Remote controlled measurement arrangement and process for remote controlled operation of several measuring points

• US 6,515,594 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1999
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wtw Wissenschaftlich-Technische Werkstatten
• Original Assignee: Wtw Wissenschaftlich-Technische Werkstatten
• Inventors: Rettig, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US09/442,290
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.27, 340/825.49, 340/10.1, 340/1.34, 340/870.28, 340/10.32
• US Class Current: 340/870.27
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Two different types of data transfer are provided. The first type of data transfer takes place between a data transfer device and each individual measuring point. This first type of data transfer requires close physical relation between the data transfer device and the measuring point. The measuring point is provided with a marker, or a marker is retrieved, within the framework of this data transfer. Then a second type of data transfer between a central control and the measuring point is realized. Measurement data, control data, and, if necessary, configuration data are transferred within the framework of this second data transfer. The marker can be made application specific or sample specific by means of this procedure of the measurement arrangement, that is, it is possible to allocate markers which refer to the application. Furthermore, the measurement arrangement makes sample management and documentation possible without expensive editing processes.

Claims

1. A process for the remote controlled operation of several separate measuring points, which communicate with a central control wirelessly, comprising:

providing an individual measuring point with a marker using a data transfer device, the resultant data transfer requiring the data transfer device to be within a short range of the measuring point, the data transfer device being interfaced with the central control;

the central control communicating only with the measuring points already provided with a marker and wherein measurement data and control data are transferred without requiring the central control to be within the short range, wherein the central control communicates directly with the measuring points; and

transmitting a measuring program to a measuring point from the central control, whereupon a control of the measuring point starts an internal timer, which carries out several measurements at programmed times and in between then drops back into a measurement stand-by operation, in which only parts of the control, the timer, a measure value memory, and, optionally, the transmitter/receiver are activated.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein:

the central control or the data transfer device switches the measuring point(s), before the assignment of a marker, from a stand-by status, in which only the transmitter/receiver of the measuring point and corresponding parts of the control are activated, into an active status.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein:

the granting of a marker and/or the receiving of control data are acknowledged by the measuring point.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of the allocation of a marker and the reception of control data is acknowledged by the measuring point.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein:

after processing a measuring program, the measuring point control either transmits the measurement data to the central control and switches off, or is switched to stand-by operation.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein:

groups of measuring points with a marker are determined in the central control or within the framework of the configuration of the measuring points, which groups are actuated together in the case of at least one of a following transfer control and configuration data.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein:

the short range comprises a transmission range of less than about 10 inches.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the measurement data and control data are transferred at a long transmission range which comprises a transmission range greater than the short range.

9. A remote controlled measuring arrangement comprising:

a plurality of measuring points; and

a central control which communicates wirelessly with the plurality of measuring points, the central control having a first transmission mode for assigning marker data to individual measuring points, the first transmission mode having a short transmission range to limit the marker data transfer between the central control and a single predetermined measuring point, the central control having a second transmission mode for bi-directional communication between the central control and marked measuring points, wherein the second transmission mode has a long transmission range to permit data transfer to all of the marked measuring points, wherein the central control communicates directly with the plurality of measuring points during operation in both the first and second transmission modes.

10. The measuring arrangement of claim 9, wherein:

the short transmission range is less than about 40 inches.