阅读说明：本技术 用于校准至少一个电子温度传感器的方法 (Method for calibrating at least one electronic temperature sensor ) 是由 M·维勒曼 J·施陶费尔 T·斯科迪利斯 于 2021-04-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了用于校准至少一个电子温度传感器的方法。本发明涉及一种用于校准电子温度传感器的方法,电子温度传感器被连接到移动设备,移动设备与温度传感器一起形成组件的部分。设备包括微处理器和链接到微处理器的存储器装置,以便存储耦合到数据输入接口的应用。温度传感器初始地被放置在多个预定环境中,其中其提供在每个环境中测量的初始原始温度值,并且针对这些环境中的每个,与该环境的实际温度对应的预定的初始温度值被事先经由接口直接输入到应用中。该方法在于根据从应用输入的每个预定的初始温度值并且根据由温度传感器提供的每个对应的初始原始温度值来计算(10)校准曲线,在设备或传感器中存储(12)从校准曲线确定的校准参数,以及通过校准参数来校正(14)由传感器测量的每个原始温度值。(A method for calibrating at least one electronic temperature sensor is disclosed. The invention relates to a method for calibrating an electronic temperature sensor, which is connected to a mobile device, which together with the temperature sensor forms part of an assembly. The device comprises a microprocessor and memory means linked to the microprocessor for storing an application coupled to the data input interface. The temperature sensor is initially placed in a plurality of predetermined environments, wherein 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 that environment is directly input into the application in advance via the interface. The method consists in calculating (10) a calibration curve from each predetermined initial temperature value input from the application and from each corresponding initial raw temperature value provided by the temperature sensor, storing (12) in the device or sensor a calibration parameter determined from the calibration curve, and correcting (14) each raw temperature value measured by the sensor by means of the calibration parameter.)

1. A method for calibrating and using at least one electronic temperature sensor (2) in relation to a mobile device (4), the mobile device (4) and at least said electronic temperature sensor (2) forming part of an assembly (1), the mobile device (4) comprising data processing means and memory means linked to the data processing means, said memory means storing an application coupled to a data input interface, the temperature sensor (2) being initially placed by a user in a plurality of predetermined environments and, for each of these environments, a predetermined initial temperature value corresponding to the actual temperature of that environment being previously input by the user via the electronic temperature sensor (2) prior to calibration and being directly input into a dedicated application of the mobile device (4) via said interface, wherein the temperature sensor (2) provides for each of the predetermined environments an initial raw temperature value measured in said environment,

the method comprises the following steps:

-calculating (10) a calibration curve based on each predetermined initial temperature value input into the application and each corresponding initial raw temperature value provided by the temperature sensor (2),

-storing (12) calibration parameters determined from the calibration curve in the mobile device (4) or in the temperature sensor (2), and

-correcting (14) each raw temperature value measured by the sensor (2) by means of said calibration parameter.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of calculating (10) a calibration and correction curve (14) for each raw temperature value measured by the sensor (2) is performed by the mobile device (4), and during the storing step (12), calibration parameters are stored in the mobile device, the sensor (2) transmitting the uncorrected raw temperature value to the mobile device (4) via the unidirectional data link (6).

3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of calculating (10) a calibration and correction curve (14) for each raw temperature value measured by the temperature sensor (2) is performed by the sensor (2), and during the storing step (12) calibration parameters are stored in the sensor (2), the mobile device (4) transmitting said at least one predetermined initial temperature value to the sensor (2) via a bidirectional data link (6), the sensor (2) transmitting the corrected temperature value to the mobile device (4) via the bidirectional data link (6).

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of calculating (10) a calibration curve is performed by the mobile device (4), the step of correcting (14) each raw temperature value measured by the sensor (2) is performed by the temperature sensor (2), and calibration parameters are stored in the sensor (2) during the storing step (12), the mobile device (4) transmitting said calibration parameters to the sensor (2) via a bidirectional data link (6), the sensor (2) transmitting the corrected temperature values to the mobile device (4) via the bidirectional data link (6).

