WO2011103165A1

WO2011103165A1 - Remotely controlling a chemical detector

Info

Publication number: WO2011103165A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/025053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Darron Black; James Wylde; David Rafferty; Michael Spencer
Original assignee: Astrotech Corp
Current assignee: Astrotech Corp
Priority date: 2010-02-16
Filing date: 2011-02-16
Publication date: 2011-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2012-08-16

Abstract

A computer-implemented method includes receiving data at a processing device, the data having been transferred over a secure connection from a transceiver coupled to a chemical detector and comprising a detection signal generated by the chemical detector, processing the data using the processing device to generate a human readable message, displaying the human readable message on a user interface of the processing device, receiving user input at the processing device, generating a control signal based on the user input, and transmitting the control signal to the chemical detector.

Description

REMOTELY CONTROLLING A CHEMICAL DETECTOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to remotely communicating with a chemical detector and, more particularly, to remotely controlling a chemical detector. SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention features a computer- implemented method including: receiving data at a processing device, the data having been transferred over a secure connection from a transceiver coupled to a chemical detector and comprising a detection signal generated by the chemical detector; processing the data using the processing device to generate a human readable message; displaying the human readable message on a user interface of the processing device; receiving user input at the processing device; generating a control signal based on the user input; and transmitting the control signal to the chemical detector.

In another aspect, a computer-implemented method is featured including the steps of: generating data based on a sample collected by a chemical detector, the data comprising a detection signal; transmitting the data from a transceiver coupled to the chemical detector to a processing device over a secure network; receiving a control signal at the chemical detector, the control signal being generated by the processing device based on a user input received at the processing device; and operating the chemical detector based on the control signal.

In a further aspect, a computer-implemented method is featured including the steps of: transmitting, by a transceiver coupled to a chemical detector and a processing device, over a secure link information comprising a detection signal indicating whether a chemical has been detected by the chemical detector; and processing, by the processing device, a control signal received over the secure link from a remote apparatus, the control signal specifying a function to be performed by the processing device and/or the chemical detector, such that the function includes one or more of: adjusting one or more parameters of the chemical detector to detect a type of chemical specified by the control signal and/or to detect a specific chemical specified by the control signal; initiating a mass calibration routine, a concentration calibration routine, a diagnostic routine, and/or a verification request; transmitting mass spectrum data, a list of detected chemicals, and/or a detection history; and/or selecting an inlet of the chemical detector to receive chemical samples, the inlet specified by the control signal.

Implementations of the above aspects may include one or more of the following features. The processing device can be a handheld device. The control signal can specify at least one of types of chemicals to be detected by the chemical detector, individual chemicals to be detected by the chemical detector, a mass calibration request, a concentration calibration request, a diagnostics request, requests for types of information, a request for a verification analysis, a request to operate different inlets of the chemical detector, and a request to display information instructing a user of the chemical detector on an appropriate user response to the detection signal. The types of information can include at least one of a mass spectrum, a list of detected chemicals, concentrations, and a detection history. The verification analysis can include at least one of gas chromatography analysis, MS" analysis, differential mobility spectrometry analysis, and differential mobility analyzer analysis. The request to operate different inlets of the chemical detector can include a request to operate at least one of the following: a pre-concentrator inlet, a MIMS inlet, a gas chromatograph inlet, a differential mobility spectrometer inlet, and/or a differential mobility analyzer inlet.

Processing can include determining whether a chemical has been detected based on the detection signal, such that the human readable message includes a graphical image indicating a result of the determination. Processing can include generating a graphical image representing a mass spectrum based on the detection signal, such that displaying the human readable message includes displaying the graphical image. Processing can include generating a list of detected chemicals based on the detection signal, such that displaying the human readable message includes displaying the list of detected chemicals. The method can further include triangulating a position of the transceiver based on a signal transmitted from the transceiver. The data can include a GPS signal indicating a position of the transceiver. The transceiver can be one of a plurality of transceivers coupled to one of a plurality of chemical detectors. The method can further include initiating the secure connection with the plurality of transceivers; and requesting transmission of respective detection signals. The data can include first data that is generated by the chemical detector based on a first sample collected at the chemical detector. The method can further include receiving second data at the processing device, the second data having been transferred over a secure connection from a transceiver coupled to the chemical detector, such that the second data is generated by the chemical detector based on a second sample collected at the chemical detector, the first sample corresponding to a first location of the chemical detector and the second sample corresponding to a second location of the chemical detector. The second location can be determined based on the first data. The chemical detector can be one of a plurality of chemical detectors in communication with the processing device over the secure connection. The method can further include authorizing communication between the processing device and the chemical detector. The method can further include: generating a request based on the data; transmitting the request to a server; and receiving a response from the server, the response being generated based on the request. The request can include a request to process the data, and the response comprises a result of processing the data. The request can include a request to retrieve additional data from the chemical detector, and the response can include a result of processing the additional data. The additional data can be received at the processing device and is transmitted to the server by the processing device. The additional data can be received at the server from the chemical detector. The response can also be received by the chemical detector. The response can be determined from a look-up table using information of the request as input to the look-up table. The method can further include transmitting the data from the processing device to a second processing device. The method can further include: receiving user input at the second processing device; generating a second control signal based on the user input; and transmitting the second control signal to the chemical detector. The secure connection can be a secure wireless connection. The chemical detector can be a mass spectrometer. The method can further include: processing, by the processing device, a signal received over the secure link from a second transceiver coupled to a second chemical detector and a second processing device, the signal indicating whether a chemical has been detected; and responsive to processing the received signal, transmitting the signal over the secure link to the remote apparatus and/or to a third transceiver coupled to a third chemical detector and a third processing device. The information can further include alarms, a GPS signal, and/or operational status. The operational status can include an operating mode, a vacuum level, temperatures, voltages, and/or battery life. The alarms can include an equipment malfunction alarm. The secure link can be a secure wireless link.

In yet another aspect, a computer-readable storage medium coupled to one or more processors is featured having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more of the methods described above. In still another aspect, a system is featured including a computing device including one or more processors; and a computer-readable storage medium coupled to the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more of the methods described above.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a chemical detection system including a remote communication device for monitoring and controlling a chemical detector.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating communication components of a chemical detection system including multiple communication paths.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplar communication process between a processing device and a chemical detector.

FIGS. 4A-4C are exemplar graphical images illustrating display modes of a remote communication device.

FIG. 5A-5C are diagrams illustrating exemplar chemical detection networks.

Like reference numbers indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description below, for the purposes of explanation, specific examples related to monitoring and controlling miniature mass spectrometers with an application executed on a smart phone have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the implementations of the subject matter described in this specification. It is appreciated that the implementations described herein can be utilized in other capacities as well and need not be limited to detecting chemicals using an ion trap mass spectrometer or monitoring and controlling such chemical detectors using a smart phone. For example, chemicals or substances may be detected using other types of detectors, including, for example, infrared radiation detectors, photo ionization detectors, gas chromatography with photo ionization detection systems (GC-PID), surface acoustic wave (SAW) chemical detectors, carbon nanotube gas ionization sensors, ion mobility spectrometers, etc. Further, implementations may include a handheld computing device or other remote apparatus to monitor and control the chemical detector, including, for example, a personal data assistant (PDA), a tablet/laptop computer, an embedded processor system, a mobile command center computer, etc.

Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the claims.

