Data recorder

• US 6,185,513 B1
• Filed: 04/03/1998
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
• Inventors: Plettner, Andreas, Haberger, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, Craig Steven
• Application Number:
  US09/055,022
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 702/22, 702/33, 702/56-127, 702/130, 702/138, 702/141-150, 702/187-189
• US Class Current: 702/187
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/08 with provision for safeguarding the apparatus, e.g. against abnormal operation, against breakdown
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/007 Data loggers attached to transport containers for perishable products, e.g. food or medicines
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure

Abstract

A data recorder has at least one sensor unit to compile at least one measurement value to be recorded during a monitoring interval, a control unit to control the compiling and recording of measurement data, a clock unit to provide a reference time on the basis of which the actual measurement times can be defined, a memory unit to store the measurement values compiled and the corresponding reference time provided for each measurement value, a battery unit for power supply, a fixation unit to fix the data recorder to an item to be monitored, and an interruption unit which interrupts the recording and/or compiling of measurement data upon any manipulation of the fixation unit.

Claims

1. A data recorder comprising:

at least one sensor unit to compile at least one measurement value to be recorded during a monitoring interval;

a control unit to control the compiling and recording of measurement data;

a clock unit to provide a reference time on the basis of which the actual measurement times can be defined;

a memory unit to store the measurement values compiled and the corresponding reference time provided for each measurement value;

a battery unit for power supply;

a fixation unit to fix the data recorder to an item to be monitored; and

an interruption unit which interrupts the recording and/or compiling of measurement data upon any manipulation of the fixation unit.

2. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the data recorder in addition contains an activation unit by means of which the compiling and recording of measurement data can be started at a defined point of time.

3. Data recorder as described in claim 2 characterized by the fact that the activation unit comprises a part of the recorder which has to be removed to achieve an activation.

4. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the data recorder is designed as a chip card preferably made of plastic or paper.

5. Data recorder as described in claim 4 characterized by the fact that the fixation unit consists of an adhesive layer by means of which the data recorder can be connected to the item to be monitored.

6. Data recorder as described in claim 4 characterized by the fact that the interruption unit features an interconnection which is destroyed upon manipulation, thus interrupting any further compiling or recording of measurement data.

7. Data recorder as described in claim 4 characterized by the fact that the fixation unit consists of a band which cannot be removed without destruction and links the data recorder to the item to be monitored.

8. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the data recorder is designed as a sticker, which is stuck onto the item to be monitored.

9. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that at least one sensor unit compiles at least one of the following values:

temperature, relative humidity of surrounding air, acceleration, noise level, radioactive radiation, in particular gamma radiation used for various sterilization processes.

10. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the sensor unit contains a chemical sensor with a suitable sensitive coating by means of which the content of certain chemical substances in the surrounding atmosphere can be compiled.

11. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that in the memory unit for each measurement value, the reference time provided for each measurement value by the clock unit at the time of measurement is stored.

12. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that an output unit is provided by means of which data concerning the measurement procedure can be read.

13. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that a identification number is stored in the memory unit by means of which a clear identification of the data recorder is possible.

14. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the data recorder is designed as a throw-away article.

15. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the data recorder features an interface by means of which the data can be read out by an authorized function via a contact.

16. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the data recorder features units by means of which the data can be read out by an authorized function without contact.

17. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the control unit sets the data recorder in idle mode between the individual measurement intervals to reduce the battery power required.

18. Transport containers into which a data recorder as described in claim 1 has been permanently integrated.

19. Data recorder as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the control unit, the sensor unit and the clock unit define a first part which is intended for repeated use and is designed for integration into a container and that the memory unit, the battery unit and the interruption unit are designed as a second part which is directly fixed to the item to be monitored whereby the first and second parts communicate with each other to function thus together as a data recorder.

20. Data recorders as described in claim 1 characterized by the fact that at least one memory unit, the control unit and the clock unit are integrated onto a chip of less than approximately 20 μ

m thickness.

21. A data recorder comprising:

at least one sensor unit to compile at least one measurement value to be recorded during a monitoring interval;

a control unit to control the compiling and recording of measurement data;

a clock unit to provide a reference time on the basis of which the actual measurement times can be defined;

a memory unit to store the measurement values compiled and the corresponding reference time provided for each measurement value;

a battery unit for power supply;

a fixation unit to fix the data recorder to an item to be monitored;

an interruption unit which interrupts the recording and/or compiling of measurement data upon any manipulation of the fixation unit; and

an activation unit by means of which the compiling and recording of measurement data can be started at a defined point of time, wherein the activation unit comprises a part of the recorder which has to be removed to achieve an activation.