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature sensor (2) is initially placed by the user in at least three different predetermined environments, at least three predetermined initial temperature values being directly input by the user in advance into the application of the mobile device (4), each initial temperature value corresponding to the actual temperature of one of said environments.

6. An assembly (1) comprising a mobile device (4) in connection (6) with at least one electronic temperature sensor (2), characterized in that the assembly (1) is configured to implement a calibration method according to any of the preceding claims.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for calibrating at least one electronic temperature sensor.

The invention also relates to an assembly configured to implement such a calibration method, the assembly comprising a mobile device connected to at least one electronic temperature sensor.

Technical Field

In the field of electronic temperature sensors, the sensors are typically calibrated in the factory. Such operations, which are performed automatically (e.g., via a thermal enclosure or test stand) or by an operator, add additional steps to the manufacture of such sensors, which results in additional costs. Furthermore, factory calibration is often unreliable because there are different production environmental conditions related to the environmental conditions of the end user. Thus, differences may occur between multiple identical sensors placed in the same calibration position.

To address all or some of these drawbacks, there are known methods for calibrating electronic temperature sensors that are performed directly outside the factory by the user of the sensor. Such a process is described, for example, in patent application EP 3470805 a 1. This document describes a method for calibrating a temperature sensor for a wearable clinical thermometer whenever it has to be replaced. The method includes a base resistance acquisition step of sampling a base resistance value for a detachably mountable temperature sensor. The thermometer is mounted on a bracelet which the user can place on their wrist during use. The temperature-dependent calibration coefficients necessary for calibrating the sensor are calculated in a calculation component of the main unit of the clinical thermometer. The calculation of the calibration coefficient is performed based on the difference between the acquired base resistance value and the base resistance value measured in advance via the standard temperature meter. The calibration coefficients are stored in a storage medium of the measurement device and transmitted to the main unit of the clinical thermometer. Wireless data communication from the wearable clinical thermometer towards a computer tablet or smartphone is then performed (e.g., via bluetooth communication protocol), which enables the physician to remotely read the temperature measured on the patient's body (after calibration of the sensor by the patient).

However, one disadvantage of such a calibration method is that in order to perform the calibration, a base resistance and a temperature gauge are used. This operation is relatively complex and restrictive for the user of the sensor. Other known electronic temperature sensor calibration methods involve the use of an external thermometer by the user, which leads to the same disadvantages.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a method for calibrating at least one electronic temperature sensor, enabling a user to perform the calibration of the sensor itself in a simplified and non-limiting manner directly in the target environment of the sensor.

To this end, the invention relates to a method for calibrating at least one electronic temperature sensor, comprising the features mentioned in independent claim 1.

Particular forms of calibration method are defined in the dependent claims 2 to 5.

The calibration method according to the invention enables the user to perform the calibration of the temperature sensor himself in a simplified and non-limiting manner, in particular thanks to the use of a mobile device storing an application coupled to a data input interface. In fact, the user can easily perform a calibration of the temperature sensor directly in his mobile device in cooperation with the sensor. Furthermore, such a calibration method according to the invention is particularly reliable, since the user performs the calibration of the temperature sensor directly in the target environment of the temperature sensor. Finally, such a calibration method according to the invention indirectly enables a significant simplification of the production or of the temperature sensor(s) calibrated thereby.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the step of calculating a calibration and correction curve for each raw temperature value measured by the sensor is performed by the mobile device and the calibration parameters are stored in the mobile device during the storing step, the sensor transmitting the uncorrected raw temperature values to the mobile device via a unidirectional data link. This first embodiment provides the advantage of reducing the size of the electronic components within the temperature sensor (the calculation and correction steps are performed by the mobile device) and thus reducing the manufacturing cost of the sensor.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the step of calculating a calibration and correction curve for each raw temperature value measured by the sensor is performed by the temperature sensor and during the storing step the calibration parameters are stored in the sensor, the mobile device transmits said at least one predetermined initial temperature value to the sensor via a bidirectional data link, the sensor transmits the corrected temperature value to the mobile device via the bidirectional data link. This second embodiment provides the following advantages: the calibration is performed only once by the user of the sensor, which is then correctly calibrated for all its subsequent uses. Still further, the temperature sensor provides a temperature value that has been corrected.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, the step of calculating the calibration curve is performed by the mobile device, the step of correcting each raw temperature value measured by the sensor is performed by the temperature sensor, and during the storing step calibration parameters are stored in the sensor, the mobile device transmitting said calibration parameters to the sensor via a bidirectional data link, the sensor transmitting the corrected temperature values to the mobile device via the bidirectional data link. This third embodiment provides the following advantages: the calibration is performed only once by the user of the sensor, which is then correctly calibrated for all its subsequent uses. Further, the temperature sensor provides a temperature value that has been corrected. Finally, in relation to the second embodiment described above, the method according to the third embodiment of the invention enables to reduce the number of calculations performed by the sensors (the calculation steps being performed by the mobile device).

