Data collection and storage device

• US 20020024450A1
• Filed: 12/06/2000
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lord Corporation (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc. (Spectris PLC)
• Inventors: Arms, Steven W., Townsend, Christopher P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,478,108 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4504 Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0453 worn on the body to detect health condition by physiological monitoring, e.g. electrocardiogram, temperature, breathing detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A data collection apparatus includes a sensing unit for attaching to a structure or live subject for sensing a parameter of the structure or live subject. The sensing unit includes a sensor, a data storage device, and a transmitting device. The data storage device is for storing data from the sensor. The apparatus also includes a control unit that is separable from the sensing unit. The control unit includes a data receiving device and a second data storage device different from said first storage device. The data receiving device is to receive data transmitted from the data sensing unit. The second data storage device is for storing the data received from the sensing unit. The apparatus also includes a triggering device for modifying the storing of data being stored to the first data storage device or for initiating transmission of data from the sensing unit to the control unit. The triggering device is controlled by a real time change in information about the structure or live subject.

Claims

1. A data collection apparatus, comprising:

a sensing unit for attaching to a structure or live subject for sensing a parameter of the structure or live subject, said sensing unit comprising a sensor, a first data storage device, and a transmitting device, said first data storage device for storing data from said sensor;

a control unit separable from said sensing unit, said control unit comprising a data receiving device and a second data storage device different from said first storage device, said data receiving device to receive data transmitted from said data sensing unit, said second data storage device for storing said data received from said sensing unit; and

a triggering device for modifying the storing of data being stored to said first data storage device or for initiating transmission of data from said sensing unit to said control unit, wherein said triggering device is controlled by a real time change in information about the structure or live subject.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises an accelerometer, displacement sensor, strain gauge, pressure gauge, thermometer, flow monitor, heart monitor, EKG, EMG, EEG, blood monitor, force gauge, humidity monitor, growth rate monitor, ripeness monitor, light intensity gauge, radiation detector, chemical detector, corrosion detector, or toxic monitor.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said sensor comprises an array of accelerometers.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said sensor comprises a linear or angular accelerometer.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said sensor comprises a resistive accelerometer or a piezoelectric accelerometer.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor is for detecting vibration.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing unit is for attaching to an architectural structure or to a vehicle.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said data sensing unit is for wearing by the live subject.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said data sensing unit is for implanting in the live subject.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising a hermetically sealed housing, wherein said sensor unit is located in said sealed housing.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said housing comprises titanium or ceramic.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein an antenna extends outside said housing and is connected to a receiver or transmitter within said housing through a penetration in said housing.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said microprocessor is in said sensor unit and wherein said first storage device is connected to said receiver and to said sensor through said microprocessor.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said microprocessor comprises said triggering device.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor unit further comprises a power supply.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said power supply comprises a rechargeable battery or fuel cell.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 17, further comprising a circuit for recharging said battery by inductive coupling.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, further comprising a hermetically sealed housing, wherein said sensor and said circuit for recharging is in said housing and said coupling is through said housing.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said circuit for recharging is in the housing and the coupling is outside the housing.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing unit further comprises an RF receiver for receiving a signal from said triggering device.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmitting device is an RF transmitter.

23. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said control unit is capable of sending a timing signal to said sensor unit.

24. The apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein said timing signal is for synchronizing a plurality of said sensors or for synchronizing a sensor with another apparatus.

25. The apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein said first storage device is connected to receive and record said timing signal.

26. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first data storage device continually records.

27. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first storage device is controlled by data received by said sensor.

28. The apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein when said data received by said sensor reaches a threshold, data in said first storage device is retained.

29. The apparatus as recited in claim 28, wherein said retained data includes data received after said sensor reaches said threshold.

30. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a feedback device for adjusting said parameter based on said data.

31. The apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein said feedback device is located in said sensing unit.

32. The apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein said feedback device is an active damping element to reduce vibration in response to measured excessive vibration.

33. The apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein said feedback device is an active damping element to reduce vibration in response to measured excessive vibration.

34. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second data storage device comprises a computer.

35. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said control unit further comprises a device to signal a user that data exceeding a preset threshold has been reached.

36. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said control unit further comprises a transmitter.

37. The apparatus as recited in claim 36, wherein said control unit comprises said device to trigger said sensing unit through said transmitter.

38. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said control unit is capable of sending address information to said sensor unit to communicate with an individual sensor unit of a plurality of sensor units.

39. A method of collecting data, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a sensing unit for attaching to a structure or live subject for sensing a parameter of the structure or live subject, said sensing unit comprising a sensor, a first data storage device, and a transmitting device, said first data storage device for storing data from said sensor;

b) providing a control unit separable from said sensing unit, said control unit comprising a data receiving device and a second data storage device different from said first storage device, said data receiving device to receive data transmitted from said data sensing unit, said second data storage device for storing said data received from said sensing unit; and

c) providing a trigger signal for modifying the storing of data being stored to said first data storage device or for initiating transmission of data from said sensing unit to said control unit, wherein said trigger signal is a real time change in information about the structure or live subject.