U.S. patent application number 10/724660 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-10 for method and system for procuring, storing and distributing remotely accessed data gathered by logging devices.
Invention is credited to Flynn, Kevin E., Nakagawa, Jon Y., Reel, Greg T..
Application Number | 20040111340 10/724660 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26849515 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040111340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reel, Greg T. ; et
al. |
June 10, 2004 |
Method and system for procuring, storing and distributing remotely
accessed data gathered by logging devices
Abstract
A method for billing customers over the Internet or other means
of electronic communication between an access provider and a
customer for use of services. The provider creates access to
measurement data obtained by the customer for electronic data
loggers which have been programmed for one time use by the
manufacturers, distributor or agent for use by the customer or
customers. A unique identity is embedded within the measurement
device so that the provider can associate measurement data and/or
billing information with the customer or end user. The provider
then bills the transaction to either the user's account or those of
designated account holders. This method for billing customers is
applicable for all sensor based technologies to include
temperatures, humidity, pressures, light, events, voltage,
acceleration, shock, strain, flows and any other discipline where
electronic sensors are embedded in devices programmed for one-time
use and used in either remote locations or during transportation.
The system and method may also include device locating means. While
having the unit returned enables the manufacturer or agency the
opportunity to resell the unit for further commercial benefit, the
device may be remotely reprogrammed for further use, because the
present invention with its web-enabled technology allows the user
to reprogram the device through a central server so that it does
not have to be returned and allows the provider the ability to
track, monitor, store and bill the customer each time the device is
enabled, programmed or read.
Inventors: |
Reel, Greg T.; (San Jose,
CA) ; Nakagawa, Jon Y.; (Piedmont, CA) ;
Flynn, Kevin E.; (Oakland, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John W. Carpenter
Reed Smith Crosby Heafey LLP
Two Embarcadero Center, Suite 2000
P.O. Box 7936
San Francisco
CA
94111
US
|
Family ID: |
26849515 |
Appl. No.: |
10/724660 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10724660 |
Dec 1, 2003 |
|
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|
09487766 |
Jan 19, 2000 |
|
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|
60152397 |
Sep 3, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01D 9/005 20130101;
G06Q 30/0601 20130101; G06Q 10/0875 20130101; G06Q 30/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/034 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for recovering logged data from a remote electronic
logging device used for recording sensor-derived data over a period
of time, the method comprising the steps of: providing an
identifier for said logging device; establishing a data
communication link between said logging device and a server having
software access to said identifier; identifying the logging device
based upon the identifier; and uploading sensor-derived data from
said logging device to said server over said data communication
link.
2. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said data communication
link comprises a computer network link.
3. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
designating recipients for having access to said sensor-derived
data; and transmitting a representation of said data to said
designated recipients, the identification of the designated
recipients being determined in a manner based upon the
identifier.
4. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of
automatically billing a customer for accessing the logged data.
5. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of
transmitting a reset instruction to said logging device that
instructs the logging device to record additional sensor-derived
data.
6. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of
transmitting a response to said logging device based upon selected
criteria in regard to said sensor-derived data.
7. The method recited in claim 6 wherein said response comprises an
alarm instruction when said sensor-derived data exceeds a selected
threshold.
8. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
evaluating the account status for use of said logging device; and
preventing operation of the logging device based upon said account
status.
9. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of
shipping the logging device back to a device manufacturer.
10. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of
returning the logging device to a device shipper.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of
transferring information indicating the location of the logger.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of resetting
the logger for an additional use.
13. A system for recovering logged data from a remote logging
device used for recording sensor-derived data, the system
comprising: a predetermined identifier electronically embedded in
said logging device; and a data communication link selectively
connecting said logging device to a server, said server having
software access to said predetermined identifier for activating and
transmitting said sensor-derived data from said logging device to
said server over said data communication link in response to
identifying the predetermined identifier.
14. The system recited in claim 13 wherein said data communication
link comprises a computer network link.
15. The system recited in claim 13 wherein said server software
comprises recipients designated for having access to said data and
wherein said server is programmed to transmit representations of
the data to said designated recipients, the identity of the
designated recipients being determined based upon the predetermined
identifier.
16. The system recited in claim 13 wherein said server software
comprises billing processing instructions for automatically billing
a customer for use of said logging device.
