Abstract:
A protective case for enveloping a smartphone incorporates at least one sensor for detecting stimuli arriving from outside of the smartphone. The case and the phone form an integral unit that possess extra features than the phone alone wouldn't have. The sensor is supplemented by a signal conditioning and interface electronic circuit for communicating the sensed information to the smartphone inner processor. The communication is via a wired connection to the smartphone's connector or wireless via a radio waves or optical link. For expanding versatility of the smartphone, the sensors may be adapted for detecting non-contact temperature, light, ultrasonic, smell, material composition, human vital signs, and other signals.
Abstract:
A hand-held mobile communication device, such as smart telephone, incorporating sensors and signal conditioning modules for measuring signals from external sources of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the low, radio, ultraviolet, and infrared spectral ranges. These include the detector for receiving and monitoring electromagnetic fields originating from various external sources of radiation that pose potential health hazards or may interfere with various electronic devices. The mobile phone equipped with such sensors could alternate between communication and monitoring functions. Other integrated EMR sensors are a photodiode for the ultraviolet detection to monitor the user's sun exposure and a thermopile for non-contact measurement of temperature of humans or inanimate objects. This infrared sensor in combination with a photographic digital camera and a pattern recognition signal processing allows measuring temperatures at specific locations and from optimal distances to the surface of the object to enhance accuracy of non-contact temperature measurements.
Abstract:
A temperature sensing device accurately determines the core temperature of a warm blooded animal or human based on at least one measurement of the temperature of the skin of the warm blooded animal or human. The device includes a housing, and a first contact type temperature sensing element coupled to the housing. The first contact type temperature sensing element includes a first temperature sensor that is operative to measure the temperature of the skin when the first contact type temperature sensing element is in contact with the skin. The first temperature sensor produces at least a first signal representative of the measured skin temperature. An electronic circuit uses the first signal to determine the core temperature of the warm blooded animal or human. An electronic communication device, such as a display, is coupled to the electronic circuit for communicating the core temperature to a user.
Abstract:
A temperature sensing device including at least a first contact type temperature sensing element determines body core temperature of a warm blooded animal or human based on an estimated skin temperature of the patient which is computed based on temperature measurements obtained by the first sensing element.
Abstract:
A detector for monitoring the low levels of differential pressures and the rate of mass flow rate of gas (air, e.g.) in a duct. The sensor's temperature is maintained at a constant gradient above temperature of the flowing gas, typically 4-7° C. higher. The detector consists of two thermally decoupled sensors—one is the air temperature sensor and the other is a temperature sensor coupled to a heater. The sensors are connected to an electronic servo circuit that controls electric power supplied to the heater. The sensors are positioned outside of the air duct and coupled to the duct via a relatively thin sensing tube protruding inside the duct. The end of the tube has an opening facing downstream of the gas flow, thus being exposed to a static gas pressure. The detector can be employed in fuel burners of the HVAC systems, internal combustion engines, medical equipment to control flow of anesthetic gases, in the security systems to monitor minute changes in air pressure resulted from opening and closing of doors and windows in a protected facility.
Abstract:
A contact thermometer for determining-temperature of an inner wall of a cavity, where accuracy and speed response is assured by use of a probe having a variable geometry where the first shape of the probe exists before and during placing the probe into a cavity and the second shape is formed during the measurement process. The temperature measuring tip of the probe makes an intimate thermal contact with an inner wall of a cavity after the second geometrical shape is assumed. The accuracy is assured by use of at least two temperature sensors while the speed response is improved by taking at least two readings, from one temperature sensor.
Abstract:
A blackbody cavity having two types of wall surfaces wherein a first type has high emissivity and a second type has low emissivity. The low emissivity wall surface has an aperture from where the infrared radiation escapes the cavity, and is preferably shaped to minimize the escape through the aperture of radiation emanated directly from the low emissivity wall itself. The combination of high and low emissivity wall surfaces allows the blackbody to reduce the influence of the environmental temperature while maintaining emissivity approaching unity.
Abstract:
An insertion detector for monitoring a position of a medical probe relative to a body cavity of a patient, the probe incorporates a proximity sensor that is responsive to a predetermined property of the patient's body. The proximity sensor may include a light emitter and a light detector. When the medical probe is inserted into the body cavity, a light flux between the light emitter and light detector is changed due to either obstruction by the cavity walls or reflection by the patient's skin. A response from the proximity sensor may be used to adjust a temperature measured from the body cavity to correct for errors due to non-insertion or partial insertion of the probe into the body cavity.
Abstract:
A probe for intermittent contacting a patient body with a predetermined speed and force. Initially, the probe is recessed inside the device which is brought in contact with the patient body, while keeping the probe from making a contact with the patient. On a command from an operator or control circuit, the probe is deployed moving toward the patient body surface with a substantially consistent force and rate of motion, thus making a contact in a consistent fashion.
Abstract:
A hand-held mobile communication device, such as smart telephone, alone or in protective case, incorporating sensors and signal conditioning modules for measuring signals from external sources of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in different spectral ranges. These include detector monitoring EMR that pose potential health hazards or may interfere with various electronic devices. Other integrated EMR sensor is a photodiode for the ultraviolet detection to monitor the user's sun exposure and a thermal infrared detector for non-contact measurement of temperature of humans or inanimate objects. This detector in combination with a digital camera and a pattern recognition signal processing allows accurate non-contact measuring temperatures at specific location.