SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DATA COLLECTION USING NEAR-FIELD MAGNETIC INDUCTION

• US 20170180009A1
• Filed: 03/08/2017
• Published: 06/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Near Field Magnetics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Near Field Magnetics, Inc.
• Inventors: McManus, David F., Roberts, Eric J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,935,687 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/24 Inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/48 Transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

A method of monitoring an enclosed environment includes disposing a sensor assembly in an environment enclosed by an enclosure, where the sensor assembly includes a transmitter configured to communicate using near-field magnetic induction. A receiver is disposed outside the enclosure and configured to communicate with the transmitter using near-field magnetic induction. The receiver is to a communications device. The sensor assembly detects a sensed condition of the environment enclosed by the enclosure. The transmitter communicates the sensed condition to the receiver using near-field magnetic induction. After receiving the sensed condition from the receiver, the communications device communicates the sensed condition to a user.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring an enclosed environment comprising:

disposing a sensor assembly in an environment enclosed by an enclosure, wherein the sensor assembly includes a transmitter configured to communicate using near-field magnetic induction;

disposing a receiver outside the enclosure, wherein the receiver is configured to communicate with the transmitter using near-field magnetic induction;

coupling the receiver to a communications device;

the sensor assembly detecting a sensed condition of the environment enclosed by the enclosure;

the transmitter communicating the sensed condition to the receiver using near-field magnetic induction;

the communications device receiving the sensed condition from the receiver; and

the communications device communicating the sensed condition to a user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications device is selected from the group consisting of a computer, a cell phone, a radio, a display panel, a wireless network, and a cabled network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is selected from the group consisting of a refrigerator, a freezer, an oven, a liquid-storage tank, a liquid-transport trailer, a pipe, a cargo trailer, and a cargo container.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is made of a shielding material that attenuates transmission of electromagnetic waves.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the shielding material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a metal sheet, a metal wire mesh, metal-reinforced concrete, and metal structural members.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the environment is gaseous.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the environment is a liquid.

8. A method of monitoring an enclosed gaseous environment comprising:

disposing a sensor in a gaseous environment enclosed by an enclosure made of metal, the sensor comprising a transmitter configured to communicate using near-field magnetic induction;

disposing a receiver outside the enclosure, the receiver configured to communicate with the transmitter using near-field magnetic induction;

coupling the receiver to a communications device using wired or wireless means;

the sensor detecting a sensed condition of the gaseous environment enclosed by the enclosure;

the transmitter communicating the sensed condition to the receiver using near-field magnetic induction; and

the communications device communicating the sensed condition to a user.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the communications device is selected from the group consisting of a computer, a display panel, a wireless network, a cell phone, a radio, and a cabled network.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the enclosure is selected from the group consisting of a refrigerator, a freezer, an oven, a liquid-storage tank, a cargo trailer, a liquid-carrying trailer, a gas-filled pipe, and a cargo container.

11. A method of monitoring an enclosed liquid environment comprising:

disposing a sensor assembly in a liquid environment enclosed by an enclosure, the sensor assembly including a transmitter configured to communicate using near-field magnetic induction;

disposing a communications device outside the enclosure, wherein the communications device has a receiver configured to communicate with the transmitter using near-field magnetic induction;

the sensor assembly detecting a sensed condition of the liquid environment;

the transmitter communicating the sensed condition of the liquid environment to the receiver using near-field magnetic induction; and

the communications device communicating the sensed condition to a user.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the communications device is selected from the group consisting of a computer, a display panel, a wireless network, a cell phone, a radio, and a cabled network.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the enclosure is selected from the group consisting of a storage tank, a tank trailer, an aquarium, a wastewater treatment holding area, a plating bath, a pipe, a barrel, a bottle, and a jug.