Abstract:
A battery powered remote control unit or other ancillary device is shipped in the same packaging as the main product and is subject to similar environmental conditions throughout the supply chain. The remote control unit is fitted with an environmental sensor to detect such conditions during transit, when the main product has no power supply and stores the data. When the main product is first powered up and used, the remote control communicates to the product and relays data captured by the handset. This data, together with data collected by the main device when in use, using its own sensor, is stored to be retrieved subsequently by a reader to identify events that may have caused a fault in the device.

Description:
This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/GB2007/002693 filed 18 Jul. 2007 which designated the U.S. and claims priority to European Patent Application No. 06254356.6 filed 18 Aug. 2006, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to environmental sensors, and in particular to sensors for monitoring the conditions to which goods in transit are subjected. 
     RELATED ART 
     It would be useful, in determining the cause of an equipment fault, to determine the conditions to which such equipment has been subjected, such as extremes of temperature, violent shocks, water ingress, etc. Tracking the location of the device may also be useful, for example by recording when the device has been in the vicinity of a radio beacon. For electrical devices such as computers, televisions and other entertainment equipment, such information is relatively straightforward to collect whilst the equipment is in use, as the equipment requires connection to a power supply to function. However, such devices have no internal power supply, and therefore, before installation, collection of such data is not so easy. Some devices have an internal battery to power a clock or memory, but this is normally not charged up before installation, to avoid damage should an electrical fault develop in transit. It is therefore difficult to record what happens to the equipment whilst it is being delivered. Consequently, if equipment is found to be faulty after installation, it can be difficult to ascertain whether there is a manufacturing fault, or whether the fault arose in transit to the end user, or whether the fault developed after installation, for example through mis-use. 
     It is common practice to fit RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags to goods of high value, for stocktaking purposes and in order to track their progress from manufacture to end user and, subsequently, whilst in use. RFID tags may be applied to the completed equipment or to significant components, in order to allow their origins to be traced. For example, when troubleshooting a device, the batches from which individual components were sourced may be significant. 
     The RFID tag, in its simplest form, is a passive device which responds to a radio signal by returning an electronic product code, getting the power to do so from the incoming signal. In this simplest form, there is no built-in power supply. However, more complex devices also return data stored in an associated memory, for example an environmental monitor to record the conditions to which the RFID tag, and hence the equipment with which it is associated, have been subjected. This requires a power supply to collect and maintain the data. 
     The de facto standard for low power wireless sensor networks is the IEEE specification 802.15.4. This is implemented in various configurations such as that developed by the “Zigbee” alliance (www.zigbee.org), or the Zensys&#39;s “Z-wave” open standard (www.z-wavealliance.org). 
     Many electrical products are packaged with battery-operated auxiliary equipment designed to communicate with the main device, such as a remote control for a television, or a wireless computer mouse. Although it is not a universal practice, the necessary batteries themselves are usually also supplied. The batteries are not usually installed in the device at the factory, but instead are contained separately within the packaging, to avoid premature drainage of the batteries. Other electrical products, such as mobile telephones, video cameras, etc have rechargeable battery packs. As these auxiliaries are generally shipped in the same packaging as the main product, they are subjected to similar environmental conditions throughout the supply chain. Therefore, any environmental extremes, mishandling, or other events to which the main device is subjected also befalls anything else contained in the same package. However, subsequent to delivery and unpacking, an environmental sensor contained in auxiliary equipment would be of limited use as a surrogate for the main equipment. The user may decide not to use the auxiliary device at all, if alternatives are available—for example if the user prefers to use a trackerball instead of a mouse, or a mains adapter instead of the battery pack. Even if the user does use the auxiliary device, once they have been removed from the packaging the main and auxiliary devices are no longer necessarily subject to the same conditions, and it may be necessary to replace the auxiliary device if it is lost or damaged. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In a first aspect, the exemplary embodiment provides a device having means for collecting and recording environmental data, the device having an active state in which it collects such data and a dormant state in which it does not collect such data, the device being equipped to transmit a signal to an ancillary element when it goes from the dormant state to the active state, and means for collecting and storing data transmitted by the ancillary element which has been collected by the ancillary element while the device was in the dormant state. 
     In another aspect, the exemplary embodiment also provides the ancillary element referred to above, being a battery-operated wireless remote control device, having control means for generating control instructions for a controlled device, and means for collecting and recording environmental data, the device having means for transmitting data it has recorded to a co-operating device in response to a prompt. 
