Electronic device for recording, storing and processing measured data, particularly a data logger

• US 20080162053A1
• Filed: 12/13/2007
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elpro-Buchs AG
• Original Assignee: Elpro-Buchs AG
• Inventors: Rudolf, Beat, Bischof, Alois
• Granted Patent: US 7,933,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/022 for recording

Abstract

A data logger is disclosed wherein a common housing includes different function blocks which are connected to one another. These function blocks include at least one analog/digital converter for conversion of measurement signals into digital input data, a memory unit for recording of digital data and of digitized event data, a timer, a processor unit for processing of data, a power supply source and input and output interfaces for measurement signals or digital data and event data. The processor unit is configured for conversion of digital input data and time data into a format which is compatible with standardized software (e.g., freely available) and which makes it possible to display the processed data using standardized software in tabular and/or graphic form on an output device. The processor unit can be configured to embed the digital input data and time data as well as the event data as protected raw data into the generated data format such that they can be read and processed only with hardware-specific evaluation software.

Claims

1. Data logger comprising interconnected function blocks located within a common housing, wherein the function blocks include:

at least one analog/digital converter for conversion of measurement signals into digital input data;

a memory unit for recording of digital data and of digitized event data;

a timer;

a processor unit for processing of data;

a power supply source; and

input and output interfaces for measurement signals or digital data and event data, wherein the processor unit is configured to convert digital input data and time data into a data format which is compatible with standardized software such that processed data can be displayed using the standardized software in tabular and/or graphic form on an output device, and wherein the digital input data and time data as well as the event data are embedded by the processor unit as protected raw data into the data format such that they can be read and processed only with hardware-specific evaluation software.

2. Data logger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor unit is configured to generate data files in PDF format and the raw data are embedded in a secured region of the PDF data file.

3. Data logger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output interface is configured as a USB interface or a firewall interface or similar data interface.

4. Data logger as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are at least one internal sensor and/or one or more input interfaces for connection of sensors for the same or different measurement parameters.

5. Data logger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data logger is configured for long-term recording of temperature and humidity.

6. Data logger as claimed in claim 1, wherein format conversion and preparation and the embedding of raw data into a protected region of the data format is activated by the processor unit only when recorded data are read out.

7. Data logger as claimed in claim 6, comprising

a detector which detects coupling of the output interface of the data logger to an external data processing system, and via which the processor unit can be automatically activated when the data logger is coupled to an external data processing system.

8. Data logger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the common housing comprises:

a display and input keyboard.

9. Data logger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function blocks are configured using a data processing system and hardware-specific software.

10. Data logger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the output interface is configured as a USB interface or a firewall interface or similar, data interface.

11. Data logger as claimed in claim 10, wherein there are at least one internal sensor and/or one or more input interfaces for connection of sensors for the same or different measurement parameters.

12. Data logger as claimed in claim 11, wherein the data logger is configured for long-term recording of temperature and humidity.

13. Data logger as claimed in claim 12, wherein format conversion and preparation and the embedding of raw data into a protected region of the data format is activated by the processor unit only when the recorded data are read out.

14. Data logger as claimed in claim 13, wherein the common housing comprises:

a display and input keyboard.

15. Data logger as claimed in claim 14, wherein the function blocks are configured using a data processing system and hardware-specific software.