Automatic bump and calibration in gas detectors via short range communication

Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for completing processes on a gas detector device using near-field communication between the gas detector device and an NFC tag. The NFC tag may communicate instructions or information to the gas detector device. The NFC tag may be located on or near a gas testing system, comprising gas deliver tube(s), gas tank(s), as well as other elements. In some embodiments, the gas detector device may comprise a single button to simplify interactions with the user.

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Gas detectors may be carried by workers in environments where there is potential for harmful gases. The gas detectors may be periodically tested and/or calibrated to ensure that the detector is working properly. This may be done using a gas testing system operable to supply a sample gas to the detector and analyze the response of the gas detector. In some workplaces, the testing may occur while a user is wearing other protective gear, such as gloves, suits, helmets, respiratory equipment, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “about” or “approximately” or the like, when used with a number, may mean that specific number, or alternatively, a range in proximity to the specific number, as understood by persons of skill in the art field; and

There is a strong desire for compliance based portable gas detectors to be as user friendly as possible. One of the ways this can be accomplished is by limiting the device to a single button, reducing the interaction between the user and device. One of the issues with this arises if multiple types of user/device interactions are required, and it becomes difficult to come up with different types of single button interactions (e.g. long button press, short button press, double press, etc.) to cover all operations or interactions.

In an example, gas detectors often require regular calibration (i.e. apply a known gas, read the sensor output, and adjust gas readings as needed) and bumping (i.e. apply a known gas to make sure all user alerts are still working as intended). Usually these actions are completed within a docking station or manually. When done manually, the problem described above may arise, where if there is only one button, it may be difficult to control the device to enter calibration or bump mode.

Applicants have proposed a process using near field communication (NFC) between the gas detectors and one or more NFC tag. The tube that supplies the gas sample to the detector that is used for calibration (cal) and bumping (bump) may be redesigned to incorporate a passive NFC tag near the end of the tubeoperable to attach to the detector device. The NFC tag will contain information such as gas type, concentration, and the action required (bump or cal). To interact with the NFC tag, an NFC reader may be incorporated into the gas detector. When the tube is in place it will be in close enough proximity of the reader that the device will automatically read the information off the tube's NFC tag and put the device in to the appropriate mode. The proposed solution requires no interaction between the user and the device other than attaching the tube, reducing the potential for error, and reducing the time required for the bump/cal process.

Referring now toFIG. 1A, a system100may comprise a detector device102, such as a gas detector, one or more gas delivery tubes104, and one or more NFC tags105attached to the gas delivery tubes104. In some embodiments, the gas delivery tubes104may be part of a gas testing system. The detector102may comprise an attachment point103operable to connect to the gas delivery tube(s)104and an NFC reader106. The NFC reader106may be operable to receive input from the NFC tag(s)105. In some embodiments, the gas detector device may comprise a memory112and a processor114. Additionally, the gas detector device may comprise an application stored in the memory112, that when executed by the processor114receives instructions from the NFC tag105via the NFC reader106, and executes an action based on the instructions from the NFC tag105.

Referring toFIG. 1B, the system100may comprise a full gas testing system120. In some embodiments, the NFC tag(s)105may be attached to the gas delivery tube104(as described above). Alternatively, the NFC tag(s)105may be attached to a gas tank114(which may deliver gas to the detector via a gas delivery tube104). In alternative embodiments, the NFC tag(s)105may be attached to any part of the gas testing system120, including the gas tank, the gas delivery tubes, and the area around the gas tank, for example. In some embodiments, the gas testing system120may comprise a testing card122comprising the NFC tag105, wherein a user may swipe the card122near the gas detector device102to communicate the information. In some embodiments, the gas testing system120may comprise a poster124comprising the NFC tag105, Wherein a user may swipe the gas detector device102near the poster124to communicate the information.

InFIGS. 1A-1B, the detector102may comprise a single button108for interaction with a user. This may simplify the interactions required by a user, which may be hindered by a user wearing protective gear, such as gloves. In some embodiments, the detector102may also comprise a user interface110, which may include a screen, a microphone, a speaker, etc., for interaction between the user and the detector102.

Referring toFIGS. 2A-2B, the gas delivery tube104may attach to the detector102, and the NFC reader106of the detector102may interact with one of the NFC tags105to execute different actions, operations, or processes on the detector102, as described above. InFIG. 2Athe NFC tag105may initiate a bump process, by prompting the device to enter bump mode. InFIG. 2Bthe NFC tag105may initiate a calibration, by prompting the device to enter calibration mode. In other embodiments, additional NFC tags105may be used to initiate different actions on the detector102.

