Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WAB-SS-03 CA
_ 2p 16854
ELECTRICAL COMPUTER AND DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR RECEIVING
AND PROCESSING DATA AND ASSOCIATED METHOD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention:
The invention relates, in general, to an instrument for the
recording of data of physical magnitudes of an individual target.
The invention includes a sensor, a data counter or comparator, fed
by data pulses, an electric mean value calculator connected to an
output of the counter and an electrical display which is also
connected to the output of the counter. The physical magnitude of
the target may, for instance, be a temperature, a pressure, a
volume, a velocity or a weight of an individual target. The value
of one of these physical magnitudes of the predetermined individual
target is measured and recorded in accordance with the apparatus
and associated method of the present invention.
2. Description of the Prior Art:
The problems encountered in the determination of the data
relating to a physical magnitude of an individual target over a
period of time (at least one measuring period) and the identification
of significant changes of the physical magnitude during one measuring
period are explained below, with particular reference to the
recording of individual body temperature data for a determination
of the ovulation time of animals.
One method of determining the ovulation time of animals is
based on the finding that hormonal changes in the female body lead
to minute, but characteristic, temperature variations during the
menstrual cycle. It is, in this case, important to determine the
correct temperature rise which takes place within 48 hours, or
less, following which the temperature on three following days is at
least 0.2°C, or possibly 2.0°C, higher than on the preceding six
1
2 0 1 6 8 5 ~ WAB-SS-03 CA
days. In other words, it is important to determine the correct
temperature rise during the 48 hour, or less, period which is
immediately prior to the three day period in which the temperature
is 0.2°C, or possibly 2.0°C, higher than on the preceding six
days.
It may be during these periods that the ovulation time occurs. The
recording of this temperature rise is difficult, inter alia,
because it depends on the individual characteristics of the individual
bodies which may vary, for reasons including the general state of
the health and the age of the animal.
A prior art electronic clinical thermometer provides a display
of body temperature relative to a predetermined normal temperature.
This device, however, has the disadvantage that the measured result
drifts, since it changes as a function of time, while such change
is not based on a temperature change of the body. The display
shown might, in addition, disadvantageously include other physiologic
data regarding the body which is measured. This drift, which is a
long-term drift, is particularly pronounced when less complicated
temperature sensors, such as NTC resistors, are employed. While
deficiencies, or problems, may be reduced by the use of more
sophisticated temperature sensors and evaluation electronics having
a higher long-term stability, in order to be able to safely record
the temperature difference of the body of about 0.2°C, or possibly
2.0°C, which is typical at the temperature rise, these highly
stable temperature sensors and evaluation electronics, nevertheless,
are very costly. Such cost adversely affects the wider use of
ovulation time determination by electrical recording of body
temperature deviation.
U.S. Patent No. 4,396,020 discloses apparatus for the evalua-
tion of the recorded body temperature data, for base temperature
measurement. However, the disclosed apparatus does not provide for
the technical recording of body temperature data, but rather,
2
WAB-SS-03 CA
provides for the subsequent evaluation of this data by means of an
algorithm based on medical knowledge.
In particular, temperature data pulses are counted in a data
counter which adjusts a self-balancing bridge which acts as a data
transformer. In one of the arms of the bridge, a thermistor is
provided as a temperature sensor. The counted temperature data
pulses are stored in another counter, after a temperature correction
is made which is dependent on the measuring time. From the individual
body temperatures stored on consecutive days, the mean value of
these temperatures recorded during the course of eight days are
calculated by a mean value calculator. The subsequently recorded
individual body temperatures are compared with the mean value and
the comparison result is accumulated and evaluated by an algorithm
which determines the fertile and infertile days of the animal.
Processing of the temperature data pulses, including mean value
calculation, is complicated since relatively large amounts of data
are evaluated. The data counter yields the data of the absolute
body temperature. The absolute body temperature is also made the
base, in at least the case of the correction made for measuring
time, for the 8 day storage, for mean value calculation and compar-
ison.
German Laid Open Patent No. 36 39 558 discloses an instrument
for measuring temperatures wherein certain offset voltage variations
of an operational amplifier are compensated. The input terminals
of the operational amplifier are connected to a bridge circuit in
which a temperature dependent resistor is provided as a sensor.
Compensation is, essentially, obtained by a controlled switch which
periodically applies a reference potential, instead of the output
of a bridge, to the input terminals. Between the two input ter-
minals, no external voltage exists so the operational amplifier
provides the amplified offset voltage at its output terminals. The
3
201654
WAB-SS-03 CA
voltage can be stored and deducted from a sum voltage of a bridge
voltage and an offset voltage normally occurring at the amplifier
output. With this device, however, drifting of the sensor is not
compensated and further processing of the temperature data is not
simplified.
In German Laid Open Patent Application No. 36 39 557, a device
is disclosed for the determination of the base temperature. The
temperature rise which occurs in the middle of the cycle is recorded
and the probable ovulation day determined, even in case of disturbed
temperature values of the body. Particular measures concerning the
problems of measuring techniques, such as to exactly record tempera-
ture data and to simplify the processing of the temperature data,
are not provided.
German Laid Open Patent Application No. 33 42 251 discloses a
method for measuring body temperature for the determination of the
time of ovulation of an animal and calculates, at least over a part
of a cycle of each day, a temperature curve which is recorded in
short distances and stored. The stored temperature curve is evalu-
ated to determine characteristic values while eliminating in-
cidental variation. This principle is not employed in the present
invention since it does not correct problems of exact recording of
suitable temperature data. The evaluation of the temperature data
in that case requires a particularly large amount of data. With a
view to the amount of relatively long-drawn measurements, that
method is hardly practical.
U.S. Patent No. 4,031,365 discloses a system wherein body
temperatures are recorded and evaluated as absolute body temper-
atures. This system yields a large amount of data which must be
processed. In particular, the temperature values are stored in a
four bit shift register from which a mean value is calculated.
Subsequently, the mean value is compared, after
4
WAB-SS-03 CA
2016854
digital-analog transformation, with an actual analog absolute
temperature value in order to trigger an alarm signal when the
value exceeds a predetermined temperature difference. If the
absolute temperature values lie within the predetermined limits,
they are continuously stored in the shift register in which the
absolute temperature mean value is calculated.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to develop an instru-
ment for recording the data of a physical magnitude of an individual
measuring target, especially individual body temperatures, wherein
processing of the data of the physical magnitude and the calculation
of a mean value is obtained from small amounts of data, without
losing accuracy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is accomplished with the present invention which
relates to an instrument for determining individual body tempera-
tures, by means of an electrical temperature sensor, for a determina-
tion of the ovulation time of humans and other animals. The
invention includes a data counter which is fed with temperature
data pulses, an electronic mean value calculator which is connected
to one output of the data counter and an electrical display, which
is also connected to the output of the data counter.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for
recording the individual body temperatures, by means of an appro-
priate instrument, for subsequent determination of the ovulation
time of humans, or other animals. This is achieved by electrically
determining the amount of deviation of body temperature from a
reference value. The body temperature is recorded by means of a
temperature sensor, at preselected measuring times which, during
the course of a menstrual cycle are, preferably, repeated daily.
The temperature is converted into a corresponding electrical signal
WAB-SS-03 CA
20 16854
and compared with a reference value into which a mean value of
temperature data, calculated beforehand, is fed. The temperature
data is then compared with the reference value and an electrical
display provides a visual depiction of this data.
The present invention, also, provides an instrument for data
recording of a physical magnitude of an individual target. The
present invention includes a sensor, a data counter or comparator,
fed by data pulses, an electronic mean value calculator connected
to one output of the counter and an electrical display which is
also connected to the output of the counter. The counter is
provided as a pre-set data counter and includes a pre-set input,
which is connected to one output of the mean value calculator in
order to provide the pre-set data counter with a reference value
signal which may be an offset value, formed of a predetermined
fixed reference value minus the mean value generated by the elec-
tronic mean value calculator so that the data counter yields data
of target related difference of the physical magnitude.
One particular embodiment of the invention involves the
measurement of individual body temperatures of an animal by means
of an instrument. The instrument includes an electrical temper-
ature sensor, a data counter which receives temperature data
pulses, an electronic mean value calculator connected to the output
of the data counter and an electrical display which is also connected
to the output of the data counter. The data counter is provided as
a pre-set data counter having a pre-set input connected to one
output of the mean value calculator in order to provide the pre-set
data counter with a reference value signal, such as an offset
value, which is formed from a predetermined fixed temperature
reference value minus the mean value generated by the electronic
mean value calculator so that the data counter yields data of
individual body temperature differences. This assists in the
determination of ovulation time of humans and animals.
6
WAB-SS-03 CA
20'~6a5~
The present invention provides that the individual body
temperature data is formed, or calculated, as individual body
temperature differences or deviations in signal flow direction
prior to mean value calculation. Further evaluation of the body
temperature data is performed by an algorithm to determine the
ovulation time. This is based on the above described technique of
monitoring the temperature rise during the above described 48 hour,
or less, period. The individual body temperature deviation, in
this case, is the difference between the last-measured factual
temperature of an animal and the animal's individual normal tempera-
ture.