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a chemical detection system including remote communication device 105 (e.g., a smart phone) and chemical detector 1 10 (e.g., a miniature ion trap mass spectrometer). Remote communication device 105 and chemical detector 110 each include a transceiver 1 15, 1 16 coupled to a processor 120, 121 for transmitting and receiving information between remote communication device 105 and chemical detector 110. A memory 125, 126 is coupled to processor 120, 121, respectively, storing executable instructions 130, 131 for monitoring and controlling chemical detector 110. A user interface 135 (e.g., a text or graphical display screen housed within remote communication device 105 or coupled thereto, including, e.g., a heads-up display screen) is also included in remote communication device 105 and is coupled to processor 120 for displaying messages generated by the executable instructions. In some implementations, chemical detector 110 also includes a user interface 136 for displaying status information, configuration

information, communications received from remote communication device 105 and/or other chemical detectors 110, etc.

In some implementations user interface 135 and/or user interface 136 include a touch sensitive screen for receiving user input. Some implementations include a user input device 137, 138 such as, for example, a keyboard, screen navigation and/or selection keys, a track ball, a click wheel, a microphone for accepting voice commands, etc. Some implementations include limited input/output options at the chemical detector to simplify operation by field personnel. For example, user interface 136 may include a start key for initiating the sample collection or powering the unit and a binary visual indicator, e.g., red-light, and/or green-light to indicate a result of the analysis/detection.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating communication components of a chemical detection system including multiple communication paths. A communication link may be established via a public network or a private network based on the intended use and available infrastructure. In some implementations, information is provided wirelessly, for example, through web service/firewall 210 to Internet 220. Multiple paths may exist for transferring the information through Internet 220 to remote communication device 105. For example, Internet connectivity 205 may be provided by means of satellite receiver 221, cellular network 222, Bluetooth system 223, Wi-Fi (802.1 1) system 224, cable modem 225, DSL dial-up 226 and PBX system 227. In some implementations, a communication link is established with a transceiver 228 using a modulation technique over a radio or microwave frequency, including, for example, FM, AM, TDMA, CDMA, GSM, etc. In some implementations, information is provided over a wired connection, for example, via Ethernet, RS-485, Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, etc. Each of these connectivity systems 205 may provide the information to remote communication device 105 (e.g., smart phone 230, PDA 231, PDA phone 232, a Windows CE/.NET type device 233, a Tablet PC type device 234, a PC/Laptop type device 235, etc.).

A communication link between remote communication device 105 and chemical detector 110 may be initiated by either device and established using one of several communication protocols including, for example, TCP/IP, Open Systems Interconnect (OSI), Common CRBN Sensor Interface (CCSI), etc. The communication link is made secure via an encryption layer implemented in software and/or hardware including, for example, implementations of Data Encryption Standard (DES), Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), etc. In some implementations, each device is configured to register with a remote server, for example, at startup or during an initialization process, or on user command. Upon successful registration and/or authentication, registered devices receive information related to any available resources then present on the network. In some implementations, registered devices are configured to listen for packet communications identifying the device as the intended receiving device.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplar communication process 300 between a processing device (e.g., remote communication device 105) and a chemical detector (e.g., chemical detector 110). As illustrated, a chemical detector generates a detection signal based on a measurement sample (305) and transmits data including the detection signal to a processing device over a secure wireless connection (310). The processing device receives the data (315) and processes the data to generate a human readable message (320). For example, in some implementations, the processing device determines whether a chemical has been detected based on the detection signal, and generates a human readable message including a graphical image indicating the result of the determination (e.g., a mass spectrum, a list of detected chemicals, a threat condition, etc.). In addition, or alternatively, the human readable message may include a simple status indicator (e.g., red light/green light) which indicates, for example, a need to withdraw from the area and/or take precautionary measures. In some implementations, the data also includes a GPS signal indicating the location of the chemical detector, and in some implementations, the processing device triangulates a position of the chemical detector based on a signal transmitted from the chemical detector's transceiver. The processing device displays the human readable message on a user interface of the processing device (325) and receives input from a user of the processing device (330). The processing device generates a control signal based on the user input (335) and transmits the control signal to the chemical detector over the secure wireless connection (340). Upon receiving the control signal, the chemical detector executes a function specified by the control signal. For example, specified functions may include one or more of adjusting one or more parameters of the chemical detector to detect a type of chemical specified by the control signal and/or to detect a specific chemical specified by the control signal, initiating a mass calibration routine, a concentration calibration routine, a diagnostic routine, and/or a verification routine, transmitting mass spectrum data, a list of detected chemicals, and/or a detection history, and/or selecting an inlet of the chemical detector to receive chemical samples, the inlet specified by the control signal. As another example, a human readable message can be displayed at the chemical detector.

