Abstract:
A multi-function detecting pen is described. The multi-function detecting pen includes a head module, a detecting chips module, a power module, a lighting module, and a control module. The head module is disposed at a front portion of the pen and the detecting chips module is followed. The detecting chips module may include at least one pressure detecting chip for measuring a pressure, e.g. tire pressure, and/or a gas detecting chip for measuring a gas concentration, e.g. alcohol concentration. The detecting chips module may further include a temperature detecting chip for measuring a temperature, e.g. ambient temperature or tympanum temperature. The head module may further include a switchable or a replaceable adapter for coupling to the corresponding object and keeping the head module clean.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   The invention relates to a pen detector and, in particular, to a multi-function detecting pen. 
   2. Related Art 
   With the progress in electronic detecting technology, various detecting devices are available. For example, the gas detector for detecting alcohol concentration has been used to quickly detect the alcohol concentration of drivers to avoid drivers from driving at a high alcohol concentration. The pressure detector is used to quickly detect the pressure in tires for the safety of driving. 
   However, large detectors are not suitable for drivers or even normal users. Therefore, compact and portable detecting systems, such as the tire pressure meter, tympanum temperature gun, and alcohol detecting pen have been developed. Even though they are different in design, they are all designed to be portable and easy to use. 
   For a driver, it is highly desirable to be able to know the tire condition at all times as well as to know his/her alcohol concentration. This helps avoiding dangers. In this case, a careful driver has to carry detectors that can measure the tire pressure and alcohol concentration. The individual measuring devices are inconvenient in use and require a higher cost. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing, the invention aims at providing a convenient and effective integrated measuring device to improve the driving safety and the portability of the device. 
   An object of the invention is to provide a multi-function detecting pen that can increase the road driving safety and be carried along for measurements at any time. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a multi-function detecting pen with the functions of measuring the pressure and/or gas concentration, as well as measuring the tympanum temperature. Devices with multiple functions are effectively integrated in a single pen structure for the user&#39;s convenience in carrying. 
   According to the above-mentioned objects, the invention provides a multi-function detecting pen with the appearance of a pen. The multi-function detecting pen includes a head module, a detecting chips module, a power module, and a control module. 
   The head module is disposed at a front portion of the pen and the detecting chips module is followed, including detecting chips and a detecting substrate. The detecting substrate and the head module form a measuring cavity. The detecting chips module may include at least one pressure detecting chip for measuring a pressure, e.g. tire pressure, and/or a gas detecting chip for measuring a gas concentration, e.g. alcohol concentration. The power module and the detecting chips module are electrically coupled to provide the power needed by the detecting chips module. The control module is electrically coupled to the detecting chips module and the power module to switch among different measuring chips. 
   The head module can further include a removable tire pressure detecting adapter to be coupled with the tire nozzle. The head module may further include a side air inlet, which is normally closed. When measuring the alcohol concentration, one can rotate the head to open this side air inlet for breathing air into the inlet. The detecting chips module may further include a temperature detecting chip for measuring a temperature, e.g. ambient temperature or tympanum temperature. It can be replaced by a removable pen adapter. 
   The detecting chips module may further include a moisture detecting chip to measure the moisture. The multi-function detecting pen further includes a light bulb, preferably made of a light-emitting diode (LED) or a color LED. It is electrically coupled to the power module and the control module to provide illumination. The light bulb can be disposed at a tail portion or in the middle portion of the multi-function detecting pen. A light guiding body may be used to guide the light emanated from the light bulb to the head module. With the control module, the light bulb may have the function of providing message display. 
   The control module further contains a control circuit board, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a control button, and an integrated circuit (IC). The control button is used to select a measuring function of the multi-function detecting pen. The IC further includes a time IC, preferably with an alarm function. The control module may further include a sounding element. 
   The disclosed multi-function detecting pen has different embodiments. It has a pen appearance for the convenience of carrying. The multi-function detecting pen may include the functions of measuring pressure and temperature, along with the functions of time and alarm. The multi-function detecting pen may as well have the functions of measuring temperature and moisture, along with the functions of time and alarm. The multi-function detecting pen may as well have the functions of measuring tympanum temperature and ambient temperature, along with the functions of time and alarm. The multi-function detecting pen is preferably to include all the detecting functions mentioned above as well as the functions of time and alarm. 