     The device that co-operates with the remote control to collect data may be the same device as the one controlled by its remote control function, or it may be a separate scanning device. The prompt may be a response to an initial manual input to the remote control unit. 
     In another aspect, the exemplary embodiment provides co-operating first and second devices, both having means for recording environmental data, the first device having means for receiving and storing data transmitted by the second device, the second device having means for collecting environmental data, and means for transmitting the data it has collected to the first device in response to a prompt. 
     In this aspect, the second device may be a separate battery container having no other function than as a sensor. In such a case the batteries may be removed by the user once the download has taken place (being designed in such a way that the release of the batteries is not possible until the download has been performed) and installed in a standard wireless remote control device for controlling the main product, such as a computer mouse. Alternatively, the sensor may be integral with the battery itself, the download taking place when the device containing the battery and sensor is coupled to the main device. 
     In a preferred arrangement, the second device may function as a battery-operated wireless controller for controlling the first device. In order to avoid inadvertent operation of the wireless controls until required, the second device may have means for disabling this function until required. Therefore, when the main product is first powered up and used, the wireless control communicates with the product and can relay data it has captured. Such data can then be stored in the main device, together with data it has itself collected after activation, to give a complete history of the device, both before and after activation. The means in the second device for collecting and recording environmental data may be disabled and/or removed from the device after the data has been transferred, and means may be provided to prevent such disabling or removal taking place before the data transfer. Alternatively, means may be provided to indicate, for example by “flagging” the data, whether it was collected by the ancillary unit before or after the initial activation. 
     If the first device has an internal power supply which is activated when it is first connected to an external supply, the first device may remain in the active state if subsequently disconnected from the external supply. 
     The first device may also be equipped to collect such data when in the active state, but not when in the dormant state. 
     The exemplary embodiment also extends to a method of transferring data to a first device from a second device, wherein the second device collects and records environmental data and subsequently responds to a prompt by transmitting the data it has recorded to the first device, where it is stored. 
     In this specification, the term “environmental data” extends to data relating to any condition to which the devices are subjected, including but not limited to temperature, physical shock, contamination and location. Contamination, e.g. by water, may be detected by electrical overloads in the equipment. Location may be determined by interaction with beacons, or RFID tag readers, used for inventory control purposes in the supply chain, and track-and-trace capabilities. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a first electrical product. 
         FIG. 2  depicts two such products, together with their packaging for transit. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an auxiliary device supplied with the first electrical product. 
         FIG. 4  depicts the first product and auxiliary device in use. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating the processes performed by the first device and auxiliary device. 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of the auxiliary device. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram similar to that of  FIG. 5 , illustrating alternative processes according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a first electrical product  1 , for example a desktop computer. The product is provided with an RFID tag  12  or the like, for reading by a scanner  42  (as will be discussed with reference to  FIG. 4 ) for stock control and tracking purposes. The tag  12  can also be used to identify a product, or components of the product, in the event of the device being returned to the supplier to rectify a fault: for example to identify the batch of devices from which it came. 
     The tag  12  is also arranged to retrieve data from a store  11  recording information detected by a sensor  10  in the device  1  about the use to which the device has been put, or the conditions to which the device has been subjected. Such data may include, for example, location information (received from beacons), electrical overloads, chemical damage; or accelerometers to detect physical shocks. Such data may be of use in determining the cause of a fault in the device  1 . 
     Such sensors  10  and data stores  11  generally require a power supply. If the product  1  is designed to take power from a connection  14  to an external power supply, the sensor  10  cannot operate unless the device  1  is connected to the power supply. Consequently, the device  1  is unable to record data relating to its environment prior to installation. (Some devices of this kind have a standby internal power supply to retain settings during brief interruptions of power, but these can only provide power for a short term, and are not usually charged up until installation, to avoid potential damage to the equipment  1  during transit). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the product  1  in transit. For illustrative purposes, a second product  31 , represented as a television set, is also depicted. Both products  1 ,  31  are enclosed in respective packaging  9 ,  39 . It is common for such products to be packaged with ancillary devices. For example, computers are supplied with output devices such as monitor screens and loudspeakers, and data entry input devices such as keyboards. Television sets are usually supplied with remote control units. Some of these ancillary devices co-operate with the main device using a wireless connection: for example, in  FIG. 2 , there is shown a wireless data entry device (“mouse”)  2  and a wireless television remote control device  32 . Being designed to be hand-held and wire-less, such devices require their own internal power supply. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a wireless data entry device  2  according to the exemplary embodiment. An internal power supply  24  normally powers the wireless control functions  26  which are transmitted using a wireless link  25  (e.g. electromagnetic (radio frequency or infra red) or acoustic) to a receiver  15  in the main device  1 , to control functions  16  in the main device. While in transit, this function is normally disabled to avoid power drain. It is usual practice to disable the device  2  by packaging the batteries separately. However, as will become apparent, in the present embodiment, there is a requirement for a small amount of power during transit and so the batteries  24  are installed, but the wireless control functions  26  are disabled. 
