Thermometer with age specific feature selection

摘要

The invention includes a thermometer with a backlight and a method for lighting the backlight. The thermometer has temperature sensing tip, a processor taking temperature readings and determining a sensed temperature reading of the living being from the temperature sensing tip. The thermometer also includes a display and a backlight for lighting the display. The backlight is activated upon a command from the processor and the processor determines whether to activate the backlight based upon the temperature readings. The method embodiment can includes the steps of using the processor to monitor a temperature change indicated by a temperature sensing element. The processor then detects a temperature decrease and activates a first color light emitting element to backlight a display if the temperature decrease exceeds or equals a predetermined threshold. The thermometer is operable in one of a plurality of selectable operating modes, and the predetermined threshold is dependent upon the selected operating mode. For example, operating modes may depend on patient age range or measurement location. Age range may include infant, toddler and adult.

主权项

1. A thermometer for use with a living being, comprising:
a temperature sensor; a processor operable to determine a temperature of the living being based on the temperature sensor, and operable to determine a rate of increase of the determined temperature of the living being; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory configured to store information related to a plurality of operating modes; a switch configured to select one operating mode from among the plurality of operating modes, to produce a selected operating mode, wherein the selected operating mode comprises at least one temperature range; a plurality of first indicators, each corresponding to a respective operating mode; a plurality of visual indicators, each corresponding to a respective first indicator; and at least one completion indicator configured to indicate determination of the temperature of the living being is substantially completed in response to the processor determining the rate of increase of the determined temperature of the living being is below a predetermined positive rate; wherein each of the first indicators when activated, indicating, in conjunction with the corresponding visual indicator, the selected operating mode prior to the processor determining the temperature of the living being.