Method and system for monitoring, controlling, and locating portable devices performing remote diagnostic analysis of control network
First Claim
1. A system for facilitating diagnosis and maintenance of electronic control networks, comprising:
- a wireless diagnostic device adapted for manual transport, said wireless diagnostic device comprising a transmitter and receiver for communicating over a wireless communication channel with a control network to be monitored, diagnosed, or tested; and
at least one wireless ground station, said at least one wireless ground station comprising a ground station receiver attuned to said wireless communication channel, whereby transmitted messages between said wireless diagnostic device and the control network over said wireless communication channel are monitored;
wherein said wireless diagnostic device comprises a self-contained graphical display device physically connected to a self-contained wireless intermediary unit through a cable connection, said wireless intermediary unit containing said transmitter and receiver for communicating over said wireless communication channel with said control network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring, diagnosing and/or testing a control network using portable, wireless equipment includes computerized display device connected to a wireless intermediary device for allowing a wireless connection to be made to a control network. The computerized diagnostic device may be embodied as a personal digital assistant (PDA) having a graphical screen display, on which may be displayed the network nodes and connections of the control network presented against a backdrop of a transit vehicle or other facility shown in three-dimensional, rotatable images. The wireless equipment may allow the operator to force individual system components to output states, and provide for real time monitoring. The portable, wireless equipment is programmed with information pertaining to the connections and locations of the components in the control network, thereby simplifying diagnosis or testing by the operator.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A system for facilitating diagnosis and maintenance of electronic control networks, comprising:
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a wireless diagnostic device adapted for manual transport, said wireless diagnostic device comprising a transmitter and receiver for communicating over a wireless communication channel with a control network to be monitored, diagnosed, or tested; and
at least one wireless ground station, said at least one wireless ground station comprising a ground station receiver attuned to said wireless communication channel, whereby transmitted messages between said wireless diagnostic device and the control network over said wireless communication channel are monitored;
wherein said wireless diagnostic device comprises a self-contained graphical display device physically connected to a self-contained wireless intermediary unit through a cable connection, said wireless intermediary unit containing said transmitter and receiver for communicating over said wireless communication channel with said control network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 23, 25)
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10. A diagnostic and maintenance system, comprising:
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a portable wireless diagnostic device, said wireless diagnostic device comprising a transmitter and receiver for communicating over a wireless communication channel with a control network to be monitored, diagnosed, or tested;
a plurality of wireless ground stations, at least one of said wireless ground stations comprising a receiver attuned to said wireless communication channel whereby transmitted messages between said portable wireless diagnostic device and the control network are monitored;
a ground station interface connected to said plurality of wireless ground stations; and
a local area computer network connected to said ground station interface, said local area computer network comprising one or more user terminals, said one or more user terminals each comprising a screen display whereby information relating to said transmitted messages is displayed;
wherein said portable wireless diagnostic device comprises a self-contained graphical display device physically connected to a self-contained wireless intermediary unit through a cable connection, said wireless intermediary unit containing said transmitter and receiver for communicating over said wireless communication channel with said control network. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 24)
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16. A diagnostic and maintenance system, comprising:
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a plurality of portable wireless diagnostic devices, each comprising a transmitter and receiver, said portable wireless diagnostic devices communicating wirelessly with one or more control networks to be diagnosed, monitored, or tested, each of said portable wireless diagnostic devices programmed to perform at least one diagnosis or test function relating to said one or more control networks; and
at least one wireless ground station, said at least one wireless ground.station comprising a ground station receiver attuned to at least one wireless communication channel utilized by said portable wireless diagnostic devices, whereby transmitted messages between said portable wireless diagnostic devices and said one or more control networks are monitored;
wherein each of said portable wireless diagnostic devices comprises a self-contained graphical display device connected to a self-contained wireless intermediary unit through a cable connection, said wireless intermediary unit containing said transmitter and receiver for wirelessly communicating with said one or more control networks. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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26. A system for facilitating diagnosis and maintenance of electronic control networks, comprising:
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a portable diagnostic device, said portable diagnostic device comprising a transmitter and receiver for communicating over a wireless communication channel with an on-vehicle control network, said on-vehicle control network comprising a control network wireless interface for communicating with said portable diagnostic device over said wireless communication channel; and
at least one ground station, said at least one ground station comprising a ground station receiver attuned to said wireless communication channel, whereby said ground station monitors messages transmitted over said wireless communication channel between said portable diagnostic device and said on-vehicle control network;
wherein said portable diagnostic device comprises a self-contained graphical display device physically connected to a self-contained wireless intermediary unit, said wireless intermediary unit containing said transmitter and receiver for communicating over said wireless communication channel with said control network. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. A method, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting diagnostic messages between a portable diagnostic device and an on-vehicle control network over a wireless communication channel, said portable diagnostic device comprising a personal digital assistant, wherein said transmitting step comprises the step of transmitting messages between a self-contained wireless intermediary unit and the on-vehicle control network over said wireless communication channel; and
monitoring the transmitted diagnostic messages at a ground station, said ground station comprising a ground station receiver attuned to said wireless communication channel. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification