temperature sensor and the primary temperature sensor.
77 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for calibrating a thermometer, said thermometer comprising a primary temperature sensor and a reference temperature sensor, said reference temperature sensor being positioned proximate to the primary temperature sensor and being responsive to an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor, said method comprising:
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controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a first temperature value; measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said first temperature value; repeating the controlling and measuring for at least one other temperature value different than the first temperature value; and utilizing the temperature values and the measured characteristics to solve a calibration equation, said calibration equation relating temperature and measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor for use in calibrating the reference temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for calibrating a thermometer, said thermometer comprising a primary temperature sensor, said method comprising:
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positioning a reference temperature sensor proximate to the primary temperature sensor for detecting an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor; calibrating the reference temperature sensor; and calibrating the primary temperature sensor based upon the calibration of the reference temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A tympanic thermometer comprising:
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a primary temperature sensor adapted to determine the temperature of a tympanic membrane based upon the radiation emitted from the tympanic membrane; and a reference temperature sensor being responsive to an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor, said reference temperature sensor calibrated by controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a first temperature value; measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said first temperature value; repeating the controlling and measuring for at least one other temperature value different than the first temperature value; and utilizing the temperature values and the measured characteristics to solve a calibration equation, said calibration equation relating temperature and measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor for use in calibrating the reference temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification