Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ADAPTIVE BANDWIDTH CONSUMPTION IN
REMOTE CONDITION MONITORING APPLICATIONS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the storage of grain and other
organic material in bins, and more particularly relates to the
monitoring of the contents of such particulate material storage
bins for elevated temperatures or other conditions which may
cause spoilage of the organic material stored therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An issue of concern in agricultural industries, where grains are
stored in storage bins, is the heating of the contents of those
bins. Grain heating in storage bins can cause spoilage of the
grain, resulting in diminished quality or full spoilage of the
grain. Storage and high moisture or high heat environments can
degrade or completely spoil these crops. Many efforts are made
by farmers to minimize this possibility, and to maximize the
price of their grain by enhancing and maintaining its top
quality.
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Storage bins are often located in close proximity to the fields
where the crops are grown. In this way the grain can be stored
until transport is required to a remote handling or dispatch
facility, with minimum cost and time requirements during
harvest.
One of the traditional approaches to monitoring grain bin
temperature conditions has been to travel to each bin and
manually inspect the conditions of its contents. However where
bins are geographically distributed, there are excessive costs
and time commitments involved in traveling to each storage bin
location. As well, given the distance and time involved in such
travel, often the contents of the storage bins may not be
checked as frequently as they should be to guarantee optimal
storage of the product.
The use of remote monitoring solutions that employ in bin
sensors is known. For example, United States Patent No.
4,293,854 to Gookins et al. teaches a system in which in-bin
sensors communicate bin conditions to a remote display device.
However, the systems that have been created in this area to date
have a significant limitation in terms of their ongoing
operating costs insofar as if they use hardwired communications
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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infrastructure to communicate with the central monitoring
station this introduces a significant limitation in the
locations that can be used [since hardwired communications
infrastructure such as a telephone line or the like is required
at that location].
While prior art systems are known that employ wireless
technology to transmit grain bin conditions derived from in-bin
sensors, the cost of such systems particularly in more remote
locations can be prohibitive.
Prior art systems teach constant
sensing of bin conditions, and constant or at least periodic
transmission of such data to a remote monitoring location. The
result is a requirement for a substantial amount of transmission
bandwidth, which can be very costly for the individual farmer or
a company providing bin monitoring services, which cost can
increase significantly in the case of more remote bin locations.
What is needed, therefore, is a method and system for remote
monitoring of grain bin storage conditions that reduces the
amount of bandwidth required for sensor data transmission when a
bin heating condition exists, so that the farmer can take
appropriate action to deal with the heating issue.
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There are also other storage conditions which could optimally be
monitored remotely using a similar method, including volume
stored within the bin, presence of pests or gas, or other types
of conditions, all of which could also be incorporated into the
desired method by simply adding or modifying the nature of the
condition sensors within the bin, and it would again be
desirable over the prior art to provide a reduced bandwidth data
transmission method and equipment package that could monitor
these types of conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a method and system for
remote monitoring of storage bin conditions that reduces the
amount of transmission bandwidth that would be required for
central monitoring of bin condition sensors, such as bin
condition sensors. By minimizing the amount of required
transmission bandwidth, the economy of the system and method of
the present invention is maximized.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is
provided a method for remotely monitoring internal temperature
or other internal conditions of a storage bin, comprising the
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steps of: (a) providing at least one condition sensor in a
storage bin for sensing an internal condition; (b) allowing the
condition sensor to transmit the sensed internal condition of
the bin or the material contained therein to a transceiver; (c)
5 allowing the transceiver to compare the sensed internal
condition to a set threshold level; and (d) if the sensed
internal condition meets or exceeds the set threshold level,
allowing the transceiver to transmit a signal to a central
monitoring system as an alert that a reporting condition exists
within the bin.
The method can be used with multiple bins and condition sensors,
and the transceiver can receive data from all connected
condition sensors. The connection between the condition sensors
and the transceiver can be either wired or wireless.
The
transceiver, upon receiving a sensed internal condition reading
that meets or exceeds the set threshold level, such as an
internal temperature reading where the at least one condition
sensor within a bin is at least one condition sensor, is
preferably capable of generating a transmission packet that
combines the sensed condition data and a location indicator for
the particular sensor, such that any output could be limited to
the particular condition sensor and enable both a reduced
transmission bandwidth use and a more efficient on-site follow-
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up to address the adverse bin conditions.
In preferred
embodiments, the method comprises the further step of enabling
access to the transmitted data, through data display at the
central monitoring system, a warning signal indicating a high
temperature level and/or data access at other locations.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is
provided a system for remotely monitoring internal conditions of
a storage bin such as temperature or the like, the system
comprising: at least one condition sensor for provision in a
bin, configured to sense an internal condition such as the
temperature of particulate material stored within the bin; a
transceiver configured to receive a signal from the at least one
condition sensor indicating the sensed internal condition of the
bin, such as temperature of material within the bin where the
condition sensor is a temperature sensor; the transceiver
comprising a memory storage for storing a set threshold level
and a processor coupled to the memory storage to enable a
comparison of the sensed internal condition of the bin and the
set threshold level; and the transceiver configured to
communicate the sensed internal condition of the bin, through a
communication network to a central monitoring system when the
sensed internal condition of the bin is determined to be at or
above the set threshold level.
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In some embodiments, the system includes multiple bins and
condition sensors, and the processor is further capable, when
the sensed internal condition of the bin, such as temperature of
material within the bin where the condition sensor is a
temperature sensor, is determined to be at or above the set
threshold level of forming a transmission packet comprising the
sensed internal condition and sensor location information.
