Data logging device
A data logging device includes an activation circuit, an environmental sensor, a processing module, and an environmental indicator. The activation circuit is operably coupled to place the data logging device in a ready mode based on an activation signal. The environmental sensor is operable to sense an environmental condition associated with the data logging device in response to a log command to produce sensed data. The processing module is operably coupled to generate the log command; receive the sensed data; determine whether the sensed data triggers an environmental violation; and, when the sensed data triggers the environmental violation, generate an environmental violation signal. The environmental indicator is operably coupled to provide a visual indication of the environmental violation based the environmental violation signal.
1 . A data logging device comprises:
an antenna;
a battery;
an activation circuit operable to produce a first activation signal in response to detecting a user action of touch, detecting a user removal of a circuit short, or receiving a wireless signal to generate the first activation signal;
an integrated circuit die that includes:
a power source module operable to couple to the battery in response the first activation signal, wherein, when coupled to the battery, the power source module generates a supply voltage, wherein, in response to the first activation signal, the data logging device is in a sleep mode;
a processing module operably coupled to:
transition mode of the data logging device from the sleep mode to a ready mode in response to one or more activation commands;
transition the mode of the data logging device from the ready mode to a logging mode in response to another activation command;
in the logging mode;
generate a log command to transition the data logging device to a sample mode;
in the sample mode, receive digital sensed data representing an environmental condition;
determine whether the digital sensed data triggers an environmental violation; and
when the digital sensed data triggers the environmental violation, generate an environmental violation signal; and
return to the data logging device to the ready mode when the digital sensed data does not trigger the environmental violation;
an environmental indicator interface; and
an environmental sensor interface;
a radio frequency (RF) transceiver operable to transceive RF signals when coupled to the antenna;
an environmental sensor operably coupled to the environmental sensor interface and, when coupled, is operable to sense an environmental condition associated with the data logging device in response to a log command to produce the digital sensed data; and
an environmental indicator operably coupled to the environmental indicator interface and, when coupled is operable to provide a visual indication of the environmental violation based on the environmental violation signal.
2 . The data logging device of claim 1 , wherein determining the environmental violation is in response to one of
receiving the digital sensed data, wherein the digital sensed data includes one or more samples of the environmental condition;
a touch indication;
an RF indication;
a completion of a prescribed number of data samples; and
an expiration of a prescribed time frame.
3 . The data logging device of claim 1 , wherein the activation circuit comprises:
a non-RF activation circuit that is operable to generate the first activation signal based on the detecting the user action of touch or detecting the user removal of a circuit short.
4 . The data logging device of claim 1 , wherein the activation circuit comprises one or more of:
a Radio Frequency (RF) activation circuit that is operable to generate the first activation signal based on the receiving of an RF signal as the wireless signal; and
a Near Field Communication (NFC) activation circuit that is operable to generate the first activation signal based on the receiving of an NFC signal as the wireless signal.
5 . The data logging device of claim 1 , wherein logging mode is entered before starting the sensing by one of:
a touch command;
a Radio Frequency (RF) command;
a Near Field Communication (NFC) command; and
a prescribed delay after entering ready mode.
6 . The data logging device of claim 1 , wherein the environmental sensor includes one of:
a temperature sensor;
a humidity sensor;
a gyroscope;
an accelerometer;
a pressure sensor;
a photo sensor;
a proximity sensor;
a tilt sensor;
a vibration sensor; and
a voltage level sensor.
7 . The data logging device of claim 1 , wherein the environmental condition comprises one or more of:
temperature;
moisture;
pressure;
a conductive short;
a conductive open;
proximity of an object;
light; and
a battery voltage level.
8 . The data logging device of claim 1 , wherein the processing module is further operable to determine whether the digital sensed data values trigger the environmental violation by:
interpreting whether the digital sensed data value is not within a desired range; and
when a digital sensed data value of the digital sensed data values is out of the desired range:
generate the environmental violation signal; and
stop logging.
9 . The data logging device of claim 1 , wherein the environmental indicator comprises an LED (light emitting diode).
10 . The data logging device of claim 1 , wherein the processing module is further operable to determine whether the digital sensed data values trigger the environmental violation by:
interpreting whether the digital sensed data value is not within the desired range; and
when the digital sensed data value of the digital sensed data values is out of the desired range:
generate the environmental violation signal; and
continue logging.
