Patent Publication Number: US-2017372260-A1

Title: Environmental parameter monitor with machine readable display

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to environmental parameter monitoring, and to a system and a method for monitoring an alarm status via a machine readable display. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Typically, cold chain distribution systems are used to transport and distribute temperature sensitive and perishable goods. For example, food and pharmaceuticals may be susceptible to temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. Advantageously, cold chain systems allow perishable and environmentally sensitive goods to be effectively transported and distributed without damage or other undesirable effects. 
     Environmental parameter sensors are often used in cold chain distribution systems to monitor the conditions and integrity of the cold chain and consequently the goods transported. Current environmental parameter sensing systems may log data to be retrieved at a later time, but may not communicate an alarm status or condition to other devices within the cold chain distribution system. A system and method that can provide real time monitoring of alarm conditions and status in transit via a machine readable display is desired. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for cold chain monitoring of perishable goods includes at least one environmental sensor to monitor at least one environmental parameter, a controller to log a plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors, and a machine readable display to display at least one alarm status associated with the plurality of readings via a barcode. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the barcode is a one dimensional barcode. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the barcode is a two dimensional bar code. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the barcode includes a static barcode portion. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the barcode includes a dynamic barcode portion associated with the plurality of readings. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the barcode includes at least one product identifier or at least one manufacturer identifier. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the at least one alarm status includes a last reading from the at least one environmental sensor. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the at least one alarm status includes an excursion alarm status. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for cold chain monitoring of perishable goods includes providing at least one environmental sensor, monitoring at least one environmental parameter via the at least one environmental sensor, logging a plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors via a controller, displaying a barcode associated with at least one alarm status associated with the plurality of readings via a machine readable display. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the barcode is a one dimensional barcode. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the barcode is a two dimensional bar code. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the barcode includes a dynamic barcode portion associated with the plurality of readings. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the barcode includes at least one product identifier or at least one manufacturer identifier. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the at least one alarm status includes a last reading from the at least one environmental sensor. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include that the at least one alarm status includes an excursion alarm status. 
     Technical function of the embodiments described above includes a machine readable display to display at least one alarm status associated with the plurality of readings via a barcode. Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary cold chain distribution system suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an exemplary environmental parameter monitor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a method of monitoring environmental parameters in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary cold chain transportation or distribution system suitable for use with an environmental parameter monitor. In an exemplary embodiment, cold chain transportation system  20  includes a transport device  24 , a controlled environment  26 , perishable goods  40 , environmental monitor  42 , and barcode scanner  44 . In an exemplary embodiment, the transport device is a conveyor belt or any other suitable transport device. It is understood that embodiments described herein may be applied to transport devices that are utilized within warehouses, loading docks, receiving docks, as well as shipping containers that are shipped by road, rail, sea, or any other suitable container. The transport device  24  may be in an controlled environment  26 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, environmental control system  28  is associated with transport device  24  to provide desired environmental parameters, such as temperature, humidity, CO 2  level, and other conditions to the controlled environment  26 . In certain embodiments, environmental control system  28  is a refrigeration system capable of providing a desired temperature and humidity range. In an exemplary embodiment, perishable goods  40  are associated with an environmental monitor  42  subjected to the same environment as the perishable goods  40 . In an exemplary embodiment, perishable goods  40  include food, drugs, or any other suitable goods requiring cold chain transport. The environmental monitor  42  may be placed in a variety of locations within controlled environment  26 , including directly on the perishable goods  40 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, environmental monitor  42  monitors parameters and provides information via a display to a barcode scanner  44 . In certain embodiments, barcode scanner  44  is a part of the existing logistical infrastructure of a cold chain operation. In certain embodiments, barcode scanner  44  is utilized for multiple functions including inventory control and tracking. In an exemplary embodiment, existing barcode scanner  44  is utilized to gather information from environmental monitors  42 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an exemplary architecture of an environmental monitor  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, environmental monitor  100  includes at least one environmental parameter sensor  102 , a controller  104  (e.g., a microprocessor), and a machine readable display  114 . Environmental monitor  100  may be used in cold chain operations and transportation as described in  FIG. 1 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, at least one sensor  102  is utilized to monitor environmental parameters and generate a sensor reading. Environmental parameters may include position data, humidity, time, temperature, shock, vibration, ambient light, and gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and ethylene). Accordingly, suitable sensors  102  are utilized to monitor the desired parameters. Advantageously, sensors  102  may be selected for certain applications depending on the perishable goods to be monitored and the corresponding environmental sensitivities. In an exemplary embodiment, temperatures are monitored. In certain embodiments, a user desires to maintain and monitor temperatures or other parameters within an acceptable range. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, readings from sensors  102  are received and processed by the controller  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, readings from sensors  102  are received and logged in memory  110  during a desired monitoring period. In certain embodiments, the readings are further augmented with time, position stamps or other relevant information. Data logged in memory  110  may include a reading from sensor  102 , whether the reading exceeds a (high or low) limit placed for a corresponding parameter, the sensed time and/or the sensed location. 
     The inclusion of controller  104  allows further analysis to be performed. In certain embodiments, controller  104  is programmed with or accepts predetermined ranges or limits for corresponding sensors  102 . If a sensor  102  reading exceeds (a high or low) limit placed for a corresponding parameter, the time, place, and the sensor reading may be recorded. In certain embodiments, an alarm signal is displayed via machine readable display  114 . 
