Using a wireless interface for monitoring, maintenance, and control of devices

• US 20030151489A1
• Filed: 02/08/2002
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Fainguelernt, Jacob, Shbiro, Eyal
• Application Number:
  US10/071,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20030151489A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/3.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices

Abstract

A wireless system having at least one device that is adapted to wirelessly receive at least one signal that alters at least one condition of the device and that is adapted to wirelessly transmit at least one signal that is indicative of at least one condition of the device. The wireless system also having a tool in wireless communication with the device that is adapted to receive the indicative signal from the device and that is adapted to transmit the alterative signal to the device.

Claims

1. A wireless system comprising:

at least one device that includes at least one electrical component;

a first transceiver coupled to the at least one device, the transceiver adapted to wirelessly receive at least one first signal for the at least one device and adapted to wirelessly transmit at least one second signal for the at least one device;

a tool adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of the at least one device; and

a second transceiver coupled to the tool, the second transceiver in wireless communication with the first transceiver, the second transceiver adapted to receive the at least one second signal from the first transceiver and adapted to transmit the at least one first signal to the first transceiver.

2. The wireless system of claim 1, further comprising an evaluator that evaluates the at least one first signal at the tool, wherein the tool transmits the at least one second signal based on the evaluation.

3. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the first and second transceivers are adapted to communicate within a selected range.

4. The wireless system of claim 3, wherein the selected range is between approximately 10 cm and 100 m.

5. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the at least one device comprises a plurality of devices.

6. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first signal alters at least one condition of the at least one device.

7. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the at least one second signal is indicative of at least one condition of the at least one device.

8. A wireless system comprising:

a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices adapted to receive and transmit signals wirelessly; and

a tool in wireless communication with the devices, the tool adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of each of the plurality of devices, the tool respectively communicating with each of the plurality of devices using a different frequency, the tool adapted to respectively receive at least one signal at each of the different frequencies from each of the plurality of devices, wherein each of the signals is respectively indicative of at least one condition of each of the plurality of devices, the tool adapted to respectively transmit at least one signal at each of the different frequencies to each of the plurality of devices.

9. The wireless system of claim 8, wherein each of the signals transmitted by the tool respectively alter at least one condition of each of the plurality of devices.

10. The wireless system of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of transceivers, each of the plurality of transceivers respectively coupled to each of the plurality of devices, wherein each of the plurality of transceivers respectively transmits at least one of the indicative signals at each of the different frequencies to the tool, wherein each of the plurality of transceivers respectively receives at least one of the signals transmitted by the tool at each of the different frequencies.

11. The wireless system of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of devices respectively includes at least one component, wherein each of the components are respectively coupled to each of the plurality of transceivers.

12. The wireless system of claim 8, further comprising a transceiver that is coupled to the tool and that respectively receives each of the indicative signals at each of the different frequencies from each of the plurality of devices and respectively transmits each of the signals transmitted by the tool at each of the different frequencies to each of the plurality of devices.

13. The wireless system of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of first transceivers, each of the plurality of first transceivers respectively coupled to each of the plurality of devices, and further comprising a second transceiver, the second transceiver coupled to the tool and adapted to wirelessly communicate with each of the plurality of first transceivers.

14. The wireless system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality first transceivers and the second transceiver are adapted to communicate within a selected range.

15. The wireless system of claim 14, wherein the selected range is between approximately 10 cm and 100 m.

16. The wireless system of claim 8, further comprising an evaluator that evaluates each of the indicative signals at the tool, wherein each of the signals transmitted by the tool respectively alter at least one condition of each of the plurality of devices based on the evaluation.

17. A wireless system comprising:

at least one device;

a first transceiver that is coupled to the at least one device, wherein the first transceiver receives at least one signal from the at least one device that is indicative of at least one condition of the at least one device and transmits the at least one indicative signal, wherein the first transceiver receives at least one signal that alters at least one condition of the at least one device and transmits the at least one alterative signal to the at least one device to alter the condition;

a tool adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of the at least one device;

a second transceiver coupled to the tool and wirelessly coupled to the first transceiver, wherein the second transceiver receives the at least one indicative signal from the first transceiver and transmits the at least one indicative signal to the tool, wherein the second transceiver receives the at least one alterative signal from the tool and transmits the at least one alterative signal to the first transceiver; and

an evaluator that evaluates the at least one indicative signal at the tool, wherein the at least one alterative signal is based on the evaluation.

18. A wireless system comprising:

at least one device;

a first transceiver that is coupled to the at least one device, wherein the first transceiver receives at least one first signal from the at least one device and transmits the at least one first signal, wherein the at least one first signal requests data for the at least one device, wherein the first transceiver receives at least one second signal and transmits the at least one second signal to the at least one device, wherein the at least one second signal downloads the data to the at least one device;

a tool adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of the at least one device; and

a second transceiver coupled to the tool and wirelessly coupled to the first transceiver, wherein the second transceiver receives the at least one first signal from the first transceiver and transmits the at least one first signal to the tool, wherein the second transceiver receives the at least one second signal from the tool and transmits the at least one second signal to the first transceiver.

19. A wireless system comprising:

at least one device;

a first transceiver that is coupled to the at least one device, wherein the first transceiver receives at least one data signal and transmits the at least one data signal to the at least one device, wherein the at least one data signal downloads data to the at least one device;

a tool adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of the at least one device; and

a second transceiver coupled to the tool and wirelessly coupled to the first transceiver, wherein the second transceiver receives the at least one data signal from the tool and transmits the at least one data signal to the first transceiver.

20. A wireless system comprising:

a plurality of devices,

a plurality of first transceivers, each of the plurality of first transceivers respectively coupled to each of the plurality of devices, wherein each of the plurality of first transceivers respectively receives at least one signal from each of the plurality of devices that is indicative of at least one condition of each of the plurality of devices and respectively transmits each of the indicative signals at a different frequency, wherein each of the plurality of first transceivers respectively receives at least one signal at each of the different frequencies that alter at least one condition of each of the plurality of devices and respectively transmits each of the alterative signals to each of the plurality of devices to alter each of the conditions;

a tool adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of each of the plurality of devices;

a second transceiver coupled to the tool and wirelessly coupled to each of the plurality of first transceivers, wherein the second transceiver respectively receives each of the indicative signals from each of the plurality of first transceivers at each of the different frequencies and transmits each of the indicative signals to the tool, wherein the second transceiver receives each of the alterative signals from the tool and respectively transmits each of the alterative signals at each of the different frequencies to each of the plurality of first transceivers; and

an evaluator that evaluates each of the indicative signals at the tool, wherein each of the alterative signals are based on the evaluation.

21. A wireless system comprising:

at least one device that includes at least one component;

a first transceiver that is coupled to the at least one component, wherein the first transceiver receives at least one signal from the at least one component that is indicative of at least one condition of the at least one component and transmits the at least one indicative signal, wherein the first transceiver receives at least one signal that alters at least one condition of the at least one component and transmits the at least one alterative signal to the at least one component to alter the at least one condition;

a tool adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of the at least one device;

a second transceiver coupled to the tool and wirelessly coupled to the first transceiver, wherein the second transceiver receives the at least one indicative signal from the first transceiver and transmits the at least one indicative signal to the tool, wherein the second transceiver receives the at least one alterative signal from the tool and transmits the at least one alterative signal to the first transceiver; and

an evaluator that evaluates the at least one indicative signal at the tool, wherein the alterative signal is based on the evaluation.

