User access-restrictive systems and methods for operating particle sampling devices
Systems, methods, devices and software for operating particle sampling devices in a user-restrictive manner include a tag and a particle sampling device. The device includes a tag reader and a processor in communication with the tag reader. The processor: receives device configuration data and reads operational and/or user data from the tag having that data encoded thereon. Based on the data read from the tag, the processor may either grant or deny access to a user for performing device operations. Alternatively, for a headless particle sampling device configured for minimal user interaction during operation, the device is removably attached to a supporting structure proximate the tag positioned in or on the supporting structure. In the headless configuration, the processor reads device configuration parameters including network communication information from the tag following device power up. Embodiments of the disclosure facilitate various efficiency improvements for manufacturing operations reliant on particle sampling devices.
1. A system for particle sampling in a facility, comprising:
A) a particle sampling device comprising:
(i) a device housing including a sampling port;
(ii) a sampler for sampling particles of an exterior environment of the device, wherein the sampler is positioned in the housing and in flow communication with the sampling port;
(iii) a tag reader positioned on or in the housing, and including a tag reader transceiver; and
(iv) a processor in communication with the tag reader;
B) a supporting structure for coupling to a wall of the facility to facilitate removably positioning the device thereon; and
C) a tag for coupling to the supporting structure, wherein:
(1) when the tag is coupled to, and device is positioned on, the supporting structure, respectively, the tag and the device are so positioned in respective positions sufficient to permit wireless communication between the tag and the tag reader transceiver;
(2) the tag includes device configuration parameters encoded as configuration data thereon, the configuration data including a device password and a device recipe for performing device operations; and
(3) in response to the device being powered on, the processor is configured to:
(a) initiate the wireless communication between the tag and the tag reader transceiver;
(b) read, using the tag reader, the device configuration parameters from the tag; and
(c) in response to the device password read from the tag not matching a device password of the particle sampling device, denying access to the device;
(d) in response to the device password read from the tag matching the device password of the particle sampling device, then:
loading the device recipe for performing the device operations; and
causing the device to perform particle sampling of the exterior environment without involvement of a device user.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the supporting structure is or includes a wall plate coupled to the wall of the facility.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration parameters include network communication information.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the network communication information includes at least one of: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) information, Internet Protocol (IP) information.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration parameters further comprise user specific configuration data.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration parameters further include one or more of a sampling time, a location name for instrument, a sample queue size, one or more Wi-Fi communication parameters, a flow cap-off retry count and time, a digital output signal configuration or any combination of these.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration parameters include one or more input parameters.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein said one or more input parameters include one or more channel name, a scale, an offset or any combination of these.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration parameters include one or more output parameters.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein said one or more output parameters include one or more scaling factor.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration parameters include one or more sampling parameters for stand-alone use.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein said one or more sampling parameters for stand-alone use include one or more of a sample delay, a sample tare time, a sample interval, a sample repeat count, an “Auto-Start” mode or any combination of these.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration parameters include one or more parameters for generating or processing an output signal of the device.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the parameter for generating or processing the output signal is a parameter for generating or processing an analog output signal.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the parameter for generating or processing the analog output signal is a scaling parameter, offset parameter, threshold parameter, filtering parameter or any combination of these.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration parameters include an action limit, an alert limit or any combination of these.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the device configuration parameters further include, a device ID number, an alphanumeric device identifier, an identifier of a room of the facility, an identifier of a sampling location of the facility or any combination of these.
18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the device does not include a display.
19. The system of claim 1 , wherein said tag is capable of being copied by a user so as to allow the device configuration parameters to be encoded as data on a plurality of tags or used as the basis for a new set of custom tags.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein said system includes a plurality of particle sampling devices provided in one or more user environments, wherein said plurality of tags are configured for use with said plurality of particle sampling devices.