DESC:Form 2

THEPATENT ACT, 1970 (39 of1970)
&

THEPATENTRULES, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 andrule13)

“REAL TIME TEMPERATURE MONITORING SYSTEM”

in the name of CALL 2 TRANSLATE PRIVATE LIMITED (a company incorporated under the provision of Company Act, 1956) an Indian national having address at D-2 Hari Apartments, Sripuram I street, Royapettah, Chennai 600014 Tamil Nadu, INDIA.
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The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a real time temperature monitoring system. More particularly the present invention relates to a smart real time temperature monitoring and reporting device and method thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Many fields including medical industry, food industry etc has a need for collecting, analyzing and taking action based upon temperature readings in widely dispersed locations. Transportation of temperature sensitive medicine such as vaccines poses unique logistical challenges. Vaccines are usually transported in insulated boxes cooled with ice/ gel packs. Locations can vary from cities to remote rural areas. Potency of vaccine can be adversely affected by temperature fluctuations. Once potency is lost vaccines are incapable of inoculation. In rare cases, the vaccines can even cause permanent disability or death. In mass programmes employing manual labour for monitoring will prove to be tedious and less cost effective logistical bottle neck.
Further no devices are presently available to provide real time temperature readings of small containers in cold chain transportation from remote. This calls for the use of automated real temperature monitoring and data collection system.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:
The main object of the present invention is to provide a GSM Based smart real time temperature monitoring and reporting system.
Another object of the present invention is to develop a smart real time temperature monitoring and reporting device comprising of GSM module, microprocessor/microcontroller, temperature sensor, power supply regulator, real time clock, magnetic proximity switch/hall effect sensor and battery housed in (IP54) ABS enclosure with acrylic end panel along with Qi charging feature.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for real time monitoring and reporting temperature from remote.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system that can record temperature at predetermined intervals in a local memory and transmit the recorded values to a centralized system.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system that can allow the user to remotely start, reset the data stored, alter the predetemined intervals time, sleep, ping, kill the device and the like in real time
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system that can trigger alerts to predetermined person/persons if the temperature reaches a pre-defined value.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system in which the size of the device could be as small as possible and can be deployed on a “use & throw” model too
A further object of the present invention is to employ the developed system in healthcare / life science industry for real time monitoring of temperature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 depicts the GSM Based smart real time temperature monitoring and reporting system operation
Figure 2 depicts the smart real time temperature monitoring and reporting system function diagram
Figure 3 depicts the Firmware Flow of the smart real time temperature monitoring and reporting system
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention shall disclose a smart real time temperature recording and reporting device using GSM based communication protocols for monitoring temperature sensitive payload during transportation. The device comprises of GSM module, microprocessor/microcontroller, temperature sensor, power supply regulator, real time clock, magnetic proximity switch/hall effect sensor and battery housed in (IP54) ABS enclosure with acrylic end panel along with Qi charging feature. The present invention also discloses a method for recording and remotely monitoring real time temperature of a temperature sensitive payload while transporting. The system records temperature at predetermined intervals in a local memory and transmit the recorded values to a centralized system. The system allows the user to remotely start, reset the data stored, alter the predetermined intervals time, sleep, ping and kill the device in real time. The system also triggers alerts to predetermined persons if the temperature reaches a pre-defined value.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention discloses a GSM Based smart real time temperature monitoring and reporting system and method thereof. The device is a two way communicating telematics device which can send as well as receive communication
The Temperature Monitoring System [TMS] (Fig 1) of the present invention is designed to be employed for monitoring the temperature in the containers that are used to transport temperature sensitive medicines. TMS can be programmed to measure temperatures inside the containers at specified intervals defined by the user and transmit the temperature readings to remote server through SMS over a GSM network.
The system comprises of a 16-bit low power microcontroller with 2K RAM, a Hall Effect sensor, a temperature sensor, a GSM modem for communicating with the end user/ software. The TMS is powered up using a Hall Effect sensor in the presence of magnetic field.
The TMS is controlled via a pre-defined set of commands sent as SMS. The TMS starts its operation on receiving an initialization command. The initialization command can be used to set the system parameters like date and time, temperature record and transmit intervals, system password, administrator mobile number, central server mobile number, the device ID, acknowledgement ON/OFF, flight mode duration and delayed start duration.
Apart from the above initialization SMS, independent SMS commands can be used to set the following system parameters.(Fig 2 & 3)

• Changing the temperature record and transmit intervals.
• Changing the administrator mobile number.
• Changing the central server mobile number.
• Enabling/Disabling the acknowledgement.
• Setting the flight mode duration.
• Setting the delayed start duration.
• System reset command.
• Ping command to get the current temperature reading, administrator mobile number, central server mobile number etc.

The received temperature readings can then be used by the backend software for processing and taking necessary action. Based on the readings, alerts can be issued to concerned persons who can then take actions to regulate the fluctuating temperature in the containers. The TMS is meant to operate in an environment of low temperature ( up to -10 deg Centigrade) & high moisture content for a period of about 20 days with SMS transmission interval of 30minutes.

The Features of TMS is as follows:

• Qi compliant wireless charging.
• Acknowledgement SMS for every SMS commands received by the device.
• Low battery indication with SMS notification.
• Ultra-Low-Power Ferroelectric RAM memory used for storing data.
The LED indications are

• Green LED – Blinks to show present working status.
• Red LED – Blinks to show low battery indication.
• Orange LED – Lits up during charging. LED is off when charging is complete.
To power up the TMS the user has to bring the south pole of a magnet near the sensor for a minimum period of 6 seconds. The hall sensor detects the presence of a magnetic field and activates the system. Once the system is turned ON, a Green LED blinks in 10 sec intervals to indicate system power up. The system will then wait for an initialization SMS in the form of INIT command from the user. Once a valid INIT SMS is received the system will start recording the temperature at record intervals specified in the INIT command. The GSM module is powered up during every transmit interval and the recorded temperature readings are transmitted through SMS to the user. During each transmit interval the system checks for any command SMS the user might have sent and executes the same.
The system is powered down using an OFF SMS sent from the user. The system can be powered again by placing a magnet near the hall sensor.
The system also monitors the battery power level. If the battery level drops below a critical level the system will send an alert message to the user number and it will shut down the GSM communication. But the system will continue to record the temperature and store in its internal memory. The user can download the recorded temperature readings using a PC interface.
The parameters like calibration of the sensor, set intervals to record temperature, set intervals to send the readings to back end server, switch off the device at ‘end of life”, etc are controlled by the centralized system
The system trigger alerts to predetermined persons if the temperature variation reaches a pre-defined value. The temperature sensor used in the system can record very low temperatures and sustain in an atmosphere of high humidity / moisture. Further the system transmit recorded values in a software readable format (coma separated value / string). Moreover the system can allow the user to set / vary the time intervals for temperature recording and transmission of values to the central server.
Further, when the values of temperature are transmitted, proper “hand shake” is established with the back end system to ensure all data have been received and there is no repeated sending of data. The input of instructions to the device should be done through SMS as the device will be in remote location and cannot be docked to any computer, etc. ( this means all input and output will happen through sms). If there is no connectivity to send sms at the scheduled time, the value should be sent along with the next schedule.
Furthermore, the system allow the user to check the device is working by a developed protocol. Thus the user can be able to monitor the “heart beat” of the device from the back end server. The system also allows the user to remotely switch off the device. This is to ensure the “end of life”, if it is lost or discarded.
The present invention discloses the format for SMS commands to perform various tasks by the device. The sample commands are as follows:
- SET NUMBER:
To set the number which is authorized to communicate with the sensor module. The temperature reading from the sensor module will be sent to the mobile number set through this command. After receiving this command the sensor will reply with an acknowledgment.
Command format: SET NUMBER < password>
Reply from sensor: " Reply number set: "
- SET PASSWORD:
This will set a password for the SIM card. This password will be required inorder to kill the sensor module. After receiving this command the sensor will reply with an acknowledgment.
Command format: PASSWORD
Reply from sensor: " Password changed"
- SET INTERVAL M:
To set the temperature measurement interval after powering up the device. If this command is issued after turning on the sensor module it will only set the time interval and the GSM module will continue to be in active mode. A START command has to be issued to start the temperature monitoring operation. If the SET command is received during operation it will change the time interval and continue to monitor temperature with the new set interval. After receiving this command the sensor will reply with an acknowledgment.
Command format : SET INTERVAL M
Reply from sensor: " Measurement interval set to "

- SET INTERVAL T:
To set the transmission interval after powering up the device. If this command is issued after turning on the sensor module it will only set the time interval and the GSM module will continue to be in active mode. A START command has to be issued to start the temperature monitoring operation. If this command is received during operation it will change the time interval and continue to transmit temperature recordings with the new set interval. After receiving this command the sensor will reply with an acknowledgment.
Command format : SET INTERVAL T
Reply from sensor: " Transmission interval set to "
- START:
To start the temperature monitoring operation. After issuing the command microcontroller will send SMS through GSM module and turnoff the GSM module after sending SMS. Microcontroller will wake the GSM module only after the time interval set using SET command to send the new temperature value.
Command format: START
Reply from sensor: " Device operation started "
- STOP:
Once the STOP command is received the module will stop all temperature monitoring operations and microcontroller will keep the GSM module in active mode or in power off based of the STOP command issued.
Command format: STOP ACTIVE (for keeping gsm in active mode) STOP PDWN (will power off the GSM module)
Reply from sensor: " Device operation Stopped. Current status "

- RESET:
- Will reset the entire sensor module. Erases all the stored SMS's and temperatures from the memory. GSM module will be in active mode. All settings revert back to default settings.
Command Format: RESET
- KILL:
The kill command is used to make the module inactive.
Command format: KILL
Reply from sensor: " Device killed"
- PING:
When this command issued the sensor module will reply back to the issuer with current date, time, device status (transmission interval, measurement interval etc) and temperature.
Command format: PING
Reply format:

Temperature reading SMS format
At each transmission interval the sensor will transmit the recorded temperature readings, which are unacknowledged, from its memory as SMS. The current date and time acts as the message id. Each message transmitted contains the date and time, a message ID & the temperature recorded. The backend server has to issue an ACK message with this message id to prevent data loss or to prevent message duplication
SMS format: < message ID>
Acknowledgment SMS
- ACK: The back end server will issue an acknowledgement after receiving a temperature SMS from sensor module. The sensor module will remove from its memory the acknowledged temperature readings.
SMS format: ACK
The system of the present invention is used to monitor the temperature in small containers. These containers will be used for transporting temperature sensitive medicines. These small containers will need to maintain very low temperatures based on the medicine being transported and may vary from about -12 to +10 deg centigrade. This can be modified based on the exact usage range. The proposed usage pattern is to insert one device in each container. This is a multi use device and can be recharged using a Qi compatible wireless charger when the battery power is LOW.
The inventiveness of the invention lies in recording and reporting the data in real time with the capability to monitor from remote. Real time data helps in “assuring” that the transportation is done in stipulated temperature range. The real time information will help in taking corrective/ preventive measures to prevent loss/ damage of the transported materials due to non confirmation of temperature range during transportation. Thus real time analysis in the present invention is like quality assurance Vs quality control. In QC, it prevents a non quality item to go into the system while in QA it will ensure no defective is produced.
In one of the preferred embodiment the present invention shall disclose a smart real time temperature recording and reporting device using GSM based communication protocols for monitoring temperature sensitive payload during transportation. The device comprises of GSM module, microprocessor/microcontroller, temperature sensor, power supply regulator, real time clock, magnetic proximity switch/hall effect sensor and battery housed in (IP54) ABS enclosure with acrylic end panel along with Qi charging feature. The GSM module is configured for cellular communication. The microprocessor/microcontroller is configured to, record temperature at prefixed intervals of time, store the temperature values in a local memory, transmit the recorded values of temperature at prefixed intervals of time with date and time stamp to a centralized server system. Further the microprocessor/microcontroller allows the centralized server system to remotely start, reset the data stored, alter the predetermined intervals time, sleep, ping and kill the device in real time. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of a temperature sensitive payload. The power supply regulator is configured to regulate power supply to temperature sensor, microprocessor/microcontroller, GSM module and display indicators. The real time clock is configured to keep track of the current time and date. The magnetic proximity switch/hall effect sensor is configured to switch on/off the device in the presence of magnetic field and the Qi charging feature is configured for wireless charging of the device.
According to the invention the smart real time temperature recording and reporting device is characterized in
• setting temperature sensor sampling interval and data reporting interval by factory set or real time user configuration through SMS
• switching on/off the device by magnetic proximity switch/ hall sensor
• operating modes which includes standard run mode; delayed start run mode and flight mode
• device interface which includes Status LEDs for power up indication, low battery and charging
• internal UART data retrieval port
• real time software interface which includes monitoring the temperature from remote, temperature statistics and history, location information and history, Email & SMS alerts as required.
• deleting the stored data from the memory after receiving acknowledgement of transmitted data from the said server thereby avoiding overloading of data in the memory.