   Therefore, the disclosed multi-function detecting pen can convenient and quickly perform various kinds of measurements. Using the pen structure, it is convenient to carry and has a lower production cost. It helps to make the detecting device more popular, improving the driving safety and portability. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the invention, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the multi-function detecting pen according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the multi-function detecting pen according to another embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of using the disclosed multi-function detecting pen to measure the tympanum temperature; 
       FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of using the disclosed multi-function detecting pen to measure the alcohol concentration; and 
       FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of using the disclosed multi-function detecting pen to measure the tire pressure. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements. 
   The disclosed multi-function detecting pen is convenient for the user to carry for measurements at any time. It is provided with different measuring devices in a single pen structure to enhance its functions. 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , the multi-function detecting pen  110  includes a head module  160 , a detecting chips module  120 , a power module  170 , and a control module  180 . The head module  160  includes a head  111  and a tire pressure detecting adapter  114 . It may include a side air inlet  115  that can be opened or closed for measuring various quantities. In particular, the inlet  115  can be disposed on a removable adapter. The detecting chips module  120  includes a pressure detecting chip  122  and a gas detecting chip  123 , fixed on a detecting substrate  130  to measure tire pressure and alcohol concentration. The detecting chips module  120  may further include a temperature detecting chip  121  for measuring a temperature, e.g. ambient temperature or tympanum temperature. 
   The opening of the detecting portion is roughly on the axis of the head  111 . The temperature measurement can be performed in a contact or non-contact way without departing from the spirit of the invention. The temperature detecting chip  121  is preferably disposed in the middle of the detecting substrate  130  to align with the opening of the head  111 . The pressure detecting chip  122  and the gas detecting chip  123  are disposed on both sides. The disclosed multi-function detecting pen utilizes the micro-electromechanic (MEM) technology to effectively integrate the pressure detecting chip, the temperature detecting chip, the gas detecting chip, and even the moisture detecting chip on a very small area for measurements of various quantities. To further reduce the production cost and to reserve extra space for other detecting chips, the detecting chips need not to be packaged but are directly installed on a small detecting substrate. Non-conducting glue is used to effectively protect the bonding wires. The gas detecting chip may detect different gases, e.g. the fuel gas, carbon monoxide, or carbon dioxide. In addition to measuring the body temperature and the tympanum temperature, the temperature detecting chip can also be used to measure the ambient temperature. 
   The detecting substrate  130  is followed by the power module  170 , which preferably contains a spring  151 , a battery  150 , and a battery room cover  112 . When replacing the battery  150 , the battery room cover  112  is rotated open. The battery  150  and the spring  151  are in electrical contact for the multi-function pen  110  to perform all kinds of measurements. 
   The power module  170  is followed by the control module  180 , which is preferably comprised of a control circuit board  131 , a control button  133 , and an IC  132 . The control circuit board  131  and the IC  132  provide the necessary circuit for signal processing and control. The control button  133  is used to control the required operations. The control module  180  is followed by the lighting module  190 , which is preferably comprised of a tail portion  113  and a light bulb  142 . The light bulb  142  is preferably a large-power LED or color LED. The tail portion  113  converges the light to provide illumination. 
   The control module  180  may further include an LCD panel  140  and an indicator  141  for the user to select functions and watch measurement results. The indicator  141  is disposed on one side or on the back of the LCD panel  140  to provide the necessary illumination. The indicator  141  is preferably an LED. The indicator can be defined to have an alarming function to emit light in different alarming modes according to the measured data. For example, it may flash differently or emit light of different colors. The large-power light bulb  142  at the tail portion  113  can also be designed to provide the alarms after measurements. The control module  180  may use a sounding element, such as a speaker, to provide alarms. 
