Abstract:
A system and method for determining and reporting refrigeration equipment operating metrics using only sensed interior air temperature is taught. By repeatedly sensing interior air temperature an average food temperature metric, a runtime metric, a compressor cycle metric, and a door opening count metric is determined and reported.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/111,843 filed Feb. 4, 2015 and is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/847,484 filed Mar. 20, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to a field data capture system and in particular to a field data capture system primarily used in refrigeration equipment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The majority of companies and other organizations using refrigeration equipment do not collect environmental data on their equipment interiors. For those that do gather data such as interior air temperature, the data is usually not in human-actionable form, but rather it is merely presented as a chart or graph, usually basic in nature and not easily exportable. 
         [0004]    Collecting refrigeration equipment environmental data is often cost-prohibitive. Conventional sensor systems for refrigeration equipment usually require a plurality of costly sensors. Conventional systems often utilize a different form of sensor for each metric gathered, for example, there is a separate sensor for obtaining door opening data, compressor cycles, and so forth. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is still a continuing need for improved, simplified, cost-effective systems to provide data-gathering functionality without sacrificing accuracy. The present invention fulfills this need and further provides related advantages. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A system and method for determining and reporting refrigeration equipment operating metrics using only a single sensed data type, for example, sensed interior air temperature is taught. By repeatedly sensing interior air temperature an average food temperature metric, a runtime metric, a compressor cycle metric, and a door opening count metric is determined and reported. 
         [0007]    In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a field data capture system comprising a sensor, firmware, a connector, a communications interface unit, a server, and machine-readable instructions. In a preferred embodiment the sensor gathers air temperature data. The sensor&#39;s firmware calculates metrics based on the sensor data. The metrics data is transmitted through the connector to the communications interface unit which forwards the metrics data to the server. The server comprises sub-processes and a database to process and convert the data into human-actionable formats, for example, graphs and charts, and provides user notification and maintenance alerts. 
         [0008]    Notable human-actionable data includes, for example, performance factors such as operating cycles, power consumption, and average food temperature. 
         [0009]    While the exemplar uses a temperature sensor, the system can be applied to other forms of sensors, for example, acoustic sensors, optical sensors, and pressure sensors. 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment multiple metrics are calculated from gathered air temperature data. These metrics are thereafter utilized to provide user notifications and data graphing/reports to warn of performance issues and for analytic purposes. 
         [0011]    The margin of error in the present invention is found to be comparable to conventional, more complicated systems. The present invention also provides conversion of data into human-actionable formats such as spreadsheets, charts, and graphs. 
         [0012]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention. These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart overview of the system&#39;s major components and their interactions with each other. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an overview of the firmware&#39;s sub-processes and their relationship with the overall firmware component. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts the runtime calculation sub-process. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts the power consumption calculation sub-process. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts the maintenance alert sub-process with compressor issues as an example. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts the process of utilizing the remote control to set the point of the thermostat; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a sensor casing; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the casing; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a casing; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a casing. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. The figures are not necessary to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. Where possible, like reference numerals have been used to refer to like parts in the several alternative embodiments of the present invention described herein. 
         [0026]    The major components of the remote performance monitoring system include a sensor or sensors, sensor instructions, for example, firmware, preferably included as part of the sensor itself, a connector, for example, a cable, a communications interface unit, a power supply, for example, a battery pack, a server, and a set of server instructions, preferably included as part of the server. An overview is depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]    In a preferred embodiment there is a single sensor. Optionally a plurality of sensors placed at different locations in the detection area may be utilized. Preferably the sensor is an air temperature sensor, placed inside refrigeration equipment. 
         [0028]    The sensor instruction set (firmware) is preferably included as part of the sensor. In the preferred embodiment the firmware converts the air temperature into various performance metrics. Preferably a separate sub-process provides each performance metric. These sub-processes include, for example, but are not limited to: an average food temperature calculation sub-process, a runtime calculation sub-process, a compressor cycle calculation sub-process, and a door opening counter sub-process, depicted in  FIG. 2 . Following calculation of these metrics, the data is forwarded to the communications interface unit. 
         [0029]    The sub-process for calculating the average food temperature outputs a moving average calculation on the air temperature. The sub-process mathematically determines the average food temperature for an average mass of food, given a specific air temperature. This sub-process comprises an algorithm based on specific heat of food materials and temperature differences over time. In the preferred embodiment, the calculation of average resulting food temperature is predicated on the fact that when an item, for example, an item of food, is placed inside a refrigeration equipment with a known inside temperature, the average resulting item temperature is then calculated based upon industry standard time and temperature equations, presently exemplified by, for example, NSF Standard P235, or other known time and temperature protocols for simulating the effect of a series of air temperature changes upon food. 
         [0030]    Notably, this sub-process checks to see whether the refrigeration equipment chills the contents to acceptable food safety standards. This is determined by comparing the average air temperature with stipulated parameters. The sub-process outputs the determination as, for example, a Boolean value. In the preferred embodiment, the standard is NSF P235, instituted by the National Sanitation Foundation regulatory body, incorporated by reference. Optionally, the volume of the refrigeration equipment may be used to make the determination. The British Thermal Units Per Hour (BTUH) requirements to maintain food at a given temperature given a certain amount of refrigeration volume are known in the art, and are typified, for example, in Table A below: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE A 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 BTUH Load 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 +35 Room 
                 +30 Room 
                 0 Room 
                 −10 room 
                 −20 Room 
               
               
                   
                 Floor 
                 Usage 
                 Usage 
                 Usage 
                 Usage 
                 Usage 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Dimension 
                 Sq. Ft. 
                 Avg. 
                 Heavy 
                 Avg. 
                 Heavy 
                 Avg. 
                 Heavy 
                 Avg. 
                 Heavy 
                 Avg. 
                 Heavy 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 6 × 6 × 8 
                 36 
                 4750 
                 6389 
                 4488 
                 6037 
                 4583 
                 6505 
                 4929 
                 7041 
                 5274 
                 7577 
               
               
                 6 × 8 × 8 
                 48 
                 5417 
                 7274 
                 5119 
                 6974 
                 5225 
                 7407 
                 5630 
                 8028 
                 6034 
                 8648 
               
               
                 6 × 10 × 8 
                 60 
                 6055 
                 8100 
                 5722 
                 7655 
                 5806 
                 8213 
                 6265 
                 8911 
                 6725 
                 9609 
               
               
                 8 × 8 × 8 
                 64 
                 6188 
                 8291 
                 5848 
                 7835 
                 5934 
                 8410 
                 6405 
                 9127 
                 6876 
                 9844 
               
               
                 8 × 10 × 8 
                 80 
                 6954 
                 9269 
                 6572 
                 8759 
                 6631 
                 9363 
                 7165 
                 10169 
                 7699 
                 10974 
               
               
                 8 × 12 × 8 
                 96 
                 7669 
                 10174 
                 7247 
                 9614 
                 7273 
                 10234 
                 7867 
                 11123 
                 8461 
                 12011 
               
               
                 8 × 14 × 8 
                 112 
                 8366 
                 11045 
                 7905 
                 10437 
                 7922 
                 11092 
                 8575 
                 12059 
                 9227 
                 13026 
               
               
                 8 × 16 × 8 
                 128 
                 9051 
                 11888 
                 8553 
                 11234 
                 8528 
                 11890 
                 9237 
                 12933 
                 9946 
                 13976 
               
               
                 8 × 18 × 8 
                 144 
                 9748 
                 12732 
                 9212 
                 12032 
                 9169 
                 12732 
                 9936 
                 13852 
                 10702 
                 14972 
               
               
                 8 × 20 × 8 
                 160 
                 10419 
                 13548 
                 9846 
                 12803 
                 9755 
                 13490 
                 10576 
                 14682 
                 11397 
                 15874 
               
               
                 8 × 22 × 8 
                 176 
                 11540 
                 14807 
                 10905 
                 13992 
                 10817 
                 14715 
                 11692 
                 15977 
                 12567 
                 17239 
               
               
                 8 × 24 × 8 
                 192 
                 12224 
                 15622 
                 11522 
                 14763 
                 11386 
                 15439 
                 12314 
                 16769 
                 13242 
                 18099 
               
               
                 8 × 26 × 8 
                 208 
                 12874 
                 16398 
                 12166 
                 15496 
                 11976 
                 16176 
                 12955 
                 17573 
                 13935 
                 18970 
               
               
                 8 × 28 × 8 
                 224 
                 13519 
                 17163 
                 12775 
                 16219 
                 12530 
                 16873 
                 13562 
                 18336 
                 14594 
                 19799 
               
               
                 8 × 30 × 8 
                 240 
                 14187 
                 17947 
                 13407 
                 16960 
                 13108 
                 17587 
                 14191 
                 19115 
                 15274 
                 20642 
               
               
                 8 × 32 × 8 
                 256 
                 14824 
                 18694 
                 14009 
                 17666 
                 13653 
                 18264 
                 14786 
                 19855 
                 15920 
                 21446 
               
               
                 10 × 10 × 8 
                 100 
                 7789 
                 10339 
                 7361 
                 9770 
                 7386 
                 10401 
                 7990 
                 11304 
                 8594 
                 12208 
               
               
                 10 × 12 × 8 
                 120 
                 8626 
                 11385 
                 8152 
                 10759 
                 8138 
                 11405 
                 8809 
                 12401 
                 9481 
                 13397 
               
               
                 10 × 14 × 8 
                 140 
                 9439 
                 12384 
                 8920 
                 11703 
                 8887 
                 12405 
                 9626 
                 13493 
                 10365 
                 14581 
               
               
                 10 × 16 × 8 
                 160 
                 10250 
                 13379 
                 9686 
                 12643 
                 9577 
                 13311 
                 10379 
                 14484 
                 11182 
                 15658 
               
               
                 10 × 18 × 8 
                 180 
                 11049 
                 14349 
                 10441 
                 13560 
                 10279 
                 14216 
                 11144 
                 15472 
                 12009 
                 16728 
               
               
                 10 × 20 × 8 
                 200 
                 11838 
                 15299 
                 11187 
                 14458 
                 10942 
                 15070 
                 11868 
                 16405 
                 12794 
                 17741 
               
               
                 10 × 24 × 8 
                 240 
                 13391 
                 17180 
                 12654 
                 16207 
                 12751 
                 17231 
                 13796 
                 18721 
                 14842 
                 20211 
               
               
                 10 × 28 × 8 
                 280 
                 14891 
                 18922 
                 14072 
                 17881 
                 14043 
                 18844 
                 15205 
                 20482 
                 16367 
                 22120 
               
               
                 12 × 12 × 8 
                 144 
                 10038 
                 13021 
                 9486 
                 12305 
                 8991 
                 12553 
                 9739 
                 13655 
                 10486 
                 14756 
               
               
                 12 × 14 × 8 
                 168 
                 10956 
                 14155 
                 10353 
                 13376 
                 10235 
                 14052 
                 11055 
                 15251 
                 11875 
                 16450 
               
               
                 12 × 16 × 8 
                 192 
                 11886 
                 15284 
                 11232 
                 14443 
                 11029 
                 15082 
                 11919 
                 16375 
                 12810 
                 17667 
               
               
                 12 × 18 × 8 
                 216 
                 12775 
                 16359 
                 12072 
                 15459 
                 11807 
                 16080 
                 12767 
                 17464 
                 13726 
                 18847 
               
               
                 12 × 20 × 8 
                 240 
                 13681 
                 17440 
                 12928 
                 16481 
                 12573 
                 17052 
                 13599 
                 18524 
                 14626 
                 19995 
               
               
                 12 × 22 × 8 
                 264 
                 14549 
                 18474 
                 13749 
                 17458 
                 13299 
                 17974 
                 14392 
                 19541 
                 15485 
                 21088 
               
               
                 14 × 14 × 8 
                 196 
                 11993 
                 15423 
                 11333 
                 14575 
                 11126 
                 15216 
                 12024 
                 16521 
                 12923 
                 17826 
               
               
                 14 × 16 × 8 
                 224 
                 13013 
                 16656 
                 12297 
                 15740 
                 11995 
                 16338 
                 12971 
                 17745 
                 13946 
                 19152 
               
               
                 14 × 20 × 8 
                 280 
                 15011 
                 19042 
                 14185 
                 17795 
                 13687 
                 18487 
                 14811 
                 20088 
                 15935 
                 21688 
               
               
                 14 × 24 × 8 
                 336 
                 16969 
                 21347 
                 16036 
                 21073 
                 15330 
                 20539 
                 16598 
                 22324 
                 17866 
                 24110 
               
               
                 16 × 16 × 8 
                 256 
                 14148 
                 18019 
                 13370 
                 17028 
                 12939 
                 17550 
                 13998 
                 19067 
                 15056 
                 20583 
               
               
                 16 × 20 × 8 
                 320 
                 16349 
                 20631 
                 15450 
                 19496 
                 14777 
                 19873 
                 15996 
                 21598 
                 17215 
                 23323 
               
               
                 16 × 24 × 8 
                 374 
                 18506 
                 23157 
                 17488 
                 21883 
                 16563 
                 22093 
                 17938 
                 24017 
                 19313 
                 25941 
               
               
                 18 × 18 × 8 
                 324 
                 16476 
                 20782 
                 15570 
                 19639 
                 14864 
                 19989 
                 16090 
                 21724 
                 17317 
                 23460 
               
               
                 18 × 20 × 8 
                 360 
                 18128 
                 22644 
                 17131 
                 21398 
                 16305 
                 21678 
                 17617 
                 23523 
                 18930 
                 25369 
               
               
                 18 × 24 × 8 
                 432 
                 20484 
                 25389 
                 19357 
                 23993 
                 18260 
                 24090 
                 19739 
                 26149 
                 21219 
                 28208 
               
               
                 20 × 20 × 8 
                 400 
                 19470 
                 24145 
                 18340 
                 22817 
                 17386 
                 23019 
                 18790 
                 24982 
                 20194 
                 16945 
               
               
                 20 × 24 × 8 
                 480 
                 21988 
                 27132 
                 20779 
                 25640 
                 19453 
                 25566 
                 21036 
                 27755 
                 22619 
                 29945 
               
               
                 20 × 28 × 8 
                 560 
                 24963 
                 30480 
                 23590 
                 28804 
                 21963 
                 28514 
                 23721 
                 30922 
                 25479 
                 33330 
               
               
                 20 × 32 × 8 
                 640 
                 27480 
                 33340 
                 25969 
                 31506 
                 23954 
                 30909 
                 25884 
                 33529 
                 27813 
                 36149 
               
               
                 20 × 36 × 8 
                 720 
                 29946 
                 36127 
                 28299 
                 34140 
                 25919 
                 33251 
                 28017 
                 36077 
                 30115 
                 38903 
               
               
                 20 × 40 × 8 
                 800 
                 32420 
                 38904 
                 30637 
                 36764 
                 27888 
                 35575 
                 30153 
                 38603 
                 32518 
                 41631 
               
               
                 24 × 40 × 8 
                 960 
                 38694 
                 45735 
                 36565 
                 46878 
                 34681 
                 43023 
                 37368 
                 46538 
                 39939 
                 49937 
               
               
                 28 × 40 × 8 
                 1120 
                 43183 
                 50733 
                 40808 
                 48970 
                 38123 
                 47062 
                 41095 
                 50921 
                 43950 
                 54664 
               
               
                 32 × 40 × 8 
                 1280 
                 48550 
                 56318 
                 45880 
                 55056 
                 42894 
                 51900 
                 46146 
                 56580 
                 49282 
                 60656 
               
               
                 36 × 40 × 8 
                 1440 
                 54344 
                 62804 
                 51355 
                 61626 
                 46254 
                 56259 
                 49872 
                 60781 
                 53194 
                 65186 
               
