Infrared thermometer

• US 6,513,970 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2001
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omron Healthcare Company Limited (Omron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Sato, Tetsuya, Tabata, Makoto, Ota, Hiroyuki, Tomioka, Shigeru
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): VERBITSKY, GAIL KAPLAN
• Application Number:
  US09/807,828
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 374/158, 374/169, 374/163, 374/131, 374/107, 374/102-103, 374/121, 600/474
• US Class Current: 374/131
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0003 for sensing the radiant heat transfer of samples, e.g. emittance meter
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0011 Ear thermometers G01J5/021 and G01J5/049 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0022 for sensing the radiation of moving bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/021 Probe covers for thermometers, e.g. tympanic thermometers; Containers for probe covers; Disposable probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0235 Spacers, e.g. for avoidance of stiction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/046 Materials; Selection of thermal materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/049 Casings for tympanic thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/06 Arrangements for eliminating effects of disturbing radiation; Arrangements for compensating changes in sensitivity for adjusting of solid angle of collected radiation G01J5/07; means for wavelength selection G01J5/0801
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/064 Ambient temperature sensor; Housing temperature sensor; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0818 Waveguides

Abstract

An infrared sensor 20 is held in a housing 10 by a sensor holder 28 made of synthetic resin. A waveguide 30 for guiding infrared radiation, which is emitted from a target, to the infrared sensor 20 is supported by waveguide holders 31, 32 made of synthetic resin (or metal). An air layer (insulative layer, gap) 34 resides between an inner end (terminal end) 30b of the waveguide 30 and the infrared sensor 20. A probe 40 made of synthetic resin surrounding an externally protruding portion of the waveguide 30 is provided. An air layer (insulating layer, gap) 33 resides between the tip of the probe 40 and a tip (outer end) 30a of the waveguide 30. The tip of the waveguide 30 is covered by a cap 50.

Claims

1. An infrared thermometer comprising:

infrared measurement means for measuring temperature of a target based upon an output of an infrared sensor;

temperature measurement means for measuring temperature within the infrared thermometer;

means for determining whether the temperature measured by said temperature measurement means lies within a measurable temperature range of said infrared measurement means;

means for estimating waiting time that would be needed for the temperature measured by said temperature measurement means to fall within the measurable temperature range when said determination means has determined that the measured temperature does not lie within the measurable temperature range; and

means for giving notification of the waiting time that has been estimated by said estimation means.

2. An infrared thermometer according to claim 1, wherein said estimation means estimates waiting time based upon temperatures measured by said temperature measurement means at least at two different times, and length of time between said two times.