Particle counter with integrated bootloader

Abstract

An airborne or liquid particle sensor with integrated bootloader. A particle sensor incorporating at least one bootloader for programming or retrieval of program or data in local memory.

Description

BACKGROUND

Bootloaders have been in use in some products for some time. Typically these products are high-volume devices with applications that change substantially over time (products like routers, media players, set-top boxes, etc.). Instrumentation on the other hand typically has made do with a largely static code-base that is updated only rarely, and if so, by a dedicated programming channel (JTAG, controller programming pins, etc.). Typically this also requires dedicated hardware (JTAG programmer, device programmer etc.), which typically restricts use of such an interface to factory or service center upgrades.

Therefore, what is needed is a system and method for updating code-base of a device, including devices that uses instrumentation to advance in the art to improve updating of code-base of a device.

SUMMARY

In accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the present invention, a system and method are disclosed for updating code-base of a device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings exemplary constructions of the invention; however, the invention is not limited to the specific various aspects, embodiments, methods and instrumentalities disclosed in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a device in communication with a second device using an interface in accordance with the various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a device in communication with a second device in accordance with the various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a particle counter device in accordance with various aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is noted that, as used in this description, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Reference throughout this specification to “one aspect,” “another aspect,” “at least one aspect,” “various aspects,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” or similar language means that a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or embodiments is included in at least one aspect or embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in accordance with one aspect,” “in accordance with various aspects,” “in accordance another aspect,” “one embodiment,” “in at least one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “in certain embodiments,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

In accordance with the various aspects of the present invention, a device includes a computing device. As referred to herein, the devices may be part of a system or the system. It may be implemented to include a central processing unit (e.g., a processor), memory, input devices (e.g., keyboard and pointing devices), output devices (e.g., display devices), and storage device (e.g., disk drives). The memory and storage device are computer-readable media that may contain instructions or code that, when executed by the processor or the central processing unit, cause the device to perform certain tasks. In addition, data structures and message structures may be stored or transmitted via a data transmission medium, such as a signal on a communications link. Various communications channels may be used (e.g., the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or a point-to-point dial-up connection, or any other wireless channel or protocol) to create a link.

In accordance with the various aspects of the present invention, the device or system may be use various computing systems or devices including personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor based systems, programmable consumer electronics, network personal computers (PCs), minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. In accordance with the various aspects of the present invention, the device or system may also provide its services to various computing systems such as personal computers, cell phones, personal digital assistants, consumer electronics, home automation devices, and so on.

In accordance with the various aspects of the present invention, the device or system may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules or code, which is executed by one or more computers or devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular data types. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. For example, a user interface may be implemented on a server separate from a device or computer system that generates the data or information or collects the same through a communication channel.

There is an opportunity to make use of existing communications channels to provide a bootloader interface in instruments where this does not currently occur. More than simply adding a bootloader to a product that currently doesn't support one, the intent is to use this interface to leverage a host of services and provide a different business model for the sale, service and support of these instruments.

A bootloader provides the means of updating the code-base within a device. The bootloader shares an existing communication channel to provide this functionality and implements this functionality as part of the existing communications protocol or via some different or custom protocol. For example, one such bootloader is the asynchronous serial bootloader for a single microcontroller.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a device 100 includes a microcontroller 101 that includes an interfaces 107 to an external device 110 via a microcontroller 101's UART 105 and a level shifter 106 to provide an RS-232C type interface 107. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the interface 107 is used to collect data from the device 100 to log, display or analyze remotely, perhaps on a personal computer. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the interface 107 is used to update the non-volatile memory image in the device 100. The non-volatile memory includes bootloader image or code 102, program image 103, and non-volatile data 104. Bootloader code 102 resides in program memory is invoked by sending a particular command over interface 107, or sending a command at a particular time when the bootloader is active (for example immediately after power is cycled on the device 100, or when a recessed button is pressed, or the like).