The mean value, which is subtracted from a predetermined fixed
temperature reference value, is returned to a pre-set input of the
pre-set data counter. The input of the data counter is fed with
the temperature measuring pulses and provides an output which is
connected to the input of the mean value calculator. The input of
the mean value calculator is fed with the body temperature difference
for the calculation of the next sequential mean value.
A further processing step is performed for the display of the
body temperature differences in a decoder which receives data from
the output of the data counter. By the calculation and the recording
of the individual body temperature data, which are generated in the
pre-set data counter, the differences in temperature may be compared
to a normal temperature value and an independent after-adjustment
of the instrument may be made. Through this after-adjustment, the
drift of the temperature sensor is balanced and other disturbing
influences, such as physiological changes of the body being measured,
are compensated for.
The recorded individual body temperature differences lie in a
relatively small range, thereby making evaluations possible with
less costly means. In particular, the word length of the digitally
7
WAB-SS-03 CA
2p ~ 6854r
represented body temperature may be halved as opposed to the common
representation of the body temperature. This also makes possible a
more rapid recording of the data and processing of the data recorded.
The small word length of the data permits a simple and less compli-
cated establishment of the installation components, particularly
the mean value calculator. In terms of hardware employed, the
installation may be implemented at a small cost, particularly
since, as recited above, a simple drift-carrying temperature sensor
may be used for the recording of the body temperature.
The invention also includes an offset register in the transfer
path between the output of the mean value calculator and an input
of the data counter as well as a control logic which controls the
transfer of a reference signal from the offset register to the data
counter, or comparator. The transfer of temperature data to the
data counter may be partially controlled by a 24-hour pulse,
supplied by a day counter which acts as a period section counter
and is located in the mean value calculator.
A reference value is provided for the generation of the
reference value signal which is fed into the offset register. The
reference value is connected to one input of a difference calculator
and the second input of the difference calculator is connected to
the output of the mean value calculator. The output of the dif-
ference calculator is connected to the input of the data counter.
With this structure, the mean values calculated, in the mean value
calculator, of the individual temperature deviations during one
menstrual cycle are subtracted in the difference calculator from
the fixed reference value, which need not, therefore, be included
in the mean value calculation.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a voltage frequency
transformer is provided between the sensor and the one input of the
data counter. In this embodiment, a CMOS-ASIC element is employed,
8
20 16854
WAB-SS-03 CA
which is a user-specific integrated circuit of a particular technology
and which is reliable, accurate and has small dimensions.
According to a further aspect of the invention, which relates
to the method for recording the individual body temperature data
for subsequent determination of the ovulation time of humans or
other animals by electrical determination of the body temperature
deviation, the body temperature is recorded by means of a temper-
ature sensor at specific measuring times which, during the course
of a menstrual cycle, are preferably repeated daily. The tempera-
ture data is then converted into an electrical signal and compared
with the reference value into which a mean value of temperature
data is fed. The measured temperature data, which is compared with
the reference value, ultimately controls an electrical display
which depicts the body temperature differences, or deviations, from
the individual normal temperature of the body measured. The
individual normal temperature is calculated as the average tempera-
ture of the body during the last menstrual cycle.
This occurs since the mean value calculation in the electronic
mean value calculator is controlled, in each case, by a control
logic over all body temperature measurements during the course of a
whole menstrual cycle. The mean value calculated, in each case, is
subsequently subtracted in the electronic difference calculator
from the fixed reference value and this difference is stored in the
offset register for comparison with the body temperature data
recorded over the next entire menstrual cycle.
If required, the body temperature data may, advantageously,
also be considered over a period which is longer than one menstrual
cycle. In this case the temperatures measured in the past are
weighted in a timely decreasing measure and included in a timely
temperature integral.
9
~~ 16854
WAB-SS-03 CA
The demand on the stability of the temperature sensor and the
sensor electronics which provides for a conversion or transduction
of a signal generated by the temperature sensor into another
signal, for example a voltage-frequency transformation, may be
restricted to the drift within the course of one cycle.
Instead of processing all of the body temperature data recorded
by the temperature sensor during one cycle for mean value calcula-
tion and correction of the reference value, body temperature data
recorded at a low point temperature only, or at a high point
temperature only, may be processed. The aimed mean value calcula-
tion from body temperature data at a low point temperature may be
performed whereby only a predetermined number of, for example five,
measurements from the beginning of a menstrual cycle are evaluated.
