Computer powered wire(less) ultra-intelligent real-time monitor

• US 20030164762A1
• Filed: 12/02/2002
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfred Dennis Ridley
• Original Assignee: Alfred Dennis Ridley
• Inventors: Ridley, Alfred Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 6,897,773 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/521
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 31/00 Predictive alarm systems characterised by extrapolation or other computation using updated historic data

Abstract

A device (1)(2) and method to monitor, in real time, one or more variables by an at least 2500 hour water proof sensor/transmitter, not requiring recharge, placed at the source where data are automatically collected and transmitted by wire or wireless means (2A)(2B) to a battery-free computer-powered (2C) receiver connected to a computer, where software continuously analyzes and charts the data. The software auto and cross correlates the variables, continuously updates and displays the data on simple aggregate charts (4A) or decomposes the data and displays them on newly created common cause charts (4B)(4C) of internal systematically related effects and newly created special cause charts (4D)(4E) of external random unrelated effects, including summary data, and creates graduated progressive sound, color, print and world wide, fax, email and telephone alarm signals when the chart values exceed user specified limits, either in terms of actual units (4B)(4D) or standard deviations (4C)(4E), or when any particular pattern occurs. The device helps determine ahead of time, when the source of the monitored variables is functioning abnormally. Advance warning thus obtained, is used to initiate corrective action (3A)(3B)(3C)(3D) so as to prevent failure at the source that is generating the variables. Examples of failure that it helps prevent include but are not limited to, sudden infant death due to sudden infant death syndrome in human babies, heart or respiratory failure in any human being who is either at rest or moving around within a specified area, failure in industrial machines or measuring equipment, manufacturing defects and financial irregularities.

Claims

1. A universal mobile telemonitoring device to monitor the interactions between a plurality of variables and generate a plurality of local alarms and a plurality of world wide alarms when said interactions become abnormal, comprising:

a) a sensor/transmitter with self-contained means for continuously collecting data and self-contained very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting said data;

b) a repeater with self-contained means for continuously receiving said data from said very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, and self-contained low power plurality of high frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting said data;

c) a short range receiver with self-contained means for continuously receiving said data from said very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, and hard wire means for continuously transmitting said data;

d) a long range receiver with self-contained means for continuously receiving said data from said low power plurality of high frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, and said hard wire means for continuously transmitting said data and;

e) a computer program to operate a computer to power either of said receivers to receive said data from said hard wire means for continuously transmitting, decompose said data into separate time charts of common cause effects and special cause effects for each of said plurality of variables, and to initiate a graduated progressive sound, screen color, printer and worldwide email, fax machine, and telephone alarm sequence whenever any value on said time charts falls outside of user specified upper and lower limits;

whereby a user of said telemonitoring device may connect said sensor/transmitter to a source of said data, for continuous transmission of said data in a dry or wet environment for at least 2500 hours, for a transmission distance of at least 3 feet, extendable by use of said repeater by up to at least 1000 feet, place said computer at a remote location within the range of said transmission distance, observe said alarm sequence, and so be alerted to take action regarding said source and receive said time charts anywhere in the world where a telecommunications service is available.

2. The universal mobile telemonitoring device in claim 1 wherein:

said telephone further comprises means for caller identification;

said telephone further comprises means for receiving email messages;

said computer further comprises a color graphics display monitor;

said computer further comprises a receiving port;

said computer further comprises a modem;

said computer further comprises a sound speaker and;

said computer further comprises a printer.

3. The universal mobile telemonitoring device in claim 1 wherein:

said sensor/transmitter has said self-contained means for continuously collecting said data on a plurality of variables;

said sensor/transmitter has self-contained means for uniquely coding said data for security and integrity;

said sensor/transmitter has self-contained hard wired means for continuously transmitting said data to said receiving port in said computer;

said sensor/transmitter has said self-contained very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting said data, so as to minimize the weight and the cost of said sensor/transmitter, so as to minimize energy consumption, so as to limit the transmission range of said sensor/transmitter to about 3 feet thereby not interfering with other frequency sensitive equipment, and so as not to detune in the proximity of other objects and;

said sensor/transmitter has first means for continuously powering said self-contained means for continuously collecting and said self-contained very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting for a distance of at least 3 feet for a period of at least 2500 hours.

4. The universal mobile telemonitoring device in claim 3 wherein:

said very low power very low frequency means for continuously transmitting is a

5 Khz band transmitter and;

said first means for continuously powering is a battery.

5. The universal mobile telemonitoring device in claim 1 wherein:

said repeater has said self-contained means for continuously receiving said data from said very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, said data being continuously collected by said self-contained means for continuously collecting in said sensor/transmitter;

said repeater has said self-contained low power plurality of high frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting said data, so as to extend the wireless transmission distance to at least 1000 feet and to insure that incoming said low frequency does not cancel with outgoing said high frequency and vise versa;

said repeater has means for switching from one high frequency to another high frequency to avoid interference from other sources of said one high frequency;

said repeater has second means for continuously powering said self-contained means for continuously receiving and said self-contained low power plurality of high frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting over a physical distance of at least 1000 feet for a time period of at least 48 hours before said second means for continuously powering requires recharging;

said repeater has means for recharging said second means for continuously powering while said repeater is in use;

said repeater has means for recharging said second means for continuously powering while said repeater is not in use and;

said repeater has means for turning said repeater on and off.

6. The universal mobile telemonitoring device in claim 5 wherein;

said means for continuously receiving said data from said very low power very low frequency means for continuously transmitting is a 5 Khz band receiver;

said low power plurality of high frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting is a radio frequency band transmitter;

said second means for continuously powering is a rechargeable battery and;

said means for recharging is a standard 110-120 volt to 6-9 volt electrical outlet wall transformer.

7. The universal mobile telemonitoring device in claim 1 wherein:

said short range receiver has said self-contained means for continuously receiving said data from said very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, said data being continuously collected by said self-contained means for continuously collecting in said sensor/transmitter;

said short range receiver has self-contained said hard wired means for continuously transmitting said data to said receiving port in said computer and;

said short range receiver has means for using voltages obtained from connections at said receiving port in said computer to power said self-contained means for continuously receiving said data from said very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, and said hard wired means for continuously transmitting, so as to eliminate the need for batteries in said short range receiver.

8. The universal mobile telemonitoring device in claim 7 wherein:

said means for continuously receiving said data from said very low power very low frequency means for continuously transmitting is said 5 Khz band receiver.

9. The universal mobile telemonitoring device in claim 1 wherein:

said long range receiver has said self-contained means for continuously receiving said data from said low power plurality of high frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, said data being continuously collected by said self-contained means for continuously collecting in said sensor/transmitter;

said long range receiver has means for switching from one high frequency to another high frequency to avoid interference from other sources of said one high frequency;

said long range receiver has self-contained said hard wired means for continuously transmitting said data to said receiving port in said computer;

said long range receiver has means for using voltages obtained from connections at said receiving port in said computer to power said self-contained means for continuously receiving said data from said low power high frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, and said hard wired means for continuously transmitting, so as to eliminate the need for batteries in said long range receiver and;

said long range receiver has means for turning said long range receiver on and off.

10. The universal mobile telemonitoring device in claim 9 wherein:

said means for continuously receiving said data from said low power plurality of high frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting is a radio frequency band receiver.

11. The universal mobile telemonitoring device in claim 1 wherein:

said computer program has processing means to automatically calibrate to user specified upper and lower limits selected from a menu of group norms generated by said computer program, in terms of units and in terms of standard deviations;

said computer program has processing means to accept independent user specified upper and lower limits;

said computer program has processing means to continuously read said data from said receiving port in said computer, said data being continuously collected by said self-contained means for continuously collecting in said sensor/transmitter;

said computer program has processing means to filter extraneous transmissions that enter said receiving port in said computer;

said computer program has processing means to create a permanent history file of said data and corresponding date and time, and store said date and time, and said data in said permanent history file in said computer so that said date and time, and said data can be accessed and retrieved by other computer software applications;

