Abstract: A method for balancing recognition accuracy and power consumption is provided. The method includes activating a plurality of sensors onboard a device for a first time period and calculating sensor readings by using a calculation function. The method also includes determining a plurality of sensor subsets of the plurality of sensors and calculating corresponding errors for the plurality of sensor subsets for the first time period. Further, the method includes calculating respective power consumption of running the sensor subsets of the plurality of sensors from the plurality of sensor subsets that produce the error below the user-defined error threshold and selecting a sensor subset with minimum power consumption from the sensor subsets as an optimal sensor subset. In addition, the method includes deactivating the plurality of sensors not in the optimal sensor subset and calculating and displaying sensor readings with the optimal sensor subset for a second time period.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one sensor, a connector and a conversion unit. The sensor is coupled to a patient body so as to measure a physiological parameter of the body. The connector coupled to a patient monitor, which measures a value of the physiological parameter by applying a test signal via the connector and measuring a response signal on the connector in response to the test signal. The conversion unit is coupled between the at least one sensor and the connector, and is configured to determine a corrected value of the physiological parameter, to calculate an auxiliary signal that, in combination with the test signal produced by the patient monitor, causes the response signal on the connector to represent the corrected value of the physiological parameter, and to generate and output the auxiliary signal to the connector so as to cause the patient monitor to measure the corrected value.

Abstract: A thermostat failure detection device sequentially calculates a normal-time minimum water temperature on an assumption that a thermostat is normal and an internal combustion engine is operated in a state where the engine water temperature is less likely to rise, sequentially calculates a failure-time maximum water temperature on an assumption that the thermostat is in a stuck-open failure state and the internal combustion engine is operated in a state where the engine water temperature is likely to rise, determines the failure of the thermostat if the engine water temperature is lower than the normal-time minimum water temperature, determines the normality of the thermostat if the engine water temperature is higher than the failure-time maximum water temperature, and determines neither the normality nor the failure if the engine water temperature is between the normal-time minimum water temperature and the failure-time maximum water temperature.

Abstract: A chuck includes a first material layer having an upper surface upon which a wafer is supported. The upper surface includes portions that physically contact the wafer and portions that form gaps between the upper surface and the wafer. The chuck also includes a second material layer defined to support the first material layer. The second material layer is formed of a thermally conductive material and includes a first number of channels. The chuck also includes a second number of channels defined to direct a gas to portions of the upper surface that form gaps between the upper surface and the wafer. The chuck is characterized by a thermal calibration curve that represents a thermal interface between the upper surface and the wafer, heat transfer through the first material layer to the second material layer, and heat transfer through the second material layer to the first number of channels.

Abstract: A solid thermal simulator sensing device, the device can simulate and sense the thermal characteristics of a perishable element and is easily calibrated to a verifiable standard. The device is fabricated from a single piece of solid material sized to have a thermal mass substantially equal to that of said perishable element. A sensing channel is located within the single piece of solid material. The sensing channel extends from one end towards the center. A temperature sensor is mounted within the sensing channel. The thermal response time of the device is slowed by the single piece of solid material to mimic the thermal properties of the perishable element. A calibration channel is extends from the outer surface of the device to a point adjacent the temperature sensor. A calibration probe may be inserted into the calibration channel to quickly verify the accuracy of the device.

Abstract: A multi-point temperature sensing method for integrated circuit chips and a system of the same are revealed. The system includes at least one slave temperature sensor embedded at preset positions for measuring temperature of a block and a master temperature sensor embedded in an integrated circuit chip and electrically connected to each slave temperature sensor. Variations of the slave temperature sensor induced by variations of process, voltage and temperature are corrected by the master temperature sensor. Thus the area the temperature sensors required on the integrated circuit chip is dramatically reduced and the stability of the temperature control system is improved. The problem of conventional System-on-a-Chip that only a limited number of temperature sensors could be used due to the area they occupied can be solved.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a circuit is configured to produce a magnetic field signal having a frequency spectrum. The circuit may also produce a temperature signal. A modulation circuit may modulate the temperature signal with a frequency outside the frequency spectrum of the magnetic field signal. The modulated signal and the magnetic field signal may be combined to produce a combined signal. A separation circuit may be configured to separate component signals from the combined signal. The separation circuit may include a first filter, which, when applied to the combined signal, produces a filtered signal; a modulation circuit configured to shift the data representing the temperature signal to a baseband frequency; and a second filter configured to separate the data representing the temperature signal from the combined signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic component (1), in particular a current sensor, having a resistance element (5) made of a resistance material, a first connection part (3) made of a conductor material for introducing an electrical current into the resistance element (5), and a second connection part (4) made of a conductor material for discharging the electrical current from the resistance element (5). According to the invention, the component (1) has a temperature-measuring device (8) for measuring a temperature difference between the resistance element (5), on the one hand, and at least one of the two connection parts (3, 4), on the other hand, in order to derive the current from the temperature difference.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the heat flow (dQ/dt) emanating from a heat transporting fluid (12), which is a mixture of at least two different fluids, and which flows through a flow space (11) from a first position, where it has a first temperature (T1), to a second position, where it has, due to that heat flow (dQ/dt), a second temperature (T2), which is lower than said first temperature (T1), whereby the density and specific heat of said heat transporting fluid (12) is determined by measuring the speed of sound (vs) in said fluid, and said density and specific heat of said heat transporting fluid (12) is used to determine the heat flow (dQ/dt).

Abstract: A method for calibrating a transmitter with measurement circuitry electrically connected to first and second input terminals includes connecting a primary temperature sensor to the first input terminal and connecting a calibrated reference device to the second input terminal. The measurement circuitry is calibrated with respect to the first input terminal according to signals received from the second input terminal while measuring temperature according to signals received from the first input terminal.

Abstract: A combustible gas detection device includes an energization control circuit which controls the switching of the energization state of a heat generation resistor every predetermined time period such that the heat generation resistor alternately has resistances corresponding to two predetermined temperatures, a temperature measurement resistor disposed on the same substrate on which the heat generation resistor is disposed, where its resistance changes with the environmental temperature, a gas concentration computation section which calculates the combustible gas concentration by using a voltage generated across the heat generation resistor which is detected when electricity is supplied to the heat generation resistor and the environmental temperature based on a voltage change caused by a change in the resistance of the temperature measurement resistor.

Abstract: A linear actuator system comprising at least one linear actuator, a power supply, a control and an operation device. The linear actuator system comprises at least one printed circuit board having multiple layers comprising an electrically conductive circuit. At least one of the layers of the printed circuit board is designed as a detection layer for detecting a leakage current in the electrical circuit, including the electronic components mounted on the printed circuit board. An output voltage is applied to the detection layer, said voltage falling outside of the voltage range in which the electrical circuit works.

Abstract: A process temperature transmitter is operable with at least one temperature sensor having a plurality of leads. The temperature transmitter includes measurement circuitry operably coupleable to the at least one temperature sensor to provide an indication of an electrical parameter of the at least one temperature sensor. A controller is coupled to the measurement circuitry to obtain the indication and provide a process temperature output. A current source applies a test current to the plurality of leads simultaneously. Diagnostic circuitry measures a voltage response on each lead in order to provide a diagnostic indication of the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A technique for an infrared radiation thermometer used for thermography that detects measurement abnormality of an infrared radiation thermometer and estimates the causes of the measurement abnormality such as contamination of an objective lens and a malfunction in a mechanism section of the infrared radiation thermometer.

Abstract: A failure judgment device for a thermostat 16 arranged in a circulation passage 13 of cooling water 12 in an engine 1 includes a water-temperature sensor 18 for detection of a temperature of cooling water 12 having passed through the engine 1, and a controller 19 which monitors rise in temperature of the cooling water 12 at cold startup by a detection signal 18a inputted from the water-temperature sensor 18 and which calculates a predicted water temperature in the engine 1 as from beginning of the startup to judge failure of the thermostat 16 when the predicted water temperature reaches a valve opening temperature of the thermostat 16 with the temperature of the cooling water 12 being not beyond a threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, provides a method for calibrating thermal control elements in situ using a single compound calibrator. In some embodiments, the present invention uses a compound calibrator to calibrate thermal control elements on a microfluidic device. In non-limiting embodiment, the compound calibrator can be a droplet, plug, slug, segment or continuous flow of any appropriate solution that, when heated, yields a thermal response profile with a plurality of features (e.g., maxima, minima, inflection points, linear regions, etc.).

