WO2015063671A1

WO2015063671A1 - Monitoring system for electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2015063671A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/065640
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca BIROLINI
Original assignee: Omnilab S.R.L.
Priority date: 2013-10-28
Filing date: 2014-10-27
Publication date: 2015-05-07

Abstract

The invention concerns a monitoring system for detecting changing conditions comprising a remote device (10), a local device (20) connected to said remote device (10), the local device (20) comprising laboratory equipment (30), wherein said remote device (10) is configured for monitoring said laboratory equipment (30), and comprises a processing unit (40) further comprising a detecting module (41 ) configured to take at least a first snapshot (S1 ) and a second snapshot (S2) of operating conditions, a first comparing module (42) configured to graphically compare the first snapshot (S1 ) with the second snapshot (S2) in order to identify graphical differences (Sg), a second comparing module (43) configured to compare the graphical differences (Sg) with a predefined graphical frame (Sf), in order to detect changing conditions (CC), a processing module (47) configured to perform a recovery action (RA) as a function of a comparison parameter (lc) representative of relevant changing conditions (RCC), wherein the relevant changing conditions (RCC) are also relevant for a first recovery (RCCR). The invention also concerns a method for monitoring the above-mentioned system, a computer-implemented method for carrying out the steps of the monitoring method, and a computer program that when running performs one or more steps of the method.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE

"MONITORING SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT"

Field of application

The present invention relates to a monitoring system for detecting changing conditions.

In particular, the invention relates to a monitoring system for electronic devices for detecting changing conditions.

More in particular, the invention relates to a monitoring system for electronic devices designed to detect changing conditions in laboratory equipment or monitoring devices and the following specification is drafted with reference to this field of application.

Prior art

It is known that, nowadays, hospital equipment provided to guarantee healthy conditions of patients is constantly monitored both locally and remotely to allow doctors or operators to intervene fast in case of risk for the patient.

On the other hand, it often happens that also laboratory instruments, or the like, not specifically provided for monitoring the health conditions of patients, need information to be permanently monitored even if such information is provided by instruments based on old technology and not configured to share information, i.e. designed as stand-alone instruments without built-in monitoring.

Even if this limitation does not necessarily interfere with the patient's health, it is very frustrating because it causes the exam to be performed less fast or instrument faults that cannot be quickly resolved.

All these situations cause laboratory equipment to work in inefficient conditions, especially if the equipment is based on old technologies.

Document DE 44 17 128 A1 describes a closed-circuit video surveillance system with image processing which compares images in sequence in order to determine the presence of persons in movement, i.e. persons that change their position from one image to the next. This system is inefficient in terms of the changes that can be detected, being designed only to detect movements of persons; it is also scarcely flexible in consideration of the fact that it is configured only to detect variations in the positions of persons; thus it is not possible to define a strategy for analyzing changes which can enable the system to be optimized in some way.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a monitoring system for detecting changing conditions in laboratory equipment which is improved in terms of efficiency, in order to guarantee the best reaction to any change that takes place.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system for detecting changing conditions in laboratory equipment which is improved in terms of efficiency in order to guarantee the best reaction to any change that takes place in stand-alone electronic equipment.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem is solved, according to the appended claim 1 .

In accordance with a first aspect the invention relates to a monitoring system for detecting changing conditions in laboratory equipment comprising:

a remote device provided with a user interface, wherein the user interface is configured to set selectable changing conditions relevant for a first recovery (RCCR);

a local device placed in an operating environment and connected to the remote device, the local device comprising laboratory equipment provided with an interface representative of working conditions of the equipment; wherein said remote device is configured for monitoring the laboratory equipment, and comprises a processing unit comprising in turn:

a detecting module configured to take at least a first snapshot and a second snapshot of the interface at a timed interval;

a first comparing module configured to graphically compare the first snapshot with the second snapshot, the first and second snapshot following one after the other, in order to identify graphical differences; a second comparing module configured to compare the graphical differences with a predefined graphical structure, in order to detect changing conditions;

a memory module configured to include a set of predefined graphical frameworks (Sf) corresponding to predefined changing conditions;

an extracting module configured to extract the changing conditions detected by the second comparing module and compare the changing conditions with the predefined set of changing conditions stored in the memory module so as to obtain a comparison parameter representative of changed conditions being negligible or relevant;

a second processing module configured to perform a recovery action as a function of the comparison parameter representative of relevant changing conditions, wherein the relevant changing conditions are also relevant for a first recovery as a function of the selected changing conditions relevant for a first recovery.

