Disposable electronic monitor device

• US RE36,200 E
• Filed: 05/09/1996
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sensitech Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sensitech Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Santin, Ernest M., Nunes, Peter M., Vanderpot, John W., Tout, William A., Berrian, Donald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOLAND, THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US08/647,002
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• Field of Search: 73/866.1, 73/866.3, 73/866.2, 73/753, 73/335.02, 73/492, 73/503, 73/514.35, 374/102, 374/103, 374/104, 374/108, 374/170, 364/556, 364/557, 364/558, 364/571.01-571.08, 340/870.04, 702/104
• US Class Current: 73/866.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 1/04 giving integrated values giving mean values G01D1/02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 1/12 giving a maximum or minimum of a value
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 1/14 giving a distribution function of a value, i.e. number of times the value comes within specified ranges of amplitude
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/022 for recording

Abstract

Apparatus for monitoring an externally applied parameter to selected products. The invention involves a housing enclosing a sensor, and a monitoring and output network. The sensor has a characteristic that varies in some predetermined manner with variation in the monitored parameter. The monitoring and output network involves a sensor which produces a signal representative of the monitored characteristic. Values associated with the signal are stored in a memory device for subsequent, selected retrieval.

Claims

1. Apparatus for monitoring an externally applied parameter, comprising

a housing enclosing:

A. a sensor having a characteristic that varies in a predetermined manner with variation of said parameter;

B. a monitoring and output network including;

i. means coupled to said sensor for generating a signal representative of variations of said characteristic over time,

ii. first storage means for storing values associated with selected portions of said signal, said selected portions including other than the most recent portion of said signal, and

iii. selectively operative means for generating an output signal representative of selected ones of said stored values; and

C. a power supply in operable communication with said sensor and said network.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, humidity, and acceleration.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said monitoring and output network is an integrated circuit.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing at least one of the group consisting of:

A. the value of said signal representative of the maximum value of said characteristic and the time of generation of said value;

B. the value representative of the minimum value of said characteristic and the time of generation of said value;

C. the value corresponding to the time integral of said characteristic . .beyond.!. .Iadd.outside of an acceptable range or above or below .Iaddend.a predetermined threshold value;

D. the time that the value of said signal first exceeded a predetermined threshold value;

E. the time that the value of said signal most recently exceeded a predetermined threshold value;

F. the time that the value of said signal first fell below a predetermined threshold value; and

G. the time that the value of said signal most recently fell below a predetermined threshold value, and

H. the number of excursions . .beyond.!. .Iadd.outside of an acceptable range or above or below .Iaddend.a predetermined threshold value.Iadd., and

I. the value corresponding to the cumulative time of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value.Iaddend..

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, humidity, and acceleration.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said monitoring and output network is an integrated circuit.

7. Apparatus according to claim . .6.!. .Iadd.8 .Iaddend.wherein said .Iadd.coded .Iaddend.output signal . .coding.!. is binary.

8. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said output means includes an optical signal generator for generating said optical signal, said output signal being visually perceptible and being coded to be representative of said selected ones of said stored values.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising selectively operative means for interrogating said monitoring and output network and for generating data representative of selected ones of said stored values.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

remotely adjustable second storing means for storing predetermined comparative values, and

means for comparing said stored values of said signal with said comparative values, said comparing means including means for generating a signal representative of any discrepancy between said stored values from said first storage means and said comparative values of said second storage means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said output means includes an optical signal generator for generating said output signal, said output signal being visually perceptible and being coded to be representative of said selected ones of said stored values.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said .Iadd.coded .Iaddend.output signal . .coding.!. is binary. .Iadd.

13. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said output signal is representative of a first binary state if no excursions of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value have occurred, and wherein said output signal is representative of a second binary state if at least one excursion of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below said threshold value has occurred..Iaddend..Iadd.14. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value of said signal representative of the maximum value of said characteristic and the time of generation of said value..Iaddend..Iadd.15. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value representative of the minimum value of said characteristic and the time of

14. generation of said value..Iaddend..Iadd.16. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value corresponding to the time integral of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.17. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal first exceeded a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.18. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal most recently exceeded a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.19. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal first fell below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.20. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal most recently fell below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.21. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the number of excursions outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.22. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value corresponding to the cumulative time of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.23. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said monitoring and output network is programmed to operate in:

a) a sleep mode, wherein a predetermined range of allowed values of temperature is established,

b) a monitor mode, wherein the measuring and processing functions are activated, and

c) a stop mode, wherein the measuring and processing functions are irreversibly stopped,

wherein said monitoring and output network further comprises independently actuatable start and stop devices for indicating a change in the mode of operation..Iaddend..Iadd.24. Apparatus for monitoring an externally applied parameter comprising;

a housing enclosing;