               
                 40 × 40 × 8 
                 1600 
                 58738 
                 67611 
                 55507 
                 66608 
                 49583 
                 60073 
                 53385 
                 64916 
                 57070 
                 69642 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *Heavy usage is defined as two times the average air change. Average air changes determined by ASHRAE based on box size for 24 hour period. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0031]    The sub-process for calculating the refrigeration equipment runtime is depicted in  FIG. 3 . The runtime is the time interval between the commencement of a refrigeration equipment&#39;s interior temperature drop and when the interior temperature drop ends. When the interior temperature drops the refrigeration equipment&#39;s compressor is on. The sub-process determines the compressor cycles based upon the temperature drops. 
         [0032]    The power consumption of the refrigeration equipment is mathematically determined by multiplying the runtime with the known kilowatt per hour rate of consumption. Preferably, this power consumption determination is performed later in the usage process at the server level, discussed below. 
         [0033]    Optionally, this sub-process performs the power consumption calculation during this firmware sub-process&#39;s execution and not at the server level. The firmware then forwards the calculated consumption rate to the communications interface unit and eventually to the server, along with the runtime data. In this instance the server receives the power consumption information rather than calculating it itself. 
         [0034]    The firmware sub-process for calculating the number of compressor cycles utilizes the same input data as the runtime calculation sub-process. If the refrigeration equipment inside temperature drops, the compressor is on. By performing a wavelength analysis and counting the peaks and troughs of temperature changes the sub-process calculates the number of cycles. The wavelength geometry is stored and subsequently forwarded to the communications interface and thereafter to the server. The wavelength geometry is a distinctive feature of each refrigeration equipment, generally comparable to an identifying fingerprint. 
         [0035]    As discussed above, a cycle is the interval between the commencement of temperature drop and when it stops dropping. This represents a single runtime of the compressor. 
         [0036]    The firmware sub-process for calculating the number of door openings of the refrigeration equipment counts temperature spikes. A temperature spike is a breach of the integrity of the interior area of the refrigeration equipment. This sub-process tallies the number of temperature spikes to count the number of door openings. 
         [0037]    If the refrigeration equipment compressor turns off the interior temperature will rise. However, when the door opens, the interior temperature will rise more quickly than if the compressor had simply turned off and the door remained closed. If the rate of interior temperature increase is faster than that of the compressor&#39;s known off-cycle interior temperature increase, the event will be flagged as a door opening. In this manner the sub-process will tally the number of door openings. As with other performance metrics the tally will be sent to the communications interface unit and then to the server. 
         [0038]    The connector, for example, a cable, transmits firmware generated data between the sensor and the communications interface unit. The connector is preferably located between the sensor and the communications interface unit. The connector may be, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet cable or other known cable. Non-cabled (wireless) connection is also contemplated. 
         [0039]    The communications interface unit is preferably self-contained, and acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the server. The sensor is connected to the communications interface unit via the aforementioned connector. The communications interface unit forwards data from the sensor to the server. Optionally, the communications interface unit may use non-cable connectors to communicate with the sensor and/or server, for example, WiFi or general packet radio service (GPRS). 
         [0040]    The power source for the communications interface, for example, a battery pack, is preferably part of the communications interface unit. 
         [0041]    A server comprising a storage medium is provided. Alternatively, remotely located storage may be used, for example, cloud storage. 
         [0042]    A server instruction set comprised of multiple subcomponents and sub-processes, for example, a graph/report creation sub-process, a database creation sub-process, a sub-process for calculation of power consumption, user notification sub-processes, different user interface views based on user permissions, and maintenance alerts and calculations are included. 
         [0043]    The server instruction set graph/report creation sub-process converts the data metrics relayed by the communications interface unit into human-readable graphs and reports. It also graphs and creates reports on data calculated at the server, for example, power consumption data. Optionally, a data export sub-process exports graphs and reports into industry-standard format, for example, known spreadsheet format. 
         [0044]    The server instruction set database subcomponent formats and stores the data on the server. 
         [0045]    The server instruction set calculation of power consumption subcomponent/sub-process is depicted in  FIG. 4 . This sub-process mathematically determines to a predetermined degree of accuracy the power consumption of the refrigeration equipment expressed in standard units, for example, kilowatts. As discussed earlier, the runtime is transmitted to the server via the communications interface unit. The power consumption is thereafter calculated by multiplying the runtime by the known kilowatt/hour rate of consumption. The power consumption data can also be converted into a chart or graph via the aforementioned graph/report creation sub-process. 
         [0046]    The server instruction set user notification sub-processes provides notice of predetermined events, for example, predetermined non-standard conditions. For example, when a temperature spike is determined, the sub-process will send a notification, for example, an SMS message, an automated call, or other forms of contact to appropriate personnel to address the non-standard condition. 
         [0047]    The server instruction set user notification sub-process for routine maintenance alerts and calculations is depicted in  FIG. 5 . Optionally, this sub-process is a separate alert system for routine maintenance tasks from that of the non-standard alert system described earlier. 
         [0048]    In this routine maintenance user notification sub-process calculations on data metrics are performed to determine maintenance needs. For example, the sub-process examines the number of weekly compressor cycles. If the number of cycles unexpectedly changes from a known usage pattern the sub-process registers this event as an indicator of a possible performance issue. As another example, sub-process wavelength analysis against known standard wavelength geometry will determine early compressor non-standard conditions. Both events result in generation of a notice to appropriate personnel. 
         [0049]    A server instruction set sub-process provides predetermined user interface views based upon preset user permissions. For example, users are presented with information and options pertinent to their job description. For example, a marketing executive will see graphs and reports relating to usage data. By contrast, maintenance personnel are presented with data relating to performance. 
         [0050]    Optionally, after analysis of the gathered data metrics the refrigeration equipment is remotely controlled. For example, a user may remotely control the refrigeration equipment or a sub-process may automatically remotely control the refrigeration equipment, based upon the analyzed data metrics. For example, the refrigeration equipment door may be remotely closed, the temperature set point may be remotely set, the compressor may be turned off or on, and/or the compressor runtime may be altered.  FIG. 6  depicts an exemplar remote control of the refrigeration set point. 
         [0051]    The interaction of the components and usage in a preferred embodiment is as follows: 
         [0052]    The sensor is installed into the interior of the refrigeration equipment. The firmware is optionally pre-loaded as part of the sensor. The sensor monitors and identifies the air temperature. The firmware converts the air temperature into various performance metrics such as the average food temperature, runtime, compressor cycles, and number of door openings. These metrics are transmitted through the connector to the powered communications interface unit. The communications interface unit then transmits the metrics data from the sensor&#39;s firmware to the server. 
         [0053]    The instruction set on the server processes the metrics data. Graphs and reports are created in a human-readable format. The database stores the data. Power consumption data is calculated based upon the received metrics data. Notifications and maintenance alerts are generated upon predetermined refrigeration equipment functionality conditions. Predetermined user interface views are presented, dependent upon predetermined user criteria. 
         [0054]    Optionally, upon either direct user input using an input device, for example a remote control device, touchpad, keyboard or keypad; or automatic sub-process input, the refrigeration equipment is remotely controlled. Input is sent to the communications interface unit and transmitted to the refrigeration equipment. For example, upon user or sub-process review of temperature metrics, temperature control information is transmitted to the communications interface unit. The communications interface unit transmits the information to the refrigeration equipment thermostat which thereupon changes the set point. Optionally, a verifications message is transmitted back through the communications interface unit, and, if appropriate, to the remote control input device, confirming that the operation has completed successfully. 
         [0055]    The sensor of a preferred embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 6-9 . 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , casing  40  comprises a casing entrance  70 , a casing wall  50 , a casing seal  80 , a casing cap  90  and a casing chamber  60 . In one embodiment, the casing seal  80  is seated against a casing seat  100  to prevent the casing seal  80  from being pushed into the casing chamber  60  during insertion of the thermal sensor  30 . Likewise, the casing cap  90  may also be designed to prevent the casing seal  80  from being dislodged during extraction of the thermal sensor  30 . 
