Roaming robotic sensor earns OneNeck first patent

Sensor measures temperature in data center cabinets.

A robotic sensor earns OneNeck IT Solutions their first-ever patent. The Lewis, U.S. Patent No. 9,843,847 for “Temperature-Humidity Monitoring Assembly for Closed Server Cabinet” disclosure and claims are directed to a vertically sweeping roaming robotic-sensor designed to move up and down a closed server cabinet. Data centers include hundreds of such cabinets. During each vertical sweep, the sensor assembly records the heat and humidity then generates a color-coded heat map.

“It’s a game-changer for our clients,” said Hank Koch, SVP of Mission Critical Facilities at OneNeck. “We can leverage this sensor to test the climate within client’s cabinets and then use the information to better protect their mission critical servers and IT-equipment. The robotic sensor is innovative, non-intrusive and extremely effective.”

The newly patented sensor attaches to the inside of the cabinet door — without any modification or drilling. Fully controlled from outside the cabinet, the motor and belt-driven rail assembly unit (as shown in this short video), slowly and incrementally raises the sensor until it reaches the top of the cabinet, and then lowers it back to the base. A heat-map is then generated.

“With pinpoint accuracy, the heat-map reveals any and all hot spots,” said Koch. “Equipped with this information, our facilities technicians can quickly and efficiently make the necessary adjustments to improve overall air flow. Bottom-line, this unique monitoring device can aid our clients in managing their internal rack, cable placement and airflows, thus preventing overheating, early burn-out or, even worse, downtime.”

Preventing downtime is the top priority for OneNeck. The company, which operates top-tier, purpose-built data centers in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon and Wisconsin, is steadfast in its focus to keep the facilities fully operational, 24/7. According to the company, these state-of-the-art facilities were built to protect client’s IT assets from natural disasters. Each data center includes infrastructure redundancy, customizable security measures, biometrics, multi-factor authentication and 24/7 video surveillance.

With input and assistance from parent company Telephone and Data Systems, OneNeck was provided the resources to pursue its first patent, which was issued on Dec. 12, 2017.

“This was a unique idea and opportunity,” said Terry Swanson, president and CEO of OneNeck. “Coupled with the fact that there was no evidence another similar device was available in the United States, we elected to pursue a patent. Now, having been awarded the patent, it’s a very exciting position to be in!”

From a business perspective, Koch added, “The patent allows us to differentiate ourselves and the way we run our data centers. Essentially, we’re the only company helping its customers maintain climate hygiene within their cabinets with automated, quantitative, front and back, entire-cabinet climate profiling. Based on our research, it doesn’t look like any other colocation provider has anything like it.”

In fact, the patent limits other providers from making and/or using similar server cabinet sensor assemblies.

In addition to offering colocation space at its data centers, OneNeck offers a full suite of hybrid IT solutions including cloud and hosting solutions, managed services, enterprise application management, professional services and IT hardware. Visit oneneck.com for more information.

OneNeck IT Solutions LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., employs nearly 550 people throughout the U.S. The company offers hybrid IT solutions including cloud and hosting solutions, managed services, enterprise application management, advanced IT services, hardware and local connectivity via top-tier data centers in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon and Wisconsin. OneNeck’s team of technology professionals manage secure, world-class, hybrid IT infrastructures and applications for businesses around the country. Visit oneneck.com.

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS], a Fortune 1000 company, provides wireless; cable and wireline broadband, TV and voice; and hosted and managed services to approximately six million customers nationwide through its businesses U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom, OneNeck IT Solutions, and TDS Broadband Service. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. employs more than 9,900 people. Visit tdsinc.com.