Flexible scheduler for a cellular reporting system

• US 20060032304A1
• Filed: 08/09/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Original Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Miller, Wojtek
• Granted Patent: US 7,249,505 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/290.R
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level

Abstract

A tank level monitoring system is provided. The system comprises a monitor and a data center. The monitor is operatively connected to the tank to periodically monitor a level of product stored in the tank. The monitor includes a user-defined reporting schedule programmed therein. The data center is in communication with the monitor via a data channel. The monitor transmits level measurement information to the data center over the communication channel based on the user-defined reporting schedule.

Claims

1. A tank level monitoring system comprising:

a monitor operatively connected to the tank to periodically monitor a level of product stored in the tank, the monitor including a user-defined reporting schedule programmed therein;

a data center in communication with the monitor via a data channel; and

wherein the monitor transmits level measurement information to the data center over the communication channel based on the user-defined reporting schedule.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data center includes a user interface providing a plurality of user selectable scheduling options from which a user can create the user-defined reporting schedule.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the data center transmits the user-defined reporting schedule to the monitor via the communication channel.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the communication channel is a cellular network.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the user interface provides user selectable scheduling options including a daily reporting option and a weekly reporting option.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the user interface provides user selectable scheduling options including a user selectable time of first report option.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the selectable time of first report option comprises a user selectable day of the week option and a user selectable time of day option.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the user interface provides user selectable scheduling options including a user selectable time between reports option.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the user interface provides user selectable scheduling options including a user selectable maximum reports per week option.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the user interface provides user selectable scheduling options including a user selectable measurement interval option.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitor stores level measurement information from periodic monitoring events until the level measurement information is transmitted based on the user-defined reporting schedule.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the data center includes a user interface providing a plurality of user selectable scheduling options from which a user can change the user-defined reporting schedule, wherein the data center transmits the changed user-defined reporting schedule to the monitor, and wherein the monitor thereafter transmits level measurement information to the data center over the communication channel based on the changed user-defined reporting schedule.

13. A method of scheduling transmission of tank level measurement information from a tank level monitor to a data center via a communication channel, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a user input defining a reporting schedule;

transmitting the reporting schedule to the tank level monitor; and

receiving tank level measurement information transmitted from the tank level monitor in accordance with the reporting schedule.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of displaying a user interface providing a plurality of user selectable scheduling options from which a user can create the reporting schedule.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of receiving a user input further comprises the step of receiving a selectable time between reports parameter.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of receiving a user input further comprises the step of receiving a maximum reports per period parameter.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of receiving a user input further comprises the step of receiving a measurement interval parameter.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of displaying the transmission schedule on the user interface.

19. A method of monitoring a product in a tank, comprising the steps of:

receiving a user defined transmission schedule;

monitoring a parameter of the product in the tank; and

transmitting information related to the parameter in accordance with the user defined transmission schedule.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

receiving an updated transmission schedule; and

transmitting information related to the parameter in accordance with the updated transmission schedule.