Systems for data acquisition and exchange of test and measurement instruments

Abstract

A method for capturing instrument data using a communication device, comprising: sending an actuation signal to a camera to take a picture of at least one instrument; performing one of the following: transmitting a trigger message between the communication device and at least one instrument or receiving a trigger message between the communication device and at least one instrument; storing the picture in a memory on the communication device; determining associated information for the picture; and transmitting the picture, the associated information, and user information to a network. A communication device has: a camera with an actuator; at least one communication link; a memory; and a processor configured to execute instructions that cause the processor to: send an actuation signal to the camera to take a picture of the instrument when a user activates the actuator; send a trigger message to the instrument to save the instrument data; store the picture in the memory together with associated information about the picture including user information; and transmit at least the picture, the associated information, and the user information to a remote location.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to arrangements for instruments and, more particularly, to systems for acquiring and exchanging data from instruments. Background Art

[0002] Users of test and measurement instruments, such as oscilloscopes, often use the instruments in complex setups that may include multiple instruments connected to one or more devices under test (DUTs), sometimes through specialized adapters, cables, or probes. Such an instrument setup may be used to perform a specific type of test or a specific measurement on the DUT. Users often have a need to record a test setup so that it can be copied or recreated at a later time, for example to compare test data from multiple DUTs. Users also often need to obtain data from one or more test and measurement instruments involved in the setup, and need to share that data with other users, other test and measurement instruments, or other systems, directly or indirectly, for example via a network cloud-based service. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Figure 1 An embodiment of a system with a communication device, a test and instrumentation setup, and a server is shown.

[0004] Figure 2 An embodiment of a communication device is shown.

[0005] Figure 3 A flow chart illustrating a method of capturing instrument data for storage and exchange. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] In an embodiment, the disclosed technology includes an application on a smart phone or other communication device that allows a user to perform an action, such as taking one or more pictures of a test and measurement instrument setup. The action triggers a system that combines one or more pictures of a physical setup with other data from an oscilloscope or other test and measurement instrument. The picture of the physical setup can show where each instrument channel is connected, what type of hardware is being probed, what type of device under test (DUT) is connected, a picture of the specific test and measurement instrument being used (such as a model number and serial number or other identification information), and other characteristics of the physical setup. The data from the oscilloscope or other test and measurement instrument can include information about the instrument configuration, screenshots of the current state of the instrument, and constructed waveform and measurement data files.

[0007] The following discussion will use several terms to cover various topics. The term "communication device" means a device such as a smartphone, a tablet, a computing device with a web camera, or a future device that may replace a smartphone, which may include a stand-alone digital camera, a circuit camera, a microscope, or a thermal camera with a network and / or other connection. The communication device has at least one communication link that allows the device to communicate with the instrument being photographed, at least to send messages to the instrument, and can use the same communication link or other communication links to communicate with a remote server or storage unit. The communication device has a processor that executes code that enables it to communicate, a camera, an actuator that activates the camera, and a memory.

[0008] The term "photograph" encompasses any picture or image, such as a visual image, a thermal image, or an image derived from other techniques (such as spectroscopy), which is captured by a camera on a communication device, typically stored as a digital image file. These terms will be used interchangeably to refer to the captured image or photograph.

[0009] The term "instrument" as used herein means a device that collects data, either test and measurement equipment, here referring to measurement equipment, such as oscilloscopes, various kinds of meters, etc., or sensors that collect some type of environmental data, such as temperature, wind speed, humidity, light intensity, sound level, etc. These are just some examples and are by no means intended to limit the discussion to these specific examples.

[0010] The term "instrument data" means data that has been collected by an instrument, and may include, but is not limited to: instrument configuration and / or settings for any instrument involved in the setup; screenshots of the display of one or more instruments; model and serial number of one or more instruments; specific tests or specific steps of tests that the instrument is performing on the device under test; constructed waveforms applied to or obtained from the device under test; and the status of the instrument, such as CPU load, instrument setup information, software licenses enabled on the instrument, any other status-based information. In the case of a measurement instrument, the information may include connections between the instrument and any other devices, such as other measurement instruments; and measurement data files.

