Central device and system for processing data

A system for processing data is provided. The system includes a data acquisition device and a central device. The data acquisition device is coupled to an object under test for receiving raw data from the object under test, and transmits the raw data. The central device receives the raw data from the data acquisition device, and performs a web application with a web interface for providing application data based on the raw data.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a central device and a system for processing data, more particularly, to a central device-based system for automatically processing data.

BACKGROUND

Regarding a conventional data processing procedure, a hardware (e.g., a benchtop instrument), which has a data sensing component, a data calculation part, and a user interface part, is provided. In the general case, the data sensing component, the data calculation part, and the user interface part are all integrated within one container, for example, within an instrumentation chassis. However, the conventional data processing procedure and the hardware thereof are inefficient and inflexible.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for processing data. The system includes a data acquisition device and a central device. The data acquisition device is for acquiring raw data from an object under test and includes a data interface and a first transceiver. The data interface is coupled to the object under test for receiving the raw data from the object under test. The first transceiver is electrically coupled to the data interface. The central device includes a storage, a second transceiver, a first processing unit, and a third transceiver. The second transceiver is for receiving the raw data from the first transceiver of the data acquisition device. The first processing unit is electrically coupled to the storage and the second transceiver. The first processing unit is used for storing the raw data in the storage, and performing a web application with a web interface to provide application data based on the raw data. The third transceiver is electrically coupled to the first processing unit.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a central device for processing data. The central device includes a storage, a first transceiver, a second transceiver, and a processing unit. The first transceiver is for receiving raw data from a data acquisition device. The processing unit is electrically coupled to the storage and the first transceiver. The processing unit is used for storing the raw data in the storage, and performing a web application with a web interface to provide application data based on the raw data. The second transceiver is electrically coupled to the processing unit.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides an experimental system. The experimental system includes a plurality of sensing units and a hub. The sensing units are for sensing signals from a plurality of objects. The hub is for wirelessly communicating with the sensing units, generating application data based on the sensed signals, and performing a web application with a web interface for providing the application data. The application data is provided through a network to at least one user device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “exemplary embodiment,” “other embodiments,” “another embodiment,” etc. indicate that the embodiment(s) of the disclosure so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in the embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

Regarding a conventional data processing procedure, a hardware (e.g., a benchtop instrument), which has a data sensing component, a data calculation part, and a user interface part, is provided. In the general case, the data sensing component, the data calculation part, and the user interface part are all integrated within one container, for example, within an instrumentation chassis. The data sensing component is used for sensing an object for obtaining data. The sensed data is input to the data calculation part for necessary adjustments and/or transformations before being displayed on the user interface part.

In some cases, in particular to high-end products, the hardware further has a data transmission port, such as a parallel port (e.g., IEEE488), a serial port (e.g., UART, RS232, RS485), and/or a USB port. The data can be provided to the user equipment through the data transmission port. Accordingly, after connecting to the hardware via the data transmission port, the user equipment can obtain the sensed data from the hardware and/or execute a designated software thereon for processing the sensed data.

However, there are at least following defects of the mentioned hardware used for the conventional data acquiring procedure: (1) integrating all the elements within one box reduces the flexibility of the data acquiring procedure; (2) for the cases hardware having the data transmission port, the user equipment needs to stay connected to the hardware during the entire process; (3) for the cases hardware having the data transmission port, a display of the user equipment can replace the user interface part and makes the user interface part redundant; and (4) for the cases hardware having the data transmission port, the number of available data transmission ports limits the maximum number of pieces of the user equipment allowed to connect to the hardware.

To improve the defects of the hardware of the conventional data acquisition procedure, the present disclosure generally provides a central device and a system for processing data. More particularly, a central device-based system which at least plays the role of a data server and the role of a Web-based UI (user interface) server. By the role of a data server, the central device-based system is able to receive data from an external data sensing component and store the said received data. By the role of a Web-based UI server, the central device-based system is able to provide data to user devices. Further details will be described in the following paragraphs.

FIG.1Ais a schematic view of a system1for processing data. The system1may include a data acquisition device11, a central device13, and a user device15.FIGS.1B to1Dare block diagrams of the data acquisition device11, the central device13, and the user device15.

