Electronic device for collecting and transferring measurements, set of measurements and associated method

Abstract

Electronic device for collecting and transferring measurements, set of measurements and associated method The device (1) comprises: a housing (10), an upstream communication port (20) intended to be connected to the laboratory apparatus (2), a processing unit (22) for the measurements received in the housing (10), configured to generate output data to be sent to an information system (4), a downstream communication port (24), intended to be connected to the information system (4) to send the output data coming from the processing unit (22), an acquisition interface (26) for enriching the measurements. The enrichment data are obtained independently of the measurements received from a measuring instrument of the apparatus (2). The processing unit (22) comprises a module (30) for associating each measurement received with an enrichment data coming from the acquisition interface (26) to generate the output data. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Electronic device for collecting and transferring measurements, set of measurements and associated method

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic collection and transfer device of measurements of at least one laboratory device intended to characterize a sample, in particular of a cosmetic product and / or a cosmetic article.

[0002] The electronic collection and transfer device is intended in particular to be used in laboratories for research, development, analysis and characterization of cosmetic products or cosmetic articles associated with cosmetic products.

[0003] A cosmetic product is, for example, a hair product, a hygiene product, a facial and / or body care product, a makeup product, or a sun protection product. More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in Regulation EC No. 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, dated November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

[0004] A cosmetic article is, for example, a tool used directly or indirectly for the application of a cosmetic product, such as a brush, a paintbrush or a mirror or even a container intended to receive a cosmetic product.

[0005] In a laboratory, several laboratory devices are used to perform measurements on a sample of a cosmetic product or a cosmetic article.

[0006] The measurements carried out on the samples of cosmetic product or cosmetic article by the laboratory devices are generally transferred to an information system to be analyzed, qualified and used to study the cosmetic product or cosmetic article.

[0007] Currently, many measuring devices are available in a laboratory, but due to their more or less old design, a large number of them are not directly connected to the information system. In some cases, the information system is not configured to receive measurements from various sources in very different formats.

[0008] Thus, the measurements carried out on the sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article by an operator must often be entered manually and copied into business applications by the operator to be recorded in the information system.

[0009] These measurements and possibly additional information linked to the sample measured, to the operator carrying out the measurement or to the conditions of the measurement, are entered manually a posteriori by the operator when measuring the sample. of cosmetic product or cosmetic article.

[0010] Such a mode of operation is not entirely satisfactory. Manual entry requires considerable time for the operator to enter all the measurements and additional information, which generates a cost and limits the time available to operators to carry out measurements.

[0011] In addition, manual entry by the operator creates a risk of error or omission. This adds a source of uncertainty regarding the quality of the measurements carried out on the sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article.

[0012] To overcome this problem, more modern laboratory devices allow measurement data to be collected and transferred directly to the information system. However, replacing a fleet of laboratory devices is very expensive and unnecessary when existing laboratory devices operate reliably.

[0013] An aim of the invention is to enable reliable, detailed and inexpensive feedback of characterization measurements of cosmetic products or cosmetic articles taken by a wide variety of laboratory devices to an information system, while guaranteeing the quality and precision of the data used within the information system.

[0014] To this end, the invention relates to an electronic device for collecting and transferring measurements, characterized by: - a housing; - at least one upstream communication port, carried by the box, intended to connect to the laboratory device to receive measurements from at least one measuring instrument of the laboratory device characterizing the sample; - a unit for processing measurements received in the box via the upstream communication port, configured to generate output data to be sent to an information system; - at least one downstream communication port, carried by the box, intended to connect to the information system to send the output data coming from the processing unit; - at least one data acquisition interface for enriching the measurements carried by the box or connected to the box;

[0015] in which the enrichment data are obtained independently of the measurements received from the or each measuring instrument, the processing unit comprising a module for associating each measurement received from the or each measuring instrument with at least one piece of enrichment data coming from the acquisition interface to generate the output data.

[0016] The collection and transfer device allows for simple connection to devices various laboratory devices to directly collect the measurements made by these devices, without having to carry out reports or entries by hand, eliminating the risk of error or omission that remains during manual entry by the operator. Operators are then more available to carry out other measurements, which reduces costs.

[0017] The presence of a measurement enrichment data acquisition interface, carried by the box or connected to the box, also makes it possible to collect additional information linked to the context of the measurements, which are associated with the measurements by the processing unit of the electronic collection and transfer device. Thus, the measurements are enriched, which increases their quality to allow downstream reliable analysis of the measurements and / or the non-consideration of doubtful measurements, depending on the context information provided by the enrichment data.

[0018] This is achieved, at low cost, by a simple box interfacing between the laboratory devices and the information system.

[0019] According to a variant, the device for collecting and transferring measurements according to the invention comprises the following characteristic: - the measurement enrichment data acquisition interface is configured to provide identification data for the sample to be characterized, the association module being configured to associate the or each measurement with the sample identification data.

[0020] The association of the measurements carried out on a sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article with the identification of the sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article guarantees the traceability of the measurements and prevents certain measurements linked to a sample from being associated with other samples or from being lost in the information system. It is thus possible to analyze more reliably the properties of the sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article and to avoid measurement biases.

[0021] According to variants, the device for collecting and transferring measurements according to the invention comprises at least one of the following characteristics: - the interface for acquiring data for enriching the measurements comprises an encoded sample identification label reader, configured to read an encoded identification label of the sample, affixed to the sample; - the measurement enrichment data acquisition interface includes a barcode reader.

[0022] The sample identification label reader makes it possible to very easily and reliably capture the identifier of the measured sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article, in the very frequent case where this sample bears a label codified. This greatly reduces the risk of error in identification and the operator has the reader directly associated with the box to enter this identification just before the measurements are carried out on a laboratory device connected to the box. This saves time for the operator who no longer has to manually enter the identification information of the sample being measured and avoids the risk of entry errors by the operator.

[0023] Furthermore, since the identification label is generally recorded in the information system, reading the label makes it possible in certain cases to retrieve other identification information from the box, for example the composition of the product, in order to associate this information directly with the measurements taken.

[0024] According to a variant, the device for collecting and transferring measurements according to the invention comprises the following characteristic: - the measurement enrichment data acquisition interface is configured to provide identification data for the operator carrying out the measurement, the association module being configured to associate the or each measurement with the operator identification data.

[0025] Providing identification data for the operator performing the measurement adds additional information to the sample measurements. This further increases the reliability of the measurements retrieved from the information system and creates traceability for the operator who performed the measurements, to detect possible biases during data analysis. Advantageously, the identification of the operator grants access rights to different functionalities of the collection and transfer device, or on the contrary, prohibits and / or restricts access to certain functionalities of the collection and transfer device.

[0026] According to variants, the device for collecting and transferring measurements according to the invention comprises at least one of the following characteristics: - the measurement enrichment data acquisition interface includes an operator identification badge reader; - the badge reader is a radio-identification reader.

[0027] Since the operator's identifier is generally recorded in a badge or in the information system in association with a badge, reading the identifier automatically associates the sample measurements with a known and listed identifier of the operator and possibly with other information concerning the operator. The use of a badge reader, in particular according to radio-tag technology, directly integrated into the housing of the collection and transfer device, offers a simple gesture to the operator when he begins to carry out measurements. This makes the measurements sent to the information system more reliable and enriches them further, allowing a more precise technical analysis of the results obtained.

[0028] According to variants, the device for collecting and transferring measurements according to the invention comprises at least one of the following characteristics: - the measurement enrichment data acquisition interface is configured to provide at least one environmental data item characterizing the environment located around at least one laboratory device, the association module being configured to associate the or each measurement with the environmental data item; - the measurement enrichment data acquisition interface comprises an environmental measurement sensor and at least one environmental probe, the environmental measurements comprising the temperature, pressure, and / or humidity around the laboratory device.

[0029] The recording by the measurement collection and transfer device of at least one piece of data relating to the environment situated around at least one measuring instrument of the laboratory apparatus, associates with the measurements carried out environmental information taken independently of the laboratory apparatus and which is nevertheless likely to affect the analytical precision.

[0030] In particular, the recording by at least one environmental data measurement sensor linked to the measurement collection and transfer device, of the ambient temperature, the ambient pressure, and / or the ambient humidity, ensures independent verification of the conditions under which the measurements were carried out within the measurement environment. This guarantees the analytical accuracy of the measurement carried out or makes it possible to reject a posteriori, from the information system, measurements which would be obtained without respecting the conditions necessary for the measurement.

[0031] According to a variant, the collection and transfer device according to the invention comprises the following characteristic: - the environmental data environmental probe is configured to be remote from the box.

[0032] The measurement sensor being offset from the housing, it can be placed at the location most representative of the environment in which the measuring instruments are located in the laboratory, while retaining environmental information independent of the laboratory devices, and easily associated with the measurements carried out on the sample.

