System and Method for Automated Parameter Measurement

• US 20080103723A1
• Filed: 10/16/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oy Halton Group Ltd
• Original Assignee: Current Energy Controls, Lp
• Inventors: Sergeyevich, Stolyarov, Burdett, Michael, Reich, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/130
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/02 Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/04 for conservation purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/06 for preparation purposes

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, a method for automated parameter measurement includes strategically positioning an identifier tag at a location proximate a first object. The identifier tag stores location-specific information associated with the first object. A sensor in communications with the identifier tag receives the location-specific information from the identifier tag. Additionally, the sensor is used to collect quantitative data associated with a first parameter from the first object. The location-specific information received from the first identifier tag is used to process the quantitative data.

Claims

1. A method for automated parameter measurement, comprising:

maintaining a first sensing zone in which a first food product is handled;

strategically positioning a first identifier tag storing location-specific information associated with the first food product in the first sensing zone;

maintaining a second sensing zone in which a second food product is handled, the second food product of a different type than the first food product;

strategically positioning a second identifier tag storing location-specific information associated with the second food product in the second sensing zone;

using a sensor to collect an internal temperature measurement from the first food product while the first food product is in the first sensing zone;

receiving, at the sensor, the location-specific information from the first identifier tag of the first sensing zone;

using the location-specific information received from the first identifier tag to identify a set range associated with the first identifier tag; and

comparing the internal temperature measurement to the set range to determine if the internal temperature measurement is within an acceptable range.

2. A method for automated parameter measurement, comprising:

strategically positioning an identifier tag at a location proximate a first object, the identifier tag storing location-specific information associated with the first object;

receiving, at a sensor in communications with the identifier tag, the location-specific information from the identifier tag;

using the sensor to collect quantitative data associated with a first parameter from the first object; and

using the location-specific information received from the first identifier tag to process the quantitative data.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein strategically positioning the identifier tag comprises placing a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag proximate the first object, and wherein the location-specific information is received, at a radio frequency (RF) transceiver of the sensor.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein:

receiving the location-specific information from the identifier tag comprises receiving at least one of a location identifier and an object identifier; and

processing the quantitative data comprises using the at least one of the location identifier and the object identifier to identify a rule and apply the rule to the quantitative data.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein:

receiving the location-specific information from the identifier tag comprises receiving a set range having a first bound and a second bound; and

processing the quantitative data comprises determining if the quantitative data is between the first bound and the second bound.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein using the sensor to collect quantitative data comprises using the sensor to obtain a parameter measurement selected from the group consisting of a temperature measurement, a moisture content, and a humidity measurement.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising strategically positioning a plurality of identifier tags, each identifier tag located in an associated sensing zone, each identifier tag operable to store location-specific information unique to the sensing zone.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein using the sensor to collect quantitative data comprises using the sensor to obtain an internal temperature measurement of a food product, and wherein the method further comprises automatically adjusting a parameter of a piece of equipment in response to determining the internal temperature measurement of the food product.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein using the sensor to collect quantitative data comprises using the sensor to obtain a temperature measurement of a piece of equipment, and wherein the method further comprises automatically adjusting a parameter of the piece of equipment in response to determining the temperature measurement of the piece of equipment.

10. The method of claim 2, further comprising communicating the quantitative data to a client device via the Internet, the client device located at a location remote from the processor and sensor.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein processing the quantitative data comprises translating the quantitative data into qualitative data.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising causing an indicator on the sensor to display at least one of the quantitative data and the qualitative data to a user of the sensor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein causing the indicator on the sensor to display the at least one of the quantitative data and the qualitative data to the user of the sensor comprises at least one of causing an light emitting diode (LED) to be lit and causing a message to be displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD).

14. A system for automated parameter measurement, comprising:

an identifier tag strategically located proximate a first object, the identifier tag operable to store location-specific information associated with the first object;

a sensor in communications with the identifier tag, the sensor operable to;

receive the location-specific information from the identifier tag; and

collect quantitative data associated with a first parameter from the first object; and

a processor in communications with the sensor, the processor operable to;

receive the quantitative data associated with the first parameter; and

use the location-specific information received from the identifier tag to process the quantitative data.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the identifier tag comprises a RFID tag; and

the sensor comprises a RF transceiver operable to receive the location-specific information.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the location-specific information comprises a location identifier or an object identifier; and

the processor is operable to use the location identifier or the object identifier to identify a rule and apply the rule to the quantitative data.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the location-specific information comprises a set range having a first bound and a second bound, and wherein processing the quantitative data comprises determining if the quantitative data is between the first bound and the second bound.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the quantitative data is selected from the group consisting of a temperature measurement, a moisture content, and a humidity measurement.

19. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a plurality of identifier tags, each identifier tag strategically located in an associated sensing zone, each identifier tag operable to store location-specific information unique to the associated sensing zone; and

wherein the sensor is operable to receive the location-specific information from the identifier tag when the sensor is disposed within a boundary of the sensing zone in which the first object is located.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the first object comprises a food product;

the quantitative data associated with the first parameter comprises an internal temperature measurement of the food product; and

the system further comprises an automation controller operable to adjust a parameter of a piece of equipment in response to determining the internal temperature measurement of the food product.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the first object comprises a piece of equipment;

the quantitative data associated with the first parameter comprises a temperature measurement of the piece of equipment; and

the system further comprises an automation controller operable to adjust a parameter of a piece of equipment in response to determining the temperature measurement of the piece of equipment.

22. The system of claim 14, further comprising a client device operable to access the quantitative data and display the quantitative data to a user of the client device.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the client device is in communications with the processor via the Internet, the client device located at a location remote from the processor and sensor.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is operable to use the location-specific information to translate the quantitative data into qualitative data.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the sensor further comprises an indicator operable to display at least one of the quantitative data and the qualitative data to a user of the sensor, the indicator selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode (LED) and a liquid crystal display (LCD).