[0011] In embodiments where the instrument is a sensor, the instrument data may include the type of sensor, its current state, the make and model of the sensor, time and / or date stamps of samples stored by the sensor of any parameters it senses, and the like.

[0012] The term "associated information" means information associated with a photograph collected by a communication device. Some types of associated information may include similar or identical information listed as instrument data, but the difference between instrument data and associated information is that instrument data is collected by the instrument and associated information is collected by the communication device. In one embodiment, for example, in embodiments where the communication device receives instrument data directly from the instrument but the instrument data was initially collected by the instrument, the associated information may include instrument data. The associated information may include a date and / or time stamp, location, manual or automatic tags, and many other types of information that may be collected by a communication device when taking a photograph.

[0013] As used herein, "user information" will typically be collected from a communication device. It may identify the user, provide information for a user account, such as an email account, cloud account, or other storage account, including a username and password. This allows photos, associated data, and instrument data (if separate) to be stored in that user's account.

[0014] Using the app, the user can capture a photo of the physical test setup and cause the instrument to send instrument data. This data collection—data containing images, photos, waveforms, measurements, manual or automatic user tags, date and / or time stamps, location, etc.—can be stored locally on the smartphone or can be automatically sent to a central storage location.

[0015] Figure 1 An embodiment of a system 10 is shown in which the communication device 12 and the instrument 14 are connected via a network 20 via communication links 22 and 24, respectively. The server 18 may be a proprietary server owned by an entity that owns the instrument 14 and possibly the user's communication device 12, or may be a cloud server on which the entity has an account. The server 18 is connected to other devices via the network 20 via connection 23. In addition, the communication device 12 and the instrument 14 may have a communication link 26 via port 15. The instrument 14 may also have a processor 19 and a memory 17 in addition to the display 13. The communication link 26 is shown as bidirectional in the figure, but as discussed below, it may actually be a unidirectional link between the communication device 12 and the instrument 14. In addition, as shown, the instrument 14 is connected to the device under test (DUT) 16, but this is only one embodiment and the instrument 14 may be a sensor, in which case the DUT would not be there.

[0016] As mentioned above, the communication device may be what is commonly referred to as a smartphone, or any future embodiment of a smartphone successor. Figure 2One embodiment such as device 12 is shown. The device has a camera 30 which will take a picture of the instrument when the user activates an actuator. For example, in current smartphones, the actuator is an image of a button 33 on a user interface such as 34, which is typically a touch screen display. Activation of actuator 32 will cause the device to send a message to the instrument via a communication link 40. This will then result in a picture being stored, at least temporarily, in memory 36. A processor 38 controls these processes and may have connections to the camera, actuator, memory, communication link, and user interface.

[0017] Figure 3 Flowcharts for some embodiments of the process are shown. In a first embodiment, a user opens an application on a communication device and takes a photo of an instrument setup at 50, where the instrument setup includes at least one instrument and may include a DUT. The process then saves the photo and associated information on the communication device at 52.

[0018] At 54, the user may be asked to capture an identifier for the instrument, if desired. This may involve presenting a list of possible instruments to the user on a user interface of the communication device to allow the user to select the relevant instrument. Such selection may be done by model number and serial number, or by another unique identifier of the instrument. Alternatively, the user may use the communication device from within the application to scan a QR code or UPC on the instrument, or read an RFID tag, where these codes or tags (such as Figure 1 11) Identify the instrument. It should be noted that the capture of the identifier may occur before or after the capture of the photo, and may occur before or after the sending of the trigger message, as discussed below.

[0019] If desired, the identifier may be included in the information associated with the photo. It should be noted that it may not be necessary to capture the identifier. The system may use other means to identify the instrument, such as analyzing the photo to identify the make and model of the instrument, etc.

[0020] At 56, the communication device uses the taking of the photo as an indication to send a trigger message to the instrument. At 58, the trigger message triggers the instrument to save the instrument data. In one embodiment, at 60, according to Figure 1 The communication device sends the photo, associated information and user information to the server 18 via the network. At 62, the instrument may then send the information to the network via a separate link for combination at the server or at another location remote from the communication device. This may be due to security concerns for proprietary information, etc.

[0021] In another embodiment, the instrument receives the trigger message at 56, saves the instrument data at 58, and then transmits it back to the communication device. At 60, the communication device then includes the instrument data in the information associated with the photo and then sends the information to the server 18, making 62 an optional step. The processor 19 of the instrument can save the instrument data in the memory 17 when the processor executes instructions that cause the processor to operate in this manner.

[0022] In addition, in some embodiments, the application on the communication device can emulate a memory device such as a USB flash drive so that it can use the local memory on the communication device to act as a data transfer mechanism for instrument settings or sensors. The data transfer mechanism can be used to move data from one device to another, such as from one test and measurement instrument to another test and measurement instrument, or use the data connection in the phone to transfer data to a central storage location, as mentioned above. When used as a USB memory, the communication device can be later connected to different instruments with different settings, and then information can be uploaded from the communication device to allow the current settings to overwrite the previous instrument settings. In addition, the application can also call the saved settings and data to the instrument or another instrument from a remote location. In addition to storing information on a server and giving other users access, users can also share information between users.

[0023] Although Figure 3 The process flow of FIG. 1 may lead one to infer that these processes must occur in a particular order, but such a limitation is not intended and should not be inferred. For example, the activation signal of the communication device may occur nearly simultaneously with the sending of the trigger message from the communication device to the instrument, with the management of the photo and associated information occurring later.

[0024] In another embodiment, the instrument may send a trigger message to the communication device and cause the communication device to capture an image, wherein the instrument triggers itself to save the data. The instrument trigger itself may come from a dedicated button or other control on the instrument, or may occur as a result of an event on the instrument. The user may already have an application open on the communication device, and when it receives the trigger message, the communication device captures the picture. In other embodiments, the user may already have a communication device equipped with a digital camera set on a tripod or other fixed mounting point, and the instrument sends a trigger message to the device to capture a picture.

[0025] Many test instruments have a trigger, sometimes called an acquisition trigger, especially in the case of an oscilloscope. The instrument can start the entire sequence. When activated, the acquisition trigger on the instrument will then cause the instrument to send a trigger message. Some instruments have a feature that causes the instrument to save data when triggered. The instrument will then save in response to the acquisition trigger. Figure 3 Process 56 is shown in a dashed box because it may occur in a different sequence than might otherwise be indicated.

[0026] Embodiments of the disclosed technology may use various connection options to an oscilloscope or other test and measurement instrument to initiate measurements and / or collect and transfer data. For example, the connection options between a smartphone application or other embodiment of a communication device and a test and measurement instrument may include a local LAN, a cloud connection, a USB connection, and other communication interfaces such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), Z-wave, cellular, infrared, etc. The link may also be made up of an image of an instrument identifier, such as a QR, UPC, OCR (optical character recognition); or image processing that can recreate a waveform from an image of the waveform. The identifier may be used to transfer data between the instrument and the communication device.

[0027] The disclosed technology can be applied to all test and measurement instruments. Such instruments can even include sensors. For example, an embodiment of the disclosed technology also includes using a smart phone application to take a picture of the sensor at 50 and saving the picture at 52. The picture taking action sends a trigger message at 56 to capture the current state of the sensor at 58 at the sensor or at the communication device. The picture taking action at 54 can also capture the identifier of the sensor. The data sent to the server at 60 can take the following form: a stream data bucket is created for the sensor in a cloud-based service for data collection, visualization and analysis, such as the service provided by the initial state at www.initialstate.com.

[0028] Many types of instrument data from the instrument may be bundled with the photo. Things like tags, time / date, location, and many other things may all be part of the data packet that is collected and saved or transmitted, whether captured at the instrument or at the communication device. As previously mentioned, the associated information is collected by the communication device and may include instrument data, but the instrument data is initially collected by the instrument.

[0029] In the present disclosure, the singular forms of "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context otherwise dictates. The term "or" used herein is intended to be inclusive and to mean any one, any one, several or all of the listed items. The terms "include", "comprise", "include", "comprises" or their other variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, so that the process, method or product including the list of elements may not only include those elements, but may include other elements that are not explicitly listed or inherent in such a process, method, article or device. Relative terms such as "approximately", "approximately", "substantially" and "generally" are used to indicate possible variations of ±10% of the value stated or understood.

[0030] Aspects of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. Specific aspects have been shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and are described in detail herein. However, it should be noted that the examples disclosed herein are presented for the purpose of clear discussion and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed general concept to the specific aspects described herein unless expressly limited. As such, the present disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions of the described aspects according to the attached drawings and claims.

[0031] References to aspects, examples, etc. in the specification indicate that the described items may include specific features, structures, or characteristics. However, each disclosed aspect may or may not include the specific features, structures, or characteristics. In addition, unless specifically noted, such terms do not necessarily refer to the same aspects. Further, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in combination with a specific aspect, such feature, structure, or characteristic may be adopted in relation to the other disclosed aspects, regardless of whether such feature is described in combination with such other disclosed aspects.

[0032] Additionally, this written description mentions specific features. It should be understood that the disclosure in this specification includes all possible combinations of these specific features. For example, when a specific feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect, the feature may also be used in the context of other aspects to the extent possible.

[0033] Aspects of the present disclosure may work on specially created hardware, firmware, digital signal processors, or on a specially programmed general-purpose computer including a processor that works according to programmed instructions. The term controller or processor used herein is intended to include a microprocessor, a microcomputer, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a dedicated hardware controller. One or more aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied in computer-usable data and computer-executable instructions, such as being embodied in one or more program modules, executed by one or more computers (including monitoring modules) or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types when executed by a processor in a computer or other device. Computer-executable instructions may be stored on a non-transient computer-readable medium, such as a hard disk, an optical disk, a removable storage medium, a solid-state memory, a random access memory (RAM), etc. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the functions of the program modules may be combined or distributed in various aspects as desired. In addition, the functions may be embodied in firmware or hardware equivalents (such as integrated circuits, FPGAs, etc.) in whole or in part. Certain data structures may be used to more efficiently implement one or more aspects of the present disclosure, and such data structures are contemplated to be within the scope of the computer-executable instructions and computer-usable data described herein.

[0034] In some cases, the disclosed aspects may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. The disclosed aspects may also be implemented as instructions carried by one or more non-transient computer-readable media or instructions stored on one or more non-transient computer-readable media, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. Such instructions may be referred to as computer program products. As discussed herein, computer-readable media means any medium that can be accessed by a computing device. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media.

[0035] Computer storage media means any medium that can be used to store computer-readable information. By way of example and not limitation, computer storage media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, and any other volatile or non-volatile, removable or non-removable media implemented in any technology. Computer storage media excludes the signal itself and the transient form of signal transmission.

[0036] Communication media refers to any medium that can be used for communication of computer-readable information. By way of example and not limitation, communication media can include coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, air, or any other medium suitable for communication of electrical, optical, radio frequency (RF), infrared, acoustic or other types of signals.

[0037] Additionally, this written description mentions specific features. It should be understood that the disclosure in this specification includes all possible combinations of these specific features. For example, when a specific feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect, the feature may also be used in the context of other aspects to the extent possible.

[0038] Furthermore, when the present application refers to a method having two or more defined steps or operations, the defined steps or operations may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless the context excludes those possibilities.

[0039] Example

[0040] Illustrative examples of the technology disclosed herein are provided below. Embodiments of the technology may include any one or more of the examples described below and any combination of the examples described below.

