System and method for automated parameter measurement

• US 7,711,515 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2007
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oy Halton Group Ltd
• Original Assignee: Current Energy Controls, Lp
• Inventors: Sergeyevich, Stolyarov Yury, Reich, Daniel, Burdett, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nghiem; Michael P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le; Toan M
• Application Number:
  US11/872,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20080103723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 702/136, 702/57, 702/131, 702/188, 702/189, 702/81, 702/84, 702/127, 702/130, 702/132, 702/179, 702/182, 702/183, 700/109, 700114-116, 700/108, 340/3.1, 340/3.5, 340/286.09, 340/870.05, 340/870.16, 340/870.17, 340/572.4, 340/584, 340/825.49, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 374/100, 374/116, 374/102, 374/107, 374/108, 374/111, 374/112, 374/124, 374/132, 374/137, 705/15
• US Class Current: 702/136
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/02 Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/04 for conservation purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/06 for preparation purposes

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, a method for automated parameter measurement includes strategically positioning an identifier tag at a location proximate a first object. The identifier tag stores location-specific information associated with the first object. A sensor in communications with the identifier tag receives the location-specific information from the identifier tag. Additionally, the sensor is used to collect quantitative data associated with a first parameter from the first object. The location-specific information received from the first identifier tag is used to process the quantitative data.

Claims

1. A method for automated parameter measurement, comprising:

maintaining a first sensing zone in which a first food product is handled;

strategically positioning a first identifier tag storing location-specific information associated with the first food product in the first sensing zone;

maintaining a second sensing zone in which a second food product is handled, the second food product of a different type than the first food product;

strategically positioning a second identifier tag storing location-specific information associated with the second food product in the second sensing zone;

using a sensor to collect an internal temperature measurement from the first food product while the first food product is in the first sensing zone;

receiving, at the sensor, the location-specific information from the first identifier tag of the first sensing zone;

using the location-specific information received from the first identifier tag to identify, to the sensor, a first set range associated with a type of the first food product; and

using the sensor to compare the internal temperature measurement to the first set range to determine if the internal temperature measurement is within an acceptable range;

using said sensor to collect a second internal temperature measurement from the second food product while the second food product is in the second sensing zone;

receiving, at the sensor, the location-specific information from the second identifier tag of the second sensing zone;

using the location-specific information received from the second identifier tag to identify, to the sensor, a second set range associated with a type of the second food product, the second set range different from the first set range; and

using the sensor to compare the second internal temperature measurement to the second set range to determine if the second internal temperature measurement is within an acceptable range.

2. A method for automated parameter measurement, comprising:

maintaining a plurality of sensing zones associated with a plurality of objects, each of the plurality of sensing zones associated with a unique type of object;

strategically positioning, within each of the plurality of sensing zones, an identifier tag at a location proximate an object in a particular sensing zone, each identifier tag storing location-specific information unique to the unique type of object in the particular sensing zone;

receiving, at a sensor in communications with a first identifier tag in a first sensing zone associated with a first object, the location-specific information from the first identifier tag;

using the sensor to collect quantitative data associated with a first parameter from the first object; and

using the location-specific information received from the first identifier tag to identify the unique type of the first object in the first sensing zone and process the quantitative data based on the unique type of the first object.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein strategically positioning the first identifier tag comprises placing a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag proximate the first object, and wherein the location-specific information is received, at a radio frequency (RF) transceiver of the sensor.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein:

receiving the location-specific information from the first identifier tag comprises receiving at least one of a location identifier and an object identifier; and

processing the quantitative data comprises using the at least one of the location identifier and the object identifier to identify a rule associated with on the unique type of the first object and apply the rule to the quantitative data.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein:

receiving the location-specific information from the first identifier tag comprises receiving a set range having a first bound and a second bound; and

processing the quantitative data comprises determining if the quantitative data is between the first bound and the second bound.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein using the sensor to collect quantitative data comprises using the sensor to obtain a parameter measurement selected from the group consisting of a temperature measurement, a moisture content, and a humidity measurement.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving, at the sensor, the location-specific information from the first identifier tag when the sensor is disposed within a boundary of a first sensing zone in which the first object is located; and

receiving, at the sensor, additional location-specific information from a second identifier tag when the sensor is disposed within a boundary of a second sensing zone in which a second object is located.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein using the sensor to collect quantitative data comprises using the sensor to obtain a temperature measurement of a piece of equipment, and wherein the method further comprises automatically adjusting a parameter of the piece of equipment in response to determining the temperature measurement of the piece of equipment.

