Data transfer device for use with an intelligent electronic device (IED)

• US 20080091770A1
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Incorporated
• Inventors: Barnett, Barron E., Petras, Charles E., Fodero, Kenneth J.
• Application Number:
  US11/548,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20080091770A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/16 Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs coordinating program control therefor G06F9/52; in regulating and control system G05B
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/85 interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

The data transfer device is a hand-held device which includes a communication port and a port for accepting a rewriteable, removable memory card. The device further includes a microcontroller with an operating system capable of executing a file stored on the removable member card. The removable memory card is capable of receiving an executable file with a plurality of preprogrammed data transfer functions as well as storing data for transfer between the device and an IED. A user interface includes input members for accepting user instructions for selecting a data transfer function and a display for indicating the status of functions selected by the user.

Claims

1. A hand-held data transfer and storage device for use with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), comprising:

a hand-held device assembly, including a communication port and a port for accepting a memory device;

a microcontroller apparatus, part of the device assembly, including an operating system and adapted to execute a file present on the memory device;

a memory device capable of receiving an executable file with a plurality of preprogrammed data transfer functions therein between the data transfer device and an IED and for storing data for transfer to and from an IED; and

a user interface on the assembly for accepting user input, comprising a plurality of input members, for initiating the data transfer functions.

2. The data transfer device of claim 1, wherein the memory device is a rewriteable, removable SD (secure data) memory card.

3. The data transfer device of claim 2, including a display for indicating status of one of the plurality of data transfer functions selected by the user by the input members.

4. The data transfer device of claim 3, further including a stored encrypted PIN number which must be entered before any of the data transfer functions can be executed.

5. The data transfer device of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of data transfer functions comprises acceptance and/or storage of data from an IED.

6. The data transfer device of claim 1, wherein the IEDs are associated with electrical power protection systems.

7. The data transfer device of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of data transfer functions comprises transfer of data from the data transfer device to the IED.

8. The data transfer device of claim 7, wherein the data includes at least one from a list consisting of firmware and operating settings for the IED.

9. The data transfer device of claim 1, further including an encrypted password for establishing communication with the IED.

10. The data transfer device of claim 1, including a visual indicator associated with each of the plurality of input members, indicating that a function associated with the input member has been initiated.

11. The data transfer device of claim 1, wherein the assembly includes a portion for accepting a member upon which can be written a function associated with each of the plurality of input members for inspection by a user.

12. The data transfer device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of input members comprise buttons operable by a user.

13. The data transfer device of claim 1, wherein one of the data transfer functions establishes a baud rate for data transfer between the data transfer device and the IED.

14. The data transfer device of claim 1, wherein the executable file on the memory device includes a baud-rate routine for automatically establishing a baud rate for data transfer between the device and the IED.

15. The data transfer device of claim 1, wherein the memory device is removable from the data transfer device and is adapted to be coupled communicatively with a computer for data transfer with the computer.

16. A system for data transfer and storage with an intelligent electronic device (IED), comprising:

an IED;

a hand-held device assembly, including a communication port and a port for accepting a memory device;

a microcontroller apparatus, part of the device assembly, including an operating system and adapted to execute a file present on the memory device;

a memory device capable of receiving an executable file with a plurality of preprogrammed data transfer functions therein between the data transfer device and an IED and for storing data for transfer to and from the IED;

a user interface on the assembly for accepting user input, comprising a plurality of input members, for initiating the data transfer functions; and

a computer for communicating with the data transfer device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the IED is for use with electric power systems.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein data is transferred between the data transfer devices and the computer.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the data transferred to the data transfer device from the computer include at least one of firmware control settings and passwords for the IED.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the computer includes a software program for providing the memory device with the executable file.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the memory device is a rewriteable, removable SD (secure data) memory card.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the memory device is removable from the data transfer device and is adapted to be coupled communicatively with the computer for data transfer with the computer.