In accordance with a second aspect, the invention relates to a monitoring method for detecting changing conditions in laboratory equipment comprising the steps of:

providing a remote device provided with a user interface;

providing a local device placed in an operating environment and connected to the remote device, the local device comprising laboratory equipment provided with an interface representative of working conditions of the interface;

setting, via the user interface, selectable changing conditions relevant for a recovery;

detecting at least a first snapshot and a second snapshot of the interface with a predefined timing;

graphically comparing the first snapshot with the second snapshot, the first and the second snapshot following one after the other, in order to identify graphical differences;

comparing the graphical differences with a predefined graphical structure, in order to identify changing conditions; determining a monitoring indication of changed conditions and sending the indication to the user interface of the remote device;

providing a memory module configured to include a set of the predefined graphical frameworks corresponding to predefined changing conditions; extracting the changing conditions detected by the second comparing module;

comparing the conditions with the set of predefined changing conditions stored in the memory module, thereby obtaining a comparison parameter representative of changed conditions being negligible or relevant;

performing a recovery action as a function of the comparison parameter representative of relevant changing conditions, wherein the relevant changing conditions are also relevant for a recovery as a function of the selected changing conditions relevant for a recovery.

The technical effect achieved by the system/method is to save memory space, computational resources and processing time; in fact, only the problems actually preset as being of interest to the operator are processed in order to be solved.

The present invention, in accordance with one or more of the aforesaid aspects, can have one or more of the preferred features described in the appended dependent claims.

The technical effects achieved by one or more of the features included in the appended dependent claims are:

an efficient processing of information; in particular, by selecting upstream the monitoring areas in relation to the interfaces that can be monitored by the system, one avoids pointless processing of non-relevant areas;

a better classification of the identifiable problems considered to need resolving;

a targeted recovery which brings about greater efficiency in solving the problems identified and considered to need resolving;

a targeted recovery which brings about greater efficiency in processing the areas identified and considered to need recoverying; elimination of false positives.

Furthermore, the solution of the invention provides the following advantages for the claimed system/method:

- shortened diagnosis times;

- ease of use;

- continuous monitoring;

- more reliable equipment;

- improved patient care and diagnostic efficiency.

The invention will be explained more in detail in the description provided below and with the help of approximate and non-limiting embodiments related to the annexed drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig.1 is an overall block diagram of the system of the invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing specific blocks of the system of Figure 1 .

Figure 3 shows an interface of the system of the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The invention concerns a monitoring system for detecting changing conditions.

Equipment whose changing conditions are taken into consideration in the present invention are generally patient monitoring devices or clinical laboratory equipment such as multiple-parameter blood chemistry analyzers, glucose analyzers, CT scanning equipment, ventilators, X-Ray equipment, breathalyzers, infusion pumps and external defibrillators.

With reference to Figure 1 , a monitoring system for detecting changing conditions comprises a remote device 10 provided with a user interface 1 1 .

Preferably, the remote device 10 comprises a notebook or a personal computer.

The monitoring system further comprises a local device 20 placed in an operating environment and connected to said remote device 10.

Preferably, the connection is a wireless connection making it possible for a supervisor/operator to detect changing conditions irrespective of his location.

For the sake of clarity the terms "local" and "remote" hereinafter will refer to the location of the equipment to be monitored by the system.

By way of example, the remote device 10 is a personal computer located in either a supervisor's or operator's location and the local device 20 is a piece of laboratory equipment 30.

An example of a commercially available remote device 10 is a KVM-over- IP (i.e. Keyboard, Video, Mouse over IP).

The laboratory equipment 30 is connected to the remote device 10 and provided with an interface 31 .

The interface 31 is representative of working conditions W of the equipment 30.

Otherwise stated, the system of the invention comprises a local device 20 placed in an operating environment and connected to the remote device 10, wherein the local device 20 comprises the laboratory equipment 30 provided with an interface 31 representative of working conditions W of the equipment 30.

The remote device 10, on the other hand, as already said, comprises the user interface 1 1 configured to enable an interfacing with the local device 20 so as to bring about initial monitoring configurations related to the laboratory equipment 30 and report results of the monitoring performed on the equipment itself.

Advantageously, according to invention, the remote device 10 is configured for monitoring the laboratory equipment 30 and comprises a processing unit 40 for this purpose.

It should be understood that in the present description and in the claims, the processing unit 40 is referred to as divided into different functional modules (working modules and memory modules) with the aim of describing the functions of the processing unit 40 itself in a clear and complete way.

In concrete terms, the processing unit 40 can comprise a single electronic device, with suitable software for the functionality described, and the different modules can be hardware implementations and/or program routines in the electronic device.

As an alternative or additionally, such functionalities can be carried out by a plurality of electronic devices among which said functional modules can be distributed.

Furthermore, the processing unit can use one or more processors to process the instructions in the modules.

It should be understood that the other modules described outside the processing unit 40 can be a hardware implementation and/or a program routine running in an electronic device.

The processing unit 40, according to invention, comprises a detecting module 41 .

The detecting module 41 is configured to take at least a first snapshot S1 and a second snapshot S2 of the interface 31 .

Preferably, snapshots are taken with a predefined timing Tp.

The processing unit 40, according to invention, further comprises a first comparing module 42.

The first comparing module 42 is configured to graphically compare the first snapshot S1 with the second snapshot S2, the first and second snapshots S1 , S2 following each other in order to identify graphical differences Sg.

For the sake of clarity, "following each other" means that the second snapshot S2 is taken after the first snapshot S1 , irrespective of the fact that other snapshots have been taken in between.

Preferably, the snapshots S1 , S2 are consecutive, namely the second is taken after the first with no other snapshots in between.

The processing unit 40, according to invention, further comprises a second comparing module 43.

The second comparing module 43 is configured to compare the graphical differences Sg with a predefined graphical framework Sf, in order to detect changing conditions CC. Specifically, the second comparing module 43 is configured to detect relevant changing conditions RCC.

For the sake of clarity, changing conditions are considered to be relevant if they represent conditions of relevance for the monitoring, e.g. fault or errors conditions that have occurred and not only non-relevant changes in the interface.

The processing unit 40 further comprises a memory module 44.

The memory module 44 is configured to include a set of predefined graphical frameworks Sf corresponding to predefined changing conditions PCC.

Otherwise stated, the memory module 44 comprises a set of possible conditions that can occur during the operation of the system.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the predefined graphical frameworks Sf are specific for every piece of equipment 30 monitored; in other words, when a piece of monitoring equipment is added to the system, the corresponding predefined graphical frameworks Sf representative of changing conditions PCC are also loaded into the memory module 44.

For this purpose, the system comprises an entry interface 1 1 1 configured to load predefined graphical frameworks Sf representative of changing conditions PCC as a function of a new piece of added equipment 30.

The technical effect achieved is the scalability of the system, which is capable of adding/removing monitoring equipment as a function of need. The processing unit 40 further comprises an extracting module 45.

The extracting module 45 is configured to extract the changing conditions

CC detected by the second comparing module 43.

Preferably, the extraction is carried out by means of OCR software or the like; in this way, a graphical comparison between snapshots is possible. The extracting module 45 is configured to compare the changing conditions CC with the set of predefined changing conditions PCC stored in said memory module 44, thereby obtaining a comparison parameter Ic. The comparison parameter Ic is representative of the changed conditions CD being negligible NCC or relevant RCC.

