Method and system for procuring, storing and distributing remotely accessed data gathered by logging devices

• US 20040167837A1
• Filed: 02/17/2004
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marathon Products, Inc. (Media Recovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Greg T. Reel, Jon Y. Nakagawa, Kevin E. Flynn
• Inventors: Flynn, Kevin E., Nakagawa, Jon Y., Reel, Greg T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,873,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

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.

Claims

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 logged by 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.