Abstract: Several improvements are disclosed for the design of a protective cover for the probe component of an electronic thermometer. In one embodiment, the probe cover is formed of a thin layer of synthetic resin material having a conductive material dispersed therein to render the cover electrically conductive. A verification circuit in the electronic thermometer utilizes the conductivity of the cover to ascertain that the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe. In one embodiment, the resistance of the probe cover is measured along its length, and the verification circuit includes an enabling circuit to allow the thermometer to operate only if the measured resistance is between predetermined upper and lower ohmic limits. In another embodiment of the present invention, the probe cover retainer element is split into two conductive portions, and the resistance of the probe cover bridging those two portions is measured to ascertain that the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe.

Abstract: Electronically timed and electrically operated lamps are utilized in place of traditional candles. Actuation of a switch, located on each lamp holder, illuminates that lamp for an accurately timed predetermined period. One clock is utilized to drive a plurality of independent timers, each associated with an individual lamp. The lamp units are provided with the capability of being plugged into the timing unit, so as to permit interchangability.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for use with a thermistor-type thermometer which makes only two measurements and provides a multiple temperature scale capability, a low-power indicator, a simple counting circuit and an enabling control circuit. The thermistor-type thermometer provides a signal having a pulse rate which varies with the temperature sensed and the electronic circuit of the invention operates on this signal to visually display the final temperature after only thirty seconds. Decade counters and logic gates are used with a crystal controlled oscillator to provide counting and timing signals as well as enabling signals required by a specialized temperature prediction algorithm.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus to measure temperature which provides an accurate final temperature reading prior to the actual stabilization of the temperature sensor. An algorithm is provided which allows taking only two sensor temperature measurements at preselected times yet accurately predicts the sensor final or stabilization temperature. Temperature resistance varying signals are converted to temperature-frequency varying signals, clocked into an up/down counter, to compute final temperature which is displayed digitally. A thirty-second timing sequence is also digitally displayed for use when the invention is utilized for medical applications.