System and method for controlling measurement instrument

Abstract

To provide a system for solving a conventional problem, and a control method of a measuring instrument.SOLUTION: The 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 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 of the identified measuring instrument (2).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling a measurement instrument. [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic measurement instruments, such as those in a laboratory environment, typically include touchscreens and / or keys and buttons for controlling and / or programming the measurement instruments or for reading measurement data and / or settings. However, such touchscreens are typically small in size, which can reduce the ease of use of such instruments. Furthermore, the effort required to control, program, or read multiple identical or similar instruments can be significant. Particularly in a laboratory environment where multiple instruments are used, it is necessary to operate the measurement instruments as efficiently and easily as possible. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, 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 present invention are as described in the dependent claims, drawings, and the following embodiments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of measuring instruments in a laboratory environment and at least one mobile terminal for controlling these measuring instruments. In the present invention, "controlling the measuring instruments" is understood to include programming the measuring instruments or reading measurement data or settings from the measuring instruments. By using a mobile terminal to control the measuring instruments, the measuring instruments themselves no longer require a dedicated control device with a display such as a screen or touch screen. Furthermore, buttons and / or keys are largely eliminated. This reduces the complexity of the measuring instruments. Furthermore, it also reduces the manufacturing costs of the measuring instruments.

[0005] The mobile terminal is configured to establish a wireless connection with one of the measurement devices. For this purpose, the mobile terminal and the measurement device each have a suitable interface. Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a wired communication connection may be established between the mobile terminal and the measurement device. For this purpose, the mobile terminal and the measurement device may also have a suitable interface, such as a USB interface.

[0006] The measurement device can be identified by acquiring appropriate identification data, preferably via the same wireless connection used to control the measurement device. Alternatively, the measurement device can be first identified via a first path, and then an appropriate data connection can be established with the identified measurement device. The acquired identification data can include corresponding information for establishing the wireless connection.

[0007] According to the present invention, the mobile terminal uniquely identifies the measuring device that is connected or to be connected. To control a specific measuring device, in particular a number of identical or similar measuring devices, it must be ensured that a unique assignment is established for the desired measuring device. To uniquely identify the measuring device, identification data can be exchanged and compared, for example, with a table. This table can also contain, for example, information for establishing a wireless connection. In particular, each measuring device can have a unique identification number or code, for example, which can be assigned by the manufacturer or the user. To more easily recognize the measuring device, a name can also be assigned, for example, by the user.

[0008] The mobile terminal is configured to transmit data to the identified measuring device for controlling the measuring device and / or to receive data from the identified measuring device, which may be, for example, measurement data, which may be stored, evaluated, or otherwise further processed.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, one of the measuring instruments may be an electronic device, particularly for use in a laboratory environment, and may be, for example, a thermal analysis instrument and / or a thermal conductivity testing instrument and / or a rheometer and / or a fire resistance testing instrument.

[0010] A preferred system includes a server communicatively connected to a plurality of measurement devices and / or mobile terminals via an intranet or the Internet. The server may include a storage medium for storing data, and / or cloud storage 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 store names understandable to the measurement devices. The server may further store measurement data of the measurement devices and / or data for controlling and / or programming the measurement devices. These data may also be accessed via other terminals, such as desktop computers or laptops, for example, to evaluate measurement data from the plurality of measurement devices. The server may be connected via an intranet to enhance data security.

[0011] Preferably, the server stores the identification information, and the mobile terminal can be configured to obtain the identification information in response to data sent to the mobile terminal by the measuring device.

[0012] After successful identification by the mobile terminal, the measuring device is preferably configured to output an acoustic and / or visual signal to the user to provide the user with confirmation that the identification was successful. To output an acoustic signal, the measuring device may have a suitable speaker. To output a visual signal, the measuring device may have a display and / or LED, etc. By generating an acoustic and / or visual output on the measuring device to be identified, the user can clearly confirm that the correct measuring device has been identified. This can improve the reliability of the system.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the mobile terminal may also output acoustic and / or visual information to confirm to the user that the identification was successful.

[0014] The mobile terminal can establish a wireless connection with the measuring device via RFID, Bluetooth, NFC, or WLAN. For this purpose, the mobile terminal is preferably brought close to the measuring device, for example, to a distance of less than 10 cm. As a result, the wireless connection between the mobile terminal and the desired measuring device can preferably be established automatically, i.e., without further input by the user. The successful establishment of the wireless connection can be confirmed to the user on the mobile terminal and / or on the measuring device by a visual and / or acoustic output.

[0015] The mobile terminal preferably has a reading device for recognizing, for example, a QR code, an RFID tag, or other suitable feature for uniquely identifying the measuring device. To read a QR code attached to the measuring device, the mobile terminal may have, for example, a camera. To read an RFID tag, the mobile terminal may have a suitable NFC interface.

