Portable communication interface device

• US 7,457,311 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Hall, Erik M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Chi H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chou; Albert T
• Application Number:
  US10/930,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20060045127A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,547 Days
• Field of Search: 370/241, 370/465, 370/466, 370/467, 389/51, 705/401, 710/71, 710/72, 702/108
• 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 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;

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

detaching the one or more electronic devices 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.

2. The method of claim 1, 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.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an output signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying an output signal further comprises:

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

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating instructions; and

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

6. 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.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

time stamping the one or more input signals.

8. 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.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more output signals comprise at least one of software updates, driver updates, and firmware updates.