DUT Recognition Keys for Reliable Measurement Data Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and organizing measurement data from multiple devices under test (DUTs) across different users and locations is challenging due to the need for consistent file naming schemes, which are often not adhered to, leading to data loss or misplacement, especially in shared projects and environments with diverse user languages and locations.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically generates a unique recognition key for a DUT based on its physical characteristics, such as layout or printed codes, to associate and manage data efficiently, using a communications device to capture images and link them to a server for data retrieval and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual file naming scheme is used to associate measurement data with DUTs, then users can organize data, but data loss or misplacement occurs due to inconsistent adherence across multiple users and locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-service recognition of DUTs through image capture and processing. The communications device automatically captures images of DUTs, extracts identifying features, and associates measurement data without requiring manual user intervention for naming or tagging, thereby ensuring consistent and reliable data association across multiple users and locations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual file naming system with an automated optical recognition system. Instead of relying on users to manually create and manage file names, the system uses image capture devices and automated feature extraction to identify and associate data with specific DUTs, eliminating the inconsistency inherent in manual processes
2Reliability
If automated recognition based on physical characteristics is implemented, then data association reliability improves, but system complexity increases due to image capture and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The communications device serves multiple functions: it acts as both the measurement instrument and the recognition system. The same device that captures measurement data also captures images of the DUT, extracts identifying features, and associates the data, eliminating the need for separate recognition hardware and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses image copies of the DUT's physical characteristics as the basis for recognition and data association. Instead of directly interacting with the physical DUT for identification, the system captures an image copy, extracts features from this copy, and uses these features to reliably associate measurement data with the correct DUT
3Productivity
If multiple measurements are taken at multiple test points across multiple DUTs, then comprehensive test coverage is achieved, but data management and organization becomes increasingly challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically self-services the data management task by capturing images of each DUT, extracting unique identifying features, and creating automatic associations between measurement data and specific DUTs. This eliminates the need for complex manual data management protocols and maintains organization even as the number of DUTs and test points increases
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for automated recognition of a device under test and retrieving data associated with the device under test based on the recognition. The systems and methods include receiving a recognition key based on an identifying characteristic of the device under test, matching the received recognition key to a stored key in a database, retrieving data related to the stored key when the received recognition key matches the stored key, transmitting instructions to perform an action on a test and measurement device based on the retrieved data, receiving new data related to the device under test, and updating the data in the database related to the stored key with the new data.