In
preferred embodiments, the system also comprises means to enable
access to the transmitted data through data display at the
central monitoring system, a warning signal indicating a high
temperature level and/or data access at other locations through
the communication network.
Many different types of condition sensor configurations within
the storage bins could be contemplated for use in accordance
with the method and system of the present invention.
For
example, either the deployment of a single condition sensor for
a particular type of a condition within the storage bin, or the
deployment of multiple condition sensors at different locations
within the storage bin to detect a particular storage condition,
could be the case. More granular detection could be provided
where multiple condition sensors were provided for a particular
storage condition within a storage bin. In addition to the fact
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that one or more storage condition sensors could be used for a
particular storage condition within a storage bin in accordance
with the present invention, a particular storage bin can also be
fitted with more than one condition sensor for the detection of
more than one storage condition, for monitoring and reporting in
accordance with the present invention.
For example,
temperature, air conditions or presence of particular gases are
pests or the like within the contents of a storage bin could be
monitored by sensors within the storage area of the bin and each
such monitoring sensor level could be monitored by the system of
the present invention in accordance with its own preset
threshold level.
There are also other storage conditions which could optimally be
monitored remotely using a similar method, including volume
stored within the bin, presence of pests or gas, or other types
of conditions, all of which could also be incorporated into the
desired method by simply adding or modifying the nature of the
condition sensors within the bin, and it would again be
desirable over the prior art to provide a reduced bandwidth data
transmission method and equipment package that could monitor
these types of conditions.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the present invention:
Figure I is a diagrammatic illustration of a first system
in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a second system
in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first exemplary
method in accordance with the present invention;
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of a
method and system according to the present invention are
illustrated.
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Overview
As outlined above, the general concept of the present invention
5 is to provide a method, and related apparatus, for remote
condition monitoring of organic particulate material storage
bins - grain bins in particular - which can be centrally
monitored, and which method and apparatus optimize the amount of
communications bandwidth required so that the remote sites can
10 connect to the central monitoring location wirelessly, at a
reasonable economic cost. One of the primary storage conditions
which it is contemplated could be monitored in accordance with
the present invention is the temperature of the organic
particulate material stored within a storage bin, although it is
specifically contemplated that multiple other conditions might
be desirable to be monitored and/or reported in accordance with
the system and method of the present invention as well.
At each remote monitoring location, one or more grain bins is
each fitted with at least one condition sensor for the purpose
of monitoring and reporting a storage condition within that bin.
For example, where the at least one condition sensor within a
grain bin is a temperature sensor, the storage condition which
could be monitored and reported in accordance with the remainder
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of the method herein would be the temperature of the organic
particulate material stored within that bin.
These condition sensors are each connected to a transceiver
capable of receiving condition readings from the grain bin
condition sensors, and upon detection of a notification
condition communicating with a central monitoring station. The
transceiver will basically monitor periodic condition readings
from the individual sensors, and upon detection of a change or a
condition which might constitute a threat to the product stored
within the storage bin [being the preprogrammed notification
condition or notification parameters] triggering a communication
to the central monitoring station from the transceiver,
identifying the bin and related condition details. The central
monitoring station could in turn notify a user or third party
upon receipt of such notification.
The method of the present invention would be implemented by a
system comprising several components. These components would
include, at each remote monitoring location which was desired to
be equipped or monitored in accordance with the method of the
present invention, at least one condition sensor within each
storage bin which was desired to be monitored. The condition
sensors would in turn be operatively connected to a transceiver
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located at the remote monitoring location, which was capable of
monitoring the conditions in the storage bins via the interface
with the condition sensors. In addition to a communication bus
which would enable communication with the condition sensors
located within individual storage bins, the transceiver would
also be equipped to communicate with a central monitoring system
and central monitoring location, such that when the transceiver
detected a trigger event in terms of a condition within the bin
connected thereto, it could dispatch a notification to the
central monitoring system for subsequent handling.
The central monitoring system at the central monitoring location
would be capable of receiving notifications from one or more
transceivers each located at remote monitoring locations and
operatively connected to one or more storage bins. The central
monitoring system would then also be capable of dispatching
outgoing communication to users when a trigger event was
detected and/or a notification was required - the central
monitoring system is contemplated to incorporate a website user
interface, although other types of user interaction can be
contemplated, and the user and location database would likely
also be required in the context of the central monitoring system
to store the necessary information to properly receive and
process notifications and to provide whatever reporting was
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desired or programmed within the system. The following provides
some additional detail with respect to each of the system
components.
Condition sensors:
Many types of condition sensors which are capable of detecting
the condition of the environment or material stored within a
storage bin have been used in past storage monitoring
applications. Most specifically, where the environmental
condition which is desired to be monitored is the temperature of
organic particulate material stored within the bin, such as
green or the like, various types of grain bin temperature
monitoring sensors have been used in the past.
Other types of environmental conditions may also be desired to
be monitored within an organic particulate material storage bins
at a remote location. For example it may be desirable to detect
the presence of carbon dioxide or other gases within the
material stored within the BNR within the bin environment, as an
indicator of the presence of tests or particular spoilage
conditions within the internal environment of the storage bin.
The method and apparatus of the present invention could be used
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in this type of an application also simply by changing or adding
to the number of condition sensors within the storage bin to
include at least one condition sensor within a relevant storage
bin that could detect the presence of the carbon dioxide or
other gas which was desired to be detected. Similarly, humidity
within the storage bin environment could also be monitored using
a humidity condition sensor.
It will be understood by those
skilled in the art that many different types of storage
conditions within a remotely located storage bin could impact
the quality or potential for spoilage of organic particular
material stored therein and that any kind of a sensor for
placement within the grain storage bin which would allow for the
monitoring and/or detection of changes in those conditions
within storage are contemplated within the present invention.
