Portable communication interface device

• US 20060045127A1
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Hall, Erik M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,457,311 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices

Abstract

The present inventions relate to portable communication interface devices for communication and testing between a computer and electronic devices The portable communication interface device of one embodiment includes at least one specialized port, a standard port and a controller. Each specialized port is adapted to selectively communicate with an associated electronic device wherein each associated electronic device communicates by a unique device format. The standard port is adapted to selectively communicate with a computer wherein the computer is communicating by a computer format. The controller is coupled between the one or more specialized ports and the standard port. The controller is adapted to provide an interface between each unique device format and the computer format. The controller includes a data processor that is adapted to perform logic conversions.

Claims

1. A communication interface device comprising:

one or more specialized ports, each specialized port adapted to selectively communicate with one or more associated electronic devices, each of the one or more associated electronic devices communicating with a unique device format;

a standard port adapted to selectively communicate with a computer, the computer communicating with a computer format;

a controller in communication with the standard port and the one or more specialized ports;

the controller adapted to provide an interface between each unique device format and the computer format, and

the controller, the at least one specialized port and the standard port being housed in a portable unit.

2. The communication interface device of claim 1, further comprising:

a display coupled to the controller, the display adapted to display signals.

3. The communication interface device of claim 1, further comprising:

a power source.

4. The communication interface device of claim 1, wherein the communication interface device is adapted to be powered through the standard port.

5. The communication interface device of claim 1, wherein the standard port is at least one of a serial RS232 port, a parallel port, a SCSI interface, a USB 1.0 interface, a USB 2.0 interface, an Ethernet and a firewire interface.

6. The communication interface device of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory adapted to store at least one of programs and received signals.

7. The communication interface device of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the one or more specialized ports is adapted to receive an analog signal.

8. The communication interface device of claim 1, wherein each unique device format includes a unique device data rate and a unique data format and the computer format includes a computer data rate and computer data format.

9. The communication interface device of claim 1, further comprising:

an electronic signal converter adapted to provide electrical conversion changes in the transmission methods.

10. The communication interface device of claim 1, further comprising:

a data processor adapted to perform logic conversions.

11. The communication interface device of claim 10, wherein the data processor is further adapted to perform test functions.

12. The communication interface device of claim 1, further comprising:

an A/D converter adapted to convert an analog signal received from the one or more electronic devices into a digital signal;

and a D/A converter adapted to convert a digital signal received from the computer or generated at the controller into an analog signal.

13. A portable communication interface device comprising:

at least one specialized port adapted to selectively communicate with at least one electronic device using a unique device format;

a standard port adapted to selectively communicate with a computer using a computer format;

a memory adapted to selectively store communication signals received at the at least one specialized port and at the standard port; and

a controller in communication with the standard port and the at least one specialized port, the controller adapted to interface signals between the computer format and the unique format, the controller further adapted to selectively interface communication signals stored in the memory.

14. The communication interface device of claim 13, further comprising:

a data processor adapted to provide logical conversions.

15. A portable communication interface device, the device comprising:

at least one specialized port, each specialized port adapted to selectively communicate with an associated electronic device, each associated electronic device communicating by a unique device format;

a standard port adapted to selectively communicate with a computer, the computer communicating by a computer format; and

a controller coupled between the one or more specialized ports and the standard port, the controller adapted to provide an interface between each unique device format and the computer format, the controller including,

a data processor adapted to perform logic conversions.

16. The portable communication interface device of claim 15, wherein the controller further comprises:

a memory adapted to selectively store communication signals to selectively delay the interface between each device format and the computer format.

17. The portable communication interface device of claim 15, wherein the controller furhter comprises:

an electronic signal converter adapted to change transmission methods of a signal being interfaced.

18. A communication system comprising:

a computer;

at least one electronic device; and

a portable communication interface device, the portable communication interface device includes,

at least one specialized port adapted for selective communication with one or more electronics devices, each electronic devices communicating via unique device format,

a standard port adapted for selective communication with the computer, the computer communicating via computer format, and

a controller coupled to the standard port and the at least one specialized port, the controller adapted to interface between the unique device format and the computer format

19. The communication system of claim 18, wherein the standard port is one of a serial RS232 port and a parallel port.

20. The communication system of claim 18, wherein the computer format is one of a SCSI interface, a USB 1.0 interface, a USB 2.0 interface, an Ethernet, and a firewire interface.

