Apparatus, systems and methods for detecting and transmitting sensory data over a computer network

• US 6,837,095 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2002
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smiths Detection Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Smiths Detection Incorporated
• Inventors: Sunshine, Steven A., Steinthal, Gregory, Boehr, Christopher K., Nakayama, Robert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): FRANK, RODNEY T
• Application Number:
  US10/153,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20020178789A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 73/232, 73/233.1, 73/233, 73/233.4, 73/310.5, 73/10.6, 738/665, 73/310.6, 73/290.1, 73/240.6, 340/632, 340/603, 340/541, 422/83, 702/188, 702/24
• US Class Current: 73/23.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0217 Smoke, combustion gases
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0256 Adsorption, desorption, surface mass change, e.g. on biosensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0423 Surface waves, e.g. Rayleigh waves, Love waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0426 Bulk waves, e.g. quartz crystal microbalance, torsional waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/106 one or more transducer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/022 Fluid sensors based on microsensors, e.g. quartz crystal-microbalance [QCM], surface acoustic wave [SAW] devices, tuning forks, cantilevers, flexural plate wave [FPW] devices microdevices per se B81B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0009 General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment G01N1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0032 using two or more different physical functioning modes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0073 Control unit therefor

Abstract

A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor. These chemically sensitive resistors can each be connected in series with a reference resistor, between a reference voltage and ground, such that an analog signal is established for each chemically sensitive resistor. The resulting analog signals are supplied to an analog-to-digital converter, to produce corresponding digital signals. These digital signals are appropriately analyzed for vapor identification. The device can then subsequently transmit the digital signals over a computer network, such as the Internet, for analysis at a remote location.

Claims

1. A method for transferring sensory data over a computer network for a diagnostic purpose, wherein said sensory data relates to identifying components in wounds and body cavities, said method comprising:

transmitting sensory data from a sensory device to a remote location;

receiving said sensory data at said remote location; and

processing said sensory data at said remote location for diagnostic purpose.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said sensory device is a handheld device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said computer network is a member selected from a group consisting of a wide area network, a local area network, an intranet, a worldwide computer network, and the Internet.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said computer network is a wireless network.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the wireless network is implemented using technologies selected from the group consisting of infrared, radio waves, satellite and microwaves technologies.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said sensory data is a member selected from a group consisting of physical, chemical, taste, olfaction, optical olfaction, optical parameters or combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said sensory data relates to genomic assays and target-based pharmaceutical screening.

8. A system for perimeter monitoring from a plurality of different remote locations to be distributed over a computer network, said system comprising:

a sensory device for measuring sensory data at the different locations that is coupled to said computer network, wherein said sensory device comprises at least one sensor which is a member selected from the group consisting of a conducting/nonconducting regions sensor, a quartz microbalance sensor, a conductive composite sensor, a chemiresistor and a fiber optical chemical sensor; and

a wireless communication interface coupled to said sensory device and configured to communicate with said computer network situated at a remote location.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said wireless communication interface is selected from the group consisting of an infrared data link, an optical interface, a microwave link and an RF interface.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said wireless communication interface is an RF interface.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said sensory device is a portable device.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein said sensory device comprises an analyte analyzer.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein said computer network comprises an analyte analyzer.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein sensory data selected from the group consisting of physical, chemical, taste, olfaction, optical parameters or combinations thereof.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein said sensory device is capable of detecting chemical, biological or explosive analytes.

16. The system of claim 8, wherein said system for perimeter monitoring is useful for the detection, identification, and monitoring of a combustible gas, natural gas, H₂S, ambient air, emissions control, air intake, smoke, a hazardous leak, a hazardous spill and a fugitive emission.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein said system for perimeter monitoring is useful for the detection and identification of illegal substances, explosives, a transformer fault, a refrigerant, a fumigant, formaldehyde, diesel fuel, gasoline fuel, aviation fuel, medical anesthesia and sterilization gas.

18. The system of claim 8, wherein said system for perimeter monitoring is useful for infectious disease detection.

19. The system of claim 8, wherein said system for perimeter monitoring is useful for shipping container inspection and enclosed space surveying.

20. The system. of claim 8, wherein said system for perimeter monitoring is suitable for the monitoring and control of beverage, food and agricultural products.

21. A system for detection and identification of explosives from a plurality of different remote locations to be distributed over a computer network, said system comprising:

a sensory device for measuring sensory data at the different locations that is coupled to said computer network wherein said sensory device comprises at least one sensor which is a member selected from the group consisting of a conducting/nonconducting regions sensor, a quartz microbalance sensor, a conductive composite sensor, a chemiresistor and a fiber optical chemical sensor; and

a wireless communication interface coupled to said sensory device and configured to communicate with said computer network situated at a remote location.

22. A system for perimeter monitoring from a plurality of different remote locations to be distributed over a computer network, said system comprising:

a sensory device for measuring taste or flavor at the different locations that is coupled to said computer network; and

a wireless communication interface coupled to said sensory device and configured to communicate with said computer network situated at a remote location.