According to the invention, the user interface 1 1 is further configured to set selectable relevant changing conditions CC for a first recovery RCCR. In other words, via the user interface 1 1 , it is possible to select not only the changed conditions that can be monitored, but also which of them actually need to be monitored.

For example, an operator might not be interested in changes in the text shown, or in the shape of the objects displayed in the screenshots, but may rather be interested only in changes in colour (a red monitoring light representative of a device in a non-intact condition, compared to a green light representative of a device that is operating normally, i.e. is intact). Specifically, changing conditions that can be selected as relevant for a recovery RCCR, comprise one or more among:

change in form of a detected object RCCR1 ; preferably, the detected objects in this case represent messages with a graphic content of a predetermined form similar to road signs; in particular, with reference to figure 3 the system can show a hexagonal sign with the wording "STOP" to indicate a state in which a monitored device has stopped, as shown for example in area AC2 in figure 3;

· change in colour of a detected object RCCR2; preferably, the detected objects in this case are fixed forms with different colours, such as traffic lights or LEDs representative of operating states of the monitored device, in particular, a green light = normal operation, a yellow light = warning, a red light = no operation, as shown, for example in area AC1 in figure 3;

change in the text of a detected object RCCR3; preferably, the detected objects in this case are text windows in which errors decoded with OCR software are indicated, as shown for example in areas AC3 and AC4 in figure 3;

· change in the position of a detected object RCCR4; preferably, the detected objects in this case are cascading windows, so that a previous window can be immediately identified and two windows, one immediately after the other, can be compared without any other window interposed between them; in particular, a third processing module 471 is configured to keep track of the position of windows that appear in a cascade and the sequence in which they appear so as to enable identification of two immediately consecutive windows;

one or more of the previous changes that are repeated.

The processing unit 40 further comprises a first processing module 46 configured to send an alert as a function of the comparison parameter lc. If the changed conditions CD are negligible NCC, the first processing module 46 will send an alert AL, preferably to the interface 1 1 .

It should be understood that such an alert can be sent to other destinations depending on the setting of the system.

The processing unit 40 further comprises a second processing module 47. The second processing module 47 is configured to perform a recovery action RA as a function of the comparison parameter lc representative of relevant changing conditions RCC.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the second processing module 47 is also configured to perform a recovery action RA as a function of the fact that the relevant changing conditions RCC are also relevant for a first recovery RCCR.

In other words, the second processing module 47 is configured to perform a recovery action RA as a function of the comparison parameter lc representative of relevant changing conditions RCC, wherein the relevant changing conditions RCC are also relevant for a first recovery RCCR as a function of the selected changing conditions relevant for a first recovery

RCCR.

The technical effect achieved is to save memory space, computational resources and processing time; in fact, only the problems actually preset as being of interest to the operator are processed in order to be solved. The system has advantageous application for both remote and local monitoring.

In other words, the system can be used to monitor hospital equipment remotely, for example from an operator's home, in particular during the night.

As an alternative or additionally, the system can be used to monitor hospital equipment from inside the hospital itself, in particular during the day; operators can be stationed in a dedicated area in which the interfaces of the monitored equipment are monitored so as to intervene in the event of a fault and restore optimal working conditions; a recovery can be performed directly by the system, or an intervention on the system can be requested via the operator from the dedicated monitoring area, or it may require the operator to go to the site of the equipment in order to manually resolve the error indicated.

In each of these cases, ranging from an automatic recovery to a manual recovery, a minimal amount of personnel is required and no great professional competence is necessary; the recovery operation, in fact, is either automatic or is among the ones defined beforehand according to the nature of the monitored equipment.

With specific reference to figure 3, advantageously, according to the invention, the user interface 1 1 is further configured to set areas of change AC, in particular AC1 , AC2 and AC3 and AC4.

The user interface 1 1 is configured to set areas of change AC that are selectable from the interface 31 representative of working conditions W of said equipment 30, wherein the areas of change are relevant for a second recovery RCCA.

