Patent ID: 8517603

Claim:
An infrared thermometer comprising: a body portion comprising one or more snap-fit elements, an electronic circuit that is configured to measure intensity of an infrared signal received from a patient and convert the infrared signal into an output that reflects the patient's body temperature and a first switch that is in communication with the electronic circuit; a probe portion comprising an infrared window that is configured to accept the infrared signal received from the patient; and an attachment mechanism having a first end capable of being coupled to the probe and a second end capable of being coupled to a probe cover that is configured to fit over the attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism comprising a generally circular hollow bore at the second end, one or more snaps at the first end to engage the one or more snap-fit elements, a pin at the first end for interacting with the first switch, and an element movable in response to the attachment of the probe cover for enabling the electronic circuit to determine attachment of the probe cover; wherein when the attachment mechanism is coupled to the probe and the pin interacts with the first switch in a first position, the electronic circuit converts the signal based upon a first calculation, when the pin interacts with the first switch in a second position the electronic circuit converts the signal based upon a second calculation, and the electronic circuit further converts the signal based upon the attachment of the probe cover.