[0016] The mobile terminal may be, for example, a laptop, a smartphone, a smartwatch, or a tablet computer. The mobile terminal preferably has a touch screen, a processor, a communication interface, and a storage device.

[0017] Performing the unique identification of the measuring device preferably includes the steps of performing short-range wireless communication between the measuring device and the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is brought close to the measuring device, and outputting a visual and / or acoustic signal by the measuring device when the measuring device has been successfully identified, thereby advantageously allowing a user to recognize that the measuring device has been successfully identified.

[0018] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0019] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention can be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description. Elements in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals represent corresponding like parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system comprising a number of measurement instruments, a mobile terminal, and a server in a laboratory environment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Unless otherwise noted, in the drawings, like reference numbers represent the same or functionally similar elements. All directional terms, such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "superior," "lower," "horizontal," "vertical," "rear," "front," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to limit the illustrated embodiments to any particular orientation.

[0022] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system 10 comprising a number of measuring instruments 2, a mobile terminal 1 and a server 3 in a laboratory environment. The illustrated mobile terminal 1 is, for example, a particularly easy-to-operate tablet 1 with a touchscreen. The tablet 1 includes an interface for wireless communication, for example Bluetooth or WLAN. The tablet further includes a camera, an interface for near field communication (NFC), as well as a processor and a storage device. Each measuring instrument 2 includes a corresponding interface for communicating with the tablet 1.

[0023] Identification of the measuring device 2 is performed in particular by acquiring appropriate identification data via the same wireless connection used to control the measuring device 2. Alternatively, the measuring device 2 may first be identified via a first path and then an appropriate data connection may be established between the tablet 1 and the identified measuring device 2. In this case, the acquired identification data may include corresponding information for establishing the wireless connection.

[0024] The tablet 1 is capable of uniquely identifying the measuring device 2 that is connected or that is to be connected. In order to control a specific measuring device 2 among several identical or similar measuring devices 2, it must be ensured that a unique assignment has been established for the desired measuring device 2. To uniquely identify the measuring device 2, identification data is exchanged and compared, for example, with a table. This table may also contain, for example, information for establishing a wireless connection. In particular, each measuring device 2 may have a unique identification number or code, for example, which may be assigned by the manufacturer or the user. To more easily recognize the measuring device 2, for example, a name may be assigned by the user.

[0025] The tablet 1 can transmit data for controlling the identified measuring device 2 to the measuring device 2 and / or receive data from the identified measuring device 2. The received data can be, for example, measurement data, which can be stored, evaluated or further processed in other ways. The measurement data can also be transferred to and retrieved from the server 3. Alternatively, the measurement data can be transferred to and retrieved from a storage medium or cloud storage.

[0026] The measuring instruments 2 are electronic devices used in a laboratory environment, for example, the measuring instruments 2 include a thermal analysis instrument, a thermal conductivity test instrument, a rheometer, and / or a fire resistance test instrument.

[0027] The system 10 comprises a server 3 that is or can be communicatively connected to a plurality of measuring devices 2 and / or tablets 1 via an intranet, the Internet or other suitable network. The server 3 can, for example, store a table with identification information. The table can also store names for the measuring devices 2 specified by a user. The server 3 can further store measurement data of the measuring devices 2 and / or data for controlling and / or programming the measuring devices 2. These data can also be accessed via other terminals 1, such as desktop computers or laptops, for example, to evaluate the measurement data from the plurality of measuring devices 2.

[0028] After successful identification by the tablet 1, the measuring device 2 can output an audio signal and / or a visual signal to the user to provide the user with confirmation that the identification was successful. To output an audio signal, each measuring device 2 can have a speaker. To output a visual signal, the measuring device 2 can have a display and / or an LED, etc. By generating an audio and / or visual output on the measuring device 2 to be identified, the user can clearly confirm that the correct measuring device 2 has been identified. This can improve the reliability of the system 10.

[0029] Additionally, the tablet 1 may also output acoustic and / or visual information to confirm to the user that the identification was successful.

[0030] The tablet 1 can establish a wireless connection with the measuring device 2, in particular by means of RFID, Bluetooth, NFC or WLAN. For this purpose, the tablet 1 is brought close to the measuring device 2, for example to a distance of less than 10 cm. As a result, a wireless connection between the tablet 1 and the desired measuring device 2 can be established automatically, i.e. without further input by the user. The successful establishment of the wireless connection is confirmed to the user on the tablet 1 and / or on the measuring device 2 by a visual and / or acoustic output.

[0031] The tablet 1 further comprises a reading device for recognizing, for example, a QR code, an RFID tag or other suitable feature for uniquely identifying the measuring device 2. To read a QR code attached to the measuring device 2, the tablet 1 may comprise, for example, a camera. To read an RFID tag, the tablet 1 may comprise a suitable NFC interface.