In accordance with the invention the GSM module of the smart real time temperature recording and reporting device can be Quad-band GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).

As per the invention the battery used in the device includes Internal Lithium-Ion/ Lithium Polymer Battery.

According to the invention the dimension of the device includes 135mm x 75 mm x 18.7 mm.

In accordance with the invention the smart real time temperature recording and reporting device can monitors temperature measurement range of -10°C to 50°C with accuracy of ±1°C.

As per the invention the device of the present invention is rechargeable and can be utilize for multiple use.
According to the invention the usage life of the device, post activation shall be about 3 weeks for sampling interval of 30 minutes
In another preferred embodiment the present invention shall disclose a method for recording and remotely reporting real time temperature of a temperature sensitive payload while transporting. The method comprises of following steps.
• disposing a plurality of smart real time temperature recording and reporting device at locations where temperature monitoring is desired;
• powering up the device using hall effect sensor in the presence of magenetic field
• recording the temperature on receiving an initiation SMS in the form of INIT command from a centralized server
• transmitting the temperature data comprising of intimation on high / low temperature with date and time stamp, from the device to the centralized server
• checking any independent SMS command from the server and executing the same
• finally switching off the device by sending OFF SMS to the device , once the operation is complete.

In accordance with the invention the method of recording and remotely reporting real time temperature further comprises of monitoring battery power level. If the battery level drops below a critical level, an alert SMS will be transmitted to the server and GSM command will be shut down the GSM module while continuing to record the temperature and data can be retrieved from internal memory using PC interface.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

We Claim,

1. A smart real time temperature recording and reporting device using GSM based communication protocols for monitoring temperature sensitive payload during transportation, wherein the claimed device comprises of GSM module, microprocessor/microcontroller, temperature sensor, power supply regulator, real time clock, magnetic proximity switch/hall effect sensor and battery housed in (IP54) ABS enclosure with acrylic end panel along with Qi charging feature
- wherein the said GSM module configured for cellular communication,
- wherein the said microprocessor/microcontroller configured to record temperature at prefixed intervals of time, stores the temperature values in a local memory, transmit the recorded values of temperature at prefixed intervals of time with date and time stamp to a centralized server system
- wherein the said microprocessor/microcontroller allows the centralized server system to remotely start, reset the data stored, alter the predetermined intervals time, sleep, ping and kill the claimed device in real time,
- wherein the said temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a temperature sensitive payload ,
- wherein the said power supply regulator configured to regulate power supply to temperature sensor, microprocessor/microcontroller,GSM module and display indicators-
- wherein the said real time clock configured to keeps track of the current time and date
- wherein the said magnetic proximity switch/hall effect sensor configured to switch on/off the device in the presence of magnetic field wherein the said Qi charging feature configured for wireless charging of the said device
- characterized in
- setting temperature sensor sampling interval and data reporting interval by factory set or real time user configuration through SMS
- switch on of the device by magnetic proximity switch/ hall sensor
- operating modes which includes standard run mode; delayed start run mode and flight mode
- device interface which includes Status LEDs for power up indication, low battery and charging
- internal UART data retrieval port
- real time software interface which includes monitoring the temperature from remote, temperature statistics and history, location information and history, Email & SMS alerts as required.
- deleting the stored data from the memory after receiving acknowledgement of transmitted data from the said server thereby avoiding overloading of data in the memory
2. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said GSM module can be Quad-band GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
3. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said battery includes Internal Lithium-Ion/ Lithium Polymer Battery.
4. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 has dimensions which includes 135mm x 75 mm x 18.7 mm.
5. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the claimed device monitors temperature measurement range of -10°C to 50°C with accuracy of ±1°C.
6. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 is rechargeable and can be utilize for multiple use
7. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the usage life of the said device, post activation shall be about 3 weeks for sampling interval of 30 minutes
8. A method for recording and remotely reporting real time temperature of a temperature sensitive payload while transporting, the claimed method comprising:
- disposing a plurality of smart real time temperature recording and reporting device of claim 1 at locations where temperature monitoring is desired;
- powering up the said device using hall effect sensor in the presence of magnetic field
- recording the temperature on receiving an initiation SMS in the form of INIT command from a centralized server
- transmitting the temperature data comprising of intimation on high / low temperature with date and time stamp, from the said device to the centralized server
- checking any independent SMS command from the server and executing the same
- finally switching off the device by sending OFF SMS to the said device , once the operation is complete.
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9. The method as claimed in claim 8 further comprises of monitoring battery power level, wherein if the said battery level drops below a critical level, an alert SMS will be transmitted to the server and GSM command will be shut down the GSM module while continuing to record the temperature and data can be retrieved from internal memory using PC interface

