Electronic thermometer with selectable modes
First Claim
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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; and
a processor configured 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, the second mode of operation determining temperature more slowly but with greater precision 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 based on a plurality of samples of the temperature of the probe detected by the temperature sensor.
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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.
147 Citations
20 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; and a processor configured 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, the second mode of operation determining temperature more slowly but with greater precision 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 based on a plurality of samples of the temperature of the probe detected by the temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electronic thermometer comprising:
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a probe adapted to be heated by a subject for use in measuring a temperature of the subject; at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the probe; and a processor configured for; receiving from a user of the thermometer a selection of one of a plurality of modes of operation of the thermometer, said user selecting between at least a first mode of operation of the thermometer for estimating the temperature of the subject and a second mode of operation of the thermometer for estimating the temperature of the subject; collecting temperatures of the subject measured by the thermometer over time; applying a first portion 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 the first mode of operation; applying the first portion and a second portion of the collected measured temperatures to the same predictive algorithm according to the second mode of operation when the selection received from the user is for the second mode of operation; and estimating the temperature of the subject with the predictive algorithm based on the selected mode of operation before the thermometer reaches full equilibrium with the subject. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An electronic thermometer comprising:
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a probe configured to be heated by a subject for use in measuring a temperature of the subject; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the probe; a selection element adjustable along a continuum; and a processor configured for; receiving via the selection element 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 selectable 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, wherein a fewer number of the collected measured temperatures are applied to the predictive algorithm for the standard-precision measurement than for the highest-precision measurement; and estimating the temperature of the subject with the predictive algorithm based upon the selected mode of operation.
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Specification