Embodiments of the disclosure may comprise a gas detector device comprising a processor; a memory; a near field communication (NFC) reader; an attachment point operable to attach to one or more gas delivery tubes, wherein the gas delivery tube comprises an NFC tag operable to interact with the NFC reader of the gas detector to give instructions to the detector; and an application stored in the memory, that when executed by the processor receives instructions from the NFC tag via the NFC reader, and executes an action based on the instructions from the NFC tag.

In some embodiments, the NFC tag may instruct the detector to enter bumping mode. In some embodiments, the NFC tag may instruct the detector to enter calibration mode. In some embodiments, the gas delivery tube delivers gas to the gas detector to complete the action executed by the detector. In some embodiments, the gas detector is operable to attach to a plurality of gas delivery tubs and complete a plurality of actions. In some embodiments, the gas detector comprises a single button for interaction between a user and the detector. In some embodiments, the gas detector comprises a user interface for interaction between a user and the detector.

Embodiments of the disclosure may comprise a gas detector device comprising a processor; a memory; a near field communication (NFC) reader; an attachment point operable to attach to a gas testing system, wherein the gas testing system comprises an NFC tag operable to interact with the NFC reader of the gas detector to give instructions to the detector; and an application stored in the memory, that when executed by the processor receives instructions from the NFC tag via the NFC reader, and executes an action based on the instructions from the NFC tag.

In some embodiments, the gas detector device may comprise a gas sensor. In some embodiments, the gas sensor may receive the gas delivered by the gas delivery tube. In some embodiments, the gas testing system comprises a gas delivery tube operable to deliver gas to the gas detector to complete the action executed by the detector. In some embodiments, the gas testing system comprises one or more gas delivery tubes and one or more gas tank.

Additional embodiments of the disclosure may comprise a method for completing an action on a gas detector device comprising: connecting, by the gas detector device, to a gas delivery tube of a gas testing system, wherein the gas delivery tube comprises a near field communication (NFC) tag; receiving, via an NFC reader of the gas detector device, instructions from the NFC tag for completing an action on the gas detector device; executing, by the gas detector device, the instructions received from the NFC tag via the NFC reader to complete the action on the gas detector device; and receiving sample gas output from the gas delivery tube to complete the action on the gas detector device. In some embodiments, the sample may be received by a sensor of the gas detector device.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise connecting, by the gas detector device, to a second gas delivery tube of the gas testing system, wherein the gas testing system comprises a second NFC tag; receiving, via the NFC reader of the gas detector device, instructions from the second NFC tag for completing a second action on the gas detector device; executing, by the gas detector device, the instructions received from the second NFC tag via the NFC reader to complete the second action on the gas detector device; and receiving sample gas output from the second gas delivery tube to complete the second action on the gas detector device. In some embodiments, the action comprises entering into bumping mode. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise completing a bump process by the gas detector. In some embodiments, the action comprises entering into calibration mode. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise completing a calibration process by the gas detector. In some embodiments, the NFC tag may be located on the gas delivery tube. In some embodiments, the gas detector comprises a single button for interaction between a user and the detector.

Other embodiments of the disclosure may include a system for providing automatic interaction with gas detectors comprising: a gas testing system comprising one or more gas tanks containing sample gas for testing a gas detector device; one or more gas delivery tubes operable to attach to a gas detector device; and an NFC tag attached to each of the one or more gas delivery tubes. The system may also comprise a gas detector device comprising: a processor; a memory; a near field communication (NFC) reader, wherein the NFC tag of the gas delivery tubes is operable to interact with the NFC reader of the gas detector device to communicate instructions to the gas detector device; an attachment point operable to attach to the one or more gas delivery tubes; and an application stored in the memory, that when executed by the processor receives instructions from the NFC tag via the NFC reader, and executes an action based on the instructions from the NFC tag.

In some embodiments, the NFC tag instructs the detector to enter bumping mode. In some embodiments, the NFC tag instructs the detector to enter calibration mode. In some embodiments, the gas delivery tube delivers gas to the gas detector to complete the action executed by the detector. In some embodiments, the gas detector is operable to attach to a plurality of gas delivery tubs and complete a plurality of actions. In some embodiments, the gas detector comprises a single button for interaction between a user and the detector, and a user interface for interaction between a user and the detector.

Use of broader terms such as “comprises”, “includes”, and “having” should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as “consisting of”, “consisting essentially of”, and “comprised substantially of”. Use of the term “optionally,” “may,” “might,” “possibly,” and the like with respect to any element of an embodiment means that the element is not required, or alternatively, the element is required, both alternatives being within the scope of the embodiment(s). Also, references to examples are merely provided for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to be exclusive.