System and method for collecting, storing, and displaying process data including particle measurement data

Abstract

A system and method are provided for collecting, storing, and displaying a plurality of different types of process data, including accumulated and differential particle counts, from remote locations without requiring manual intervention. The system includes a plurality of particle measuring instruments disposed at respective locations distributed about a facility in order to collect particle data. The system also includes a process data collection device for providing process data other than particle data, such as temperature, pressure or humidity level. The system is interconnected with the plurality of particle measuring instruments and the process data collection device by means of a computer network. As such, the particle data and process data can be provided to a computer network for collection and storage. Thereafter, the particle data and the process data can be remotely displayed at a graphic user interface.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for collecting, storing, and displaying particle measurement data from a plurality of particle measuring instruments comprising: 
 repeatedly measuring particles from a plurality of remote locations;    calculating an accumulated particle count and a differential particle count for each remote location;    determining process data other than particle measurements from a plurality of remote process data measuring locations;    transmitting accumulated particle counts and differential particle counts and process data from each remote location via a computer network, wherein transmitting the process data comprises providing the process data to the computer network in a manner independent of the accumulated particle counts and differential particle counts;    storing accumulated particle counts, differential particle counts, and process data; and    displaying at least some of the accumulated particle counts, differential particle counts, and process data graphically.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said displaying step further comprises selectively displaying at least one of the differential particle counts and the accumulated particle counts.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said measuring step includes discriminating particle counts by particle size.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein said displaying step further comprises selectively displaying accumulated particle counts for a predetermined particle size.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said determining step includes determining process data including a relative humidity, a temperature, and a pressure.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said transmitting step includes transmitting instrument data other than particle counts from a plurality of particle measuring instruments, wherein the method further comprises parsing the accumulated particle counts from the instrument data, and wherein said storing step includes storing accumulated particle counts and associating a respective name with the accumulated particle counts according to the instrument data relating thereto.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  further comprising identifying and monitoring erroneous instrument data.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein said displaying step includes displaying a graphic representation of erroneous instrument data.