After the bootloader code 102 is activated, the external device 110 sends at least one of the new program image 103, or non-volatile data 104, which might comprise operating parameters, tables, etc., to the device 100. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the bootloader allows writing of at least one program image. This allows the device 100's internal firmware to be updated without accessing the device 100's internals or providing a dedicated external programming interface. In accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention, external interface 107 is a network cable connected to a router or a wireless communication device (not shown) that is in communication with an external device, which could reside anywhere in the world and linked over a broadband network to the device 100 through the router.

In accordance with some aspects of the present and certain embodiments, FIG. 2 shows a particle counter 200 (also referred to as “particle counter system”) that includes at least one particle sensor, two microcontrollers 210 and 220, two external non-volatile memories 219 and 229, and at least one external communication interface 241. The particle counter 200 interfaces to an external device 240 over the interface 241. During typical operation the interface 241 is used to retrieve logged data from the particle counter 200 to display, log or analyze at, for example, the external device 240. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the interface 241 is a wireless connection (not shown). In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the interface 241 is a wired connection, such as a USB.

In accordance with one aspect, the interface 241 is a link that is also used to read and/or write to the microcontroller non-volatile memories 212, 213, 222, 223 and/or the external non-volatile memories 218 and 228. In order to do so bootloader mode would be initiated on the particle counter 200. For example, a special command (or command sequence) is sent over the USB interface 241 to the microcontroller 210. On receiving this command, or these commands, the microcontroller 210 implements the USB interface 241. The microcontroller 210 alerts the microcontroller 220, to which it is communicatively coupled to, over an internal link 230 as to the request for a bootload session. Accordingly, both microcontrollers 210 and 220 enter bootload mode.

In this mode the microcontroller 210, implementing the interface 241 receives commands from the device 240 requesting read/write operations to the various non-volatile memory areas 212, 213, 218, 222, 223, and 228. The microcontroller 210 directly implements any such operations to its internal memory areas 212 and 213 or to its external memory device 218 and responds with status and/or data over the interface 241. The microcontroller 210 passes any requests for access to the memory areas for the microcontroller 220 over the internal link 230. That microcontroller 220 implements access to these areas and responds over the internal link 230 with the status and/or data for such accesses. The microcontroller 210 relays any such responses and/or data over the external link 241. Here, the external device 240 reads/writes the various non-volatile memory areas within the particle counter 200.

In accordance with other aspects and embodiments, there are more or fewer microcontrollers in the particle counter 200 and some or all of the application use soft-processors on programmable logic, or via custom ASICs.

In certain embodiments, the bootloader is implemented such that the data communicated (e.g., read/written) to the various memory areas is encrypted, to protect valuable intellectual property from the original equipment manufacturer.

After the above a bootloader has been implemented in a particle counting instrument, such as to allow non-volatile memory areas to be read and/or written from an external interface, a variety of business processes are enabled. These include but are not limited to the following:

Sale of various instrument firmware options. In accordance with various aspects, a base unit can be sold to a client with firmware options available for purchase at some later date. The client can purchase these when they need the functionality offered by a particular option, and the update can be downloaded to the unit or device via a remote interface (online image), so that the unit or device can be upgraded without having to be shipped to a service center. This allows a client to buy just the instrument they need today with the confidence that this unit can grow as they require over time, without investing in possible future options at the time of purchase.

Firmware subscription service. In accordance with various aspects, in addition to selling a base instrument a company can now sell a subscription service for that instrument (like is currently done for many engineering software products). The client would purchase an annual subscription for the product, which would entitle them to all upgrades that were created for their product over that period. The unit might download such updates (on request or automatically) when connected to a local computer. In accordance with various aspects and embodiments, the unit or device has wireless interfaces installed and update automatically or in accordance with defined rules for updating.

