# US 9,859,952 B2 · Methods and apparatus relating to measurement instruments > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,859,952 B2 - Document ID: US9859952B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/512,117 - Filed: 2014-10-10 - Published: 2015-04-16 - Granted: 2018-01-02 - Earliest claimed: 2013-10-10 - Assignees: ABB AB - Applicants: ABB Limited - Inventors: Ray Keech; Neil Coleman; Peter Asquith; Simon Draper - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9859952B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/0423: {Input/output} - H04Q 9/00: Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom - G08C 2201/93: Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop - H04B 5/24: Inductive coupling - H04B 5/45: Transponders - H04Q 2209/40: using a wireless architecture - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) - G08C: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS (fluid pressure transmitting systems F15B; mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member into a different variable G01D5/00; mechanical control systems G05G) - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract Methods and apparatus are for storing and retrieving data related to the installation, service, repair or performance of an industrial flow meter or other measurement instrument. Methods and apparatus are also for other processes associated with measurement instruments. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of processing data related to an installation process, service process or performance of a measurement instrument, the method being performed by a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a transmitter, a receiver and a processor, the method comprising: the transmitter interrogating the measurement instrument using near field communication; the receiver receiving, in response to the interrogating, reference data from the measurement instrument; the mobile device capturing data related to the installation process, service process or performance of the measurement instrument; wherein capturing the data includes the receiver receiving, in response to the interrogating, data from the measurement instrument in addition to the reference data; the mobile device storing the captured data using or in association with the reference data in a data storage device for subsequent retrieval; the processor analysing the data received from the measurement instrument, to determine whether recalibration or reconfiguration of the measurement instrument is necessary; and in dependence on recalibration or reconfiguration being determined as necessary, the processor producing recalibration or reconfiguration data and the transmitter sending the recalibration or reconfiguration data to the measurement instrument via near field communication, to recalibrate or reconfigure the measurement instrument. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein capturing the data comprises one or more of the following: the mobile device taking a photograph or a video clip, or recording audio; the mobile device capturing data relating to a physical position of the measurement instrument or of a port of the measurement instrument; the mobile device capturing a geolocation of the measurement instrument or the port using a location determiner of the mobile device; the mobile device capturing a compass bearing of the measurement instrument or the port, or inclination of the measurement instrument or the port, using one or more sensors of the mobile device; the mobile device receiving text or diagrams inputted or selected using the mobile device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the data received from the measurement instrument includes data relating to operational characteristics of the measurement instrument as detected by one or more sensors associated with the measurement instrument; optionally wherein the sensors associated with the measurement instrument include one or more of: a vibration sensor, a tamper detector, a movement detector, an accelerometer, an inclinometer, a magnetometer, or a positioning receiver; and/or optionally wherein the data received from the measurement instrument includes a current or past instrument reading. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference data comprises one or more of an instrument identifier, a hyperlink, a position code or location information. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein storing the captured data using or in association with the reference data comprises the mobile device storing the data in a data storage module of the mobile device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein storing the captured data using or in association with the reference data comprises the mobile device storing the data in a data storage device separate from the mobile device and in communication with the mobile device via a network. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein storing the captured data using or in association with the reference data comprises the mobile device storing the data in a data storage module of the measurement instrument. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: the processor analyzing the data received from the measurement instrument, to perform in-situ verification of the performance of the measurement instrument. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: the mobile device sending the data received from the measurement instrument to another location for analysis, to perform in-situ verification of the performance of the measurement instrument. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement instrument is selected from a group comprising: a flow meter, a pH meter, a pressure sensor, a level sensor, a temperature sensor, a utility consumption meter, a drive/actuator monitoring instrument, a robotic instrument. ### Claim 11 A mobile device programmed and configured to execute a method of processing data related to an installation process, service process or performance of a measurement instrument, the mobile device comprising a transmitter and a receiver and a processor; the method being performed by the mobile device and comprising: the transmitter interrogating the measurement instrument using near field communication; the receiver receiving, in response to the interrogation, reference data from the measurement instrument; the mobile device capturing data related to the installation, service or performance of the measurement instrument; wherein capturing the data includes the receiver receiving, in response to the interrogation, data from the measurement instrument in addition to the reference data; the mobile device storing the captured data using or in association with the reference data in a data storage device, for subsequent retrieval; the processor analysing the data received from the measurement instrument, to determine whether recalibration or reconfiguration of the measurement instrument is necessary; and in dependence on recalibration or reconfiguration being determined as necessary, the processor producing recalibration or reconfiguration data and the transmitter sending the recalibration or reconfiguration data to the measurement instrument via near field communication, to recalibrate or reconfigure the measurement instrument. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The mobile device according to claim 11, comprising a smart phone, tablet, portable computer, or personal digital assistant. ### Claim 13 A method of processing data related to an installation process, service process or performance of a measurement instrument, the method being performed by a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a transmitter and a receiver, the method comprising: the transmitter interrogating the measurement instrument using near field communication; the receiver receiving, in response to the interrogation, reference data from the measurement instrument; the mobile device capturing data related to the installation process, service process or performance of the measurement instrument; wherein capturing the data includes the receiver receiving, in response to the interrogation, data from the measurement instrument in addition to the reference data; the mobile device storing the captured data using or in association with the reference data in a data storage device, for subsequent retrieval; the mobile device sending the data received from the measurement instrument to another location for analysis, to determine whether recalibration or reconfiguration of the measurement instrument is necessary; and in dependence on recalibration or reconfiguration being determined as necessary, the mobile device receiving recalibration or reconfiguration data from the other location and then the transmitter sending the recalibration or reconfiguration data to the measurement instrument via near field communication, to recalibrate or reconfigure the measurement instrument. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein capturing the data comprises one or more of the following: the mobile device taking a photograph or a video clip, or recording audio; the mobile device capturing data relating to a physical position of the measurement instrument or of a port of the measurement instrument; the mobile device capturing a geolocation of the measurement instrument or the port using a location determiner of the mobile device; the mobile device capturing a compass bearing of the measurement instrument or the port, or inclination of the measurement instrument or the port, using one or more sensors of the mobile device; the mobile device receiving text or diagrams inputted or selected using the mobile device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the data received from the measurement instrument includes data relating to operational characteristics of the measurement instrument as detected by one or more sensors associated with the measurement instrument; optionally wherein the sensors associated with the measurement instrument include one or more of: a vibration sensor, a tamper detector, a movement detector, an accelerometer, an inclinometer, a magnetometer, or a positioning receiver; and/or optionally wherein the data received from the measurement instrument includes a current or past instrument reading. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the reference data comprises one or more of an instrument identifier, a hyperlink, a position code or location information. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein storing the captured data using or in association with the reference data comprises the mobile device storing the data in a data storage module of the mobile device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein storing the captured data using or in association with the reference data comprises the mobile device storing the data in a data storage device separate from the mobile device and in communication with the mobile device via a network. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein storing the captured data using or in association with the reference data comprises the mobile device storing the data in a data storage module of the measurement instrument. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, further comprising: a processor of the mobile device analyzing the data received from the measurement instrument, to perform in-situ verification of the performance of the measurement instrument. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, further comprising: the mobile device sending the data received from the measurement instrument to another location for analysis, to perform in-situ verification of the performance of the measurement instrument. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the measurement instrument is selected from a group comprising: a flow meter, a pH meter, a pressure sensor, a level sensor, a temperature sensor, a utility consumption meter, a drive/actuator monitoring instrument, a robotic instrument. ### Claim 23 A mobile device programmed and configured to execute a method of processing data related to an installation process, service process or performance of a measurement instrument, the mobile device comprising a transmitter and a receiver, the method being performed by the mobile device and comprising: the transmitter interrogating the measurement instrument using near field communication; the receiver receiving, in response to the interrogation, reference data from the measurement instrument; the mobile device capturing data related to the installation, service or performance of the measurement instrument; wherein capturing the data includes the receiver receiving, in response to the interrogation, data from the measurement instrument in addition to the reference data; the mobile device storing the captured data using or in association with the reference data in a data storage device, for subsequent retrieval; the mobile device sending the data received from the measurement instrument to another location for analysis, to determine whether recalibration or reconfiguration of the measurement instrument is necessary; and in dependence on recalibration or reconfiguration being determined as necessary, the mobile device receiving recalibration or reconfiguration data from the other location and then the transmitter sending the recalibration or reconfiguration data to the measurement instrument via near field communication, to recalibrate or reconfigure the measurement instrument. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The mobile device according to claim 23, comprising a smart phone, tablet, portable computer, or personal digital assistant.