Portable data collection device - Patent Review 5526287

What is claimed is:

1. A portable device for collecting a plurality of different types of sensed physical data, comprising:

a portable unit sized for hand-held use, including:

a housing;

processor means mounted within the housing for controlling input and output of information corresponding with and according to a plurality of different types of sensed physical data to and from a memory means mounted within the housing for storing said information;

operator control means for controlling the processor means; and

a plurality of commonly configured externally accessible input ports extending through the housing that are connected to the processor means; and

at least one sensor means for providing a sensed signal representative of a corresponding type of sensed physical data, wherein the sensor means comprises an interconnection means supportably connectable to the externally accessible portion of any of said input ports for providing to the processor means the sensed signal, the interconnection means comprising:

(i) a data identification means for communicating to the processor means a data identification signal identifying the corresponding type of sensed physical data represented by the sensed signal; and

(ii) a scaling means for altering the strength of the sensed signal to a corresponding predetermined scaling factor for calibrating the sensed signal into said information;

wherein the processor means automatically employs said data identification signal and controls the input of the corresponding said information to said memory means according to the corresponding type of sensed physical data regardless of which of said plurality of input ports is connected to said interconnection means.

2. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the operator control means comprises a key pad having a plurality of individual keys for the user to provide input to the processor means.

3. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operator control means provides at least one of the following commands to the processor means: communicate a portion of the information to an external digital computer, store a portion of the information in the memory means, and delete a portion of the information from the memory means.

4. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: when the portable unit is operating independently of an external digital computer, the user may select through the operator control means a time interval at the end of which the processor means receives a sensed signal from the sensor means.

5. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises:

a digital input means to communicate a sensed signal in digital form to the processor means; and

wherein the sensed signal represents sensed physical data that is a function of time.

6. The portable device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the processor means comprises:

a timer for timing the duration of the sensed signal.

7. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of sensor means, each sensor means comprising an interconnection means; and

wherein:

each interconnection means is interchangeable with the externally accessible portion of each of the input ports.

8. The portable device, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

each interconnection means has a commonly configured output port to attach to the commonly configured input ports.

9. The portable device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

at least two of the input ports are offset from another in a vertical orientation and at least two of the input ports are offset from one another in a horizontal orientation.

10. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory means comprises:

a calibration table indexing the data identification signal against variables corresponding to the various types of sensed physical data represented by each sensed signal.

11. The portable device, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the variables comprise:

the corresponding predetermined scaling factor for each type of sensed physical data and an engineering unit corresponding to each scaling factor to convert the sensed signal into sensed physical data.

12. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the data identification signal is analog; and

for sensed physical data that is a function of time, the sensed signal is digital; and

for sensed physical data that is not a function of time, the sensed signal is analog; and

the processor means comprises an analog-to-digital converter means for converting the sensed signals and data identification signals from analog to digital form.

13. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the type of sensed physical data includes the following: pH, pressure, temperature, velocity, kinetic energy, acceleration, magnetic field strength, electrical field strength, light intensity, period and frequency of rotation, viscosity, noise level, and humidity.

14. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the sensed and data identification signals are an electrical impulse; and

the electrical impulse is one of the following: voltage resistance or current.

15. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a digital computer external to the housing; and

connector means for connecting the portable unit to the digital computer to communicate said information from the memory means to the digital computer.

16. The portable device, as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

in a first mode, the connector means provides information to the digital computer as the information is received by the processor means.

17. The portable device, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

in a second mode, the memory means stores information received by the processor means for later transmission to the digital computer.

18. The portable device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

the memory means comprises instructions to the user as to the operational sequence of the portable device;

the processor means can access the instructions from the memory means when the portable device is in the first mode or the second mode; and further comprising:

presentation means for providing the instructions to the user.

19. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

presentation means contained within the housing for providing the information to the user.

20. The portable device, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an internal power source contained within the housing for providing power to the processor means.

21. A portable device for collecting a plurality of different types of physical data, comprising:

a portable unit sized for hand-held use, including:

a housing;

processor means mounted within said housing for controlling the input and output of information corresponding with and according to a plurality of different types of sensed physical data to and from a memory means mounted within said housing for storing said information;

operator control means for controlling said processor means, wherein, when the portable unit is operating independently of an external digital computer, the operator control means permits the user to select a time interval at the end of which the processor means receives a sensed signal from a sensor means; and

a plurality of commonly configured, externally accessible input ports extending through said housing operably connected to said processor means; and

a plurality of sensor means, each sensor means providing to the processor means a sensed signal representative of a corresponding type of sensed physical data wherein each sensor means comprises:

an interconnection means that is supportably connectable to the externally accessible portion of any of the input ports, each interconnection means comprising:

(i) a scaling means for converting the strength of the corresponding sensed signal to correspond to a corresponding preselected scaling factor to calibrate the corresponding sensed signal into said corresponding information; and

(ii) a data identification means for communicating to the processor means a data identification signal indicating the type of corresponding sensed physical data represented by the sensed signal, wherein at least one sensor means is sized for hand-held use; and

wherein the processor means automatically employs said data identification signal and controls the input of the corresponding said information to said memory means according to the corresponding type of sensed physical data regardless of which of said plurality of input ports is connected to said interconnection means.

22. The portable device, as claimed in claim 21, wherein the memory means comprises:

a calibration table indexing the data identification signal for each type of sensed physical data against the preselected scaling factors and engineering units corresponding to each preselected scaling factor for converting each type of sensed signal to information.

23. The portable device, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

the sensed signal is received by the processor means on a time and date and the processor means comprises a chronometer to index the sensed signal received by the processor means as a function of the time and date.

24. The portable device, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

the sensed signal is in analog form; and

the processor means comprises a high resolution converter means for converting the sensed signal from analog to digital form and the high resolution converter means has a resolution of more than about 16 bits.

25. The portable device, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

the sensor means comprises a sensing element and the interconnection means is permanently connected to the sensing element.

26. The portable device, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

the type of sensed physical data includes the following: pH, pressure, temperature, velocity, kinetic energy,, acceleration, magnetic field strength, electrical field strength, light intensity, period and frequency of rotation, viscosity, noise level, and humidity.

27. The portable device, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

at least one of the sensor means is sized for hand-held use.

28. The portable device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein all of the input ports are commonly configured.

29. The portable device, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

the operator control means comprises a key pad having a plurality of keys with each key corresponding to a command.

30. A portable device for collecting a plurality of different types of sensed physical data, comprising:

a portable unit sized for hand-held use, including:

a housing;

processor means mounted within the housing for controlling input and output of information corresponding with and according to a plurality of different types of sensed physical data to and from a memory means mounted within the housing for storing said information;

a key pad having multiple keys for controlling the processor means, wherein, when the portable unit operates independently of an external digital computer, the key pad permits the user to select a time interval at the end of which the processor means receives a sensed signal from a sensor means; and

a plurality of commonly configured externally accessible input ports extending through the housing that are connected to the processor means; and

a plurality of sensor means for providing a sensed signal representative of a corresponding type of sensed physical data, wherein each sensor means comprises:

an interconnection means supportably connectable to the externally accessible portion of any of the input ports for providing to the processor means the sensed signal, the interconnection means comprising:

(i) a data identification means for communicating to the processor means a data identification signal identifying the corresponding type of sensed physical data represented by the sensed signal; and

(ii) scaling means for altering the strength of the corresponding sensed signal to a form corresponding to a corresponding predetermined scaling factor for calibrating the corresponding sensed signal into said corresponding information, wherein at least one of the sensor means is sized for hand-held use and the sensed signal is analog for sensed physical data that is a function of time and digital for sensed physical data that is not a function of time; and

wherein the processor means automatically employs said data identification signal and controls the input of the corresponding said information to said memory means according to the corresponding type of sensed physical data regardless of which of said plurality of input ports is connected to said interconnection means.

Description Submit all comments and votes

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to portable data collection devices that may be used in connection with a digital computer for computer-assisted education and, more specifically, to a portable data collection device that may be used by students to collect various types of sensed physical data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Digital computers are in widespread use not only among post-secondary educational institutions, such as universities, colleges, and trade schools, but also among secondary educational institutions, such as elementary and high schools. One major use for computers by educators is to assist students in conducting experiments, especially in the sciences such as biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics. For example, digital computers can be used to collect physical measurements for later analysis by the student.

Existing digital computer systems generally involve a personal computer interfaced with one or more sensors to collect the physical measurements. Using the digital computer, the student can later analyze the collected physical measurements as a function of a desired variable, such as time.

Existing digital computer-based systems for collection of physical measurements are poorly suited for use by students. Students frequently have limited access to such data collection systems. The significant cost of digital computers often limits the number of computers that an educational institution can purchase for student use. This is especially true for secondary educational institutions which are experiencing increasing budgetary constraints. Consequently, students are frequently limited in the number and length of experiments that they may conduct using the system.

Existing digital computer-based systems are not portable, forcing the student to conduct the desired experiment in the immediate vicinity of the computer. As used herein, the term "portable" shall refer to a device that is hand held and has an internal power source. The spacial limitation on the experiment location limits the variety of experiments that the student may conduct using the computer. For many types of chemical experiments, the spacial limitation increases the risk that during the experiments the computer may be damaged by the chemical compounds used in the experiment, such as acids. The significant cost to repair or replace personal computers magnifies the consequences of this risk.

The software and hardware of existing digital computer-based systems are generally complex to set up and operate, requiring teachers to continuously supervise students during operation of the system. Confusion may arise when the students operate the complex disk operating system and the software interfacing the computer with the sensors. Complex command sequences are often required not only to set up the system but also to operate the system during experimentation. Additionally, in some systems the user must inform the computer of the type of sensor located at a designated port before measurements can be taken. In other systems, a specific type of sensor must be connected to a specific input port. If the sensor is connected to an improper input port, inaccurate measurements may result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an inexpensive portable device for collection of physical measurements.

It is a further objective to provide a portable data collection device for educational use that can collect a wide variety of physical measurement types.

It is a further objective to provide a portable data collection device for educational use that can be operated by students with minimal teacher supervision.

One or more of the preceding objectives is realized by the portable data collection device of the present invention. One aspect of the present invention provides a portable data collection device for collecting various types of sensed physical data. As used herein, "sensed physical data" shall refer to any type of information that requires the measurement of a quality, characteristic or condition of an object or substance. By way of example, the various types of sensed physical data that can be collected by the device include pH, pressure, temperature, velocity, kinetic energy, acceleration, magnetic field strength, electrical field strength, light intensity, period and frequency of rotation, viscosity, sound, humidity, composition, concentration, or other parameters.

The portable data collection device for collecting the sensed physical data includes a portable unit sized for hand-held use and at least one sensor means for providing to the unit a sensed signal representative of the sensed physical data. The portable unit includes; (i) a housing; (ii) processor means mounted within the housing for controlling the input and output of the information from a memory means mounted within the housing for storing the information; (iii) operator control means for controlling the processor means; and (iv) an externally accessible input port extending through the housing that is connected to the processor means. The sensor means includes an interconnection means detachably connected to the externally accessible portion of the input port for providing to the processor means the sensed signal. As used herein, "externally accessible" refers to the ability of the user to remove or replace a sensor means without removing a portion of the housing to access the interior of the device. The interconnection means further includes a data identification means for communicating to the processor means a data identification signal identifying the type of sensed physical data represented by the sensed signal. The interconnection means can be permanently connected to the sensor means.

The information stored in the memory means corresponds to the sensed physical data being collected by the sensor means. The information can be any variable or parameter that represents the sensed physical data. Preferably, the information includes at least a numerical value expressing the sensed physical data and a corresponding engineering unit. As discussed below, the value is obtained by applying a preselected scaling factor to the sensed signal. The appropriate scaling factor and engineering unit for a given sensed signal are selected by the processor means based on the data identification signal.

The device can be operated in one of two modes. In a first mode, the device provides the information to a digital computer as received from the sensor means. The device includes connector means for connecting the processor means to the digital computer. In a second mode, the memory means stores the information received from the processor means for later transmission of the information to the digital computer through the connector means. When in either mode, the processor means can access from the memory means instructions to the user as to the operational sequence of the portable device and present the instructions to the user via a presentation means.

In either mode, there are two classes of sensed signals that can be received by the device from the sensor means. The first class of sensed signal is representative of sensed physical data that is a function of time and the second class is representative of sensed physical data that is not a function of time. For either class of sensed signal, the sensed signal is an electrical impulse (e.g., voltage, resistance or current). As provided by the sensor means, the first class of sensed signal is generally in digital form and the second class in analog form.

