Synchronized measurements for a portable multi-channel wireless sensor system
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring a machine, comprising:
- a first mobile unit comprising a head configured to be mechanically or magnetically coupled to the machine during monitoring of the machine by the first mobile unit, the first mobile unit further comprising;
a light emitter configured to output a light signal;
an antenna;
a clock in communication with the light emitter; and
a sensor in communication with the clock, wherein the sensor is configured to measure data related to the machine; and
a second mobile unit comprising a head configured to be mechanically or magnetically coupled to the machine during monitoring of the machine by the second mobile unit, the second mobile unit further comprising;
a light detector configured to detect the light signal;
an antenna;
a clock in communication with the light detector; and
a sensor in communication with the clock, wherein the sensor is configured to measure data related to the machine,wherein;
the first mobile unit is configured to receive a wireless radiofrequency (RF) signal through the antenna of the first mobile unit that synchronizes the clock of the first mobile unit to a first level of accuracy;
the second mobile unit is configured to receive the wireless RF signal through the antenna of the second mobile unit that synchronizes the clock of the second mobile unit to the first level of accuracy; and
the clock of the second mobile unit is configured to by synchronized with the clock of the first mobile unit to a second level of accuracy using the light signal, wherein the second level of accuracy is greater than the first level of accuracy.
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Abstract
A system for monitoring a machine includes first and second mobile units. The first mobile unit includes an emitter, a clock in communication with the emitter, and a sensor in communication with the clock. The second mobile unit includes a detector, a clock in communication with the detector, and a sensor in communication with the clock. The detector of the second mobile unit is configured to detect a signal from the emitter of the first mobile unit, and the clocks in the first and second mobile units are configured to be synchronized in response to the detection of the signal.
49 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring a machine, comprising:
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a first mobile unit comprising a head configured to be mechanically or magnetically coupled to the machine during monitoring of the machine by the first mobile unit, the first mobile unit further comprising; a light emitter configured to output a light signal; an antenna; a clock in communication with the light emitter; and a sensor in communication with the clock, wherein the sensor is configured to measure data related to the machine; and a second mobile unit comprising a head configured to be mechanically or magnetically coupled to the machine during monitoring of the machine by the second mobile unit, the second mobile unit further comprising; a light detector configured to detect the light signal; an antenna; a clock in communication with the light detector; and a sensor in communication with the clock, wherein the sensor is configured to measure data related to the machine, wherein; the first mobile unit is configured to receive a wireless radiofrequency (RF) signal through the antenna of the first mobile unit that synchronizes the clock of the first mobile unit to a first level of accuracy; the second mobile unit is configured to receive the wireless RF signal through the antenna of the second mobile unit that synchronizes the clock of the second mobile unit to the first level of accuracy; and the clock of the second mobile unit is configured to by synchronized with the clock of the first mobile unit to a second level of accuracy using the light signal, wherein the second level of accuracy is greater than the first level of accuracy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for monitoring a machine, comprising:
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positioning first and second mobile units such that a light emitter of the first mobile unit is in range to communicate with a light detector of the second mobile unit; receiving a wireless radiofrequency (RF) signal through an antenna of the first mobile unit, wherein the wireless RF signal synchronizes a clock of the first mobile unit to a first level of accuracy; receiving the wireless RF signal through an antenna of the second mobile unit, wherein the wireless RF signal synchronizes a clock of the second mobile unit to the first level of accuracy; emitting a light signal from the light emitter of the first mobile unit; detecting the light signal using the light detector of the second mobile unit; and synchronizing the clock in the first mobile unit with the clock in the second mobile unit to a second level of accuracy using the signal emitted from the light emitter of the first mobile unit, wherein the second level of accuracy is greater than the first level of accuracy. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for monitoring a machine, comprising:
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transmitting a wireless radiofrequency (RF) signal from a remote device to an antenna of a first mobile unit and an antenna of a second mobile unit; synchronizing a clock in the first mobile unit and a clock in the second mobile unit to a first level of accuracy using the wireless RF signal transmitted from the remote device; positioning the first and second mobile units such that a light emitter of the first mobile unit is in range to communicate with a light detector of the second mobile unit; causing a light signal to be emitted from the light emitter of the first mobile unit; detecting the light signal using the light detector of the second mobile unit; and synchronizing the clock in the first mobile unit with the clock in the second mobile unit to a second level of accuracy using the light signal emitted from the light emitter of the first mobile unit, wherein the second level of accuracy is greater than the first level of accuracy. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification