Abstract:
A monitor device for determining end point measurements of an environmental parameter such as temperature, humidity and the like. The monitor employs a probe which consecutively measures consecutive values of such environmental parameter. Transducing means converts the measured values into an electrical signal. Clock means determines a time window which is stored in memory means. Memory means obtains a value of the span of the parameter value by determining the difference between an initial value and a selected subsequent value of the parameter. End point selection means compares the selected minimum ratio with the actual ratio within the time window set by the clock means. When the actual ratio lies within the preset minimum ratio, display means exhibits indicia representing the actual environmental parameter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a novel monitor device determining an end point measurement of an environmental parameter such as temperature, humidity, pressure and the like. 
     Monitoring devices, such as thermometers, are used to determine the end point temperature of a gas, the surface of a body, or the interior of a body, where temperature is in flux. Human determination of an end point has often been a hit or miss proposition, in that the proper determination of an end point depends on the patience of the operator. Moreover, human determinations of parameter end points depend on the perception of the passage of time and human judgment as to change in the measurement values over such a period of time. Needless to say, pinpoint determinations are often quite inaccurate. 
     Simple monitors provide the user with an analog, often visual, representation of a parameter such as temperature or humidity. Such instruments are generally difficult to read accurately and are, thus, of limited use when end point determination is concerned. 
     Digital instruments, such a digital monitor, offer more accurate readings, but again suffer from the fact the human judgment is relied upon to determine parameter end point. In the past, digital monitors have been devised which measure the rate of change of a parameter, such as temperature, and extrapolate this information to a determination of a predicted end point. However, the predicted end point is often not the actual end point and can be misleading. Such misinformation can result in wrong decisions and waste in the manufacturing, transportation, storage and other industrial fields. 
     A monitor device which precisely and consistently determines an end point measurement of an environmental parameter would be a notable advance in the manufacturing, research, scientific fields. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a novel and useful monitor device for determining an end point measurement of an environmental parameter is herein provided. 
     The monitor device of the present invention utilizes a probe or sensor for quantitatively measuring a plurality of values of the environmental parameter over a period of time. The probe may be one which measures temperature, humidity, pressure, gas concentration and the like. In addition, the probe includes transducing means for converting the measured values of the environmental parameter into an electrical signal. The probe may include a housing to accommodate such transducing means. The probe may utilize different methods of acquiring the environmental parameter and may also work under various response times. In either case, the monitor device of the present invention is capable of accommodating probes of many varieties. Along these lines, the probe may be one that measures temperature of a gas such as air, temperature of the surface of a body, or the temperature within a body through penetration of the probe. 
     In the present invention, a sensor housing may accommodate a memory element to provide information in operating the probe of the present invention, which will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. Memory means, which may be located in the probe housing, is also found in the present invention for storing a selected minimum slope value of the difference between initial environmental parameter value and a selected subsequent environmental parameter value. Of course, these values are measured by the sensor or probe. Clock means determines a particular time window for such measurements. The memory works in conjunction with end point selection means which compares, during a certain time interval, the selected minimum slope to the actual slope of an actual environmental parameter value measured by the probe. For example, the slope may take the form of a change in temperature to a specific time interval. If the actual slope lies within the minimum slope values, a display signal is generated through display means for exhibiting indicia and representing the actual environmental parameter measured. A programmed microcomputer may be found in the present invention to aid in the performance of such functions. 
     In addition, resetting means may be found in the present invention, causing the end point selection means to initiate the comparing of the selected minimum slope to the actual slope during a time interval subsequent to the initial time interval. In this way, the slope to be measured will only trigger the display means when a measured slope fits within the preselected minimum slope. Of course, the preselected minimum slope would correspond to a particular end point value range such as end point temperature, end point humidity, and the end point pressure, and the like. 
     The device of the present invention may further employ an analog to digital converter to convert electrical signals received from the probe sensor and transducing means, into digital signals. Moreover, the characteristic data in the probe memory may be directly read from the analog to digital converter by the microprocessor. Such interaction allows the device of the present invention to operate under known criteria. 
     Moreover, the device of the present invention may additionally comprise the provision of a communication channel to permit downloading of data within the microcomputer to a desired media. 
     It may be apparent that a novel and useful device for determining an end point measurement has been described. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for determining an end point measurement which results in consistent, accurate, measurements of end points and eliminates mistakes, based on human perception, in the determination of pin point measurements. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for determining end point measurements which operates within a slope that includes a time window, and is capable of resetting the same after a certain time interval until the predetermined slope is reached by the measurements from a sensor probe. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a monitor device which automatically interrogates a particular sensor and operates within the abilities of a particular probe. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for determining end point measurements which only displays an end point temperature when an actual parameter-to-time slope falls within a predetermined parameter-to-time slope. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a monitor device for determining end point measurements which may be manufactured at a low cost, but operates at a high performance level. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a monitor device for determining an end point measurement which is compact in size. 
     The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristic and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan schematic view of the temperature monitoring device of the present invention carrying its module end sensor probe portions. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic view depicting the probe memory and sensor portion of the device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram functionally describing the electrical operation of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are electrical schematic drawings depicting the circuitry of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a graph representing the operational results in obtaining an end point measurement for temperature. 
     FIG. 7 is an parameter end point determination flow chart utilizing the device of the present invention. 
    
    
     For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior described drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments which should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings. 
     The invention as a whole is depicted in the drawings by reference character 10 FIG. 1. The device 10 is intended for determining end point measurements of an environmental parameter, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, gas concentration and the like. In the preferred embodiment depicted in the drawings, device 10 is shown as a temperature monitoring device and includes as one of its elements, a probe 12 having a sensor tip 14 which fits in a handle or housing 16. Probe 12 electrically connects to a module portion 18 through connector 20, which links conductors 22 from probe 12. Sensor tip 14 may be a metallic member and can be of a type which measures air temperature, surface temperature, or internal temperature of a member through penetration of sensor tip 14 into the body measured. Module 18 includes a display surface 24 having a screen 26 and a keyboard 28 having plurality of control buttons, which permit the user to operate and program device 10. Screen 26 is capable of displaying indicia indicating temperature. 
     Turning to FIG. 2, it may be observed that sensor portion 30 of probe 12 is represented. Sensor 30 is a four-wire platinum resistance temperature device (RTD). RTD 30 possesses an ohms/ohms/degree sensitivity of 0.00385 and is of the type manufactured under that designation by Hereaus Corporation. A quartet of connectors, (+) E, (+) S, (-) S and (-) E serve as the output of sensor 30. In general, sensor 30 delivers an analogue signal to signal channel 32 which converts the analog signal to a digital signal. The digital signal is passed into microcomputer U-10 for processing. 
     Sensor tip 14 also includes memory unit 34 which is an EEPROM, i.e., a memory read/write. The memory unit 34 is physically located within handle housing 16 of probe 12. The computer U-10 functions to interrogate sensor module 14. Sensor module responds with a list of information allowing computer U-10 to select appropriate parameters to both configure the device 10 signal processing module for signal type, amplitude, and other pertinent circuit constructs. Computer U-10 also selects the proper scaling factors, dimensions, and criteria to provide the correct and final result. In this regard, Appendix I is attached, showing the object code for the software programmed into microcomputer U-10. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, microcomputer U-10 is normally in idle mode with all modules in a powerdown configuration. Keyboard control buttons 28 are essentially a matrix switch used for data entry and mode control. Data memory 36 (U-13-19) is a read/write array which can retain data with no power applied. Memory 36 is divided into sections, a screen prompt area used to form display messages on screen 26, and a data storage section for storage of measurements and time information. Display 26 is a two-line by twelve character LCD located on module 18. Real time clock 38 (U-12) is a self-contained programmable clock/calendar/memory unit for time keeping and wake-up control in conjunction with the microcomputer U-10. Power management module 40 has a series of components which selectively distribute power from the main battery B-1, to active modules. The RS-232C serial port 42 is a standard commercially available item and serves as a communication channel for personal computer and/or printer download. Serial port 42 appears on module 18, FIG. 1. 
     In essence, several modules deal with signal acquisition and configuration of the data conversion unit under control of microcomputer U-10. Sensor memory 34 serves as a storage unit containing the parameters required for identification of sensor 14 and calibration information to allow microcomputer U-10 to process the sensor data. Sensor element 30 also serves as transducing means 44 for converting the measured values of the environmental parameter, such as temperature, into an electrical signal. The analog signal is connected to a differential amplifier 46 by analog switch matrix 48, configured by serial to parallel converter 50 (U-6). The process signal is finally converted to a digital value by the analog-to-digital converter 52 (U-11). 
     In general, device 10 operates to obtain a bi-directional slope measurement in determining end point temperature in the present case. In other words, the slope measurement values in device 10 are absolute numbers. Specifically, microcomputer U-10 executes a sequence of sub-programs that interrogate sensor 30 connected to probe 12. The returned data supply specific parameters to microcomputer U-10 which stores the information in memory means 54. Such information is stored in registers in the &#34;Measure&#34; program. The prior described interrogation occurs each time a signal conversion is performed between sensor 30 and analog-to-digital converter 52. The amplifier 46 characteristics are read by setting a pattern into analog switch 48 and comparing the same to similar information stored in data memory 36. Such information is placed therein at the time of manufacture of device 10. An acceptable criteria must be met before further processing can occur. When this criteria is met, analog switch 38 is then configured to connect the sensor 30 to amplifier 46. Data is read by microcomputer U-10 from analog-to-digital converter 52 and stored in registers for further processing. This entire procedure is repeated for each sample of data acquired by the system. 