17. The system recited in claim 13 wherein said server software
comprises customer account status information for determining
whether a customer is entitled to use said logging device based
upon a customer account status.
18. The system recited in claim 13 further comprising means for
transferring information indicating the location of the logger.
19. The system recited in claim 13 further comprising means for
resetting the logger for an additional use.
20. A system for remotely monitoring sensor data, comprising: at
least one logging device having a predetermined identifier; and a
server that identifies the at least one logging device based upon
the identifier and that receives signals from and transmits signal
to the at least one logging device, the server determining which
signals to transmit to the logging device based upon the
predetermined identifier; and a two way communication link coupling
the at least one logging device to the server, the two-way
communication link being selectively activated and deactivated
based upon a predetermined relationship.
21. The system recited in claim 20 wherein the server transmits
information to third parties, the information being derived from
data received by the server from the logging device.
22. The system recited in claim 20 wherein the logger further
comprises a remote activated noise emitting device.
23. The system recited in claim 20 wherein the server bills a
customer based upon the predetermined identifier.
24. The system recited in claim 20 wherein the server transmits a
signal to the logging device over the two-way communication link to
continue further operation or to cease operation.
25. The system recited in claim 20 further comprising means for
transferring information indicating the location of the logger.
26. The system of claim 20 further comprising means for resetting
the logger for an additional use.
27. A method of assessing a fee for the use of a data logging
device, the method comprising the steps of: providing to a customer
a service related to the use of the data logging device;
transferring data loggedby the device to a server located
physically remote from the device; assessing a fee to the customer
for said provided service.
28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of enabling
a plurality of parties to access the transferred data and assessing
an access fee for each such party.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein the logged data includes
information regarding any one or more members of a group of
criteria consisting of temperature, humidity, motion, pressure,
voltage, flow and sound.
30. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of remotely
programming the device for further use.
31. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of remotely
calibrating the device for further use.
32. The method of claim 27, wherein the service comprises any one
or more of a group consisting of: using the device, accessing the
data, and manipulating the data.
33. A method of assessing a fee for the use of a data logging
device, the method comprising the steps of: providing to a customer
a service related to the use of the data logging device;
transferring data tracked by the device to a data reader; making
the transferred data available to an entity designated by the
customer; assessing a fee to the customer for said provided
service.
34. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of enabling
a plurality of parties to access the transferred data and assessing
an access fee for each such party.
35. The method of claim 33 wherein the tracked data includes
information regarding any one or more members of a group of
criteria consisting of temperature, humidity, motion, pressure,
voltage, flow and sound.
36. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of
reprogramming the device for further use.
37. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of
calibrating the device for further use.
38. The method of claim 33, wherein the service comprises any one
or more of a group consisting of using the device, accessing the
data, and manipulating the data.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and takes priority from
Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/152,397 filed Sep. 3,
1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of
monitoring temperature, humidity and/or other environmental or
product characteristics for stationary storage and shipping quality
control applications and, in particular, to a system for remotely
accessing such information across a computer network and billing
for such service.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Most of the presently available technology for tracking time
and temperature during the shipment of perishable and
environmentally-sensiti- ve commodities has technological roots
over 70 years deep. Devices tracking time and temperature have been
widely used in the transportation industry for monitoring shipments
of fruits and vegetables, chemicals, poultry, seedpods, flowers,
frozen foods, drugs, biologics and other temperature-sensitive
goods. Manufacturers of time and temperature investigative devices
have sold these recording instruments to manufacturers, growers,
and shippers of goods requiring environmental control during
transportation and storage.
[0006] Generally, there are three commonly used existing
technologies for such use: strip chart recorders, circular graphs
and electronic data loggers. The terms "data logger, "monitoring
device" and "data recorder", as used herein are intended to cover
any electronic, electro-mechanical, or electro-chemical apparatus,
whether digital or analog, utilizing sensor-based technologies for
measuring and tracking the relevant data over time, including both
storing such data for later reading and enabling real-time access
to the data. Use of these devices is especially commonplace in
shipment and storage situations requiring strict documentation for
quality assurance, since molecular structures can be changed by
improper temperature maintenance, and such change can ruin
perishable items. Like temperature, other factors such as humidity,
vibration, and levels of oxygen, nitrogen and other gases can also
have a profound effect on cell biology and molecular structure
during storage and transportation.
