Ultraviolet monitor suntan alarm with self test routines
US4608492A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 1984 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J1/0228
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a photodosimeter for use by sunbathers and the like and which activates an alarm when a predetermined radiation dosage has been received by the user. The photodosimeter includes a photocell mounted within the housing and exposed to sunlight through a housing opening. This photocell generates an analog output signal proportional to the radiation which impinges upon the photocell. An A/D converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal which is connected to a microprocessor which periodically samples the output from the converter and updates a cumulative radiation dosage counter in memory. When the cumulative radiation dosage exceeds a user settable maximum an alarm is activated. The microprocessor is further programmed to test a plurality of electrical conditions of the photodosimeter and to activate the alarm by a fail safe conduit in the event that one or more conditions are unsatisfied. Specifically, the microprocessor compares the determined radiation dosage to ensure that it falls between 0 and a predetermined maximum amount which are indicative of a nonfunctioning and overload conditions, respectively. The microprocessor further compares …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.