said computer program has processing means to continuously update and extend said permanent history file of said date and time, and said data;

said computer program has processing means to continuously retrieve said date and time, and said data from said permanent history file;

said computer program has processing means to continuously separate historical said data on said plurality of variables into individual variables;

said computer program has processing means to transform said individual variables into transformed individual variables according to one of a plurality of mathematical formulae;

said computer program has processing means to continuously create individual time charts of said transformed individual variables on said display monitor in terms of the units of said transformed individual variables;

said computer program has processing means to continuously create individual time charts of said transformed individual variables on said display monitor in terms of standard deviations;

said computer program has processing means to decompose said transformed individual variables into said common cause effects and said special cause effects;

said computer program has processing means to continuously create individual time charts of said common cause effects on said display monitor in terms of the units of said transformed individual variables;

said computer program has processing means to continuously create individual time charts of said common cause effects on said display monitor in terms of standard deviations;

said computer program has processing means to continuously create individual time charts of said special cause effects on said display monitor in terms of the units of said transformed individual variables;

said computer program has processing means to continuously create individual time charts of said special cause effects on said display monitor in terms of standard deviations;

said computer program has processing means to increase the time span of said individual time charts so as to include more history on said transformed individual variables;

said computer program has processing means to decrease the time span of said individual time charts so as to include less history on said transformed individual variables;

said computer program has processing means to continuously compute summary statistics for said transformed individual variables and display said summary statistics on said individual time charts;

said computer program has processing means for continuously sounding an audible alarm if the most recent value of said transformed individual variables falls outside of user specified upper and lower limits;

said computer program has processing means for making a permanent visible mark on said individual time charts at all points where any value of said transformed individual variables falls outside of user specified upper and lower limits;

said computer program has processing means for continuously changing the screen color of said display monitor to white if the most recent value of said transformed individual variables falls inside of user specified upper and lower limits;

said computer program has processing means for continuously changing the screen color of said display monitor to blue if the most recent value of said transformed individual variables falls outside of user specified upper and lower limits;

said computer program has processing means for continuously changing the screen color of said display monitor to yellow if the most recent two values of said transformed individual variables fall outside of user specified upper and lower limits;

said computer program has processing means for continuously changing the screen color of said display monitor to red if the most recent three values of said transformed individual variables fall outside of user specified upper and lower limits;

said computer program has processing means for sending said individual time charts to said printer, emailing said individual time charts to a user specified recipient, faxing said individual time charts to said fax machine, and continuously telephoning and sending a user specified email message to said telephone via a user specified telephone number if the screen color of said display monitor remains red for a user specified time period;

said computer program has processing means for continuously changing the screen color of said display monitor to red if no data is received at said receiving port in said computer for a first predetermined time period;

said computer program has processing means for continuously telephoning and sending a user specified email message to said telephone via a user specified telephone number if no data is received at said receiving port in said computer for a second predetermined time period and;

said computer program has processing means for copying said individual time charts into other computer software applications.

12. A method for the universal mobile telemonitoring of the interactions between a plurality of variables and generating a plurality of local alarms and a plurality of world wide alarms when said interactions become abnormal, comprising the steps of:

a) connecting a sensor/transmitter with self-contained means for continuously collecting data and self-contained very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting said data, to a source of said data, collecting said data and transmitting said data in a dry or wet environment for at least 2500 hours for a transmission distance of at least 3 feet;

b) using a repeater with self-contained means for continuously receiving said data from said very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, and self-contained low power plurality of high frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting said data, to receive said data and to transmit said data for an additional transmission distance of at least 1000 feet;

c) using a short range receiver with self-contained means for continuously receiving said data from said very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, and hard wire means for continuously transmitting said data, to receive said data and to transmit said data to a computer;

d) using a long range receiver with self-contained means for continuously receiving said data from said low power plurality of high frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, and said hard wire means for continuously transmitting said data, to receive said data and to transmit said data to said computer and;

e) using a computer program to operate said computer at a remote location within the range of said transmission distance, to power either of said receivers to receive said data from said hard wire means for continuously transmitting, to decompose said data into separate time charts of common cause effects and special cause effects for each of said plurality of variables, and to initiate a graduated progressive sound, screen color, printer and worldwide email, fax machine, and telephone alarm sequence whenever any value on said time charts falls outside of user specified upper and lower limits, thereby alerting an observer to take action regarding said source and to receive said time charts anywhere in the world where a telecommunications service is available.