Remote diagnostics and troubleshooting. In accordance with some aspects, diagnostics or troubleshooting of complex errors or issues in the field is complicated given the firmware image installed in an instrument or device. The ability for service personnel to be able to upload the current image in the instrument, download diagnostic firmware to the instrument to run a more in-depth or targeted analysis of the subsystem in question, and then replace the original image as needed, might provide for a more timely and cost-effective resolution of a customer issue that might not result in the unit being returned to the factory or a service center for resolution.

Assisted calibration and service. In accordance with some aspects, an instrument or a device needs calibration. In many cases service centers that offer calibration services do so without the involvement of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), which can reduce the quality or repeatability of the calibration. It also means that the OEM cannot analyze the instrument in question for failures and issues within it, to date. Having an online bootloader allows a service center to download, from the OEM for each instrument, the calibration image. This would allow the OEM to do the following:

• • retrieve statistical data from every instrument on each calibration cycle;
  • this would allow issues to be identified and flagged for this instrument;
  • this would allow issues for a product family to be identified or flagged;
  • this would provide valuable data for future products;
  • have more control over the quality and consistency of calibration operations; and allow end-users (with suitable equipment) to calibrate their instruments themselves.

Application customization. In accordance with various aspects, an interface that allows access to an instrument's memories allows for user-customization. Sophisticated user-interfaces might be customized to include facility maps, complex recipes, etc. that could be created on a personal computer or imported from pre-generated drawings and then downloaded to on-board memories. In accordance with various aspects, if the on-board instrument programming is done as an API, then the user could redesign the look-and-feel of the system and provide for a customized and highly tailored user interface designed to suit their particular needs.

In certain embodiments, an air quality monitoring system, such as a portable particle detection system, is worn or carried by a user to provide real-time monitoring of the air quality in their local environment.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is an embodiment of an air quality monitoring system (400), also referred to as “personal particle counter” or “personal counter” or “personal counter device.” Here, air is passed through a light beam generated by a light source (401) where particles scatter light (404). The airstream is generated by a fan or blower (412) or some other air impeller where air is drawn or pushed into the enclosure and is routed in such a way as to pass through the beam. In certain embodiments, the light source is a laser diode, a light-emitting-diode, or the equivalent. The light is focused by a lens to create a ribbon of light through which the airstream passes, in order to provide controlled scattering of light by particle size. In another implementation, a light blocking system is utilized, in which a beam is presented to a photo-diode and particles obscure the beam as they pass through it, thereby providing the signal.

In the case of a light-scattering system. Light scattered by particles in the stream (404) gets collected by a reflector (403) and presented to the photo-detector (405) and the resulting signal is amplified by the pre-amplifier stage (406), such as a trans-impedance amplifier. In some cases a second amplification (407) is utilized and the resulting electrical signal is used to drive one or more threshold comparators (410, 411). The outputs of the threshold comparators (410, 411) is used as inputs to counter channels within the microcontroller (420). These counts are used to determine the quality of the air. In this case there are two separate channels, which could be setup to different counts for particles of different sizes.

The air quality monitoring system (400) is powered locally by a battery (431), which is charged from some external power source. A large number of charging techniques are possible including, but not limited to: an external power connector, power from some external wired interface, wireless (inductive) charging, a solar cell, local charging from energy harvesting means. The battery power is managed locally via the Power Management circuit (430) that provided regulated power to the on-board circuitry (including the analog circuits (amplifiers, comparators, etc.)) and the digital circuitry (microcontroller, internal/external interfaces).

Here, the Internal/External user interfaces (435) is communicatively coupled to the threshold comparator. In certain embodiments, the Internal/External user interfaces (435) comprise one or more of these non-limiting features:

• • an on-board display, liquid-crystal-display (LCD) or other, to display current air quality status, air-quality over time, cumulative particulate mass, graphs, charts, etc. or other air quality,
  • an on-board memory (volatile or non-volatile) to store or log historic air quality data (for display use or later retrieval and reporting or analysis),
  • an on-board eccentric-rotating-mass (ERM) motor, to provide vibration to alert or interface with user,
  • an on-board audio transducer, to provide sound to alert or interface with user,
  • one or more push-buttons on-board, to interface with user,
  • an on-board wired interface channel for communication with external devices,
  • an on-board wired interface to allow the battery to be charged, and
  • an on-board wireless communications interface channel for communication with external devices.

