System employing wireless means for governing operation of an apparatus and methods of use therefor
First Claim
1. A system governing operation of controls of an apparatus by an operator, comprising:
- at least one receiver;
at least one portable transmitter affixed to at least one said operator, wherein said transmitter sends at least one signal for receipt by said receiver for at least some time during said operation; and
circuitry in operable communication with at least said receiver and said apparatus, wherein said circuitry interrupts operation of said apparatus under at least one pre-specified condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system employing principles of the present invention governs operation of an apparatus by an operator. An embodiment of the present invention comprises means for receiving at least one signal, portable means affixed to the operator for transmitting the signal, and means for inactivating or interrupting the operation of the apparatus should the operator be beyond a pre-specified distance from the controls of the apparatus. The means for inactivating communicates with both the means for receiving and the apparatus, while the means for transmitting sends the signal to the means for receiving during normal operation of the apparatus, e.g., with the operator physically present. Without the presence of the signal, operation of the apparatus is interrupted. One embodiment provides for an emergency override of the system to permit operation of the apparatus without the presence of the signal. Methods of using embodiments of the present invention are also provided.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A system governing operation of controls of an apparatus by an operator, comprising:
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at least one receiver;
at least one portable transmitter affixed to at least one said operator, wherein said transmitter sends at least one signal for receipt by said receiver for at least some time during said operation; and
circuitry in operable communication with at least said receiver and said apparatus, wherein said circuitry interrupts operation of said apparatus under at least one pre-specified condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system governing operation of an apparatus by an operator, comprising:
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means for receiving at least one signal;
portable means affixed to said operator for transmitting said signal, wherein said portable means for transmitting sends said signal to said means for receiving for at least some time during said operation; and
means for interrupting said operation, said means for interrupting in operable communication with said means for receiving and said apparatus, wherein said means for interrupting prevents operation of said apparatus under pre-specified conditions. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method governing operation of an apparatus by an operator, comprising:
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providing means for receiving at least one signal;
providing and affixing to said operator portable means for transmitting said signal to said means for receiving, wherein said portable means for transmitting sends said signal to said means for receiving for at least some time during said operation; and
providing means for interrupting said operation, said means for interrupting in operable communication with said means for receiving and said apparatus, wherein said means for interrupting prevents operation of said apparatus under pre-specified conditions. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method governing operation of an apparatus by an operator, comprising:
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providing at least one receiver affixed at least in proximity to said apparatus;
providing at least one portable transmitter affixed to said operator, wherein said transmitter sends at least one signal to said receiver for at least some time during said operation; and
providing circuitry in operable communication with said receiver and said apparatus, wherein said circuitry interrupts operation of said apparatus under pre-specified conditions. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for implementing operation of an apparatus under active direction of an operator, comprising:
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providing and affixing at least one portable transmitter to said operator;
providing and affixing at least one receiver at least in proximity to said apparatus;
providing circuitry for interrupting said operation, said circuitry at least enabling operable communication between at least said apparatus and said receiver; and
activating said transmitter upon initiation of said active direction by said operator, wherein said transmitter sends at least one signal for at least a portion of said operation from said transmitter to said receiver while the operator remains able to direct operation of the apparatus, and wherein said operation is interrupted upon non-receipt of said signal within a pre-specified period. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification