EP2137500A1

EP2137500A1 - Data logger

Info

Publication number: EP2137500A1
Application number: EP08706391A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alois Bischof; Beat Rudolf
Original assignee: Elpro Buchs AG
Current assignee: Elpro Buchs AG
Priority date: 2007-04-13
Filing date: 2008-03-06
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Also published as: CH698757B1; WO2008124952A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a data logger (1) for capturing, evaluating, and displaying climate data generated from measured values, comprising various functional units within a common device housing (2). Said units are a capturing unit recording quasi-continuous measurement data according to a prescribable pattern and having an independent power supply, an evaluation unit that is designed to process the measurement data and to display climate data derived from the measured data in report form in a PDF format, a storage unit for storing the report data generated from the measurement data, and a control unit that is connected to the other units for capturing the measured values and for evaluating, displaying, and storing the data, wherein the evaluation unit, the storage unit, and the control unit can be provided with energy and activated via a standardized interface provided on the housing. With the aid of devices provided on the device housing, the data logger can be switched out of a basic mode in which, after docking via the interface to an accepting interface of a computer, it can be operated as external bulk memory storage, and into a mode in which, after docking, it functions as a configurable measurement device.

Description

data logger

The invention relates to a data logger for recording, evaluating and displaying climate data generated from the measured values according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Electronic devices of the generic type, so-called dataloggers, are used everywhere where a long-term recording of measurement parameters is to be carried out without permanent monitoring personnel being present on site. Thus, data loggers are mainly used in field trials, while monitoring transports, eg. For example, in the monitoring of acceleration, vibration and climate change in truck or rail transport, for recording humidity and temperature values in warehouses, in the pharmaceutical and food industry, for the failure analysis of systems, for example, to detect voltage fluctuations in or on a system used for monitoring and alerting in production processes and quality studies, in research, development and training. Even in the hobby field, for example in model airplanes, data loggers are used to record and monitor measurement data.

If required, the measured data recorded and stored over a longer period of time can be further processed, graphically displayed and statistically evaluated for documentation purposes. In addition to the measured data, dataloggers often also record all events, such as a battery change, an operator intervention or the replacement of a memory card, which take place on the device during a monitoring period. Thus, such dataloggers also meet requirements of the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries, which are required for example under GLP (good laboratory practice), GMP (good manufacturing practice) or under FDA standards. The measured data recorded by the data logger are stored in an internal device memory and can be called up as required. The pre-programmed data loggers of the prior art are usually placed in a suitable place to the products in the package. After shipment, the data loggers are removed from the packaging. The evaluation is carried out with the aid of a device-specific software, which is stored on a PC or must first be downloaded via the Internet. This software generates a graph of the collected measurement data and a report. A state-of-the-art data logger always behaves as a "slave" to whom the computer first notifies via the loaded special software which function (reading data, evaluating the data, device configuration) the device is to fulfill.

In the case of detected irregularities, a so-called alarm case, the documents created on the basis of the evaluation are returned to the sender so that he can assess the situation and release the delivery. Because of the different data loggers and evaluation programs on different computer systems, the reports are delivered in different file and display formats, which are usually incompatible with each other. This makes the required long-term archiving of data and reports particularly difficult in pharmaceutical applications. For the suppliers as well as for the customers, this results in considerable costs which, in the case of the conventional systems of the state of the art, result from factors such as e.g. the worldwide introduction of the system including user training, the installation and maintenance of the evaluation software and user support, the determination of the type and presentation of the release papers, the qualification of the evaluation software and, if necessary, an interface, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements (GLP / GMP, FDA standards) , and the filing and long-term preservation of the data.

A data logger is already known from WO 2006/133582, which creates a PDF file internally at the receiver, which presents the current measured values in the predefined evaluation report. As soon as the data logger described there is connected to a data processing system, this file is available in PDF format and can be sent, archived or printed via e-mail. The sender determines worldwide what the evaluation report should look like at the recipient. It is no special evaluation software is required / but during the evaluation, a PDF file is generated internally, which is legible with freely available software that is practically installed on all computers. The receiver eliminates the installation or operational qualification of specialized software, and user training is limited to a few details. The presentation is country-specific and standardized. If a detailed analysis of the measurement data is desired despite automatic generation of a PDF report, the raw data embedded in a secure area of the PDF format allow further processing.

While this novel data logger already causes a significant increase in efficiency and cost reduction, improvements are still desirable which make the data logger even more universal, take account of customer-specific or country-specific requirements and increase the manipulation security. The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a data logger according to WO 2006/133582 in this regard.

