Methods and devices for altering data collection in a food processing system

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for data acquisition in a food processing environment are disclosed. A device may include an analog switch, a data acquisition circuit to request and receive values corresponding to input sensors connected to the analog switch and associated with a food processing system and a data pool. A device may further include a data storage component to store specifications and anticipated state information for the input sensors, and a response circuit to provide direction regarding a manner in which detection values are requested, wherein the analog switch is adapted to selectively couple, in response to the anticipated state information, at least one of the plurality of inputs to at least one of the plurality of outputs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 an analog switch comprising a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs;   a data acquisition circuit adapted to request and receive a plurality of detection values associated with a food processing system, each of the plurality of detection values corresponding to a plurality of input sensors forming a data pool and communicatively coupled to the data acquisition circuit wherein each of the input sensors is coupled to at least one of the plurality of inputs of the analog switch;   a data storage component adapted to store specifications and anticipated state information for the plurality of input sensors of the data pool; and   a response circuit adapted to provide the data acquisition circuit with direction regarding a manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested,   wherein the analog switch is adapted to selectively couple, in response to the anticipated state information, at least one of the plurality of inputs to at least one of the plurality of outputs.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a prediction of a duration of a mixing before a food being processed achieves a predefined viscosity. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a speed of a mixer forming a part of the food processing system. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a temperature of a food being mixed by the food processing system. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a predefined threshold for the food. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on one or more viscometric measurements of a food being mixed by the food processing system. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a predefined threshold for the one or more viscometric measurements. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the response circuit is adapted to utilize a predefined minimum number of variables and a predefined maximum number of variables. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a noise pattern of the food processing system. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 requesting and receiving a plurality of detection values associated with a food processing system, each of the plurality of detection values corresponding to a plurality of input sensors forming a data pool, wherein each of the input sensors is coupled to at least one of the plurality of inputs of an analog switch comprising a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs;   storing specifications and anticipated state information for the plurality of input sensors of the data pool; and   providing a direction regarding a manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested,   wherein the analog switch is adapted to selectively couple, in response to the anticipated state information, at least one of the plurality of inputs to at least one of the plurality of outputs.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a prediction of a duration of a mixing before a food being processed achieves a predefined viscosity. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a speed of a mixer forming a part of the food processing system. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a temperature of a food being mixed by the food processing system. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a predefined threshold for the food. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on one or more viscometric measurements of a food being mixed by the food processing system. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a predefined threshold for the one or more viscometric measurements. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising utilizing a predefined minimum number of variables and a predefined maximum number of variables. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the manner in which the plurality of detection values is requested is based, at least in part, on a noise pattern of the food processing system.