Patent Publication Number: US-2002007256-A1

Title: Analyzing method and system for measured data

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention is related to an analyzing method and system for measured data, where the measured data are obtained by an instrument belonging to a user, sent to an analyzing center, analyzed by an analyzer in the analyzing center, and sent back to the user. The user accesses the analyzing center through communication networks by a communication terminal and sends the measured data of an object measured by an instrument belonging to the user. The analyzing center analyzes the measured data sent from the user and sends results obtained by the analyzing back to the user. Specially, this analyzing method and system is possible to analyze such measured data as the analyzer might not analyze.  
       [0002] As an existing analyzing system for measured data, a frequency analyzing system is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application (JP-A) No. H. 10-206149.  
       [0003] FIG. 1 shows a frequency analyzing system as an existing analyzing system for measured data.  
       [0004] Referring to FIG. 1, this frequency analyzing system comprises a measuring equipment 101, a communication terminal unit 102, a server 103, and networks 104.  
       [0005] The measuring equipment 101 sends measured data giving a roughness of a processed surface of an object to a server 103 for analyzing. The communication terminal unit 102 of user is connected to the server 103 through networks 104 by a browser therein, directs an analysis to the server 103, and displays an analysis result sent from the server 103 on a screen of panel. The server 103 stores the measured data giving a roughness of a processed surface of the object, which have been input from the measuring equipment 101. Then the server 103 analyzes the stored data at a receipt of the analysis direction from the browser of the terminal unit 102 and sends analysis results back to the terminal unit 102.  
       [0006] The above-described existing analyzing system has following problems.  
       [0007] The first one is no countermeasure in case that the analysis of the measured data sent from the user is impossible in the data analyzer. For example of the above JP-A publication, the analyzer needs to store previously such information as measurement results and various basic process conditions for analyzing, and refers the information at the analysis. However, the reference information has a limit and includes mainly past data and information. Accordingly, it occurs much often that analysis is impossible.  
       [0008] The second one is difficulty of quick amendments in case of occurrence of wrong result for analyzing. The reason is that, in case of receipt of the wrong results for analyzing, it is rare that a professional to be able to resolve the results exists and it needs that user calls the professional from some other place, in the user&#39;s side.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an analyzing method and system for measured data, which are capable of dealing effectively with analysis being impossible and quickly with some wrong result for analyzing.  
       [0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a method analyzing data in a center, wherein the data is obtained from an instrument measuring an object in a user and sent through a communication network to the center for analyzing, comprising the steps as follows.  
       [0011] One of steps is accessing directly through the communication network to the center from the instrument. Another one is sending the measured data together with a required information from the instrument to the center. Another one is analyzing the measured data in the center. Another one is sending back an analysis result from the center to the user.  
       [0012] As a result, it is possible to achieve that the data are transferred directly between the center for analyzing and the instrument in user. Accordingly, the analyzing center can absorb directly and collect repeatedly the measured data from the instrument.  
       [0013] The above communication network may be an INTERNET and the center has a homepage on the INTERNET. The additional steps are accessing and opening the homepage from the user at a request for the analysis of the measured data, inputting data into required items shown on the homepage in the user, and sending the input data from the user to the center.  
       [0014] The above-described center may station at least one center staff of professional who can analyze the measured data. The additional steps are analyzing the measured data automatically according to reference data stored previously, and further asking the center staff to come for impossibility of the automatic analysis,  
       [0015] The center staff can access the instrument, control the instrument by setting data for measuring sent from the center, and the center receives measured data for analyzing again.  
       [0016] As a result, it is possible that the center staff controls remotely measuring of the instrument, collects again correct measured data, and discovers any wrong operation of the instrument or any wrong measuring method.  
       [0017] According to the present invention, there is provided a system analyzing data in a center, wherein the data is obtained from an instrument measuring an object in a user and sent through a communication network to the center, and the instrument and the center further comprising followings.  
       [0018] The instrument directly connects to the communication network, accesses the center through the communication network, sends the measured data, and, in case of receiving setting data from the center, measures the object and sends the measured data again, and receives analysis result from the center. And the center analyzes the measured data received from the instrument, sends back a setting data to the instrument in case of impossibility of analysis for the measured data, and sends an analysis result to the user. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0019]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an existing analysis system for measured data,  
     [0020]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an analysis system for measured data in this invention,  
     [0021]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a collection process for measured data in user side illustrated in FIG. 2,  
     [0022]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an analysis request process in user side illustrated in FIG. 2,  
     [0023]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a reception process for analysis request in administration center side illustrated in FIG. 2, and  
     [0024]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a reception process in measured-data process center side illustrated in FIG. 2. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0025] Now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.  
     [0026]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the embodiment of an analyzing method for measured data in this invention.  
     [0027] Referring to FIG. 2, an analyzing system for measured data comprises a user  10  and an analyzing center  30  connected each other through communication networks  20 . The user  10  is inter-working through to an analyzing center  30  and the analyzing center  30  makes a center staff  40  station therein. The communication networks  20  may connect a plurality of users  10  and a plurality of analyzing centers  30 . The user  10  and the analyzing center  30  are connected with the communication networks  20  by a subscriber line or a leased circuit respectively. The communication networks  20  might be composed of any one or combined one of public telephone networks and data networks and an INTERNET.  
     [0028] The user  10  is a user who requests analysis of some measured data and comprises a terminal unit  11 , a measuring instrument  12 , an object  13  to be measured, each of which may be composed by a plurality thereof. In the user  10 , the terminal unit  11  sends measured data of the object  13  measured by the measuring instrument  12  to the analyzing center  30  by an analysis request and then receives an analysis result.  
     [0029] The analyzing center  30  comprises an administration center  31  and a measured-data process center  32 . A plurality of the administration centers  31  or the measured-data process centers  32  may be comprised in the analyzing center  30 .  
     [0030] In side of the user  10 , the terminal unit  11  is such a data processing device as a personal computer for example, and connects with a measuring instrument  12  on one hand and directly with the communication networks  20  on the other hand. The terminal unit  11  comprises a manual input means, a data storage means, a control processing means, and a display output means. The manual input means receives data input manually from the user. The control processing means deals with control of the terminal unit  11  and communication between the communication networks  20 . The display output means outputs data or information by voice, screen display, printing, and/or the like.  
     [0031] The measuring instrument  12  is an oscilloscope, for example, which measures an electric waveform, voltage, and the like of an object to be measured and connecting therewith. The measuring instrument  12  comprises an input/output means, a storage means, and a control means. The input/output means connects with the terminal unit  11  for control of the measuring instrument  12  and sends and receives data and information between the communication networks  20  connecting therewith. The storage means stores measured data, received information, and the like. The control means controls the object to be measured and collects measuring data.  
     [0032] In the analyzing center  30 , the administration center  31  connects between the communication networks  20  on one side and the measured-data process center  32  on the other side and comprises a reception means and an input/output control means. The reception means receives requests from the user  10  and the input/output control means sends and receives data and information to and from the user  10 .  
     [0033] The measured-data process center  32  comprises a data-storage  33 , an analyzer  34 , a user-access portion  35 . The data storage  33  stores previously reference data in order to analyze the measured data. The analyzer  34  analyzes the measured data received from the user  10  by referring data of the data storage  33 . The user-access portion  35  receives data input from the center staff  40  on one hand, and interfaces with the user  10  according to control of the center staff  40 , connecting to the user  10  through the administration center  31  and the communication networks  20  on the other hand.  
     [0034] Consequently, the user  10  is possible to sends directly the measured data of the measuring instrument  12  into the analyzing center  30  through the communication networks  20  from the terminal unit  11  or the measuring instrument  12 . That is, the user  10  can send the measured data absorbed from the measuring instrument  12  to the terminal unit  11 . On the other hand, the analyzing center  30  can directly absorb the measured data from the measuring instrument  12  by request received from the terminal unit  11 .  
     [0035] The administration center  31  adds information of the user to the measured data received from the user  11  and sends it to the measured-data process center  32 . In case that the measured data received can be easily disposed by the measured-data process center  32 , the analyzer  34  automatically analyzes the data and sends back to the administration center  31 . In case of necessity of some complication dealing for analyzing data, the center staff  40  is asked to come to the analyzing center  30 , and then analyzes the data and sends an analysis result of the data to the administration center  31 . The administration center  31  sends out result data including the analysis result and so on to the user  10  through the communication networks  20 .  
     [0036] Namely, one of different points from the existing one are that the center staff  40  is stationed all day or a normal work time zone in the analyzing center  30 . And another one is that the measuring instrument  12  of the user  10  sends and receives data and information directly with the measured-data process center  32  of the analyzing center  30  through the communication networks  20 . Accordingly, it is possible that the center staff  40  corresponds to the measured data being impossible to be analyzed by the analyzer  34 . And the analyzer  34  can ask directly to the measuring instrument  12  of the user  10  through the user-access portion  35 . Further, as shown as a combination by the above composition, it is possible that the center staff  40  operates and controls remotely the measuring instrument  12  according to the analysis result.  
     [0037] Referring to FIG. 2 and flowcharts in FIGS. 3 through 6, main procedure in FIG. 2 will be described as follows. Here the communication networks  20  is an INTERNET, and the terminal unit  11 , the measuring instrument  12 , and the administration center  31  directly connect with the INTERNET without dial-up connection. By this structure, any telephone number dialing is unnecessary for making connection because of no telephone network between the user  10  and the INTERNET of the communication networks.  
     [0038] At first, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, description will be made of a procedure of a collection of the measuring data as follows, which is to be performed by the user  10  before his request of the analysis thereof.  
     [0039] In the user  10 , the terminal unit  11  receives an input of a measuring request by analysis request of user and then requests a measurement to the measuring instrument  12  (Step  1 ). The measuring instrument  12  measures the object  13  according to direction from the terminal unit  11  (Step  2 ), and collects some measuring and related data thereof. The measuring instrument  12  further judges possibility of connection to the communication networks  20  thereby (Step  3 ).  
     [0040] In case being possible (Yes of Step  4 ), the measuring instrument  12  stores the measured data with the storage thereby (Step  5 ). In case being impossible (No of Step  4 ), the terminal unit  11  absorbs the measured data from the measuring instrument  12  and stores the measured data in the data storage (Step  6 ).  
     [0041] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, description will be made of a procedure of an analysis request and a response reception by the user  10  as follows. In this example, the analysis request makes use of a homepage on the INTERNET of the communication networks  20 .  
     [0042] In case that the user  10  requests an analysis of the measured data to the analyzing center  30 , the terminal unit  11  receives an analysis request from the user and then accesses to a homepage of the analyzing center  30 , which is opened (Step  11 ).  
     [0043] The analysis request may be directly accessed the homepage by the measuring instrument  12  connecting directly with the communication networks  20 . For example, the homepage includes items of required data and information to be sent from the user side and items of required data and information to be responded from the analyzing center  30 .  
     [0044] The data and information include, for example, a title, a user ID, a password, a user file name, a center file name, a measured data format, a circuit diagram file name, a circuit diagram format, an output element, an output element specification, an input element, an input element specification, automatic analyzing items, the other analyzing items, a contact method at end of the analysis, an appointed date of delivery, a receipt number, a receipt center name, a receipt date in center, a forecast due time of center, a forecast charge for analysis, a user remarks, and so on.  
     [0045] The terminal unit  11  receives inputs of the required items on the homepage and then receives a designation of a sending button on the homepage (Step  12 ). The data of the required items are sent as an analysis request to the analyzing center  30  (Step  13 ). At the analysis request, the predetermined important data are enciphered and then sent thereto. The analysis request can include the above data and information. Accordingly, it is possible that the measured data being an object of analysis on one hand or an absorption request instead of the measured data on the other hand are included in the analysis request. The absorption request is requesting to absorb the measured data from the measuring instrument  12  to the analyzing center  30 .  
     [0046] Next, the terminal unit  11  is waiting a message of a request reception giving a reception notice of the analysis request (Step  14  and “No” of Step  15 ).  
     [0047] At “YES” of Step  15  or receiving of a request reception message, the terminal unit  11  is waiting a message of a forecast of time and cost required for this analyzing in the analysis center  30  (Step  16  and “No” of Step  17 ).  
     [0048] At “YES” of Step  17  or receiving of a forecast message, the terminal unit  11  is waiting a message of results of this analyzing in the analysis center  30  (Step  18  and “No” of Step  19 ).  
     [0049] At “YES” of Step  19  or receiving of a result message, the terminal unit  11  ends the steps for the analysis request.  
     [0050] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, description will be made of a procedure of a reception of an analysis request from the user  10  in the administration center  31  as follows.  
     [0051] The administration center  31  is called from the user  10  through INTERNET of communication networks  20  and then opens a homepage. Next, the administration center  31  receives data including required items on the homepage by the analysis request of the measured data (Step  21 ). The administration center  31  verifies the justified user  10  according to a user ID and a password included in the received request (Step  22 ). In case of the verification of the justified user  10  (YES of Step  23 ), the administration center  31  makes and sends back a request reception message including a reception date, a reception number, and the like, as a notice of the reception of the analysis request (Step  24 ).  
     [0052] For example, in the request reception message as well as a forecast message and a result message described below, data are input in predetermined items on the homepage. The predetermined items include a title, a receipt number, a receipt center name, an analysis software name, an analyzing staff name, a contact address, analysis result file names and analysis result format for respective the center transmission and the user absorption, a required date by the user, a forecast due time in center, a sending date of the analysis result, a forecast charge for analysis, a center remarks, and the like.  
     [0053] Next, the administration center  31  judges the absorption request from the analysis request received (Step  25 ). In case of the absorption request (YES of Step  26 ), the administration center  31  calls the requesting user  10  and absorbs the enciphered data of the measured data and so on from the terminal unit  11  or the measuring instrument  12  (Step  27 ). Then, the administration center  31  transfers the data to the measured-data process center  32  (Step  28 ) and ends this procedure.  