     FIG. 2  shows the cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the multi-function detecting pen  210 . It contains a head module  260 , a detecting chips module  220 , a power module  270 , and a control module  280 . The head module  260  includes a head  211  and a tire pressure detecting adapter  214 . It may also include a side air inlet  215  that can be opened or closed for various kinds of measurements. In particular, the air inlet  215  can be disposed on a removable adapter for the convenience of measurements. The detecting chips module  220  includes a pressure detecting chip and a gas detecting chip, fixed on a detecting substrate  230  to measure the tire pressure and alcohol concentration. As in  FIG. 1 , the detecting chips module  220  may further include a temperature detecting chip to measure the temperature. 
   The detecting substrate  230  is followed by the control module  280 . The control module  280  is also preferably comprised of a control circuit board  231 , a control button  233 , and an IC  232 . In this embodiment, the power module  270  contains a spring  251  and a battery  250 , installed behind the control module  280  for the convenience of battery replacement. 
   The multi-function detecting pen  210  further includes a light bulb  242 , which is preferably a large-power LED or color LED. The emitted light is guided by a light-guiding body  243  to converge in the direction of the head  211 . When the user uses it to make measurements, the light bulb  242  illuminates the measured part of the object. The control module  280  may also include an LED panel  240  and indicator  241  for the user to select functions and watch measurement results. In particular, the indicator  241  is installed on the side or back of the LCD panel  240  to provide the necessary illumination. In addition to the necessary illumination for the LCD panel  240 , the indicator  241  is preferably comprised of an LED or a color LED with an alarming function. After each measurement, the indicator can emit light in different alarming modes. Likewise, the light bulb  242  can be designed to provide the alarming function too. 
     FIG. 3  shows how the multi-function detecting pen  310  is used to measure the tympanum temperature. It is preferable to take the tire pressure adapter off the head  311  before putting the head  311  into the ear channel  361  of the ear  360 . 
     FIG. 4  shows how the multi-function detecting pen  410  is used to measure the alcohol concentration. In this case, the head  411  of the multi-function detecting pen  410  is pointed to the mouth  462  for blowing in air. One may open the side air inlet of the head to blow in air too. 
     FIG. 5  shows how the multi-function detecting pen  510  is used to measure the tire pressure of a tire  570 . First, the tire pressure adapter  514  installed on the head  511  of the multi-function detecting pen  510  is aligned with the nozzle  571  of the tire  570 . One then presses the multi-function detecting pen  510  against the nozzle  571  so that the pressure of the tire  570  is directed to the pressure detecting chip in the back, thereby determining the tire pressure. 
   The disclosed multi-function detecting pen can integrate a pressure detecting chip, a power module, and a control module together into one that has the functions of measuring pressure and displaying time. The control module is preferably an IC that can provide time display and alarm function. The disclosed multi-function detecting pen can also integrate a gas detecting chip (e.g. for detecting alcohol concentration), a power module, and a control module together into one that has the functions of measuring alcohol concentration and displaying time. The control module in this case is also preferable with an IC to provide time display and alarm function. Since the disclosed multi-function detecting pen has a portable size and appearance, the user can use it to perform various kinds of measurements. 
   The invention uses a pen structure to integrate pressure and gas detecting chips, so that the driver can perform both tests with only such a detecting pen. The detecting chips module may further include a temperature detecting chip so as to measure the pressure, temperature, and gas concentration. The detecting end for the input of pressure, gas, and temperature is disposed at the head. The detecting chips module in the head may contain pressure and gas detecting chips. One may even integrate pressure, temperature, gas, and moisture detecting devices into a single chip or integrate several chips in one module on one substrate. In particular, the control circuit module may include a time IC and a sounding device to provide the function of time and alarm. Therefore, in addition to the display of detecting values and system settings, the LCD panel can also display time. 
   Using the disclosed multi-function detecting pen, the drivers can conveniently carry a single detecting pen to perform multiple measurements. This does not only increase the driving safety, but also lowers the device cost, making the product more competitive on the market. 
   The size, shape, and number of elements in the attached drawings are for illustration purposes only. They should not be used to limit the scope of the invention. Increasing or decreasing the number, size, or shape of the elements will not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention.