EP1212683A1 - Systeme d'enregistrement chronologique de donnees environnementales - Google Patents

Systeme d'enregistrement chronologique de donnees environnementales

Info

Publication number
EP1212683A1
EP1212683A1 EP99918922A EP99918922A EP1212683A1 EP 1212683 A1 EP1212683 A1 EP 1212683A1 EP 99918922 A EP99918922 A EP 99918922A EP 99918922 A EP99918922 A EP 99918922A EP 1212683 A1 EP1212683 A1 EP 1212683A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
data
erasable memory
microprocessing unit
data acquisition
signal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99918922A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1212683A4 (fr
Inventor
Richard L. Foreman
Frederick L. Wu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Deltatrak Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1212683A1 publication Critical patent/EP1212683A1/fr
Publication of EP1212683A4 publication Critical patent/EP1212683A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D9/00—Recording measured values
    • G01D9/005—Solid-state data loggers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K1/00—Details of thermometers not specially adapted for particular types of thermometer
    • G01K1/02—Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
    • G01K1/024—Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers for remote indication

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a novel and useful data collection system.
  • a data logger normally works in conjunction with a programmer/down-loader personal computer, or a data collection instrument of some nature.
  • the prior art systems use a conventional RS-232 serial data communication system which is a restrictive format.
  • a data logger operating under the RS-232 serial format utilizes two lines, transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) .
  • Tx transmit
  • Rx receive
  • Tx and Rx transmit lines
  • data transmitted over the Tx and Rx lines utilize a fixed time interval for the rate of transmission, measured in bits per second.
  • the standard rates under the RS-232 system begin at a standard of 2,400 bits per second and double for increasing data rates.
  • typical rate steps are 2,400, 4,800, and 9,600 bits per second.
  • logger products tend to use a maximum of 9,600 bits per second.
  • 18 bit data word per millisecond or 1,000 data bytes per second would constitute the maximum rate of transmission under the RS-232 operation for a data logger.
  • a deviation from the standard rate step is not acceptable.
  • a logger microprocessor utilizing the RS-232 data logging standard must include software procedures in a program memory (ROM) to handle the Tx and Rx lines.
  • the logger microprocessor must generate the time critical intervals of the data rate.
  • the received instructions or data from the host PC must be processed by the logger and stored in non-volatile memory devices, such as EEPROMS, to configure the operation of the data logger.
  • the data logger microprocessor suspends all other operations when communicating with a PC.
  • common terminal routines for the host PC exist to transmit and receive data from the RS-232 logger device. It should be noted that loggers of this type are supplied with the software programmed specifically to simplify data viewing and provide graphing functions by the manufacturers of such loggers.
  • the RS-232 serial data communication system works satisfactorily in certain cases, there are certain deficiencies which limit its specific application to data logger devices.
  • the transfer of data is at a relatively low speed compared to the ability of a PC, which is capable of transferring data at 10 to 40 times the rate of an RS-232 device.
  • the logger unit must supply the power for transfer of data, which tends to limit battery life in self contained logging units.
  • the cost of the hardware necessary to generate an RS-232 format is relatively high.
  • data is not necessarily secure in an RS-232 system, since it is readily accessible unless safeguards are programmed into the software.
  • United States Patent 4,689,740 describes a computer system which utilizes a clock bus wire and a data bus wire to transmit data.
  • the object of the subject patent is to enable a single two wire line to be used for the interconnection of multiple stations.
  • the system of the present invention utilizes a data acquisition sensor which is able to detect values of temperature, pressure, humidity, or the like. Once an environmental value is determined, the sensor generates a signal representing the value. The signal is sent to a microprocessing unit which, among other things, receives the signal.
  • the microprocessing unit is also capable of generating data memory read and write functions. Also, the microprocessing unit calibrates the sensor for use.
  • Erasable memory means is also used in the present invention.
  • the microprocessing unit sends the value signal to the erasable memory means for storage and retrieval.
  • Such erasable memory unit may take the form of a EEPROM and the like.
  • the erasable memory means may have separate areas that are segregated by functions.
  • the EEPROM may perform configuration of the data logger sensor, look-up table items, and store data from the sensor which is retrievable.
  • the EEPROM works hand-in-hand with a data collection computer which may be a personal computer (PC) or other data collection device.
  • the computer receives the value signal directly from the erasable memory, through a parallel port, without using the RS-232 format and the intervention of the microprocessing unit.
  • Means is provided for shielding access to the erasable memory means by the microprocessing unit while such data collection computer receives the value signal from the erasable memory means.
  • such connection of the personal computer easily calculates and loads a look-up table located in the EEPROM while the sensor is operating and creating data to be loaded into the EEPROM. Modified tables generated by the data entering the EEPROM acquire by the personal computer, of course, are capable of being displayed.
  • the PC table which has been calculated, is also found in the proper format (hexadecimal) , such that the table may be used directly from the EEPROM without translation of the same through a serial RS-232.
  • the computing power of the PC extends the minimal capability of the microprocessing unit in the area of memory retention and computation.
  • downloading of logged data from the EEPROM to the PC presents at least a 20 percent additional memory space in the EEPROM due to the need not to transmit data from the EEPROM to the PC under the rigid protocol of the RS-232 system.
  • Such shielding means may take the form of a busy line logic which may be programmed into the microprocessing unit.
  • the system of the present invention also includes means for isolating the EEPROM from an exposed connector or shorted connector.
  • Such electronic "O" ring protects the EEPROM in certain environmental conditions such as immersion in salt water.
  • the system of the present invention also comprises switch means for activating the data acquisition sensor and microprocessing unit at selected time intervals independent of manual operation.
  • the data logger of the present invention is capable of logging data, should the data logging unit be not activated by the operator.
  • This "shadow" logging feature assures the acquisition of data by the data logger system of the present invention if the data logger is employed in a transport vehicle, despite non-activation.
  • Such a feature is easily included in the present invention by programming the same into the software of the microprocessing unit.
  • the system of the present invention includes means for shielding access to the erasable memory means by the microprocessing unit in order to allow the personal computer to communicate directly with the erasable memory means, timing is extremely important.
  • the "busy" line to achieve this end has less priority in a logger of the present invention than taking measurements and storing data.
  • the minimum time required for the PC to wait before sending data or receiving data from the EEPROM is programmed into the PC by software configuration. The result is that the PC will know exactly at what time to access the EEPROM. Accessing too soon would crash the sensor logger, while waiting too long would result in a very inefficient logging mechanism.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provided an environmental logging system which requires a smaller memory capacity than prior systems using the RS-232 protocol .
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a data logging system which permits the high speed data transfer between the erasable memory means and the personal computer associated with the data logging system for collecting and processing data.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an environmental data logging system in which information may be retrieved from the memory portion of the of the data logging system although the source of power or microcontroller unit is defective.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide an environmental data logging system in which formatting between the personal computer and the erasable memory means is easily achieved.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an environmental data logging system which eliminates decoding and transmitting in the rigid RS-232 protocol when downloading log data from the erasable memory means to the data collection computer unit.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide and environmental data logging system which exhibits high security against tampering.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide and environmental data logging system which is capable of isolating the memory unit from the exposed connector to permit shorted connector operation in extreme conditions.
  • a further object of he present invention is to provide an environmental data logging system in which logging takes place although manual activation of the data logger has been omitted by error.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a data logging system in which the personal computer is capable of communicating directly with the erasable memory means and possesses an exact time for initiation of such communication resulting in a highly efficient data logging system.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic presentation of the RS-232 connection between a data logger and a personal computer serial port.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the direct access memory connection of the present invention between a personal computer and a data logger.
  • Fig. 3 is a prior art functional schematic presenting software methods in the prior art RS-232 connection protocol.
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram representing the direct access memory connection software functions of the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a electrical schematic of the memory interface circuit between a personal computer parallel port, the erasable memory means, and microprocessor of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a block diagram representing the "shadow" logging function preformed in the software of the present invention.
  • Fig. 7 is a graph representing temperature measured by data logger in the working example of the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a graph representing the temperature measured by the data logger in the working example of the present invention.
  • the invention as a whole is shown in the drawings by reference character 10.
  • the data logger 10 is employed to record environmental parameters such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and the like.
  • sensor 12 takes the form of a thermistor which measures temperature and translates the same into a signal that is sent back to a microprocessing unit 14 microprocessing unit 14 may take the form of a OKI semi conductor microprocessor.
  • a conventional data logger 16 is depicted in which the microprocessing unit 14 is connected to an erasable memory unit 18 by the data (Sda) and Clock (Clk) lines.
  • Data from the microprocessing unit received from the thermistor 12 is transferred over two lines, the transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) lines 20 and 22.
  • a ground line 24 (Grd) is also employed in the prior art system.
  • Host PC 26 includes a serial port 28 to accept the Tx, Rx, and GRD lines. Any received instructions or data from the host PC is stored in the EEPROM 18 which configures the operation of loggers 16 to the RS-232 protocol.
  • the microprocessing unit 14 must cease all other operations, at this time, when communicating with PC 26 and require specific software to configure all data passing through Tx and Rx lines according to the RS-232 format. It has been found that this an extremely restrictive system since data rates are severely limited, higher power is required, and additional software is needed to achieve such transfer of information.
  • the data logger 10 of the present invention employs a microcontroller or microprocessing unit 30 as well as an EEPROM 32.
  • EEPROM 32 may be of the type similar to the 24LC65 manufactured by Microchip Technology, Inc.
  • temperature measurements acquired by thermistor 12 are transmitted to microcontroller unit 14. From there, the data is passed to EEPROM 32.
  • the logger reads and writes to non-volatile EEPROM 30 during normal operation.
  • Microprocessor however, must always read a "busy" line (Bsy) before entering the EEPROM.
  • the busy line logic incorporated in the present invention tells the logger microprocessor whether to continue such reading and writing functions or the enter a hold loop.
  • Figs. 3 and 4 a comparison of the functions performed by the prior art RS-232 connection and the functions determined by the software of the present invention, Appendix I, is shown.
  • the memory "busy” feature permits the PC 34 of the present invention to read and write directly to the memory unit, since the MCU must always pass through the memory "busy” step. Under such shielding means 35, if the memory "busy” is positive, the MCU goes into a hold loop. On the other hand, if the memory "busy " is not positive, the MCU may read and write the memory of the EEPROM in the normal manner.
  • Fig. 5 the logger 10 of the present invention interface 36 between computer 34 and the EEPROM 32 and MCU 30 is depicted.
  • the data logger 10 operates on a 3 volt battery depicted by 3V line 38. All logic levels of the interface must conform to this voltage level.
  • the parallel port logic levels of computers, such as PC 34 vary depending on types of computer designs, and physical design of the port, such as serial port 28 of PC 34 of the present invention. In certain cases, logic high voltages may range from 4.25 to 4.95 volts.
  • Transistors Ql, Q2 , and Q3 translate the levels which may be found in PC 34 by the use of pull-up resistors R4 , R5 , and R6.
  • Transistor Ql provides the memory clock signal.
  • Q2 provides the data write signal while Q3 provides the data read signals.
  • Blocking diodes Dl and D2 provide the "busy" request signal to the MCU 30.
  • MCU 30 responds by finishing any pending memory operations and then suspends further execution until the "busy" request line returns to a logic low. During such pause, the Sda and Clk lines to MCU 30 will be at high impedance Thus, PC 34 now controls the memory of EEPROM 32.
  • the network formed by D3 and R6 provides replacement current to the 3 volt battery to compensate for additional drain from the battery caused by the communication link.
  • Resistors Rl, R2, and R3 are pull-down or ground reference resistors, and provide the electronic "O" ring function to protect EEPROM 32. Such resistors also provide an open drain condition of memory connections releasing the memory to the full control of the MCU. It should be noted that Ql, Q2 , and Q3 are N-channel enhancement mode MOSFETS. Diodes Dl, D2, and D3 are ln4148 small signal diodes. Resistors are 1-R7 are standard low precision units.
  • Taiwan Taiwan
  • a further enhancement of the present invention includes the provision of "shadow” logging of data.
  • Such "shadow logging” function is also derived from Appendix I, the object code software loaded into the EEPROM.
  • an operator may forget to activate data logger 10 when data logger 10 is used to acquire values, such as temperature measurements, in a transportation vehicle.
  • the "shadow logging" function will automatically take measurements according to the functional diagram shown in Fig. 6. It should be noted that the time interval for such "shadow logging" may be preprogrammed or altered through the use of PC 34.
  • a data logger similar to the TQM-500 instrument manufactured and sold by DeltaTrak, Inc. of Pleasanton, California, was employed with the data logging system 10 of the present invention heretofore described.
  • Thermistor 12 was employed and an alarm temperature of 15 degrees centigrade was set. Sampling took place at one minute intervals for a total time of 5 minutes. A delay time for the alarm was set and the representation of the temperatures measured in Fig. 7 failed to trigger the alarm. However, when the delay was reset to a shorter time period the temperature measurements found in Fig. 8 and a maximum temperature of 13 degrees centigrade activate the alarm as required.
  • Data transmission occurred between a PC and an EEPROM according to the system 10 of Fig. 2.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)

