Patent Application
20080075143
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate manner.
The various drawing figures will now be referred to in detail. Turning first to
Grip members 37a are provided to improve the grip of the thermometer 21 with respect to the mouth area and teeth. These are shown as raised ribs; alternatively the grip members could take the form of recessed grooves or otherwise exhibit uneven or gripping characteristics. A plurality of grip members are illustrated, such being oriented on the upper side of the curved portion of the probe. In addition, raised ribs 29 or other suitable gripping member or members are provided for assisting in holding the thermometer during use.
The fit of the digital thermometer 61 (and other embodiments thereof) to the anatomy in and around the mouth can now be better appreciated. The probe 24 rests on the lower lip 53 and/or the lower teeth 52. When provided, the grip members, shown as circumferential ribs 37 in this particular embodiment, help to maintain this positioning. That portion of probe 24 resting on lip 53 and/or teeth 52 is an intermediate portion 28 which is shaped to accommodate and/or generally conform to the shape of the lower lip 53 and/or lower teeth 52. This non-linear or curved contour of the probe 24, especially in conjunction with grip members when provided, effectively prevents movement or shifting of the probe 24 while the temperature measurement is taking place. Because thermometer 11, 21, 31, 41 or 61, for example, does not become dislodged from under the tongue 51, either of these thermometers can more quickly reach a final measured temperature than prior art thermometers.
It can be seen that the attachment of the probe to the housing in
At the same time, the rear housing portion 30 of thermometer 21 is generally downwardly disposed resting near or against the chin 56 of the patient. Thus, any biting down or pressure on probe 24 with the upper lip 54 and/or upper teeth 55 will not cause the sensing tip 23 of probe 24 to rotate out of position since any significant rotation is prevented when there is contact of rear housing portion 30 against the chin 56. Because the digital thermometer 21 better conforms to the anatomy of the mouth, thermometer 21 also feels less intrusive to a patient than the prior art linear thermometers.
When the power to thermometer 11 is first turned on by depressing and releasing the power switch 16, all of the indicia and the backlight of display 15 activate for about 2 seconds as indicated by block 80 The backlight then stays on for about another 2 seconds as indicated by block 80. The thermometer also may emit one or more audible beeps as indicated by block 80. This indicates to the user that thermometer 11 is responding to switch 16 and that the internal battery, or other power source, is at a suitable operating voltage.
Digital thermometer 11 then displays the last measured temperature for a short time period, such as about two seconds, as indicated at block 81 If there is no last temperature reading stored, digital thermometer 11 displays a suitable indicia, such as several dashed lines “---”, for about two seconds as indicated at block 82. It is desirable to save the last measured temperature since medical personnel may not have recorded the measurement, or may have pressed switch 16 to turn the thermometer off before recording the temperature By saving and displaying this information, thermometer 11 reminds the user of the prior measurement, which can be designated by an “M” symbol. After the last temperature reading or indicia such as dashed lines are displayed for a short time period such as about two seconds, the “M” symbol (if present) disappears as shown at block 84, and thermometer 11 is ready to begin temperature measurement as shown at block 88. The default operation for thermometer 11 is “F/Melody” for degrees Fahrenheit and music on.
If power switch 16 is held down for a relatively longer time period at startup, such as about four seconds, the “M” symbol disappears as shown at block 83. If power switch 16 is then released, the thermometer enters the switchable mode function shown at block 86. If the power switch 16 is then pressed and released within about two seconds, the mode will switch to “F/Quiet” for degrees Fahrenheit and no music. Successive similar activations within about two seconds of power switch 16 will change the mode to “C/Quiet” for degrees Celsius and no music; then to “C/Melody” for degrees Celsius and music on; and then back to “F/Melody” as shown in decision block 87.
Thermometer 11 then waits for another interval, such as about another two seconds, to make sure that the appropriate measurement scale and sound mode have been selected. Thermometer 11 is then ready to begin temperature measurement as shown in block 88.
Thermometer 11 then proceeds to decision block 89 where the first new measurement is made. If the measured temperature at sensing tip 13 is less than 32 degrees C. or 89.6 degrees F., display 15 will indicate this condition as “---C” or “---F” and loop back to block 88. Thermometer 11 will automatically shut off after a relatively long time, such as about one minute, with no measured temperature reading higher than 32 degrees C. or 89.6 degrees F.
If the initial temperature measurement is equal to or above 32 degrees C. or 89.6 degrees F., the current temperature will be displayed on display 15 as shown in block 90. As also indicated in block 90, when thermometer 11 detects that the temperature is equal to or higher than 35.5 degrees C. or 96 degrees F. a melody will begin playing, provided the sound mode is on.
Once a melody begins playing, the thermometer 11 continues to take temperature measurements for about a time suitably long to insure accurate reading, typically about eight seconds, while the melody continues to play as shown in decision block 92. After this time period, such as about eight seconds, has passed in the melody mode, thermometer 11 gives a positive reinforcement or reward signal, such as an audible sound, for example by saying “great job”, “good work”, “excellent” and/or “thank you”, as generally shown in block 93. Thermometer 11 also stores the temperature reading and leaves the backlight activated for about a time adequate to read or record the temperature, such as for four seconds, as shown in block 93. As further shown in block 93, thermometer 11 will automatically shut off after a designated time of inactivity, such as in about one to five minutes, if the thermometer is not manually switched off during this time period.
If the sound mode is turned off, thermometer 11 will measure the temperature in the same manner as just described but without audible signaling, such as playing a melody, as shown in block 94. Once the measurement is complete, thermometer 11 will emit a signal, such as a short beep, display the temperature reading, store the temperature reading and leave the backlight activated for about the desired time, for example about four seconds, as shown in block 94. As shown in block 95, thermometer 11 will automatically shut off, such as in about one to five minutes, if not manually switched off.
If during the measuring cycle while the melody is playing, the temperature drops from its upward rise, this is understood as an indication that the sensing tip 13 is no longer properly positioned, and the melody stops playing. A temperature drop during not more than about 5 seconds will activate this feature. Typically this temperature drop is not more than about 4 seconds, not more than about 3 seconds, not more than about 2 seconds, or not more than about 1 second, depending on the sensitivity desired for a particular unit. When desired, the electronic circuitry includes a feature whereby the thermometer 11 gives an indication of non-compliance, such as by an audible statement, for example “try again”, as shown in block 96 after this temperature drop is detected.
The electronic circuitry can further include locking the temperature reading and either displaying the temperature or dashed lines with the backlight activated for about four seconds as shown in block 96. Also as shown in block 96, thermometer 11 will automatically shut off in a suitable time period, such as after about one minute if not manually switched off or restarted before then.
While preferred forms of the invention have been shown and described, it will be realized that alterations, modifications and/or combinations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the following claims. For example, other process steps or data flow steps different from those illustrated in
It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention which have been described are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, including those combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein.
