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Self-calibrating instrumentation system with multiple sensor modules

  • US 5,377,128 A
  • Filed: 10/05/1993
  • Issued: 12/27/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A self-calibrating instrumentation apparatus for use with a plurality of sensor modules of different types for sensing and measuring a plurality of parameters;

  • comprising in combination;

    a. a first sensor module of a first sensor type including a first sensor responsive to a first condition for generating a first electrical signal indicative of such first condition, said first sensor module also providing a sensor type code for identifying said first sensor module as being of said first sensor type;

    b. a second sensor module of a second sensor type different from said first sensor type and including a second sensor responsive to a second condition for generating a second electrical signal indicative of such second condition, said second sensor module also providing a sensor type code for identifying said second sensor module as being of said second sensor type;

    c. central processor means responsive to electrical signals generated by said first sensor module and by said second sensor module for computing a measurement sensed by said first sensor module and by said second sensor module;

    d. display means coupled to said central processor means for numerically displaying the measurement computed by said central processor means;

    e. means for selectively coupling one of said first and second sensor modules to said central processor;

    f. each of said first and second sensor modules including a memory;

    g. the memory of said first sensor module storing calibration data indicative of the magnitude of the electrical signal generated by said first sensor module at first and second known conditions;

    h. the memory of said second sensor module storing calibration data indicative of the magnitude of the electrical signal generated by said second sensor module at first and second known conditions;

    i. said central processor means accessing and being responsive to the calibration data stored in the memory of the selected sensor module that is coupled to said central processor means for calibrating said central processor means when computing the measurement sensed by the selected sensor module, said central processor being further responsive to the sensor type code of the selected sensor module for selecting an algorithm used to compute the measured value of the parameter being sensed by the selected sensor module relative to the calibration data accessed from the memory of the selected sensor module, said central processor means computing the measurement sensed by said first sensor module in accordance with a first predetermined algorithm, and said central processor means computing the measurement sensed by said second sensor module in accordance with a second predetermined algorithm difference from the first predetermined algorithm.

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