Abstract

la présente invention concerne un système qui utilise un capteur d'acquisition de données, permettant d'obtenir des données environnementales telles que la température, la pression, l'hygrométrie et d'autres éléments de cette nature. En ce qui concerne l'obtention des données de température, le capteur peut prendre la forme d'un thermistor (12) qui mesure une valeur de température particulière et génère un signal représentatif de celle-ci. Un microprocesseur (30) reçoit le signal en provenance du dispositif d'acquisition de données et envoie celui-ci à une mémoire effaçable (32). Un ordinateur de collecte de données reçoit directement de la mémoire effaçable le signal de valeur, étant donné que l'accès de la mémoire effaçable par le microprocesseur est protégé (35). L'ordinateur de collecte de données (34) peut communiquer directement avec la mémoire effaçable sans qu'il soit nécessaire de générer un protocole RS-232 comme c'était le cas jusqu'à présent.
EP99918922A 1999-04-28 1999-04-28 Systeme d'enregistrement chronologique de donnees environnementales Withdrawn EP1212683A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1999/009432 WO2000065450A1 (fr) 1999-04-28 1999-04-28 Systeme d'enregistrement chronologique de donnees environnementales

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1212683A1 true EP1212683A1 (fr) 2002-06-12
EP1212683A4 EP1212683A4 (fr) 2010-02-24

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99918922A Withdrawn EP1212683A4 (fr) 1999-04-28 1999-04-28 Systeme d'enregistrement chronologique de donnees environnementales

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1212683A4 (fr)
AU (1) AU3672599A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000065450A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2332967B1 (es) * 2007-08-21 2010-09-27 Universidade Da Coruña Modulo de adquisicion de datos de bajo consumo polivalente.

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5412221A (en) * 1994-04-26 1995-05-02 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Particle fallout/activity sensor
WO1997049894A1 (fr) * 1996-06-24 1997-12-31 Baker Hughes Incorporated Methode et appareil pour l'essai, la completion et l'entretien de puits de forage, au moyen d'un dispositif de detection

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4212057A (en) * 1976-04-22 1980-07-08 General Electric Company Shared memory multi-microprocessor computer system
US4689740A (en) * 1980-10-31 1987-08-25 U.S. Philips Corporation Two-wire bus-system comprising a clock wire and a data wire for interconnecting a number of stations
US4884223A (en) * 1985-07-05 1989-11-28 Hybond, Inc. Dynamic force measurement system
US4747060A (en) * 1986-03-31 1988-05-24 Halliburton Company Data acquisition module and method
US5553267A (en) * 1992-07-01 1996-09-03 Digital Equipment Corporation Method and apparatus for coordinating access to and modifying multiple element data objects in a shared memory
US5896292A (en) * 1995-06-05 1999-04-20 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Automated system for production facility
US5860126A (en) * 1996-12-17 1999-01-12 Intel Corporation Controlling shared memory access ordering in a multi-processing system using an acquire/release consistency model

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5412221A (en) * 1994-04-26 1995-05-02 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Particle fallout/activity sensor
WO1997049894A1 (fr) * 1996-06-24 1997-12-31 Baker Hughes Incorporated Methode et appareil pour l'essai, la completion et l'entretien de puits de forage, au moyen d'un dispositif de detection

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO0065450A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2000065450A1 (fr) 2000-11-02
EP1212683A4 (fr) 2010-02-24
AU3672599A (en) 2000-11-10

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