Programming of industrial automation equipment using RFID technology
First Claim
1. A system for wirelessly coupling a controlling device to a piece or module of programmable industrial control equipment that is at least partly controlled by the controlling device, comprising:
- a first radio frequency identification (RFID) unit located at the equipment for communication therewith; and
at least one antenna at the controlling device, for communicating with the RFID unit, wherein the RFID unit acts as an intermediary for communication between the controlling device and the equipment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, device, and method are disclosed for wirelessly coupling a controlling device to a programmable industrial control equipment such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controlling device may, for example, be a personal computer used for programming the PLC. The system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) unit located at one end of this wireless connection, and also includes at least one antenna at the other end, for communicating with the RFID unit. The RFID unit acts as an intermediary for communication between the programmable industrial control equipment and the controlling device. In case a product in a production line, or a newly added input/output module, provides information that controls a PLC, this control is enhanced by the RFID connection.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for wirelessly coupling a controlling device to a piece or module of programmable industrial control equipment that is at least partly controlled by the controlling device, comprising:
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a first radio frequency identification (RFID) unit located at the equipment for communication therewith; and
at least one antenna at the controlling device, for communicating with the RFID unit, wherein the RFID unit acts as an intermediary for communication between the controlling device and the equipment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Programmable industrial control equipment for wirelessly coupling to a controlling device that at least partly controls the equipment, comprising:
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a first radio frequency identification (RFID) unit located at the equipment for communication therewith; and
attaching means for removably attaching the controlling device so that the controlling device is positioned for wireless communication with the programmable industrial control equipment via proximity coupling.
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16. A method for wirelessly coupling at least one controlling device to a piece or module of industrial control equipment, comprising:
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communicating, via an antenna at the controlling device, with a radio frequency identification (RFID) unit, and using the RFID unit as an intermediary for communication between the industrial control equipment and the controlling device, wherein the RFID unit is located at the equipment for communication therewith, and wherein the controlling device is for at least partly controlling the industrial control equipment. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification