Abstract:
A portable noncontact thermometer comprising a hand-held housing defining an aperture for ingress of incident thermal energy from a target location. A thermometer module includes a noncontact thermal energy detector impinged by the incident thermal energy. The thermometer module further includes a microcontroller operative to interpret electrical signals derived from an output of the noncontact thermal energy detector so as to determine temperature at the target location. A graphical display device, such as an LCD dot matrix display device, is fixed with respect to the housing. The display device is capable of providing a graphical user interface having multiple screens variously showing numbers, text and functional icons. Preferably, the screens will display function tabs located adjacent to corresponding buttons on the housing. The tabs will change depending on the varying function that may be implemented by pressing a respective button. The thermometer also includes circuitry, which include the microcontroller, in electrical communication with the graphical display device so as to produce the graphical user interface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to portable IR thermometers. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable IR thermometer having a graphical user display and interface. 
     Portable infrared (IR) thermometers allow a user to ascertain the temperature of a remote target using a point and click technique. These instruments are commonly utilized for purposes ranging from automotive diagnostics to food safety. Single point IR thermometers with digital displays have historically been implemented using a fixed-segment LCD or LED display. This creates some difficulty to implement complex functions because it necessitates multiple control panel buttons and/or a complicated user interface. 
     Various details regarding the construction and operation of noncontact thermometers may be discerned from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,634,294, 5,640,015 and 6,234,669, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect, the present invention provides a portable noncontact thermometer comprising a hand-held housing defining an aperture for ingress of incident thermal energy from a target location. A thermometer module including a noncontact thermal energy detector is also provided. The thermometer module further includes a microcontroller operative to interpret electrical signals derived from an output of the noncontact thermal energy detector so as to determine temperature at the target location. A graphical display device, such as an LCD dot matrix display device, is fixed with respect to the housing. The display device is capable of providing a graphical user interface having multiple screens variously showing numbers, text and functional icons. The thermometer also includes circuitry, which may comprise the microcontroller itself, in electrical communication with the graphical display device so as to produce the graphical user interface. The functional icons may include icons indicating laser pointer activation and noncontact temperature measurement in progress. 
     A plurality of function buttons may be located on the housing adjacent to the graphical display device. A function implemented by each of the function buttons may vary in accordance with the multiple screens of the graphical user interface. For example, the multiple screens of the graphical user interface will preferably follow a menu tree selectable by a user. 
     Preferably, the thermometer may further comprise a memory having a plurality of memory locations in which respective temperature measurements may be stored. In such embodiments, the contents of the memory locations are preferably selectable using the graphical user interface. In addition, embodiments are contemplated wherein the graphical user interface is adapted to display screens in a respective one of a plurality of languages as selected by a user. The graphical user interface may also be adapted to show selected emissivity and alarm status. 
     Additional aspects of the present invention, including various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed elements, will be apparent from the remainder of the specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable IR thermometer constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the thermometer of  FIG. 1  showing the graphical display device; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation showing certain internal components of the thermometer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate exemplary displays which may be shown on the graphical display device; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a high-level menu tree depicting various displays which can be shown on the display device depending on function; and 
         FIGS. 7-14  show various sub-menus that may be accessed during use of the graphical user interface. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an exemplary hand-held thermometer  10  in accordance with principles of the present invention. Thermometer  10  includes an internal detector which collects energy radiated from a selected target. The energy, typically in the form of infrared (IR) radiation, is isolated and focused on the detector. The detector converts the energy into an electrical signal which is then internally processed to yield a temperature value. 
     As shown, thermometer  10  includes a housing  12  in which various internal components are located. While any suitable material can be utilized, housing  12  is preferably formed of a rigid high impact plastic material. As shown, housing  12  includes a handle  14  on which a trigger  16  is located. Trigger  16  places the thermometer in a “scan” (or active measurement mode). A laser diode may be provided to project a dot of light forward of the thermometer to facilitate aiming. 
     As indicated at  18 , a graphical display device is preferably located at the rear of thermometer  10 . In this case, a variety of information is shown on display device  18 , including a reading of the target temperature. Various functions of thermometer  10  are controlled by buttons  20 ,  22  and  24 . 
     Certain internal components of thermometer  10  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 3 . Thermal energy from a selected target passes through an aperture  26  defined in housing  12 , where it is directed by optics to an IR detector  28 . The output of detector  28  is fed to an amplifier  30 , and then to analog-to-digital (A/D) converter  32 . The digital signal resulting from A/D converter  32  is then fed to an internal microcontroller  34 . Microcontroller  34  utilizes preprogrammed algorithms to convert the digital detector data into temperature information. A memory  36  is associated with microcontroller  34  to store temperature information, along with firmware and other information (such as emissivity) utilized during operation. Detector  28  along with its associated circuitry (e.g., amplifier  30 , A/D converter  32 , microcontroller  34  and memory  36 ) can be thought of collectively as a thermometer module (whether or not they form a single physical unit). In some embodiments, the thermometer module may further include an ambient temperature sensor  38 . The function buttons  20 ,  22  and  24  are collectively indicated at  40 . 
     As shown, display device  18  is in electrical communication with microcontroller  34 . Preferably, display device  18  may be configured as a dot matrix or other suitable graphical display which implements a graphical user interface (GUI). For example, display device  18  may be a dot matrix 98×96 pixel LCD dot matrix display in some presently preferred embodiments. A significant characteristic of a dot matrix display versus a segmented display as has been used in the past is that a dot matrix display permits use of the same display area for different things at different times. For example, the dot matrix display can variously show different menu tabs, different languages, etc. at the same coordinates at different times. With a segmented LCD, display area is “consumed” by anything that could ever appear and it can only be on or off. So, there is very limited flexibility in user interface. 