To this end, the invention also relates to an assembly configured to implement a calibration method such as described above and comprising the features mentioned in the independent claim 6.

Drawings

The objects, advantages and features of the method for calibrating at least one electronic temperature sensor according to the present invention will become clear in the following description, which is based on at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic representation of components configured to implement the calibration method according to the invention in a first alternative embodiment;

figure 2 is a schematic representation similar to that of figure 1 in a second alternative embodiment; and

fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method for calibrating at least one electronic temperature sensor according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an assembly 1 according to a first alternative embodiment. The assembly 1 is configured to implement a method for calibrating at least one electronic temperature sensor 2 according to the invention. In addition to the temperature sensor 2, the assembly 1 comprises a mobile device 4 associated with the temperature sensor 2. According to a particular alternative embodiment of fig. 1, the data link 6 between the temperature sensor 2 and the mobile device 4 is a unidirectional link. The mobile device 4 is typically a smartphone type mobile phone, a computer tablet or also a laptop, without limiting the scope of the invention.

The electronic temperature sensor 2 comprises, in addition to means for measuring the temperature (not shown), means 8 for transmitting data via the link 6, the data transmission means 8 being constituted, for example, by a wireless communication transmitter coupled to an antenna.

The mobile device 4 comprises data processing means and memory means linked to the data processing means, which different means are not shown in fig. 1 for reasons of clarity. The data processing means are for example constituted by one or more processors. The memory device stores a dedicated application that is coupled to the data input interface.

The data link 6 is for example a wireless radio link. The data link 6 is typically a radio link according to the bluetooth communication standard, which is not limiting within the scope of the present invention. Alternatively, the data link 6 may be a link according to any type of proprietary format.

It is then assumed that the temperature sensor 2 is initially placed in a plurality of predetermined environments. Preferably, the temperature sensor 2 is initially placed in at least three different predetermined environments. For each of these predetermined environments, a user of mobile device 4 inputs a predetermined initial temperature value into a dedicated application of mobile device 4 via a data input interface. Preferably, therefore, at least three predetermined initial temperature values are directly entered beforehand into the dedicated application of the mobile device 4. For each predetermined environment, the predetermined initial temperature value corresponds to the actual temperature of the environment and is determined in advance by the user by any suitable means.

A method for calibrating at least one electronic temperature sensor 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention, implemented by the components of fig. 1, will now be described with reference to fig. 3. For each predetermined environment, the temperature sensor 2 transmits an initial raw temperature value measured in that environment to the mobile device 4.

During an initial step 10, mobile device 4 calculates a calibration curve based on each predetermined initial temperature value and each corresponding initial raw temperature value. More specifically, the data processing means of the mobile device 4 perform the calculation of the calibration curve based on predetermined initial temperature values and raw temperature values stored in the memory means of the device 4. Obviously, the calibration curve depends on the sensor type and is most simply a negative temperature coefficient NTC resistor or a positive temperature coefficient PTC resistor. At the end of this initial step 10, the processing means of the mobile device 4 determine calibration parameters from the calibration curve.

During a following step 12, the mobile device 4 stores calibration parameters determined from the calibration curve. More specifically, the calibration parameters are stored in a memory means of the mobile device 4.

During the last step 14, the assembly 1 is used under nominal working conditions. The electronic temperature sensor 2 thus transmits the uncorrected raw temperature values to the mobile device 4 via the unidirectional data link 6. The mobile device 4 then corrects each raw temperature value measured by the sensor 2 by means of the calibration parameters determined in advance.

Fig. 2 shows an assembly 1 according to a second alternative embodiment. In this second alternative embodiment, elements described with the same numerical designations as those of the first alternative embodiment are the same as those of the first alternative embodiment and will therefore not be described again in detail. In addition to the means for measuring the temperature and the means for transmitting data 8 via the link 6, the temperature sensor 2 comprises data processing means and memory means linked to the data processing means. For reasons of clarity, these various means are not shown in fig. 2. The data processing device is formed, for example, by a microprocessor, which is the simplest computing component. The data link 6 between the temperature sensor 2 and the mobile device 4 is a bi-directional link.

A method for calibrating at least one electronic temperature sensor 2, implemented by the assembly of fig. 2, will now be described according to a second embodiment of the invention. For each predetermined environment, the mobile device 4 transmits a predetermined initial temperature value entered by the user into the dedicated application of the mobile device 4 to the temperature sensor 2 via the bidirectional data link 6.

During an initial step 10, the temperature sensor 2 calculates a calibration curve based on each predetermined initial temperature value (transmitted by the mobile device 4) and each corresponding initial raw temperature value (the latter value measured by the sensor 2). More specifically, the data processing means of the temperature sensor 2 performs the calculation of the calibration curve based on a predetermined initial temperature value and a corresponding initial temperature value. At the end of this initial step 10, the processing means of the temperature sensor 2 determine calibration parameters from the calibration curve.

During a following step 12, the temperature sensor 2 stores calibration parameters determined from the calibration curve. More specifically, the calibration parameters are stored in a memory device of the temperature sensor 2.

During the last step 14, the assembly 1 is used under nominal working conditions. The electronic temperature sensor 2 then corrects each measured raw temperature value by means of the calibration parameters determined in advance. At the end of this step 14, the temperature sensor 2 transmits the corrected temperature value to the mobile device 4 via the bidirectional data link 6.

A method for calibrating at least one electronic temperature sensor 2, implemented by the assembly of fig. 2, will now be described according to a third embodiment of the invention. For each predetermined environment, the temperature sensor 2 transmits an initial raw temperature value measured in that environment to the mobile device 4.

During an initial step 10, mobile device 4 calculates a calibration curve based on each predetermined initial temperature value (previously entered by the user into the dedicated application of mobile device 4) and each corresponding initial raw temperature value. More specifically, the data processing means of the mobile device 4 perform the calculation of the calibration curve based on predetermined initial temperature values and raw temperature values stored in the memory means of the device 4. At the end of this initial step 10, the processing means of the mobile device 4 determine calibration parameters from the calibration curve. The mobile device 4 then transmits the calibration parameters thus determined to the temperature sensor 2 via the bidirectional data link 6.

During a following step 12, the temperature sensor 2 stores the calibration parameters transmitted by the mobile device 4. More specifically, the calibration parameters are stored in a memory device of the temperature sensor 2.

During the last step 14, the assembly 1 is used under nominal working conditions. The electronic temperature sensor 2 then corrects each raw temperature value measured by means of calibration parameters stored in its memory means. At the end of this step 14, the temperature sensor 2 transmits the corrected temperature value to the mobile device 4 via the bidirectional data link 6.

It is therefore to be appreciated that the calibration method according to the invention enables the user to perform the calibration of the temperature sensor himself in a simplified, reliable and non-limiting manner, and this is performed directly in the target environment of the sensor.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the calibration of a single temperature sensor 2, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the calibration method according to the present invention is applicable in the same way to the calibration of a plurality of temperature sensors 2 by the same user of a mobile terminal 4.