A generally exact recording of the temperature rise is possible
from the body temperatures measured during the course of a menstrual
cycle at a low point and a high point of the body temperature.
This data is converted into electrical signals and a mean value of
the low point and a mean value of the high point each, for the body
temperature differences, are successively calculated in the elec-
tronic mean value calculator and are each separately stored. From
this data, an individual adaptation of the gradient of the temper-
ature measurement to the individual situation is automatically
provided, in addition to a balance of an individual shift of the
normal temperature. This individual adaptation of the gradient of
the temperature measurement may, for instance, be obtained by
controlling the measuring times. The balancing of the individual
shift of the normal temperature may, in this case, be based on a
further mean value calculation from the mean values of the temper-
ature high points and the temperature low points while the gradient
of the temperature measurement is performed from a difference of
the mean value of temperature low point and the temperature high
point.
10
2016854
WAB-SS-03 CA
The exactness of the method may, additionally, be improved
in that deviations of the body temperature measured and converted
into electrical signals exceeding, or falling short of, a border
value above or below the mean value of the temperature generated
before, or above or below the previously corrected reference
value, are picked up by a discriminator and are stored for
further evaluation, such as the calculation of the mean value.
One aspect of the invention resides broadly in an electrical
computer and data processing system for determining the time of
ovulation in an animal during each menstrual cycle, said system
having temperature sensor means to measure temperature in an
animal, first input means to receive temperature data from said
temperature sensor means and to output first data based on said
temperature data, first output means, means for receiving first
data from said first input means and supplying second data based
on said first data to said first output means, and averaging
means connected to said first output means for receiving and
averaging second data and said system having second output means
for receiving third data from said averaging means, said system
comprising: means interposed between said temperature sensor
means and said means for receiving first data from said first
input means and supplving second data based on said first data to
said first output means for transforming said first data applied
by said temperature sensor means to wn electrical signal and
applying said electrical signal corresponding to said transformed
data to said means for receiving first data. from said first input
means and supplying second data based on said first data to said
first output means; reference value means for storing a reference
value for comparison, said reference value means having third
output means for transmitting fourth data corresponding to a
reference value; subtractor means for comparing a value to a
reference value, said subtractor means having second input means
for receiving a signal corresponding to said third data from said
second output means, said subtractor means having a third input
11
216854
means for receiving a signal corresponding to said fourth data
from said third output means and said subtractor means having
fourth output means for providing a signal generally equal to the
difference between said third data and said fourth data; and
fourth input means connected to said means for receiving first
data from said first input means and supplying second data based
on said first data to said first output meansfor receiving said
difference signal from said fourth output means, whereby a signal
corresponding to said second data is generated by said means for
receiving first data from said first input means and supplying
second data based on said first data to said first output means
on said first output means which is related to the difference
between said first data from said first input means and said
difference signal on said fourth output means for determining the
time of ovulation in an animal.
Another aspect of the invention resides broadly in a method
of processing data for determining the time of ovulation in an
animal during each menstrual cycle, said method comprising the
steps of: a) periodically receiving first data related to a
measured temperature value from temperature sensor means at
preselected first times from an animal; b) periodically receiving
second data related to a second value at said preselected first
times; c) generating an output by calculating the difference
between said first data and said second data at each said pre-
selected first time for determining the time of ovulation in an
animal; d) displaying said output; e) summing together each said
difference between said first data and said second data; f)
generating third data equal to the average of said differences
between said first data and said second data at preselected
second times over a preselected time range; g) periodically
receiving fourth data related to a reference value at said second
preselected time; h) generating fifth data equal to the difference
between said third data and said fourth data; i) substituting
said fifth data for said second data at the end of a menstrual
cycle; j) and periodically repeating said steps a) through i).
12
WAB-SS-03 CA
2016854
Yet another aspect of the invention resides broadly in a
method of processing data for determining the time of ovulation
in an animal during each menstrual cycle, said method comprising
the steps of: a) periodically receiving a plurality of first data
values during a current menstrual cycle, said. first data values
being related to a measured temperature of the animal at
preselected first times during the current menstrual cycle; b)
comparing each said first data value to a stored offset
temperature value of the animal from a previous menstrual cycle;
c) generating an output by calculating the difference between
each said first data value and said stored offset temperature
value at each preselected first time; d) displaying said output;
e) summing together each said difference between each said first
data value and said stored offset temperature value; f)
generating a second data value equal to the average of said
differences between each said first data value and said stored
offset temperature value at a preselected second time, said
preselected second time being greater than said preselected first
time; g) generating a third data value equal to the difference
between said second data value and a stored average temperature
value from a previous menstrual cycle; h) substituting said third
data value for said stored offset temperature value; and i)
periodically repeating said steps a) through h), wherein said
third data value becomes said stored offset temperature for a
subsequent cycle of steps a) through h) during a subsequent
menstrual cycle.