It is contemplated that these pre-existing types of condition
sensors could be used, or a purpose built sensor could be used -
the key for the condition sensors of the present invention would
be that they were capable of connection and communication with
the transceiver. In fact it is desired to provide a transceiver
and the remainder of the present system an invention in a way
that it could be interchangeably used with pre-existing grain
bin condition sensors - this would simply require that the
transceiver be capable of the proper communications protocol to
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read those prior art sensors and perhaps also the provision of
adapters or a communications interface which was physically
capable of connection to those pre-existing temperature
connectors and sensors within the bins.
5
The condition sensors would be located within each storage bin
that was desired to be monitored at the remote monitoring
location. The condition sensors could be connected either
wirelessly or in a hardwired fashion to the transceiver.
Some grain bin condition sensors have been developed in the past
which actually allow for the detection of temperature within
individual zones within the bin, and it will be understood that
the necessary modifications to the programming on the
transceiver in the central monitoring system could be made to
allow for the use of those types of grain bin condition sensors
and to allow for the reporting and notification based upon
temperatures within particular zones of a storage bin rather
than using only a single temperature detection zone within a
single bin. Both such approaches are contemplated within the
scope hereof.
Beyond the fact that it will be clear from the narrative so far
in this document that it is intended to specifically monitor
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potentially temperature within a grain storage bin by the
deployment of at least one temperature sensor, being at least
one condition sensor, within the storage bin, it will also be
understood that more than one condition sensor for a particular
environmental condition could also be used to increase the level
of accuracy or granularity in the readings which could be
obtained and reported in accordance with the remainder of the
method hereof.
For example the incorporation of multiple
condition sensors for a single condition at different locations
within the storage bin would allow for the reporting of
condition readings in those zones. Incorporation for example of
multiple temperature sensors within the bin could allow for the
monitoring and reporting of heating or temperature or other
condition change in individual zones within the bin and could
allow the us for simpler remote troubleshooting and/or
monitoring. Incorporation of more than one condition sensor for
a particular condition within a storage bin will thus be
understood to be within the scope of the present invention.
It may be desirable to detect and/or monitor multiple
environmental conditions within a storage bin, which could be
done with more than one condition sensor placed therein.
For
example if it was desired within the scope of the present
invention to monitor temperature and humidity, condition sensors
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which could read temperature, as well as condition sensors which
could reach humidity, or even a combined sensor which could take
both readings, could be used within the remainder of the method
of the present invention as well, and then to conditions in that
circumstance, being internal temperature as well as internal
humidity readings, could be monitored for their compliance with
the programmed notification parameters and potential reporting
to the central monitoring location in accordance with the
remainder of the adaptive communication method outlined herein.
The deployment of multiple condition sensors within the storage
bin, for the detection and monitoring of multiple conditions
within that bin, will thus also be understood to be within the
scope of the present invention.
The type of conditions which could be monitored within the
storage bins for reporting within the nature and method of the
present invention are many.
Really any type of an internal
storage condition which can be monitored by a sensor could be
monitored using the method of remote monitoring and
communication outlined herein. It
is specifically contemplated
that the conditions which could be monitored in accordance with
the method of the present invention includes the temperature of
material stored within the storage bin, humidity, presence of
gases within the storage material or the storage area of the
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bin, such as carbon dioxide or the like, presence of pests or
otherwise. The specific condition sensors themselves could take
many forms as it will be understood by those skilled in the art
that the key role of the condition sensors in the method of the
present invention is simply to provide the necessary condition
readings from the material or the storage area of a storage bin,
for monitoring in accordance with the remainder hereof.
Where multiple condition sensors for a particular condition or
conditions are deployed within a bin this could be done in many
different physical ways which would not depart from the scope or
effectiveness of the present invention.
Transceiver:
The transceiver of the present invention would be the remote
site hardware that was responsible for aggregation and
monitoring of the condition levels within the various storage
bins at that location, for the purpose of detection of trigger
events and otherwise potentially subsequently providing
notification to the central monitoring system. The transceiver
would be any combination of hardware and software capable of
connection and communication with the grain bin condition
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sensors in use at that location, monitoring and detection based
upon the condition levels within the storage bins and then at
appropriate times initiating communication from the transceiver
to the central monitoring system via a communications interface
as well.
The specific hardware configuration of the transceiver of the
present invention could take many formats, so long as the
transceiver was capable of communication with and monitoring of
the grain bin condition sensors at the remote location, and
outgoing communication between the transceiver and the central
monitoring system. The hardware and software of the transceiver
would also have programmed or flashable therein, the precise
software or parameters required for monitoring and detection of
a particular trigger event in terms of a temperature or other
condition change in a grain bin connected thereto, which would
occasion the triggering of the notification and the remainder of
the method of the present invention.
The transceiver would include at least one condition sensor
interface capable of connection to at least one condition sensor
located within a storage bin.
It is specifically contemplated
that either hardwired or wireless condition sensors could be
used and on that basis it may be necessary for the transceiver
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to include multiple sensor interfaces, to read those sensors as
required - incorporation of multiple sensor interfaces into a
transceiver in accordance with the remainder of the present
invention would be understandable to those skilled in the art of
5 circuit and electronics design in this field and all such
modifications or enhancements are contemplated within the scope
hereof.
As outlined above, it is particularly contemplated that the
10 grain bin condition sensors could either be connected to the
transceiver on a wireless basis or alternatively in a hardwired
fashion - or a combination thereof with respect to a single
transceiver. While perhaps the simplest implementation or
installation of a new system according to the present invention
15 would be the use of wireless grain bin condition sensors which
would wirelessly handshake and communicate with a transceiver at
the location, the incorporation of a hardwired interface would
be particularly useful to allow for the operability of the
transceiver and the remainder of the method of the present
20 invention with previously installed hardwired grain bin
condition sensors.
