Method and system for collecting and analyzing environmental data

• US 7,788,294 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graywolf Sensing Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Graywolf Sensing Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Van Wart, William F., Denning, Paul J., Stonier, Richard T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleurantin; Jean B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ly; Anh
• Application Number:
  US11/893,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20090049005A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/10, 707100-102, 707/104.1, 707/804, 707/805, 707/802, 705/1, 705/2, 705/9, 705/10, 705/26, 705/37, 705/45
• US Class Current: 707/804
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A method and system for customizing a data logging and analysis program. The method includes connecting environmental sensors to a computer or other data collecting device and accessing a workflow customization interface that allows a user to select a customized workflow or optionally to customize a data collection program by selecting at least one action. The method also includes accessing a user interface to run a customized program.

Claims

1. A method for collecting quantitative environmental data relating to an indoor space inside a building, using a data logging and analysis program, the method comprising:

connecting a computer to a data collecting means;

accessing a workflow interface that allows a user to select a data collection program having at least one action;

accessing a user interface to run the data collection program; and

editing a default program including said at least one action,

wherein said data collecting means is a sensor for collecting environmental data.

3. A method for collecting data using logging and analysis program as in claim 1, wherein said at least one action is selected from TEXT, PROMPT, START TIMED LOG, START SNAP LOG, SELECT LOCATION, ADD NOTE, NO-OP, and STATS.

4. A method for collecting data using a data logging and analysis program as in claim 1, wherein said computer is a mobile computer or laptop computer.

5. A method for collecting data using a data logging and analysis program as in claim 1, wherein said computer is connected to said data collecting means by a probe connection.

6. A method for collecting data using a data logging and analysis program as in claim 1, wherein said computer is connected to said data collecting means by a wireless connection.

7. A method for collecting data using a data logging and analysis program as in claim 1, further comprising saving a customized program based on a users particular application.

2. Wherein the workflow interface allows a user to customize a data collection program by selecting at least two actions and selecting the order of said actions.

8. A method for collecting data on environmental conditions in a room inside a building, whose temperature and air quality may be controlled by mechanical systems, using a data logging and analysis program, said system comprising:

an interface, said interface allowing entry of a plurality of actions in an order determined by a user;

an editing means allowing the user to change the order of said plurality of actions; and

a display where the user views and analyzes data,

wherein said system is a handheld device connected to a sensing means,

wherein said sensing means is an environmental sensor that detects environmental parameters.

9. A method for collecting data using a data logging and analysis program as in claim 8, wherein said plurality of actions are selected from TEXT, PROMPT, START TIMED LOG, START SNAP LOG, SELECT LOCATION, ADD NOTE, NO-OP, and STATS.

10. A method of determining environmental conditions in a space inside a building, comprising:

(a) programming a portable, handheld device with a program which presents a series of instructional screens to a user, at least some of said screens being adapted for receiving user input information and outputting guidance information in the form of user prompts to said users, at least one of said screens being adapted to receive an input from the user to cause the storage of environmental data;

(b) connecting an environmental sensor that detects environmental parameters to said portable, handheld device;

(c) cycling through said program in response to said user prompts; and

(d) storing environmental measurement information output by said environmental sensor.

11. A method of determining environmental conditions in a building, comprising:

(a) programming a portable, handheld device with a program which presents a series of instructional screens to a user, at least some of said screens being adapted for receiving user input information and outputting guidance information in the form of user prompts to said users, at least one of said screens being adapted to receive an input from the user to cause the storage of environmental data;

(b) connecting an environmental sensor that detects environmental parameters to said portable, handheld device;

(c) cycling through said program in response to said user prompts; and

(d) storing environmental measurement information output by said environmental sensor.

12. A method of determining environmental conditions in a building as in claim 11, wherein said series of screens include screens which allow the attachment of notes to environmental measurement information.

13. A method of determining environmental conditions in a building as in claim 11, wherein said series of screens may be selected from a plurality of location specific screens associated with a particular space.

14. A method of determining environmental conditions in a building as in claim 11, wherein said series of screens are selected from a plurality of selections for locations of various types, such as hospitals, commercial space and so forth.