A further aspect of the invention resides broadly in an
electrical computer and data processing, system for determining
the time of ovulation in a human during each menstrual cycle,
said system having temperature sensor means to measure
temperature in a human, first input means to receive temperature
data. from said temperature sensor means and to output first data
based on said temperature data, first output means, data counter
means for receiving first data from said first input means and
I2a
WAB-SS-03 CA
j 2016854
supplying second data based on said first data to said first
output means, and averaging means connected to said first output
means for receiving and averaging second data and said system
having second output means for receiving third data from said
averaging means, said system comprising: voltage frequency
transformer means interposed between said temperature sensor
means and said data counter means for transforming said first
data applied by said temperature sensor means to an electrical
signal and applying said electrical signal corresponding to said
transformed data to said data counter means; reference value
means for storing a reference value for comparison, said
reference value means having third output means for transmitting
fourth data corresponding to a reference value; subtractor means
for comparing a value to a reference value, said subtractor.means
having second input means for receiving a signal corresponding to
said third data from said second output means, said subtractor
means having a third input means for receiving a signal
corresponding to said fourth data from said third output means
and said subtractor means having fourth output means for
providing a signal generally equal to the difference between said
third data and said fourth data; and fourth input means connected
to said data counter means for receiving said difference signal
from said fourth output means, whereby a signal corresponding to
said second data is generated by said data counter means on said
first output means which is related to the difference between
said first data from said first input means and said difference
signal on said fourth output means for determining the time of
ovulation in a human.
Yet a further aspect of the invention resides broadly in a
method of processing data for determining the time of ovulation
in a human during each menstruaJ_ cycle, said method comprising
the steps of: a) periodically receiving first data related to a
measured temperature value from temperature sensor means at
preselected first times from a human; b) periodically receiving
12b
WAB-SS-03 CA
second data related to a second value at said preselected first
times; c) generating an output by calculating the difference
between said first data and said second data at each said pre-
selected first time for determining the time of ovulation in a
human; d) displaying said output; e) summing together each said
difference between said first data and said second data; f)
generating third data equal to the average of said differences
between said first data and said second data at preselected
second times over a preselected time range; g) periodically
receiving fourth data related to a reference value at said second
preselected time; h) generating fifth data equal to the
difference between said third data and said fourth data; i)
substituting said fifth data for said second data at the end of a
menstrual cycle; and j) periodically repeating said steps a)
through i).
Another further aspect of the invention resides broadly in a
method of processing data for determining the time of ovulation
in a human during each menstrual cycle, said method comprising
the steps of: a) periodically receiving a plurality of first data
values during a current menstrual cycle, said first data values
being related to a measured temperature of the human at
preselected first times during the current menstrual cycle; b)
comparing each said first data value to a stored offset
temperature value of the human from a previous menstrual cycle;
c) generating an output by calculating the difference between
each said first data value and said stored offset temperature
value at each preselected first time; d) displaying said output;
e) summing together each said difference between each said. first
data value and said stored offset temperature value; f)
generating a second data value equal to the average of said
differences between each said first data value and said stored
offset temperature value at a preselected second time, said
preselected second time being greater than said preselected first
time; g) generating a third data value equal to the difference
12c
WAB-SS-03 CA
between said second data value and a stored average temperature
value from a previous menstrual cycle; h) substituting said third
data value for said stored offset temperature value; and i)
periodically repeating said steps a) through h), wherein said
third data value becomes said stored offset temperature for a
subsequent cycle of steps a) through h) during a subsequent
menstrual cycle.
