Self test device and method for wireless sensor reader
First Claim
1. A system for wirelessly sensing a parameter from a remote location, comprising:
- a wireless reader configured to communicate with a wireless sensor, said wireless sensor is configured to change its resonant frequency in proportion to at least one sensed parameter;
a self-test device which emulates at least one electrical behavior of said wireless sensor in a known manner and is configured to adjust its resonant frequency to emulate said wireless sensor when placed in communication with said reader;
wherein said system is configured to carry out a self-test such that said reader wirelessly communicates with said self-test device and obtains at least one response from said self-test device, and;
wherein said at least one response is compared to an expected response from said self-test device, in order to assess a functional performance of said reader.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a self-test device and method for assessing the functional performance of a reader device that is configured to interface with a wireless sensor. The self-test device may be configured to analyze the accuracy of a signal transmitted from the reader device or the accuracy of a signal received by the reader device. In one embodiment, the reader device may be configured to engage the self-test device to allow the reader to transmit a signal, such as a short pulse of energy or a short burst of radio frequency energy to cause the self-test device to output a resonant signal. The self-test device may receive the transmit signal from the reader and evaluate it against predetermined values. The evaluated signals may be used to assess the accuracy of the transmit signal of the reader device to identify potential calibration issues and initiate remedial action by an automated system or human intervention if needed. The self-test device may be built into a docking station where the reader is placed when not in use.
234 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A system for wirelessly sensing a parameter from a remote location, comprising:
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a wireless reader configured to communicate with a wireless sensor, said wireless sensor is configured to change its resonant frequency in proportion to at least one sensed parameter; a self-test device which emulates at least one electrical behavior of said wireless sensor in a known manner and is configured to adjust its resonant frequency to emulate said wireless sensor when placed in communication with said reader; wherein said system is configured to carry out a self-test such that said reader wirelessly communicates with said self-test device and obtains at least one response from said self-test device, and; wherein said at least one response is compared to an expected response from said self-test device, in order to assess a functional performance of said reader. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for self-testing a reader device, the method comprising:
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providing a wireless reader configured to communicate with a wireless sensor, said wireless sensor configured to change is resonant frequency in proportion to at least one sensed parameter; placing said reader in communication with a self-test device, said self-test device configured to emulate at least one electrical behavior of said wireless sensor in a known manner and is configured to adjust its resonant frequency to emulate said wireless sensor; conducting a self-test such that said reader wirelessly communicates with said self-test device and obtains at least one response, and; comparing said at least one response to at least one expected response from said self-test device, in order to assess a functional performance of said reader. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A system for wirelessly sensing a parameter from a remote location, said system comprising:
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a wireless sensor configured to change its resonant frequency in proportion to at least one sensed parameter; a reader configured to transmit an excitation pulse to said wireless sensor, to receive a signal from said wireless sensor in response to said excitation pulse, and to sample and hold said received signal; a self-test device which emulates an electrical behavior of said wireless sensor in a known manner and is configured to adjust its resonant frequency to emulate said wireless sensor when placed in communication with said reader; wherein said system is configured to carry out a self-test such that said reader wirelessly communicates with said self-test device and obtains at least one response, wherein said at least one response is compared to at least one expected response from said self-test device, in order to assess a functional performance of said reader; and wherein said system evaluates said comparison of said response to said expected response against at least one predetermined threshold.
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55. A system for obtaining a measurement from a remote location, said system comprising:
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a wireless sensor configured to change its resonant frequency in proportion to at least one sensed parameter; a handheld, battery-powered reader configured to transmit an excitation pulse to said wireless sensor and to receive a signal from said wireless sensor in response to said excitation pulse; and a self-test device which emulates at least one electrical behavior of said wireless sensor in a known manner and is configured to adjust its resonant frequency to emulate said wireless sensor when placed in communication with said reader; wherein said system is configured to carry out a self-test such that said reader wirelessly transmits said excitation pulse to said self-test device and obtains at least one response; wherein said at least one response is compared to at least one expected response from said self-test device, in order to assess a functional performance of said reader.
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56. A method of obtaining a measurement from a remote location, the method comprising:
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transmitting an excitation pulse to a wireless sensor; receiving a signal from said wireless sensor in response to said excitation pulse; generating a count signal; adjusting the frequency of said count signal to match the frequency of said received signal; holding said frequency of said count signal temporarily constant to ascertain the frequency of said count signal; ascertaining the frequency of said count signal wherein said wireless sensor is configured to adjust is resonant frequency in proportion to at least one predetermined parameter; placing said reader in communication with a self-test device during times when said reader is not in communication with said sensor, said self-test device configured to emulate at least one electrical behavior of said sensor in a known manner and is configured to adjust its resonant frequency to emulate said wireless sensor; conducting a self-test such that said reader wirelessly communicates with said self-test device and obtains at least one response, and; comparing said at least one response to at least one expected response from said self-test. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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58. A system for self-testing a wireless sensor reader comp rising:
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a transmit circuit configured to generate an excitation pulse to cause a wireless sensor to emit a ring signal; an antenna configured to transmit said excitation pulse and receive said ring signal; a phase-locked loop circuit configured to receive said ring signal, said phase-locked loop circuit including a voltage-controlled oscillator configured to generate a count signal at a frequency related to said ring signal frequency; wherein said phase-locked loop circuit is capable of being placed in a sample mode to receive said ring signal and adjust the frequency of said count signal based on the frequency of said ring signal; further wherein said phase-locked loop circuit is capable of being placed in a hold mode to hold the frequency of said count signal constant for a length of time sufficient to determine the frequency of said count signal; a self-test device which emulates at least one electrical behavior of said wireless sensor in a known manner and is configured to adjust its resonant frequency to emulate said wireless sensor when placed in communication with said reader; wherein said system is configured to carry out a self-test such that said reader wirelessly communicates with said self-test device and obtains at least one response, and; wherein said at least one response is compared to an expected response from said self-test device, in order to assess a functional performance of said reader.
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Specification