In addition to control signals and detection signals, information communicated between remote communication device 105 and chemical detector 1 10 may include other information, including, for example, measurement data, status information (e.g., an operating mode, a vacuum level, temperatures, voltages, and/or battery life), location information (e.g., GPS data), alarms (e.g., equipment malfunction, low battery, user error, etc.), and/or a need for maintenance (e.g., to indicate the near depletion of or expiration of consumables). The control signal, in some implementations, specifies at least one of types of chemicals to be detected by the chemical detector, individual chemicals to be detected by the chemical detector, a mass calibration request, a concentration calibration request, a diagnostics request, requests for types of information, and execution of a verification procedure.

In some implementations, a verification procedure is performed automatically upon a positive detection of a chemical (e.g., by chemical detector 110 or responsive to a control signal received from remote communication device 105). The verification procedure includes, for example, activating available inlets (e.g., semipermeable membrane (MIMS), a pre-concentrator, etc.), collecting additional measurement data from available inlets, for example, from a gas chromatograph, a differential mobility spectrometer (DMS), differential mobility analyzer (DMA), etc., and/or performing an MS" analysis to validate the detection result. In this manner, an initial detection signal can be verified based on subsequent sampling and detection signals.

Some or all verification procedures may be repeated or initiated manually by a user of remote communication device 105. In some implementations, for example, chemical detector 1 10 transmits a detection signal to remote communication device 105. A user of remote communication device 105 (e.g., a chemist) may interpret the data and provide user input to which remote communication device 105 responds by requesting additional data and/or that a verification procedure be performed. Additionally, the user (e.g., a chemist) may transfer control of the chemical detector to a second remote communication device 105 operated by another user (e.g., an engineer) to initiate additional verification procedures and/or interpret the information and detection signals received from chemical detector 1 10. The user can also transfer data to the second remote communication device operated by the other user, which data can include data originally transferred by the chemical detector 1 10. In this manner, the chemical detector 110 is not required to re-transmit the original data for receipt by the second remote communication device.

In some cases, the control signal includes a query signal or polling signal requesting each of a plurality of chemical detectors provide detection signals and/or other data. The measurement data, in some examples, includes at least one of mass spectrum data, a list of detected chemicals, and a detection history. The measurement data may also include multiple data samples taken at different locations and/or times.

In some implementations, chemical detector 1 10 is configured to process the measurement data and to indicate a course adjustment to the user based on the processed measurement data. For example, the course adjustment may indicate a direction of decreasing concentration of a detected chemical (e.g., to minimize exposure of field personnel using chemical detector 1 10) or of increasing concentration (e.g., to guide a hazardous materials team attempting to identify a source of contamination) based on samples taken at different locations and/or times. In some implementations, the course adjustment information is provided by remote communication device 105 based on the data received from chemical detector 1 10.

Figures 4A-4C are exemplar screen shots illustrating adjustable parameters, communication settings, and received data for a mass spectrometer. In addition to the parameters identified in the illustration, other parameters may be used for determining the status and or controlling the operation of the mass spectrometer and/or a component thereof. For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 12/472, 11 1, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes systems and methods for driving and operating an ion trap mass spectrometer or mass filter.

