Universal measuring instrument with signal processing algorithm encapsulated into interchangeable intelligent detectors
First Claim
1. A metering apparatus including a meter adaptable for use with any one of multiple sensing heads, said apparatus comprising:
- (A) a meter including;
(a) an electrical meter connector including an analog signal terminal and a digital signal terminal;
(b) analog-to-digital converting means including an input port coupled to said analog signal terminal, and including an output port at which digital signals are generated which are equivalents of analog signals applied to said input port of said analog-to-digital converting means;
(c) microprocessing means including ports for input signals and ports for output signals;
(d) digital signal coupling means coupled to at least one of, said ports of said microprocessing means, to said digital signal terminal of said meter, and to said output port of said analog-to-digital converting means, for transmitting digital signals to and from said microprocessing means;
(e) a meter memory coupled to said microprocessing means for temporarily storing digital information including microprocessor instructions; and
(f) a display coupled to said microprocessing means for displaying information in response to commands from said microprocessing means;
(B) a plurality of sensing heads, each of said sensing heads including;
(a) a sensor connector adapted to mate with said meter connector, and including an analog signal terminal and a digital signal terminal;
(b) a sensor for sensing an environmental stimulus, and for generating analog sensor signals in response thereto, said analog sensor signals being transmitted to said analog signal terminal of said sensor connector;
(c) a sensor head memory preprogrammed with a processing algorithm which defines the processing to be performed on signals originating from said sensor to generate a desired output display, said processing algorithm being downloaded to said meter memory; and
(C) read enable means coupled to said meter and to that one of said sensing heads which is coupled to said meter connector, for enabling said microprocessing means to read said sensor head memory, and to load at least said processing algorithm into said meter memory, and for enabling said microprocessing means to execute said processing algorithm on at least said signals originating from said sensor, and to display on said display means the result of said execution.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A meter (10) is capable of use with a plurality of different sensor heads (16, 16b). The reading meter (12) includes a digital display (20), a processor (22) and memory (23), and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC 41). Each different sensor head includes a memory (32a) which carries at least the processing algorithm for the particular sensor. In operation, the reading meter (12) reads the detector head memory (32a), and loads the information so read into its processor memory (23). The raw sensor data is converted to digital form, and processed in accordance with the stored algorithm, to produce the desired display. In one embodiment, the detector head memory (32a) is read, and the information is serially coupled to the reading meter. In another embodiment, the serial data is converted to optical signals (634) for transmission. The processor memory (23) may include other data which is held in semipermanent storage, such as calibration data for an ADC within the reading meter, and housekeeping information for the display (20). A count-down counter (52) in each sensor head is preprogrammed with a number representing the number of days remaining in the calibration period, and is decremented daily.
55 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A metering apparatus including a meter adaptable for use with any one of multiple sensing heads, said apparatus comprising:
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(A) a meter including; (a) an electrical meter connector including an analog signal terminal and a digital signal terminal; (b) analog-to-digital converting means including an input port coupled to said analog signal terminal, and including an output port at which digital signals are generated which are equivalents of analog signals applied to said input port of said analog-to-digital converting means; (c) microprocessing means including ports for input signals and ports for output signals; (d) digital signal coupling means coupled to at least one of, said ports of said microprocessing means, to said digital signal terminal of said meter, and to said output port of said analog-to-digital converting means, for transmitting digital signals to and from said microprocessing means; (e) a meter memory coupled to said microprocessing means for temporarily storing digital information including microprocessor instructions; and (f) a display coupled to said microprocessing means for displaying information in response to commands from said microprocessing means; (B) a plurality of sensing heads, each of said sensing heads including; (a) a sensor connector adapted to mate with said meter connector, and including an analog signal terminal and a digital signal terminal; (b) a sensor for sensing an environmental stimulus, and for generating analog sensor signals in response thereto, said analog sensor signals being transmitted to said analog signal terminal of said sensor connector; (c) a sensor head memory preprogrammed with a processing algorithm which defines the processing to be performed on signals originating from said sensor to generate a desired output display, said processing algorithm being downloaded to said meter memory; and (C) read enable means coupled to said meter and to that one of said sensing heads which is coupled to said meter connector, for enabling said microprocessing means to read said sensor head memory, and to load at least said processing algorithm into said meter memory, and for enabling said microprocessing means to execute said processing algorithm on at least said signals originating from said sensor, and to display on said display means the result of said execution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for making measurements using a universal meter and any one of a plurality of sensor heads, said meter including a connector, a microprocessor and a display, and each of said sensor heads including a mating connector, a sensor for outputting a plurality of sensor signals, and a memory preprogrammed with an algorithm defining the processing required to convert said sensor signals into corrected data, said method comprising the steps of:
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connecting said connector of said meter to said mating connector of one of said sensor heads, to thereby establish electrical connections between said meter and said one of said sensor heads; reading said preprogrammed algorithm from said memory of said sensor head to a microprocessor memory; reading said sensor signals from said sensor to said microprocessor; in said microprocessor, processing said sensor signals in accordance with said algorithm, to generate a result; and
displaying said result on said display. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification