System and method of monitoring temperature

• US 20040008752A1
• Filed: 04/14/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cold Chain Technologies
• Original Assignee: Cold Chain Technologies
• Inventors: Prabhakar, Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,140,768 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/102
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/022 for recording

Abstract

A temperature monitoring system includes a device for monitoring temperature over a period of time, an adaptor in communication with the temperature monitoring device (TMD) and a data programming device (DPD) in communication with the adaptor. The TMD includes a temperature sensor, a central processing unit (CPU) electrically connected to the temperature sensor, and a power source for continuously supplying power to the CPU. The CPU includes volatile memory into which measurements made by the temperature sensor are stored, the volatile memory in the CPU serving as the sole memory device in the TMD. The TMD is free of means for suspending power from the power source to the CPU. In use, each successive measurement taken by the temperature sensor overwrites the previous measurement stored into the CPU volatile memory. In this manner, the TMD stores no historical data throughout its monitoring process.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring temperature over a period of time, said device comprising:

(a) a temperature sensor for generating a first signal in response to a first temperature detected, and

(b) a central processing unit (CPU) in electrical connection with said temperature sensor, said CPU comprising volatile memory into which said first signal is stored,

(c) wherein said device is free of memory external to said CPU.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a power source electrically connected to said CPU, said power source having a finite lifespan.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said power source continuously applies power to said CPU throughout the lifespan of said power source.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a protective housing, wherein said device is free of means accessible through said housing for suspending the application of power from said power source to said CPU.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor generates a second signal in response to a second temperature detected.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the second signal is stored into the volatile memory for said CPU, the second signal overwriting the first signal stored into the volatile memory for said CPU.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said device further comprises a data communication device in electrical connection with said CPU.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising a protective housing, said data communication device being externally accessible through said protective housing.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said data communication device is in the form of at least one conductive plate.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is water-resistant.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a display in electrical connection with said CPU.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said display is in the form of a liquid crystal display (LCD).

13. A temperature monitoring system comprising:

(a) a temperature monitoring device,

(b) an adaptor removably connected to said temperature monitoring device, said adaptor being in data communication with said temperature monitoring device through a first data communication channel, and

(c) a data programming device in data communication with said adaptor through a second data communication channel,

(d) wherein a parameter can be programmed into said temperature monitoring device by said data programming device via said adaptor.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said adaptor includes a slot which is sized and shaped to removably receive said temperature monitoring device.

15. The system as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said temperature monitoring device and said adaptor includes a data communication device.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the data communication device for said temperature monitoring device is adapted to be removably connected to the data communication device for said adaptor.

17. The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the data communication device for said temperature monitoring device is adapted to be electrically and mechanically connected to the data communication device for said adaptor.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the data communication device for said temperature monitoring device includes at least one conductive plate and the data communication device for said adaptor includes at least one spring contact.

19. A method of monitoring temperature using a temperature monitoring device, said temperature monitoring device including a temperature sensor and a central processing unit (CPU), the CPU including volatile memory, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a first temperature measurement using said temperature sensor,

(b) storing the results of said first temperature measurement into the volatile memory of said CPU,

(c) taking a second temperature measurement using said temperature sensor, and

(d) storing the results of said second temperature measurement into the volatile memory of said CPU, the results of said second temperature measurement overwriting the results of said first temperature measurement stored in the volatile memory of said CPU.

20. A method of monitoring temperature using a temperature monitoring device, said temperature monitoring device including a temperature sensor and a central processing unit (CPU), the CPU including volatile memory, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a first temperature measurement using said temperature sensor during a first time interval;

(b) storing the results of said first temperature measurement into the volatile memory of said CPU during the first time interval;

(c) analyzing the results of said first temperature measurement using said CPU during a second time interval;

(d) taking a second temperature measurement using said temperature sensor during the second time interval; and

(e) storing the results of said second temperature measurement into the volatile memory of said CPU during the second time interval.

21. A device for monitoring a condition, said device comprising:

(a) a sensor for generating a signal in response to detecting said condition, and

(b) a central processing unit (CPU) in electrical connection with said sensor, said CPU comprising volatile memory into which said signal is stored,

(c) wherein said device is free of memory external to said CPU.