     There is thus a self-powered device  2 ,  32  in the packaging  9 ,  39 . During transit, this device will be subject to the same environment as the main product  1 ,  31 , including exposure to harmful chemicals (which, for electrical products, include water), temperature extremes, and shocks. A sensor  20  installed in the ancillary device  2  will, therefore, experience the same phenomena as the main device  1 . 
     The operation of the product  1  and ancillary device  2  according to the exemplary embodiment is depicted in the flow diagram of  FIG. 5 . During transit, data are detected by the sensor  20  and stored in a data store  21  (step  51 ). When the main device  1  and ancillary device  2  are delivered to the end-user, they are removed from their packaging  9 , and the power lead  14  of the main device is connected to a power supply  44  (step  52 : see also  FIG. 4 ). The sensor  10  in the main device  1  can now monitor events that occur to the main device  1 , and store them in its associated store  11 . 
     From the time when the devices  1 ,  2  are removed from their packaging, the sensor in the ancillary device  2  is no longer necessarily subject to the same environment as the main device  1 . The ancillary device, in particular, may be mislaid or discarded. It is thus desirable to capture the data recorded in the store  21  of the ancillary device  2  and transfer it to the store  11  in the main device  1 . The store  11  will then have a complete record of the environment to which the main device  1  has been subjected, both before and after installation (power-up)  52 . 
     In response to power-up, the main device  1  transmits a signal  53  to the ancillary device through their wireless interface  15 ,  25 . This signal is received ( 54 ) by the controller  23  of the ancillary device  2  which responds by returning the data stored in the store  21  ( 55 ). The control  23  also enables the wireless control functions  26  (step  57 ), which are the primary purpose of the device  2 . As shown, this is done by connecting the control functions  26  to the power supply  24 . Such enablement is preferably designed to be irreversible, to avoid subsequent inadvertent disablement by the user. It may also, as shown, disable the sensor  20  to avoid unnecessary power drain. 
     The store  11  in the product  1  now has a complete record of the history of the sensor  20  during the period when it was in the same packaging  9  as the product  1 . Subsequent events, detected by the sensor  10  in the main product, are added to the store  11  (step  58 ) and can be downloaded (step  59 ) in response to interrogation by a scanner  42  interacting with the RFID tag  12  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     In an alternative arrangement shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the enabling of the wireless functions (step  57 ) and disabling of the sensor may be performed by a user action.  FIG. 6  depicts an ancillary device  200  as configured for transit, and  FIG. 7  shows the same device  200  when configured for normal use. The ancillary device has a base unit  22  and a removable module  27 . Elements having the same functions as the ancillary device  2  of  FIG. 3  have the same reference numerals. The sensor  20 , store  21  and retrieval control unit  23  are contained in the removable module  27 , whilst the battery  24 , transmitter  25 , and wireless control functions  26 , are in the base unit  22 . The module  27  has a first pin  28  electrically connecting the sensor  20  in the module  27  to the power supply  24  in the base unit  22 , and isolating the wireless control functions  26  in the base unit  22  from the power supply  24 . The module also has a second pin  29  electrically connecting the store  21  in the module  27  to the transceiver  25  in the base unit  22 , and isolating the wireless control functions  26  from the transceiver  25 . After the main device  1  has powered up and the data has been downloaded from the ancillary store  21  to the main store  11 , the user can remove the module  27  and discard it, the removal of the isolating pins thereby connecting the wireless control functions  26  in the base unit  22  to both the power supply  24  and the transceiver  25 . 
