The present invention relates generally to systems and methods configured to identify the location of measurement data acquired via a measuring device in a monitoring environment, and more specifically relates to a system of wireless beacons or broadcasting tags which facilitate the automatic updating of the source location of the data as the measurement device changes location.
In the process of creating semiconductors, particle counters are used to aid in the establishment of a closed environment. As is the case with all devices, there comes a time to replace or calibrate these particle counting devices. Several problems can arise when these instruments are moved out of their physical location. A common way to identify a machine is to use a device address, showing that device A belongs in room A, device B in room B, etc. This way, when reporting on particle contamination, it is easy to identify the amount of particles coming from each specific room. A problem with this method arises when machines are moved and then replaced in the wrong location. If a particle counting device is labeled at one location but then placed in a different location, it will yield incorrect results to an inspector. Particle contamination problems will not be correctly addressed if the source data for the contamination is inaccurate.
With some instruments, the need to repeatedly take measurements at several locations is required or mandated. The usual method for using such instruments is to place the instrument at a pre-defined location, enter the location into the instrument, and then collect the data. The problem with this is the demand for the operator to update the location at which the data is collected before each use so that the data is mapped to the correct location. This method is not only inconvenient, but allows many opportunities for user error.
Similarly, the need exists in other markets to take multiple measurements at several locations, often within a warehouse, pharmaceutical facility, or hospital. In such measured environments, it is critical to associate the measured data with the correct location, and often to observe measurements according to location-specific criteria. Presently, few options are available on the market that enable a measuring device to dynamically adjust measurements taken according to location-sensitive survey protocols.
Thus, there is a need for a sensor/indicator system that allows machines/sensor instruments to be moved, placed in a different location, and automatically updated with the new location of where the data is being collected. Using a tag that broadcast information on the location and its state allows the instrument to record and update how the information is collected and stored. This is an improvement over previous inventions that merely record a unique tag value for location in question. By using a tag at each pre-defined location and a reader built into the instrument, this process mitigate risk due to human error to assure accurate recording of data at the locations prescribed.
The present invention is a system for allowing a particle counting device or other precise measuring device to automatically update its data source when it is removed from one location and replaced in a new location. The present invention includes a broadcasting tag that is placed at the location of interest, as well as a receiving sensor that is placed on the particle counter (or other measuring device) itself. The receiving sensor is configured to detect the presence of the broadcasting tag (based on signal strength, location ID, and other parameters associated with the tag and the specific location) which would allow the particle counter or other measuring instrument the ability to note its location and activate actions associated that specific location. An observer will be assured that the particle-counting device or similar data collection instrument is truly reporting from the stated location.
The preferred embodiment of the current invention employs Bluetooth tags which are placed at the locations of interest, and Bluetooth readers built into the instrument. Bluetooth technology is preferably used due to its extreme popularity and low cost of implementation. Bluetooth transmitters and receivers are widely available, and are now at a low cost. However, alternately, it is envisioned that other wireless interfaces could be employed and configured to function with the system of the present invention. For example, NFC (Near Field Communication) may be used with some embodiments of the present invention.
In short, the present invention is a system for protecting the precise calibration of location data, designed to ensure that all measurements made with an instrument are associated with the correct location—even in the event that the location has changed. It is crucial that the location data is kept correct in order to provide an accurate indication of the state of the area. Additionally, the system of the present invention facilitates correction or augmentation of the measuring instrument according to location-specific parameters which are authenticated via the location detection mechanisms of the present invention.
The present invention will be better understood with reference to the appended drawing sheets, wherein:
The present invention is a protection system for calibrated instruments that are designed to gather data from measurements taken at location-sensitive positions. As such, the present invention employs the use of a Bluetooth™ receiving sensor (10) incorporated into an instrument (15) in order to assign a location to a broadcasting tag (20), otherwise referred to as a beacon, for tracking and monitoring purposes of data acquired at that location.
A data collection instrument (15) equipped with the present invention contains a conventional Bluetooth receiving sensor (10), otherwise referred to as a Bluetooth reader. When the instrument (15) is used to take a measurement via at least one sensor (25), a Bluetooth broadcasting tag (20) is read by the Bluetooth receiving sensor (10) at the location the measurement is taken at. The instrument (15) then assigns the measurement, such as a particle count, to the location, and associates it with the broadcasting tag (20) number located proximal to the location of measurement. It is the intent of the present invention to ensure data that is gathered via a sensor is mapped to the correct location, regardless of if the broadcasting tag location is changed. As such, the present invention enables the instrument (15) to be spatially aware, and can facilitate accurate placement of the measurement data within a specified space within a location such as a room.
Ted implementation of the system of the present invention is the use of Bluetooth broadcasting tags (20), which are placed at the locations of interest—places from where sensory data is desired. Bluetooth receivers (10) are preferably built into the instrument (15). When the instrument (15) is placed within the range of the broadcasting tag (20), the reader reads the location of the tag, preferably either by its association with a location within a grid, GPS, or other sensitive indoor location technology, and updates the location information with the data collected. Moving or replacing sensors would allow automatic updates of the location of where the data is being collected, in real time. In this manner, the precise location of the broadcasting tag (20), as well as the corresponding measurements taken at the position of the broadcasting tag (20), are kept up-to-date, even if the broadcasting tag (20) is moved. This is because the location of the broadcasting tag (20) is updated each time it is accessed or read by the Bluetooth reader (10) equipped by the instrument taking measurements.
The process of use of the present invention, as depicted in
It should be understood that the broadcasting tags of the present invention may be any form of intelligent broadcast tag, including those that are Bluetooth™ based and/or NFC based, and are used as a means to assign a location, as well as location specific configurations to a device (such as a sensor or indicator), such that the data collected is properly tagged with the correct location, and is collected by a configuration that is specific to that location. It is envisioned that the present invention is not limited in scope to particle counters, but may be employed and/or integrated within other environmental sensors and indicators in a monitored environment.
It should be understood that the present invention employs this beacon technology with the capacity to gauge precise distance based on the signal strength inferred by the Bluetooth receiver (10) of the measuring device (instrument), which is equipped to detect the signal of the Bluetooth broadcasting tag, and gauge distance according to the strength of the returned signal. Signal strength data may be added to the known physical location of the broadcasting tag in order to attain even more precise location data to be attributed to measurements taken at that location.
Embodiments of the present invention that are equipped with only one instrument and only a single broadcasting tag (20) are configured to only accept an instrument reading as valid if it is verified to have been taken by the instrument (15) within range of the broadcasting tag (10). For instance, if a user conducts a reading with the instrument while not within range of the Bluetooth broadcasting tag (10), the results of the reading (data) is considered invalid automatically.
This simplified, single broadcasting tag (20) embodiment, as seen in
Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.