To convert either class of sensed signal to information corresponding to the appropriate type of sensed physical data, the memory means includes a data set indexing the data identification signal against variables associated with the various types of sensed physical data represented by each data identification signal. As noted above, the variables include the scaling factor and an engineering unit corresponding to each scaling factor. For the first class of sensed signal, the scaling factor is preferably applied to the duration of the sensed signal. For the second class, the scaling factor is preferably applied to the magnitude of the sensed signal.

The data identification means enhances the interchangeability of the interconnection means and input ports and simplifies use of the device by communicating to the processor means the location and identity of each sensor means. The data identification signal emitted by each sensor means communicates this data to the processor means without user input. This feature enables the processor means not only to select appropriate variables for each sensor means when the device is turned on but also to select appropriate variables substantially simultaneously with the replacement of a sensor means.

The operator control means enables the user to control the processor means. User input includes at least one of the following commands: communicate information to a digital computer, store information in the memory means, and delete information from the memory means. The user can further select a time interval at the end of which the processor means is to receive a sensed signal from the sensor means.

The device can include various additional components depending upon the application. The device can include a plurality of sensor means that are interchangeable with a plurality of externally accessible input ports extending through the housing. Each sensor means includes an interconnection means having a commonly configured output port. The plurality of input ports are commonly configured to attach to the commonly configured output ports. The input ports are preferably in a frictional mating engagement with the interconnection means to enhance interchangeability.

To reduce the dimensions of the device and thereby enhance portability, the plurality of input ports can be oriented in rows and columns on the device. Preferably, at least two of the input ports are offset from one another in a vertical orientation.

The device can include a scaling means for altering the sensed signal to a form corresponding to the variables in the data set for converting the sensed signal to information. The scaling means is preferably located within the interconnection means.

The device can include a high resolution analog-to-digital converter means for converting the sensed signal from analog to digital form and/or an analog-to-digital converter means to convert the data identification signal from analog to digital form. The data identification signal, like the second class of sensed signal, is typically communicated by the data identification means in analog form. The high resolution analog-to-digital converter means preferably has an analog-to-digital capability of at least 16 bits.

The device can include a timer for timing the duration of the first class of sensed signal. As noted above, physical data is determined by the device by applying the appropriate scaling factor against the duration of the first class of sensed signal.

The device can include a chronometer to index the sensed signals received by the processor means as a function of the time and date the sensed signal was received from the sensor means.

In another aspect of the present invention, a portable device for collecting various types of sensed physical data is provided that includes a portable unit sized for hand-held use and at least one sensor means for providing a sensed signal representative of the sensed physical data. As in the above-noted aspect of the portable data collection device, the portable unit includes: (i) a housing; (ii) a processor means mounted with the housing for controlling the input and output of the information corresponding with the sensed physical data to and from a memory means mounted within the housing for storing the information; (iii) operator control means for controlling the processor means; and (iv) an externally accessible input port extending through the housing operably connected to the processor means. The sensor means includes an interconnection means detachably connected to the externally accessible portion of the input port with the interconnection means including a scaling means for converting the sensed signal to a form corresponding to a preselected scaling factor stored in the memory means to convert the sensed signal into information.

The device offers several advantages over existing data collection systems. The device uses simpler and lower cost components than the personal computer-based systems presently used by educators. The lower cost of the device enables educators to acquire more data collection devices and thereby increase student access to the devices.

The device is portable unlike the bulkier and heavier personal computers of existing systems. The portability of the device permits it to be used to monitor experiments not only in the laboratory but also at locations outside of the laboratory. The device, for example, can easily be transported outdoors to perform a variety of sensed physical data measurements.

Due to the portability of the device, the device can collect a wider variety of sensed physical data types than many existing systems. The device can be used with a number of sensor means capable of collecting a broad range of physical data types.

The device provides enhanced user convenience over existing systems. The device enables the user to replace the various sensor means without providing input to the device regarding the replacement. The device is able to self-adjust to reflect the changes. By contrast, existing systems often require user input when a sensor is removed or replaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional view illustrating an embodiment of the data collection device connected to a digital computer;

FIG. 2 is a three dimensional view of an embodiment of the data collection device during an experiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the data collection device;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of an embodiment of the data collection device;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an embodiment of the data collection device;