In addition to the at least one condition sensor interface, the
transceiver of the present invention would also include at least
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one external network interface.
The external network interface
would be any combination of circuitry and software operatively
integrated with the remainder of the transceiver which was
capable of sending and/or receiving communications from a
central monitoring station in accordance with the remainder of
the present invention.
The communications interface from the transceiver to the central
monitoring system would need to at least be one way
communication such that communication could be initiated from
the transceiver to the central monitoring system. It may also be
desired to have the ability for two-way communication such that
the central monitoring system could as required query the
transceiver for more detailed condition data from the site,
flash the firmware on the transceiver as may be required, or
otherwise download from the central monitoring system to the
transceiver necessary location parameters and detection data
etc.
It is most specifically contemplated that the transceiver would
communicate wirelessly with the central monitoring system, and
it is the wireless communication between the transceiver and the
central monitoring system which is desired to be optimized at
the heart of the present invention. It is specifically
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contemplated that the transceiver would incorporate a cellular
modem which was capable of communication via a wireless IP
network - which was capable then of sending and/or in a two¨way
communications embodiment receiving IP communications to and
from the central monitoring station for that transceiver.
Various other types of communication interfaces and protocols
between the transceiver and the central monitoring system might
be understood to those skilled in the art which would not depart
from the scope and intention of the present invention and
insofar as those are available those are also contemplated
within the scope hereof.
In certain embodiments it may be desired to provide multiple
external network interfaces for an added level of redundancy.
Incorporation of multiple external network interfaces for
communication with the central monitoring station of the present
invention, and the necessary modifications to the remainder of
the transceiver software or hardware, will also be understood by
those skilled in the art and are contemplated within the scope
hereof.
Dependent upon the number of channels which the transceiver was
capable of monitoring it may be the case that more than one
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transceiver was required in a particular remote monitoring
location.
Central monitoring system:
The system and method of the present invention relates to or
relies upon communication of temperature or other condition
change in remotely located storage bins when an appropriate
temperature or other condition change is detected, to a central
monitoring system. The central monitoring system would then be
programmed with further parameters as to how to action the
receipt of a particular condition change notification from a
remote monitoring site - a user or third party for example could
be notified by way of a text message, e-mail, telephone message
or otherwise.
The central monitoring system of the present invention could
take many specific forms but would generally speaking comprise a
hardware and software combination which was capable of receiving
communication packets from transceivers located at remote
monitoring sites, as well as capable of dispatching
communications to users or third parties to provide
notifications of temperature or other condition changes at the
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appropriate time. In terms of communications infrastructure the
central monitoring system would require the necessary hardware
and software combination to receive notification messages from
the remote transceivers at the remote monitoring sites - which
could be an IP network interface, but dependent upon the type of
modems or other communication hardware used on the transceivers
could also comprise any number of other different communication
interfaces all of which will be obvious to those skilled in the
art and are contemplated within the scope of the present
invention.
The second communications interface required by the central
monitoring station would be the ability and interface to
communicate on an outgoing basis with users on notifications of
temperature or other condition changes, when notification of a
trigger event was received by the central monitoring system from
a transceiver operatively connected therewith. The central
monitoring system might actually include more than one outgoing
communications interface if it was desired to provide maximized
flexibility to users thereof - for example the system might be
capable of dispatching notification messages by SMS text message
and or by e-mail message and the necessary hardware and software
combination to work in conjunction with the remainder of the
infrastructure of the central monitoring system to provide these
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outgoing communications abilities will be understood by those
skilled in the art and again are all obviously contemplated
within the scope of the present invention.
5 Dependent upon the type of notifications which it was desired to
provide upon the detection of a reportable condition change in a
storage bin, both the incoming and outgoing communications
networks used by the central monitoring location and system
might be one the same as well, rather than the use of multiple
10 communications methods by the central monitoring system for the
dispatch of notifications and the receipt of data packets from
remote monitoring locations.
Both such approaches will be
understood to be within the scope of the present invention.
15 User interface and interaction with the central monitoring
system, either for the sake of setting customized user level
notification parameters or otherwise receiving reporting or
other information could be done in many ways. It is specifically
contemplated that the central monitoring system of the present
20 invention would comprise or include a website system which would
allow the user to configure various notification parameters or
conditions at the user level that were enabled to be done on
this basis as well as to potentially capture and/or provide
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reporting to the user upon detection of a trigger event or
otherwise.
Programming of a database interface through a website or
otherwise which would allow for the entry or configuration of
user level notification parameters in the remainder of the
system of the present invention, as well as providing reporting
of various types, will all be understood by those skilled in the
art of website design and all necessary adjustments or
inclusions to the central monitoring system of the present
invention to accomplish these objectives are contemplated within
the scope of the present invention.
User and location database:
The central monitoring system could include a user and location
database, in any particular data structure or format which was
capable of being read, written and interfaced with by the
central monitoring system of the present invention. The key
aspects of that database would be to maintain the necessary
information to generate notifications on behalf of the user if a
particular bin sensor and transceiver detected a trigger event
occasioning a notification to the user about a temperature or
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other condition change in that bin. Other data related to the
user or the various remote bins and locations of the user could
also be stored within such a database to allow for more
elaborate or customized reporting.
