Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system – Time duration or rate
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-16
2004-11-23
Barlow, John (Department: 2863)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system
Time duration or rate
Reexamination Certificate
active
06823285
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a measuring device including a measuring module with a data processing unit, a data input unit, and an indicating unit, as well as a clock.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One such measuring device is known for example from U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,249. In the there described device a clock chip is provided in the measuring module and connected to the processor of the module. The time delivered from the clock chip can be indicated on the display screen of the measuring module. A disadvantage of this solution is that the clock cannot be used separately and also cannot be combined with another type of measuring device.
The invention has as its object the provision of a measuring device of the aforementioned kind, making possible a greater flexibility in regard to the use of the clock in combination with a measuring module.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is solved in accordance with the invention in that the clock is a unit galvanically separated from the measuring module and in that the measuring device has means for non-touchingly obtaining the time data indicated by the clock and for transmitting such data to the measuring module.
In the solution according to the invention, the clock is not only an internal clock chip but also is a stand-alone, usable, complete clock which can be used in combination with the measuring module, or instead as the case may be without such measuring module, and which as the case may be is combinable with several measuring modules for measuring different parameters.
The clock can have a type of stop-clock function in that the time indication of the clock at the beginning of a measurement can selectively be set to a pre-given null point, and after the ending of the measurement, is resetable to the actual time.
The clock can have an analog time indicator with hands, wherewith the means for obtaining the time obtains the positions of the hands. Such an obtaining of the hand positions can, for example, be accomplished by use of a suitable optical means, such as a photo sensor assembly for detecting emitted or reflected light or a sensor working with the ambient light.
In the measuring device of the invention a clock with an LCD screen or with a digital indicator can also be used, wherein the LCD screen is selectably switchable to dark and the measuring module has a counter triggerable by a sensor sensing the LCD screen.
In another embodiment of the invention the means for obtaining and transmitting the time data includes a device for wirelessly transmitting the data and having at least one transmitter in the clock and at least one receiver in the measuring module. Such a transmission link can work with optical signals, radio signals or infrared signals. Also, an ultrasonic transmission link can be used for the data transmission.
In a preferred embodiment the measuring module is releasably connected with the clock so that the measuring module need be connected with the clock only as needed. Such a connection can be achieved in a simple way in that the measuring module is clippable onto the clock. Such a solution is especially advantageous if under different conditions different measurements with the different measuring modules are to be carried out or if the measuring module is needed only from time to time.
If on the other hand a measuring module is permanently needed, as for example is the case for blood sugar measurements for diabetic persons, it can be advantageous if the clock and the measuring module are arranged together in a common housing. In all events the measuring device can be so formed that it can be carried on a wrist by means of an arm band which is arranged either on the clock or on the common housing for the clock and measuring module.
The measuring module can be made for different functions. For example, the measuring module can be made for the measurement of parameters of the human body such as for the measurement of blood sugar, of the LH-value, of estrogen concentration, of the heart frequency, of the pulse beat and the blood pressure, of the body temperature, and of the skin moisture. Likewise the measuring module can be made for the carrying out of a peak flow measurement for asthma patients or for recording a short EKG sequence. Other values obtainable with such a measuring module are, for example, environmental parameters such as air pressure, the ambient temperature, the UV radiation, the geographic altitude or the contamination of the air by bacteria, poisons, and gases. Also, several of the previously-mentioned measuring functions can be joined into one measuring module.
In a further embodiment of the invention the data processing unit of the measuring module has a memory accessible through the data input unit, thereby there can be stored in the measuring module, for example, a PIN number, a check card number or other important data for the user. It is also possible to so program the data processing unit that it interrogates the memory at pre-determined intervals and, for example, enables an alarm unit to produce an alarm signal if the user is to be reminded of the taking of certain medicines or of the need to give attention to the lapsing of certain periods of time. In connection with this the data processing unit can also be connected with a speech module.
In order to increase the utility of the inventive measuring device the measuring module, that is the data processing unit and the data input unit, can be formed to carry out calculation functions so that the measuring device of the invention can also be used as a pocket calculator.
The measuring module can also be formed for the carrying out of supervisory functions, such as for example, for the control of watch people in which case the inventive measuring device can be replaced by a plug-in clock; or for legitimizing the user for different purposes.
According to a further embodiment, the measuring module has a radio receiver in order, for example, to be able to receive specific alarm signals. This receiver can also be used for determining the geographical position of the carrier of the measuring device.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the measuring module is formed to indicate the amount and the application time point of a medicine so that the measuring device can be used not only for analysis but also for the purpose of therapy.
Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description which in connection with the accompanying drawings explain the invention by way of exemplary embodiments.
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Bartsch Udo
Deuter Klaus
Dorfmeister Alois
Just Michael
Körner Jochen
Barlow John
LRE Technology Partner GmbH
McCormick Paulding & Huber LLP
Pretlow Demetrius
LandOfFree
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