A still further aspect of the invention resides broadly in
an electrical computer and data processing system for determining
the time of ovulation in an animal during each menstrual cycle,
said system having temperature sensor means to measure temperature
in an animal, first input means to receive temperature data from
said temperature sensor means and to output first data based on
said temperature data, first output means, data counter means for
receiving first data from said first input means and supplying
second data based on said first data to said first output means,
and averaging means connected to said first output means for
receiving and averaging second data and said system having second
output means for receiving third data from said averaging means,
said system comprising: voltage frequency transformer means
interposed between said temperature sensor means and said data
counter means for transforming said first data applied by said
temperature sensor means to an electrical signal and applying
said electrical signal corresponding to said transformed data to
said data counter means; reference value means for storing a
reference value for comparison, said reference value means having
third output means for transmitting fourth data corresponding to
a reference value; subtractor means for comparing a value to a
reference value, said subtractor means having second input means
for receiving a signal corresponding to said third data from said
second output means, said subtractor means having a third input
means for receiving a signal corresponding to said fourth data
from said third output means and said subtractor means having
fourth output means for providing a signal generally equal to the
12d
WAB-SS-03 CA
difference between said third data and said fourth data; and
fourth input means connected to said data counter means for
receiving said difference signal from said fourth output means,
whereby a signal corresponding to said second data is generated
by said data counter means on said first output means which is
related to the difference between said first data from said first
input means and said difference signal on said fourth output
means for determining the time of ovulation in an animal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention may be better understood when taken in
conjunction with the appended drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a block diagram of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a detailed block diagram of the system of Figure
1 ; and
Figure 3 is a graph of temperature deviation versus time as
calculated by the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In Figures 1 and 2, electrical computer and data processing
system 16 includes temperature sensor 1, formed as an NTC
resistor, and is connected via voltage frequency transformer, or
sensor electronic, 2 to pre-set data counter, or comparator, 3
through counting input 3a. Pre-set input 3b, of pre-set data
counter 3 is also provided. Output 3c of preset data counter or
comparator 3 is connected via display decoder and evaluator 4 to
electronic display 5.
Output 3c of pre-set data counter or comparator 3 is connected
to mean value calculator 6. Mean value calculator 6 comprises
summing device 6a, day cour_ter 7 which provides a pulse every 2.4
hours, and divider 8 connected to outputs A and B of summing device
12e
2016854
WAB-SS-03 CA
6a and day counter 7, respectively. Output A/B of divider 8 is
connected to mean value storage 8a, which may also be considered as
a part of mean value calculator 6.
One input of subtractor 10 is connected to reference value 9
which provides a fixed reference value D, e.g. an average body
temperature of 37°C, and the other input of subtractor 10 is loaded
with output C of mean value storage 8a. The output of divider 10
is connected to input lla of offset register 11. Offset register
11 receives commands for offset loading at input llb. The output
of offset register 11 is connected between input 3b of data counter
3 which may function as a comparator.
Data counter or comparator 3 includes measuring time input 3d
which is connected to control logic 13. Control logic 13 also
determines the offset loading time of offset register 11 and
delivers the 24-hour pulse to day counter 7. Control logic 13
receives signals from timing generator 12, via activating switch
14, which triggers the time when an individual measurement is to be
taken and activating switch 15 which is closed at each new menstrual
cycle. Electrical computer and data processing system 16 may,
advantageously, be implemented in an application-specific CMOS-ASIC
circuit.
The data depicted by display 5 is determined by the following
method. The beginning of a menstrual cycle is signalled by actuating
switch 15. This signals control logic 13 thus putting all functional
groups of electrical computer and data processing system 16 into a
starting, or initialized, state. Subsequently, by actuating switch
14, a recording of the body temperature, measured by temperature
sensor 1 and transformed by sensor electronics 2 into an electrical
signal, i.e. a frequency, is triggered. The frequency, controlled
by measuring time input 3d, is counted in data counter or comparator
3. The time advance in this case is determined by timing generator
12 in connection with control logic 13.
13
WAB-SS-03 CA
2016854
Let us assume that data counter or comparator 3 had been
pre-set with an offset value, at the above-referenced starting
state, by actuating switch 15 of offset register 11, and that the
offset value corresponds to an average body temperature. Data
counter or comparator 3 counts from this pre-set value up to a
value which represents the temperature difference between the
actually measured temperature and the reference temperature, or the
offset value. This deviation, relative to a normal temperature, is
displayed by display 5 after counter or comparator 3 is decoded by
decoder evaluator 4. Data corresponding to the body temperatures
compared in each case are, furtheron, fed into summing device 6a of
mean value calculator 6 and intergrated therein.
Day counter 7 counts up with each 24-hour pulse from control
logic 13. At the end of a total menstrual cycle, day counter 7,
thus, has stored the number of cycle days. While in summing device
6a, the sum of all recorded temperature difference values is stored
which were integrated, or added together, during the course of the
menstrual cycle. By dividing the sum in summing device 6a by the
number of days stored in day counter 7, mean value calculator 6
calculates the average temperature deviation which occurred on the
measured body during the last menstrual cycle relative to the
pre-set reference value which pre-set reference was initially
supplied by offset register 11. From mean value C, which is stored
in mean value storage 8a, a temperature fixed reference value, e.g.