     As a result, the illustrated embodiment permits implementations of complex functions with a minimum of control buttons and the user can be guided towards selecting functions and inputting parameters to the thermometer. In addition, the graphical display allows for flexible display of data and inputs, and can be customized for language, font size and the like. Different operating modes can also have different screen appearances. In this embodiment, the GUI is run on microcontroller  34  (as indicated at  41 ). 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate exemplary screens which may appear on display device  18  in accordance with the present invention. Referring first to  FIG. 4 , three tabs  42 ,  44  and  46  located at the bottom of the screen are proximate to buttons  20 ,  22  and  24 , respectively. In this case, tab  42  contains the word “Save,” tab  44  contains the word “Menu” and tab  46  contains the word “Light.” These words indicate the function that may be performed by pressing the corresponding button. As will be apparent from the discussion below, these functions may change depending on where a particular screen appears in the GUI menu tree. Thus, there is a direct association between each button and the on-screen information located above it. The variance in the function is demonstrated/associated by the physical proximity between the button and the on-screen tab directly above it 
     Various icons may also be displayed on the screen. In this case, for example, an icon  48  in the upper lefthand corner of the screen indicates that the thermometer&#39;s laser pointer is turned on. Another icon  50  indicates that the thermometer is being used in its measuring mode. In some presently preferred embodiments, icon  50  may be animated to give the user a greater sense that activity is occurring. For example, the horizontal lines of icon  50  may display sequentially in a rolling motion. The measured temperature (in this case, 234.5° F.) is preferably shown in large font in the center of the screen. 
     In this example, the screen also depicts the maximum (“MAX”) and minimum (“MIN”) temperatures detected by the instrument during a current scanning session. Preferably, thermometer  10  may also be configured to display an average temperature and/or a “delta” (i.e., the difference between the maximum and minimum). The current emissivity, in this case 0.50, may also be displayed on the screen. 
     Thermometer  10  is also preferably equipped with an alarm feature which may be set and activated using the user interface. In this case, as indicated at  52 , the screen shows that both high and low alarms have been set. Specifically, thermometer  10  may be equipped with an audible indicator, such as a buzzer, that is activated when either a high or low condition is encountered. In another words, if the temperature either exceeds the high alarm level or drops below the low alarm level, a conspicuous indicator may be provided. In addition to a buzzer, the display itself can be configured to alternate between two colors (such as red and green) when an alarm condition is encountered. The words “Hi” or “Lo” on the screen may blink to inform the user of the relevant alarm condition. 
       FIG. 5  shows a screen as it may appear when thermometer  10  is in a “hold” mode. In this case, the last temperature measured by the infrared detector continues to display. In the hold mode, various interface functions can be accessed by the user. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, thermometer  10  may further include a thermocouple probe for contact measurements. In this regard, the icon at  54  indicates that the thermal probe has been connected to the unit. The temperature measured by the thermal probe (in this case, 98.6° F.) is displayed on the screen below the IR measurement. Additional icons, such as an icon indicating battery strength, may also be provided. 
       FIGS. 6A  and B show a high level menu tree that may be implemented by the graphical user interface. The menu tree may be traversed by a user pressing buttons  20 ,  22  and  24  depending on the function displayed on the corresponding tabs. Beginning at Menu  1 , for example, pressing the button corresponding to the “Save” tab brings the user to the Save menu ( FIG. 7 ) where measurement data can be saved in the next memory location. Pressing “Cancel” brings the user back to Menu  1 . 
     If the user presses the button corresponding to the “Menu” tab, the interface traverses the menu tree to Menu  2 . If the button corresponding to the “Mem” tab is pressed in menu  2 , the user is taken to the Memory menu ( FIG. 8 ). In the Memory menu, the user can view or delete the data stored in each of the memory locations. Pressing the button corresponding to the “Back” tab will bring the user back to Menu  2 . 
     In Menu  2 , the user may then press the button corresponding to the “EMS” tab to be taken to the Emissivity menu ( FIG. 9 ). In the Emissivity menu, emissivity may be selected from a table stored in the instrument&#39;s memory or manually adjusted using up and down arrows. The contact thermometer may be used to allow the user to manually adjust emissivity until IR readings and probe readings are the same. 
     In Menu  2 , pressing the button corresponding to the “Menu” tab brings up Menu  3  ( FIG. 10 ). In Menu  3 , the user may select the button corresponding to the “MnMx” tab. This will allow the maximum and minimum numbers shown on the display to toggle on or off. Pressing the button corresponding to the “Avg” tab would similarly allow the average and delta readings on the screen to be toggled on or off. 
     Pressing the button corresponding to the “Menu” tab when in Menu  3  will bring up Menu  4 . Menu  4  includes a submenu (menu  4   a ) allowing the user to select between Fahrenheit and Celcius displays. Menu  4   b  ( FIG. 11 ) allows the user to turn the high and low alarm on and off, as well as to set their respective numerical values. 
     Pressing the button corresponding to the “Menu” tab in Menu  4  will take the user to Menu  5 . Menu  5  allows the user to place the instrument into a “Lock” mode (Menu  5   a ) as well as to turn the laser pointer on and off (Menu  5   b ). 
     Pressing the button corresponding to the “Menu” tab in Menu  5  brings the user to Menu  6 . In Menu  6 , the user may access a Setup menu (Menu  6   a ) ( FIG. 12 ) permitting adjustment of the display backlight for different conditions of ambient light, as well as to select the display language ( FIG. 13 ) and set the time and date ( FIG. 14 ). 
     Other details regarding the structure and operation of the graphical user interface will be apparent from the drawings. 
     It can thus be seen that the present invention provides a portable IR thermometer having a graphical display and user interface. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, modifications and variations may be made thereto by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to be limitative of the invention as further described in the appended claims.