[0007] Recently, programmable electronic data loggers and real-time
electronic monitoring devices have become available at considerable
costs to end users for direct measurements of temperature,
humidity, ambient pressure, water flow levels, gas levels,
vibration, acceleration, strain, voltage and photonic exposure
levels as well as other environmental criteria, in both storage and
transportation. However, despite the wide availability of these
devices, the industry is not without room for considerable
improvement. Available programmable electronic data loggers and
real time electronic monitoring devices are expensive, coming with
high maintenance costs associated with returning, servicing,
programming, calibrating and where necessary, reading and replacing
thermographic paper for strip charts, and provide only delayed
processing and limited access to processed information. Often
times, because of the high cost associated with return shipment of
a device for reading or reuse, the device is sent overseas with a
shipment and never returned to a party who desires to review the
tracking data or reuse the device. Also, current manufacturers of
single use devices such as strip charts do not encourage the return
of the devices because transportation and return costs would negate
any economic benefit from reuse. Further, the recorded data,
whether recorded on thermographic paper or more sophisticated
electronic devices, is not easily communicated to all interested
parties when used in a system wherein return of the information to
the shipper is voluntary and not automated. This poses a problem
for the shipper or storer of perishable or environmentally
sensitive goods. Without data returned from the shipment
destination, shippers have no record of transportation conditions
and have no way of determining the causes of problems should
products arrive in unsatisfactory condition. Another problem
associated with current data logger operation is that maintaining a
large inventory of electronic data records is both costly and care
intensive, and maintaining a large inventory of loggers for
customers is expensive.
[0008] The present invention addresses the shortcomings of the
available art in a highly efficient manner while simultaneously
enabling the device manufacturer or other entity controlling the
logger to charge for services each time information is communicated
to interested parties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Today all electronic data loggers are read visually (i.e.,
paper strip charts) or with computers and software residing at or
near the physical location where the device is read. This
information is then stored on a disk drive or other long term
stable storage means if in electronic form, or, if in paper form,
in a physical file which can be copied when needed. Information can
then be telefaxed or otherwise distributed to interested parties,
in a manner controlled by the party in possession of the data
logger. This shipping data acquisition process is time consuming
and subject to fraudulent manipulation, since if a problem occurs
that the person reading the information (e.g., the entity
responsible for safely shipping the product) may not wish to
disclose, the information may be suppressed or the data logger lost
or destroyed after the information is reviewed.
[0010] Therefore, the presently preferred embodiment of the present
invention provides a method and system wherein the data logger is
connected through a wide area network (preferably the word wide web
graphical layer of the Internet) to a data acquisition server. The
connection may be direct, through a phone line, via radio signals,
or any other compatible communications method as will be understood
by those skilled in the art to which the present invention
pertains. A combination of remote (e.g., at the logger
manufacturer's computer server or a server under control of an
entity handling administration of the inventive system and method)
and locally hosted (residing in the local computer onsite to the
data logger) software, identifies and reads the device through the
network and a local connection to the data logger. Only once this
connection is established can the information be accessed and
permanently stored with an electronic footprint indicating the
source. No longer can the end user or other party receiving the
device access the information and then claim they either never
received the device or received it but couldn't read it.
Information obtained through the method and system of the present
invention can then simultaneously or at specified times be
forwarded (via any communication method, such as postal carrier,
courier, telefax, e-mail, or other electronic method) to the
shipper and/or receiver, as well as any interested and authorized
third party, even at multiple locations. The data logger can also
be reprogrammed over the network connection, and thereby recycled
for further use without the problems associated with returning the
device to the manufacturer for reprogramming. The device can then
be sent directly to the shipper for future use, or used by the
recipient for shipment of another item to a third party.
[0011] It should be noted here, that the presently preferred data
logger will store data over a particular period of time (for
example, during product shipment) and then relate the stored data
to the manufacturer or the logger's controlling entity. However,
the data logger may also be accessed in "real time" while data is
being collected (for example, during long term storage, such as in
a meat cooler at a fast food restaurant) to remotely check and
report monitored conditions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A detailed description of the present invention will be more
easily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings,
which are to be considered an integral part of the disclosure of
the present invention, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of remotely
reading, enabling and reprogramming data loggers, and charging
according to a presently preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 1A is a flow chart illustrating an alternative to the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of remotely
reading, enabling and reprogramming data loggers and charging a fee
according to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a flow chart illustrating an alternative to the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 3 provides a first block diagram illustrating a
presently preferred embodiment of the system of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 provides a second block diagram illustrating an
alternative embodiment of the system of the present invention;
and
[0019] FIG. 5 provides a third block diagram illustrating another
alternative embodiment of the system of the present invention.