In some embodiments, the data acquisition device11may include a data interface111, a controller113, and a first transceiver115. The data interface111, the controller113, and the first transceiver115may be electrically coupled (e.g., electrically coupled via bus119).

In some embodiments, the central device13may include a second transceiver131, a storage133, a first processing unit135, and a third transceiver137. The second transceiver131, the storage133, the first processing unit135, and the third transceiver137may be electrically coupled (e.g., electrically coupled via bus139).

In some embodiments, the user device15may include a fourth transceiver151, a second processing unit153, and an input/output (IO) unit155. The fourth transceiver151, the second processing unit153, and the I/O unit155may be electrically coupled (e.g., electrically coupled via bus159). The interactions between the individual elements may include serial or parallel buses and will be further described hereinafter.

Please refer toFIG.2A.FIG.2Ais a schematic view of processing data. In some embodiments, the data interface111of the data acquisition device11may be coupled with an object under test10for receiving input signals from the object under test10and generating a raw data100according to the input signals. The controller113may control the first transceiver115to transmit the raw data100to the central device13.

In some implementations, the data interface111may include a transducer, and the input signals may be obtained at least through the transducer. For example, the transducer transduces a physical quantity obtained from the object under test10to an electrical signal.

In some implementations, the transducer may be placed neighboring to the object under test10. For example, the transducer includes an electrode (wire, probe, conductive pad, etc.). The transducer transduces the electromagnetic condition around the electrode into an electrical voltage and current signal in the conductor which connects to the electrode. For another example, the transducer includes a thermistor placed in a tissue neighboring to the object under test10to monitor its temperature. For still another example, the transducer includes a capacitive pressure sensor placed neighboring to the object under test10(e.g., inside an organ of the object under test10to monitor its internal pressure).

In some implementations, the data interface111may further include a front end analog electronics to receive the output of the transducer by resistance/capacitance measurements. In some implementations, the data interface111may further include an amplifier and an analog to digital converter (ADC) to convert the output of the front end analog electronics to a digital signal. In some implementations, the converted digital signal may be regarded as the raw data100.

In some embodiments, the second transceiver131of the central device13may receive the raw data100from the first transceiver115of the data acquisition device11. In some implementations, the first transceiver115of the data acquisition device11and the second transceiver131of the central device13may communicate with each other based on a lower power consumption network protocol (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy protocol) for purpose of saving power.

After collecting data (i.e., the raw data100) from the data acquisition device11, for the purpose of providing data to different user's platforms, techniques of web service may be introduced. In particular, the first processing unit135may perform a web application WA with a web interface WI and provide application data132. The application data132is provided according to the raw data100via the web application WA with the web interface WI.

More specifically, in some embodiments, the first processing unit135of the central device13may utilize the raw data100as the application data132. Then, the first processing unit135may transmit the application data132to the user device15through the third transceiver137. The transmission of the application132may be in response to a request from the user device15to the web application WA. For example, request for real-time display, review of previous data, and downloading data sets to the user device15. The first processing unit135may also receive data uploaded from the user device15through the third transceiver137. In some implementations but not a limitation of the present disclosure, the first processing unit135may temporarily store the raw data100in the storage133for later use.

In some embodiments, the processing unit135of the central device13may further execute a data calculation application CA for converting the raw data100into the application data132. The data calculation application CA may be install in the storage133. Then, the processing unit135of the central device13may transmit the application data132to the user device15through the third transceiver137.

For example, the data calculation application CA may be some specific experimental software, and the application data132may be the processed data generated by the experimental software. In some implementations but not a limitation of the present disclosure, the data calculation application CA may be installed in a cloud server external from the central device13and performed by the cloud server. In these embodiments, the raw data100may be transmitted to the cloud server for the calculation application CA to calculate, and the calculated data may be transmitted back to the central device13for later use.

To put it more specifically, the data processing procedures performed by the data calculation application CA may include data extraction (feature extraction, trend-fitting, statistical reduction), data correlation (within or between data-sets), data transformation (e.g., Fourier transform, Hilbert-Huang transform, wavelet transform), and so on.

In some embodiments, the user may use the user device15to retrieve the application data132. In particular, based on the users operation, the second processing unit153of the user device15may perform a browsing application BA for interfacing with the web interface WI of the web application WA of the central device13.