Finally and as outlined elsewhere above, if the system was
configured such that it was desired to allow the user to specify
the notification parameters or the detection parameters around
trigger events either for individual bins or at their own "user
account" level, the database of the central monitoring system
could include the necessary structure or components for the user
to indicate and store these settings with relation to their user
account. In a case such as this where the user was allowed to
adjust the notification or detection parameters, it would also
be desirable for the central monitoring system of the present
invention to be able to send communication to the transceivers
at specific remote locations, in addition to receiving trigger
notifications therefrom, since adjustments to the detection
parameters would likely in an optimized fashion be communicated
to and hosted on the transceiver so as to maintain and maximize
the optimization of bandwidth consumption in the dispatch of
trigger notifications from the transceiver(s). All of these
requirements would be understood and met by those skilled in the
art of database design and any data structure or database which
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would store this type of information in a fashion that it was
communicably accessible to the remainder of the central
monitoring system of the present invention are contemplated
within the scope hereof.
Trigger event and notification parameters:
As outlined the general concept of the method of the present
invention is to provide a notification of a temperature or other
condition change within a storage bin for grain or other organic
particulate material when a temperature or other condition
change of a magnitude to indicate a spoilage issue in the bin is
detected. The requisite temperature or condition delta which
would constitute a notification condition and fire a trigger
event, so to speak, resulting in a notification from the remote
site transceiver to the central monitoring station, could either
be hardcoded into the system and the transceiver as a whole, or
on a user by user or remote site by remote site basis this
notification parameter could be programmed by the user or for
the user. Either approach, namely that of a hardcoded
temperature or condition delta which would occasion a
notification, or a user adjustable set of user notification
parameters is contemplated within the scope of the present
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invention. Implementation of either approach would be possible
for those skilled in the art and as such any general
modifications required to the overarching system or protocol of
the present invention to accommodate these different
notification approaches are all contemplated within the scope
thereof as well.
The threshold level at which a trigger event
would be sensor detected is the primary parameter which would
need to be programmed or maintained, accessible to the
transceiver, with respect to each bin.
The threshold level for a particular monitored condition could
vary between storage bins based upon the contents thereof.
It
is specifically contemplated that the transceiver could be
programmed either with the same threshold level for each grain
bin condition sensor which was being monitored, or the threshold
level or other notification parameters including the trigger
temperature and/or the necessary delta which would occasion a
notification could be adjusted on a bin by bin or sensor by
sensor basis and both such approaches are contemplated within
the scope of the present invention.
The threshold level which could be used for detection of a
trigger event, could either be a preset temperature or condition
level, or dependent upon the nature of the programming, without
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departing from the scope and intention hereof, might also be set
as a certain change in temperature or condition over time - such
that the trigger event might be detecting that the temperature
or other condition within the bin had reached a particular
5 level, or alternatively the threshold level determination and
detection of a trigger event rather than detecting reaching a
certain fixed condition level could be to seek to detect a
particular rate of temperature or other condition change within
the bin. Both such approaches are contemplated within the scope
10 of the present invention.
While operationally the key parameter which needs to be
maintained on the memory store of the transceiver for the
purpose of operation of the detection portion of the method of
15 the present invention is the threshold level with respect to
each condition monitored with each bin or by each condition
sensor, it is also necessary to maintain notification parameters
within the system such that when a trigger event is detected
with respect to a certain bin at a certain site or location, a
20 notification can be dispatched to the relevant parties.
For
example an e-mail address, and SMS text number or the like,
might be the necessary parameters which needed to be stored,
likely in the user database upon the central monitoring system
rather than at the transceiver level, and which would need to be
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
31
used by the system at the central monitoring station to dispatch
the appropriate notifications of the existence of a trigger
event at a particular storage bin at a particular storage site.
These notification parameters might vary by bin, by transceiver
or by user, and these varying levels of flexibility in the
notification process are all contemplated within the scope of
the present invention as well.
It is specifically contemplated
that where the central monitoring system incorporates a website
or other related user interface for reporting purposes, that
website system might also allow the user to access and program
the threshold level settings for particular bins, condition
sensors and transceivers within their implementation of the
method as well as the notification parameters associated either
at the user level with their account or down to more specific
transceivers, sites or bins. Where a website system or similar
user interface was used to allow the user to customize their
settings for the hardware of the present system, and the user
entered alternate threshold data with respect to particular bins
on particular transceivers associated with their user account on
the system, the central monitoring system could in a two-way
communication environment, flash those threshold level changes
back to the necessary transceivers for storage and use thereon.
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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Operation of the system:
Turning to Figures 1 and 2, two exemplary embodiments of systems
according to the present invention are illustrated.
In Figure 1, a system 60 is illustrated that includes a single
bin 62.
The bin 62 is provided with a condition sensor 64 for
detecting the temperature within the bin 62. In this particular
illustrated embodiment the condition which is intended to be
monitored by the condition sensor 64 is the temperature within
the bin 62 but as outlined elsewhere herein other conditions
could also be monitored either in the place of or in addition to
temperature.
Various temperature condition sensors that can serve this
function are commercially available, and one skilled in the art
would be able to identify numerous appropriate products. One of
the types of temperature condition sensors 64 which it is known
are available in the marketplace and which it would be desirable
to integrate with the remainder of the system of the present
Invention is a temperature sensor cable, which incorporates a
plurality of condition sensors 64 along its length such that
when it is placed within the storage bin vertically, it allows
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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for the reading of temperature of material stored within the bin
at multiple vertical heights between the floor and ceiling of
the Sin. As outlined elsewhere herein, the use of more than one
condition sensor 64 to monitor a condition such as temperature
on the zone basis rather than a single sensor within the entire
bin, is also contemplated within the scope of the present
invention.
