METHOD FOR CAPTURE INSTRUMENT DATA, COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND TEST MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - Patent application

Abstract

A method for capturing instrument data using a communications device includes transmitting an actuation signal to a camera to take a photograph of at least one instrument, transmitting or receiving a trigger message between the communications device and the at least one instrument, storing the photograph in a memory of the communications device, determining photo-related information, and transmitting the photograph, the related information, and user information to a network. The communications device includes a camera having an actuator, at least one communications link, a memory, and a processor, the processor configured to execute instructions that, upon a user activating the actuator, cause the processor to send an actuation signal to the camera to take a photograph of the instrument, send a trigger message to the instrument to save the instrument data, store the photograph in memory along with photo-related information, including user information, and transmit at least the photograph, the related information, and the user information to a remote location.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to instrument setup, and more particularly to a system for collecting and exchanging data from instruments. [Background technology]

[0002] Users of test and measurement equipment, such as oscilloscopes, often use the test and measurement equipment in complex setups that include multiple instruments connected to one or more devices under test (DUTs) through special adapters, cables, or probes. Such instrument setups can be used to perform a particular type of test or a particular measurement on the DUT. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0095717 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Users often need to document their test setups so that they can later duplicate or recreate the test setup, for example, to compare test data from multiple DUTs. Users also often need to obtain data from one or more test and measurement instruments involved in the setup, and share that data with other users, other test and measurement instruments, or other systems, either directly or indirectly, for example, via a network cloud-based service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In an embodiment, the disclosed technology includes an application on a smartphone or other communications device that allows a user to perform an action, such as taking one or more pictures of the test and measurement equipment setup. This action initiates a system operation that combines one or more pictures of the physical setup with other data from the oscilloscope or other test and measurement equipment. The pictures of the physical setup may show where each instrument channel is connected, the type of hardware being probed (i.e., the type of device under test (DUT) connected), an image identifying the test and measurement equipment being used, such as model number, serial number or other identification (ID) information, and other characteristics of the physical setup. The data from the oscilloscope or other test and measurement equipment may include information about the configuration of the equipment, a screen shot of the current state of the equipment, and structured waveform and measurement data files. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system having a communication device, a test instrument setup, and a server. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a communication device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method for capturing instrument data for storage and exchange. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] In the following description, several terms are used to cover various topics. A "communication device" means a device such as a smartphone, tablet, computing device with a webcam, or future devices that may replace a smartphone, which may include a standalone digital camera, a circuit camera, a microscope, or a thermal camera with network or other connectivity capabilities. A communication device has at least one communication link by which the device can communicate with the instrument from which the picture is taken (at least up to sending messages to the instrument), and may also communicate with a remote server or storage device using the same or another communication link. A communication device has a processor, which executes code that allows communication with the camera, actuators, and operates the camera and memory.

[0008] The term "photograph" encompasses any pictures or images, such as visual images captured by a camera on a communications device, thermal images, or images resulting from other technologies, such as spectral technologies, and typically stored as digital image files. These terms are used interchangeably to refer to this captured image or photograph.

[0009] An "instrument" as used herein can be any device that collects data, i.e., a test and measurement device such as an oscilloscope or various meters, which are referred to herein as measurement devices, or a sensor that collects some environmental data such as temperature, wind speed, humidity, light intensity, sound level, etc. These are just a few examples and are not intended to limit the description to these specific examples.

[0010] The term "instrument data" refers to data collected by an instrument, which may include, but is not limited to, the configuration of the instrument or the settings of the instrument included in the setup, one or more screen shots of the instrument's display, one or more instrument model and serial numbers, the particular test or step of a test that the instrument is performing on the device under test, the structured waveform applied to or retrieved from the device under test, the state of the instrument (CPU load, instrument setup information, software licenses available for the instrument, and other state-based information). In the case of a measurement device, the information may include the relationship between the instrument and other devices, such as other measurement devices, and measurement data files.

[0011] In embodiments where the instrument is a sensor, the instrument data may include the type of sensor, its current status, the make and model of the sensor, a time and date stamp of a sample stored by the sensor of the parameter the sensor is sensing, etc.

[0012] The term "associated information" refers to information related to a photograph that is collected by a communication device. Some types of associated information may include similar or the same information as the information listed as meter data, but the difference between meter data and associated information is that meter data is collected by the meter and associated information is collected by the communication device. In one embodiment, for example, associated information may include meter data, and in some embodiments, the communication device receives the meter data directly from the meter, but the meter data was originally collected by the meter. Associated information may include date and time stamps, location, manual or automatic tags, and many other types of information that may be collected by the communication device at the time the photograph was taken.

[0013] "User Information" as used herein is typically collected from a communication device that identifies a user and provides information about email accounts, cloud accounts, or other storage accounts (such as username and password) so that photos, associated data, and instrument data (if separate) can be stored in that user's account.

[0014] The application allows users to capture pictures of the physical test setup and have the instrument transmit the instrument data. This collection of data may include images, photos, waveforms, measurements, manual or automatic user tags, date and time stamps, location, etc. and may be stored locally on the smartphone or automatically transmitted to a central storage location.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system 10 in which a communication device 12 and an instrument 14 are connected over a network 20 through communication links 22 and 24, respectively. A server 18 may be a dedicated server owned by the entity that owns the instrument 14 and possibly the user's communication device 12, or may be a cloud server on which the entity has an account. The server 18 is connected to other devices over the network 20 by a connection 23. The communication device 12 and the instrument 14 may also have a communication link 26 through a port 15. The instrument 14 may have a processor 19 and memory 17 in addition to a display 13. The diagram illustrates the communication link 26 as bidirectional, but as will be described below, it may actually be a unidirectional link between the communication device 12 and the instrument 14. Also, while the instrument 14 is illustrated as being connected to a device under test (DUT) 16, this is just one embodiment and the instrument 14 could be a sensor, in which case the DUT would not be present.

[0016] As mentioned above, the communication device may be what is commonly referred to as a smartphone, or a future embodiment that naturally follows from a smartphone. FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of such a device 12. The device has a camera 30 that will take a picture of the gauge when the user activates an actuator. For example, in a current smartphone, the actuator is an image of a button 33 on a user interface such as 34 (which is typically a touch screen display). Activation of the actuator 32 causes the device to send a message to the gauge over a communication link 40. This then results in a photograph, which is stored, at least temporarily, in memory 36. A processor 38 controls these processes and may be connected to the camera, the actuator, the memory, the communication link, and the user interface.

[0017] 3 shows a flow chart of some embodiments of the process. In a first embodiment, a user opens an application on a communications device and takes a picture of an instrument setup, including at least one instrument and optionally a DUT, at 50. The process then saves the picture and associated information to the communications device at 52.

[0018] At 54, the user may be required to capture an identifier for the meter, if desired. This may include presenting the user with a list of possible meters on the user interface of the communications device so that the user can select the relevant meter. Such a selection process may be by the model number and serial number of the meter, or another unique identifier. Alternatively, the user may use the communications device, from within the application, to scan a QR code or UPC on the meter, or read an RFID tag, such as 11 in FIG. 1, that identifies the meter. Note that the capture of the identifier may occur before or after the transmission of the trigger message, as well as before or after the process of capturing the photo, as described below.

[0019] An identifier could be included in the information associated with the photograph, if desired. Note that capturing an identifier may not be required. The system could use other means to identify the instrument, such as analyzing the photograph to identify the make and model of the instrument.

[0020] The communications device uses the take picture action to indicate sending a trigger message to the meter at 56. The meter takes action (is triggered) to save the meter data in response to the trigger message at 58. In one embodiment, the communications device sends the photo, related information and user information to the server 18 at 60 over the network of FIG. 1. The meter then sends this information over a separate link to the network at 62 for combination at the server or other location remote from the communications device. This may be due to security concerns regarding sensitive information, etc.

[0021] In another embodiment, the meter receives the trigger message at 56, stores the meter data at 58, and then transmits the meter data back to the communication device, so that the communication device includes the meter data in information associated with the photo, and then transmits that information to the server 18 at 60, with 62 being an optional step. The meter's processor 19 may cause the memory 17 to store the meter data when the processor executes instructions that cause it to operate in this manner.