[0020] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown
by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in
detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed
description is not intended to limit the invention to the
particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to
cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] A system and method for providing a closed or open system of
digital data management between suppliers, shippers and end users
(suppliers' customers) via computer hardware and software are
provided. The presently preferred system allows a party or
plurality of parties to receive tracked data and to communicate the
data, either in raw form or other desired format, to an unlimited
but controlled number of participants (e.g., shippers, suppliers,
quality control managers, inventory managers, manufacturing
personnel, and purchasing departments), immediately upon recording
device interrogation, upon the occurrence of a predetermined
event(s) or at specified time intervals. The presently preferred
embodiment of the invention preferably reads the logger device
through a web-enabled server so that a service fee may be charged.
The presently preferred embodiment of the inventive method and
system is preferably not limited to temperature investigative
devices, but also applies to any and all sensor-based technologies,
whether electrical, electro-mechanical or electrochemical, such as
humidity, pressure, water flows, gases, vibration, acceleration,
strain, voltage, or photonics, during storage or transport.
[0022] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
method and system whereby logger reprogramming costs can be
dramatically reduced or eliminated and the attendant packaging
costs of both shipping and handling transferred to the data logger
end user. This embodiment of the inventive system thereby enables
the logger manufacturer to reduce its inventory carrying costs and
increase its return on invested capital by substantially reducing
or eliminating labor costs associated with repackaging the logger
devices. Moreover, stocking inventory costs may be transferred to
the customer if desired. If the customer wishes the manufacturer to
reprogram and repackage the device, this can still be accommodated
at higher costs to the customer.
[0023] The format of the data provided from the server to customers
can be the raw data, a graphical representation of the data, alarm
codes or any other type of format that is desired by the customer
and/or the receiving party. Further, prior to transmission of the
data certain operations can be determined and included as part of
or in lieu of the any other data transmitted. For instance, mean,
median or other data may be included along with temperature data.
Also, the status or priority of the entity accessing the device may
play a role in determining what form the data will take.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the logger makes measurements utilizing
one or more sensors such as a thermometer and a humidity sensor,
step 20. The logger can then take the appropriate sensor readings.
In the case of continuous operation, wherein the sensed data is
being continuously read, it may be that the data will only be
buffered in memory at step 20. In the case of time-based, remote,
or other programmed activation, the logger will take the
measurement or reading subsequent to this activation. After the
measurements are completed, such as at the end of a shipment of
fragile goods, during measurement (such as in transit), or at a
predetermined time the logger communicates over a communication
link (e.g., a modem-based Internet link, direct network link,
wireless link or any other connection to a computer network) to the
controlling entity's system, e.g. a server, step 30. The server
identifies the logger based upon an electronic footprint,
Electronic Serial Number or other identifier, embedded in the data
logger, step 40. The measurement data is then associated with the
appropriate customer, step 50. The measurement data is uploaded to
the server, where it is stored or otherwise manipulated as desired,
step 60. It should be noted that although the presently preferred
embodiment performs customer billing at the time of each upload,
that billing can occur after the upload or can be performed at
predetermined time periods. The server then generates customer
billing information for the specific transaction, step 70.
Additionally, it should be noted that although the presently
preferred embodiment depicts billing after each transmission of
sensor-based data, the present invention can bill in any number of
ways, including, but not limited to: per shipment, length of time
used, number of calculations on any data set, or further ways. The
system then sends the measurement data or other representations of
that data, as desired by the customer, to the customer or other
designated party for receiving such information, step 80. At that
point, the system determines whether the logger will need to
perform additional measurements or operations, step 90. If it is
determined that additional operations, which may be of the same or
a different type depending on the types of sensors coupled with, in
electrical communication with, or integral to the logger, then the
logger may be reset to make a new set of measurements and the above
described process is repeated. If it is determined that no further
measurements or operations are required, then the logger can be
removed from service by either shutting it off or by ceasing
further communication with the logger, step 100.
[0025] The method illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 1A provides
an alternative to that illustrated in FIG. 1. Step 60 has been
moved in sequence and modified to include customer identifying and
location identifying information at step 62.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, at step 110, the logger establishes a
link between itself and the system. The logger is then identified
by the system utilizing an electronic footprint, Electronic Serial
Number or other identifier, embedded in the data logger, step 120.
The logger is then associated with the appropriate customer, step
130. The server then generates customer billing information for the
specific transaction, step 140. It should be noted that although
the presently preferred embodiment performs customer billing at the
time of each upload, that billing can occur after the upload or can
be performed at predetermined time periods. The measurement data is
uploaded to the server, where it is stored or otherwise manipulated
as desired by the customer, step 150. The system then sends the
measurement data or other representations of that data, as desired
by the customer, to the customer or others designated for receiving
such information, step 160. It is then determined whether the
logger is to take additional measurements, step 170. If it is
determined that additional measurements are desired, the logger may
be reset to make a new set of measurements, which may be of the
same or different type depending on the capabilities of the sensors
that are coupled with or part of the logger, step 180.
Alternatively, if its is determined that no more measurements are
required then the logger can be temporarily or permanently removed
from service, step 190.
[0027] The method illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 2A provides
an alternative to that illustrated in FIG. 2. Step 150 has been
moved in sequence and modified to include customer identifying and
location identifying information at step 152.
[0028] An application of the embodiments of the present invention
is in the field of stationary monitoring. The current technology
for stationary sensor-based applications includes analog and
digital devices that accumulate and transfer data, whereupon the
data is interpreted by software residing on a personal computer. In
addition, with respect to current technology there are data
acquisition hardware components that can be added to enable a
computer to become a fully functional scientific instrument,
compatible with the method and system of one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0029] The present invention eliminates the need for a local user
software interface, and relies instead on software operating on a
network-based server to interpret the data, present it in a
readable form, archive the data, and bill for the use of the
software services. For data acquisition purposes, the user can be
allowed to configure a sensor-based device on-line and, therefore,
to enable it to perform specific scientific applications, such as
monitoring voltage or oxygen levels. For calibration purposes, the
present invention allows the user to calibrate the device for ISO,
NIST and other quality assurance standards, thereby ensuring that
the data logger is operating within required specifications. As
described above, the need to return the device to the manufacturer,
policing agency or scientific testing laboratory is alleviated, as
reading the device for an indication of proper quality assurance
practices can be accomplished on-line, via network software, and
billed to the customer account. Further, in the case of a
supermarket chain or other establishment having a plurality of
locations, the sensor data from a number of locations can be
monitored at few locations thereby decreasing monitoring costs and
resources devoted to monitoring.
[0030] A still further application of the present invention is in
the field of stationary sensor base applications for continuous
monitoring of environmental conditions, such as those used in
refrigeration of temperature sensitive goods. The available art in
this field includes analog and digital services that accumulate
data at a local level. In known systems, when alarm conditions
occur, an on-site device may alert personnel via audible sound,
light, or via telephone communication than an environmental
condition has reached unacceptable conditions.
[0031] The present invention reduces the need for local user
software interfaces, and relies on software operating on the
network-based server to interpret and present the data in a
readable form, archive the data, and bill for use of the software
services. For sensor-based applications such as the monitoring of
humidity, temperature, vibration or motion, pressure, sound, or
other like items, the sensor can be continuously or periodically
monitored via the server. When alarm conditions occur, an e-mail,
telefax, page, automated telephone call or posting to a dynamic web
page is triggered to notify interested and authorized parties who
are off-site in an efficient method. Thus, proper use of the system
and method of the present invention can prevent breach of
environmental conditions due to the absence or negligence of
personnel.
[0032] The present invention also can be utilized in the field of
environmental control. The current technology for stationary
sensor-based applications for controlling environmental conditions
includes analog and digital devices that accumulate data at a local
level and adjust temperature, light, humidity, or other such
environmental factors according to a pre-set program When
conditions occur outside the pre-set program, an on-site device may
make adjustments to the system to bring it back to acceptable
programmed parameters.
[0033] The present invention bypasses the need for a local user
software or firmware interface, and relying on the proprietary
system residing on the network-based server to control the
environmental conditions, such as in a chamber used for the
ripening of fruits and vegetables. In addition to providing
environmental control, a preferred embodiment of the system and
method of the present invention also documents the environmental
sensor history, interprets the data, presents it in a readable
form, archives the data, and bills for the use of the software
services, all in a remote fashion across a wide area network or
other remote link such as the Internet.