The above gives a general overview of the invention with some of the interface options. In certain embodiments, the air quality monitoring system (400) is embodied in a carrying means that takes on the structure of any of a plurality of form-factors, not limited by the examples provided.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, not limitation, and various changes in form and details may be made. Any portion of the device, instrument, apparatus and/or methods described herein may be combined in any combination, except mutually exclusive combinations. The aspects and embodiments described herein can include various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the functions, components and/or features of the different embodiments described. For example, multiple, distributed processing systems can be configured to operate in parallel.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

It will be apparent that various aspects of the present invention as related to certain embodiments may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic, or a combination of software, hardware, and application logic. The software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on a server, an electronic device, or be a service. If desired, part of the software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on an electronic device and part of the software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on a remote location, such as server.

In accordance with the aspects disclosed in the teachings of the present invention and certain embodiments, a program or code may be noted as running on a device, an instrument, a system, or a computing device, all of which are an article of manufacture. Additional examples of an article of manufacture include: a server, a mainframe computer, a mobile telephone, a multimedia-enabled smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a laptop, or other special purpose computer each having one or more processors (e.g., a Central Processing Unit, a Graphical Processing Unit, or a microprocessor) that is configured to execute a computer readable program code (e.g., an algorithm, hardware, firmware, and/or software) to receive data, transmit data, store data, or perform tasks and methods. Furthermore, an article of manufacture (e.g., device) includes a non-transitory computer readable medium having a series of instructions, such as computer readable program steps or code, which is encoded therein. In certain aspects and embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable medium includes one or more data repositories, memory, and storage, including non-volatile memory. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes corresponding computer readable program or code and may include one or more data repositories. Processors access the computer readable program code encoded on the corresponding non-transitory computer readable mediums and execute one or more corresponding instructions. Other hardware and software components and structures are also contemplated.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice of the present invention, representative illustrative methods and materials are described herein.

All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or system in connection with which the publications are cited. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

All statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Rather, the scope and spirit of present invention is embodied by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A particle counter comprising: at least one processor having an operating mode for counting particles and a software update mode;at least one non-volatile memory that communicates with the at least one processor to store an updated software program code;at least one particle sensor that communicates with the at least one processor to detect particles, the at least one particle sensor including a battery, a light source, a light detector, and a plurality of particle counting channels for different particle sizes detected in an airflow;at least one external communication interface that communicates with the at least one processor;wherein the at least one external communication interface communicates with the particle counter to execute the software update mode to initiate a software update session such that an updated software code is written to the at least one non-volatile memory; andwherein the external communication interface is used to implement an updated particle counter user interface with the updated software code.

2. The particle counter of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-volatile memory can be read remotely with an external device using the at least one external communication interface.

3. The particle counter of claim 1, wherein data written or read from the at least one non-volatile memory is encrypted during transmission over the at least one external communication interface.

4. The particle counter of claim 1, wherein the at least one external communication interface is used to implement installation of post-purchase options.

5. The particle counter of claim 1, wherein the at least one external communication interface is used to implement a subscription service.

6. The particle counter of claim 1, wherein the at least one external communication interface is used to implement remote diagnostics.

7. The particle counter of claim 1, wherein the software update session further comprises updating a program configured to calibrate the at least one particle sensor.

8. The particle counter of claim 1, wherein the at least one external communication interface is used to implement a user-customization of the particle counter.

