Abstract: A system for determining surface topography of a three-dimensional structure is provided. The system can include an illumination unit configured to output a two-dimensional array of light beams each comprising a plurality of wavelengths. An optical assembly can focus the plurality of wavelengths of each light beam to a plurality of focal lengths so as to simultaneously illuminate the structure over a two-dimensional field of view. A detector and a processor are used to generate data representative of the surface topography of the three-dimensional structure based on the measured characteristics of the light reflected from the structure.

Abstract: A measuring head of a pneumatic measuring device for measuring a workpiece has a base element in which a first flow channel is provided for connecting a compressed air source to a measuring nozzle. The first flow channel has a constricted area with at least one cross-sectional constriction. The measuring head also has one or more second flow channels for connecting the constricted area to a measuring transducer. The base element has a divided configuration in the axial direction. The divided configuration may be provided at least in the constricted area of the first flow channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charged particle beam microscope which can obtain information about pattern materials and stereostructure without lowering throughput of pattern dimension measurement. To achieve this, the charged particle beam microscope acquires a plurality of frame images by scanning the field of view of the sample (S304, 305), adds the images together (S307), computes the dimensions of the pattern formed on the sample (308) and at the same time acquires pattern information (314) using components of a frame image, such as a single frame image or subframe image, as a separated image (309, 310).

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods enhance depth perception, e.g., the depth perception of a human being using an apparatus worn on the user's head.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a distance between a reference mark and a target object is disclosed. The device includes a beam source, which is embodied as an electro-optical component and emits a laser beam along an optical axis, a detector, which is embodied as an additional electro-optical component and receives a reception beam reflected and/or scattered by the target object along an optical axis, a beam forming optics, which forms the laser beam and the reception beam along an optical axis, and a beam splitting optics, which deflects the laser beam or the reception beam. An optics carrier is provided with a first receptacle for mounting a first of the electro-optical components and a second receptacle for mounting the beam forming optics. The optics carrier is monolithic.

Abstract: A yaw rate sensor includes a drive mass element which is situated above a surface of a substrate and is drivable to vibrate by a drive device along a first axis extending along the surface, having a detection mass element, which is deflectable under the influence of a Coriolis force along a second axis perpendicular to the surface, and having a detection device by which the deflection of the detection mass element along the second axis is detectable. Due to the arrangement of the second axis perpendicular to the surface, the yaw rate sensor may be integrated into a chip together with additional yaw rate sensors suitable for detection of rotations about axes of rotation in other directions.

Abstract: Provided is a driving circuit, system, and driving method for a gyro sensor. The gyro sensor driving circuit includes a charge/voltage conversion unit receiving a charge output from a vibration-type gyro sensor and converting the charge output into a voltage signal; a phase converting unit receiving a signal from the charge/voltage converting unit and converting a phase of the received signal; a pulse generating unit receiving an output signal of the phase converting unit and outputting the output signal as a pulse wave; a pulse converting unit converting the pulse wave output from the pulse generating unit into a pulse signal using a certain voltage level as reference so as to apply the pulse wave as a driving signal; and a control unit controlling the pulse converting unit to generate the pulse signal using the certain voltage level as reference.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for remotely entering, storing and sharing location addresses for a positional information device, e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) device, are provided. The present disclosure allows a user to easily and safely enter an address into a GPS device by giving that address to a remote communications link and to have that link automatically program the user's GPS device for usage. The device, system and method of the present disclosure further allows the user to use this stored address(es) on multiple GPS devices without having to manually enter the address(es).

Abstract: When a user enters, initializes, or otherwise starts using a navigation function, such as a navigation function on a mobile phone or a stand-alone device, a current location is automatically estimated, prior to or in the absence of a GPS fix, for use as an origin in route determination. The estimation of current location is performed using a database of GPS fixes that are mapped to cell tower identifiers. For example, the database can include one or more fixes associated with each cell tower that the mobile device has used. Thus, when navigation on the device is begun, one or more cell towers to which the device can communicate are identified. If any has a GPS fix in the database, then a location derived from such GPS fix(es) can be used as an origin for navigation functions. Such navigation functions can include estimating a time of arrival at a destination, producing a route to the destination, and checking for traffic updates.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a route from a first geolocation to a second geolocation; calculating the route from the first geolocation to the second geolocation; identifying one or more logged paths of a user that coincide with at least a portion of the route; updating one or more navigation instructions for the route based on the identified logged paths of the user; and providing the updated navigation instructions.

