Measuring apparatus

Abstract

A measuring apparatus includes a sensor unit, a processing unit, and a communication unit. The sensor unit may include at least one sensor that is configured to generate an output signal. The processing unit may be configured to be separate from the sensor unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform at least a first set of operations based on the output signal. The communication unit may couple the sensor unit and the processing unit. The communication unit may be configured to transmit the output signal as a digital signal from the sensor unit to the processing unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a pressure measuring apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configurations of the pressure measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configurations of a modified pressure measuring apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a pressure measuring apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configurations of the pressure measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 4.

Claims

1. A measuring apparatus comprising: a sensor unit that comprises at least one sensor, the at least one senor being configured to generate an output signal;a processing unit configured to be separate from the sensor unit, the processing unit being configured to perform at least a first set of operations based on the output signal; anda communication unit coupling the sensor unit and the processing unit, the communication unit being configured to transmit the output signal as a digital signal from the sensor unit to the processing unit.

2. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit comprises: a processor configured to perform the operation based on the output signal and generate a first set of information; anda display that is configured to receive the first set of information from the processor and display the first set of information.

3. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit comprises at least a storage unit configured to store the characteristics of the at least a sensor, and the communication unit is configured to transmit the characteristics of the at least a sensor to the processing unit.

4. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit comprises an auxiliary processor configured to perform a second set of operations.

5. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to perform a second set of operations in addition to the first set of operations.

6. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit comprises: a first communication processor functionally coupled to the sensor unit;a second communication processor functionally coupled to the processor unit; anda communication cable that connects the first and second communication processors to each other.

7. The measuring apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first communication processor and the sensor unit are enclosed in a first enclosure, and the second communication processor and the processor unit are enclosed in a second enclosure.

8. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the output signal as a serial digital signal.

9. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit comprises at least an additional sensor.