AI Patent Summary

Patent Document
#US6078208A
United States Patent 115
Abstract
A precision temperature sensor produces a clock frequency which varies predictably over wide variations of ambient temperature. The invention has a oscillation generator, two independent current generators, a reference oscillator and a frequency counter. The outputs of the two independent current generators are combined to provide an approxi- mately linear capacitor charging current which is directly proportional to changes in temperature. The capacitor charg- ing current is used to drive the oscillation generator which outputs a clock frequency that is approximately linearly dependent on temperature with determinable slope and intercept. The frequency counter compares the output of the oscillation generator with the independent reference oscil- lator to compute a digital value for temperature. The preci- sion temperature sensor is implemented on a single, mono- lithic integrated circuit.
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Patent Classification & AI Product Mapping
Authoritative patent classification definitions mapped to real-world technology domains and commercial product categories.
CPC G01K7/00
Confidence: High
Official Definition
Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat ; Power supply therefor, e.g. using thermoelectric elements
PHYSICS > MEASURING; TESTING > MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
AI Technology & Product Mapping
Technology Domain:
Analog & Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits
Product Category:
Temperature Sensors & Thermal Management ICs
Plain-English Summary:
Techniques and devices for measuring temperature by detecting changes in electrical or magnetic properties when exposed to heat.
Relation to Claims:
The patent discloses a precision temperature sensor utilizing an oscillation generator and current generators to produce a clock frequency dependent on temperature, aligning broadly with electrical temperature measurement.
CPC G01K7/01
Confidence: Medium
Official Definition
Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat ; Power supply therefor, e.g. using thermoelectric elements using semiconducting elements having PN junctions
PHYSICS > MEASURING; TESTING > MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
AI Technology & Product Mapping
Technology Domain:
Semiconductor Sensors
Product Category:
Silicon Temperature Sensors & Thermal Diodes
Plain-English Summary:
Measuring temperature using semiconductor components that contain PN junctions, such as diodes or transistors whose electrical behavior changes predictably with temperature.
Relation to Claims:
The patent implements a precision temperature sensor on a single monolithic integrated circuit using current generators and a capacitor charging current, closely mapping to semiconductor-based temperature sensing architectures.
CPC G01K15/00
Confidence: Medium
Official Definition
Testing or calibrating of thermometers
PHYSICS > MEASURING; TESTING > MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
AI Technology & Product Mapping
Technology Domain:
Sensor Calibration & Test Engineering
Product Category:
Test and Measurement Equipment / On-Chip Calibration Systems
Plain-English Summary:
Methods and apparatus used to test, verify, or adjust thermometers to ensure measurement accuracy.
Relation to Claims:
The patent includes a frequency counter that compares the temperature-dependent oscillation output with a reference oscillator to compute a digital value, touching upon the adjustment and digital processing aspects of calibration.
CPC G01K15/005
Confidence: Medium
Official Definition
Calibration
PHYSICS > MEASURING; TESTING > MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
AI Technology & Product Mapping
Technology Domain:
Sensor Calibration & Test Engineering
Product Category:
Digital Sensor Calibration Modules
Plain-English Summary:
Specific processes or mechanisms for calibrating temperature-measuring devices.
Relation to Claims:
The use of a reference oscillator and frequency counter to establish a determinable slope and intercept for digital temperature computation relates directly to calibration features of the sensor.