13. The method of universal mobile telemonitoring according to claim 12, comprising steps of:

enabling the caller identification function in said telephone;

enabling the email message function in said telephone;

enabling the color graphics display monitor function in said computer;

enabling the receiving port function in said computer;

enabling the modem function in said computer;

enabling the speaker function in said computer and;

enabling the printer function in said computer.

14. The method of universal mobile telemonitoring according to claim 12, comprising steps of:

using said sensor/transmitter to continuously collect said data on a plurality of variables;

using said sensor/transmitter to uniquely code said data for security and integrity;

using said sensor/transmitter to continuously transmit said data by very low power very low frequency wireless means, so as to minimize the weight and the cost of said sensor/transmitter, so as to minimize energy consumption, so as to limit the transmission range of said sensor/transmitter to about 3 feet thereby not interfering with other frequency sensitive equipment, and so as not to detune in the proximity of other objects and;

using a miniature battery to continuously power said sensor/transmitter and very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting for a distance of at least 3 feet for a period of at least 2500 hours.

15. The method of universal mobile telemonitoring according to claim 12, comprising steps of:

using said repeater to continuously receiving said data from said very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, said data being continuously collected by said self-contained means for continuously collecting in said sensor/transmitter;

using said repeater to continuously transmit said data by low power plurality of high frequency wireless means, so as to extend the wireless transmission distance to at least 1000 feet and to insure that incoming said low frequency does not cancel with outgoing said high frequency and vise versa;

operating said repeater so as to switch from one high frequency to another high frequency to avoid interference from other sources of said one high frequency;

powering said repeater by rechargeable battery to operate continuously for a time period of at least 48 hours before said rechargeable battery requires recharging;

using a standard 110-120 volt to 6-9 volt electrical outlet wall transformer to operate and recharge said rechargeable battery in said repeater if said repeater is in use and;

using a standard 110-120 volt to 6-9 volt electrical outlet wall transformer to recharge said rechargeable battery in said repeater if said repeater is not in use;

turning said repeater on when said repeater is in use and turning said repeater receiver off when said repeater is not in use.

16. The method of universal mobile telemonitoring according to claim 15, comprising steps of:

continuously receiving said very low power very low frequency transmission at about 5 Khz and;

continuously transmitting said low power plurality of high frequency in the radio frequency band.

17. The method of universal mobile telemonitoring according to claim 12, comprising steps of:

using said short range receiver to continuously receive said data from said very low power very low frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, said data being continuously collected by said self-contained means for continuously collecting in said sensor/transmitter;

using said short range receiver to continuously transmit said data by hard wire means to said receiving port in said computer and;

powering said short range receiver with voltages obtained from connections at said receiving port in said computer, so as to eliminate the need for batteries in said short range receiver.

18. The method of universal mobile telemonitoring according to claim 12, comprising steps of:

using said long range receiver to continuously receive said data from said low power plurality of high frequency wireless means for continuously transmitting, said data being continuously collected by said self-contained means for continuously collecting in said sensor/transmitter;

operating said long range receiver so as to switch from one high frequency to another high frequency to avoid interference from other sources of said one high frequency;

using said long range receiver to continuously transmit said data by hard wire means to said receiving port in said computer;

powering said long range receiver with voltages obtained from connections at said receiving port in said computer, so as to eliminate the need for batteries in said long range receiver and;

turning said long range receiver on when said long range receiver is in use and turning said long range receiver off when said long range receiver is not in use.