The technical effect achieved is an efficient processing of information; in particular, by selecting upstream the monitoring areas in relation to the interfaces 31 that can be monitored by the system, one avoids pointless processing of non-relevant areas.

Preferably, the user interface 1 1 is configured to set the selectable areas of change AC as a function of predefined presentation screens SP of the interface 31 .

In other words, each piece of monitoring equipment 30 is characterized by a specific interface 31 with one or more predefined presentation screens SP in which the working conditions of the equipment 30 are presented to the operator, and the operator selects the areas AC of interest for monitoring via the user interface 1 1 .

Advantageously, according to the invention, the second processing module 47 is configured to perform a recovery action RA as a function of the comparison parameter Ic, wherein the relevant changing conditions RCC are also relevant for the second recovery RCCA.

In other words, the second processing module 47 is configured to perform a recovery action RA as a function of the comparison parameter Ic representative of relevant changing conditions RCC, wherein the relevant changing conditions RCC are also relevant for the second recovery RCCA, as a function of the areas of change AC selected as relevant for the second recovery RCCA.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the user interface 1 1 is configured to set a first priority indicator P1 for the changing conditions selectable as relevant for the first recovery RCCR.

The technical effect achieved is a better classification of the identifiable problems considered to need resolving.

For example, with reference to figure 3:

· in area AC1 , for example, the colour red (RCCR2) is detected and an analyzer shutdown event is generated;

in area AC2, the STOP (RCCR1 ) image is recognized and a

"reagent missing" event is generated;

in area AC3, the word "Error" (RCCR3) appears and an exception is generated.

In this case, the condition RCCR2 will be assigned the highest priority P1 because it is tied to a shutdown event, followed by condition RCCR1 and condition RCCR3.

The second processing module 47 is therefore configured to perform a recovery action RA as a function of the first priority indicator P1 , in particular as a function of the value of the first priority indicator P1 that is highest. The technical effect achieved is a targeted recovery which brings about greater efficiency in solving the problems identified and considered to need resolving.

For example, a detected fault such as "device off" needs to be resolved before a detected fault such as "error indication".

Advantageously, according to the invention, the user interface 1 1 is configured to set a second priority indicator P2 for the areas of change AC selectable as relevant for the second recovery RCCA.

The technical effect achieved is a better classification of the identifiable areas considered to need recovering.

For example, with reference to figure 3,

the area AC1 will be analyzed with a colour recognition algorithm; the area AC2 will be analyzed with an image comparison algorithm, for which it will be necessary to save image templates at the configuration stage;

the areas AC3 and AC4 will be analyzed with a text recognition algorithm, in particular OCR;

In this case, if it is predefined, in reference to the monitoring equipment 30, that the area AC1 may contain data representative of more serious fault conditions, the area AC1 will be assigned the second priority indicator P2 of a higher value for the recovery.

The second to processing module 47 is therefore configured to perform a recovery action RA as a function of the second priority indicator P2, in particular as a function of the value of the second priority indicator P2 that is highest.

The technical effect achieved is a targeted recovery which brings about greater efficiency in processing the areas identified and considered to need recovering.

For example, a fault detected in an area where it is established beforehand that only warnings will be entered must be resolved with a lower priority than a fault related to an area where it established that the integrity of the device will be indicated. Furthermore, the priorities P1 concerning the changing conditions selectable as relevant for the first recovery RCCR and the priorities P2 concerning the areas of change AC selectable as relevant for the second recovery RCCA, can also be considered in combination.

In other words, the second processing module 47 is configured to:

- select the area of change AC most relevant for the second recovery RCCA as a function of the second priority indicator P2,

- perform a recovery action RA as a function of the first priority indicator P1 , that is, on the selectable changing condition considered most relevant for the first recovery RCCR, only in the area AC identified as a function of the second priority indicator P2.

Summing up, if the changed conditions CD are relevant RCCR or RCCA, the second processing module 47 will perform the recovery action RA and send the result to a monitoring module 50.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the monitoring module 50 is configured to determine an indication Mi of the changed conditions CD. Otherwise stated, the monitoring module 50 is an exception handler.

Specifically, the monitoring module 50 is configured to monitor the effect of the execution of the second processing module (47) thereby obtaining said monitoring indication (Mi) representative of the monitoring.

In other words, the monitoring indication Mi gives indications of the relevant changing conditions RCC, which are relevant as a function of the selected changing conditions relevant for a first recovery RCCR, or relevant as a function of the selected areas of change AC relevant for the second recovery RCCA.

Specifically, the monitoring module 50 is configured to send the monitoring indication Mi to the user interface 1 1 .

Otherwise stated, the monitoring module 50 is configured to send the monitoring indication Mi to the user interface 1 1 , thereby determining an indication of the changed conditions CD that may or not have been recovery.

It should be understood that such an indication Mi could also be sent to other destinations depending on the system settings.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the user interface 1 1 is configured to set a value V of a counter C representative of a number of times in which the selectable changing conditions, relevant for a recovery RCCR, must be detected before an alert AL2 is sent to the remote device 10.

The technical effect achieved is to avoid false positives.

In some cases, in fact, only a condition verified for a predefined number C of times will be considered credible, whereas if it is verified for a number of times less than C, it will not yet be indicative of a real problem in a device. For example, a problem in an instrument's calibration can be identified if a value of a medical parameter (for example 02) is above a predefined threshold C times, whilst it may be normal for that value to exceed the same predefined threshold for a number of times less than C.

In this case, the first processing module 46 is configured to send an alert AL2 to either or both the monitoring module 50 and the second processing module 47 as a function of the counter C.

In particular, if C>= V, the first processing module 46 will send the alert AL2.

The present invention also discloses a method for monitoring a system. The above-mentioned system according to the invention is implemented by the following method.

The method for monitoring a system, according to the invention comprises the step of providing:

· a remote device (10), preferably a notebook or a personal computer, provided with a user interface 1 1 ;

a local device (20), preferably an instrument belonging to laboratory equipment 30 placed in an operating environment and connected to the remote device 10, wherein the laboratory equipment 30 is provided with an interface 31 representative of working conditions W of the equipment 30.

The method further comprises step of setting, via the user interface 1 1 , changing conditions CC selectable as relevant for a recovery RCCR; The method further comprises the step of detecting at least a first snapshot S1 and a second snapshot S2 of the interface 31 with a predefined timing Tp.

This ensures a record of the changes occurring in the graphical layout of the interface 31 .

The method further comprises the step of graphically comparing the first snapshot S1 with the second snapshot S2, the first and second snapshots S1 , S2 following one after the other, being preferably consecutive, in order to identify graphical differences Sg.

The method according to the invention also envisages the step of comparing the graphical differences Sg with a predefined graphical framework Sf, in order to detect changing conditions CC, specifically, relevant changing conditions RCC.

As a further step, the method envisages determining a monitoring indication Mi of changed conditions CD and sending the indication Mi to the user interface 1 1 .

The method also envisages a memory module 44 configured to include a set of predefined graphical frameworks Sf corresponding to predefined changing conditions PCC.

A further step of extracting the changing conditions CC detected by the second comparing module 43 is envisaged.

According to the invention the method envisages comparing the changing conditions CC with the set of predefined changing conditions PCC stored in the memory module 44.

In this way, a comparison parameter Ic representative of the changed conditions CC is obtained.

In a further step it is determined whether such changed conditions are negligible NCC or relevant RCC.

The method further envisages carrying out a recovery action RA as a function of the comparison parameter Ic representative of relevant changing conditions RCC, wherein the relevant changing conditions RCC are also relevant for a recovery RCCR as a function of the selected changing conditions relevant for a recovery RCCR.

The method further envisages setting selectable areas of change AC on the interface 31 , representative of working conditions W of the equipment 30, wherein the areas of change are relevant for a second recovery RCCA.