Then, based on the user's demand, the user device15may request the application data132, which may include the raw data100and/or the data converted by the calculation application CA, from the central device13. Accordingly, the third transceiver137of the central device13may transmit the application data132to the user device15through a network according to the request. Subsequently, the fourth transceiver151of the user device15may receive the application data132from the central device13.

In some implementations, the third transceiver137of the central device13and the fourth transceiver151of the user device15may communicate with each other based on a well-developed network protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi network protocol) for web service.

Afterward, the second processing unit153of the user device15may perform the browsing application BA to transfer the application data132into a data object OB. The I/O unit155of the user device15may output the data object OB via a graphic user interface GUI of the browsing application BA. The I/O unit155of the user device15may further receive a control signal to perform an output operation in the data object OB.

More specifically, in some embodiments, the I/O unit155may include a touch screen, and the data object OB may be presented on the touch screen via the graphic user interface GUI of the browsing application BA. The user may touch the touch screen for operating the data object OB.

For example, please refer toFIG.2Btogether withFIG.2A.FIG.2Bis a schematic view of outputting and operating the data object OB. In detail, the application data132may include data of current and voltage, and the data object OB transferred from the application data132may be presented as IV-curve on the touch screen via the graphic user interface GUI.

The user may apply different types of gestures onto the touch screen based on what the user sees rendered through the graphic user interface GUI. In this way, various control signals may be generated from the gestures via the touch screen. Accordingly, at least a portion of the data object OB may be displayed on the touch screen according to the control signals (e.g., the data object OB may be zoom-in for details or zoom-out for a bigger picture according to the control signals).

In some embodiments, the application data132may include a plurality of data and a plurality of timestamps. The plurality of timestamps corresponds to the plurality of data. The data object OB may be obtained based on at least a portion of the application data132.

In particular, the user only needs the data during a specific time interval. Accordingly, the data object OB may contain some data, which are with some timestamps during that specific time interval, of the application data132. Therefore, the bandwidth requirement for transmitting data may be reduced.

It should be noted that, when the application data132includes the raw data100, the raw data100may include a plurality of data and corresponding timestamps. Similarly, when the application data132includes the data converted by the calculation application CA, the converted data may include a plurality of data and corresponding timestamps.

In some embodiments, because the application data132may be provided by the central device13via the technique of web service, connections with multi-user devices (e.g., the user device15) may be inherently supported, and each user device may individually utilize the application data132.

In some embodiments, the central device13may be free from having a display for displaying the application data132because the application data132may be displayed on user device15. For example, some user devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, notebook PCs, desktop computers, and central servers with consoles/terminals connected to them) may be equipped with adequate displays for displaying the data provided by the central device13.

In addition, in some embodiments, the central device13may be free from having a control panel (e.g., the control panel with buttons/knobs for setting the central device13) because the configurations of the central device13and the data calculation application CA of the central device13may be set by the user device through the technique of web interface.

For example, some user devices may be equipped with adequate control means (i.e., input means, e.g., push-button keys, keyboard, keypad, mouse, touch screen, trackball, joy-stick, voice command, gesture control, facial recognition, brain-computer interface, etc.) for detecting the user's controlling operation. The user's controlling operation may be used for setting the configuration of the central device13and the data application of the central device13through the network.

Please refer toFIG.2C.FIG.2Cis a schematic view of instructing the data calculation application CA. In some embodiments, the user may instruct the data calculation application CA by the user device15.

In particular, the web application WA of the central device13may provide instructions of the data calculation application CA via the web interface WI. The browsing application BA interfacing with the web interface WI may obtain the instructions of the data calculation application CA. The I/O unit155of the user device15may output the instructions via the graphic user interface GUI of the browsing application BA. Accordingly, the user may set up the data calculation application CA based on the provided instructions.

More specifically, when the user selects one of the instructions of the data calculation application CA via the graphic user interface GUI of the browsing application BA (which interfaces with the web interface WI of the web application WA), the second processing unit153of the user device15may transmit an instruction150via the fourth transceiver151to the third transceiver137of the central device13. The instruction150may be used for instructing the first processing unit135of the central device13to set up the data calculation application CA.