Abstract: An approach is provided for linking the navigation and flashlight functions of a mobile device for guidance purposes. A coordination platform determines mapping information, navigation information, or a combination thereof associated with at least one device. The coordination platform determines at least one operational parameter for at least one flashlight component of the at least one device based, at least in part, on the mapping information, the navigation information, or a combination thereof. The coordination platform causes, at least in part, a configuration of the at least one flashlight component based, at least in part, on the at least one operational parameter.

Abstract: A system for automatically modifying a lateral flight plan of an aircraft includes modifying means adapted to modify the flight plan by an action to chosen among the following actions: deleting, adding and moving at least one waypoint of an initial flight plan (T1). The modified flight plan (T3) includes one downstream waypoint (P6) defined as the waypoint on which the aircraft gets back to the initial flight plan (T1), and one upstream waypoint (P4) preceding the downstream waypoint (P6). By defining an intermediate point (P5?) between the upstream (P4) and downstream (P6) waypoints, the coordinates are calculated in order to allow the aircraft to reach the downstream waypoint (P6) with the same course as the initial flight plan (T1).

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and storage medium associated with navigation service are disclosed. In various embodiments, a method may include collecting, by a client mobile device, ambient barometric pressure information at a current location of the client mobile device. The method may further include providing, by the mobile device, contemporaneous navigation assistance to a user of the mobile device or for a user of the mobile device, assisted by a remote navigation assistance service. Assistance by the remote navigation service is associated with determining the current elevation level, based at least in part on ambient barometric pressure information collected by the client mobile device and by one or more crowdsourced mobile devices at the current location. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of voice based personalized interactive evacuation guidance are provided. Some methods include receiving a notification about an occurrence of a predetermined event in a monitored region, responsive to receiving the notification, pairing with a fixed device in the monitored region, responsive to pairing with the fixed device, transmitting location identifying information to a remote wireless system, and receiving, from the remote wireless system, information identifying an optimal route from a current location. Some methods include receiving user input requesting an optimal route from location A to location B in a monitored region, transmitting the user input to the remote wireless system, and receiving, from the remote wireless system, information identifying the optimal route.

Abstract: According to one general aspect, a method may include receiving a floor map indicating a structural layout of a physical location, receiving a point-of-interest (POI) data structure representing a POI and POI metadata associated with the POI, POI data structure including a location of an associated POI that is associated with the POI, and the POI metadata including a POI type indicating a type of the associated POI, and a POI status indicating the status of the associated POI, annotating the floor map by overlaying on the selected floor map an indicator for each selected POI data structure such that the indicator is placed on the floor map at a location representing the physical location of the respective associated POI and indicates the type of the associated POI and the status of the associated POI, displaying a portion of the annotated floor map, and initiating a POI action.

Abstract: A map navigation tool provides a start-of-route buffer area in which off-route feedback (e.g., audio or visual warnings or alerts) can be suppressed in some circumstances. For example, a mobile computing device implements a map navigation tool that can output off-route feedback when the user strays from a route, but also can suppress off-route feedback when the user is within a start-of-route buffer area. Off-route feedback can continue to be suppressed until some other event, such as the user leaving the start-of-route buffer area, occurs. Off-route feedback can be suppressed even if the user is not within a start-of-route buffer area, such as when the map navigation tool generates a route when the user is at an initial location that is far away from any part of the route and then joins the route later (e.g., at the start location or downstream from the start location).

Abstract: A method for optimized route planning for a user, including: (a) determining a departure point and a destination point for multimodal travel; (b) based on said departure point and destination point, computing and proposing criteria for restricting the number of candidate routes to consider, (c) proposing an updated list of candidate routes between said departure point and said destination point, said updated list being either: i) automatically displayed after a delay, and/or: ii) based on user selection of said criteria.

Abstract: A computer readable medium embodies a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a processing apparatus to perform operations including determining information corresponding to a number of differences in distances between ending points of journeys taken by a vehicle and starting points of consecutive journeys taken by the vehicle, and transmitting one or more representations of the information. Another computer readable medium tangibly includes instructions for, for each of a number of vehicles, receiving one or more scores corresponding to a vehicle, and determining a ranked list containing at least a portion of the scores, and outputting the ranked list. Another computer readable medium includes instructions for, for each of a number of vehicles, receiving information corresponding to a vehicle, using one or more metrics, calculating one or more values from the received information, and communicating one or more representations of the one or more value to one or more entities.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a route based on route-oriented vehicle trajectories are described. This disclosure describes receiving GPS logs and extracting route-oriented vehicle trajectory content from the GPS log data to pertain to a single trip. Next, the process maps each route-oriented vehicle trajectory to a corresponding road segment to construct a landmark graph. A landmark is a road segment frequently visited by route-oriented vehicles. The process includes receiving a user query with a starting point and a destination point; searching the landmark graph for a sequence of landmarks with corresponding transition times and a least amount of travel time. Then the process identifies and connects sets of road segments between each pair of consecutive landmarks, and displays a route to a user with a nearest landmark to the starting point, other landmarks along the route, and another nearest landmark to the destination point.

Abstract: A request is received to compute a route from a start point to an end point. The route is computed using map data that includes a plurality of map elements, and route data that includes rules associated with the map elements, each of the rules being triggered by a condition flag that specifies a condition according to which the rule should be applied. The route data is based inputs related to driver experience in a geographic area associated with the route, and the inputs are based on stored data and not real-time or near-real-time data.

Abstract: A navigation assistance system for a vehicle enables possible routes from the starting point to a destination to be ascertained with the aid of route network data, a preferred route being specified, and at least one driving recommendation that guides at least one user along the specified route being output, such that no driving recommendations are output that are superfluous for and therefore irritating and/or disturbing to the operator of the vehicle. The number of times or the frequency with which the vehicle has already previously passed at least one location point or junction point of the preferred route is ascertained, and the at least one driving recommendation for this point of the preferred route is suppressed if the ascertained number of times or frequency reaches at least one threshold value.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to generating roadgraphs for use by autonomous vehicles. A computer may receive input defining aspects of a roadway including an intersection with another roadway, one or more traffic control features, and one or more locations at which a vehicle is required to observe at least one traffic signal before entering the intersection. A user may identify the intersection, for example, by tracing a perimeter around the intersection. In response, for each particular location of the one or more locations, the computer may identifying a route through the intersection from the particular location and determine, based on the boundary of the intersection and the particular location, a set of the one or more traffic control features must be observed by the vehicle before entering the intersection. This information may then be used to generate a roadgraph.

Abstract: A method of selectively displaying maps on a mobile device. The method sends a map application, which had been displaying a first map, to the background. The method then returns the map application to the foreground. The method then determines whether to redisplay the previous map or display a map surrounding the then current location of the device. The determination is based on various factors including user interaction, time that the map application has been in the background and distance traveled while the map application is in the background.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow steps to be counted in multiple pedometer modes. For example, a pedometer application on an electronic device can count steps in an ambient mode of operation and a session mode of operation. By maintaining separate counters for each pedometer mode and continuously monitoring the desired mode of operation, the pedometer application can accurately count the number of steps during a certain time period. In response to detecting a change in the desired mode, the pedometer application can seamlessly switch to the corresponding mode counter. In some embodiments, the pedometer application can display graphical representations of historical step information for one or more pedometer modes.

Abstract: A method of measuring mechanical runout including: mounting a work piece on a rotatable mount, wherein the mount is configured to rotate the work piece; placing a displacement sensor at a known position adjacent a surface of the work piece, the displacement sensor being configured to measure a radial dimension of the work piece; attaching a removable angle indicator to the surface of the work piece; rotating the work piece while mounted on the mount and collecting rotational data of the rotational position of the work piece during the rotation; collecting displacement data from the displacement sensor as the work piece rotates, wherein the displacement data indicates a radial distance from a rotational axis of the work piece to the surface of the work piece at points on the surface as the surface rotates with respect to the displacement sensor; analyzing the displacement data to detect data representing the angle indicator on the surface of the work piece; correlating the displacement data with the rotational

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for discovery of electronic occurrence-data, including data protected by an information security measure. In an approach, an exemplary system includes data storage operable to store a plurality of instances of occurrence-data, each instance of the occurrence-data having a representative feature, a central computing device operable to communicate with the data storage, and instructions that cause a computing device to perform steps. The steps include receive from an input-selector an input selection corresponding to a target-occurrence having a representative feature, and select a pattern recognition criteria corresponding to the representative feature of the target-occurrence.

Abstract: A system for attaching a device to a rotating shaft is provided herein. The system may include one or more intermediate members positioned about the device. The system also may include a restraining strap configured to apply a restraining force to at least one of the one or more intermediate members to secure the one or more intermediate members to the rotating shaft. The one or more intermediate members may be configured to at least partially avert and/or disperse the restraining force of the restraining strap away from the device.

Abstract: A housing cap comprises: a cap basic body having a cap floor having an opening as well as a surrounding cap lateral wall adjoining an edge of the cap floor. A window pane of a transparent material placed on a side of the cap floor facing toward the cap lateral wall in a manner sealing the opening of the cap floor; as well as a contact disk placed on a side of the window pane facing away from the cap floor. The cap lateral wall includes on an inner side facing the window pane a groove, while the contact disk has a contact region bearing against the window pane as well as an outer edge having formed therein a plurality of teeth, which are in engagement with the groove.

Abstract: A detecting probe mounting device for fixation in the proximity to a rotating member of a machine is provided. The detecting probe mounting device includes at least two detecting probes with a connecting part and a detecting part for detecting parameters of the machine and/or the rotating member, a probe support structure with one through hole for each detecting probe and with mounting means for mounting each detecting probe at the probe support structure, wherein in a mounted state the connecting part and the detecting part are located on different sides of each through hole, and fixing means for fixing the probe support structure at a predefined position in proximity to the rotating member of the machine, wherein in the fixed state the detecting part of each detecting probe is facing the rotating member.

Abstract: Appurtenances added to a pipe mitigate the effects of upstream valves, sluice gates or pipe elbows to condition the pipe flow for accurate flow rate detection by a reverse propeller meter. Further appurtenances allow the reverse propeller meter to be used in extreme debris situations such as weeds, vines and moss present in many canal systems. The system provides an electronic signal that indicates flow rate and accumulated flow volume, or the signal can be transmit to a central headquarters for remote gate control or canal automation.

Abstract: Methods and systems to measure a volumetric fluid flow rate through a fluid flow passage, such as an air handler of a HVAC system, are described. The method may include obtaining a flow rate measurement in a measuring section, and calculating a total flow rate based on a correlation between the obtained flow rate measurement and the total flow rate. The method may also include blocking a portion of the fluid flow passage so that when a minimal volumetric fluid flow rate is provided, the flow rate measurement obtained in the measuring section is at about a minimal sensitivity flow rate requirement.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter comprising an elongate duct through which fluid flows when the flowmeter is in use. Ultrasonic transducers are arranged respectively to transmit and receive ultrasonic pulses propagated through such fluid when the flowmeter is in use. Electronic circuitry is connected to the transducers to provide a measure of the time delay between emission of an electronic pulse from one of the transducers and reception of the pulse by the other of the transducers. The circuitry is constructed to enable an output to be provided which is dependent upon that delay and which is indicative of the rate of flow of fluid through the duct. The transducers are located respectively at opposite ends of the duct and are arranged to transmit and receive ultrasonic pulses propagated through the fluid substantially parallel to the duct from one end thereof to the other.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acoustic flow meter assembly (2) for pipes or open channels, said assembly including a frame (24) with a predetermined geometry. The frame has at least one user accessible port (36-42) with the at least one user accessible port (36-42) adapted to receive an interchangeable cartridge (44) which contains at least one acoustic transducer (46) to measure fluid velocity through said frame (24).

Abstract: A system for monitoring for gas and oil flow venting from a surface using time intervals, size and velocity, and using a processor with a data storage containing a bubble flow classification chart and bubble flow categories. The data storage receives at least one: video feed, drilling parameter data feed, seismic profile data feed, logging while drilling data feed, measurement while drilling data feed, sonar data feed, and hydrographic data feed to verify a determined bubble flow category and bubble flow classification as a baseline bubble flow classification and provides an alarm when a bubble flow emergency is ascertained due to a change in bubble flow classification without an anticipated change or changes outside predefined acceptable limits within the video feed, drilling parameter data feed, seismic profile data feed, logging while drilling data feed, sonar data feed, hydrographic data feed, or measurement while drilling data feed.

Abstract: A device for estimating a stream of urine entering a toilet or urinal includes a measuring unit configured to estimate an amount of the stream of urine, and an indicator to provide an indication to an individual of the amount of the stream of urine.

Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow measuring device comprises a measuring device electronics as well as, connected thereto, a measuring transducer comprising at least one measuring tube, an oscillation exciter for oscillating the at least one measuring tube and, mutually spaced along the measuring tube, two oscillation sensors for generating oscillation signals representing oscillations of the measuring tube. The measuring tube is adapted to be flowed through by a medium and during that to be caused to vibrate in such a manner that the measuring tube executes wanted oscillations having a wanted frequency. The wanted oscillations are suitable to induce in the flowing medium, dependent on its mass flow rate, Coriolis forces suitable for bringing about a measurement effect of a first type, namely Coriolis oscillations of the wanted frequency superimposed on the wanted oscillations. These Coriolis oscillations are, in turn, suitable to induce in the medium centrifugal forces dependent on its mass flow rate and on its density.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing device comprising a storage container and a storage chamber disposed therein, a dosing container and a dosing chamber disposed therein, and a dosing connection between the storage chamber and the dosing chamber.

Abstract: A linear liquid level sensing system (10) comprises a vessel (20), an electrically conductive liquid (30) contained within the vessel (20), and a collector (40) spanning a vertical distance corresponding to the desired-level-determining range. An insulator (50) encases the collector (40) to define a dielectric gap between it and the fluid (30), with the insulated area in contact with the fluid (30) correlating with the fluid level. A single electrical line (60) connects the collector (40) to both a voltage-supplying source (70) and a charge-sensing device (80).

Abstract: A system for monitoring level of a liquid in a reservoir of a machine is provided. The system includes a liquid sensor (112) that measures said level of said liquid in said reservoir, a fixed voltage feed (110) that generates a regulated voltage, a sampling unit (114) that samples one or more parameters of the machine and a calibration unit (124) that calibrates the system for monitoring the level of said liquid in a reservoir of a machine in one or more modes to obtain a mathematical relation between the parameter and the level of the liquid. The calibration unit executes a calibration process during a first mode and obtains a calibrated data that corresponds to the parameter during a second mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-motion scale, in particular, to a conveyor scale with a conveyor belt, with a load cell (9) and a conveying device (5) for goods to be weighed, in particular, packaged goods, for feeding the goods to and leading them away and from the load cell (9), and with a control device (11) for controlling the functions of the in-motion scale. According to the invention, the control device (11) can be changed over to a cleaning mode in which the functions of the in-motion scale (1) are controlled according to a specified cleaning-mode functional model so that danger to operating personnel and/or damage to the in-motion scale (1) is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A POS-based checkout/scale system having (i) a bar code symbol reading subsystem for reading bar code symbols on products being purchased at a retail POS station, and (ii) a produce weigh scale having a weigh scale assembly for weighing one or more produce items on a weigh platter during produce weighing operations carried out at the time of checkout at said retail POS station. The system also includes an automatic produce weighing interference detection subsystem, supporting an IR-based light curtain about the weigh platter, automatically detects when any object is overhanging the weigh platter during produce weighing operations, and generates an alert signal when such conditions are automatically detected.

Abstract: A method for determining the acoustic absorption coefficient and/or the transmission coefficient at a chosen position in a space in which a certain sound field prevails as a result of the operation of a sound-emitting source, and/or the acoustic power emitted by the source comprises the following steps of: (a) measuring the sound pressure p(t) and the particle velocity v(t) at the chosen position in the space; (b) calculating the Fourier transforms P(f), V(f) of p(t), v(t); (c) calculating on the basis of P(f) and V(f) the time-averaged active intensity Iac(f) in the direction indicated with the vector n, being the normal vector on the relevant surface, and the time-averaged total intensity Itot(f), in the direction indicated with the vector n; (d) determining the time-averaged incident sound intensity in the direction n: Iin(f)=½(Iac(f)+Itot(f)); and the step of: (e) determining the time-averaged absorption coefficient in the direction n: ?=Iac(f)/Iin(f); and/or the step of: (f) determining the transm

Abstract: There is provided a focus detection apparatus including: microlenses; light reception units that receive light which is incident through the microlenses; waveguides that cause light, which is incident to the microlenses at a predetermined angle, to be received by the light reception units and that are provided between the microlenses and the light reception units; and a detection unit that detects focusing output values from the light reception units.

Abstract: An apparatus including: an element configured to generate or detect a terahertz wave; a semi-spherical lens configured to guide the terahertz wave outgoing from the element or entering the element; and a holder configured to hold the semi-spherical lens and the element in a state in which a flat surface of the semi-spherical lens and the element are in contact with each other or in a state in which the flat surface of the semi-spherical lens and the element clamp a substance which allows the terahertz wave to pass therethrough and the flat surface of the semi-spherical lens and the element are in contact with the substance, wherein the holder includes: a resiliently deformable portion; and a position adjusting unit configured to adjust a relative position between the semi-spherical lens and the element in a direction parallel to the flat surface of the semi-spherical lens by resiliently deforming the resiliently deformable portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining apodization properties of a projection system in a lithographic apparatus. The method comprises allowing light from a given point in an illumination field to pass through the projection system along at least three different optical paths, and then determining the difference in the intensity of light received in a projection field from the two different optical paths, and calculating apodization properties of the projection system from the intensity difference. It is not necessary to know the intensity distribution in the illumination field. To provide the different optical paths a pinhole reticle provided with wedges of different orientations is used.

Abstract: An inline spectroscopic reader having a light source, one or more optics heads, a spectrometer and a data processing system in digital communication with the spectrometer detector. The optics heads include transmission optics providing for the illumination of a target with light from the light source and detection optics providing for the collection of light from the target. Typically, the target is moving with respect to the optics head during spectroscopic interrogation. The spectroscopic reader is thus an inline reader well suited to provide spectrum based production or analytical decision making in real time as the target moves along a production or analysis line. Also disclosed are methods including the steps of illuminating a target with light from a light source; collecting light from the target; obtaining a digitized spectrum with a spectrometer; extracting information content from the digitized spectrum; and basing a contemporaneous process decision upon the information content.

Abstract: An apparatus and method using the apparatus for measuring target samples, particularly pharmaceutical products using Raman radiation. The sample is located in an aperture in a wall structure with a reflective surface on one or both of the sides of the wall structure facing respectively the excitation radiation transmitter or the Raman radiation detector. Preferably two reflective surfaces each in hemispherical shape and facing each other in a spherical arrangement are provided, with the wall structure across the diameter of the sphere.

Abstract: An optical path of measurement light emitted from a measurement light source is overlaid by a beam combiner on an optical path of reference light emitted from a reference light source. The measurement light emitted from the measurement light source includes light in the sensitivity wavelength range (S1) of a measurement light detector and light in the sensitivity wavelength range (S2) of a reference light detector. An interferometer includes a wavelength separation filter that cuts light in at least a part of the sensitivity wavelength range (S2) of the reference light detector, of light included in the wavelength range of the measurement light.

Abstract: A process measurement system for measuring a parameter of a work surface includes a light source configured to provide a material processing beam, an optical delivery system optically coupled to the light source and configured to homogenize and direct the material processing beam to the work surface, the optical delivery system including a process optic for optically coupling the material processing beam to the work surface in a predetermined way, the optical delivery system including a delivery waveguide having an output face optically coupled to the process optic, and an optical pyrometer in optical communication with the optical delivery system and configured to receive a pyrometer signal emitted from the work surface and coupled into said output face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermometer for determining the temperature of an animal's ear drum. The thermometer includes a probe, an infrared-radiation detector adapted to receive infrared radiation emitted by the ear drum, and devices that help determine the probe's position in the ear canal so as to optimize the infrared radiation received from the ear drum, and to minimize the infrared radiation received from other ear parts. A method of using the thermometer is also disclosed.