[0033] According to a variant, the collection and transfer device according to the invention comprises the following characteristic: - the measurement processing unit comprises a human-machine interface configured to allow a user to select a measurement acquisition software application specific to a measuring instrument and / or a laboratory device, the acquisition software application defining the measurements received from the measuring instrument and the enrichment data to be associated with these measurements.

[0034] Through the human-machine interface, the user activates a measurement and enrichment data acquisition software application that is configured to receive measurements from a specific measuring instrument. Thus, a specific protocol for enriching the measurements performed on the sample is implemented for each laboratory device and / or for each sample measuring instrument. This enrichment can be supplemented by manual entries via the interface, for example to list a reason or a time for stopping the measurement of the cosmetic product or cosmetic article sample.

[0035] According to a variant, the collection and transfer device according to the invention comprises the following characteristic: the measurement processing unit comprises a module for timestamping the received measurements, the output data comprising date information associated with the or each measurement received, obtained from the timestamping module.

[0036] The timestamp guarantees precise dating of the measurements of the sample, this dating being associated directly with a measurement or with a plurality of measurements forming a package of measurements. The date information possibly defines a recording rate of the measurements of the sample and makes it possible to overcome the limit of the number of data that an operator can manually enter in a given time.

[0037] According to variants, the device for collecting and transferring measurements according to the invention comprises at least one of the following characteristics: the enrichment data acquisition interface is configured to acquire at least one data item characterizing the measuring instrument, the association module being configured to associate the or each measurement with the or each data item characterizing the measuring instrument; the or each data characterizing the measuring instrument is chosen from an identifier of the laboratory device, an identifier of a measuring instrument of the laboratory device, an identifier of characteristics of the laboratory device or of the measuring instrument in a maintenance and / or calibration database of the laboratory device or of the measuring instrument.

[0038] Identifying the measuring instrument associated with the measurements made is useful in that it can highlight trends resulting from the use of a particular instrument or biases related to the drift of a measuring instrument.

[0039] In addition, the identification of the measuring instrument makes it possible to obtain information downstream additional training on the operation of the measuring instrument, such as the date of the last maintenance and the date of the change of certain replaceable components of the measuring instrument or the precise date of the last calibration of the measuring instrument in relation to the time when the sample measurement was carried out.

[0040] The invention also relates to a set of measurements comprising: - at least one laboratory apparatus intended to produce characteristic measurements of at least one sample, in particular of a cosmetic product and / or a cosmetic article; - an electronic device for collecting and transferring measurements as defined above, the laboratory device being connected to the upstream communication port of the electronic collection and transfer device; - an information system connected to the downstream communication port of the electronic collection and transfer device.

[0041] According to a variant, the set of measures comprises the following characteristic:

[0042] the laboratory apparatus is chosen from a balance, a measuring device color, a force measuring device, a UV-Visible spectrophotometer, a pH meter, a rheometer, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), a microscope, a texture measuring device, a liquid or gas chromatograph, a durability testing machine, a water resistance measuring device, or a mass spectrometer.

[0043] The collection and transfer device is capable of connecting to a wide variety of laboratory devices, commonly used for various types of measurements on cosmetic products or cosmetic articles, even if these laboratory devices are not capable as such of communicating with the information system. It is therefore possible to collect and enrich the measurements carried out by these laboratory devices to enable reliable and precise exploitation of the measurements within the information system or from it.

[0044] The invention also relates to a method for collecting and transferring measurements from at least one laboratory device intended to characterize at least one sample, in particular of a cosmetic product or a cosmetic article, the method being characterized by the following steps: - reception, by at least one upstream communication port of a box of an electronic collection and transfer device connected to the laboratory device, of measurements from at least one measuring instrument of the laboratory device, the measurements characterizing the sample; - processing of measurements received via the upstream communication port, in a measurement processing unit of the collection and processing device transfer of measurements housed in the box to generate output data to be sent to an information system; - sending output data from the processing unit via at least one downstream communication port carried by the box, to an information system;

[0045] wherein the method comprises the following steps: - acquisition of measurement enrichment data, by at least one enrichment data acquisition interface carried by the box or connected to the box, the enrichment data being obtained independently of the measurements received from the or each measuring instrument; and - association, by an association module of the processing unit, of the or each measurement received from the or each measuring instrument with at least one enrichment data item coming from the acquisition interface, to generate the output data.

[0046] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0047] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a diagram illustrating a device for collecting and transferring measurements according to the invention within a set of measurements comprising at least one laboratory device and an information system, intended to receive the measurements from the laboratory device enriched by the collection and transfer device;

[0048] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a flowchart illustrating a collection and transfer process of measurements, implemented using the measurement collection and transfer device according to the invention.

[0049] In [Fig.l] is illustrated a device 1 for collecting and transferring measurements according to the invention.

[0050] The collection and transfer device 1 is configured to connect upstream to at least one laboratory device 2 to receive measurements from at least one measuring instrument of a laboratory device 2 and downstream to an information system 4 to provide the information system 4 with output data comprising measurements taken by the measuring instrument and measurement enrichment data generated by the collection and transfer device 1.

[0051] In the example of [Fig.l], the collection and transfer device 1 is configured to connect simultaneously or one after the other to a plurality of determined laboratory devices 2.

[0052] The laboratory apparatus 2 is intended to measure a sample of a cosmetic product or a cosmetic article. The laboratory apparatus 2 is understood in particular as an apparatus used to measure a physical and / or chemical property of the sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article.

[0053] The laboratory apparatus 2 is for example a balance, a color measuring apparatus, a force measuring apparatus, a UV-Visible spectrophotometer, a pH meter, a rheometer, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), a microscope, a texture measuring device, a liquid or gas chromatograph, a durability testing machine, a water resistance measuring device or a mass spectrometer.

[0054] Each laboratory device 2 comprises at least one measuring instrument intended to produce the measurement. Preferably, the measuring instrument is referenced by a measuring instrument identifier. It is advantageously listed in a calibration and / or maintenance tracking database of the measuring instrument including calibration, maintenance and / or repair dates associated with a laboratory device 2 identifier and / or an operational state of the measuring instrument. The calibration, maintenance and / or repair database is generally accessible via the information system 4.

[0055] Each laboratory device 2 is for example equipped with a dedicated computer, configured to collect and possibly date the measurements generated by the or each measuring instrument. The computer of each laboratory device 2 is distinct from the collection and transfer device 1 and is configured to connect to it.

[0056] The information system 4 comprises a set of computing resources interconnected by data transmission networks, the computing resources being configured to be accessible to a plurality of users.

[0057] The set of resources generally comprises a plurality of computers, each being equipped with at least one processor and a memory housing software applications capable of being executed by the processor, as well as databases, in particular databases comprising a plurality of measurements received from each laboratory device 2 and enrichment data provided by the collection and transfer device 1.

[0058] The computer system 4 comprises, for example, a plurality of computers located locally in at least one access point to the computer system 4 (for example, in a laboratory where a laboratory device 2 is located) or even in a cloud.

[0059] The computer system 4 comprises a plurality of accesses each comprising a human-machine interface capable of allowing a user to access the databases and to launch the execution of software applications for processing the measurements and / or the enrichment data. These processing applications make it possible in particular to qualify the measurements by using in particular the enrichment data, then, if the measurements are qualified, to calculate physical and / or chemical characterization parameters of the cosmetic products or cosmetic articles. metrics from measurements obtained by laboratory devices 2.

[0060] The information system 4 is thus configured to collect, store, process and distribute measurements of cosmetic products and cosmetic articles and enrichment data from the collection and transfer device 1.

[0061] With reference to [Fig.l], the collection and transfer device 1 comprises a housing 10 which can be moved in one piece.

[0062] The box 10 comprises at least one upstream communication port 20, for connecting to at least one laboratory device 2 and collecting measurements, an enrichment data acquisition interface 26 for producing the enrichment data, a processing unit 22 configured to associate the enrichment data with the measurements in order to generate the output data, and at least one downstream communication port 24, for connecting to the information system 4 and for sending the output data to the information system 4.

[0063] As will be described in detail below, the enrichment data are advantageously produced by the collection and transfer device 1 without using one or more laboratory devices 2, or the information system 4. These enrichment data are obtained by the acquisition interface 26 of the collection and transfer device 1. They include, for example, identification data for the sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article to be characterized, identification data for an operator carrying out the measurement and / or environmental data characterizing the environment around at least one measuring instrument of one or more laboratory devices 2, in particular temperature, pressure, humidity data.

[0064] The box 10 is autonomous and independent of each laboratory device 2 and of the information system 4, in particular independent of each computer of each laboratory device 2 and of the information system 4. It can be moved separately and independently of each laboratory device 2 and of the information system 4. It generally has a maximum dimension of less than 1 m, in particular less than 50 cm.