     In certain embodiments, the data recorded to memory  110  is authenticated to prevent tampering of environmental data. The data in memory  110  may be signed, encrypted or otherwise authenticated. Advantageously, such authentication ensures the recorded data is accurate and allows an accurate assessment of recorded environmental conditions. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, controller  104  communicates with a barcode reader  118  via a machine readable display  114 . Machine readable display  114  may display and barcode reader  118  may interpret any suitable machine readable symbologies, including, but not limited to one dimensional barcodes, two dimensional barcodes, etc. Two dimensional barcode symbologies may include data matrix, MaxiCode, PDF 41, PDF 417 Truncated, QR Code, Codablock F, Aztec Code, etc. In certain embodiments, barcodes can include human readable elements. Human readable elements may be selectively displayed or periodically displayed. In certain embodiments, barcode reader  118  can display information determined from machine readable display  114 . In other embodiments, systems associated with barcode reader  118  can transmit and receive information provided by machine readable display  114 . 
     Barcodes may contain transmissions of logged data or the analyzed data (including, but not limited to last known reading, alarm and excursion data, etc.) described above, which allows for real time monitoring of the relevant environmental parameters. In an exemplary embodiment, a barcode can reflect the viability of the perishable goods associated with the environmental monitor  100 . In certain embodiments, additional supporting information and resources are provided by the barcode. For example, a barcode may provide a download link to a tracking or informational program associated with the environmental monitor  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, a responsible party can monitor the sensors  102 , any parameter excursions beyond predefined limits, and any alarm conditions via systems associated with barcode reader  118  or a barcode reader  118  interface. Additionally, a responsible party may monitor additional parameters not internally monitored by environmental monitor  100 . In certain embodiments, the responsible party can make real time decisions about the perishable goods to avoid or minimize undesirable effects. In response to monitored parameters or an event of interest, such as a climate control failure or malfunction, a responsible party can provide instructions and decisions. Such decisions can include communication with a conveyor operator/transportation provider, preemptively rejecting goods, reporting a parameter excursion to a third party, rerouting perishable goods to an environmentally controlled storage facility and/or additional processing. In an exemplary embodiment, a barcode can communicate or facilitate a binary accept/reject determination. 
     In certain embodiments, portions of the barcode include static information, such as, but not limited to a manufacturer identifier of the environmental monitor, a manufacturer identifier of the product, product identifiers, shipping information, etc. In certain embodiments, a portion of the barcode includes dynamic information in addition to the static information, wherein the dynamic information includes variable environmental information or displays multiple environmental parameters described above. In certain embodiments, the entire barcode is a dynamic barcode that changes in response to variable environmental information or displays multiple environmental parameters. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, barcode readers  118  are utilized for multiple functions. Advantageously, many cold chain facilities currently utilize barcode scanner infrastructure for identification and other machine readable information. Accordingly, by providing alarm status and other environmental information via a machine readable interface such as machine readable display  114 , current infrastructure and devices such as barcode reader  118  can be utilized to provide additional information and functionality. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, environmental monitor  100  includes a user interface  106  and user readable data display  108  to allow a user to directly and locally interact with environmental monitor  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, environmental monitor  100  can display status information and relevant data points on display  108 . In certain embodiments, user interface  106  allows a user to stop and start monitoring operations, as well as review data and alarm conditions. Advantageously, a local use and review of environmental monitor  100  can allow on-site review and determinations to be made regarding routing, storage and goods acceptance. In certain embodiments, user readable data display  108  can provide basic alarm status to a human user, while machine readable display  114  provides detailed information to barcode readers  118 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a local interface  112  facilitates a secondary data download after the perishable goods have reached a checkpoint or a destination. Data may be transferred to an external download device  120 . The locally downloaded data may be authenticated, provide additional data for diagnostic purposes or provide data in accordance with receiver/shipper protocols. The local interface  112  may transfer data by any suitable local method, including, but not limited to USB, serial transmission, optical transmission, local Wi-Fi, personal area networks, or any other suitable local interface. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary method  200  to monitor environmental parameters, particularly in a cold chain system. In operation  202 , perishable goods, including perishable food and pharmaceuticals, are transported via a suitable cold chain transport. 
     In operation  204  a suitable environmental monitor  100  is placed to be associated with the perishable goods to monitor the environmental parameters the perishable goods are subjected to. 
     In operation  206 , the parameters are monitored by the controller  104 . Monitoring operations may sample at any frequency desired depending on sensitivity requirements and technical requirements. The controller  104  may include predefined parameter limits to determine alarm conditions in case of parameter excursion. 
     In operation  208 , the readings from sensors  102  are logged in memory  110  for later review. Data logged in memory  110  may include sensor readings, time, position, alarms, and any other suitable information. 
     In operation  210  the data logged in memory  110  can be monitored for an alarm condition or excursion condition. In certain embodiments, the last known temperature, or other sensor reading is monitored to be displayed in operation  212 . 
     In operation  212  a desired alarm condition, excursion condition, or status is displayed via a machine readable display  114 . The information displayed on the machine readable display  114  may be read by a barcode scanner. The machine readable display  114  may show a static, partially dynamic, or fully dynamic barcode reflecting current conditions or status. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. While the description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangement not hereto described will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Additionally, while the various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.