37°C, is deducted in subtractor 10 and the data corresponding to
this difference, D-C, travels into offset register 11. This data
constitutes the individual normal temperature during the last
menstrual cycle. This data is fed for the next cycle from offset
register 11 into data counter or comparator 3 and is used for
further comparison calculation of the body temperature. In other
words, the data counter or comparator 3 is pre-set to a value which
14
WAB-SS-03 CA
2016854
corresponds to the normal reference temperature of the particular
animal being measured, which was predetermined by reference value 9
and corrected in the last menstrual cycle. Hence, the individual
approximate normal temperature of the body during the course of the
last menstrual cycle serves as new correction value for the next
menstrual cycle.
In one embodiment of electrical computer and data processing
system 16, a circuit block in the ASIC element may advantageously
be developed so that the individual temperature measuring values
are individually stored during the course of one menstrual cycle
and are separately evaluated, for instance, for the body tempera-
tures of the temperature low point and the temperature high point
in order to display the result of this evaluation by display 5.
Alternatively, the evaluation may also be made by means of any one
of a standard, well-known micro-processor (not shown).
Figure 3 shows how body temperature T, measured in each case
on a day by day basis, varies during the course of a menstrual
cycle of 29 days. The individual normal temperature is represented
in Figure 1 by the offset value which is fed from offset register
11 into data counter or comparator 3. The course of the individual
body temperature and, particularly, the rise of the temperature
between the temperature low point, which may be a range of low
temperatures and the temperature high point, which may be a range
of high temperatures, can exactly be recognized and read from
display 5 since an individual normal temperature is kept constant
during one complete menstrual cycle, but corrected from cycle to
cycle, whereby long-term changes of the body temperature and a
drift of the sensor and of the sensor electronics is eliminated.
In summary one feature of the invention resides broadly in an
instrument for data recording of a physical magnitude of an indi-
vidual target by means of a sensor, a data counter fed by data
WAB-SS-03 CA
20 ~sa54
pulses, an electronic mean value former connected to one output of
the counter, and an electrical display also connected to the output
of the counter, characterized in that the counter is provided as a
pre-set data counter 3 having a pre-set input 3b, which is connected
to one output of the mean value former 6, 8a in order to provide
the pre-set data counter 3 with a reference value signal (offset
value) formed of a predetermined fixed reference value minus the
mean value generated by the electronic mean value former so that
the data counter yields data of target related differences of the
physical magnitude.
Another feature of the invention resides broadly in an instru-
ment, characterized in that the output of the mean value former 6,
8a is connected to an offset register 11 for the reference value
signal, that a control logic 13 is provided, which at the end of a
measuring period controls a transfer of the reference value signal
from the offset register 11 into the pre-set data counter 3, the
temperature recording and a period section counter 7 in the mean
value former 6, 8a.
Yet another feature of the invention resides broadly in an
instrument for recording the individual body temperature data by
means of an electrical temperature sensor for determining the
ovulation time of humans or animals, by means of a data counter
which is fed by temperature data pulses, by an electronic mean
value former connected to one output of the data counter, and an
electrical display also connected to the output of the data
counter, characterized in that the data counter is provided as
pre-set data counter 3 having a pre-set input 3b connected to one
output of the mean value former ~6, 8a in order to provide the
pre-set data counter 3 with a reference value signal (offset value)
which is formed from a predetermined fixed temperature reference
value minus the mean value generated by the electronic mean value
16
2o~sa54
WAB-SS-03 CA
former so that the data counter yields data of individual body
temperature differences.
A further feature of the invention resides broadly in an
instrument, characterized in that the output of the mean value
former 6, 8a is connected to an offset register 11 for the refer-
ence value signal, that a control logic 13 is provided which at the
end of a menstrual cycle controls a transfer of the reference value
signal from the offset register 11 into pre-set data counter 3, the
temperature recording and a day counter 7 in the mean value former
6, 8a.
A yet further feature of the invention resides broadly in an
instrument, characterized in that a reference value storage 9 for
storing a fixed reference value is connected to a first input of a
difference former 10 the second input of which is connected to the
output of the mean value former 6, 8a and the output of which is
connected to the pre-set input 3b of the data counter 3.