For example, please refer toFIG.2D.FIG.2Dis a schematic view of setting up the data calculation application CA. The instructions of CA may be presented on the I/O unit155(e.g., the touch screen) via the graphic user interface GUI of the browsing application BA. The user may click a tab1for Item1of the data calculation application CA. Then the user may click an inverted triangle button of Item1for selecting the instruction150.

After selecting the instruction150, the user may click the confirm button. Accordingly, the user device15may transmit the instruction150to the central device13for instructing the central device13to set up the data calculation application CA according to the instruction150.

Please refer toFIG.2E.FIG.2Eis a schematic view of configuring the data acquisition device11. In some embodiments, the user may configure the data acquisition device11by the user device15.

In particular, the web application WA may provide some configurations of the data acquisition device11for the user to configure the data acquisition device11. Therefore, when the user selects a device configuration152of the data acquisition device11via the browsing application BA (which interfaces with the web interface WI of the web application WA), the second processing unit153of the user device15may transmit the device configuration152via the fourth transceiver151to the third transceiver137of the central device13.

Subsequently, after the third transceiver137of the central device13receives the device configuration152, the first processing unit135may control the second transceiver131to transmit the device configuration152to the data acquisition device11. The device configuration152may be used for configuring at least one setting of the data acquisition device11.

In other words, after the first transceiver115of the data acquisition device11receives the device configuration152, the at least one setting of the data acquisition device11may be modified. In some embodiments, the device configuration152abovementioned may refer to a specific mode of operation and/or a specific operation for the data acquisition device11.

For example, please refer toFIG.2F.FIG.2Fis a schematic view of configuring the data acquisition device11. In detail, the configuration of the device may be presented on the I/O unit155(e.g., the touch screen) via the graphic user interface GUI. The user may click an inverted triangle button of the device for selecting the device (e.g., the data acquisition device11) needed to be configured. Then, the user may click an inverted triangle button of configuration for selecting the device configuration152.

After selecting the device configuration152, the user may click the confirm button. Accordingly, the user device15may transmit the configuration152to the central device13. Then, the central device13may transmit the device configuration152to the data acquisition device11for configuring the data acquisition device11.

In some embodiments, the first processing unit135of the central device13may perform another data calculation application for converting the raw data100into another application data. In other words, there may be different data calculation applications running on the central device13at the same time for different purposes, which means that the calculation applications do not need to be installed/run on the user device15.

In some embodiments, the data acquisition device11may be free from having non-volatile storage for storing the raw data100, which means that, after the data interface111of the data acquisition device11receives raw data100from the object under test10, the controller113may control the first transceiver115to transmit the raw data100to the central device13in real-time since there is no non-volatile storage for storing the raw data100.

In some embodiments, the data acquisition device11may include a power unit (e.g., a rechargeable battery) for providing power. Accordingly, the data acquisition device11may be portable.

As shown inFIG.3A, in some embodiments, the system1may include a plurality of data acquisition devices11, the central device13, and a plurality of user device15. In these embodiments, the user devices15may include smartphones, laptops, tablets, personal computers, etc. which are capable of performing browsing application. Further, each data acquisition device11may be coupled with one object under test OT for receiving the raw data, and then transmit the raw data to the central device13.

In some embodiments, more than one data acquisition device11may be coupled to the same one object under test OT. For example, several different data acquisition devices11may be disposed of neighboring to different places of the object under test OT to obtain different physical quantities from the object under test OT. The central device13may store the raw data directly or perform different data calculation applications for calculating the raw data into different application data for later use.

Next, each user device15may retrieve the data corresponding to the data acquisition devices11and communicate with different data acquisition devices11via the central device13. More specifically, based on techniques of web service, each user device15may perform the browsing application BA to interface with the web application WA of the central device13, and then obtain different data (i.e., raw data or the calculated data) of different data acquisition devices11. Further, each user device15may configure the data acquisition devices11via the central device13. For example, an access control mechanism may be installed in the central device13to manage information flow and/or rights of control between different user devices15and different data acquisition devices11.

Please refer toFIG.3B, in some embodiments, each data acquisition device11may be a headstage device attached to a biological object (e.g., mouse). The data acquisition device11may be used for probing the biological object for sensing analog signals, and the data interface111of the data acquisition device11may contain an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog signals to digital numbers.