A. a sensor having a characteristic that varies in a predetermined manner with variation of said parameter,

B. a monitoring and output network including;

i. means coupled to said sensor for generating a signal representative of variations of said characteristic over time,

ii. first storage means for storing values associated with selected portions of said signal, said selected portions including other than the most recent portion of said signal, and

iii. selectively operative means for generating an output signal representative of selected ones of said stored values; and

C. a power supply in operable communication with said sensor and said network,

wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing at least one of the group consisting of;

A. the value of said signal representative of the maximum value of said characteristic and the time of generation of said value;

B. the value representative of the minimum value of said characteristic and the time of generation of said value;

C. the value corresponding to the time integral of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value;

D. the time that the value of said signal first exceeded a predetermined threshold value;

E. the time that the value of said signal most recently exceeded a predetermined threshold value;

F. the time that the value of said signal first fell below a predetermined threshold value;

G. the time that the value of said signal most recently fell below a predetermined threshold value;

H. the number of excursions outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value; and

I. the value corresponding to the cumulative time of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold

15. value..Iaddend..Iadd.25. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, humidity and acceleration..Iaddend..Iadd.26. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said monitoring and output network is an integrated circuit..Iaddend..Iadd.27. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said output means includes an optical signal generator for generating said output signal, said output signal being visually perceptible and being coded to be representative of said selected ones of said stored values..Iaddend..Iadd.28. Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said coded output signal is binary..Iaddend..Iadd.29. Apparatus according to claim 24 further comprising selectively operative means for interrogating said monitoring and output network and for generating data representative of selected ones of said stored values..Iaddend..Iadd.30. Apparatus according to claim 24 further comprising remotely adjustable second storing means for storing predetermined comparative values, and means for comparing said stored values of said signal with said comparative values, said comparing means including means for generating a signal representative of any discrepancy between said stored values from said first storage means and said comparative values of said second storage

16. means..Iaddend..Iadd.31. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said output signal is representative of a first binary state if no excursions of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value have occurred, and wherein said output signal is representative of a second binary state if at least one excursion of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value has occurred..Iaddend..Iadd.32. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said monitoring and output network is programmed to operate in:

a) a sleep mode, wherein a predetermined range of allowed values of temperature is established,

b) a monitor mode, wherein the measuring and processing functions are activated, and

c) a stop mode, wherein the measuring and processing functions are irreversibly stopped,

wherein said monitoring and output network further comprises independently actuatable start and stop devices for indicating a change in the mode of operation..Iaddend..Iadd.33. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value of said signal representative of the maximum value of said characteristic and the time of generation of said value..Iaddend..Iadd.34. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value representative of the minimum value of said characteristic and the time of generation of said value..Iaddend..Iadd.35. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value corresponding to the time integral of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold

17. value..Iaddend..Iadd.36. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal first exceeded a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.37. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal most recently exceeded a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.38. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal first fell below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.39. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal most recently fell below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.40. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the number of excursions outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.41. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value corresponding to the cumulative time of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.42. Apparatus for monitoring an externally applied parameter comprising

a housing enclosing:

A. a sensor having a characteristic that varies in a predetermined manner with variation of said parameter;

B. a monitoring and output network including;

i. means coupled to said sensor for generating a signal representative of variations of said characteristic over time,

ii. first storage means for storing values associated with selected portions of said signal, said selected portions including other than the most recent portion of said signal, and

iii. selectively operative means for generating an output signal representative of selected ones of said stored values; and

C. a power supply in operable communication with said sensor and said network,

wherein said output signal is representative of a first binary state if no excursions of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value have occurred, and wherein said output signal is representative of a second binary state if at least one excursion of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value has occurred..Iaddend..Iadd.43. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value of said signal representative of the maximum value of said characteristic and the time of generation of said value..Iaddend..Iadd.44. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value representative of the minimum value of said characteristic and the time of generation of said value..Iaddend..Iadd.45. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value corresponding to the time integral of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.46. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal first exceeded a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.47. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal most recently exceeded a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.48. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal first fell below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.49. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the time that the value of said signal most recently fell below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.50. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the number of excursions outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.51. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said first storage means includes means for generating and storing the value corresponding to the cumulative time of said characteristic outside of an acceptable range or above or below a predetermined threshold value..Iaddend..Iadd.52. Apparatus according to claim 42 further comprising;

remotely adjustable second storing means for storing predetermined comparative values, and means for comparing said stored values of said signal with said comparative values, said comparing means including means for generating a signal representative of any discrepancy between said stored values from said first storage means and said comparative values of said second storage means..Iaddend..Iadd.53. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said monitoring and output network is programmed to operate in;

a) a sleep mode, wherein a predetermined range of allowed values of temperature is established,

b) a monitor mode, wherein the measuring and processing functions are activated, and

c) a stop mode, wherein the measuring and processing functions are irreversibly stopped,

wherein said monitoring and output network further comprises independently actuatable start and stop devices for indicating a change in the mode of operation..Iaddend.