In some implementations, preprogrammed events trigger the communication of information/data from chemical detector 1 10. Triggering events include, for example, detection of one or more predetermined chemicals, detected equipment malfunctions or system errors, expiration of a predetermined time period, re-initialization of the chemical detector by a user, a communication request initiated by the remote communication device, etc. The preprogrammed events, predetermined chemicals, and/or predetermined time periods may be user programmable and/or determined by the component manufacturer. In some implementations, receipt of certain types of communications trigger the retransmission of the received communication. For example, a chemical detector 110 may be configured to act as a repeater for neighboring chemical detector transmissions to extend the broadcast range of the chemical detection system. In some implementations, chemical detector 1 10 and/or remote communication device 105 may transmit a signal to receiving devices in proximity to a location at which a chemical detection event has occurred. For example, upon detection of a predetermined chemical, chemical detector 110 transmits a detection signal indicating the event. Upon receiving the detection signal, the receiving device notifies its user, for example, by generating an audible alarm signal and/or a providing visual indicator. In some implementations, the receiving device indicates the occurrence of a detection event to the user by activating a red LED (e.g., indicating a detection event and/or threat condition) or activating a green LED (e.g., indicating no detection event and/or an "all clear" condition). In some implementations, the receiving device (e.g., a second chemical detector 110) executes a detection command to tune its analysis, for example, to detect the chemical detected by the first chemical detector. Remote communication device 105 may also issue, or be used by a user to issue, commands to other chemical detectors to, for example, tune their analysis routine to look specifically for the chemical that chemical detector 1 10 alarmed upon.

In another implementation, chemical detector 110, upon triggering an alarm, communicates with remote device 105 which in turn communicates with a central database or repository to retrieve information to be supplied to the user at the location of chemical detector 110 and/or a plurality of detectors in the vicinity. For example, upon triggering an alarm that a chemical warfare agent is present, chemical detector 1 10 communicates with remote device 105 indicating an alarm has occurred. Remote device 105 communicates a command sequence to verify the alarm at chemical detector 1 10 and upon a verified result, communicates with a repository to extract the methods by which the user is to deal with the threat. The information is communicated to chemical detector 110 (e.g., don personal protective equipment, PPE). Remote device 105 may also, in this example, communicate the instructional information to a plurality of chemical detectors 110 in the vicinity for display.

Figure 5A is a diagram illustrating an exemplar chemical detection network including multiple chemical detectors 110 distributed over a geographic area. Chemical detectors 110 include respective GPS locators providing location information to remote communication device 105. For example, chemical detectors 110 may be carried by field personnel traversing the region or may be mounted to manned or unmanned vehicles, such as, for example, unmanned aerial vehicles and/or rovers. Remote communication device 105 receives location information and detection signals from each of the chemical detectors 1 10 from which a user can derive chemical concentration and distribution across the area and/or movement patterns of airborne chemical agents. In some implementations, remote communication device 105 processes the data and generates display information indicating detected patterns of chemical movement and/or concentration enabling supervising personnel to redirect field personnel and/or resources based on the information.

Figure 5B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplar chemical detection network including multiple chemical detectors 110 distributed among predetermined locations. In some implementations, chemical detectors 1 10 are programmed to provide information indicating a location of the chemical detector or an identifier which remote communication device 105 correlates to a known location. For example, chemical detectors 1 10 may be distributed at predetermined locations across a network of subway tunnels, city streets, water ways, building corridors, plant perimeters, exhaust systems, etc. to detect environment conditions, pollution, and/or chemical agents. Additional examples provide chemical detectors 1 10 at predetermined locations or steps along a manufacturing line or production line to detect contaminants and/or ambient conditions, such as, for example, in a

semiconductor plant or a food processing plant. Detection signals are transmitted to one or more remote communication devices 105 to enable monitoring, data collection, and responsive action by supervising personnel.

In some implementations, chemical detector 110 is inserted into a predetermined location (e.g., a stairwell or a factory window) prior to a first responder entering the area. Detection signals are transmitted to one or more remote communication devices 105 to provide an opportunity for first response personnel to determine whether a risk of contamination exists, and if so, what type of contamination exists, and/or what protective measures are appropriate in a given situation.