The solution to these problems consists in a data logger, which has the features mentioned in the characterizing portion of claim 1. Further developments and / or advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention provides a data logger for recording, evaluating and displaying climate data generated from the measured values, which includes various functional units within a common device housing. These units are a recording unit that records quasi-continuous measured data according to a predefined scheme and has its own power supply, an evaluation unit that can process the measured data and display the climate data obtained from the measured data in report form in a PDF format. is formed, a memory unit for storing the report data generated from the measurement data and a control unit, which communicates with the other units for measuring value recording and evaluation, display and storage of the data, wherein the evaluation unit, the memory unit and the control unit via a housing provided on the standardized interface be supplied with energy and activated.

The datalogger is switchable to a mode by means of devices provided on the device housing from a basic mode in which it is operable after docking via its interface to a recording interface of a computer as an external mass storage, in which it after docking as a configurable meter works.

The data logger according to the invention has a basic mode in which, after it has been docked via its interface to the corresponding recording interface of a PC and supplied with energy, it operates like an external mass memory. The Daterogogget works petmanervt as a readout. To. this. Purpose is the detection unit provided with a separate power supply, such as a battery or a rechargeable battery. As soon as the device is docked to a PC via its interface and supplied with energy, the evaluation of the acquired measurement data begins in order to determine climate data that are converted and stored internally into a standardized PDF format. In particular, average values of the temperature, the average kinetic temperature as a measure of the energy introduced into the product in the unit of time, atmospheric humidity, dew point values, etc., are regarded as climate data. The datalogger docked to the PC works in its grand mode automatically like an external mass storage on which the created PDF file with the climate data and the previously defined presentation of the report is stored and retrievable at any time. The measurement data recorded by the detection unit are embedded as raw data in a protected area of the PDF file. If required, they can be called up with special software in order to carry out a precise analysis. With this software, other event data can be retrieved, for example, to detect and reproduce manipulations on the device or the generated PDF file. In order to make the data logger even more universally applicable, it is with the help of provided on the device housing devices from its Grundmσdus, in which it is operable after docking via its interface to a recording interface of a computer as an external mass storage, in a mode switchable in the it works as a configurable meter after docking. In contrast to the devices of the prior art, in which the computer as "master", the device imposes on a device-specific software the respective operating mode, forms the data logger according to the invention, the "master" who tells the computer if he is an external storage device from which data is retrievable, or whether it is a configurable meter that is configurable for new tasks, a reconfiguration is required, for example, to load a new drug profile from pharmaceutical products, or to load a new travel profile, In the configuration mode, the information about the transmitter and the receiver can also be redefined, for example to better take into account intermediate storage, and the appearance of the report created in-house in PDF format can be changed adapted to local conditions and requirements or the language of the report, for example.

The standardized interface is advantageously a USB interface, via which the evaluation unit, the memory unit and the control unit can be supplied with energy. USB interfaces are now available on virtually all computers; They combine the power supply with a high data transfer rate.

A special feature of the data logger according to the invention is that the evaluation unit automatically begins to evaluate and generate the PDF evaluation report after docking the device with the computer, taking into account the most recent measurement data. The data logger is equipped with a recording unit that has its own power supply. This ensures that it permanently records measurement data within the predefined measuring intervals and stores. The evaluation of the measured data therefore always takes the latest measured values into account.

In principle, it would be possible to equip the datalogger itself with devices that make it possible to change its configuration directly on the device after activating the configuration mode. For security reasons, however, it is expedient if the configuration is changed only with the aid of a device-specific software which is stored on a computer to whose USB interface the device can be connected. This ensures that only authorized personnel can make a configuration change. In addition, a complication and unnecessary increase in the cost of the device is avoided in this way.

An advantageous embodiment variant of the data logger provides that in the configuration mode of the device at least the measurement interval and the alarm limits can be changed. By redefining these data acquisition parameters, the quasi-continuity of the data logger acquisition unit can be influenced and the instrument can be used for completely new tasks.

A further advantageous embodiment of the data logger provides that in the configuration mode, the presentation of the PDF evaluation report is changeable. As a result, the device can be adapted very easily, for example, to changed statutory regulations or to the requirements of a long-term archiving system. The customer can make his report identical worldwide.

The devices on the device housing for switching the operating mode of the device are preferably key, push buttons or the like. Switching the device from the basic mode to the configuration mode is done via a key combination. Devices provided on the device housing indicate the changed operating mode. The configuration software is stored in the computer to which the datalogger is docked. It is advantageously designed for the configuration of various devices from the same manufacturer. After switching the operating mode of the devices and activating the configuration mode, the control units of the different devices in a similar learning mode in which they are changeable via the Koniigurationssoftware. In turn, how the entered data is processed in the various control units can then be specified device-specifically.

The display on the device housing is advantageously an energy-saving LCD display. Conveniently, the display is also capable of indicating the remaining service life of the device. This is more advantageous for the user than a mere indication of the battery state, from which only approximately the available remaining operating time can be estimated.

The data logger advantageously has at least one internal measuring sensor and / or one or more input interfaces for the connection of measuring sensors for identical or different measuring parameters. As a result, a data logger can virtually simultaneously monitor several objects and / or record several parameters.

Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the schematic drawings. It shows in not to scale representation:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a data logger;

FIG. 2 shows a symbolic, schematic illustration of a generated PDF file; FIG.

3 shows a schematic example of an extended analysis representation with

Help of a device-specific evaluation software.

A schematic perspective view of a data logger; and

5 shows a schematic representation of the use of a data logger. The data logger, for example, shown in FIG. 1 carries overall reference numeral 1. The data logger 1 has a housing 2 which is provided with inputs and outputs for ^• measurement signals or measurement data, and digitized data. In the illustrated embodiment, three inputs 3, 4, 5 and an output 6 are indicated on the input side. The inputs 3, 4 are provided with connection interfaces for different sensors. In the illustrated embodiment, these are interfaces for sensors for temperatures T and for relative humidity measurements%. The third input 5 is for the detection of event data DIV, which may be, for example, a battery change, operator intervention or the replacement of a memory card during the monitoring period, etc. The representation as "input 5" is only to be understood symbolically and is not intended to mean that it is necessarily a connection interface for a connection cable.The data logger can also with one or more internal sensors and / or one or more connection interfaces for more Sensor be equipped.

The measured data T,%, DIV applied to the inputs 3, 4, 5 are respectively digitized in associated analog / digital converters 7, 8, 9 and transported via a buffer memory 10 to a memory unit 11 where they are stored in digital form. A timer 12 detects the associated date and the associated time for each measurement signal and forwards this information via the buffer memory 10 to the memory unit 11, where it is stored. In an alternative, space-saving variant, only the start time is stored. The time associated with each knife can then be computationally determined on account of the "equidistant" storage of the measured values during the evaluation of the data.

Time and event data (T,%, DIV) are fed before the output 6 to a microprocessor 13, which further processes it for output or for display on a display provided on the housing 2. A power supply unit, which supplies the detection unit with the required energy, is provided with the reference numeral 14. For example, the energy is provided by a block battery or an accumulator. The microprocessor 13 of the evaluation unit is basically designed such that it can be activated if the data logger has been docked via its output 6 designed as a USB interface to an external computer, for example to a PC, and has been supplied with external energy. Regardless of this, however, a temperature mean value or the like can be interrogated even when the datalogger is not docked. The standardized USB interface is not a pure output. Rather, the USB interface is a bidirectional interface, which allows not only the data traffic but also an external power supply of the data logger 1. The climatic data determined from the measurement data, such as mean values of the temperature, the mean kinetic temperature as a measure of the energy introduced in the unit time, humidity, dew point values, etc., are stored internally as graphics and / or table files and in a predeterminable Include output protocol. The processor 13 converts the files into an internationally standardized PDF format, which is readable via standard software available worldwide. In addition, the processor 13 is designed to embed the digital input and time data and the event data as protected raw data in the generated PDF data format such that they can only be read and processed with a device-specific evaluation software. For this, the raw data is embedded in a closed, protected area of the PDF data file.

FIG. 2 symbolically represents the construction of the generated PDF data file. The data file has an open area A and a closed, secure area B. The open area may include, for example, a status report R, a tabular listing S of the input and time data, and a graphical representation G of the time course of the recorded measurement data. These are all available in the freely available PDF format or PDF-A format (ISO standard) and can thus be displayed on virtually any PC equipped with the free Adobe® Acrobat Reader®. The digitized raw data (digitized measurement and time data, event data) are embedded in a closed, secure area of the PDF data file. The raw data is available in the PDF data file and will be sent by forwarding the PDF data file eg by e-mail; they can, however can only be opened, read and edited on a PC equipped with the device-specific evaluation software of the data logger.

FIG. 3 schematically outlines an extended analysis representation generated with the aid of the device-specific evaluation software. This has several areas a - e, in which different evaluations, headers, comments, statistics and diagrams are shown. The status report R, the tabular listing S of the input and time data, as well as the graphical representation G of the temporal course of the recorded measurement data, which were stored in the open area of the PDF data file, can be found, for example, in a region b. The raw data are arranged, for example, in the region d and can be displayed, read and edited in their entirety. Finally, in this area, the data on other registered events, such as. Battery replacement, operator intervention or the replacement of a memory card, which took place during a monitoring period on the data logger to be stored.

