Thermometer with age specific feature selection

A thermometer for use with a living being, comprising:

• a housing;
• a temperature sensor located in or on the housing;
• a processor provided within the housing and in signal communication with the temperature sensor, the processor operable to determine a temperature of the living being based on a signal provided by the temperature sensor;
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory configured to store information related to a plurality of operating modes;
• a switch located in or on the housing and operably connected to the processor, the switch configured to select one operating mode from among the plurality of operating modes, to produce a selected operating mode, wherein the selected operating mode comprises a plurality of temperature ranges;
• a plurality of output indicators located in or on the housing and operable upon a command from the processor, at least a first output indicator comprising graphic or text, at least a second output indicator comprising colored light;
• and
• a plurality of completion indicators located in or on the housing and operable upon a command from the processor, at least a first completion indicator comprising a lighting element, at least a second completion indicator comprising an audible indicator;
• a receiver located in or on the housing and operably connected to the processor, the receiver configured to receive a switch control signal sent to the thermometer from an associated control unit external to the thermometer and in communication with the thermometer;
• and
• a transmitter located in or on the housing and operably connected to the processor, the transmitter configured to send a status signal from the thermometer to the associated control unit.

A system for use with a living being, comprising:

• a thermometer;
• and
• a control unit external to the thermometer and in communication with the thermometer, wherein the thermometer comprises:
• a housing;
• a temperature sensor located in or on the housing;
• a processor provided within the housing and in signal communication with the temperature sensor, the processor operable to determine a temperature of the living being based on a signal provided by the temperature sensor;
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory configured to store information related to a plurality of operating modes;
• a switch located in or on the housing and operably connected to the processor, the switch configured to select one operating mode from among the plurality of operating modes, to produce a selected operating mode, wherein the selected operating mode comprises a plurality of temperature ranges;
• a plurality of output indicators located in or on the housing and operable upon a command from the processor, at least a first output indicator comprising graphic or text, at least a second output indicator comprising colored light;
• and
• a plurality of completion indicators located in or on the housing and operable upon a command from the processor, at least a first completion indicator comprising a lighting element, at least a second completion indicator comprising an audible indicator;
• a receiver located in or on the housing and operably connected to the processor, the receiver configured to receive a control signal sent to the thermometer from the control unit;
• and
• a transmitter located in or on the housing and operably connected to the processor, the transmitter configured to send a status signal from the thermometer to the control unit;
• wherein the control unit comprises:
• a transmitter configured to send the control signal from the control unit;
• a receiver configured to receive the status signal sent to the control unit;
• and
• a user interface operable to produce a switch signal, the switch signal included in the control signal;
• wherein the switch of the thermometer is operable by use of the switch signal from the control unit.

A method of measuring a temperature of a living being with a thermometer comprising a temperature sensor, a processor, a display operably connected to the processor, a plurality of output indicators operable upon a command from the processor, wherein at least a first output indicator is included in the display and comprises graphic or text, and wherein at least a second output indicator is configured to be shown on the display and comprises colored light, a plurality of completion indicators operable upon a command from the processor, wherein at least a first completion indicator comprises a lighting element, at least a second completion indicator comprises audible feedback, the method comprising the following steps:

• receiving a selection of one operating mode from among a plurality of operating modes, wherein a selected operating mode comprises at least one temperature range;
• the thermometer identifying the selected operating mode, wherein said identifying comprises activating at least one output indicator associated with the selected operating mode;
• producing a sensor signal from the temperature sensor after the temperature sensor is placed on or in the living being, wherein the temperature sensor is coupled to the processor;
• converting, by use of the processor, the sensor signal into a determined temperature of the living being;
• the thermometer indicating a temperature range of the selected operating mode that a determined temperature of the living being is within, wherein said indicating comprises activating at least one output indicator;
• the thermometer indicating that a temperature of the living being has been determined, wherein said temperature indicating step comprises activating at least one completion indicator.