Figure 5C is a block diagram illustrating an exemplar chemical detection network including multiple chemical detectors 1 10, multiple remote communication devices 105, and a central processing server 510 in communication with chemical detectors 1 10 and remote communication device 105. In some implementations, central processing server 510 may be a stand-alone server or a distributed application operating on multiple server nodes. Central processing server 510, in some examples, is configured to collect and archive information received from chemical detectors 110 including detection signals, location information, trace data, etc. In some implementations, central processing server 510 processes the data by correlating received information with other detected or programmed events (e.g., equipment replacement, weather patterns, seasons, time of day, traffic patterns, etc.). In some implementations, the received information is processed to generate graphical images for display on remote communication devices 105 (e.g., a detection status of chemical detectors 1 10, a mass spectrum display based on information received from one or more chemical detectors 1 10, a list of chemicals detected, a geographic map indicating chemical concentrations, maintenance schedules for each of chemical detectors 1 10, etc.).

Embodiments of the subject matter and the operations described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on computer storage medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus.

Alternatively or in addition, the program instructions can be encoded on an

artificially-generated propagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, that is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus for execution by a data processing apparatus. A computer storage medium can be, or be included in, a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory array or device, or a combination of one or more of them. Moreover, while a computer storage medium is not a propagated signal, a computer storage medium can be a source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in an artificially-generated propagated signal. The computer storage medium can also be, or be included in, one or more separate physical components or media (e.g., multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices).

The operations described in this specification can be implemented as operations performed by a data processing apparatus on data stored on one or more computer-readable storage devices or received from other sources.

The term "data processing apparatus" encompasses all kinds of apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, a system on a chip, or multiple ones, or combinations, of the foregoing The apparatus can include special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). The apparatus can also include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, a cross-platform runtime environment, a virtual machine, or a combination of one or more of them. The apparatus and execution

environment can realize various different computing model infrastructures, such as web services, distributed computing and grid computing infrastructures.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written using any development environment, including a compiler, a cross- platform application framework, etc., in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform actions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing actions in accordance with instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, to name just a few. Devices suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described in this specification, or any combination of one or more such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network ("LAN") and a wide area network ("WAN"), an inter-network (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad hoc peer- to-peer networks), or proprietary purpose built systems (e.g., CCSI networks in use by the US military)..

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In some embodiments, a server transmits data to a client device (e.g., for purposes of displaying data to and receiving user input from a user interacting with the client device). Data generated at the client device (e.g., a result of the user interaction) can be received from the client device at the server.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate

embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. In addition, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving data at a processing device, the data having been transferred over a secure connection from a transceiver coupled to a chemical detector and comprising a detection signal generated by the chemical detector;

processing the data using the processing device to generate a human readable message;

displaying the human readable message on a user interface of the processing device; receiving user input at the processing device;

generating a control signal based on the user input; and

transmitting the control signal to the chemical detector.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing device is a handheld device.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control signal specifies at least one of types of chemicals to be detected by the chemical detector, individual chemicals to be detected by the chemical detector, a mass calibration request, a concentration calibration request, a diagnostics request, requests for types of information, a request for a verification analysis, a request to operate different inlets of the chemical detector, and a request to display information instructing a user of the chemical detector on an appropriate user response to the detection signal.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the types of information include at least one of a mass spectrum, a list of detected chemicals, concentrations, and a detection history.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the verification analysis includes at least one of gas chromatography analysis, MS" analysis, differential mobility spectrometry analysis, and differential mobility analyzer analysis.

6. The method according to claim 3, 4, or 5, wherein the request to operate different inlets of the chemical detector includes a request to operate at least one of the following: a pre-concentrator inlet, a MIMS inlet, a gas chromatograph inlet, a differential mobility spectrometer inlet, and/or a differential mobility analyzer inlet.

7. The method according to any one or the preceding claims, wherein the processing comprises determining whether a chemical has been detected based on the detection signal, and wherein the human readable message comprises a graphical image indicating a result of the determination.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing comprises generating a graphical image representing a mass spectrum based on the detection signal, and wherein displaying the human readable message comprises displaying the graphical image.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing comprises generating a list of detected chemicals based on the detection signal, and wherein displaying the human readable message comprises displaying the list of detected chemicals.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, the method further comprising triangulating a position of the transceiver based on a signal transmitted from the transceiver.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data further comprises a GPS signal indicating a position of the transceiver.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transceiver is one of a plurality of transceivers coupled to one of a plurality of chemical detectors.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

initiating the secure connection with the plurality of transceivers; and

requesting transmission of respective detection signals.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data comprises first data that is generated by the chemical detector based on a first sample collected at the chemical detector.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising receiving second data at the processing device, the second data having been transferred over a secure connection from a transceiver coupled to the chemical detector, wherein the second data is generated by the chemical detector based on a second sample collected at the chemical detector, the first sample corresponding to a first location of the chemical detector and the second sample corresponding to a second location of the chemical detector.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the second location is determined based on the first data.

17. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chemical detector is one of a plurality of chemical detectors in communication with the processing device over the secure connection.

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising authorizing communication between the processing device and the chemical detector.

19. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

generating a request based on the data;

transmitting the request to a server; and

receiving a response from the server, the response being generated based on the request.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the request comprises a request to process the data, and the response comprises a result of processing the data.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the request comprises a request to retrieve additional data from the chemical detector, and the response comprises a result of processing the additional data.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the additional data is received at the processing device and is transmitted to the server by the processing device.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the additional data is received at the server from the chemical detector.

24. The method according to any one of claims 19 through 23, wherein the response is also received by the chemical detector.

25. The method according to any one of claims 19 through 24, wherein the response is determined from a look-up table using information of the request as input to the look-up table.

26. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising transmitting the data from the processing device to a second processing device.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

receiving user input at the second processing device;

generating a second control signal based on the user input; and

transmitting the second control signal to the chemical detector.

28. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the secure connection is a secure wireless connection.

29. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chemical detector is a mass spectrometer.

30. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

generating data based on a sample collected by a chemical detector, the data comprising a detection signal;

transmitting the data from a transceiver coupled to the chemical detector to a processing device over a secure network;

receiving a control signal at the chemical detector, the control signal being generated by the processing device based on a user input received at the processing device;

operating the chemical detector based on the control signal.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the control signal specifies at least one of types of chemicals to be detected by the chemical detector, individual chemicals to be detected by the chemical detector, a mass calibration request, a concentration calibration request, a diagnostics request, requests for types of information, a verification request, a request to operate different inlets of the chemical detector, and a request to display information instructing a user of the chemical detector on an appropriate user response to the detection signal.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein the types of information include at least one of a mass spectrum, a list of detected chemicals, and a detection history.

33. The method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the verification request includes a request for at least one of gas chromatography analysis, MS" analsysis, differential mobility spectrometry analysis, and differential mobility analyzer analysis.

34. The method according to claim 31, 32, or 33, wherein the request to operate different inlets of the chemical detector includes a request to operate at least one of the following: a pre-concentrator inlet, a MIMS inlet, a gas chromatograph inlet, a differential mobility spectrometer inlet, and a differential mobility analyzer inlet.

35. The method according to any one of claims 30 through 34, further comprising:

processing the data at the chemical detector to generate a human readable message; and

displaying the human readable message on a user interface of the chemical detector.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the processing comprises determining whether a chemical has been detected, and wherein the human readable message comprises a graphical image indicating a result of the determination.

37. The method according to any one of claims 30 through 36, further comprising:

processing the data using the processing device;

generating a graphical image representing a mass spectrum based on the processing; and displaying the graphical image on the processing device.

38. The method according to any one of claims 30 through 36, further comprising: processing the data using the processing device;

generating a list of detected chemicals based on the data; and

displaying the list of detected chemicals on a user interface of the processing device.

