Temperature measuring apparatus
A temperature measurement apparatus allows for accurate temperature measurement in both the sun and the shade using two different thermal sensors. A black sensor has an infrared absorbent surface and a white sensor has an infrared reflecting surface. Using the measurements from these two sensors, a series of equations calculate the correct ambient temperature regardless of where the measurement device is located and ensures accurate readings using a performance check system.
1. A temperature measuring apparatus comprising:
a microprocessor;
a first thermal sensor linked to the microprocessor and having a relatively high thermal absorbency; and
a second thermal sensor linked to the microprocessor and having a relatively low thermal absorbency,
wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive from each of the first and second sensors a first temperature reading and a second temperature reading, the first temperature reading being indicative of a temperature sensed at a first instant of time, the second temperature reading being indicative of a temperature sensed at a second subsequent instant of time, and
wherein the microprocessor is further configured to determine at least one environmental condition based on the relative change in temperature sensed by the first sensor from the first to the second instant of time, and based on the relative change in temperature sensed by the second sensor from the first to the second instant of time.
2. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor has a coating that is colored with a relatively high thermal absorbency color and the second sensor has a coating that is colored with a relatively low thermal absorbency color.
3. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first sensor has a black coating and the second sensor has a white coating.
4. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first sensor has a red coating and the second sensor has a white coating.
5. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one environmental condition comprises ambient air temperature.
6. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one environmental condition comprises a sunlight condition.
7. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the sunlight condition is sunlight temperature, and wherein the at least one environmental condition further comprises a temperature humidity index.
8. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one environmental condition comprises a weather-related warning.
9. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a clock.
10. The temperature measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is further configured to determine the one of the first sensor and the second sensor that has a higher thermal absorption.
11. A temperature measuring apparatus comprising:
a microprocessor;
a display linked to the microprocessor; and
at least two sensors including a first thermal sensor and a second thermal sensor,
the first sensor being linked to the microprocessor and having an absorbency, and
the second sensor being linked to the microprocessor and having an absorbency different from the absorbency of the first sensor,
wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive from each of the first and second sensors a first temperature reading and a plurality of subsequent temperature readings, the first temperature reading being indicative of a temperature sensed at a first instant of time, the subsequent temperature readings being indicative of respective temperatures sensed at subsequent respective instants of time,
wherein the microprocessor is further configured to selectively use the received temperature readings to determine at least one environmental condition, based at least in part on temperatures sensed by the first sensor at the first and a subsequent instant of time, and on temperatures sensed by the second sensor at the first and a subsequent instant of time,
wherein the microprocessor is further configured to determine weather-related summary information associated with the at least one environmental condition, and
wherein the display is configured to display the at least one environmental condition and the weather-related summary information.
12. A temperature measuring apparatus comprising:
a microprocessor; and
at least two sensors including a first thermal sensor and a second thermal sensor,
the first sensor being linked to the microprocessor and having a relatively high thermal absorbency, and
the second sensor being linked to the microprocessor and having a relatively low thermal absorbency,
wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive from each of the first and second sensors a first temperature reading and a second temperature reading, the first temperature reading being indicative of a temperature sensed at a first instant of time, the second temperature reading being indicative of a temperature sensed at a second subsequent instant of time,
wherein the microprocessor is further configured to determine a plurality of environmental conditions based on the relative change in temperature sensed by the first sensor from the first to the second instant of time, and based on the relative change in temperature sensed by the second sensor from the first to the second instant of time, and
wherein the plurality of environmental conditions include ambient air temperature.