Electronic Temperature Sensor Calibration via Mobile Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calibrating electronic temperature sensors are complex and restrictive for users, requiring external equipment like base resistance and temperature gauges, and are often unreliable due to factory calibration discrepancies with end-user environments.
Innovation Solution
A method allowing users to calibrate electronic temperature sensors using a mobile device with a data entry interface, either by computing calibration curves on the mobile device or the sensor, and transmitting parameters via one-way or two-way data links to simplify and enhance the calibration process, reducing sensor component size and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If factory calibration is performed using thermal enclosure or test bench, then calibration can be automated, but the calibration becomes unreliable due to environmental condition differences between factory and end user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration in advance at the factory using portable equipment and storing calibration parameters in the sensor. This allows the sensor to be pre-calibrated before deployment, maintaining reliability while enabling automation. The calibration data is saved and used during actual operation, eliminating the need for repeated calibration in different environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing portable calibration equipment that can be transported between factory and field locations. This intermediary device serves as a common reference point, allowing calibration to be performed consistently regardless of location, thus bridging the environmental gap between factory and end-user settings.
2Reliability
If factory calibration is performed, then calibration step is added to manufacturing process, but this generates additional costs and time
Solution Approach 1:
Portable calibration equipment serves as an intermediary that can be rapidly deployed, reducing the time and cost burden on manufacturing. This mobile solution allows calibration to be integrated into the production flow without requiring expensive fixed infrastructure, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining calibration quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex fixed calibration infrastructure with simpler portable equipment. This substitution reduces the mechanical and infrastructural overhead in the manufacturing process, lowering costs and improving productivity while achieving the same calibration reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If user calibration is performed using base resistance and temperature gauge, then calibration can be done outside factory, but the operation becomes complex and restrictive for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex calibration equipment from the user's responsibility by providing pre-calibrated sensors with stored parameters. Users only need to perform simple operations like placing the sensor in known temperature environments, while the complex calculations and parameter storage are handled by the sensor itself, greatly simplifying user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor performs self-calibration by automatically processing temperature readings and updating its own calibration parameters based on user-provided reference temperatures. This self-service capability eliminates the need for users to manually handle complex calibration equipment or perform complex calculations, making the process simple while maintaining adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If external thermometer is used for calibration, then calibration can be performed by user, but the same disadvantage of complexity and restriction applies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the external thermometer requirement by integrating temperature sensing and calibration capabilities directly into the sensor unit. This eliminates the need for separate external calibration equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining user calibration flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the temperature sensing, calibration processing, and parameter storage functions into a single integrated sensor unit. This merging of functions eliminates the need for multiple separate devices (sensor + external thermometer + calibration equipment), reducing complexity while preserving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for calibrating an electronic temperature sensor connected to a mobile device. The device includes a microprocessor and memory linked to the microprocessor, to store an application coupled to a data entry interface. The temperature sensor is initially placed in a plurality of predetermined environments, where it provides an initial raw temperature value measured in each environment, and, for each of these environments, a predetermined initial temperature value corresponding to the actual temperature of this environment is entered beforehand directly into the application via the interface. The method includes in computing a calibration curve according to each predetermined initial temperature value entered from the application and according to each corresponding initial raw temperature value provided by the temperature sensor, storing in the device or in the sensor, calibration parameters determined from the calibration curve, and correcting by the calibration parameters each raw temperature value measured by the sensor.