The data logger shown schematically in a perspective view in FIG. 4 is in turn provided with the reference numeral 1 in its entirety. The housing bears the reference numeral 2, the standardized USB interface is denoted by the reference numeral 6. On the housing two keypads 21, 22 are provided, via which the device is operable. A display 23 provides information about the state of the device, such as the most recent reading, the activation or termination of the measurement record, the remaining run time of the device as an indicator of the battery condition, etc. Special shortcut keys allow quick jump to various functions of the device , After docking the data logger via its USB interface to a PC, by executing such a special key combination, the data logger can be converted into the configuration mode.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the use of a data logger according to the invention, for example in cold chain monitoring. The data logger is placed in the packaging after its initialization, which takes place, for example, by pressing the key 21 (FIG. 4) marked TRANSIT. The products For example, these are medicines that reach the recipient by land and / or air. There the goods are unpacked and the data logger removed. By actuating the button 22 marked with ARRTVED (FIG. 4) on the housing of the data logger, the receiver sets an end marking, which is used for the later evaluation of the measured data. Afterwards the data logger is docked with its USB interface to a USB recording interface of a computer. As soon as the evaluation unit has been supplied with power via the USB interface, it begins to evaluate the measurement data recorded by the detection unit during transport. The most recent measured values are taken into account. In the evaluation unit, climate data are obtained from the measured values. These are, for example, mean values of the temperature, the mean kinetic temperature as a measure of the energy introduced into the product in the unit of time, the humidity, dew point values, etc. The climate data determined are converted into graphics, diagrams and the like and inserted into a report in the PDF data format. its appearance and appearance of the

Configuration of the data logger depends. If necessary, the receiver can use a special key combination on the datalogger to switch to the configuration mode of the device in order to influence, for example, the appearance of the report or its language via a computer-stored operating program. The report created in PDF format can be saved as a PDF file, printed out or sent by e-mail worldwide. Because of the globally standardized PDF standard, the report can be displayed and printed anywhere without special software, even with freely available reading programs. All raw data are tamper-proof embedded in the PDF file and, if necessary, can be made visible and further analyzed with special software provided by the device manufacturer.

It is possible that the goods will be sent by the recipient. In order to be able to continue using the datalogger, it is possible to make further changes in the configuration mode of the device, for example, to set a new dispatch date, to load a new travel profile and, for example, to redefine the measurement intervals and / or the alarm limits. Then the datalogger can be used again and continue to be used.

Claims

claims

1. Data logger for recording, evaluation and display of climate data generated from the measured values, with a detection unit, which receives measurement data according to a predetermined scheme and has its own power supply, with an evaluation, for processing the measurement data and to display the from the measurement data obtained climate data in report form in a PDF format is formed, with a storage unit for

Storage of the report data generated from the measurement data and with a control unit, which communicates with the other units for measuring value recording and evaluation, display and storage of the data, all unit units are arranged in a common housing (2) and the evaluation unit, the memory unit and the control unit can be supplied and activated with energy via a standardized interface provided on the housing, characterized in that the device uses devices provided on the device housing from a basic mode in which it is docked via its interface to a receiving interface of a computer as an external mass storage is operable in one

Mode is switchable, in which it after the. Docking as a configurable meter works.

2. Data logger according to claim 1, characterized in that the standardized-oriented interface is a USB interface via which the evaluation unit, the memory unit and the control unit can be supplied with energy.

3. Data logger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit automatically after the docking of the device to the recording interface of the computer with the evaluation and the

Generation of the PDF evaluation report commences taking into account the most recent measurement data.

4. Datalogger according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that after activation of the configuration mode of the device, the change of the configuration by means of a device-specific software is carried out, which is stored on the computer ter at the USB recording interface, the device is docked.

5. Data logger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the configuration mode of the device, the measurement interval and the alarm limits are variable.

6. Data logger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the configuration mode of the device, the representation of the PDF evaluation report is changeable.

7. Datalogger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the devices on the device housing (2) keys (21, 22), push buttons or the like and the switching of the device from the basic mode in the configuration mode via a keyboard shortcut takes place and on Equipment housing means (23) are provided to indicate the mode change.

8. Data logger according to claim 7, characterized in that the display (23) is an LCD display and capable of specifying the exact remaining operating time of the device is capable.

9. Data logger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection unit has at least one device-internal sensor and / or one or more input interfaces for the connection of sensors for the same or different measurement parameters, the

Device housing (2) are arranged.