Patent ID: 6060991
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: G01N,G08B

Abstract:
A detecting apparatus comprising:a first sensor for generating a first signal output that varies according to a first detected condition;a second sensor for generating a second signal output that varies according to a second detected condition;a programmable memory device;an alarm device for generating an alarm output when activated; anda processing device connected to said first and second sensors, said programmable memory device and said alarm device, said processing device including a converting unit for converting the first and second signal outputs of said first and second sensors into first and second digitized values, respectively, a memory programming unit for storing first and second reference values in said programmable memory device, and a comparing unit for comparing the first and second digitized values from said converting unit with the first and second reference values in said programmable memory device, respectively, said processing device being operable selectively in a first calibrating mode, a second calibrating mode and a detecting mode;operation of said processing device in the first calibrating mode while said first sensor is placed in a first standard environment enabling said memory programming unit to store the first digitized value from said converting unit as the first reference value in said programmable memory device;operation of said processing device in the second calibrating mode while said second sensor is placed in a second standard environment enabling said memory programming unit to store the second digitized value from said converting unit as the second reference value in said programmable memory device;operation of said processing device in the detecting mode while said first and second sensors are installed in an environment to be detected enabling said processing device to activate said alarm device upon detection by said comparing unit that one of the first and second digitized values from said converting unit has exceeded the respective one of the first and second reference values in said programmable memory device.