Wireless actuator interface
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An actuator, comprising:
- a mechanical transducer component capable of applying a mechanical force to an external object in response to electronic signals;
a wireless communications interface including at least a wireless receiver capable of wirelessly receiving data related to operation of the actuator and to operation of one or more external devices that are distinct from both the actuator and an entity originating the data;
a settings module coupled to the wireless communications interface and capable of storing the data;
a wired interface coupled to the wireless communications interface and capable of wired bus communications with the one or more external devices via a wired bus, wherein the wired interface is capable of managing the one or more external devices in response to the data received wirelessly via the wireless communications interface; and
a controller unit coupled to the mechanical transducer and the settings module, the controller unit configured to control the mechanical transducer in conformance with the stored data.
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Abstract
An actuator includes a mechanical transducer component capable of applying a mechanical force to an external object in response to electronic signals. The actuator includes a communications interface capable of wirelessly receiving configuration data related to operation of the actuator. A settings module is coupled to the communications interface and capable of storing the configuration data. A controller unit is coupled to the mechanical transducer and the settings module. The controller unit is capable of determining the configuration data via the settings module and controlling the mechanical transducer in conformance with the configuration settings.
46 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An actuator, comprising:
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a mechanical transducer component capable of applying a mechanical force to an external object in response to electronic signals; a wireless communications interface including at least a wireless receiver capable of wirelessly receiving data related to operation of the actuator and to operation of one or more external devices that are distinct from both the actuator and an entity originating the data; a settings module coupled to the wireless communications interface and capable of storing the data; a wired interface coupled to the wireless communications interface and capable of wired bus communications with the one or more external devices via a wired bus, wherein the wired interface is capable of managing the one or more external devices in response to the data received wirelessly via the wireless communications interface; and a controller unit coupled to the mechanical transducer and the settings module, the controller unit configured to control the mechanical transducer in conformance with the stored data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system, comprising:
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a wireless device comprising, a user interface that allows a user to specify configuration data; and a wireless data interface capable of transmitting the configuration data; and an actuator capable of wirelessly exchanging data with the wireless device, the actuator comprising, a mechanical transducer capable of transmitting force to an external object in response to electronic signals; a wireless communications interface including at least a wireless receiver, the communications interface capable of wirelessly receiving from the wireless device the configuration data related to operation of both the actuator and one or more external devices that are distinct from the actuator and that are distinct from the wireless device; a settings module coupled to the wireless communications interface and capable of storing the configuration data; a wired interface coupled to the wireless communications interface and capable of wired bus communication with the one or more external devices via a wired bus, wherein the wired interface is capable of managing the one or more external devices in response to configuration data received wirelessly from the wireless device; and a controller unit coupled to the mechanical transducer and the settings module, the controller unit configured to control the mechanical transducer in conformance with the configuration data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system comprising:
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means for preparing configuration data related to an actuator, and to one or more external devices distinct from the actuator, via a user interface device; means for wirelessly transmitting the configuration data and the secondary configuration data from the user interface device to a wireless receiver of the actuator; means for applying at least some of the configuration data to the actuator via data configuration circuitry of the actuator; means for changing actuator operation in response to the applied configuration data; means for communicating at least some of the configuration data to the one or more external devices via a wired bus and by way of the actuator for managing the one or more external devices, in response to wirelessly receiving the configuration data, wherein the one or more external devices are distinct from the actuator, the means for preparing the configuration data, and the means for wirelessly transmitting the configuration data. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method comprising:
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wirelessly receiving, at an actuator, configuration data related to operation of the actuator and related to operation of one or more external devices that are distinct from the actuator and that are distinct from an entity originating the configuration data, wherein the one or more external devices are coupled via a wired bus to a wired interface of the actuator; storing the configuration data at the actuator; controlling a mechanical transducer in conformance with at least some of the configuration data, wherein the mechanical transducer component is capable of applying a mechanical force to an external object in response to electronic signals; and managing the one or more external devices via the wired bus in response to at least some of the configuration data received wirelessly via the communications interface.
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Specification