         [0057]    Casing wall  50  may have an approximately cylindrical shape with one open end and one closed end (which may be rounded), although it is not limited to this shape, and could instead having any other shape, such as an extruded square, rectangle, oval, etc. The casing wall  50  may be shaped and configured to receive and accommodate the thermal sensor  30  inside casing chamber  60 . The casing wall  50  may have a thickness of between about 1 mm and about 15 mm, which may or may not be substantially uniform. For instance, the casing wall  50  may have a thickness near the casing entrance  70  that is greater or less than a thickness opposite the casing entrance  70 . In one embodiment, the casing  40  is configured such that the thermal sensor  30  is substantially not in contact with the casing wall  50 . 
         [0058]    The casing seal  80  may be made from any number of compressible materials designed to accommodate a thermal sensor  30  and substantially prevent airflow into the casing chamber  60  by creating a seal around the thermal sensor connection  140 . In one embodiment, the casing seal  80  is made of closed-cell silicone foam with a central aperture to allow insertion of the thermal sensor  30 . In another embodiment, the casing seal  80  is stretchable so that the casing seal  80  is configured to receive a first thermal sensor  30  of a first diameter at a first time and a second thermal sensor  30  of a second diameter different than the first diameter at a second time, without losing its ability to prevent substantially all air flow from passing through the aperture of the casing seal  80 . 
         [0059]    Casing seat  100  may comprise a groove or cut-out in the casing wall  50  that has a dimension larger than an inside dimension of the casing wall  50  and a dimension smaller than an outside dimension of the casing wall  50 , so that a thickness of material surrounding the casing seat  100  is less than a thickness of the casing wall  50 , such as between about 0.5 mm and about 7 mm. Casing seat  100  has an inside dimension about equal to an outside dimension of casing seal  80 , discussed as follows, so that casing seal  80  can rest inside and seal off the casing chamber  60  without being able to slide beyond casing seat  100 . In one embodiment, the casing seal  80  may be configured to have a slightly larger dimension which may create a more effective seal against the thermal sensor connection  140 . 
         [0060]    The casing wall  50  may comprise any rigid solid that can contain the thermal sensor  30  as well as conduct heat to and from the casing chamber  60 , for example, plastic, metal, ceramics, and composite materials. The casing wall  50  transfers heat sufficiently slowly such that the air inside casing chamber  60  has a temperature representing a moving average of the temperature in the substance or environment whose temperature is being probed. In other words, the casing wall  50  may damp sharp fluctuations in the environmental temperature, so that the control apparatus  20  does not over-react to changes in the environmental temperature. One aspect includes, for example, providing different materials, dimensions, and wall thicknesses of casing wall  50  so as to achieve the desired response time between environmental temperature and temperature sensed by the thermal sensor  30 . 
         [0061]    In one embodiment, the casing wall  50  is configured to allow the air inside the casing chamber  60  to substantially mimic product temperature. The casing wall  50  may be made from a number of materials, but preferably an impact-resistant plastic that is configured to be safe for use near food. 
         [0062]    The casing chamber  60  and casing entrance  70  may be of any diameter and length configured to allow a thermal sensor  30  to be housed in the casing chamber  60 , for example, about 5 mm in diameter and about 60 mm in length to accommodate a digital thermal sensor  30 , and about 10 mm in diameter and about 90 mm in length to accommodate a mechanical thermal sensor  30 . In one embodiment, the casing wall  50  and casing seal  80  may be configured to create a substantially uniform thermal barrier around the thermal sensor  30 , which ensures that the air temperature inside the casing chamber  60  is not asymmetrically influenced by the ambient temperature. 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , casing  40  comprises a casing entrance  70 , an inner casing wall  120 , an outer casing wall  130 , a casing seal  80 , a casing cap  90 , a casing chamber  60 , and a fluid chamber  110 . Fluid chamber  110  is configured to hold a variety of fluids, for example, air, which may be configured to simulate or substantially match a temperature of a product whose temperature aims to be sensed by the thermal sensor  30 . 
         [0064]    Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is capable of other variations and modifications within its scope. These examples and embodiments are intended as typical of, rather than in any way limiting on, the scope of the present invention as presented in the appended claims.