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic of an embodiment of the data collection device; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the computer program in an embodiment of the data collection device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a portable data collection device 10 according to the present invention is depicted. In a first mode of the portable data collection device 10 shown in FIG. 1, the portable data collection device 10 communicates information corresponding to sensed physical data to a digital computer 12 as the portable data collection device 10 measures the sensed physical data from an experiment. The device 10 includes a connection means 11 for operably coupling the device 10 to the digital computer 12. In this mode, the digital computer 12 can complement the operation of the portable data collection device 10 by performing various analytical functions, such as graphically displaying the information as a function of the time of measurement of the sensed physical data.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second mode of the portable data collection device 10 that is independent of the digital computer 12. In the second mode, the portable data collection device 10 stores the information from the experiment in a memory means for later transmission to the digital computer 12. In the second mode, the portable data collection device 10 can be used to monitor experiments at locations remote from the digital computer 12 and a power source.

The portable data collection device 10 should have a size and weight that is sufficient for the device 10 to be hand-held and portable by a user, such as a student. Preferably, the device 10 has a length less than about 8 inches, a width less than about 5 inches, and a height no more than about 3 inches. The device 10 preferably weighs less than about 24 ounces.

The hand-held size and portability of the portable data collection device 10 makes it useful for the measurement of a wide variety of sensed physical data. The portable data collection device 10 is especially useful for any application that involves sensed physical data measurement at locations remote from a digital computer, such as the monitoring of indoor and outdoor experiments or of selected parameters of a manufacturing or production process. The preferred application for the portable data collection device 10 is for use by students at the secondary and post-secondary levels to measure sensed physical data.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, for collecting the various types of sensed physical data, the portable data collection device 10 uses a number of sensor means 14 that are interchangeable with a number of commonly configured and externally accessible input ports 16 in the device 10. Each sensor means 14 has a commonly configured output port 15 that detachably connects to the input ports 16 in the device 10. To facilitate removal and replacement of the sensor means 14, the input ports 16 preferably extend through the housing of the device 10 and have a portion that is externally accessible by the user.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, each sensor means 14 can include (i) a sensing element 52 for measuring the sensed physical data; (ii) an interconnection means 53 for providing to the device 10 a sensed signal representative of sensed physical data; (iii) sensor circuitry 54 for connecting the sensing element 52 with the interconnection means 53; and (iv) a plug housing 62 to house the interconnection means 53. The interconnection means 53 can include a scaling means 56 for altering the sensed signal 50a to correspond to preselected scaling factors in the device 10, a digital input means 57 to communicate sensed signals 50b to the device 10, a data identification means 58 for communicating to the device 10 a data identification signal 48 representative of the type of sensing element 52 and type of sensed physical data being measured by the sensing element 52, and a voltage regulator 60 to provide power to the sensing element 52. These components are discussed in detail below.

The sensor means 14 provides enhanced user convenience by communicating to the device 10 not only the sensed signal 50 corresponding to sensed physical data but also the type of sensed physical data measured by each sensor means 14. In this manner, the device 10 is able to identify the type of sensor means 14 at each input port 16 without user input. The device 10 is further able to automatically identify the removal and/or replacement of sensor means 14 from an input port 16 by the user without user input.

There are generally two configurations of sensor means 14a, 14b employed by the present invention. One type of sensor means 14a measures sensed physical data that is not a function of time and the other type of sensor means 14b measures sensed physical data that is a function of time. By way of example, the first type of sensor means 14a collects physical data such as the following: pH, pressure, temperature, magnetic field strength, electrical field strength, light intensity, viscosity, sound, humidity, composition, concentration, and other parameters that are not time-based. In contrast, the second type of sensor means 14b collects sensed physical data such as the following: velocity, acceleration, period and frequency of rotation, kinetic energy, period, and frequency, and other parameters that are time-based. The key difference between the two types of sensor means 14 is the time dependency of the sensed physical data collected by the sensor means 14.

The sensor means 14a, 14b each produce a sensed signal 50a, b that is representative of the sensed physical data being collected by the sensor means 14. To collect different classes of sensed physical data (e.g., a class that is a function of time and a class that is not a function of time) two different types of sensed signals 50a, b are produced by the sensor means 14a, 14b. Sensed signal 50a from sensor means 14a is typically in analog form. Sensed signal 50b is typically in digital form. For either type of sensed signal 50a, b, the sensed signal 50 is generally an electrical impulse, such as voltage, resistance or current. The two classes of sensed physical data are utilized to simplify the conversion by the microprocessor 36 of the sensed signals 50 to i