Yet another further feature of the invention resides broadly
in an instrument, characterized in that a voltage frequency trans-
former sensor electronic 2 is provided between the sensor 1 and the
one input 3a of the data counter 3.
An additional feature of the invention resides broadly in an
instrument, characterized in that it is a CMOS-ASIC element.
A yet additional feature of the invention resides broadly in a
method for recording the individual body temperature data for
subsequent determination of the ovulation time of humans or animals
by electrical determination of the body temperature deviation,
where the body temperature is recorded by means of a temperature
sensor at measuring times which during the course of a menstrual
cycle are preferably repeated daily, are transferred into an
electrical signal and compared with a reference value into which a
mean value of temperature data generated beforehand is fed before
17
2016854
WAB-SS-03 CA
the temperature datum compared with the reference value controls an
electrical display using an instrument, characterized in that the
mean value formation in the electronic mean value former 6, 8a is
obtained, controlled in each case by control logic 13 over all body
temperature measurements during the course of a whole menstrual
cycle, that the mean value formed in each case is subsequently
subtracted in the electronic difference former 10 from the reference
value, and the reference value thus corrected is stored in the
offset register 11 for comparison with the body temperature data
recorded over the whole following menstrual cycle.
A further additional feature of the invention resides broadly
in a method, characterized in that during the course of each
menstrual cycle body temperature data recorded by the temperature
sensor at temperature low position only are employed for mean value
formation and correction of the reference value.
Patents relating to temperature sensor devices include U.S.
Patent No. 4,804,272, entitled "Cold Junction Compensation Apparatus,"
U.S. Patent No. 4,718,777, entitled "Isothermal Block For Tempera-
ture Measurement System Using A Thermocouple," U.S. Patent No.
4,659,236, entitled "Flush Mounted Temperature Sensor" and U.S.
Patent No. 4,321,456, entitled "Electrical Hot Air Appliance."
Patents relating to electrical circuit devices include U.S.
Patent No. 4,563,552, entitled "Electronic Apparatus For Control-
ling Mechanical And Electrical Connection To Memory Means," U.S.
Patent No. 3,962,571, entitled "Low Power Digit Blanking Circuit,"
U.S. Patent No. 4,623,266, entitled "Cold Junction Compensation For
Thermocouple" and U.S. Patent No. 4,701,999, entitled "Method Of
Making Sealed Housings Containing Delicate Structures."
Patents relating to CMOS Technology devices include U.S.
Patent No. 4,409,665, entitled "Turn-Off-Processor Between Key-
strokes," U.S. Patent No. 4,528,689, entitled "Sound Monitoring
18
WAB-SS-03 CA
2016854
Apparatus" and U.S. Patent No. 4,475,158, entitled "Microprocessor
Based Instrument For Detecting Shift In Basal Body Temperature In
Women."
A patent relating to a storage register device is U.S. Patent
No. 4,334,305, entitled "Data-Handling System With Operatively
Interconnected Processors."
Patents relating to logic circuit devices include U.S. Patent
No. 4,396,980, entitled "Combined Integrated Injection Logic And
Transistor-Transistor Logic Microprocessor Integrated Circuit
Design" and U.S. Patent No. 4,399,563, entitled "Fiber Optics High
Speed Modem."
Patents relating to timing devices include U.S. Patent No.
4,106,277, entitled "Wristwatch Setting System," U.S. Patent No.
4,014,166, entitled "Satellite Controlled Digital Clock System" and
U.S. Patent No. 4,535,465, entitled "Low Power Clock Generator
Circuit."
Patents relating to counter devices include U.S. Patent No.
4,732,043, entitled "System And Method For Obtaining Digital
Outputs From Multiple Transducers," U.S. Patent No. 4,700,370,
entitled "High Speed, Low Power, Multi-Bit, Single Edge-Triggered,
Wraparound, Binary Counter," U.S. Patent No. 4,685,089, entitled
"High Speed, Low-Power Nibble Mode Circuitry For Dynamic Memory,"
U.S. Patent No. 4,623,772, entitled "Apparatus And Method For EDM
Polishing," U.S. Patent No. 4,591,708, entitled "High-Tensity
Opto-Electronic Sensor Having Low Power Consumption" and U.S.
Patent No. 3,864,582, entitled "Mosfet Dynamic Circuit."
All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of
the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or
all of the embodiments, if any, described herein.
19
2~~g854
WAB-SS-03 CA
The invention as described hereinabove in the context of a
preferred embodiment is not to be taken as limited to all of the
provided details thereof, since modifications and variations
thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention.