[0032] 2 shows a method according to the invention for controlling a measuring device. In a first step S1, the tablet 1 is brought close to the measuring device 2. In a second step S2, the tablet 1 acquires identification data of the measuring device 2. In a third step S3, the measuring device 2 is uniquely identified based on the identification data. Then, in step S4, a wireless connection is established with the identified measuring device 2.

[0033] As an alternative to steps S2 to S4, in step S2a, a wireless connection can first be established with the measuring device 2. Then, in step S3a, identification data of the measuring device 2 is transmitted via the wireless connection to the tablet 1. In step S4a, a unique identification of the measuring device 2 is performed based on the identification data.

[0034] In step S5, data for controlling the measuring device 2 is transmitted from the tablet 1 to the identified measuring device 2 via a wireless connection. In optional step S6, measurement data of the measuring device 2 can be transmitted to the tablet 1 via a wireless connection.

[0035] The step S3 or S4a of uniquely identifying the measuring device 2 may include a step of performing short-range wireless communication between the measuring device 2 and the tablet 1 in the step S1 of bringing the tablet 1 close to the measuring device 2. Furthermore, when the measuring device 2 is successfully identified, a visual and / or acoustic signal may be output by the measuring device 2 (and / or by the tablet 1). [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. Mobile devices 2. Measuring equipment 3 Server 10 Systems S1~S6 method steps

Claims

1. A system (10), - a plurality of measuring instruments (2) in a laboratory environment; a mobile terminal (1) for controlling the measuring device (2); The mobile terminal (1) comprises: establishing a wireless connection with one of the plurality of measuring devices (2), receiving identification data from the measuring device (2) via the wireless connection, and uniquely identifying the connected measuring device (2) based on the identification data; or acquiring identification data of the desired measuring device (2), uniquely identifying the desired measuring device (2) based on the identification data, and establishing a wireless connection with the identified measuring device (2); transmitting data for controlling the identified measuring device (2) via the wireless connection to the measuring device (2); The system is configured to receive data from the identified measurement device (2) via the wireless connection.

2. 10. The system (10) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of measuring instruments (2) comprises a thermal analyzer, or a thermal conductivity tester, or a rheometer, or a fire resistance tester, or a combination of such measuring instruments.

3. 3. The system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a server (3), a storage medium, or a cloud storage connected in communication with the plurality of measuring instruments (2) and the mobile terminal (1) via an intranet or the Internet.

4. 4. The system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the server (3) stores identification information, and the mobile terminal (1) is configured to obtain the identification information in response to data transmitted by the measuring device (2) to the mobile terminal (1).

5. 5. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of measuring devices (2) are configured to output an acoustic and / or visual signal to a user after successful identification by the mobile terminal (1).

6. 6. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mobile terminal (1) is configured to establish the wireless connection with the measuring device (1) by means of RFID, Bluetooth, NFC or WLAN.

7. 7. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the mobile terminal (1) comprises a reader for recognizing a QR code or an RFID tag to uniquely identify the measuring device (2).

8. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mobile terminal (1) is a laptop, a smartphone, a smartwatch or a tablet computer.

9. A method for controlling a measuring device (2), comprising: A step (S1) of bringing a mobile terminal (1) close to the measuring device (2); a step (S2) of acquiring identification data of the measuring device (2) by the mobile terminal (1); a step (S3) of uniquely identifying the measuring device (2) based on the identification data; and a step (S4) of establishing a wireless connection with the identified measuring device (2); a step (S5) of transmitting data for controlling the measuring device (2) from the mobile terminal (1) to the identified measuring device (2) via the wireless connection; and / or transmitting (S6) measurement data from the measuring device (2) to the mobile terminal (1) via the wireless connection; A method comprising:

10. A method for controlling a measuring device (2), comprising: A step (S1) of bringing a mobile terminal (1) close to the measuring device (2); a step (S2a) of establishing a wireless connection with the measuring device (2); a step (S3a) of transmitting identification data of the measuring device (2) to the mobile terminal (1) via the wireless connection; and a step (S4a) of uniquely identifying the measuring device (2) based on the identification data. a step (S5) of transmitting data for controlling the measuring device (2) from the mobile terminal (1) to the identified measuring device (2) via the wireless connection; and / or transmitting (S6) measurement data from the measuring device (2) to the mobile terminal (1) via the wireless connection; A method comprising:

11. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the step (S3; S4a) of uniquely identifying the measuring device (2) comprises: When the mobile terminal (1) is brought close to the measuring device (2), short-range wireless communication is performed between the measuring device (2) and the mobile terminal (1); and The method includes outputting a visual and / or acoustic signal by said measuring device (2) upon successful identification of said measuring device (2).

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