[0041] Example 1 is a method for capturing instrument data using a communication device, comprising: sending an actuation signal to a camera in the communication device to take a photo of at least one instrument; performing one of the following: transmitting a trigger message between the communication device and at least one instrument or receiving a trigger message between the communication device and at least one instrument; storing the photo in a memory on the communication device; determining associated information for the photo; and transmitting the photo, associated information, and user information to a network.

[0042] Example 2 is the method of Example 1, wherein the communication device transmits a trigger message to at least one instrument in response to the photograph being taken.

[0043] Example 3 is the method of Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the communication device receives a trigger message before sending the actuation signal to the camera.

[0044] Example 4 is the method of any of Examples 1 to 3, further comprising receiving a message from an instrument, wherein the message includes instrument data, wherein the associated information for the photo includes the instrument data.

[0045] Example 5 is the method of any one of Examples 1 to 4, further comprising transmitting the photo, associated information, and user information to a server, and storing occurs on the server, wherein the server comprises one of a cloud server or a dedicated server.

[0046] Example 6 is the method of any one of Examples 1 to 5, further comprising transmitting the photograph, associated information, and user information to a server, wherein the associated information does not include instrument data, and wherein combining the instrument data with the photograph and associated information occurs on the server.

[0047] Example 7 is the method of Example 2, wherein sending the trigger message from the communication device to at least one instrument comprises sending the trigger message to a sensor, and the instrument data collected from the instrument comprises sensor data.

[0048] Example 8 is the method of Example 7, further comprising creating a stream data bucket for the sensor on a cloud-based service.

[0049] Example 9 is the method of Example 2, wherein transmitting the trigger message to at least one instrument includes sending the trigger message to a test and measurement device, and the instrument data includes at least one of: a configuration of the test and measurement device; waveform data; measurement data; connections for channels on the test and measurement device; a type of device being tested; a timestamp; a date stamp; status information of the test and measurement device; and a location.

[0050] Example 10 is the method of any of Examples 1 to 9, further comprising obtaining an identifier of at least one instrument before transmitting the trigger message, wherein the identifier comprises one of: a QR code, a UPC code from an instrument using a communication device, or a user-provided selection from an instrument identifier menu on a user interface of the communication device.

[0051] Example 11 is a communication device comprising: a camera having an actuator; at least one communication link; a memory; and a processor configured to execute instructions that cause the processor to: send an actuation signal to the camera to take a photo of the instrument when a user activates the actuator; send a trigger message to the instrument to save instrument data; store the photo together with associated information about the photo including user information in the memory; and transmit at least the photo, the associated information, and the user information to a remote location.

[0052] Example 12 is the communication device of Example 11, wherein the communication device comprises one of a smartphone, a tablet, or a computing device with a camera.

[0053] Example 13 is a communication device of one of Example 11 or Example 12, wherein at least one communication link includes at least one of the group consisting of: a cellular connection; wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi); near field communication (NFC); ​​Ethernet; a USB connection; Z-wave; Bluetooth®; and Bluetooth® low energy.

[0054] Example 14 is the method of any of Examples 11 to 13, wherein the instructions causing the processor to send the trigger message further cause the processor to receive and store instrument data from the instrument on the communication device.

[0055] Example 15 is the communication device of Example 14, wherein the associated information includes instrument data from the instrument.

[0056] Example 16 is the method of any one of Examples 11 to 15, wherein the instrument data comprises at least one of an image, a waveform, a measurement, an instrument configuration setting, sensor data, and instrument identification data.

[0057] Example 17 is the method of any of Examples 11 to 16, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions that cause the processor to identify the instrument prior to sending the trigger message.

[0058] Example 18 is a test and measurement device comprising: at least one communication link; a memory; and a processor configured to execute instructions, the instructions causing the processor to: receive a trigger message via the communication link; save instrument data to the memory; and transmit the instrument data to a location remote from the test and measurement device.

[0059] Example 19 is the test and measurement device of Example 18, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions that cause the processor to send a trigger message over the communication link.