[0022] Additionally, in some embodiments, an application on the communications device can emulate a memory device such as a USB flash drive and utilize the local memory on the communications device to act as a data transfer mechanism for meter setups or sensors. This data transfer mechanism may be utilized to move data from one device to another, such as from one test and measurement instrument to another, or may utilize the data connection of the phone to transfer data to a central storage location, as described above. When used as a USB memory stick, the communications device may then be connected to a different instrument with a different setup, and information may then be uploaded from the communications device to allow the current setup to replicate the setup of the previous instrument. Additionally, the application may recall the saved setup and data for that instrument or another instrument from a remote location. Multiple users may also store information on the server and share information among themselves in addition to granting access to different users.

[0023] 3, one might conclude that these processes must occur in a particular order, but no such limitation is intended or should be implied. For example, an actuation signal from a communications device may occur substantially simultaneously with the transmission of a trigger message from the communications device to an instrument, and management of the photograph and associated information may occur at a later time.

[0024] In another embodiment, the instrument may send a trigger message to the communications device, causing the communications device to take a picture and trigger the instrument to store the data on the instrument itself. The instrument may be triggered by a dedicated button or other control on the instrument, or as a result of an event on the instrument. The user may already have an application open on the communications device, and when the communications device receives the trigger message, the communications device takes the picture. In another embodiment, the user may set up the communications device with a digital camera mounted on a tripod or other fixed mounting point, causing the instrument to send a trigger message to the device to take the picture.

[0025] Many test instruments have a trigger function, especially in the context of oscilloscopes, called an acquisition trigger. The instrument can initiate that whole sequence. When the instrument's acquisition trigger is activated, the instrument sends a trigger message. Some instruments have the ability to save data on trigger. The instrument then saves in response to the acquisition trigger. Figure 3 shows process 56 in a dashed box because process 56 can occur in a different order than otherwise suggested.

[0026] Embodiments of the disclosed technology may use various connection options to an oscilloscope or other test and measurement device to initiate measurements and collect and transfer data. For example, connection options between a smartphone application or other embodiments of a communication device and a test and measurement device may include a local LAN, a cloud connection, a USB connection, and other communication interfaces such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), Z-wave, cellular, and infrared. This link may consist of an image of an identifier of the instrument such as QR, UPC, OCR (Optical Character Recognition), or image processing that can recreate the waveform from an image of the waveform. These identifiers can be used to transfer data between the instrument and the communication device.

[0027] The disclosed technology can be applied to all test and measurement equipment. Such instrumentation can even include sensors. For example, an embodiment of the disclosed technology can include taking a picture of the sensor at 50 using a smartphone application and saving the picture at 52. This action can send a trigger message at 56 to capture the current state of the sensor or the sensor in a communication device at 58. The action can also capture an identifier for the sensor at 54. The data sent to a server at 60 can take the form of creating a streaming data bucket for the sensor in a cloud-based service for data collection, visualization, and analysis (e.g., Initial State at www.initialstate.com).

[0028] Instrument data for many types of instruments can be bundled with the photo. Tagging, time / date, location, and other host information, whether captured by the instrument or the communication device, may all be part of the data package that is collected and stored or transmitted. As noted above, related information may be collected by the communication device and may include the instrument data, but the instrument data is initially collected by the instrument.

[0029] In this disclosure, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context dictates otherwise. The term "or" is meant to be inclusive and mean either any, some, or all of the listed items. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," or other variations are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or product consisting of a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or device. Relative terms such as "about," "approximately," "substantially," and "generally" are used to indicate possible variations of ±10% of the stated or understood value.

[0030] The disclosed technology can be easily changed into various modifications and alternative forms. In the present application, specific embodiments are shown in the drawings and described in detail as examples. However, these examples disclosed in the present application are presented for the purpose of clarity of explanation and are not intended to limit the broad concepts disclosed in the specific embodiments described in the present application, unless expressly limited. Thus, the disclosed technology is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives of the described embodiments in the light of the attached drawings and claims.

[0031] References to aspects, examples, or the like in the specification indicate that the described items may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic. However, each disclosed aspect may or may not include such a particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same aspect, unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with a particular aspect, such feature, structure, or characteristic may also be used in connection with other disclosed aspects, regardless of whether such feature is explicitly described in connection with such other disclosed aspects.

[0032] In addition, the description of this application refers to specific features. It should be understood that the disclosure herein includes all possible combinations of those specific features. For example, if a specific feature is disclosed in connection with a particular embodiment, that feature can also be used in connection with other embodiments, to the extent possible.

[0033] Aspects of the disclosed technology can operate on specially created hardware, firmware, digital signal processors, or specially programmed general-purpose computers, including processors that operate according to programmed instructions. The term "controller" or "processor" in this application contemplates microprocessors, microcomputers, ASICs, and dedicated hardware controllers, among others. Aspects of the disclosed technology can be implemented in computer-available data and computer-executable instructions, such as one or more program modules, executed by one or more computers (including a monitoring module) or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like, which, when executed by a processor in a computer or other device, perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data formats. The computer-executable instructions may be stored in computer-readable storage media, such as hard disks, optical disks, removable storage media, solid-state memory, RAM, and the like. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. Furthermore, such functionality may be embodied in whole or in part in firmware or hardware equivalents, such as integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc. Certain data structures may be used to more effectively implement one or more aspects of the disclosed techniques, and such data structures are considered to be within the scope of the computer-executable instructions and computer-usable data described herein.

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

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

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

[0037] In addition, the description of this application refers to specific features. It should be understood that the disclosure herein includes all possible combinations of those specific features. For example, if a specific feature is disclosed in connection with a particular embodiment, that feature can also be used in connection with other embodiments, to the extent possible.

[0038] Furthermore, when the application refers to a method having two or more defined steps or processes, those defined steps or processes may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless the context precludes such a possibility. Working Example

[0039] In the following, examples useful for understanding the technology disclosed in the present application are presented. The embodiment of the technology may include one or more of the examples described below and any combination thereof.

[0040] Example 1 is a method of capturing instrument data using a communications device, comprising: sending an activation signal to a camera of the communications device to take a photograph of at least one instrument; either sending or receiving a trigger message between the communications device and the at least one instrument; storing the photograph in a memory of the communications device; determining information associated with the photograph; and transmitting the photograph, the associated information, and user information to a network.

[0041] Example 2 is the method of example 1, wherein the communication device transmits a trigger message to the at least one instrument in response to the picture being taken.

[0042] Example 3 is the method of any of examples 1 or 2, wherein the communications device receives a trigger message before transmitting the activation signal to the camera.

[0043] Example 4 is the method of any one of Examples 1 to 3, further comprising receiving a message from the gauge, the message including the gauge data, and the associated information about the photograph including the gauge data.

[0044] Example 5 is a method of any of Examples 1 to 4, further comprising a process of transmitting the photo, related information, and user information to a server, and the storing process occurs on the server, the server including either a cloud server or an owner-dedicated server.

[0045] Example 6 is the method of any of Examples 1 to 5, further comprising a process of transmitting the photograph, the related information, and the user information to a server, wherein the related information does not include the instrument data, and a process of combining the instrument data with the photograph and the related information is performed on the server.

[0046] Example 7 is the method of example 2, wherein the process of sending a trigger message from the communication device to at least one meter includes a process of sending the trigger message to a sensor, and the meter data collected from the meter includes sensor data.

[0047] Example 8 is the method of example 7, further comprising creating streaming data buckets for the sensors at the cloud-based service.

[0048] Example 9 is the method of Example 2, wherein the process of sending a trigger message to at least one instrument includes a process of sending a trigger message to a test and measurement instrument, and the instrument data includes at least one of a configuration of the test and measurement instrument, waveform data, measurement data, a connection relationship between channels of the test and measurement instrument, a type of device under test, a time stamp, a date stamp, status information and a location of the test and measurement instrument.

[0049] Example 10 is a method of any of Examples 1 to 9, further comprising a process of obtaining an identifier of at least one meter before sending the trigger message, the identifier including one of a QR code (registered trademark), a UPC code obtained from the meter using a communication device, or one selected by a user from a menu of meter identifiers on a user interface of the communication device.

[0050] Example 11 is a communications device comprising a camera having an actuator, at least one communications link, a memory, and a processor, the processor being configured to execute instructions that, when a user activates the actuator, cause the camera to send an actuation signal to take a photograph of an instrument, send a trigger message to the instrument to save the instrument data, store the instrument data in memory together with associated information about the instrument, including user information, and transmit at least the instrument data, the associated information, and the user information to a remote location.

[0051] Example 12 is a communication device of Example 11, wherein the communication device is one of a smartphone, a tablet, or a computing device having a camera.

