Measuring Instrument with Built-in Calibration Data Manager

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measuring instruments require manual calibration by users, placing a significant burden on them as they need to compare measurement values with higher-level standards, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A measuring instrument with built-in calibration data that includes a sensor, calibration data manager, setting data manager, memory, and traceability determiner, which automatically compares measurement values with stored calibration conditions to calculate and display calibrated values, reducing user intervention and errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual calibration is performed by users comparing measurement values with higher-level standards, then measurement traceability is achieved, but user burden and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement traceabilityVSAvoiduser burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring instrument automatically performs calibration by comparing its measurement values with stored higher-level standard data internally. The instrument serves itself by automatically retrieving relevant calibration data, performing comparisons, and applying corrections without requiring user intervention in the calibration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Higher-level standard calibration data is pre-stored in the measuring instrument's memory before actual measurements are taken. This preliminary preparation of calibration data allows the instrument to perform automatic calibration during measurement operations without requiring users to manually prepare or input calibration information at the time of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual calibration procedures are used, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the process is prone to human errors and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical process of calibration is replaced with an automated electronic system. The instrument's processor automatically retrieves calibration data from memory, compares measurement values with stored standards, calculates corrections, and applies calibration factors without human intervention, thereby eliminating manual errors and reducing calibration time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument implements automatic feedback loops where measurement values are continuously compared with stored higher-level standard data, and calibration corrections are automatically applied based on the comparison results. This automated feedback mechanism ensures measurement accuracy is maintained while eliminating the time-consuming manual calibration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If calibration data is stored internally in the measuring instrument, then automatic calibration is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic calibrationVSAvoidinternal data management structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration data management functionality is merged into the existing measuring instrument structure. The instrument integrates higher-level standard data storage, automatic data retrieval, comparison logic, and calibration application within its existing processor and memory architecture, avoiding the need for separate external calibration equipment or complex additional subsystems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring instrument's existing memory and processor are utilized for multiple purposes: storing measurement data, storing higher-level standard calibration data, performing comparisons, and applying corrections. This multi-functional use of existing components enables automatic calibration without significantly increasing device complexity or requiring dedicated separate hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240271995A1Measuring instrument with built-in calibration data

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A measuring instrument with built-in calibration data is capable of traceable measurement. The measuring instrument with built-in calibration data includes a sensor, a calibration data manager storing calibration data of the measuring instrument with built-in calibration data, a setting data manager storing a setting condition of the measuring instrument with built-in calibration data, a memory capable of storing a measurement value measured by the sensor, and a traceability determiner. The calibration data includes calibration results and calibration conditions, the calibration results indicating a difference in measurement results from a higher-level standard. Each calibration result is associated with the calibration condition at the time at which the calibration result was acquired. The traceability determiner compares the setting condition and the measurement value to the calibration conditions, calculates, in a case in which there exists a calibration condition that matches the setting condition and the measurement value, a calibrated measurement value by correcting the measurement value with the calibration result associated with the calibration condition, and stores the calculated calibrated measurement value in the memory.