     The &#34;Measure&#34; function begins by clearing an elapsed time register from real time clock 58 and performing a sensor data sample for an initial value point, i.e., an initial temperature measured by sensor 30. Further samples are taken at one half second intervals. Each sample is subtracted from the initial value and the magnitude of the difference is compared to the value read from sensor memory 34, (a portion of memory means 54,) as an acceptance criteria. If the data change magnitude is larger than the allowed criteria, the elapsed time register is cleared. A new initial data point is stored and the sequence continues. For such an end point selection means 56, if the magnitude from the different temperatures is less than or equal to the criteria, the time register is allowed to continue accumulating. At the end of a time window set by clock means 58 within the sensor memory 34, the final temperature value is locked into display 26. Concomitantly, current time is also stored in the instrument data memory 36. Device 10 is then returned to the idle modem until the &#34;Measure&#34; is started by the keyboard switch 28. If a different sensor type is used to measure an environmental parameter such as temperature, such change is detected by microcomputer U-10 and employed in end point determination for the &#34;Measure&#34; mode. Specifically, the prior described cycle is aborted and the instrument is returned to idle state. 
     Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, it may be observed that sensor 30 includes outputs (+) E, (+) S, (-) S and (-) E. Connection is made to half-bridge resister string composed of resistors R-22, R-24, R-37, R-39 and R-40. At the time of manufacture of device 10, resistors R-24 and R-37 are measured with a calibrated four-wire ohm-meter and the results are entered in an application program which calculates two coefficients that are subsequently stored in the instrument memory as self-scaling constants for the signal channel 32. The resistor values are checked during each measurement cycle for an insignificant difference in ratio, so that instrument drift with time, or due to mishandling damage, can be detected and indicated to the operator. Each resistor and string, plus the four wires of the RTD 30, are connected to the signal channel 32 through R-23 and R-36. Connection through signal channel 32 is acquired by analog switches U-7A-D and U-8A-D. The analog switches are actuated by a serial-to-parallel converter 46 (U-6), FIG. 4, which also connects to microcomputer U-10. It should be noted that the half-bridge and matched set of precision resistors obviate the need for an accurate current source. The transducer signal processing makes use of explicitly measured current through the sensor 30 by reading resistors R-24 and R-37. The measurement of these resistors also allows off-set and gain of the entire signal channel 32 to be determined at the time of manufacture of instrument 10. It should also be realized that drift or shift of components can be tolerated to a large degree by this structure. For example, based on a predetermined value, display 26 of device 10 will indicate to the operator the date/time stamp of the occurrence of out-of-tolerance measurement in memory 36. 
     Calibration of sensor 30 may take place either prior to or after signal channel 32 is connected. Coefficients relating to the exact value of the sensor at four points in the range of accuracy required, are retrieved for calculations to further progress toward the actual value. This intermediate value becomes an index to enter a table of two-hundred fifty-six, two degree spaced temperatures. The retrieved table value is combined with the previously calculated value to produce the final display and/or to store the temperature. Additional measurement parameters used in the bi-directional slope measurement and end point detection function of the instrument are also retrieved and stored. Thus, the operator is freed from making estimates of end point temperature based on experience and training. The operator only needs to wait for a temperature to be displayed. 
     Signal channel 32, specifically switches U-7 and U-8, utilize commonly available voltage connecting the probe 12 to the signal channel 32. The signal channel 32 uses a differential, (signal high) (signal low) via R-23 and R-36. This maximizes signal-to-noise. Capacitors C-7, C-8, C-9, C-10 and C-11 filter high frequency noise components. The network formed by U-5 and associated components provides an additional off-set of approximately 75 millivolts to center the signal range applied to the analog-to-digital converter 52 (U-11). Amplifier U-9A and U-9B form a differential amplifier with a fixed gain of 45 volts out/volts in. It should also be noted that further switches may be added to analog switch matrix 48 to form a digital gain control block to accommodate widely varying sensor types and sensitivities. The resistor string at the output of U-9, i.e.: R-30, R-33, and R-35, also contains the only variable resistor adjustment in the system, R-26. R-26 adjusts the initial balance of U-9A and U-9B to maximize useable signal range. After the initial adjustment, any change or drift of this component is compensated by the measurement cycle self-scaling calculation, which is part of the measurement cycle. 