9. A battery powered particle counter comprising: a non-volatile memory within an enclosure of a battery powered particle counter to be carried by a user, the non-volatile memory being configured to store program code and configured to allow read/write operations from an external device;a particle sensor within the battery powered particle counter that counts particles, the particle sensor comprising a battery, a light source, a light detector and a particle counting microcontroller having inputs for a plurality of particle counting channels; andan interface microcontroller within the battery powered particle counter that communicates with the particle sensor and the non-volatile memory, the interface microcontroller being configured to receive at least one program image from an external device through a network communication interface, wherein the program image updates a stored program code.

10. The particle counter of claim 9, wherein the non-volatile memory is selected from the group including: a non-volatile memory internal to the interface microcontroller and a non-volatile memory external to the interface microcontroller.

11. The particle counter of claim 9, further comprising an internal interface microcontroller in communication with the internal microcontroller.

12. A method for updating a particle counter, the method comprising: receiving from an external device, at a first microcontroller of a battery powered particle counter in an enclosure configured to be carried by a user, a request for storing updated software configured to operate the particle counter, the particle counter comprising a battery, a light source, a light detector and a plurality of particle counting channels that count particles of different sizes in an airflow through the particle counter;transmitting the request from the first microcontroller of the particle counter to a second microcontroller of the particle counter having inputs for the plurality of particle counting channels;providing, at each of the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller, access from the external device to a respective non-volatile memory; andupdating code, which is stored at the respective non-volatile memory, with new code received from the external device.

13. A particle counter comprising: at least one processor;at least one non-volatile memory that communicates with the at least one processor to store a bootloader program code;at least one particle sensor that communicates with the at least one processor to count particles, the at least one particle sensor including a particle counter having a battery, a light source, a light detector and a microcontroller having a plurality of particle counting channels that count particles of different sizes; andat least one external communication interface that communicates with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one external communication interface signals the particle counter to execute the bootloader program code to initiate a bootloader session and at least one of updated and new code is written to the at least one non-volatile memory; andwherein the bootloader session installs at least one of a remote diagnostics and troubleshooting operation for the particle counter.

14. A optical particle counter device comprising: a particle counter having at least one main processor and a particle sensor including a light detector and an amplifier, a battery and a power management circuit;an internal communications interface;at least one auxiliary processor in communication with the main processor through the internal communications interface;a non-volatile memory in communication with the at least one auxiliary processor;at least one particle sensor, which is in communication with at least one of the main processor and the at least one auxiliary processor, the at least one particle sensor having a light source, a light detector and a plurality of particle channels for detecting particles of different sizes in an airflow; andat least one external communications interface in communication with the at least one main processor to connect the at least one main processor to an external device with a communication network,wherein the at least one external communications interface signals the at least one main processor to execute a bootloader program code to initiate a bootloader session wherein data is transferred either to or from the non-volatile memory,wherein data communicated to the non-volatile memory is encrypted,wherein an internal communications interface allows bootloaded data to be read or written from the non-volatile memory, andwherein the at least one external communications interface allows access to the particle counter for a remote diagnostic of the particle counter.

15. The optical particle counter device of claim 14, wherein the data transferred to or from the non-volatile memory over the at least one external communications interface is encrypted.

16. The optical particle counter device of claim 14 wherein the data transferred is configured to implement a user-customization of the particle counter.

17. The optical particle counter in claim 14, wherein a firmware option for the particle counter is enabled via the communications interface.

18. An optical particle counter comprising: at least one processor;at least one non-volatile memory, which is in communication with the at least one processor, for storing a bootloader program code;at least one particle sensor, which is in communication with the at least one processor, the at least one particle sensor includes a particle counter having a light source, a light detector, a battery and a power management circuit for detecting particles; andat least one external communication interface, which communicates with the at least one processor; andwherein the at least one external communication interface signals the particle counter to execute the bootloader program code to initiate a bootloader session and new code is written to the at least one non-volatile memory including a user-customization of the particle counter.

19. The optical particle counter of claim 18 further comprising an air flow actuator such that an airstream flows through the particle counter.

20. The optical particle counter of claim 18 further comprising a microcontroller having a plurality of particle counting channels that counts particles of different sizes.