     A third embodiment, depicted schematically in  FIG. 8 , has a further embodiment of the main product  100  and ancillary device  201 , and is designed to prevent the user disabling the sensor  20  prematurely, before the main product  100  has powered up. In this embodiment, the ancillary device  201  is packaged within the main product  100  in such a way that it cannot be removed until the main product  100  is powered up. As is common in products such as computers and DVD players, the main product  100  has a port  18  for inserting and ejecting a data carrier such as a DVD or CD-ROM, in which the operation of the “eject” mechanism requires the product  100  to be connected to a power supply  44 . In this embodiment, the ancillary device  201 , made up of a base unit  22  and a removable module  27  as in the previous embodiment, is packaged at least partially within the port  18 . When the main device  100  is first connected to a mains power supply  44 , the control unit  23  in the ancillary, device  201  causes the store  21  to download data to the corresponding store  11  in the main device  1  (steps  55 ,  56 :  FIG. 5 ). The user may subsequently operate the eject mechanism  19  to retrieve the ancillary device  201 , and can then detach the module  27  containing the sensor  20  and store  21 , the remaining base unit  22  consequently being configured for use as a wireless controller for the main device  100  (step  57 ). By locating the ancillary device  201  at least partially in the port  19 , such that it cannot be removed until the main device  100  is powered up, premature disabling of the download function of the store  21  can be prevented. 
     A fourth embodiment, depicted schematically in  FIG. 9 , has a further embodiment of the main product  102  and ancillary device  202 , and is designed for situations where the ancillary device  202  provides the power supply for the main device  102 —for example a battery pack for a mobile telephone, video camera, laptop computer, or other portable device. As with the previous embodiments, both the main device  102  and ancillary device  202  have respective sensors  10 ,  20 , together with respective data stores  11 ,  21  for recorded data collected by the sensors. In this embodiment, the primary function  126  of the ancillary device is to manage the power supply for the primary function  150  of the main device  102  (e.g. as a communications device, camera, personal audio player etc). The power management system  126  can take power from a connection  14  with a mains power supply  44 , or from an internal battery  124 . The internal battery  124  can also supply power to the sensor  20 . In this embodiment, the main product  100  is dormant (cannot operate) until the ancillary device  202  is connected to it, at which point the main device  102  becomes active and the store  21  in the ancillary device  202  can download data to the corresponding store  11  in the main device  102 . 
     A number of variant processes will now be discussed, with reference to the flow diagram of  FIG. 10 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the scanning device  42  interfaces with the ancillary device  2  directly, rather than indirectly as shown in  FIG. 4 . As in  FIG. 5 , the ancillary device  2  collects and stores data (step  91 ) whilst it is packaged with the main device  1 . The ancillary device may be arranged, as shown in  FIG. 10 , to stop recording such data (step  912 ) in response to a predetermined event ( 911 ) indicative that it has been removed from its packaging. This event  911  may be the first use of its manual controls to control the main device  1 , or a specific operation to enable those controls, as discussed with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , or the connection of the devices together, as discussed with reference to  FIG. 9 . From this point it may be assumed that the ancillary device  2 , ( 200 ,  201 ,  202 ) having been removed from the packaging, is no longer an appropriate surrogate for the main device  1  ( 100 ,  102 ). The main device, having been powered up (step  92 ) may be able to record data for itself from this point ( 98 ), but this is not essential if it is only desired to monitor conditions up to the point of delivery to the end user. 
     In the event of a fault subsequently developing in the main device  1 , a technician can make a site visit and use a scanning device  42  to interrogate the ancillary device  2  (step  93 ) and, in the preferred embodiment, the main device  1  as well. The scanner may generate a prompt  94  as shown, or the download may be initiated by a manual input to the ancillary device  2 . In either case, the ancillary device  2  responds to this input  94  by retrieving and returning data  95  indicative of the history of the ancillary device  2 , and hence of the main device that was traveling in the same packaging. In the preferred embodiment, the main device  1  also responds to a prompt  93  from the scanner (or a manual input, either to the main device itself or through the remote control unit  2 ) to generate an input  941 . The main device  1  responds to this input  941  by retrieving and returning data  951  indicative of the history of the main device after it was removed from its packaging and powered up. The “before” and “after” data  95 ,  951  is received and collated by the scanner  42  (step  96 ). Note that, in this embodiment, synchronization of the data  95 ,  951  retrieved from the two sources  2 , 1  can be achieved by comparing the end of recording  912  in the ancillary device  2  with the start of recording  92  in the main device  1 , as both these events are triggered by the same input  911 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, recording does not stop on first use of the ancillary device  2 , but a data flag is added to the recorded data to identify this instant  912  in the record and allow the record to be aligned with the start of recording  92  by the main device  1 . If the ancillary device is arranged to continue recording after the main device has been activated, a flag may also be generated to mark each time a download is made to the scanner  42 , to allow data records downloaded to the scanner on successive occasions to be synchronized with the main device  1 .