Method and apparatus of data logging
A method includes establishing, by a data logging device, a sleep mode. The method further includes receiving, by a processing module of the data logging device, a second activation command that causes the data logging device to transition to a standby mode. The method further includes receiving, by the processing module, a third activation command that causes the data logging device to transition to a ready mode. The method further includes receiving, by the processing module, a fourth activation command that causes the data logging device to transition to a logging mode. In the logging mode, the method further includes obtaining, by the processing module, a log command. In response to the log command, the method further includes obtaining, by the processing module, a measure of an environmental condition. The method further includes storing the measure of the environmental condition in memory of the data logging device.
1. A method comprises:
establishing, by a data logging device, a sleep mode for the data logging device;
receiving, by a processing module of the data logging device, a second activation command that causes the data logging device to transition from the sleep mode to a standby mode;
receiving, by the processing module, a third activation command that causes the data logging device to transition from the standby mode to a ready mode;
receiving, by the processing module, a fourth activation command that causes the data logging device to transition from the ready mode to a logging mode;
in the logging mode:
obtaining, by the processing module, a log command;
in response to the log command:
obtaining, by the processing module, a measure of an environmental condition;
at least temporarily storing, by the processing module, the measure of the environmental condition in memory of the data logging device;
determining, by the data logging device, whether the measured environmental condition is within a desired range;
when the measured environmental condition is not within the desired range:
setting, by the data logging device, an indication of an environmental condition violation; and
storing in memory, by the data logging device, a digital value representing the environmental condition violation for subsequent access by a reader, wherein the digital value representing the environmental condition includes a timestamp and a digital value of the violation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein setting the indication of the environmental condition violation further comprises:
generating a signal corresponding to the environmental condition violation; and
producing a visual representation of the signal.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprises:
when the measured environmental condition is within a desired range, storing, by the processing module, the measured environmental condition and a corresponding timestamp in a non-volatile memory of the memory.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprises:
when the measured environmental condition is within a desired range, transitioning, by the processing module, back to the ready mode; and
awaiting, by the processing module, a subsequent fourth activation command.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprises:
establishing the sleep mode based on a first activation command that corresponds to installation of a battery in the data logging device;
the second activation command corresponding to activation of a real time clock;
the third activation command corresponding to a radio frequency (RF) signal, a touch signal, or a programmed setting;
the fourth activation command corresponding to second RF signal, a second touch signal, or a second programmed setting; and
the log command corresponding to a third RF signal, a third touch signal, or a third programmed setting.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprises:
when the measured environmental condition is not within a desired range, disabling, by the processing module, re-entry into the logging mode regardless of receiving one or more subsequent fourth activation commands.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprises:
when the measured environmental condition is within the desired range, remaining, by the processing module, in the logging mode; and
awaiting, by the processing module, a subsequent log command.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the environmental condition comprises one or more of:
temperature;
moisture;
pressure;
humidity;
shock;
gas;
a conductive short;
a conductive open;
proximity of an object; and
light.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprises:
the data logging device being associated with an object.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprises:
receiving the second activation command when the data logging device is associated with the object;
receiving the third activation command prior to the object being in transit; and
receiving the fourth activation command when the object is in transit.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprises:
obtaining, by the processing module, a done command; and
entering, by the processing module, a done mode in response to the done command.
12. A computer readable memory comprises:
a first storage section that stores operational instructions that, when executed by a processing module of a data logging device, causes the processing module to:
establish a sleep mode for the data logging device;
a second storage section that stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to:
receive a second activation command that causes the data logging device to transition from the sleep mode to a standby mode;
receive a third activation command that causes the data logging device to transition from the standby mode to a ready mode;
receive a fourth activation command that causes the data logging device to transition from the ready mode to a logging mode;
a third storage section that stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to:
in the logging mode:
receive a log command;
in response to the log command:
obtain a measure of an environmental condition;
at least temporarily store the measure of the environmental condition in memory of the data logging device;
determine whether the measured environmental condition is within a desired range;
when the measured environmental condition is not within the desired range:
set an indication of an environmental condition violation; and
store in memory a digital value representing the environmental condition violation for subsequent access by a reader.
13. The computer readable memory of claim 12 , wherein the third storage section further stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to set the indication of the environmental condition violation by:
generating a signal corresponding to the environmental condition violation; and
producing a visual representation of the signal.
14. The computer readable memory of claim 12 , wherein the third storage section further stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to:
when the measured environmental condition is within a desired range, store the measured environmental condition and a corresponding timestamp in a non-volatile memory of the memory, wherein the digital value representing the environmental condition includes a timestamp and a digital value of the violation.
15. The computer readable memory of claim 12 , wherein the third storage section further stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to:
when the measured environmental condition is within a desired range, transition back to the ready mode; and
await a subsequent fourth activation command.
16. The computer readable memory of claim 12 further comprises:
establishing the sleep mode based on a first activation command corresponding to installation of a battery in the data logging device;
the second activation command corresponding to activation of a real time clock;
the third activation command corresponding to a radio frequency (RF) signal, a touch signal, or a programmed setting;
the fourth activation command corresponding to second RF signal, a second touch signal, or a second programmed setting; and
the log command corresponding to a third RF signal, a third touch signal, or a third programmed setting.
17. The computer readable memory of claim 12 , wherein the third storage section further stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to:
when the measured environmental condition is not within a desired range, disable re-entry into the logging mode regardless of receiving one or more subsequent fourth activation commands.
18. The computer readable memory of claim 12 , wherein the third storage section further stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to:
when the measured environmental condition is within the desired range, remain in the logging mode; and
await a subsequent log command.
19. The computer readable memory of claim 12 , wherein the environmental condition comprises one or more of:
temperature;
moisture;
pressure;
humidity;
shock;
gas;
a conductive short;
a conductive open;
proximity of an object; and
light.
20. The computer readable memory of claim 12 further comprises:
the data logging device being associated with an object.
21. The computer readable memory of claim 20 further comprises:
receiving the second activation command when the data logging device is associated with the object;
receiving the third activation command prior to the object being in transit; and
receiving the fourth activation command when the object is in transit.
22. The computer readable memory of claim 12 , wherein the third storage section further stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to:
obtain a done command; and
enter a done mode in response to the done command.