Digital multimeter having remote display with automatic communication mode switching
First Claim
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1. A multimeter comprising:
- a base unit having at least one test lead terminal;
a remote display unit separate from said base unit, said remote display unit having a display operative to show measured parameters;
communication circuitry operative to provide electrical communication between said base unit and said remote display unit, said communication circuitry capable of said electrical communication in a plurality of alternative communication modes; and
wherein said communication circuitry attempts to establish communication from said base unit in an optical communication mode and then switches to a radio frequency (RF) communication mode if optical communication is unsuccessful.
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Abstract
A multimeter comprising a base unit having at least one test lead terminal. A remote display unit separate from the base unit is also provided. The remote display unit has a display operative to show measured parameters. The multimeter further comprises communication circuitry operative to provide electrical communication between the base unit and the remote display unit. The communication circuitry provides electrical communication in a plurality of alternative communication modes. At least two of the alternative communication modes are preferably wireless communication modes.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A multimeter comprising:
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a base unit having at least one test lead terminal; a remote display unit separate from said base unit, said remote display unit having a display operative to show measured parameters; communication circuitry operative to provide electrical communication between said base unit and said remote display unit, said communication circuitry capable of said electrical communication in a plurality of alternative communication modes; and wherein said communication circuitry attempts to establish communication from said base unit in an optical communication mode and then switches to a radio frequency (RF) communication mode if optical communication is unsuccessful. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20)
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14. A method of establishing electrical communication between a base unit and a separate remote display unit of an electrical test instrument, said method comprising steps of:
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(a) with one of said base unit and said remote display unit, sending a request for response via an optical communication mode to the other of said base unit and said remote display unit; (b) if a response to said request for response is received at said one of said base unit and said remote display unit, then maintaining communication with the other of said base unit and said remote display unit in said optical communication mode; and (c) if a response to said request for response is not received at said one of said base unit and said remote display unit, then establishing communication with the other of said base unit and said remote display unit in a radio frequency communication mode. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An electrical test instrument comprising:
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a base unit; a remote display unit separate from but matable with said base unit, said remote display unit having a display operative to show measured parameters; communication circuitry operative to provide electrical communication between said base unit and said remote display unit; said communication circuitry operative to provide electrical communication in a first communication mode when said remote display unit is mated with said base unit and a second communication mode when said remote display unit is located apart from said base unit; and wherein at least one of said first and second communication modes is a wireless communication mode. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A multimeter comprising:
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a base unit having a plurality of test lead jacks and a rotary selector knob; a remote display unit separate from but matable with said base unit, said remote display unit having a display operative to show measured parameters; communication circuitry operative to provide electrical communication between said base unit and said remote display unit; said communication circuitry operative to provide electrical communication in a first communication mode when said remote display unit is mated with said base unit and a second communication mode when said remote display unit is located apart from said base unit; and wherein said first and second communication modes are wireless communication modes. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification