SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A MEASURING DEVICE

Abstract

A system (10) comprises a plurality of measuring instruments (2) in a laboratory environment and a mobile terminal (1) for controlling the measuring instruments (2). The mobile terminal (1) is configured to establish a wireless connection with one of the plurality of measuring instruments (2), to uniquely identify the connected measuring instrument (2), to transmit data for controlling and / or managing the identified measuring instrument (2) to the measuring instrument (2), and / or to receive data from the identified measuring instrument (2).

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for controlling a measuring instrument. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Electronic measuring instruments in laboratory environments and the like typically feature a touchscreen and / or buttons and keys for controlling and / or programming the instrument, or for reading measurement data and / or settings. However, the often small size of such touchscreens can impair the user-friendliness of these instruments. Furthermore, the effort required to control, program, or read data from a large number of identical or similar measuring instruments can be considerable. Particularly in a laboratory environment with numerous measuring instruments, there is a need to operate the instruments as efficiently and user-friendly as possible.

[0003] Publication EP 3 312 692 B1 describes an operating device for operating a measuring instrument, which has a communication arrangement with a first communication module for communication between the operating device and a server and a second communication module for communication between the operating device and the measuring instrument.

[0004] The publication DE 10 2019 127 490 A1 describes a method for operating a measuring instrument using an operating device, comprising logging an operator into a server using the operating device, wherein the selected measuring instrument enables several operating actions and functionalities, and wherein a role allows the operator to access at least one operating action and / or functionality of the measuring instrument.

[0005] The publication DE 10 2019 120 199 B4 describes a method for operating a field device in process automation technology, wherein an operating unit includes an operating system which has an executable operating program. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] To solve the problem described above, the present invention provides a system according to claim 1 and a method for controlling a measuring device according to claim 9. Further aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims, the drawings, and the following description of exemplary embodiments.

[0007] A system according to the invention comprises a plurality of measuring instruments in a laboratory environment and at least one mobile device for controlling the measuring instruments. According to the invention, "controlling the measuring instruments" also includes programming the measuring instruments or reading measurement data or settings from the measuring instruments. Because a mobile device is provided for controlling the measuring instruments, the measuring instruments themselves no longer require their own control unit with a display, such as a screen or touchscreen. Furthermore, buttons and / or keys can be largely dispensed with. This reduces the complexity of the measuring instruments and also saves on manufacturing costs.

[0008] The mobile device is configured to establish a wireless connection with one of the multiple measuring devices. For this purpose, both the mobile device and the measuring devices have suitable interfaces. Alternatively, in preferred embodiments of the invention, a wired communication connection between the mobile device and the measuring devices can also be established. For this purpose, both the mobile device and the measuring devices can also have suitable interfaces, e.g., USB interfaces.

[0009] The identification of the measuring device can preferably be achieved by acquiring suitable identification data via the same wireless connection used to control the measuring device. Alternatively, the measuring device can first be identified via a primary method, and then a suitable data connection can be established with the identified measuring device. The acquired identification data can include information relevant to establishing the wireless connection.

[0010] According to the invention, the mobile device performs a unique identification of the connected or to-be-connected measuring device. To control a specific measuring device, particularly among a large number of identical or similar devices, it is essential to ensure a unique assignment to the desired device. To uniquely identify a measuring device, identification data can be exchanged, which can be compared, for example, with a table or similar. The table can also contain information on establishing the wireless connection. In particular, each measuring device can have a unique identification number or code, which can be assigned, for example, by the manufacturer or the user. For easier identification of the measuring devices, names can also be assigned by the user.

[0011] The mobile device is configured to transmit data to the identified measuring device for control purposes and / or to receive data from the identified measuring device. The received data can include, for example, measurement data, which can subsequently be saved, analyzed, or processed in other ways.

[0012] According to preferred embodiments, one measuring instrument of the plurality of measuring instruments may be an electronic device, which is used particularly in a laboratory environment, such as a thermal analyzer and / or a thermal conductivity tester and / or a rheometer and / or a fire tester.

[0013] A system according to the invention comprises a server that communicates with a multitude of measuring devices and / or with a mobile device via an intranet or the internet. The server may include a storage medium for storing the data and / or a cloud storage service may be communicatively connected to the server and / or the system. The server may, for example, store a table with identification information. The table may also contain easily understandable names for the measuring devices. Furthermore, the server may store measurement data from the measuring devices and / or data for controlling and / or programming the measuring devices. This data can also be accessed, for example, via other end devices, such as a desktop computer or laptop, to evaluate measurement data from a multitude of measuring devices. The server may be connected via an intranet to increase data security.

[0014] According to the invention, the server stores identification information and the mobile device is configured to retrieve the identification information from the server depending on data that the measuring device transmits to the mobile device.

[0015] The measuring devices are preferably configured to emit an audible and / or visual signal to the user after successful identification by the mobile device, thus confirming the successful identification. For an audible signal, the measuring device may have a suitable speaker. For a visual signal, the measuring device may have a suitable display and / or LED or similar device. By providing an audible and / or visual output from the device being identified, the user can clearly verify that the correct measuring device has been identified. This improves the reliability of the system.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the mobile device can also provide an acoustic and / or visual indication to confirm successful identification to the user.

[0017] The mobile device can be configured to establish a wireless connection with the measuring device using RFID, Bluetooth, NFC, or WLAN. For this purpose, the mobile device is preferably brought within 10 cm of the measuring device. Subsequently, the wireless connection between the mobile device and the desired measuring device can preferably be established automatically, i.e., without further user input. Successful establishment of the wireless connection can preferably be confirmed to the user on the mobile device and / or the measuring device by means of a visual and / or audible signal.

[0018] The mobile device may preferably have a reading device to capture a QR code, an RFID tag, or another suitable feature for uniquely identifying the measuring device. For example, the mobile device may have a camera to read a QR code attached to the measuring device. For reading an RFID tag, the mobile device may have a suitable NFC interface.

[0019] The mobile device can be, for example, a laptop, a smartphone, a smartwatch, or a tablet computer. The mobile device preferably includes a touchscreen, a processor, a communication interface, and memory.

[0020] Performing the unique identification of the measuring device preferably comprises a step to establish near-field communication between the measuring device and the mobile device when the mobile device approaches the measuring device, and a step to emit an optical and / or acoustic signal from the measuring device when the measuring device has been successfully identified. This allows the user to advantageously recognize when the identification of the measuring device has been successful. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention is described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0022] The accompanying drawings are included to facilitate a further understanding of this invention and are incorporated into and form part of this description. The drawings illustrate embodiments of this invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of this invention and many of its intended advantages are easily understood when they are better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to the same scale. Identical reference numerals denote correspondingly similar parts. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a system with a variety of measuring instruments, a mobile device and a server in a laboratory environment; and Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a method according to the invention.

[0023] In the figures, identical reference numerals denote identical or functionally similar components unless otherwise indicated. All directional terms, such as "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "above", "below", "horizontal", "vertical", "back", "front" and similar terms, are used for explanatory purposes only and are not intended to restrict the embodiments to the specific arrangements shown in the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a system 10 with a variety of measuring devices 2, a mobile device 1, and a server 3 in a laboratory environment. The mobile device 1 is, for example, a particularly user-friendly tablet 1 with a touchscreen. The tablet 1 includes an interface for wireless communication, e.g., via Bluetooth or WLAN. Furthermore, the tablet includes a camera and an interface for near-field communication (NFC), as well as a processor and memory. The measuring devices 2 each include corresponding interfaces for communicating with the tablet 1.

[0025] The identification of a measuring device 2 is achieved by acquiring suitable identification data, in particular via the same wireless connection used to control the measuring device 2. Alternatively, the measuring device 2 can first be identified via an initial method, and then a suitable data connection can be established between the tablet 1 and the identified measuring device 2. The identification data acquired in this process can include information for establishing the wireless connection.