In some embodiments, some digital numbers may be adjusted in format and/or value (e.g., to reflect the physical value of the measurement, to incorporate calibration information, or to be associated with a timestamp) to become the raw data100. In other words, the digital numbers directly output from the analog-to-digital converter and/or the adjusted digital numbers may be regarded as the raw data100.

Further, the central device13may be a hub, which has computing capability, and the hub communicates with the headstage devices wirelessly. In some embodiments, the hub may be free from having a monitor/display and may be powered by a rechargeable battery so that the hub can be portable.

The hub performs a plurality of applications for generating application data based on the raw data (e.g., based on the sensed biological signals). Then, the hub may perform a web application with a web interface for providing the application data through a network to the user devices.

On the other hand, each user device may perform a browsing application for interfacing with the web interface of the web application of the hub for obtaining the application data. Further, each user device may perform the browsing application for interfacing with the web interface of the web application to control the headstage devices.

In some embodiments, due to the reason of: (a) data from different data acquisition devices may need to be correlated or combined; (b) operations (e.g., input and output) by different data acquisition devices may need to be coordinate; (c) relative time between different data acquisition devices may need to be known precisely; or (d) absolute time may be less critical, the data acquisition devices11may need to be synchronized.

Please refer toFIG.4, which is a schematic view of synchronization between the data acquisition devices11. In detail, the first processing unit135of the central device13may broadcast a synchronization signal SS to the data acquisition devices11ato11dvia the second transceiver131. The synchronization signal SS may include timing information. Subsequently, the controllers113of the data acquisition devices11ato11dmay receive the synchronization signal SS via the first transceiver115and synchronize to the central device13according to the synchronization signal SS.

In some embodiments, taking data acquisition device11afor example, when receiving the synchronization signal SS, the controller113of the data acquisition devices11may determine a time difference ‘TD’ between a local time ‘T-a’ of the data acquisition device11aand a global time ‘T-r’ obtained based on the synchronization signal SS.

Next, the data acquisition device11amay use the time difference ‘TD’ to calibrate the timestamp of the data, which is to be transmitted to the central device13. For example, when the data, which is to be transmitted to the central device13, is generated at a time ‘T-A’ of the data acquisition device11a, the timestamp of the data may be calibrated by subtracting ‘TD’ from ‘T-A.’ Then, the data with the calibrated timestamp may be transmitted to the central device13.

Similarly, the data acquisition devices11bto11dmay synchronize with the central device13based on the above steps. Accordingly, the data acquisition devices11ato11dmay all be synchronized.

In some embodiments, the data acquisition device11may include a tunable oscillator; for example, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The VCO may be tuned to allow the clock of the data acquisition device11to be synchronized with the clock of the central device13. For example, a counter driven by the VCO may be used as a timer for estimating a tuning value of the VCO based on the synchronization signal SS.

In some embodiments, the data acquisition device11may include an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO). The OCXO may be used to drive a counter, and the counter may be used as a timer of the data acquisition device11. The OCXO may be calibrated based on the time information of the synchronization signal SS for generating some calibration data. The counter driven by the OCXO may be corrected by the calibration data to match the time information of the synchronization signal SS.

It should be noted that the correction of the timer of the data acquisition device11may be performed at the data acquisition device11or at the central device13. In particular, the data acquisition device11may perform the correction of the timer by the calibration data. Alternatively, the data acquisition device11may transmit the timer and the calibration data to the central device13, and the central device13may perform the correction of the timer of the data acquisition device11by the calibration data.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, the controller and processing unit mentioned in the above embodiments may be a microcontroller, central processing unit (CPU), other hardware circuit elements capable of executing relevant instructions, or combination of computing circuits that shall be well-appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the above disclosures.

Moreover, the storage mentioned in the above embodiments may be memories, such as ROM, RAM, etc., for storing data. The I/O unit mentioned in the above embodiments may be a touch screen, a combination of display and I/O device (e.g., Human Input Device), etc.

Further, the transceivers mentioned in the above embodiments may be a combination of a network data transmitter and a network data receiver. The bus may use a communication interface for transferring data between controller, processing unit, storage, I/O unit, and transceiver. The bus may include an electrical bus interface, an optical bus interface, or even a wireless bus interface. However, such description is not intended to limit the hardware implementation embodiments of the present disclosure.