Abstract: A ventilator device (10) includes a display screen (50, 101) to display a plurality of ventilator functions/modes (or menus) and a plurality of parameters (or sub-menus) associated with at least one of said ventilator functions/modes. A control member, e.g., in the form of a multifunction finger-operable dial (55, 102) is provided to select from the plurality of ventilator functions/modes and/or parameters, the dial being manipulatable in a first manner (e.g., rotation) to scroll between said parameters, and being manipulatable in a second manner (e.g., touching, pressing and/or depressing) to select one of the ventilator functions/modes and/or parameters.

Abstract: A temperature characteristic correction device corrects a temperature characteristic of an electronic device. The temperature characteristic correction device calculates a peak correction characteristic approximating a peak waveform having a peak value in a second range included in a first range of the temperature characteristic using a first formula, and a correction characteristic approximating a waveform continuing in the first range of the temperature characteristic using a second formula. The temperature characteristic correction device calculates a total correction amount from the peak correction characteristic and the correction characteristic, and then corrects the temperature characteristic using the total correction amount.

Abstract: A method for determining a blackbody temperature of an electrical discharge may include providing a radiometer with a sensor aperture, positioning a viewing aperture sheet between the sensor aperture and the electrical discharge, and providing the viewing aperture sheet with a viewing aperture therethrough, determining an area of the viewing aperture, determining a distance of the sensor aperture from the viewing aperture, observing the electrical discharge with the sensor aperture through the viewing aperture to obtain radiometer data, and calculating the blackbody temperature based at least on the radiometer data, the area of the viewing aperture and the distance of the sensor aperture from the viewing aperture.

Abstract: A non-contact pyrometer and method for calibrating the same are provided. The pyrometer includes a radiation sensor configured to measure at least a portion of a radiance signal emitted from a target medium and output a voltage that is a function of an average of the absorbed radiance signal, and an optical window disposed proximate the radiation sensor and configured to control a wavelength range of the radiance signal that reaches the radiation sensor. The pyrometer may further include a reflective enclosure configured to receive the target medium therein, wherein the radiation sensor and the optical window are disposed within the reflective enclosure, an amplifier in communication with an output of the radiation sensor, and a data acquisition system in communication with an output of the amplifier.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera and a camera housing structured to at least partially enclose the camera. The camera comprises an internal heat sink thermally coupled to electronics of the camera and a lens ring positioned around a lens of the camera. The camera housing comprises a thermal conductor. An interior portion of the thermal conductor makes contact with the lens ring when the camera is enclosed within the housing, and an exterior portion extends outside the housing. The thermal conductor is configured to transfer heat from the interior of the housing to the exterior to dissipate heat from the camera's electronics.

Abstract: A method and a device for automatically detecting an incorrect measurement of a total temperature on an aircraft. The detection device comprises several monitoring units configured to monitor the variations of the measured total temperature, provided by a temperature probe, and current values of the Mach number and of the altitude of the aircraft over a predetermined monitoring period of time, and a detection unit configured to detect an incorrect measurement of the total temperature when said monitoring units simultaneously detect particular conditions relative to said variations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method may be provided for calibrating integrated circuit temperature sensors. The method may include sensing a first temperature using a first temperature sensor and a second temperature using a second temperature sensor. The first temperature sensor may be calibrated and is external to a package of the integrated circuit. The second temperature sensor may be included in the integrated circuit. The method may include increasing a temperature of the integrated circuit. The method may include allowing the integrated circuit and the package to thermally equilibrate over a first period of time. The method may include sensing a first slope of a temperature decay by the first temperature sensor. The method may include sensing a second slope of a temperature decay by the second temperature sensor. The method may include calibrating the second temperature sensor responsive to a difference between the first and second temperatures and the first and second slopes.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a temperature sensor of a chemical microreactor envisages: determining an airflow along a path in such a way as to cause a thermal exchange between the airflow and a chemical microreactor, which is provided with an on-board temperature sensor and is set along the path; and detecting a temperature in the airflow downstream of the microreactor, in conditions of thermal equilibrium.

Abstract: A body of a thermometer (1001), a first location to be measured (1002), a second location to be measured (1003) and a third installation location (1004) is established by the thermometer management system. Further, communication lines (1005) are connected to network units at each location to be measured. Network units relay the sensor output from a sensor part to the communication lines. A sensor part is fixed to an object to be measured and sends a sensor output in response to the temperature of the object to be measured. A network unit has a radio frequency identifier (RFID) reader and transmits to the thermometer body commands and the like stored in the memory of an RFID card in response to approach of the RFID card arranged corresponding to a location to be measured. The thermometer body receives the commands and the like and performs predetermined operations.

Abstract: A method of sensing superheat includes the steps of: (a) connecting a fluid inlet member of a superheat sensor to one of a plurality of fluid systems; (b) allowing fluid to flow from the fluid system to which the superheat sensor is connected to the superheat sensor; (c) sensing a temperature of the fluid in the fluid system with one of an internal temperature sensor mounted within a housing of the superheat sensor and an external temperature sensor mounted outside of the housing of the superheat sensor; and (d) calculating a superheat of the fluid in the fluid system.

Abstract: A thermal sensor includes a comparator having a first and second input nodes. A reference voltage generator is electrically coupled with the first input node. The reference voltage generator is configured to provide a reference voltage that is substantially temperature-independent. A temperature sensing circuit is electrically coupled with the second input node. The temperature sensing circuit is configured to provide a temperature-dependent voltage. The temperature sensing circuit includes a current mirror. A first metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor is electrically coupled between the current mirror and ground. A first resistor is electrically coupled with the current mirror. A second MOS transistor is electrically coupled with the first resistor in series. The second MOS transistor and the first resistor are electrically coupled with the first MOS transistor in a parallel fashion.

Abstract: A fault diagnosis device conducts a fault diagnosis in a temperature sensor. At starting an internal combustion engine, a thermal equilibrium condition may be established and temperature deviations of temperatures detected by at least two reference temperature sensors from each other may be equal to or less than a predetermined value, with the temperatures detected by the reference temperature sensors being greatly deviated from one detected by a temperature sensor being diagnosed. In this case, if the temperatures detected by the reference temperature sensors do not drop by a predetermined temperature or more from starting the engine until a predetermined time elapses, the fault diagnosis device determines that the temperature sensor being diagnosed is faulty.

Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature measurement method using a thermometric resistance-type temperature probe (1) comprising at least two electroconductive sensitive elements (3, 4) on the same substrate (2), wherein different parameters representative of the strength of the electric current circulating in one of said sensitive elements (3, 4) are measured, and a correction, according to said strength of the electric current circulating in said sensitive element (3, 4), is applied to a signal representative of a temperature measurement generated from the other one of said sensitive elements (3, 4), in order to correct an error created as a result of the self-heating by the Joule effect of said sensitive element (3, 4) affecting the other one of said sensitive elements (3, 4).

Abstract: A system and method for conducting heating, ventilation, and Air Conditioning Analytics is disclosed. The system uses one or more wireless pneumatic thermostats (WPT) and/or various other sensors in communication with a control device to maintain, troubleshoot, calibrate, optimize, or otherwise adjust an installed pneumatic HVAC system.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a fuel temperature sensor over a repeating cycle includes: estimating a first value of a fuel temperature at the beginning of the cycle with the aid of a value of at least one further temperature from the same cycle and at least one of a second value of the fuel temperature and a further temperature from at least one previous cycle; and checking whether the deviation of a temperature of the fuel temperature sensor lies within a first range around the first value of the fuel temperature.

Abstract: A circuit for sensing a physical quantity according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first oscillator circuit configured to provide a first clock signal including a first frequency depending on the physical quantity, and a second oscillator circuit configured to provide a second clock signal comprising a second frequency depending on the physical quantity. The circuit also includes a frequency comparator circuit configured to provide a frequency signal indicative of the physical quantity, the frequency signal being based on the first and second frequencies, wherein the first and second oscillator circuits are configured to provide the first and second clock signals such that due to a change in the physical quantity one frequency of the first and second frequencies increases, while the other frequency of the first and second frequencies decreases.

Abstract: In one or more implementations, a temperature measuring system is provided, including a temperature sensing probe having (a) a thermistor operatively connected to a first conductor and (b) a resistor operatively connected to a second conductor, and a temperature determination application stored in a memory of a computing device operatively connected to the temperature sensing probe.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for verifying temperature measurements in an ultrasonic flow meter. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, a temperature sensor, and an ultrasonic flow meter. The temperature sensor is disposed to measure temperature of fluid flowing in the passage. The ultrasonic flow meter includes a plurality of pairs of ultrasonic transducers and control electronics. Each pair of transducers is configured to form a chordal path across the passage between the transducers. The control electronics are coupled to the ultrasonic transducers. The control electronics are configured to measure speed of sound between each pair of transducers based on ultrasonic signals passing between the transducers of the pair. The control electronics are also configured to determine, based on the measured speeds of sound, whether a measured temperature value provided by the temperature sensor accurately represents temperature of the fluid flowing in the passage.

Abstract: A temperature sensor having calibration function according to temperature, a method of operating the same, and a device including the same are provided. The temperature sensor includes a reference circuit configured to generate at least one temperature information signal that varies according to a temperature, and generate at least one reference signal that is substantially constant relative to the temperature; and a digital temperature generator configured to receive the at least one temperature information signal and the at least one reference signal generated by the reference circuit, and generate a digital temperature information signal indicative of the temperature based on the at least one temperature information signal and the at least one reference signal, wherein one of the reference circuit and the digital temperature generator is configured to receive a calibration signal and adjust the at least one reference signal based on the calibration signal.

Abstract: Provided is a temperature measurement apparatus using a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. A temperature sensor includes the NTC thermistor and a variable resistor part. A resistance value of the variable resistor part varies between a default resistance value for measuring a temperature and a temporary resistance value for determining a disconnection. An abnormal operation determination unit determines whether the NTC thermistor is disconnected, based on an output voltage of the temperature sensor when the variable resistor part has the temporary resistance value.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a measuring device in a mobile terminal includes: during a first calibration period, measuring first and second values at the first and second temperature sensors, respectively; during a second calibration period, measuring energy consumption values of the mobile terminal; generating first maximum, first minimum, and first temperature values from the first measured values; generating second maximum, second minimum, and second temperature values from the second measured values; generating a third maximum value from the measured energy consumption values; and storing the first and second temperature values for the calibration if the difference between the first maximum and minimum values and the difference between the second maximum and minimum values are smaller than a threshold value, and the third maximum value is smaller than a further threshold value.

Abstract: A method for monitoring at least two temperature sensors of a turbomachine that is aligned along a reference plane, the two temperature sensors being located in the same transverse plane of the turbomachine, the method including detecting the stoppage of the turbomachine; waiting for a period at least equal to a predetermined threshold period; measuring the temperature with each of the two temperature sensors; comparing the two temperatures measured.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for measuring, calibrating, and controlling substrate temperature during low temperature and high temperature processing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a laser adjustment device, a laser adjustment system and a laser adjustment method for an infrared thermometer. The laser adjustment device of the present invention includes a first adjustment seat and a second adjustment seat. The first adjustment seat includes a base, a fixing portion, a first adjustment portion, a second adjustment portion, and a first pivot portion. The second adjustment seat includes a connecting portion, a receiving portion and a second pivot portion. The first adjustment seat is pivoted about the first pivoting portion via the first adjustment portion, a first elastic member, and a first adjustment member. The second adjustment seat is pivoted about the second pivot portion via the second adjustment portion, a second elastic member, and a second adjustment member.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermocouple (12), including: depositing a first material on a component (10) to form a first leg (14); depositing a second material through a mask (30) to form a pattern (50) on the component (10), the pattern (50) forming a plurality of discrete second leg junction ends (20) and a continuous patch (52) of the second material comprising indiscrete lead ends of the second legs (16), each second leg junction end (20) spanning from a respective junction (18) with the first leg (14) to the continuous patch (52); and laser-ablating the continuous patch (52) to form discrete lead ends (22) of the second legs (16), each lead end (22) electrically connected to a respective junction end (20), thereby forming discrete second legs (16).

Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to methods of noise compensation for proper temperature detection in thermal processing chambers and devices for achieving the same. Methods can include determining noise produced by a lamp zone and extrapolating the noise from the detected photocurrent. Devices can include a processing chamber, a substrate support disposed in the processing chamber, the substrate support having a high thermal mass, a pyrometer below the substrate support and oriented to view radiation emitted by the substrate and a controller configured to subtract a time invariant noise component and a time variant noise component from the pyrometer signal.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for automatically calibrating a temperature sensor. More specifically, there is provided a system including a temperature sensor that includes a first resistance configured to indicate a temperature of the temperature sensor and a second resistance, in series with the first resistor, wherein the second resistance is adjustable to calibrate the first resistance, and a calibration circuit, coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to automatically calibrate the first resistance.

Abstract: A distributed optical fiber sensor system is provided. In this system, backward-scattered light generated in a test optical fiber is filtered to separate the backward-scattered light into Raman scattered light and Brillouin scattered light. The separated Raman scattered light and Brillouin scattered light are each converted into digital data. A change in temperature with respect to the distance of the test optical fiber is measured from the digital data of the Raman scattered light. A change in temperature and a change in the degree of deformation with respect to the distance of the test optical fiber are measured from the digital data of the Brillouin scattered light. The change in temperature and the change in the degree of deformation with respect to the distance of the test optical fiber are separately output using the measured data.

Abstract: A temperature measuring device includes a reading unit configured to read a first temperature value from a first temperature sensor that measures a temperature of a heat generating component and a second temperature value from a second temperature sensor that measures an ambient temperature, a calculation unit configured to calculate a correction value from an elapsed time and the first and the second temperature values, and a correction unit configured to calculate an corrected ambient temperature by correcting the second temperature value using the correction value obtained by the calculation unit.

Abstract: A temperature sensor uses a semiconductor device that has a known voltage drop characteristic that is proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT). A controllable current source is coupled to the semiconductor device and is operable to sequentially inject a bias current having a value I(bias) and fixed ratio N of I(bias) into the semiconductor device. A delta sigma analog to digital converter (ADC) has an input coupled to the semiconductor device. The delta sigma ADC is configured to sample and integrate a sequence of voltages pairs produced across the semiconductor device by repeatedly injecting an ordered sequence of selected bias currents into the semiconductor device. The ordered sequence of selected bias currents comprises M repetitions of (N×I(bias); I(bias)) and one repetition of (M×I(bias); M×N×I(bias)).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a current sensing circuit corrects for the transient and steady state temperature measurement errors due to physical separation between a resistive sense element and a temperature sensor. The sense element has a temperature coefficient of resistance. The voltage across the sense element and a temperature signal from the temperature sensor are received by processing circuitry. The processing circuitry determines a power dissipated by the sense element, which may be instantaneous or average power, and determines an increased temperature of the sense element. The resistance of the sense element is changed by the increased temperature, and this derived resistance Rs is used to calculate the current through the sense element using the equation I=V/R or other related equation. The process is iterative to continuously improve accuracy and update the current.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steel plate quality assurance system and facilities thereof, wherein the steel plate quality assurance system measures, with a steel plate manufacturing line including a finishing mill of a steel plate manufacturing line, and accelerated cooling equipment disposed on the downstream side of the finishing mill in the advancing direction of the steel plate manufacturing line, temperature of at least the whole area of the upper surface of a steel plate, or the whole area of the lower surface of a steel plate to perform quality assurance, and includes temperature measurement means; temperature analysis means; and mechanical property determining means.

Abstract: A multi-die sensor system comprises a package and one or more transducer dies mounted in the package. Each transducer die includes one or more transducers, a temperature control element, and temperature sensor. The temperature control element changes the temperature of at least a portion of the transducer during operation of the temperature control element. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of at least the portion of the transducer. An output circuitry die mounted in the package receives transducer signals and a sensed temperature signal from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: Abnormality of a temperature sensor is detected by: calculating the amount of heat generated in a predetermined time period from an object of sensing temperature by the temperature sensor; calculating the amount of temperature change of the object of sensing temperature in the predetermined time period; calculating a coordinate value in a coordinate system represented by having the heat amount information calculated by the heat amount calculation step, on a coordinate axis, and having information on the amount of temperature change of the temperature sensor, calculated by the temperature change calculation step, on another coordinate axis; and detecting abnormality of the temperature sensor in the case where the coordinate value calculated by the coordinate value calculation step is included in a predetermined abnormality detection judgment area in the coordinate system continuously for a certain time.