11 . The data logging device of claim 1 , wherein the processing module is further operable to determine whether the digital sensed data values trigger the environmental violation by:
interpreting whether the digital sensed data value is not within the desired range; and
when the digital sensed data value of the digital sensed data values is out of the desired range:
generate the environmental violation signal.
12 . The data logging device of claim 1 , wherein the processing module is further operable to:
store the environmental violation signal in a memory of the data logging device; and
wirelessly transmit the stored environmental violation signal to a reader.
13 . An integrated circuit (IC) die for use in a data logging device, wherein the IC die comprises:
an environmental sensor interface operable to couple to an off-die environmental sensor that, when operable, produces digital sensed data regarding an environmental condition;
a power source module operable to couple to an off-chip battery and to an off-chip activation circuit, wherein the power source module is operable to:
receive a first activation signal from the off-chip activation circuit detects a user action of touch, detects a user removal of a circuit short, or receives a wireless signal to generate the first activation signal; and
in response the first activation signal, wherein, when coupled to the battery, the power source module generates a supply voltage, wherein, in response to the first activation signal, the data logging device is in a sleep mode;
a processing module operably coupled to:
transition mode of the data logging device from the sleep mode to a ready mode in response to one or more activation commands;
transition the mode of the data logging device from the ready mode to a logging mode in response to another activation command;
in the logging mode;
generate a log command to transition the data logging device to a sample mode;
in the sample mode, receive the digital sensed data;
determine whether the digital sensed data triggers an environmental violation; and
when the digital sensed data triggers the environmental violation, generate an environmental violation signal; and
return to the data logging device to the ready mode when the digital sensed data does not trigger the environmental violation;
an environmental indicator interface operable to couple to an off-chip environmental indication that, when operable, provides a visual indication of environmental non-compliance based on the environmental violation signal.
14 . The IC die of claim 13 , wherein determining the environmental violation is in response to one of:
receiving the digital sensed data, wherein the digital sensed data includes one or more samples of the environmental condition;
a touch indication;
an RF indication;
a completion of a prescribed number of data samples; and
an expiration of a prescribed time frame.
15 . The IC die of claim 13 , wherein the power source module operable to couple to:
a non-RF activation circuit as the off-chip activation circuit, wherein the non-RF activation circuit is operable to generate the first activation signal based on the detecting the user action of touch or detecting the user removal of a circuit short.
16 . The IC die of claim 13 , wherein the power source module operable to couple to:
a Radio Frequency (RF) activation circuit that is operable to generate the first activation signal based on the receiving of an RF signal as the wireless signal; and
a Near Field Communication (NFC) activation circuit that is operable to generate the first activation signal based on the receiving of an NFC signal as the wireless signal.
17 . The IC die of claim 13 , wherein logging mode is entered before starting the sensing by one of:
a touch command;
a Radio Frequency (RF) command;
a Near Field Communication (NFC) command; and
a prescribed delay after entering ready mode.
18 . The IC die of claim 13 , wherein the environmental sensor includes one of:
a temperature sensor;
a humidity sensor;
a gyroscope;
an accelerometer;
a pressure sensor;
a photo sensor;
a proximity sensor;
a tilt sensor;
a vibration sensor; and
a voltage sensor.
19 . The IC die of claim 13 , wherein the environmental condition comprises one or more of:
temperature;
moisture;
pressure;
a conductive short;
a conductive open;
proximity of an object;
light; and
a battery voltage level.
20 . The IC die of claim 13 , wherein the processing module is further operable to
determine whether the plurality of digital sensed data values does not trigger the environmental violation by:
interpreting whether the digital sensed data value is within a desired range; and
when a digital sensed data value of the plurality of digital sensed data values is within the desired range:
generate the environmental pass signal; and
continue logging.
21 . The IC die of claim 13 , wherein the processing module is further operable to
determine whether the digital sensed data does not trigger the environmental violation by:
interpreting whether the digital sensed data is within the desired range; and
when the digital sensed data is within the desired range:
generate the environmental pass signal; and
continue logging.
22 . The IC die of claim 13 , wherein the processing module is further operable to:
determine whether the digital sensed data does not trigger the environmental violation by:
interpreting whether the digital sensed data is within the desired range; and
when the digital sensed data is within the desired range:
generate the environmental pass signal.
23 . The IC die of claim 13 , wherein the processing module is further operable to:
store the environmental pass signal in a memory of the data logging device; and
wirelessly transmit the stored environmental pass signal to a reader.