[0052] Example 13 is a communication device of either example 11 or 12, wherein at least one communication link is comprised of at least one of the group consisting of a cellular connection, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), near field communications (NFC), Ethernet, a USB connection, Z-wave, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE).

[0053] Example 14 is a method of any of Examples 11 to 13, wherein the instructions causing the processor to send the trigger message further cause the processor to receive meter data from the meter and store it in the communication device.

[0054] Example 15 is the communication device of example 14, wherein the associated information includes meter data from the meter.

[0055] Example 16 is the method of any of examples 11-15, wherein the instrument data includes at least one of an image, a waveform, a measurement, an instrument configuration setting, sensor data, and instrument identification data.

[0056] Example 17 is a method of any of examples 11 to 16, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions that cause the processor to identify the instrument before sending the trigger message.

[0057] Example 18: Test Measurement system at least one communication link; A communication device having user information for identifying a user; Memory and Processor A test and measurement device having With The communications device is configured to, when a picture of a test setup including the test and measurement device is taken with a camera of the communications device, send a trigger message to the test and measurement device and store the picture in an account of the user on a server based on the user information, and the processor is configured to: to the processor via the communication link. the above Receive a trigger message, In response to receiving the trigger message storing meter data in said memory; The account of the above user on the above server The above instrument data memory to execute a command to In It is done.

[0058] Example 19 is a test measurement of Example 18. system to said processor via said communication link; Test and Measurement Equipment Trigger Message To the above communication device The processor is further configured to execute instructions to cause the transmission.

[0060] The above-described versions of the disclosed subject matter have many advantages that have been described or that will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Nevertheless, not all of these advantages or features are required in every version of a disclosed device, system or method.

[0061] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed technology. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for capturing instrument data using a communication device having user information for identifying a user, comprising: sending an activation signal to a camera of said communication device to take a picture of a test setup including at least one instrument; transmitting a trigger message from said communication device to said at least one meter in response to said activation signal to cause said meter data to be stored in said at least one meter; storing the photograph in a memory of the communication device; determining relevant information related to said photograph; storing said photograph, said related information, said user information and said meter data as a data package relating to said user in a server or in said memory of said communication device; 13. A method for capturing instrument data comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said communication device receives an instrument trigger message from said at least one instrument prior to transmitting said activation signal to a camera.

3. The method of capturing instrument data of claim 1, further comprising a process in which the communication device receives a message from the instrument, the message including the instrument data, and the related information regarding the photograph including the instrument data.

4. The method of capturing instrument data of claim 1 , wherein the process of sending the trigger message from the communication device to the at least one instrument comprises a process of sending the trigger message to a sensor, and the instrument data collected from the instrument includes sensor data.

5. The method of capturing instrument data of claim 1, wherein the process of sending the trigger message to the at least one instrument includes a process of sending the trigger message to a test and measurement instrument, and the instrument data includes at least one of the configuration of the test and measurement instrument, waveform data, measurement data, channel connection relationships on the test and measurement instrument, type of device under test, time stamp, date stamp, status information and location of the test and measurement instrument.

6. 1. A communications device, comprising: a camera having an actuator; At least one communication link; A memory that stores user information for identifying a user; Processor and Equipped with The processor, activating said actuator causes said camera to send an actuation signal to take a picture of the test setup including the instrument; sending a trigger message to the meter in response to the actuation signal to cause meter data to be stored in the meter; storing said photograph in said memory along with associated information about said photograph; A communications device, the processor configured to execute instructions to cause the photograph, the related information, the user information and the meter data to be stored as a data package relating to the user on a server or in the memory of the communications device.

7. 7. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the instrument data includes at least one of an image, a waveform, a measurement, an instrument configuration setting, sensor data, and instrument identification data.

8. 1. A test and measurement system comprising: At least one communication link; A communication device having user information for identifying a user; A test and measurement device having a memory and a processor; Equipped with the communications device is configured to, when a picture of a test setup including the test and measurement device is taken with a camera of the communications device, send a trigger message to the test and measurement device and store the picture in an account of the user on a server based on the user information; The test and measurement system is configured to execute instructions that cause the processor to receive the trigger message from the communication device via the communication link, store meter data from the test and measurement device in the memory in response to receiving the trigger message, and store the meter data in the user's account on the server remote to the test and measurement device.

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