Furthermore, the method envisages performing a recovery action RA as a function of the comparison parameter Ic representative of relevant changing conditions RCC, wherein the relevant changing conditions RCC are also relevant for the second recovery RCCA, as a function of the selected areas of change AC relevant for the second recovery RCCA

The method further envisages one or more steps equivalent to the functionalities of the operating modules/devices described in reference to the above-described system of the present invention.

The steps of the method according to the invention, are carried out by the previously described system.

Preferably, the method is a computer-implemented method configured to carry out at least the described steps.

The invention further comprises a computer program that, when running on such a computer, performs one or more of the steps of the above- described method.

Claims

1 . Monitoring system for detecting changing conditions (CC) in laboratory equipment (30)

comprising:

· a remote device (10) provided with a user interface (1 1 ) wherein the user interface (1 1 ) is configured to set selectable changing conditions (CC) relevant for a first recovery (RCCR).

• a local device (20) placed in an operating environment and connected to said remote device (10), the local device (20) comprising laboratory equipment (30) provided with an interface

(31 ) representative of working conditions (W) of the equipment (30) wherein said remote device (10) is configured for monitoring said laboratory equipment (30), and comprises a processing unit (40) further comprising:

o a detecting module (41 ) configured to take at least a first snapshot (S1 ) and a second snapshot (S2) of said interface (31 ) with a predefined timing (Tp);

o a first comparing module (42) configured to graphically compare the first snapshot (S1 ) with the second snapshot (S2), the first and second snapshots (S1 , S2) following one after the other in order to identify graphical differences (Sg); o a second comparing module (43) configured to compare said graphical differences (Sg) with a predefined graphical framework (Sf), in order to detect changing conditions (CC); o a memory module (44) configured to include a set of said predefined graphical frameworks (Sf) corresponding to predefined changing conditions (PCC);

o an extracting module (45) configured to

^■ extract said changing conditions (CC) detected by said second comparing module (43); ^■ compare said changing conditions (CC) with said set of predefined changing conditions (PCC) stored in said memory module (44), thereby obtaining a comparison parameter (Ic) representative of the changed conditions (CD) being negligible (NCC) or relevant (RCC).

a second processing module (47) configured to perform a recovery action (RA) as a function of said comparison parameter (Ic) representative of relevant changed conditions (RCC) wherein said relevant changing conditions (RCC) are also relevant for a first recovery (RCCR) as a function of said selected changing conditions relevant for a first recovery (RCCR).

2. Monitoring system according to claim 1 wherein said user interface (1 1 ) is configured to set selectable areas of change (AC), on said interface (31 ) representative of working conditions (W) of said equipment (30), wherein said areas of change are relevant for said second recovery (RCCA).

3. Monitoring system according to claim 2 wherein said user interface (1 1 ) configured to set selectable areas of change (AC), is configured to select said areas of change (AC) as a function of predefined presentation screens (SP) of said interface (31 ) representative of working conditions (W) of said equipment (30).

4. Monitoring system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said second processing module (47) is configured to perform a recovery action (RA) as a function of said comparison parameter (Ic) representative of relevant changing conditions (RCC), wherein said relevant changing conditions (RCC) are also relevant for said second recovery (RCCA), as a function of said selected areas of change (AC) relevant for said second recovery (RCCA).

5. Monitoring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said user interface (1 1 ) is configured to set a first priority indicator (P1 ) for said selectable changing conditions relevant for said first recovery (RCCR).

6. Monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein said second processing module (47) is configured to perform a recovery action (RA) as a function of said first priority indicator (P1 ).

7. Monitoring system according any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said user interface (1 1 ) is configured to set a second priority indicator (P2) for said selectable areas of change (AC) relevant for said second recovery (RCCA).

8. Monitoring system according to claim 7, wherein said second processing module (47) is configured for performing a recovery action (RA) as a function of said second priority indicator (P2).

9. Monitoring system according to claims 5 and 7, wherein said second processing module 47 is configured to:

• select said area of change (AC) most relevant for said second recovery (RCCA) as a function of said second priority indicator (P2); · perform a recovery action (RA) as a function of said first priority indicator (P1 ) in said area (AC) identified as a function of said second priority indicator (P2).

10. Monitoring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said user interface (1 1 ) is configured to set a value (V) of a counter (C) representative of a number of times in which said selectable changing conditions relevant for a recovery (RCCR) must be detected before an alert (AL2) is sent to said remote device (10).

1 1 . Monitoring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said selectable changing conditions relevant for a recovery

(RCCR), comprise one or more among:

• a change in the form of a detected object (RCCR1 );

• a change in the colour of a detected object (RCCR2);

• a change in the text of a detected object (RCCR3);

· a change in the position of a detected object (RCCR4);

• one or more of the preceding changes repeated.

12. Monitoring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said processing module (40) comprises a monitoring module (50) configured to:

^■ monitor the effect of said execution performed by said second processing module (47) thereby obtaining said monitoring indication (Mi) of changed conditions (CD) representative of the monitoring.

■ send said monitoring indication (Mi) to said remote device (10), thereby determining an indication of the changed conditions (CD) recovered or not.

13. Monitoring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said processing unit (40) further comprises a first processing module (46) configured to send said monitoring module (50) and/or said second processing module (47):

• a notification (AL) as a function of said comparison parameter (lc);

• and/or an alert (AL2) as a function of said counter (C).

14. Monitoring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said remote device (10) comprises a notebook or personal computer.

15. Monitoring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said remote device (10) comprises a KVM-Over-IP device.

16. Monitoring method for detecting changing conditions (CC) in laboratory equipment (30) of the monitoring system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

• providing:

o a remote device (10) provided with a user interface (1 1 ); o a local device (20) placed in an operating environment and connected to said remote device (10), the local device (20) comprising laboratory equipment (30) provided with an interface (31 ) representative of working conditions (W) of the equipment (30);

• setting, via said user interface (1 1 ), selectable changing conditions (CC) relevant for a recovery (RCCR);

· detecting at least a first snapshot (S1 ) and a second snapshot (S2) of said interface (31 ) with a predefined timing (Tp);

• graphically comparing the first snapshot (S1 ) with the second snapshot (S2), the first and second snapshots (S1 , S2) following one after the other, in order to identify graphical differences (Sg); · comparing said graphical differences (Sg) with a predefined graphical framework (Sf), in order to detect changing conditions (CC);

• determining a monitoring indication (Mi) of changed conditions (CD) and sending said indication (Mi) to said user interface (1 1 ) of said remote device (10); • providing a memory module (44) configured to include a set of said predefined graphical frameworks (Sf) corresponding to predefined changing conditions (PCC);

• extracting said changing conditions (CC) detected by said second comparing module (43);

• comparing said changing conditions (CC) with said set of predefined changing conditions (PCC) stored in said memory module (44), thereby obtaining a comparison parameter (lc) representative of the changed conditions (CC) being negligible (NCC) or relevant (RCC).

• performing a recovery action (RA) as a function of said comparison parameter (lc) representative of relevant changing conditions (RCC), wherein said relevant changing conditions (RCC) are also relevant for a recovery (RCCR) as a function of said selected changing conditions relevant for a recovery (RCCR).

17. Method according to claim 16 comprising the step of:

• setting selectable areas of change (AC) on said interface (31 ) representative of working conditions (W) of said equipment (30), wherein said areas of change are relevant for said second recovery

(RCCA).

18. Method according to claim 17 comprising the step of:

• performing a recovery action (RA) as a function of said comparison parameter (lc) representative of relevant changing conditions

(RCC), wherein said relevant changing conditions (RCC) are also relevant for said second recovery (RCCA), as a function of as a function of said selected areas of change (AC) relevant for said second recovery (RCCA).

19. Computer-implemented method configured to carry out the steps of any one of claims 16 to 18.

20. Computer program that, when running on the computer according to claim 19, performs one or more of steps of the method according to any one of claims 16 to 18.