22. A wireless system comprising:

a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices respectively including at least one component;

a plurality of first transceivers, each of the plurality of first transceivers respectively coupled to the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices, wherein each of the plurality of first transceivers respectively receives at least one signal from the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices that is indicative of at least one condition of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices and respectively transmits each of the indicative signals at a different frequency wirelessly, wherein each of the plurality of first transceivers respectively receives at least one signal at each of the different frequencies wirelessly that alters at least one condition of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices and respectively transmits each of the alterative signals to the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices to alter the at least one condition of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices;

a tool adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices;

a second transceiver coupled to the tool and wirelessly coupled to each of the plurality of first transceivers, wherein the second transceiver receives each of the indicative signals from each of the plurality of first transceivers at each of the different frequencies and transmits each of the indicative signals to the tool, wherein the second transceiver receives each of the alterative signals from the tool and respectively transmits each of alterative signals at each of the different frequencies to each of the plurality of first transceivers; and

an evaluator that evaluates the indicative signals at the tool, wherein the alterative signals are based on the evaluation.

23. A method for monitoring and altering conditions of devices from a remote location, the method comprising:

transmitting at least one signal from at least one device to a first transceiver that is indicative of at least one condition of the at least one device;

transmitting the at least one indicative signal wirelessly from the first transceiver to a second transceiver coupled to a tool that is adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of the at least one device;

transmitting the at least one indicative signal from the second transceiver to the tool;

transmitting at least one alterative signal from the tool to the second transceiver;

transmitting the at least one alterative signal wirelessly from the second transceiver to the first transceiver;

transmitting the at least one alterative signal from the first transceiver to the at least one device; and

altering at least one condition of the at least one device using the at least one alterative signal.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising evaluating the at least one indicative signal at the tool and altering the at least one condition of the at least one device based on the evaluation.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein transmitting at least one signal from at least one device includes transmitting the at least one signal from at least one component of the at least one device.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein transmitting at least one alterative signal from the first transceiver to the at least one device includes transmitting the at least one alterative signal to at least one component of the device.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising forming a wireless coupling between the first and second transceivers.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein forming the wireless coupling is carried out by positioning the tool at a selected distance from the at least one device that is within the communication range of the first and second transceivers.

29. The method of claim 23, further comprising configuring the first and second transceivers so that they communicate with each other.

30. A method for monitoring and altering conditions of devices from a remote location, the method comprising:

transmitting respectively at least one signal from each of a plurality of devices to each of a plurality of first transceivers, wherein each signal is respectively indicative of at least one condition of each of the devices;

transmitting respectively each of the indicative signals at a different frequency from each of the plurality of first transceivers wirelessly to a second transceiver coupled to a tool that is adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of each of the plurality of devices;

transmitting each of the indicative signals from the second transceiver to the tool;

transmitting alterative signals from the tool to the second transceiver, wherein there is at least one signal for each of the plurality of devices, wherein each of the signals respectively alters at least one condition of each of the plurality of devices;

transmitting respectively each of the alterative signals at each of the different frequencies from the second transceiver to each of the plurality of first transceivers wirelessly;

transmitting respectively each of the alterative signals from each of the plurality of first transceivers to each of the plurality of devices; and

altering respectively at least one condition of each of the plurality of devices using each of the alterative signals.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising evaluating each of the indicative signals at the tool and altering respectively at least one condition of each of the plurality of devices based on the evaluation.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein transmitting respectively at least one signal from each of a plurality of devices includes transmitting respectively the signal from at least one component of each of the plurality of devices.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein transmitting respectively each of the alterative signals from each of the first transceivers to each of the plurality of devices includes transmitting the alterative signal to at least one component of each of the plurality of devices.

34. The method of claim 30, further comprising forming a wireless coupling between each of the plurality of first transceivers and the second transceiver.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein forming the wireless coupling is carried out by positioning the tool at a selected distance from each of the plurality of devices that is within the communication range of each of the plurality of first transceivers and the second transceiver.

36. The method of claim 30, further comprising configuring the second transceiver and each of the plurality of first transceivers so that each of the plurality of first transceivers can respectively communicate at the different frequencies with the second transceiver.

