EP1634038A1

EP1634038A1 - Device for acquiring and monitoring the development of a product-related variable, and product monitoring system comprising such a device

Info

Publication number: EP1634038A1
Application number: EP04767357A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Kovacik; Marc Battyani
Original assignee: KBS
Current assignee: KBS
Priority date: 2003-06-16
Filing date: 2004-06-16
Publication date: 2006-03-15
Also published as: CA2528021A1; FR2856165B1; FR2856165A1; WO2004113846A1; US20070008166A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for acquiring and monitoring over time the development of at least one product-related variable. Said device comprises a support (34) that is associated with the product and supports a set of at least one sensor (26) for measuring said variable and means (30, 32, 34) for processing the data output by the sensor so as to monitor the development of said variable relative to threshold values. Said processing means are provided with a file system (30) in which the data output by the sensor is stored and a management algorithm (32) that organizes storing of the data in the file system and manages retrieval of said data. The file system and the management algorithm are mounted within the support.

Description

Device for acquiring and monitoring the development of a quantity linked to a product and product monitoring system incorporating such a device

The present invention relates, in general, to the acquisition and monitoring of quantities linked to a product. More particularly, the invention relates to monitoring the evolution over time of at least one quantity linked to a product in order to control its state or integrity. The invention applies in particular to the prevention of the degradation of a perishable product or to the prevention of its contamination. Thus, a particularly advantageous application of the invention relates to the control of the temperature of a blood bag between a sampling phase and a transfusion phase. It is understood, however, that the invention also applies to any type of perishable products or foodstuffs, such as foodstuffs or medicines for which the conditions of transport must be precisely controlled in order to avoid any risk of deterioration.

Conventionally, the control of the transport of a perishable product is carried out, for example, by using temperature sensors which change color irreversibly if the temperature of the product has exceeded a threshold value corresponding to a value. maximum allowed for the product.

It has also been proposed to use measurement sensors associated with storage means in which the data from the sensors are loaded. Calculation means, duly programmed, process the data from the sensors to generate an alert signal if the threshold value is exceeded, even momentarily. This type of device ensures relatively effective traceability of a product insofar as it makes it possible to effectively control any overshoot of a monitored quantity. However, it has a major drawback in that the amount of data stored is directly linked to the memory capacity so that it is not possible to monitor a product for relatively long periods or simultaneously monitor several quantities without prohibitively increasing the memory capacity and therefore the size of said device.

The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art. It therefore relates to a device for acquiring and monitoring the development over time of at least one quantity linked to a product, comprising a support intended to be associated with the product and carrying a set of at least one sensor. for measuring said quantity and for processing data from the sensor to monitor the evolution of said quantity with respect to threshold values.

According to a general characteristic of the device according to the invention, the processing means comprise a file system in which the data from the sensor are stored and a managerial algorithm capable of organizing the storage of the data in the file system and of managing the restitution of said data, the file system and the manager algorithm being embedded in the medium.

Thanks to the use of an on-board manager algorithm, it is possible to organize the storage of the stored data and thus increase the volume of information stored without providing a specific format for the stored data, the storage then taking place. analogously to storing data in a computer hard drive. According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, it further comprises a universal internal clock, the means processing unit monitoring the evolution over time of said quantity as a function of hourly data supplied by the clock.

Advantageously, the processing means also comprise means for developing product monitoring phases, each corresponding to a product state, by assigning threshold and duration values specific to each phase.

Preferably, the device is provided with a display member capable of indicating that the threshold value or values have been exceeded. This display unit can be a flashing indicator, the color of which indicates an acceptance criterion for a signaled overshoot. For example, the flashing indicator includes a light emitting diode.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises an autonomous power supply battery. Advantageously, voltage raising means are used for supplying the light-emitting diode from the supply battery.

In addition, the device includes means for transferring the stored data to a product remote monitoring system, in response to a request for transfer of said data sent by said system.

Advantageously, the transfer means are wireless data transfer means.

In a particular embodiment, the support also comprises means for coding information by bar code.

According to the invention, there is also proposed a system for monitoring products by monitoring the development over time of at least one quantity linked to the product, comprising a set of sensors for measuring said quantity and a remote monitoring center for consultation of data from sensors.