Dated this 20th day of May 2016 For CALL 2 TRANSLATE PRIVATE LIMITED
By its Patent Agent

Dr.B.Deepa

,CLAIMS:We Claim,

1. A smart real time temperature recording and reporting device using GSM based communication protocols for monitoring temperature sensitive payload during transportation, wherein the claimed device comprises of GSM module, microprocessor/microcontroller, temperature sensor, power supply regulator, real time clock, magnetic proximity switch/hall effect sensor and battery housed in (IP54) ABS enclosure with acrylic end panel along with Qi charging feature
- wherein the said GSM module configured for cellular communication,
- wherein the said microprocessor/microcontroller configured to record temperature at prefixed intervals of time, stores the temperature values in a local memory, transmit the recorded values of temperature at prefixed intervals of time with date and time stamp to a centralized server system
- wherein the said microprocessor/microcontroller allows the centralized server system to remotely start, reset the data stored, alter the predetermined intervals time, sleep, ping and kill the claimed device in real time,
- wherein the said temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a temperature sensitive payload ,
- wherein the said power supply regulator configured to regulate power supply to temperature sensor, microprocessor/microcontroller,GSM module and display indicators-
- wherein the said real time clock configured to keeps track of the current time and date
- wherein the said magnetic proximity switch/hall effect sensor configured to switch on/off the device in the presence of magnetic field wherein the said Qi charging feature configured for wireless charging of the said device
- characterized in
- setting temperature sensor sampling interval and data reporting interval by factory set or real time user configuration through SMS
- switch on of the device by magnetic proximity switch/ hall sensor
- operating modes which includes standard run mode; delayed start run mode and flight mode
- device interface which includes Status LEDs for power up indication, low battery and charging
- internal UART data retrieval port
- real time software interface which includes monitoring the temperature from remote, temperature statistics and history, location information and history, Email & SMS alerts as required.
- deleting the stored data from the memory after receiving acknowledgement of transmitted data from the said server thereby avoiding overloading of data in the memory
2. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said GSM module can be Quad-band GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
3. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said battery includes Internal Lithium-Ion/ Lithium Polymer Battery.
4. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 has dimensions which includes 135mm x 75 mm x 18.7 mm.
5. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the claimed device monitors temperature measurement range of -10°C to 50°C with accuracy of ±1°C.
6. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 is rechargeable and can be utilize for multiple use
7. The smart real time temperature recording and reporting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the usage life of the said device, post activation shall be about 3 weeks for sampling interval of 30 minutes
8. A method for recording and remotely reporting real time temperature of a temperature sensitive payload while transporting, the claimed method comprising:
- disposing a plurality of smart real time temperature recording and reporting device of claim 1 at locations where temperature monitoring is desired;
- powering up the said device using hall effect sensor in the presence of magnetic field
- recording the temperature on receiving an initiation SMS in the form of INIT command from a centralized server
- transmitting the temperature data comprising of intimation on high / low temperature with date and time stamp, from the said device to the centralized server
- checking any independent SMS command from the server and executing the same
- finally switching off the device by sending OFF SMS to the said device , once the operation is complete.
-
9. The method as claimed in claim 8 further comprises of monitoring battery power level, wherein if the said battery level drops below a critical level, an alert SMS will be transmitted to the server and GSM command will be shut down the GSM module while continuing to record the temperature and data can be retrieved from internal memory using PC interface

Dated this 20th day of May 2016 For CALL 2 TRANSLATE PRIVATE LIMITED
By its Patent Agent

Dr.B.Deepa