     U-12 is a twelve bit (one part in 4096) resolution analog-to-digital converter 52. Analog-to-digital converter 52 is serially configured and is read by microcomputer U-10. The power and reference voltage for the signal channel 48 uses a separate regulator, U-3, which is part of the power management module 40. U-3 is turned on and off by mosfet switches Q-8 and Q-9, controlled by the microcomputer U-10 through the digital signal APOW. Power management module 40 is a low dropout, 5 volt unit. This type of regulator isolates the digital section of the system from noise and loading. A jumper may also be employed to connect the digital board to the analog board in the present invention. 
     The power to the system of device 10 is supplied by four AA batteries, B-1, module 40. Mosfet Q-2 prevents polarity reversal of B-1. U-1, with components D-1, D-2 and C-2, serves as a capacitive switching mode voltage multiplier which produces a voltage (VH1) about 1.7 times that supplied by battery B-1. Power management module 40 is very effective since the worst case current requirement of the system is less than five milli-amps. U-2 is a 5 volt regulator. Q-3 and Q-6 switch 5 volts of potential to the LCD of screen 26. At microcomputer U-10, such output is identified as signal line POW. Q-4 and Q-7, controlled by UPOW, supply power (VSU) to the serial (RS-232) communication channel. 
     The time keeping functions of the system in device 10 are performed in conjunction with microcomputer U-10 by real time clock 38 (U-12). U-12 has components X-1, R-28, R-29, R-32 and B-2, and is a completely independent unit. Battery B-2 is a lithium battery and X-1 is a crystal oscillator. U-12 also includes a nonvolatile data memory. Communication with microcomputer U-10 takes place through wire link I/O. Real time data and system variables are read and written over this link. The replacement of battery B-1 does not effect the function and status of U-12. 
     Data memory in memory module 36 includes memory units U-13 through U-19. Each of these units constitutes a serial read and write device having a 16K bit EEPROM. In particular, memory unit U-13 contains fixed prompting screens for display 28 and message or data memory for measurements and logging functions of device 10. 
     Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, it may be seen that the operation of the device 10 utilizes slope determination. For example, delta S over delta T represents such slope. As shown in FIG. 6, lines 60 and 62 indicate that the temperature to time slope determined by the device 10 is an absolute value and thus may travel in the plus or minus direction. The plurality of window criteria 64 indicates measurement points along line 62 that do not fit within the preset slope criteria. For example, if the end point was determined as a 0.3 degree change in temperature over a period of three seconds, one would have to travel to circled point 66 to find the end point. At that time, the temperature of end point 66 would be displayed on display 28 through the circuitry found on FIGS. 2-5. End point 68 represents an end temperature along line 60, indicating a rising temperature. 
     The following is a list of components found in the circuits illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6: 
     
         ______________________________________LIST OF COMPONENTSI.D.     DATA            USE______________________________________U-1      LTC1044         VOLTAGE CONVERTERU-2      LT1121CZ-5      REGULATORU-3      LT1121CZ        REGULATORU-4      AT24C164        SENSOR MEMORYU-5      LMC60621N       OP AMPU-6      CD4094BE        SERIAL TO PARALLEL                    CONVERTERU-7A&amp;B   CD4066BE        ANALOG SWU-8A&amp;B   CD4066BF        ANALOG SWU-9A&amp;B   LMC6062N        OP AMPU-10     PIC 16C74-04    MICROCOMPUTERU-11     LTC1288CN8      ANALOG TO DIGITALU-12     DS2404          DATE/TIMEU-13-U-19    AT24C164        DATA/MEMORYR-26     5K OHM (VARIABLE)                    BALANCER-22     23.2K OHMR-23     23.2K OHM       SIGNAL CHANNELR-24     1.82K OHMR-28     5.1K OHMR-29     100K OHMR-30     20.5K OHMR-32     330K OHMR-33     1.05K OHMR-35     23.2K OHMR-36     23.2K OHM       SIGNAL CHANNELR-37     1.05K OHMR-39     845K OHMR-40     23.2K OHMD-1      DIODED-2      DIODEC-2      4.7 MicrofC-7      68 PfC-8      470 PfC-9      0.47 MicrofC-10     68 PfC-11     470 pfQ-2      MOSFET          SWITCHQ-3      MOSFET          SWITCHQ-4      MOSFET          SWITCHQ-5      MOSFET          SWITCHQ-6      MOSFET          SWITCHQ-7      MOSFET          SWITCHQ-8      MOSFET          SWITCHQ-9      MOSFET          SWITCHB-1      4AA             BATTERYB-2      3.1 V           LITHIUM BATTERY______________________________________ 
    
     FIG. 7 represents the end point determination in logic format. 
     While, in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention. ##SPC1##