[0026] Tablet 1 can uniquely identify the connected or to-be-connected measuring device 2. To control a specific measuring device 2 among a multitude of identical or similar measuring devices 2, it is essential to ensure a unique assignment to the desired measuring device 2. To uniquely identify the measuring device 2, identification data is exchanged, which is then compared, for example, with a table or similar database. The table can also contain information on establishing the wireless connection. In particular, each measuring device 2 can have a unique identification number or code, which can be assigned, for example, by the manufacturer or the user. For easier identification of the measuring devices 2, names can also be assigned by the user.

[0027] Tablet 1 can transmit data to and / or receive data from identified measuring device 2 for controlling it. The received data can include measurement data, which can then be saved, analyzed, or processed in other ways. The measurement data can also be transferred to and retrieved from a server 3. Alternatively, the measurement data can be transferred to a storage medium or cloud storage and retrieved from there.

[0028] The measuring instruments 2 are electronic devices used in a laboratory environment. For example, the variety of measuring instruments 2 includes a thermal analyzer and / or a thermal conductivity tester and / or a rheometer and / or a fire tester.

[0029] System 10 comprises a server 3, which is communicatively connected, or connectable, to the multiple measuring devices 2 and / or the tablet 1 via an intranet, the internet, or another suitable network. The server 3 can, for example, store a table containing identification information. This table can also store user-defined names for measuring devices 2. Furthermore, the server 3 can store measurement data from the measuring devices 2 and / or data for controlling and / or programming the measuring devices 2. This data can also be accessed, for example, via other end devices 1, such as a desktop computer or laptop, to evaluate measurement data from multiple measuring devices 2.

[0030] After successful identification by the tablet 1, the measuring devices 2 can emit an acoustic and / or visual signal to the user to confirm successful identification. Each measuring device 2 can be equipped with a speaker for acoustic signal output. For visual signal output, the measuring devices 2 can have a display and / or LED or similar device. By providing an acoustic and / or visual output from the measuring device 2 being identified, the user can clearly verify that the correct measuring device 2 has been identified. This improves the reliability of the system 10.

[0031] Furthermore, Tablet 1 can also provide an acoustic and / or visual indication to confirm successful identification to the user.

[0032] Tablet 1 can establish a wireless connection with measuring device 2, particularly via RFID, Bluetooth, NFC, or WLAN. For this purpose, Tablet 1 is brought within a distance of less than 10 cm from measuring device 2. Subsequently, the wireless connection between Tablet 1 and the desired measuring device 2 can be established automatically, i.e., without any further user input. The successful establishment of the wireless connection is confirmed to the user on Tablet 1 and / or measuring device 2 by means of a visual and / or audible signal.

[0033] Tablet 1 also has a reading device for capturing, for example, a QR code, an RFID tag, or another suitable feature for uniquely identifying the measuring device 2. To read a QR code attached to the measuring device 2, Tablet 1 may, for example, have a camera. To read an RFID tag, Tablet 1 may have a suitable NFC interface.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a method according to the invention for controlling a measuring device. In the first step S1, the tablet 1 is brought close to the measuring device 2. The second step S2 serves to acquire identification data of the measuring device 2 by the tablet 1. In the third step S3, a unique identification of the measuring device 2 is carried out using the identification data. Subsequently, in step S4, a wireless connection is established with the identified measuring device 2.

[0035] As an alternative to steps S2 to S4, a wireless connection with measuring device 2 can first be established in step S2a. Then, in step S3a, identification data of measuring device 2 is transmitted to tablet 1 via the wireless connection. In step S4a, the unique identification of measuring device 2 is carried out using this identification data.

[0036] In step S5, data for controlling measuring device 2 is transmitted from tablet 1 to the identified measuring device 2 via the wireless connection. In an optional step S6, measurement data can be transmitted from measuring device 2 to tablet 1 via the wireless connection.

[0037] Step S3 or S4a for performing the unique identification of measuring device 2 may include a step for performing near-field communication between measuring device 2 and tablet 1 when tablet 1 approaches measuring device 2 (S1). Furthermore, the optical and / or acoustic signal may be output by measuring device 2 (and / or by tablet 1) when measuring device 2 has been successfully identified. List of reference symbols 1 mobile device 2 measuring device 3 servers 10 System S1-S6 process steps

Claims

[1] System (10), comprising: a large number of measuring instruments (2) in a laboratory environment; a mobile device (1) for controlling the measuring devices (2); and a server (3), a storage medium or a cloud storage device that is communicatively connected via an intranet or Internet to the multiple measuring devices (2) and to the mobile device (1), wherein the mobile device (1) is configured: to establish a wireless connection with one of the multiple measuring devices (2), to receive identification data from the measuring device (2) via the wireless connection and to perform a unique identification of the connected measuring device (2) using the identification data; or to acquire identification data of a desired measuring device (2), to perform a unique identification of a desired measuring device (2) based on the identification data, and to establish a wireless connection with the identified measuring device (2); and to transmit data for controlling the identified measuring instrument (2) to the measuring instrument (2) via the wireless connection; and to receive data from the identified measuring device (2) via the wireless connection; and wherein the server (3), the storage medium or the cloud storage stores identification information and the mobile device (1) is configured to store the identification information depending on data, which the measuring device (2) transmits to the mobile device (1), to be retrieved from the server (3), the storage medium or the cloud storage. [2] System (10) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of measuring instruments (2) comprises a thermal analyzer or a thermal conductivity tester or a rheometer or a fire tester or a combination of such measuring instruments. [3] System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of measuring devices (2) is configured to output an acoustic and / or optical signal to a user after successful identification by the mobile terminal device (1). [4] System (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile terminal (1) is configured to establish the wireless connection with the measuring instrument (1) using RFID, Bluetooth, NFC or WLAN. [5] System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile terminal (1) has a reading device to capture a QR code or an RFID tag for uniquely identifying the measuring device (2). [6] System (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile terminal (1) is a laptop, a smartphone, a smartwatch or a tablet computer. [7] Method for controlling a measuring instrument (2) using: Approaching (S1) a mobile device (1) to the measuring device (2); Acquisition (S2) of identification data of the measuring device (2) by the mobile device (1) and performance (S3) of a unique identification of the measuring device (2) using the identification data and establishment (S4) of a wireless connection with the identified measuring device (2); Transmitting (S5) data for controlling the measuring device (2) from the mobile device (1) via the wireless connection to the identified measuring device (2); and / or Transmission (S6) of measurement data from the measuring device (2) via the wireless connection to the mobile terminal (1); wherein a server (3), a storage medium or a cloud storage device is communicatively connected via an intranet or internet to the multiple measuring devices (2) and to the mobile device (1); and wherein the server (3), the storage medium or the cloud storage stores identification information and the mobile device (1) is configured to store the identification information depending on data, which the measuring device (2) transmits to the mobile device (1), to be retrieved from the server (3), the storage medium or the cloud storage. [8] Method for controlling a measuring instrument (2) using: Approaching (S1) a mobile device (1) to the measuring device (2); establishing (S2a) a wireless connection with the measuring device (2) and transmitting (S3a) identification data of the measuring device (2) to the mobile device (1) via the wireless connection and performing (S4a) a unique identification of the measuring device (2) using the identification data; Transmitting (S5) data for controlling the measuring device (2) from the mobile device (1) via the wireless connection to the identified measuring device (2); and / or Transmission (S6) of measurement data from the measuring device (2) via the wireless connection to the mobile terminal (1); wherein a server (3), a storage medium or a cloud storage device is communicatively connected via an intranet or internet to the multiple measuring devices (2) and to the mobile device (1); and wherein the server (3) stores identification information and the mobile device (1) is configured to store the identification information depending on data that the measuring device (2) transmits to the mobile device (1), to be retrieved from the server (3), the storage medium or the cloud storage. [9] Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein performing (S3; S4a) the unique identification of the measuring instrument (2) comprises: Performing near-field communication between the measuring device (2) and the mobile device (1) when the mobile device (1) approaches the measuring device (2); and Output of an optical and / or acoustic signal by the measuring device (2) when the measuring device (2) has been successfully identified.

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