Measuring and testing – Instrument proving or calibrating – Gas or liquid analyzer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-04
2001-01-16
Raevis, Robert (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Instrument proving or calibrating
Gas or liquid analyzer
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173600
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a measuring instrument such as a pH meter, an ion meter or a conductivity meter, provided with measuring electrodes which are either releasably connected to an instrument body via a cable or are made wireless-communicable. More particularly, the present invention relates to a very useful measuring instrument having measuring electrodes equipped with storage means (memory) in which information regarding the properties of the measuring electrodes is input, or having identification means for identifying the measuring electrodes, provided in the measuring electrodes, and storage means (memory) for identifying the measuring electrodes and storing information regarding the measuring electrodes provided in the instrument body.
For example, in a measuring instrument such as a pH meter or an ion meter releasably connected to an instrument body via a cable, or provided with measuring electrodes made wireless-communicable, it is currently common practice to calibrate the properties of each electrode by using a standard solution before actual use, and to calculate, correct and display a measured value on the basis of the calibration data. For an electrode requiring a correction value as in a conductivity meter or a conductivity cell, it is required to visually read out the correction value displayed on the electrode and set the correction value on the instrument body before use. For electrode control purposes, it is necessary to record the model and the manufacture No. of the electrode.
As described above, therefore, while data calibrated upon use of an electrode or the correction value is stored in the memory, in a conventional measuring instrument, it is necessary, when replacing the electrode with another one, to perform the calibration over again with a standard solution for the new electrode, or set a new correction value.
In some measuring instruments, several calibration values are stored and can be selectively employed. Even in this case, the operator has to remember what part of the stored data corresponds to which of the electrodes so as to select an appropriate electrode by key operation before use. Another problem is that failure to select the correct calibration value means that the measurement will be done on the basis of wrong data. The model and manufacture No. indicated on the electrode label has to be noted down. The instrument body can not automatically identify an electrode.
In an electrode requiring a correction value such as a conductivity cell, a cell constant must be set in the instrument body, as described above. A conductivity cell has electrodes of different shapes, and upon every replacement of an electrode, a cell constant must be set. An accurate measurement can therefore be hindered by an erroneous setting or failure to set correctly. Further, a printout of the result of measurement contains only the result of measurement, without any printed information indicating the electrode for which the result has been obtained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has therefore an object to provide a measuring instrument with a memory or measuring electrodes with a memory, which eliminates the necessity to set a calibration value or a correction value each time an electrode is to be replaced, can automatically identify information such as the model of the electrode or the manufacture No. thereof by means of the instrument body, and permits free selection of an electrode for each use.
Another object of the invention is to provide a measuring instrument with a memory or measuring electrodes with having a memory, which permits electrode control such as a calibration history and the status of the service of electrodes.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a measuring instrument with a memory or measuring electrodes with a memory, which permits avoidance of an erroneous setting or failure to set and the easy replacement of electrodes.
The aforementioned objects are achieved by a measuring instrument with a memory or measuring electrodes each having a memory concernig the invention. In summary, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring instrument having an instrument body and a measuring electrode releasably connected to said instrument body, which comprises storage means provided for storing information regarding the measuring electrode in the measuring electrode, or in a cable or a connector for connecting the measuring electrode to the instrument body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the storage means is an EEPROM, a flash memory, an RAM with a cell backup, an EPROM or a one-time ROM.
In another embodiment of the invention, the instrument body has a read/write means of information into the storage means of the measuring electrode.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the information of the measuring electrode includes information for identifying the measuring electrode.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the information for identifying the measuring electrode includes the model name or the manufacture No.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the information regarding the measuring electrode includes at least one of the following pieces of information such as calibration data, service time, deterioration of the electrode, and the calibration history of the measuring electrode.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring instrument having an instrument body and measuring electrodes, which comprises identification means provided for identifying the measuring electrodes in the measuring electrodes, or in a cable or a connector for connecting the measuring electrodes to the instrument body; and storage means which recognizes the identification means of the measuring electrodes and stores information regarding the measuring electrodes, provided in the instrument body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the identification means is the physical amount or status changing means such as a switch, an analog switch, a resistor, or a capacitor; a voltage generator, a current generator or generating means of physical amounts including a light; storage means such as an EEPROM, a flash memory, an RAM with a cell backup, an EPROM or a one-time ROM; or bar code means; and the storage means is an EEPROM, a flash memory, an RAM with a cell backup, an EPROM or a one-time ROM.
In another embodiment of the invention, the instrument body has read/write means of information to the identification means of the one or more measuring electrodes.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the information for identifying the measuring electrodes includes the model name or the manufacture No., and the information regarding the measuring electrodes includes at least one piece of information such as calibration data, service time, deterioration of the electrodes, or calibration history of the measuring electrode.
In the measuring instrument of the present invention, the measuring electrode is a pH electrode, an ion electrode, a conductivity cell, a resistance temperature measuring electrode, or a dissolved oxygen electrode.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4223549 (1980-09-01), Kitzinger
patent: 4260950 (1981-04-01), Hadden et al.
patent: 4481804 (1984-11-01), Eberhard et al.
patent: 5022980 (1991-06-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5124659 (1992-06-01), Frola et al.
Haketa Yasushi
Harada Yasuyuki
Kato Akihiko
Kato Eiji
Murayama Jiro
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Raevis Robert
TAO Electronics Ltd.
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