The sensors are constituted by devices as defined above. According to a characteristic of this system, the central monitoring station is connected to a computer network, in particular the Internet network.

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-imitative example, and made with reference to the appended figures in which:

- Figure 1 is a general schematic view of a product monitoring system according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a measurement sensor of the system of Figure 1; e

- Figures 3 and 4 are curves illustrating an example of temperature and humidity threshold values stored in the system according to the invention; - Figure 5 illustrates the evolution over time of the temperature and humidity level recorded using the system according to the invention; and

- Figure 6 is a curve illustrating the evolution over time of the temperature of a blood bag between its collection and its transfusion.

In Figure 1, there is shown the general architecture of a product monitoring system according to the invention. This system is intended to implement product traceability, that is to say to track products at the different stages of their production, processing, marketing or transport, by monitoring the development over time of one or more several sizes linked to the products.

As seen in this figure 1, the system comprises a set of tracers, such as 10, intended to be affixed to the products, and a set of transmitters / receivers, such as 12, intended to enter into communication with the tracers 10, in particular for recovering measurement data produced by the plotters. The tracers 10 are essentially produced in the form of a support, on which are implanted sensors or detectors for measuring the characteristic quantities to be measured, memory means for storing the data coming from the sensors, and processing means for the analysis of data from sensors.

As can be seen, the nature and the number of quantities to be monitored depends on the type of product whose traceability should be ensured. Thus, for example, the detectors on board the tracers can be constituted by temperature sensors, acceleration sensors, pressure sensors, etc. However, the quantity measured can be constituted by any type of physical parameter including one drift is likely to affect the product.

As will be described in detail below, the tracers 10 continuously ensure, possibly periodically, the acquisition of measurement data, this data then being, after storage, analyzed by the processing means on board the support to detect any exceedance beyond one or more maximum authorized threshold values. It will be noted that, preferably, the data are stored at intervals such that the data are acquired in excess, which makes it possible, by subsequent analysis, to detect acquisition anomalies.

During their journey, when the products and the tracers 10 that they carry reach a predetermined passage point, the measurement data as well as the processing data are transferred to transmitters / receivers 12. A monitoring center equipped with a consultation station 14 then allows remote consultation of the data and their analysis for the preparation of histories and the identification and localization of malfunctions within the product transport chain. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the transceivers 12 are connected to a computer network, for example the Internet network 16 or a local computer network. In this case, a Web server 18 is used for the remote management of the various elements of the surveillance system and for the centralization of data from plotters 10.

For example, as seen in FIG. 1, the transceivers 12 can be associated with an intermediate processing station 20 for the on-site consultation of the retrieved data or, as a variant, communicate directly with the web server via a router 22.

We will now describe with reference to FIG. 2 the general structure of a tracer 10 used to measure, store and analyze a physical quantity linked to a product to be monitored.

As indicated above, such a tracer 10 essentially comprises a support 24 in the general shape of a parallelogram, the dimensions of which can be, for example, of the order of 10 cm × 5 cm, for a maximum thickness of the order of 5 mm.

Such a tracer 10 is intended to be fixed to a product whose traceability should be ensured, for example by gluing.

As indicated above, it includes a set of sensors, such as 26, each ensuring the measurement of a physical quantity of the product for which a drift is likely to alter the integrity, or the conservation.

The data from the sensors 26 are supplied to a metrological calibration and conversion unit 28 carrying out an adjustment of the data from the sensors as a function of calibration curves supplied by the manufacturers of the sensors.

After pre-processing, the measurement data are stored in a storage unit 30 under the control of a manager device 32 on board the plotter 10.

Indeed, according to a characteristic of the invention, the storage unit 30 is in the form of a file system, that is to say a set of files for which the storage and restitution of data s '' performs in an organized manner under the control of the file manager 32, the nature of the information to be recorded not involved in the rules for organizing the storage medium. Thus, according to such a system, the storage space is divided into several individually identifiable subsets, the size of the individual elements stored not being part of the data storage rules.

The acquisition and storage of data in the file system is carried out independently, thanks to the use of different clocks for the acquisition of data, on the one hand, and their storage, on the other hand. In particular, the measurement period is independent of the data recording period. It is thus possible, for example, to adapt the data flow to be stored in the file system as a function of the speed of variation of the quantities monitored. The size of the storage means used is thus reduced, by providing a tracer in which the storage of the data would be carried out according to the acquisition period. The data processing times and their transmission for their future restitution are also considerably reduced.

The file system is divided into four memory areas, namely a fixed size area and three variable size areas, defined by means of a programming tool.

The first fixed-size area is intended to contain programming data for the plotter 10.

The second area, of variable size, contains user data, in particular standard extension computer files, compressed or not.

The third zone is a buffer storage zone in which the measurements are recorded during a recording period and only during this period. The choice of the type of measurements stored in this third area is made during programming, and in particular, from data extracted from the first storage area. So in the third zone, it is possible to memorize only minimum, maximum, average, integral values, in decibels, weighted, raw or filtered, ...

Finally, the fourth zone constitutes a definitive storage zone in which the data originating from the third zone are stored. This recording is generally carried out on 16 bits.

At the end of the recording period, a value associated with a time is recorded.

Thus, the file system manages the scheduling of the data in the storage means, the type of data, and, in general, the procedure for storing the data from programming data previously established by the user and from of data stored in a buffer memory. In addition, the file system manages data from outside in a second memory area, which allows dynamic modification and, possibly from a distance, user data, such as threshold values, depending on particular circumstances.

The plotter 10 is also provided with a calculation unit 34 ensuring the actual control of the evolution of the quantities monitored and stored. This calculation unit 34 is coupled to a universal internal clock (not shown), making it possible to monitor the evolution of the quantities monitored as a function of time criteria. As will be described in detail below, it is therefore possible to develop monitoring phases during each of which specific maximum thresholds are provided.

A display member 36, preferably made from light-emitting diodes, makes it possible to provide an indication as to the evolution of the quantity or quantities monitored with respect to the threshold values. In addition, a battery 38 associated with an energy converter 40 supplies the main elements forming part of the tracer 10. In particular, the energy converter 40 achieves a voltage rise capable of supplying the light-emitting diodes used in the constitution of the display member 36, from the battery 38.

Finally, the tracer 10 is completed by transmission and reception means allowing wireless data transmission between the tracer 10 and the transmitters / receivers of the remote monitoring system. Note that the wireless communication used for data transfer can be based on any type of telecommunication technique appropriate for the intended use. As an example, the following technologies can be used: I P,

IRDA, RF 13.56, 433, 868, 915, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi. However, any other technology can also be considered, depending on operating constraints.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, these transmission and reception means comprise, on the one hand, a transmitter 42 associated with a module

44 for file encryption, and, on the other hand, a receiver 46 associated with a file decoding module 48, the transmitter 42 and the receiver 46 being in communication with an antenna 50 capable of entering into communication with a corresponding antenna of the transmitter / receiver 12 of the remote monitoring system.

The system which has just been described operates as follows:

To carry out the traceability of a product, the tracer 10, associated with this product, permanently acquires, for example periodically, measurement data of a quantity to be monitored. These data are, after calibration and processing by the file manager 32, stored in the storage unit 30. Furthermore, the calculation unit 34 performs, for each acquired data, a comparison with one or more predetermined threshold values so as to detect any overshoot that could have an influence on the good conservation of the product. As previously indicated, the calculation unit 34 adapts the threshold values as a function of monitoring phases.

So, for example, for a plotter intended for the

F food or pharmacy, intended to monitor the evolution over time of the temperature and the relative humidity of a product, the tracer is provided with two sensors, namely a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor .

For example, the temperature and humidity limit values are given by the curves illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Thus, the temperature limit values not to be exceeded for a product to be protected are 25 ° C at relative humidity of 60% for 3 years and 30 ° C at 60% relative humidity for 10 days. With regard to humidity, these values are 60% relative humidity at 25 ° C for 3 years and 90% relative humidity at 25 ° C for 10 days.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the embedding of a managerial algorithm within the tracers allows the elaboration of a three-dimensional function from the measured quantities. Such an operation is based on the laws of Arrhenius and / or Eyring. The system also maintains irreversible trigger thresholds.

Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 5, it is possible to draw up a three-dimensional graph linking levels of temperature and relative humidity as a function of time and thus making it possible to easily carry out any study of product stability monitored, insofar as the program allowing the implementation of these stability studies is integrated in each tracer.

Referring to FIG. 6, for a blood bag, during a first phase between T0 and T0 + 1 day, which corresponds to the drawing of blood, the temperature must be lowered substantially regularly by approximately +37 ° C at around +7 ° C. During the second phase, which lasts until T0 + 42 days, the bag thus removed is transported and stored until the place use. The third phase, which lasts approximately 6 hours, corresponds to a transfusion phase proper.

Thus, during the first phase, that is to say the sampling phase, the temperature of the blood must regularly drop down to a temperature of the order of approximately 7 ° C.

During the second phase, that is to say during its conservation, the temperature of the blood must not exceed 8 ° C. However, during the actual transport phase, which is a relatively short phase, of the order of 24 hours, a relatively small increase in temperature is authorized, up to a temperature of the order of 10 ° C. . Finally, the transfusion phase should not be done at a temperature above about 24 ° C.

Thus, the calculation unit 34 determines by means of the universal internal clock the phase in which the product is located and then elaborates the thresholds not to be exceeded.

In the event that an overflow is detected, corresponding information is stored in the file system 30.

At the same time, the display unit 36 is controlled so as to provide an indication of such an overshoot. Thus, for example, in the absence of overshoot, the display member 36 is controlled so as to emit a green flashing. On the contrary, when a displacement is detected, the display member 36 is controlled so as to emit a red flashing, thus indicating that the product is no longer able to be consumed or used. Of course, as will be appreciated, the transition from a green flashing to a red flashing takes place irreversibly.

Finally, when the tracer 10, during its passage, passes next to a transmitter / receiver 12, the stored information is downloaded to then be transmitted to the web server 18. It is thus possible to consult, centrally and from a distance, the position of all the products monitored and to have all the information representative of the evolution of a monitored parameter.

Of course, the transfer of data between the tracer and the transceivers is effected bidirectionally, information that can automatically be transmitted to the tracers when passing in front of such transceivers. Thus, for example, during the blood sample, all the information relating to the donor is entered in the file system, such as his name, his blood group, his rhesus, ... this information can then be easily retrieved during the passage of the bag in front of a transmitter / receiver of the transfusion site.

It should be noted that, preferably, the tracers can also be linked to coding means of the barcode type for the storage of information in a redundant manner, so that this information can be recovered even when no means are available. to establish communication with the plotters.

Claims

1. Device for acquiring and monitoring the development over time of at least one quantity linked to a product, comprising a support (24) intended to be associated with the product and carrying a set of at least one sensor ( 26) for measuring said quantity and means (30, 32, 34) for processing data from the sensor to monitor the evolution of said quantity with respect to threshold values, characterized in that the processing means comprise a file system (30) in which the data from the sensor is stored and a manager algorithm (32) capable of organizing the storage of data in the file system and of managing the retrieval of said data, the file system and the algorithm manager being embedded in the support.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a universal internal clock, the processing means

(30, 32, 34) monitoring the evolution over time of said quantity as a function of hourly data supplied by the clock.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the processing means (30, 32, 34) comprise means for developing product monitoring phases each corresponding to a state of the product, by assigning threshold values and specific durations for each phase.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a display member (36) capable of indicating that the threshold value (s) has been exceeded.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the display member is a flashing indicator whose color reflects a criterion for acceptance of a signaled overshoot.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the flashing indicator comprises a light-emitting diode.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises an autonomous power supply battery (38) and voltage raising means (40) for supplying the light-emitting diode.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to

7, characterized in that it comprises means (42, 46) for transferring the stored data to a product remote monitoring system, in response to a request for transfer of said data sent by said system.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for transferring the data are means for wireless data transfer.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the support also comprises means for coding information by bar code.

1 1. System for monitoring products by monitoring the development over time of at least one quantity linked to the products, comprising a set of sensors (10) for measuring said quantity and a remote monitoring center for consulting the data from the sensors, characterized in that the sensors are constituted by devices according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the remote monitoring center is connected to a computer network, in particular the internet network.