19. The method of universal mobile telemonitoring according to claim 12, comprising steps of:

using said computer program to automatically calibrate to user specified upper and lower limits selected from a menu of group norms generated by said computer program, in terms of units and in terms of standard deviations;

using said computer program to accept independent user specified upper and lower limits;

using said computer program to continuously read said data from said receiving port in said computer, said data being continuously collected by said self-contained means for continuously collecting in said sensor/transmitter;

using said computer program to filter extraneous transmissions that enter said receiving port in said computer;

using said computer program to create a permanent history file of said data and corresponding date and time, and to store said date and time, and said data in said permanent history file in said computer so that said date and time, and said data can be accessed and retrieved by other computer software applications;

using said computer program to continuously update and extend said permanent history file of said date and time, and said data;

using said computer program to continuously retrieve said date and time, and said data from said permanent history file;

using said computer program to continuously separate historical said data on said plurality of variables into individual variables;

using said computer program to transform said individual variables into transformed individual variables according to one of a plurality of mathematical formulae;

using said computer to continuously create individual time charts of said transformed individual variables on said display monitor in terms of the units of said transformed individual variables;

using said computer program to continuously create individual time charts of said transformed individual variables on said display monitor in terms of standard deviations;

using said computer program to decompose said transformed individual variables into said common cause effects and said special cause effects;

using said computer program to continuously create individual time charts of said common cause effects on said display monitor in terms of the units of said transformed individual variables;

using said computer program to continuously create individual time charts of said common cause effects on said display monitor in terms of standard deviations;

using said computer program to continuously create individual time charts of said special cause effects on said display monitor in terms of the units of said transformed individual variables;

using said computer program to continuously create individual time charts of said special cause effects on said display monitor in terms of standard deviations;

using said computer program to increase the time span of said individual time charts so as to include more history on said transformed individual variables;

using said computer program to decrease the time span of said individual time charts so as to include less history on said transformed individual variables;

using said computer program to continuously compute summary statistics for said transformed individual variables and to display said summary statistics on said individual time charts;

using said computer program to continuously sound an audible alarm if the most recent value of said transformed individual variables falls outside of user specified upper and lower limits;

using said computer program to make a permanent visible mark on said individual time charts at all points where any value of said transformed individual variables falls outside of user specified upper and lower limits;

using said computer program to continuously change the screen color of said display monitor to white if the most recent value of said transformed individual variables falls inside of user specified upper and lower limits;

using said computer program to continuously change the screen color of said display monitor to blue if the most recent value of said transformed individual variables falls outside of user specified upper and lower limits;

using said computer program to continuously change the screen color of said display monitor to yellow if the most recent two values of said transformed individual variables fall outside of user specified upper and lower limits;

using said computer program to continuously change the screen color of said display monitor to red if the most recent three values of said transformed individual variables fall outside of user specified upper and lower limits;

using said computer program to send said individual time charts to said printer, email said individual time charts to a user specified recipient, fax said individual time charts to said fax machine, and continuously telephone and send a user specified email message to said telephone via a user specified telephone number if the screen color of said display monitor remains red for a user specified time period;

using said computer program to continuously change the screen color of said display monitor to red if no data is received at said receiving port in said computer for a first predetermined time period;

using said computer program to continuously telephone and send a user specified email message to said telephone via a user specified telephone number if no data is received at said receiving port in said computer for a second predetermined time period and;

using said computer program to copy said individual time charts into other computer software applications.

20. A method for the universal mobile telemonitoring of the interactions between a plurality of variables and generating a plurality of local alarms and a plurality of world wide alarms when said interactions become abnormal, comprising the steps of:

a) connecting a sensor/transmitter with self-contained means for continuously collecting data and self-contained hard wire means for continuously transmitting said data, to a source of said data, collecting said data and transmitting said data to the receiving port of a computer;

b) using a computer program to operate said computer to power said sensor/transmitter with voltages obtained from connections at said receiving port, to receive said data from said hard wire means for continuously transmitting, to decompose said data into separate time charts of common cause effects and special cause effects for each of said plurality of variables, and to initiate a graduated progressive sound, screen color, printer and worldwide email, fax machine, and telephone alarm sequence whenever any value on said time charts falls outside of user specified upper and lower limits, thereby alerting an observer to take action regarding said source and to receive said time charts anywhere in the world where a telecommunications service is available.