The system 60 further comprises a transceiver 66 that is
configured to receive a signal from the at least one condition
sensor 64 indicating the internal temperature or other condition
of a bin 62.
The transceiver 66 is further configured to
communicate in a wired or wireless fashion with a communication
network 70 such as the Internet through, for example, a cellular
modem, and in turn via the communications networks 70 with a
central monitoring station or system 72.
The transceiver 66 is provided with both a memory storage and a
processor.
The memory storage will contain notification
parameters, being a customized threshold temperature or other
condition detection level, in respect of each condition sensor
64 connected thereto, for access by the processor.
The
processor is coupled to the memory storage in a manner known to
those skilled in the art, and the processor compares the sensed
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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temperature data against the threshold temperature detection
level for that bin saved in the memory storage.
If the sensed
temperature or other condition is at or above the threshold
level - a trigger event - then the processor causes the
transceiver to send a transmission packet 68 through the
communication network 70 to the central monitoring system 72.
This discrete transmission packet 68, as described in detail
above, is indicated by the circle symbol on the transmission
line. Upon receipt of the transmission packet 68 by the central
monitoring system 72, a notification to relevant parties such as
the owner of the storage bin etc. can be triggered by email,
text message or the like.
Although not shown, the system 60 can also include a means for
enabling third party access to the received data once it has
been sent to the central monitoring system 72. For example the
central monitoring system 72 as outlined elsewhere herein might
include a website system or other similar user interface,
whereby a user or another third party could access the data
through the communication network 70 with the use of a password
or other security mechanism.
Referring now in detail to Figure 2, an exemplary system 80 is
illustrated that incorporates a plurality of bins 82 and
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
condition sensors 84. Each of the bins 82 is illustrated with a
matched sensor 84, e.g. bin 82a and sensor 84a, bin 82b and
sensor 84b, etc. As indicated above, various condition sensors
that can serve this function are commercially available, and one
5 skilled in the art would be able to identify numerous
appropriate products and their application without undue effort.
The use of either single or multiple condition sensors 84 for
the detection and monitoring of a particular environmental
condition within the storage bin is explicitly contemplated
10 herein, as is the use of either single or multiple condition
sensors 84 to monitor more than one environmental condition
within the storage bin - such as temperature, humidity, carbon
dioxide or other gas presence, pests, storage volume or the
like.
The system 80 further comprises a transceiver 86 for each
grouping of bins 82 and condition sensors 84.
The transceiver
86a is configured to receive signals from the condition sensors
84a, 84b and 84c with respect to internal temperature conditions
in the bins 82a, 82b and 82c, respectively. The transceiver 86b
is configured to receive signals from the condition sensors 84d,
84e and 84f with respect to internal temperature conditions in
the bins 82d, 82e and 82f, respectively. The transceiver 86c is
configured to receive signals from the condition sensors 84g,
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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84h and 84i with respect to internal temperature conditions in
the bins 82g, 82h and 82i, respectively.
It is known in the art to use wired or wireless communication
means between condition sensors and the receiving device, and
either wired or wireless communication means are appropriate
with the exemplary system 80. The transceivers 86a, 96b and 86c
are further configured to communicate in a wired or wireless
fashion with a communication network 90 such as the Internet
through, for example, a cellular modem.
Each of the transceivers 86 is provided with both a memory
storage and a processor.
A customized threshold level (as
discussed above) is saved in the memory storage for access by
the processor.
The processor is coupled to the memory storage
in a manner known to those skilled in the art, and the processor
compares the sensed condition data against the threshold level
saved in the memory storage. The processor is further capable,
when the sensed internal condition of the bin, such as
temperature of material within the bin where the condition
sensor is a temperature sensor is determined to be at or above
the set threshold level, of forming a transmission packet
comprising the sensed internal condition of the bin, such as
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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temperature of material within the bin where the condition
sensor is a temperature sensor and sensor location information.
If the sensed temperature or other condition monitored by a
condition sensor is at or above the threshold level - a trigger
event - then the processor causes the transceiver 86 to send a
transmission packet 88 through the communication network 90 to
the central monitoring system 92, in the same manner as
described with regard to the embodiment of Figure 3. As can be
seen in Figure 4, not every condition sensor 84 detects an
elevated internal bin temperature, and accordingly the number of
transmission packets 88 is reduced.
In the illustrated
embodiment, of the nine bins being monitored, only the bins 82e,
82g and 82i manifest elevated internal temperatures, which
temperatures are sensed by the condition sensors 84e, 84g and
84i, respectively. Whereas the transceiver 86a receives no
signal requiring the formation and transmission of a
transmission packet, the transceiver 86b receives one elevated
temperature indication (indicated by a circle symbol) and the
transceiver 86c receives two elevated temperature indications
(indicated by the square and triangle symbols). The transceiver
86b accordingly transmits a transmission packet 88a through the
communication network 90 to the central monitoring system 92,
and the transceiver 86c transmits transmission packets 88b and
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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88c through the communication network 90 to the central
monitoring system 92. While separate transmission packets 88b
and 88c are sent, it may be desirable and more cost-effective to
transmit both packets together in a single transmission. At the
central monitoring system 92, indications 94 of the trigger
events are captured and notified as programmed (shown as circle,
square and triangle symbols).
In this way, sensor activity on
nine bins only requires bandwidth use for three (or possibly
two) transmissions to the central monitoring system.
Method
Having now outlined the transceiver hardware of the present
invention as well as the system of the present invention which
includes at least one transceiver connectable to at least one
condition sensor in a storage bin, and at least one central
monitoring system in communication therewith, it is now desired
to in some detail discuss the actual monitoring method of the
present invention.
Figure 3 demonstrates a first embodiment of the method of the
present invention.