[0034] Problems associated with corrupted software located on
individual computers can be avoided by use of the present
invention, because all data loggers are preferably read from a
central server controlled by the device manufacturer or other
entity controlling the distribution of information and access to
the loggers (referred to herein throughout as the "controlling
entity"). This can be important in instances where the computer
that stores or manipulates the data would otherwise be stored at or
near a freezer, refrigerator, oven, heater or other environment
which could degrade operation of or damage the computer.
Substantial control over the costs of updating device software is
also provided by the invention.
[0035] Further, problems associated with collecting moneys from
customers who do not pay for services or goods received can now be
controlled. An additional feature of the present invention enables
logger manufacturers, or monitoring service providers, to shut off
connections to the central server so that some or all of the
delinquent customer's devices in the field may be (temporarily or
permanently) rendered useless because of non-payment. This provides
a point of leverage for the controlling entity to induce customers
to pay their bills or suffer the consequences of reduced or
eliminated access to tracking services.
[0036] Presently, manufacturers of temperature recording devices
used in transportation do not know who the end user is or where the
device is located in all situations. The method and system of the
present invention also addresses this issue by preferably reading
the device through the remote network and controlled server,
identifying the end user through any desired limited access scheme
available in the related art.
[0037] An exemplary reprogrammable logger preferably used as part
of the method and system of the present invention is the
C/TEMP.TM., available from Marathon Products of Oakland, Calif.,
assignee of the present invention. One challenge faced in marketing
such sophisticated devices is the price competition with
technologically unsophisticated strip charts, which presently cost
nearly two-thirds less than even a basic reprogrammable device. It
is therefore desirable to implement a strategy whereby
manufacturers can offer sophisticated, field programmable devices
for one-time use at a price point competitive with disposable strip
charts.
[0038] To provide this advantage, with the method and system of the
present invention, a manufacturer's reprogrammable data loggers
such as the C/TEMP.TM. can be read only through a remote server,
preferably controlled by the device manufacturer, via a connection
to the Internet or a similar wide area network, the user preferably
having pre-established account information for billing, location
and shipping information.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 3, which depicts operation of the
system in a shipping environment, the logger is shipped, along with
the cargo, from the shipper 200 to the receiver 210 to perform the
desired monitoring or measuring operations on the shipped material.
After receipt of the shipment the receiver 210 activates a remote
reading of the logger and returns the logger to the shipper 200 for
use with other shipments to the same receiver 210 or to other
receivers. Also, during shipment, stored data can be transmitted
from the server 220 to interested parties 230, such as shipper 200,
receiver 210, or any other desired party such as an insurer or
shipping company personnel that can effect changes in shipping
conditions.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, which depicts an alternate operation of
the system in a shipping environment, the logger is sent to a
shipper 300 by the service provider. The shipper 300 then can
communicate with the service provider's server 310 to identify what
parameters to measure, the times/and or time intervals the
measurements are to be taken, the types of operations, if any, it
wants performed on the data received from the measurements, and
when and to whom it wants the data transmitted. The data, whether
in the original or other format, is then transmitted to the
interested parties 330 as dictated by the shipper. After completion
of the shipment, the logger is shipped from the receiver 320 to the
service provider for use by other shippers and receivers.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, there is depicted an operation of the
system in a stationary monitoring environment. The logger is
maintained at a stationary location 400. The server 410
communicates with the logger at the stationary location 400. The
information uploaded by the server is transmitted to the interested
parties 420 regularly, instantly or in alarm conditions, as
previously specified by the customer(s).
[0042] In still another embodiment of the invention, a multi-use
device reprogrammer may be stationed at the user's location,
thereby reducing the required instances where the device must be
returned for reprogramming or data access even if remote access
through a computer network link is not used. For example, such a
reprogrammer may be leased and contain an access card good for a
predetermined number of device reprogrammings. If the card is set
for fifty reprogrammings, it may be purchased for fifty-times the
standard device access fee (or at some discounted rate), thereby
controlling device access and re-use in a manner independent of a
remote network connection while still providing decreased total
cost for implementing the logging method of the present invention.
New or reprogrammed multi-use cards can be installed or used in the
reprogrammer once the relevant customer accounts are settled.
[0043] An additional feature which may be utilized in an
alternative embodiment includes a built-in buzzer or other noise
emitting device. If the logger is lost in a large container, a loud
buzzer will be emitted with an RF link attached inside so that the
device can be located. A party unable to locate the device will
simply contact the device manufacturer, and a signal will be
transmitted from the server to a radio or similar network to the
device activating the buzzer. In the alternative, a known Global
Positional Satellite ("GPS") element may be added to the logger,
enabling real time tracking of device position and an indication of
when shipped material has arrived at its intended destination, or
when stored materials have been moved.
[0044] The described and depicted embodiments of the present
invention offer a number of advantages over know systems,
including:
[0045] 1) Establishes an electronic footprint for each
reprogrammable device being read, thereby tracking customer, time,
and information recorded on the logger device to be saved,
manipulated and archived by the controlling entity. Customer
location information may be obtained as well. Armed with this
information, a shipper can prevent fraud by a customer who might
otherwise assert that he did not receive the shipment since the
data logger after reading creates an electronic footprint at the
customer's access point and/or on the device itself of who
initiated the remote reading.
[0046] 2) Allows flexible pricing structures for each
reprogrammable device being read, including such billing methods
as: (1) per reading cost; (2) per data transmission costs, e.g. by
number and/or number of receivers, (3) length of time of the
shipment, (4) number of shipments, or (5) any combination of the
above.
[0047] 3) Allows reading data from the reprogrammable device
remotely from the manufacturer's server, automatically storing the
data, and e-mailing or otherwise automatically forwarding it to
multiple locations. For instance, the shipper and end user
(customer purchasing the shipped item) will now have immediate
access to this information via the logger manufacturer's, or
monitoring service provider's server, which each customer will
access by providing proprietary account numbers and linked
passwords, preferably through a standard web browser interface. If
unfavorable information (e.g., out of acceptable temperature
ranges) is read from the device, the server may automatically
e-mail or have the customer paged either electronically or through
a telecommunications system (such as via fax, voicemail or a
wireless pager network).
[0048] 4) Allows flexible return of each reprogrammable device to
the party who originally shipped the device, or to the manufacturer
or service provider, if reprogramming in excess of the remote
reprogramming capabilities is desired.
[0049] 5) Minimizes the administrative costs, by allowing a party
to reprogram the device themselves, or have the device reprogrammed
and used by other users. In one alternative embodiment,
reprogrammable devices such as those available from Xilinx, Inc.,
Lucent, Inc. or Altera, Inc. may be utilized and remotely
reprogrammed over a wide area network such as the Internet to alter
the functionality of the logger according to its needed use.
[0050] 6) Provides customers with the most up to date software over
the Internet, thereby avoiding incompatibility, software corruption
and software obsolescence. Also, provides for remote updating of
device functionality as explained above.
[0051] 7) Provides a customer incentive to visit the manufacturer's
or controlling entity's web site, thereby allowing expansion of its
e-commerce capabilities to include: advertising, sales of related
products, auctioning of goods and services, and providing
industry-specific information to any industry in which the loggers
are used.
[0052] 8) Substantially lowers the costs associated with
reprogramming, testing, recalibration, replacing thermographic
paper, replacing batteries, and transportation costs associated
with shipping and handling, that drive up the costs that tracking
device manufacturers must charge their customers for use of such
devices, by allowing the users to reprogram the data loggers
electronically utilizing a web-enabled software and central
server.
[0053] 9) Allows the parties to a shipment to know where the device
is located, its time of reading and when time/temperature sensitive
items have arrived, along with all other relevant stored data. This
is determined by the use of an electronic footprint placed by the
controlling entity or its server after each exchange of information
over the communication link.
[0054] 10) Reduces the inventory needed by a manufacturer or
service provider to service their customers worldwide because the
cost of carrying inventory will now be borne by the supplier with
single-use programmed devices.
[0055] The present invention therefore provides a novel method and
system for procuring, storing and distributing remotely accessed
data gather by logging devices. Although the present invention has
been shown and described with respect to a preferred and various
alternative embodiments, various changes and modifications lie
within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Thus, the
corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all
means or step plus function elements in the claims are intended to
include any structure, material, or acts for performing the
functions in combination with other elements as specifically
claimed.
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