9. The method of claim 2, further comprising communicating the quantitative data to a client device via the Internet, the client device located at a location remote from the processor and sensor.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein processing the quantitative data comprises translating the quantitative data into qualitative data.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising causing an indicator on the sensor to display at least one of the quantitative data and the qualitative data to a user of the sensor.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein causing the indicator on the sensor to display the at least one of the quantitative data and the qualitative data to the user of the sensor comprises at least one of causing an light emitting diode (LED) to be lit and causing a message to be displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD).

13. A method for automated parameter measurement, comprising:

strategically positioning an identifier tag at a location proximate a first object, the identifier tag storing location-specific information associated with the first object;

receiving, at a sensor in communications with the identifier tag, the location-specific information from the identifier tag;

using the sensor to collect quantitative data associated with a first parameter from the first object; and

using the location-specific information received from the first identifier tag to process the quantitative data,

wherein using the sensor to collect quantitative data comprises using the sensor to obtain an internal temperature measurement of a food product, and wherein the method further comprises automatically adjusting a parameter of a piece of equipment in response to determining the internal temperature measurement of the food product.

14. A system for automated parameter measurement, comprising:

a plurality of sensing zones associated with a plurality of objects, each of the plurality of sensing zones associated with a unique type of object;

a plurality of identifier tags, each identifier tag strategically located proximate an object in a particular sensing zone, each identifier tag operable to store location-specific information unique to the unique type of object in the particular sensing zone;

a sensor in communications with the plurality of identifier tags, the sensor operable to;

receive the location-specific information from a first identifier tag in a first sensing zone associated with a first object; and

collect quantitative data associated with a first parameter from the first object; and

a processor in communications with the sensor, the processor operable to;

receive the quantitative data associated with the first parameter; and

use the location-specific information received from the first identifier tag to identify the unique type of the object in the first sensing zone and process the quantitative data based on the unique type of the first object.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the first identifier tag comprises a RFID tag; and

the sensor comprises a RF transceiver operable to receive the location-specific information.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the location-specific information comprises a location identifier or an object identifier; and

the processor is operable to use the location identifier or the object identifier to identify a rule associated with on the unique type of the first object and apply the rule to the quantitative data.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the location-specific information comprises a set range having a first bound and a second bound, and wherein processing the quantitative data comprises determining if the quantitative data is between the first bound and the second bound.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the quantitative data is selected from the group consisting of a temperature measurement, a moisture content, and a humidity measurement.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the sensor is operable to receive the location-specific information from the first identifier tag when the sensor is disposed within a boundary of a first sensing zone in which the first object is located; and

the sensor is operable to receive additional location-specific information from a second identifier tag when the sensor is disposed within a boundary of a second sensing zone in which a second object is located.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the first object comprises a food product;

the quantitative data associated with the first parameter comprises an internal temperature measurement of the food product; and

the system further comprises an automation controller operable to adjust a parameter of a piece of equipment in response to determining the internal temperature measurement of the food product.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the first object comprises a piece of equipment;

the quantitative data associated with the first parameter comprises a temperature measurement of the piece of equipment; and

the system further comprises an automation controller operable to adjust a parameter of a piece of equipment in response to determining the temperature measurement of the piece of equipment.

22. The system of claim 14, further comprising a client device operable to access the quantitative data and display the quantitative data to a user of the client device.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the client device is in communications with the processor via the Internet, the client device located at a location remote from the processor and sensor.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is operable to use the location-specific information to translate the quantitative data into qualitative data.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the sensor further comprises an indicator operable to display at least one of the quantitative data and the qualitative data to a user of the sensor, the indicator selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode (LED) and a liquid crystal display (LCD).