In this method, at least one storage bin is
provided for the storage of grain or other organic material and
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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is fitted with at least one condition sensor configured to
communicate with the transceiver in accordance with the present
invention.
The transceiver is adapted to be connectable to at
least one condition sensor fitted to a storage bin, and has an
external network interface allowing them to communicate at the
appropriate time with a central monitoring system.
Although much of the within description specifically discusses
temperature condition sensors due to the impact of elevated
temperatures in grain spoilage, it will be obvious to those
skilled in the art that other types of sensors for other types
of environmental readings could also be employed with the
present invention and such are intended to be included within
the scope of the present invention. These include humidity, gas
detection such as carbon dioxide or the like, presence of pests,
or other conditions for which sensors would be available or
could be created.
The flow chart of Figure 3 demonstrates a first embodiment of
the method of the present invention.
Shown at step 3A is the
initialization of the bin condition sensor and transceiver
system. What is contemplated in this particular embodiment is
the periodic monitoring of the condition readings in the storage
bins, by periodically polling the condition sensors in the bins
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
from the transceiver. A periodic monitoring loop for a polling
frequency is shown at 3D.
At Step 3C, the transceiver would
poll or read the value of the at least one condition sensor
operatively connected thereto, and compare the reading from the
5 at least one condition sensor to the threshold values stored
within the memory of the transceiver with respect to that
particular bins sensor or sensors.
The threshold comparison of
the acquired temperature values is shown at 3D.
10 If a temperature or condition delta or reading exceeding the
threshold value with respect to its particular related condition
sensor(s) was not detected, the detection decision step being
shown in the flow chart at 3E, the method would loop back to the
commencement of another periodic polling
interval.
15 Alternatively, if the readings acquired from one or more of the
attached bin condition sensors exceeded the respective threshold
values therefore stored within the memory of the transceiver,
this would constitute the detection of a trigger event.
If a
trigger event was detected, the transceiver would form and
20 transmit a transmission packet containing the condition sensor
temperature data and also data identifying the particular sensor
and its location, via the external network interface of the
transceiver, to the central monitoring system, shown at 3F. the
transmission packet only includes information on the sensed
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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temperature level and the condition sensor identifier/location
and hence is of relatively modest size.
The central monitoring system, upon receipt of a transmission
packet from a transceiver, would parse that packet to determine
the appropriate user notification parameters from the user
database or other information stored or accessible thereto, and
the necessary notifications to the users would be dispatched
(3G).
In the method of Figure 3, while there is a periodic
monitoring frequency assigned, within which the transceiver
would poll or otherwise read the values from the various
condition sensors associated their with, it can be seen that a
data transmission from the transceiver to the central monitoring
system would only take place if a trigger event, meaning in
these particular embodiments an unacceptable temperature or
condition delta in a storage bin, was detected.
By limiting the transmission from the transceiver to the central
monitoring system to the discrete transmission packet only upon
detection of a notification condition, transmission bandwidth
use is reduced and the cost is accordingly reduced.
Also, the
discrete transmission packet includes an identification of the
condition sensor and its location, which enables a more
efficient on-site follow-up to address the adverse bin
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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conditions. In addition, a user can disable the monitoring once
a trigger event has occurred and only reinitiate monitoring once
the issue has been corrected on-site, to further reduce
transmission costs.
The remote condition monitoring method demonstrated in Figure 3
can also be further modified if ongoing basic condition
reporting is required from the remote monitoring site by
combining the trigger event monitoring method of the present
invention with the occasional periodic transmissions from the
transceiver of a complete set of condition readings from the
condition sensors connected thereto.
For example while the
system might be primarily used to detect unsafe heating
conditions where the condition sensors were temperature sensors,
it might also be desirable to periodically capture a complete
set of temperature readings from the bins at a remote location.
It may be desirable for an ongoing reporting or monitoring
method to occasionally poll or report the condition readings
from all of the bins operatively connected to the transceivers
at a particular remote monitoring site, but given the
incorporation of occasional periodic reporting with the
exception detection method of the remainder of the present
invention, the periodic time frame for acquiring all of the
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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temperatures of all of the bins connected at the remote
monitoring site can be significantly reduced - for example
rather than needing to poll the condition sensors within all of
the bins for monitoring purposes and transmit all of that_
information to the central monitoring system each time it is
polled, for example every hour, with transmissions of exception
or trigger event packets to the central monitoring system only
when required, and then for example it may be the case that the
transceiver of the present invention was programmed to still
send a complete set of bin condition sensor data every 48 hours
to the central monitoring system for capture and reporting
purposes, or something along those lines.
Such periodic
reporting may be useful, for example, where a user wishes to
access information on temperature fluctuations that fall short
of the threshold level.
Optimizing packet contents:
As will be understood from the remainder of the narrative in
this document there are a number of different approaches that
can be taken to optimize the contents of communication packets
from the transceiver of the present invention to the central
monitoring site or location and system. Any optimize nation
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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which can be done in terms of the contents and size of
communications to be sent from the remote locations to the
central monitoring site will result in decreased or optimized
bandwidth usage in the communication between the remote sites
and the central monitoring station and all of these different
approaches to optimizing the contents of these communication
packets are contemplated within the scope hereof. The key to the
method of the present invention is that the transceiver will
only communicate with the central monitoring station when
necessary, and will only send the necessary information when
communicating.