39. The method according to any one of claims 30 through 38, further comprising triangulating a position of the transceiver based on a signal transmitted from the transceiver.

40. The method according to any one of the claims 30 through 39, wherein the data further comprises a GPS signal indicating a position of the transceiver.

41. The method according to any one of claims 30 through 40, wherein the transceiver is one of a plurality of transceivers coupled to one of a plurality of chemical detectors.

42. A method according to claim 41, further comprising:

initiating a connection with the plurality of transceivers over the secure network; and requesting transmission of respective detection signals.

43. A method according to any one of the claims 30 through 42, wherein the data comprises first data and the sample comprises a first sample.

44. A method according to claim 43, further comprising generating second data based on a second sample collected by the chemical detector, the first sample corresponding to a first location of the chemical detector and the second sample corresponding to a second location of the chemical detector.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the second location is determined based on the first data.

46. A method according to any one of claims 30 through 45, further comprising authorizing communication between the processing device and the chemical detector.

47. A method according to any one of claims 30 through 46, further comprising:

generating a request based on the data;

transmitting the request to a server; and

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein the request comprises a request to process the data, and the response comprises a result of processing the data.

49. A method according to claim 47 or 48, wherein the request comprises a request to retrieve additional data from the chemical detector, and the response comprises a result of processing the additional data.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the additional data is received at the processing device and is transmitted to the server by the processing device.

51. A method according to claim 49, wherein the additional data is received at the server from the chemical detector.

52. A method according to any one of claims 47 through 51, wherein the response is also received by the chemical detector.

53. A method according to any one of claims 47 through 52, wherein the response is determined from a look-up table using information of the request as input to the look-up table.

54. A method according to any one of claims 30 through 53, further comprising transmitting the data from the processing device to a second processing device.

55. A method according to claim 54, further comprising:

receiving user input at the second processing device;

generating a second control signal based on the user input; and transmitting the second control signal to the chemical detector.

56. A method according to any one of claims 30 through 55, wherein the processing device is a handheld device.

57. A method according to any one of claims 30 through 56, wherein the secure network is a secure wireless network.

58. A method according to any one of claims 30 through 57, wherein the chemical detector is a mass spectrometer.

59. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

transmitting, by a transceiver coupled to a chemical detector and a processing device, over a secure link information comprising a detection signal indicating whether a chemical has been detected by the chemical detector; and

processing, by the processing device, a control signal received over the secure link from a remote apparatus, the control signal specifying a function to be performed by the processing device and/or the chemical detector;

wherein the function includes one or more of:

adjusting one or more parameters of the chemical detector to detect a type of chemical specified by the control signal and/or to detect a specific chemical specified by the control signal;

initiating a mass calibration routine, a concentration calibration routine, a diagnostic routine, and/or a verification request;

transmitting mass spectrum data, a list of detected chemicals, and/or a detection history; and/or

selecting an inlet of the chemical detector to receive chemical samples, the inlet specified by the control signal.

60. A method according to claim 59, the method further comprising:

processing, by the processing device, a signal received over the secure link from a second transceiver coupled to a second chemical detector and a second processing device, the signal indicating whether a chemical has been detected; and responsive to processing the received signal, transmitting the signal over the secure link to the remote apparatus and/or to a third transceiver coupled to a third chemical detector and a third processing device.

61. A method according to claim 59 or 60, wherein the information further comprises alarms, a GPS signal, and/or operational status.

62. A method according to claim 61, wherein the operational status includes an operating mode, a vacuum level, temperatures, voltages, and/or battery life.

63. A method according to claim 61 or 62, wherein the alarms include an equipment malfunction alarm.

64. A method according to any one of claims 59 through 63, wherein the secure link is a secure wireless link.

65. A computer-readable storage medium coupled to one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

66. A system comprising:

a computing device including one or more processors; and

a computer-readable storage medium coupled to the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method in accordance with any one of claims 1 through 64.