[0060] Example 20 is the test and measurement device of one of Example 18 or Example 19, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions that cause the processor to save information received over the communication link, wherein the information includes a photograph of the test and measurement device.

[0061] The previously described versions of the disclosed subject matter have many advantages that are either described or will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Even so, not all of these advantages or features are required in all versions of the disclosed apparatus, system, or method.

[0062] Although specific embodiments have been shown and described for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for capturing instrument data using a communication device, comprising: sending an actuation signal to a camera in the communication device to take a picture of the test setup including the at least one instrument, wherein the act of taking the picture triggers combining the picture of the test setup with other data from the at least one instrument; Perform one of the following: transmit a trigger message between the communication device and the at least one instrument or receive a trigger message between the communication device and the at least one instrument to save the instrument data; storing the photograph in a memory on the communication device; Determining information associated with the photo; as well as Transmit photos, associated information and user information to the network. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication device transmits a trigger message to the at least one instrument in response to the photograph being taken. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication device receives a trigger message before sending the actuation signal to the camera.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A message is received from an instrument, wherein the message includes instrument data, wherein the associated information for the photograph includes the instrument data.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the photo, associated information, and user information to a server, and storing occurs on the server, wherein the server comprises one of a cloud server or a dedicated server.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting the photograph, associated information, and user information to a server, wherein the associated information does not include instrument data, and wherein combining the instrument data with the photograph and associated information occurs on the server. 7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein sending a trigger message from the communication device to the at least one instrument comprises sending a trigger message to a sensor, and the instrument data collected from the instrument comprises sensor data.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising creating streaming data buckets for the sensor on a cloud-based service.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein transmitting the trigger message to the at least one instrument comprises sending the trigger message to a test and measurement device, and the instrument data comprises at least one of: a configuration of the test and measurement device; waveform data; measurement data; connections for channels on the test and measurement device; a type of device being tested; a timestamp; a date stamp; status information of the test and measurement device; and a location.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising obtaining an identifier of the at least one instrument prior to transmitting the trigger message, wherein the identifier comprises one of: a QR code, a UPC code from an instrument using a communication device, or a user-provided selection from an instrument identifier menu on a user interface of the communication device.

11. A communication device, comprising: A camera having an actuator; at least one communication link; Memory; as well as A processor configured to execute instructions, the instructions causing the processor to: sending an actuation signal to a camera to take a picture of the instrument when the user activates the actuator, wherein the action of taking the picture triggers combining a picture of the physical setup of the instrument with other data from the instrument; Send a trigger message to the instrument to save instrument data; storing the photograph in a memory together with associated information about the photograph including user information; as well as At least the photograph, associated information, and user information are transmitted to a remote location.

12. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the communication device comprises one of a smartphone, a tablet, or a computing device with a camera.

13. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the at least one communication link comprises at least one of the group consisting of: a cellular connection; Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi); Near Field Communication (NFC); ​​Ethernet; a USB connection; Z-wave; And low power consumption 14. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the instructions that cause the processor to send the trigger message further cause the processor to receive and store instrument data from the instrument on the communication device.

15. The communication device of claim 14, wherein the associated information comprises instrument data from the instrument.

16. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the instrument data comprises at least one of images, waveforms, measurements, instrument configuration settings, sensor data, and instrument identification data.

17. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions that cause the processor to identify the instrument prior to sending the trigger message.

18. A test and measurement instrument comprising: at least one communication link; Memory; as well as A processor configured to execute instructions, the instructions causing the processor to: receiving a trigger message from a communication device via a communication link to save instrument data; Save instrument data to memory; Transmit instrument data to a location remote from the test and measurement instrument; as well as A trigger message is sent to the communication device over the communication link and causes the communication device to take a picture of the test and measurement instrument, wherein the act of taking the picture triggers combining the picture of the physical setup of the test and measurement instrument with other data from the test and measurement instrument.

19. The test and measurement instrument of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions that cause the processor to save information received via the communication link, wherein the information includes a photograph of the test and measurement instrument.

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