21. The communication system of claim 18, the portable communication interface device further comprises:

a data processor adapted to perform test functions on associated electronic devices coupled to the at least one specialized port.

22. The communication system of claim 18, the portable communication interface device further comprising:

a memory adapted to selectively store communication signals to selectively delay the interface between each device format and the computer format.

23. A method for interfacing a computer to an electronic device, the method comprising:

coupling one or more electronic devices to one or more associated device ports of a portable communication interface device;

coupling a computer port of the portable communication interface device to a computer;

receiving one or more input signals from the one or more electronic devices over the one or more device ports, each of the one or more input signals having a first data rate and a first data format;

converting the one or more input signals into one or more converted input signals having a second data format and a second data rate; and

sending the one or more converted signals over the computer port to the computer.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising interpreting the one or more input signals prior to converting them.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein receiving one or more input signals further comprises:

receiving one or more input signals at one or more device ports over one or more device communication links.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein sending the one or more converted input signals comprises:

transmitting the one or more converted input signals from a processor to the computer port.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

storing the one or more input signals in onboard memory.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

time stamping data in the one or more input signals.

32. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

converting the data signals between digital and analog.

33. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

testing the data signals.

29. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

storing data signals having a first date rate and a first data format received via first port;

retrieving the data signals when a second port is coupled to a communication link;

converting the data signals from the first data rate and first data format to a second data rate and a second data format; and

applying the converted data signals to the second port.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

monitoring the data signals.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

time stamping the data signals.

34. A method for testing and monitoring one or more electronic devices comprising:

coupling a communication interface device to one or more electronic devices, wherein the communication interface device is connected to the one or more electronic devices through one or more device communication links;

receiving one or more input signals from the one or more electronic devices over the one or more device communication links, wherein each of the one or more input signals has a data format and a data rate; and

performing at least one of interpreting the one or more input signals and storing the one or more input signals.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein interpreting the one or more input signals comprises at least one of testing, analyzing, and generating statistics on the one or more input signals at a data processor.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

displaying an output signal.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein displaying an output signal further comprises:

displaying one or more of test results, statistics on input signals, and input signal values.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

generating instructions; and

sending the instructions to one or more electronic devices over the one or more device communication links.

39. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

detaching the one or more electronic circuits from the communication interface device;

coupling the communication interface device to a computer through a computer communication link;

converting the one or more stored input signals; and

sending the one or more converted input signals to the computer over the computer communication link.

40. A method for testing an electronic device, the method comprising:

coupling a communication interface device to an electronic device through one or more device communication links;

receiving one or more input signals from the electronic device over the one or more device communication links, wherein each of the one or more input signals has a first data format and a first data rate;

storing the one or more input signals in onboard memory;

detaching the communication interface device from the electronic device;

coupling the communication interface device to a computer through a computer communication link;

converting the one or more stored input signals into one or more converted input signals, wherein the one or more converted input signals have a second data format and a second data rate; and

sending the one or more converted input signals to the computer over the computer communication link.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

time stamping the one or more input signals.

42. A method for updating electronic devices, the method comprising:

coupling a communication interface device to a computer through a computer communication link;

receiving one or more output signals from the computer over the computer communication link, wherein the computer communication link has a first data format and a first data rate;

storing the one or more output signals in onboard memory;

detaching the communication interface device from the computer;

coupling the communication interface device to one or more electronic devices through one or more device communication links;

converting the one or more stored output signals into one or more converted output signals, wherein the one or more converted output signals have a second data format and a second data rate; and

sending the one or more converted output signals to the one or more electronic devices over the one or more device communication links.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the one or more output signals comprise at least one of software updates, driver updates, and firmware updates.

44. A method of translating between communication formats, the method comprising:

receiving a communication signal having a first data rate and a first data format on a first port;

storing the communication signal in a memory;

coupling a communication link to a second port, the second port adapted to receive and transmit communication signals having a second data rate and second data format;

retrieving the communication signal from memory;

translating the communication signal from the first data rate and first data format to the second data rate and second data format; and

coupling the translated communication signal to the second port.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

testing the communication signal.