[0065] The housing 10 comprises an external wall delimiting an interior volume receiving the processing unit 22 and through which the upstream communication port 20, the downstream communication port 22 and possibly at least one component of the acquisition interface 26 are mounted.

[0066] The upstream communication port 20 is configured to connect the processing unit 22 to the laboratory devices 2. The downstream communication port 24 is configured to connect the processing unit 22 to the information system 4.

[0067] The upstream communication port 20 and the downstream communication port 24 are for example configured for a wired connection according to USB standards, or according to a serial transmission (in particular according to the RS-232 protocol), or an Ethernet communication protocol (according to the IEEE standards of the 802.3 group). Alternatively, the upstream communication port 20 and the downstream communication port 24 are for example configured for a wireless connection by a Wi-Fi type protocol (according to the IEEE standards of the 802.11 group), Bluetooth (according to the IEEE standards of the 802.15 group), or according to a communication protocol by dedicated software, a personalized communication protocol or by a cloud connectivity protocol.

[0068] In the example of [Fig.l], the processing unit 22 comprises a computer comprising at least one processor and at least one memory receiving software modules intended to be executed by the processor to carry out the functions which will be described below.

[0069] Alternatively, these modules are each produced in the form of a programmable logic component, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0070] The processing unit 22 comprises an acquisition module 29A for the measurements coming from the or each laboratory device 2, a collection module 29B for the enrichment data coming from the acquisition interface 26, a module 30 for associating the measurements with the enrichment data to create the output data, a human-machine interface 32, a timestamping module 34 and a transmission module 35 for the output data.

[0071] The measurement acquisition module 29A is connected to the upstream communication port 20. It is configured to receive continuously or in packets, the measurements carried out by the or each measuring instrument of each laboratory device 2, preferably during the taking of the measurements or just after.

[0072] The enrichment data collection module 29B is connected to the acquisition interface 26. It is configured to receive, just before, during, or just after the acquisition of each measurement or each measurement packet by the acquisition module 29A, enrichment data relating to the measurement or to each measurement of the measurement packet, depending on the nature of the enrichment data.

[0073] For example, when the enrichment data is an identifier of the sample being measured or of the operator performing the measurement, the collection module 29B collects the enrichment data just before implementing the measurement. When the enrichment data is environmental data, the collection module 29B collects this enrichment data just before, during, or just after implementing the measurements.

[0074] The association module 30 is configured to associate each measurement received from the or of each laboratory device 2 with at least one enrichment data item coming from the acquisition interface 26, and possibly, with date information received from the timestamp module 34 and / or with additional data item acquired with the human-machine interface 32.

[0075] The time stamping module 34 is configured for example to record date information on which a measurement and / or acquisition data was received and / or on which output data was generated or sent.

[0076] The date information includes, for example, the date, the time, and / or the time zone. The date information associated with the measurements is attached to the output data to enable their use in the information system 4 to be tracked, for example to detect temporal trends, compare results and ensure data integrity.

[0077] The human-machine interface 32 is configured to allow a user to select a measurement acquisition software application specific to a measuring instrument and / or a laboratory device 2. The acquisition software application defines the measurements received from the measuring instrument which must be acquired by the acquisition module 29A and the enrichment data to be associated with these measurements which must be collected by the collection module 29B.

[0078] The human-machine interface 32 is further configured to allow a user to enter additional data, for example by entering text or selecting from proposed choices of additional data.

[0079] The human-machine interface 32 comprises at least one screen and / or a physical or virtual keyboard and / or an input device such as a mouse or a touch screen. The touch screen is in particular present on an external surface of the housing 10.

[0080] The association module 30 is configured to create a plurality of output data comprising one or more measurements received from one or more measuring instruments of at least one laboratory device 2 and enrichment data, as well as advantageously, date information and complementary data.

[0081] The enrichment data, as well as, where applicable, the date information and the additional data are notably added to the measurements in the form of metadata. For example, this output data is generated in the form of a computer file, notably in “.xml” format.

[0082] The transmission module 35 is configured to transmit the output data to the downstream communication port 24, continuously or in packets.

[0083] In the example shown in [Fig.l], the acquisition interface 26 comprises a sample identification tag reader 40, a user identification badge reader 42 and at least one environmental measurement sensor 44.

[0084] The acquisition interface 26 is further advantageously configured to acquire at least one piece of data characterizing the laboratory apparatus 2 and / or a measuring instrument of the laboratory apparatus 2.

[0085] The label reader 40 is for example an electronic device configured to read and decode encoded identification data of a sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article, in particular in the form of a barcode affixed to the sample.

[0086] The label reader 40 is typically a barcode reader, for example arranged in a wall of the housing 10, or in the form of a scanner deployable relative to the housing 10. The identification data is generally generated in the information system 4 or in the computer of the laboratory device 2.

[0087] The sample identification data forms measurement enrichment data. The acquisition interface 26 is configured to transfer the sample identification data captured by the tag reader 40 to the processing unit 22.

[0088] When reading the identification label, the acquisition interface 26 is advantageously configured to activate the processing unit 22 so that it sends back other identification information associated with that entered by the label reader 40, for example the composition of the cosmetic product or of the cosmetic article to associate this information directly with the measurements carried out.

[0089] The badge reader 42 is in particular an electronic device configured to read and interpret the information stored on a smart card, an access badge or an operator identification card. These cards or badges are generally equipped with electronic chips or magnetic strips which contain specific data, for example operator identification information, access rights and / or security information.

[0090] The badge reader 42 is typically a radio identification reader. The operator identification data is data for enriching the measurements. The acquisition interface 26 is designed to transfer the operator identification data to the processing unit 22.

[0091] Advantageously, the badge reader 42 is configured to read other information concerning the operator, such as for example access rights to a software application of the processing unit 22.

[0092] The environmental measurement sensor 44 is configured to produce at least one piece of environmental data characterizing the environment located around at least one laboratory device 2. The environmental data is for example the temperature, the atmospheric pressure, and / or the humidity around the laboratory device 2.

[0093] The environmental measurement sensor 44 is connected to at least one probe in environmental 46, for example configured to be offset relative to the housing 10.

[0094] The environmental data is also data for enriching the measurements. The acquisition interface 26 is designed to transfer the environmental data to the processing unit 22.

[0095] The acquisition interface 26 is configured to detect the connection of a laboratory device 2 to the upstream communication port 20 and thus obtain the data characterizing the laboratory device 2. The data characterizing the laboratory device 2 is for example an identifier of the laboratory device 2, an identifier of a measuring instrument of the laboratory device 2, information on characteristics of the laboratory device 2 or of the measuring instrument of the laboratory device 2 in a maintenance and / or calibration database of the laboratory device 2 or of the measuring instrument of the laboratory device 2. The data characterizing the laboratory device 2 or the measuring instrument of the laboratory device 2 is also data for enriching the measurements.

[0096] The acquisition interface 26 is designed to transfer the data characterizing the laboratory apparatus 2 or the measuring instrument of the laboratory apparatus 2 to the processing unit 22.

[0097] The operation of the measurement collection and transfer device 1, during the implementation of a measurement collection and transfer method according to the invention, will now be described with reference to [Fig.2].

[0098] Initially, in step 100, the box 10 is connected to each laboratory device 2 intended to carry out a measurement, via the or each upstream communication port 20. The box 10 is connected to the information system 4 via the downstream communication port 24.

[0099] Then, in step 102, the operator places his identification badge opposite the badge reader 42. The badge reader 42 collects the enrichment data linked to the identification of the operator, by reading the information contained in the badge. The badge reader 42 uses for example a radio frequency reading to read the information contained in the badge. The identification data of the operator are transferred to the processing unit 22.

[0100] Advantageously, the badge reader 42 loads other information concerning the operator, for example his name, his first name, his function, his access rights and / or his access restrictions. This identification information is also transferred to the processing unit 22.

[0101] Then in step 104, the measurement acquisition software application is activated by the operator and / or by detection of the laboratory device 2, to define the measuring instrument used, the measurements received from this measuring instrument and the data enrichment associated with these measures.

[0102] The acquisition interface 26 advantageously acquires at least one piece of data characterizing the laboratory apparatus 2. The data characterizing the laboratory apparatus 2 is for example an identifier of the measuring instrument and / or the laboratory apparatus 2, an identifier of characteristics of the laboratory apparatus 2 or the measuring instrument in a maintenance and / or calibration database of the laboratory apparatus 2 or the measuring instrument. The data characterizing the laboratory apparatus 2 and / or the measuring instrument are transferred to the processing unit 22.

[0103] In step 106, the operator enters a sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article to be measured provided with a label having a barcode characterizing the sample. He brings the label reader 40 close to the label. The label reader 40 collects the identification data of the sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article measured by the operator, generally coded in the form of a barcode. The identification data of the sample are transferred to the processing unit 22.

[0104] Advantageously, the acquisition interface 40 acquires other information given for identifying the sample, for example the composition of the product from the identification data, for example by interrogating the information system 4. This identification data is also transferred to the processing unit 22.

[0105] In step 108, the operator performs the measurement of the sample. The sample is placed in the laboratory apparatus 2. The measuring instrument of the laboratory apparatus 2 measures the desired physical and / or chemical property. The measurements performed are recorded in the computer of the laboratory apparatus 2.

[0106] During a step 110, the acquisition module 29A collects and stores the measurements coming from the laboratory device 2, via the upstream communication port 20.

[0107] Advantageously, the time stamping module 34 contained in the processing unit 22 records date information, for example the exact date, time and / or time zone at which the measurement is received in the processing unit 22. The date information is transferred to the processing unit 22.

[0108] Simultaneously, the deployed environmental probe 46 of the environmental measurement sensor 44 is activated. The environmental probe 46 measures the conditions relating to the atmosphere in which the laboratory apparatus 2 is arranged during the measurement of the sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article. The environmental data measured by the environmental probe 46 are for example the temperature, the atmospheric pressure, and / or the humidity. The environmental data are transferred to the processing unit 22.

[0109] In step 112, the association module 30 associates with each measurement, or with a group of measurements obtained by the acquisition module 29A, enrichment data relating to the measurements, the enrichment data having been obtained independently of the measurements by the collection module 29B. The association module 30 also associates, with each measurement or the measurement group, additional data and / or date information coming from the timestamp module 34. The measurements or measurement groups enriched with the enrichment data and possibly the date information and additional data form output data.

[0110] Thus, each output data item comprises a measurement or a measurement group associated with identification data of the sample of cosmetic product or cosmetic article, possibly with identification information concerning the sample. The association module 30 also associates the measurements carried out with the identification information of the operator and possibly with other information concerning the operator and / or with information characterizing the measuring instrument having carried out the measurements.

[0111] Advantageously, the measurements and the enrichment data, the date information and the complementary data are associated by the association module 30 in the form of a computer data file. The enrichment data, the date information and the complementary data are for example added to a measurement file in the form of metadata, to form the output data.

[0112] Then, during step 114, the output data coming from the processing unit 22 are transmitted to the information system 4 by the transmission module 35, via the downstream communication port 24 carried by the box 10.

[0113] Thus, the housing 10 of the collection and transfer device 1 according to the invention is easily connectable to a wide variety of laboratory devices 2, to easily collect the measurements carried out by the measuring instruments of these laboratory devices 2.

[0114] The collection and transfer device 1 is provided with an acquisition interface 26 for measurement enrichment data, which makes it possible to collect very diverse enrichment data, independently of the laboratory devices 2 to enrich the measurements carried out.

[0115] The processing unit 22 is thus configured to associate this enrichment data with the acquired measurements in a simpler and more efficient manner and generate rich output data, which are transmitted to the information system 4.

[0116] This allows for more precise qualification and exploitation of the measurements carried out to improve the characterization of the cosmetic products and / or cosmetic articles tested.

Claims

Claims

1. Electronic device (1) for collecting and transferring measurements from at least one laboratory device (2) intended to characterize a sample, in particular a cosmetic product and / or a cosmetic article, characterized in that the electronic device (1) for collecting and transferring comprises: - a box (10), - at least one upstream communication port (20), carried by the housing (10), intended to be connected to the laboratory device (2) to receive measurements from at least one measuring instrument of the laboratory device (2) characterizing the sample, - a processing unit (22) for the measurements received in the housing (10) via the upstream communication port (20), configured to generate output data to be sent to an information system (4), - at least one downstream communication port (24), carried by the box (10), intended to connect to the information system (4) to send the output data coming from the processing unit (22), - at least one acquisition interface (26) for data enrichment of the measurements carried by the box (10) or connected to the box (10), in which the enrichment data are obtained independently of the measurements received from the or each measuring instrument, the processing unit (22) comprising an association module (30) of each measurement received from the or each measuring instrument with at least one piece of enrichment data coming from the acquisition interface (26) to generate the output data.

2. Electronic device (1) for collection and transfer according to claim 1, in which the acquisition interface (26) of measurement enrichment data is configured to provide identification data for the sample to be characterized, the association module (30) being configured to associate the or each measurement with the identification data for the sample.