37. A method for monitoring and altering conditions of devices from a remote location, the method comprising:

transmitting at least one signal from at least one component of at least one device to a first transceiver that is indicative of at least one condition of the component;

transmitting the at least one indicative signal wirelessly from the first transceiver to a second transceiver coupled to a tool that is adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of the at least one component;

transmitting the at least one indicative signal from the second transceiver to the tool;

evaluating the at least one indicative signal at the tool;

transmitting at least one alterative signal based on the evaluation from the tool to the second transceiver;

transmitting the at least one alterative signal wirelessly from the second transceiver to the first transceiver;

transmitting the at least one alterative signal from the first transceiver to the at least one component; and

altering the condition of the at least one component based on the evaluation using the at least one alterative signal.

38. A method for monitoring and altering conditions of devices from a remote location, the method comprising:

transmitting respectively at least one signal from at least one component of each of a plurality of devices to each of a plurality of first transceivers, wherein each signal is respectively indicative of at least one condition of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices;

transmitting respectively each of the indicative signals at a different frequency from each of the plurality of first transceivers wirelessly to a second transceiver coupled to a tool that is adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices;

transmitting each of the indicative signals from the second transceiver to the tool;

evaluating each of the indicative signals at the tool;

transmitting alterative signals based on the evaluation from the tool to the second transceiver, wherein there is at least one signal for the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices, wherein each of the signals respectively alters at least one condition of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices;

transmitting respectively each of the alterative signals at each of the different frequencies from the second transceiver to each of the plurality of first transceivers wirelessly;

transmitting respectively each of the alterative signals from each of the first transceivers to the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices; and

altering respectively at least one condition of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices using each of the alterative signals.

39. A method for monitoring and altering conditions of devices from a remote location, the method comprising:

coupling a first transceiver to at least one component of at least one device;

coupling a second transceiver to a tool that is adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of the at least one component;

configuring the first and second transceivers so that they communicate with each other;

forming a wireless coupling between the first and second transceivers;

transmitting at least one signal from the at least one component to the first transceiver that is indicative of at least one condition of the at least one component;

transmitting the at least one indicative signal wirelessly from the first transceiver to the second transceiver;

transmitting the at least one indicative signal from the second transceiver to the tool;

evaluating the at least one indicative signal at the tool;

transmitting at least one alterative signal based on the evaluation from the tool to the second transceiver;

transmitting the at least one alterative signal wirelessly from the second transceiver to the first transceiver;

transmitting the at least one alterative signal from the first transceiver to the at least one component; and

altering the condition of the at least one component based on the evaluation using the at least one alterative signal.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein forming the wireless coupling is carried out by positioning the tool at a selected distance from the at least one device that is within the communication range of the first and second transceivers.

41. A method for monitoring and altering conditions of devices from a remote location, the method comprising:

coupling respectively at least one component of each of a plurality of devices to each of a plurality first transceivers;

coupling a second transceiver to a tool that is adapted for at least one of monitoring and control of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices;

configuring the second transceiver and each of the plurality of first transceivers so that each of the plurality of first transceivers can respectively communicate at a different frequency with the second transceiver;

forming a wireless coupling between each of the plurality of first transceivers and the second transceiver;

transmitting respectively at least one signal from the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices to each of the plurality of first transceivers, wherein each signal is respectively indicative of at least one condition of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices;

transmitting respectively each of the indicative signals at each of the different frequencies from each of the plurality of first transceivers wirelessly to the second transceiver;

transmitting each of the indicative signals from the second transceiver to the tool;

evaluating each of the indicative signals at the tool;

transmitting alterative signals based on the evaluation from the tool to the second transceiver, wherein there is at least one alterative signal for the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices, wherein each of the alterative signals respectively alters at least one condition of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices;

transmitting respectively each of the alterative signals at each of the different frequencies from the second transceiver to each of the plurality of first transceivers wirelessly;

transmitting respectively each of the alterative signals from each of the plurality of first transceivers to the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices; and

altering respectively at least one condition of the at least one component of each of the plurality of devices using each of the alterative signals.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein forming the wireless coupling is carried out by positioning the tool at a distance from each of the plurality of devices that is within the communication range of each of the plurality first transceivers and the second transceiver.