     [0054] In case of “NO” in the above step  23  or not to be justified for the user  10 , the administration center  31  sends an error message to this user  10  (Step  29 ).  
     [0055] In case of “NO” in the above step  26  or no absorption request, the procedure is advanced to the above step  28  directly and ends the steps.  
     [0056] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, description will be made of a procedure of a reception of an analysis request from the user  10  in the measured-data process center  32  as follows.  
     [0057] The measured-data process center  32  receives the measured data and user data from the administration center  31  (Step  31 ). In the measured-data process center  32 , the analyzer  34  judges the data received from contents thereof whether the analysis of the data is simple or not according to a predetermined standard (Step  32 ). In case of simple contents (YES of Step  33 ), the analyzer  34  forecasts the due time and the charge being necessary for the analysis, makes a response to the requesting user  10 , and sends the response to the user-access portion  35  (Step  34 ). The user-access portion  35  makes a forecast message displayed on the homepage under the above response and sends the forecast message to the user  10  through the administration center  31  and the communication networks  20  (Step  35 ).  
     [0058] Next, the analyzer  34  analyzes the measured data (Step  36 ), stores the results of the analysis to the data-storage  33 , and sends the results of the analysis to the user-access portion  35 . The user-access portion  35  makes the analysis results into a final message and sends the final message to the requesting user  10  (Step  37 ). And then, the procedure is over.  
     [0059] In case that the above Step  33  is “NO” or the analyzer  34  can not analyze the received data being complicated in the contents, the analyzer  34  asks the center staff  40  to come (Step  38 ). The center staff  40  deals with this situation quickly. That is, the center staff  40  forecasts a due time and a charge being necessary for analysis from the data including measured data required for analysis and makes a response message to the requesting user  10 .  
     [0060] The response message is made by manual input of the center staff  40  according to the above forecast on homepage displayed on the user-access portion  35  and sent to the requesting user  10  through the administration center  31  and the communication networks  20  (Step  39 ). This procedure is advanced to above-mentioned Step  36  but the center staff  40  being a professional or a specialist instead of the analyzer  34  performs the analysis. The center staff  40  also prepares the final message including the analysis result.  
     [0061] The analysis results of the measured data are transmitted by the method according to the contact method at an end of the analysis designated by the requesting user  10 , together with such additional information as a receipt center name, an analyzer name, an analysis charge, and so on. For example, on the situation of center transmission and user automatic reception, the analysis result is sent to the terminal unit or the measuring instrument according to the user designation through the administration center and the communication networks.  
     [0062] On the other hand, on the situation of center transmission and user non-automatic reception, the analysis result is stored in a data-storage of the measured-data process center and sent to the designated position when the user becomes a situation being possible to receive the result.  
     [0063] In case of designation of user absorption, the final message may include only possibility of absorption of result data completed and a storing spot of the result data and may keep the data on storing until absorption of the requesting user.  
     [0064] Further, the user can select the stored data for reading. In this case, the data including analysis result are converted into a reduced form being visible on a display screen and the data of a large quantity itself is not sent. Such the data are keep in the analyzing center during certain periods.  
     [0065] Further, the screen of the homepage includes such items as a title, a receipt number, a user ID, a password, a question from user, and so on and has possibility of receiving an inquiry from the user. And the question and information from user is used for error of the sending data.  
     [0066] On the other hand, there is a case that the analyzing center side judges a problem of the data including the measured data received from user. In this case, the analyzing center can send the optimum values, being decided for the measuring instrument and the measuring method according to receiving instrument data, circuit data, and the like, to the user. In case of non clear situation, the analyzing center can question to the user through the communication networks according to such items as, for example, a title, a receipt number, a question from center, and so on displayed on the homepage. The user measures again by use of the optimum setting value sent from the analyzing center and then sends again the measured data to the analyzing center.  
     [0067] In the above description, the measuring instrument is an oscilloscope for example for measuring use of waveform, voltage, and so on. However, the measuring instrument may measure any other conditions. In the above embodiment, the communication network is the INTERNET. However, a normal telephone circuits can be used in the network also and can achieve the above object according to two-way transmission of data and information.  
     [0068] While the present invention has been described in detail in conjunction with the several preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing description but can be modified in various manners without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in appended claims.  
     [0069] As apparent from the foregoing description, according to the present invention, the measuring instrument connects directly with the analyzing center for transferring of the measured data and the designation for re-measuring to and from. Further, a professional of the center staff can attend the measured data. Accordingly, the center staff can analyze the measured data and control remotely by means of sending the designation for measuring for complicated measured data if necessary. This is possible to prepare for any impossible situation of automatic data analysis and respond quickly for any mistaken result of data analysis.