3. Electronic device (1) for collection and transfer according to claim 2, in which the acquisition interface (26) of measurement enrichment data comprises a reader (40) for encoded sample identification, configured to read an encoded identification label of the sample, affixed to the sample.

4. Electronic device (1) for collection and transfer according to claim 3, in which the acquisition interface (26) of measurement enrichment data comprises a barcode reader.

5. Electronic device (1) for collection and transfer according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the acquisition interface (26) of measurement enrichment data is configured to provide identification data for the operator carrying out the measurement, the association module (30) being configured to associate the or each measurement with the identification data of the operator.

6. Electronic device (1) for collection and transfer according to claim 5, in which the acquisition interface (26) of measurement enrichment data comprises a badge reader (42) for identifying the operator.

7. Electronic collection and transfer device (1) according to claim 6, in which the badge reader (42) is a radio-identification reader.

8. Electronic device (1) for collection and transfer according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the acquisition interface (26) of measurement enrichment data is configured to provide at least one environmental data item characterizing the environment located around at least one laboratory device (2), the association module (30) being configured to associate the or each measurement with the environmental data item.

9. Electronic device (1) for collection and transfer according to claim 8, in which the acquisition interface (26) of data for enriching the measurements comprises an environmental measurement sensor (44) and at least one environmental probe (46), the environmental measurements comprising the temperature, pressure, and / or humidity around the laboratory apparatus (2).

10. Electronic device (1) for collecting and transferring according to claim 9, in which the environmental probe (46) of environmental data is configured to be remote from the housing (10).

11. Electronic device (1) for collection and transfer according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the measurement processing unit (22) comprises a human-machine interface (32) configured to allow a user to select a measurement acquisition software application specific to a measuring instrument and / or a laboratory device (2), the acquisition software application defining the measurements received from the measuring instrument and the enrichment data to be associated with these measurements.

12. Electronic device (1) for collection and transfer according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the processing unit (22) of the measurements comprises a timestamp module (34) for the measurements received, the output data comprising date information associated with the or each measurement received, obtained from the timestamp module (34).

13. Electronic device (1) for collection and transfer according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the enrichment data acquisition interface (26) is configured to acquire at least one piece of data characterizing the measuring instrument, the association module (30) being configured to associate the or each measurement with the or each piece of data characterizing the measuring instrument.

14. Electronic collection and transfer device (1) according to claim 13, in which the or each data characterizing the measuring instrument is chosen from an identifier of the laboratory device (2), an identifier of a measuring instrument of the laboratory device (2), an identifier of characteristics of the laboratory device (2) or of the measuring instrument in a maintenance and / or calibration database of the laboratory device (2) or of the measuring instrument.

15. Measurement set, comprising: - at least one laboratory apparatus (2) intended to produce characteristic measurements of at least one sample, in particular of a cosmetic product and / or a cosmetic article, - an electronic device (1) for collecting and transferring measurements according to one of the preceding claims, the laboratory apparatus (2) being connected to the upstream communication port (20) of the electronic device (1) for collecting and transferring, - an information system (4) connected to the downstream communication port (24) of the electronic collection and transfer device (1).

16. An assembly according to claim 15, wherein the laboratory apparatus (2) is selected from a balance, a color measuring apparatus, a force measuring apparatus, a UV-Visible spectrophotometer, a pH meter, a rheometer, a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, a microscope, a texture measuring device, a liquid or gas chromatograph, a durability testing machine, a water resistance measuring device, or a mass spectrometer.

17. Method for collecting and transferring measurements from at least one laboratory device (2) intended to characterize at least one sample, in particular of a cosmetic product or a cosmetic article, the method being characterized by the following steps: - receiving, by at least one upstream communication port (20) of a housing (10) of an electronic device (1) for collection and transfer connected to the laboratory device (2), measurements from at least one measuring instrument of the laboratory device (2), the measurements characterizing the sample; - processing the measurements received via the upstream communication port (20), in a processing unit (22) of the measurements of the device (1) for collection and transfer of measurements housed in the housing (10) to generate output data to be sent to an information system (4);- sending the output data from the processing unit (22) via at least one downstream communication port (24) carried by the box (10), to an information system (4); in which the method comprises the following steps: - acquisition of measurement enrichment data, by at least one enrichment data acquisition interface (26) carried by the box (10) or connected to the box (10), the enrichment data being obtained independently of the measurements received from the or each instrument; of measurement, and association, by an association module (30) of the processing unit (22), of the or each measurement received from the or each measuring instrument with at least one enrichment data coming from the acquisition interface (26), to generate the output data.

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