Portable data collection device with self identifying probe
First Claim
1. A device for collecting a plurality of different types of sensed physical data, comprising:
- a unit, including;
a housing;
processor means mounted within said housing for controlling the input and output of information corresponding with and according to a plurality of different types of sensed physical data to and from a memory means mounted within the housing for storing information;
operator control means for controlling said processor means;
a plurality of input ports operably connected to the processor means; and
a plurality of sensor means, located outside of the housing, for providing sensed signals representative of said plurality of different types of sensed physical data, wherein each sensor means corresponds to a type of sensed physical data and comprises;
an interconnection means supportably connectable to an input port in the housing; and
a sensor memory means for storing sensor information including a unique sensor identifier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a portable data collection device that has a variety of sensors that are interchangeable with a variety of input ports in the device. The various sensors include a data identification feature that provides information to the device regarding the type of physical data produced by each sensor and therefore the type of sensor itself. The data identification feature enables the device to locate the input port where the sensor is connected and self adjust when a sensor is removed or replaced. The device is able to collect physical data, whether or not a function of time. The sensor may also store a unique sensor identifier.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A device for collecting a plurality of different types of sensed physical data, comprising:
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a unit, including; a housing; processor means mounted within said housing for controlling the input and output of information corresponding with and according to a plurality of different types of sensed physical data to and from a memory means mounted within the housing for storing information; operator control means for controlling said processor means; a plurality of input ports operably connected to the processor means; and a plurality of sensor means, located outside of the housing, for providing sensed signals representative of said plurality of different types of sensed physical data, wherein each sensor means corresponds to a type of sensed physical data and comprises; an interconnection means supportably connectable to an input port in the housing; and a sensor memory means for storing sensor information including a unique sensor identifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for collecting a plurality of different types of sensed physical data, comprising:
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a housing; a processor mounted within the housing for controlling the input and output of information corresponding with and according to sensed physical data to and from a memory mounted within the housing for storing information; an operator control device for controlling the processor; a plurality of sensors for providing a corresponding plurality of sensed signals representative of the sensed physical data collected by the sensors, wherein each respective sensor comprises; an interconnection device supportably connected to an input port and in communication with the respective sensor, the interconnection device including a sensor memory module discrete from the memory for storing sensor information that includes a unique sensor identifier. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A device for collecting physical data, comprising:
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a housing; a processor mounted within the housing for controlling the input and output of information corresponding with and according to sensed physical data to and from a memory mounted within the housing for storing the information; an operator control device for controlling the processor; an input port operably connected to the processor; and a plurality of sensors, wherein each respective sensor includes; a memory module for storing sensor information, wherein the sensor information includes a unique sensor identifier. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 21. A data collection system, comprising a sensor module for providing sensed signals representative of sensed physical data collected by the sensor module, the sensor module including a connector for attaching the sensor module to an input port in a data collection device and means for providing a signal to the data collection device that provides a unique sensor identifier distinguishing the sensor from another sensor collecting the same type of sensed physical data.
Specification