Electronic Thermometer with Selectable Modes
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronic thermometer comprising:
- a probe adapted to be heated by a subject for use in measuring the temperature of the subject;
at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the probe;
a mode selector adapted for user selection between at least a first predictive mode of operation of the thermometer and a second predictive mode of operation of the thermometer for determining temperature in the second mode of operation more slowly but with greater accuracy as compared with the first mode of operation, the first mode of operation utilizing a predictive algorithm for estimating the temperature of the subject before the thermometer reaches full equilibrium with the subject and the second mode of operation utilizing the same predictive algorithm for estimating the temperature of the subject before the thermometer reaches full equilibrium with the subject.
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Abstract
An electronic thermometer is configured for selectable predictive modes based upon the same predictive algorithm. A mode selector is adapted for user selection between several modes of operation of the thermometer. Each mode of operation utilizes the same predictive algorithm for estimating the temperature of the subject before the thermometer reaches full equilibrium. Different modes offer users a selection for striking the appropriate balance between response time and precision, based upon user preferences and needs.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An electronic thermometer comprising:
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a probe adapted to be heated by a subject for use in measuring the temperature of the subject; at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the probe; a mode selector adapted for user selection between at least a first predictive mode of operation of the thermometer and a second predictive mode of operation of the thermometer for determining temperature in the second mode of operation more slowly but with greater accuracy as compared with the first mode of operation, the first mode of operation utilizing a predictive algorithm for estimating the temperature of the subject before the thermometer reaches full equilibrium with the subject and the second mode of operation utilizing the same predictive algorithm for estimating the temperature of the subject before the thermometer reaches full equilibrium with the subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for determining the temperature of a subject with an electronic thermometer, said method comprising:
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receiving from a user of the electronic thermometer a selection between at least a first mode of operation of the thermometer and a second mode of operation of the thermometer; collecting temperatures of the subject measured by the thermometer over time; applying at least some of the collected measured temperatures to a predictive algorithm according to the first mode of operation when the selection received from the user is for a first mode of operation; applying at least some of the collected measured temperatures to the same predictive algorithm according to the second mode of operation different from the first mode of operation when the selection received from the user is for a second mode of operation; and estimating the temperature of the subject with the predictive algorithm based upon the selected mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for determining the temperature of a subject with an electronic thermometer, said method comprising:
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receiving from a user of the electronic thermometer a selection of one of a plurality of predictive modes of operation of the thermometer, the plurality of predictive modes of operation being arranged for selection along a continuum from a shortest measurement duration and a standard-precision measurement to a longest measurement duration and a highest-precision measurement; collecting temperatures of the subject measured by the thermometer over time; applying at least some of the collected measured temperatures to a predictive algorithm determined according to the predictive mode of operation selected by the user; and estimating the temperature of the subject with the predictive algorithm based upon the selected predictive mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for determining the temperature of a subject with an electronic thermometer, said method comprising:
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receiving from a user of the electronic thermometer a selection between at least a first mode of operation of the thermometer and a second mode of operation of the thermometer; collecting temperatures of the subject measured by the thermometer over time; terminating the collecting of temperatures according to the first mode of operation when the selection received from the user is for the first mode of operation; maintaining the collecting of temperatures according to the second mode of operation beyond the termination according to the first mode of operation when the selection received from the user is for the second mode of operation; and estimating the temperature of the subject based upon the collected temperatures associated with the selected mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification