Measuring-instrument remote-calibtration system and measuring-instrument remote-calibtration method

Abstract

In a measuring-instrument remote-calibration system and measuring-instrument remote-calibration method, a measuring standard quantity is converted into a parameter adapted for communication, or based on measuring standard quantity, a parameter adapted for communication is generated and sent to a remote place. Alternatively, when the measuring standard quantity is not suitable for communication, it is converted into a form adapted for transportation and the converted measuring standard quantity is sent to a remote place. After the converted measuring standard quantity reaches the place, it is restored to the original measuring standard quantity, thus enabling calibration. The result of the calibration is certified.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system for calibrating a measuring instrument, comprising:  
   
   
       13 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the transporting means transfers the measurement standard from a standard authority to a remote location;    the calibrating means is located at the remote location; and    the standard authority provides certification of the calibration.    
   
   
       14 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 13 , wherein results of the calibration are sent from the remote location to the standard authority via a communication medium.  
   
   
       15 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 13 , wherein the transporting means also records environmental characteristics of the environment between the standard authority and the remote location in which it is transported.  
   
   
       16 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 13 , wherein the calibrating means transmits the recorded environmental characteristics from the remote location to the standard authority for analysis via a communication medium.  
   
   
       17 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 16 , wherein the standard authority determines if the environmental characteristics are within an acceptable range, and if so, instructs the calibrating means via the communication medium to perform the calibration.  
   
   
       18 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 17 , wherein, upon instruction from the standard authority, the calibrating means performs the calibration, and transmits the calibration results to the standard authority via the communication medium.  
   
   
       19 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 18 , wherein the standard authority receives the calibration results and sends a calibration certificate via the communication medium if the calibration results are satisfactory.  
   
   
       20 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 12 , wherein the measurement standard is a physical standard.  
   
   
       21 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 12 , wherein the measurement standard is a chemical standard.  
   
   
       22 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 13 , wherein the standard authority is the highest national calibration authority.  
   
   
       23 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 13 , wherein the remote location is located overseas, relative to the standard authority.  
   
   
       24 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to  claim 13 , wherein the standard authority performs the certification in accordance with the result of precise measurement involving uncertainty evaluation based on the calibration.  
   
   
       25 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration system according to claims  13 , further comprising a remote calibrating network for linking the standard authority and the remote place, 
 wherein a confirmation of the calibration operation and a confirmation of the precision of the standard are performed by mutually monitoring identical standards retained by a plurality of authorities linked to said remote calibrating network.    
   
   
       26 - 47 . (canceled)  
   
   
       48 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration method comprising: 
 transporting a measurement standard;    receiving the measurement standard; and    performing calibration based on the transported measurement standard.    
   
   
       49 . A measuring instrument remote calibration method according to  claim 48 , further comprising performing certification, in accordance with results of the calibration, wherein: 
 the step of transporting the measurement standard comprises transporting the standard from a standard authority to a remote location;    the step of performing certification is performed at the standard authority; and    the step of performing calibration is performed at the remote location.    
   
   
       50 . A measuring instrument remote calibration method according to  claim 49 , further comprising transmitting results of the calibration from the remote location to the standard authority; and transmitting a certification certificate from the standard authority to the remote location.  
   
   
       51 . A measuring instrument remote calibration method according to  claim 50 , wherein the steps of transmitting results of the calibration and transmitting a certification certificate are all performed within a single type of communication medium.  
   
   
       52 . A measuring instrument remote calibration method according to  claim 50 , wherein the steps transmitting results of the calibration and transmitting a certification certificate are performed within various types of communication mediums.  
   
   
       53 . A measuring instrument remote calibration method according to  claim 49 , wherein the standard authority is the highest national calibration authority.  
   
   
       54 . A measuring instrument remote calibration method according to  claim 49 , wherein the remote location is located overseas, relative to the standard authority.  
   
   
       55 . A measuring instrument remote calibration method according to  claim 48 , wherein the step of performing certification is accomplished in accordance with the result of precise measurement involving uncertainty evaluation based on the step of performing calibration.  
   
   
       56 . A measuring instrument remote calibration method according to  claim 48 , further comprising confirming the precision of the calibration by performing mutual monitoring of identical standards retained by a plurality of standard authorities linked to a remote calibrating network.  
   
   
       57 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration method according to  claim 56  herein, in the step of performing the mutual monitoring, the mutual monitoring is performed between standard authorities nationally and internationally.  
   
   
       58 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration method according to  claim 49  wherein: 
 the standard authority stores highly accurate standards;    the measuring reference is non-frequency based; and    the certification result is transmitted from the standard authority to the remote location by a communication medium.    
   
   
       59 . A measuring-instrument remote-calibration method according to  claim 49 , further comprising: 
 monitoring an environment wherein the measurement standard is transported;    recording environmental characteristics of the environment;    after the measurement standard is received, the standard authority receives the recorded environmental characteristics from the remote location via a communication medium, and determines whether or not the environment in the record is within an appropriate range of transportation conditions so that the characteristics required for measurement standard are not impaired; and    when the result of calibration at the remote location is within an allowable range, the standard authority transmits the result of certification to the calibrated authority by the communication medium.    
   
   
       60 . A measuring instrument remote calibration method according to claim  68 , wherein a temperature, a humidity, an atmosphere, a vibrating acceleration, and a shock are recorded as the environment characteristics.