Sensing and analysis system, network, and method
First Claim
1. A sensing and analysis system comprising:
- a portable sensor unit comprising a housing, a sensing element within the housing and operable to sense an input and generate an output signal responsive to the input, and electronic circuitry within the housing and in communication with the sensing element;
an electronic unit physically separable from the sensor unit and providing power to the sensor unit for operation of the sensing element and the electronic circuitry, generating instructions for controlling the electronic circuitry to initiate, modify, and terminate the operation of the sensor unit, receiving the electrical output from the sensor unit, processing the electrical output, and transmitting the electrical output to remote locations;
means for providing communication between the electronic circuitry and the electronic unit by which the instructions generated by the electronic unit are delivered to the sensor unit and the electrical output from the sensor unit is delivered to the electronic unit; and
means for delivering power from the electronic unit to the sensor unit;
wherein the electronic circuitry performs tasks limited to communicating the instructions from the electronic unit to the sensor unit, producing an electrical output based on the output signal generated by the sensing element, and optionally amplifying, sorting and filtering the output signal to produce the electrical output; and
wherein the communication providing means and the power delivering means are configured for selectively connecting and disconnecting the sensor unit and the electronic unit to initiate and terminate communication with and powering of the sensor unit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensing and analysis system, method, and network that make use of a very portable and compact sensor unit and a physically separate electronic unit that serves to power and control the sensor unit, process and optionally display the output of the sensor unit, and transmit the sensor output to other locations, such as over a network. The sensor unit includes a housing, a sensing element within the housing and responsive to an input, and electronic circuitry within the housing and in communication with the sensing element to produce an electrical output based on an output signal generated by the sensing element. A communication providing device delivers instructions generated by the electronic unit to the sensor unit and delivers the electrical output from the sensor unit to the electronic unit.
75 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A sensing and analysis system comprising:
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a portable sensor unit comprising a housing, a sensing element within the housing and operable to sense an input and generate an output signal responsive to the input, and electronic circuitry within the housing and in communication with the sensing element; an electronic unit physically separable from the sensor unit and providing power to the sensor unit for operation of the sensing element and the electronic circuitry, generating instructions for controlling the electronic circuitry to initiate, modify, and terminate the operation of the sensor unit, receiving the electrical output from the sensor unit, processing the electrical output, and transmitting the electrical output to remote locations; means for providing communication between the electronic circuitry and the electronic unit by which the instructions generated by the electronic unit are delivered to the sensor unit and the electrical output from the sensor unit is delivered to the electronic unit; and means for delivering power from the electronic unit to the sensor unit; wherein the electronic circuitry performs tasks limited to communicating the instructions from the electronic unit to the sensor unit, producing an electrical output based on the output signal generated by the sensing element, and optionally amplifying, sorting and filtering the output signal to produce the electrical output; and wherein the communication providing means and the power delivering means are configured for selectively connecting and disconnecting the sensor unit and the electronic unit to initiate and terminate communication with and powering of the sensor unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 47, 48)
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26. A sensing and analysis system comprising:
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a portable sensor unit comprising a housing, a sensing element within the housing and responsive to an input, and electronic circuitry within the housing and in communication with the sensing element, the electronic circuitry producing an electrical output based on an output signal generated by the sensing element; an electronic unit physically separate from the sensor unit and capable of generating instructions for the sensor unit, receiving the electrical output from the sensor unit, processing the electrical output, and transmitting the electrical output to remote locations; means for providing communication between the electronic circuitry and the electronic unit by which instructions generated by the electronic unit are delivered to the sensor unit and the electrical output from the sensor unit is delivered to the electronic unit; and means for delivering power from the electronic unit to the sensor unit; wherein the sensor unit further comprises; an inlet for receiving and delivering a material to the sensing element; and an outlet for receiving the material from the sensing element and discharging the material from the housing; and wherein the input to which the sensing element is responsive is a characteristic of the material, the output signal generated by the sensing element corresponds to the characteristic of the material, the material analyzed by the sensor unit is a fluid, and the sensing element comprises; a freestanding tube through which the fluid flows; means for vibrating the freestanding tube at a resonant frequency and gain thereof that varies with the density, chemical concentration and viscosity of the fluid flowing therethrough, the Coriolis effect causing the freestanding tube to twist to a degree that varies with the mass flow rate of the fluid flowing therethrough while the freestanding tube is vibrated at resonance; and means for sensing movement of the freestanding tube to sense the resonant frequency and the degree of twist of the freestanding tube as the fluid flows therethrough.
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39. A sensing and analysis method comprising:
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providing a portable sensor unit and an electronic unit physically separable from the sensor unit, the portable sensor unit comprising a housing, a sensing element within the housing and operable to sense an input and generate an output signal responsive to the input, and electronic circuitry within the housing and in communication with the sensing element; connecting the sensor unit to the electronic unit so as to provide a bidirectional communication capability and deliver power from the electronic unit to the sensor unit; operating the electronic unit to deliver power from the electronic unit to the sensor unit for operation of the sensing element and the electronic circuitry, generate instructions to control the electronic circuitry to initiate, modify, and terminate the operation of the sensor unit, cause the electronic circuitry to perform tasks limited to communicating the instructions from the electronic unit to the sensor unit, produce an electrical output based on the output signal generated by the sensing element, and optionally amplify, sort and filter the output signal to produce the electrical output, receive and process the electrical output from the sensor unit, and transmit the electrical output and/or the processed electrical output to remote locations; and
thenphysically disconnecting the sensor unit from the electronic unit to terminate communication with and powering of the sensor unit. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50)
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Specification