The first means of optimizing the communications between the
remote sites and the central monitoring location, as outlined in
detail throughout, is the concept of only triggering a
communication from the remote site transceiver to the central
monitoring location when a notification condition in terms of
the temperature or other condition change is detected. Prior art
approaches in this area included the dispatch of communications
on a periodic time frequency basis and, while those periodic
communications would provide an electronic "heartbeat" of sorts
in terms of the operability at the remote sites, the periodic
communications which reported the temperature status of all of
the bins at that location would consume unnecessary
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
communications bandwidth annotation unnecessary communications
costs insofar as the only time that notification is really
required is when there is an unacceptable temperature or
condition delta in the bin.
5
In terms of an electronic "heartbeat" to indicate or notify to
the central monitoring station the operability of the
transceiver and the remote site, it may still be desired to do
this within the scope of the present invention and insofar as
10 the system would by and large only location a detailed
communication from a transceiver to the central monitoring
station when a trigger event was detected, it is contemplated
that a second layer of communications could be added into the
programming such that in the case that no communication has
15 otherwise been dispatched from a transceiver to its central
monitoring station in a predetermined period of time,
communications packet of some type simply indicating the
operability, battery level or otherwise of the transceiver and
that the site could be dispatched, such that if that type ot a
20 periodic communication was not received another type of a
notification to the user could be generated indicating the
potential of a problem with the equipment on-site. Even in the
case however of a "heartbeat" packet being dispatch from time to
time as may be required, the contents of that packet might only
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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include the briefest of communication to indicate the good
standing of the equipment and may not include a detailed listing
of the temperature settings in the individual bins on-site, so
as again to minimize the amount of communications bandwidth
consumed in the dispatch of such a communication.
Transmitting on demand, rather than periodic:
The following two figures demonstrate the decreased
communications bandwidth which would be required in the dispatch
of a communications packet from the transceiver only when a
trigger event was detected, versus on a periodic basis.
The
first figure demonstrates the periodic transmission approach,
where a communication would be dispatched from a prior art
transceiver every certain number of minutes for example:
PRIOR ART [Periodic reporting]
--Comm¨ --OP" Com--m¨
[ OP Comm Comm I Moo Comm
I
___________________________________________________________________________
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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In the following second figure, a communication is shown as only
being dispatched upon the detection of a trigger event, after
four hours:
INVENTION [Reporting only on detection of condition]
0 011
Comm
The significant decrease in communication requirements in the
second approach outlined above, with the communication packet
only being dispatched to the central monitoring system upon
detection of a notification condition or a trigger event can be
seen in this visible comparison.
Only transmitting exception readings:
Another approach to optimizing the length and size of
communications from the transceivers to the central monitoring
station would be to in addition to only dispatching a detailed
communication packet from the transceiver to the central
monitoring location when a trigger event was detected, the data
which could be sent from the transceiver to the central
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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monitoring location when a trigger event was detected could be
limited to providing the temperature reading or other sensed
condition details for the particular bin in which a notifiable
temperature or other condition change was detected, rather than
at the time of dispatching a communication providing a
temperature update with respect to all of the bins. This would
limit the size of the communication insofar as the only
information in this type of the communication packet would
likely be the identification or address of the transceiver, the
specific bin, and the temperature or condition reading for the
specific bin, within which the temperature or other condition
change has been detected.
The following sample data will be used to demonstrate this
second approach to optimizing the length of a data transmission
in the method of the present invention, at a remote monitoring
site with a single transceiver and seven bins connected thereto.
The condition sensor data, for sample purposes, would be as
follows [with the third bin being the only bin with a detected
heating condition to be reported]:
Site: 101
Bin 1 30 C
Bin 2 29C
Bin 3 41C
Bin 4 28 C
Bin 5 30 C
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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Bin 6 30 C
Bin 7 29C
In a first conventional data transmission which identified and
provided the condition readings from all of the storage bins at
the remote site, the data packet might look something like the
following - presented visibly for the purpose of outlining the
relative size of a data transmission:
TRANSMIT ALL BIN TEMPERATURES:
1(11 1 I 30 I 2 I 29 I 3 :41 J 4 I 20.1
5 1 3u 1 it .:50 I 7 I
TRANSMIT ONLY DETECTED TEMPERATURE OR OTHER CONDITION CHANGE:
10] I 3 I
The actual appearance or contents of the transmission packet
might include additional envelope information or the like but
these two visual presentations are provided simply for the
purpose of demonstrating the shorter length or burst that would
be required where transmitting only a detected temperature or
other condition change or exception on detection of a trigger
event, rather than the transmission of all of the bin
temperatures for bins connected to the transceiver.
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
Various other modifications or enhancements to the formatting or
preparation of a communication packet from the transceiver to
the central monitoring station incoming communication interface
5 can be contemplated by those skilled in the art of wireless or
electronic communication and all such modifications, which
accomplish the goal of maximizing the effectiveness and
efficiency of and/or minimizing the bandwidth consumption by,
the dispatch of such communications between those components of
10 the system of the present invention are contemplated within the
scope thereof. This may even include the incorporation of
various encryption or compression technologies on either the
central monitoring and or the remote transceiver end and again
those are contemplated within the scope of the method as well.
As can be readily seen, then, the method and system of the
present invention present significant advantages over the prior
art.
For example, the present invention provides for
customizable triggers and remote access, while enabling simpler
and more focused on-site action to address adverse temperature
conditions.
The use of selected and packetized data
transmissions reduces the amount of bandwidth used, and optional
periodic reporting can be spread over longer intervals.
CA 02785404 2012-08-13
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The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention.
Thus, while certain aspects and
embodiments of the invention have been described, these have
been presented by way of example only and are not intended to
limit the scope of the invention, which could for example extend
beyond condition sensors to other types of sensors. Indeed, the
invention described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms without departing from the spirit of the invention, which
invention is defined solely by the claims below.
