WIRELESS DEVICE AND INTERFACE MODULE

• US 20160087813A1
• Filed: 03/18/2014
• Published: 03/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• Inventors: YAMAJI, Masato, TAKAI, Kiyoshi, INAGAKI, Tetsuo, SAITO, Hitoshi
• Granted Patent: US 10,218,533 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

An interface module according to one aspect of the invention includes an interface and a local communication device. The interface, which is connected to a field device, receives a first wireless signal from the field device. The local communication device wirelessly transmits the first signal to a wireless module by first local communications. The local communication device receives, from the wireless module by second local communications, a second signal destined for the field device that is wirelessly transmitted from an external device and wirelessly received by the wireless device. The interface device outputs the second signal to the field device.

Claims

1. A wireless device, comprising:

an interface module; and

a wireless module,

wherein the interface module includes;

an interface which is connected to a field device and accepts a first signal output from the field device; and

a first local communications device which transmits the first signal to the wireless module by first local communications,

wherein the wireless module includes;

a second local communications device which receives the first signal from the first local communications device by the first local communications; and

a wireless communications device which wirelessly transmits the first signal to a first external device,

wherein the wireless communications device wirelessly receives a second signal destined for the field device from a second external device,

wherein the second local communications device transmits the second signal to the first local communications device by second local communications; and

wherein the interface outputs the second signal to the field device.

2. The wireless device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein at least one of the interface module and the wireless module includes a power supply which supplies power to at least one of the field device, the interface module, and the wireless module;

or a power supply terminal which receives supply of power from the power supply or an external power supply.

3. The wireless device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a first connection which connects the interface module and the wireless module, wherein the power is supplied via the first connection.

4. The wireless device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a second connection which connects the interface module and the wireless module, wherein the first local communications and the second local communications are conducted via the second connection, and

wherein the power is supplied via the second connection.

5. The wireless device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the wireless module includes a first controller which sets the interface module out of the sleep state, and

wherein, when the interface module is set out of the sleep state by the first controller, the interface module performs supplying of power to the field device to conduct communications with the field device.

6. The wireless device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the interface module includes a second controller which sets the wireless module out of the sleep state;

and

wherein, when the wireless module is set out of the sleep state of the wireless module by the second controller, it wirelessly transmits the first signal to the first external device.

7. The wireless device as claimed in claim 6,

wherein the second controller sets the wireless module out of the sleep state prior to the second external device transmitting the second signal using schedule information indicating a timing at which the second external device transmits the second signal.

8. The wireless device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the interface module includes a first housing which accommodates at least the interface and the first local communications device;

and

wherein the wireless module further includes a second housing which houses at least the second local communications device and the wireless communications device.

9. The wireless device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein either one of the interface module and the wireless module is at least one of:

a display device which displays the state of the field device, the interface module, and the wireless module; and

a setting device which performs setting to the field device, the interface module, and the wireless module.

10. An interface module, comprising:

an interface which is connected to the field device and which receives a first signal from the field device; and

a local communications device which transmits the first signal by first local communications, wherein the local communications device receives, by second local communications, a second signal destined for the field device that is wirelessly transmitted from an external device and wirelessly received by the wireless module, and

wherein the interface outputs the second signal to the field device.

11. The interface module as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a power supply which supplies power to at least one of the field device, the interface module, and the wireless module;

or a power supply terminal which receives supply of power from the power supply or an external power supply.

12. The interface module as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a controller which sets the wireless module out of the sleep state prior to the external device transmitting the second signal using schedule information indicating a timing at which the external device transmits the second signal.

13. The interface module as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a housing which accommodates at least the interface and the first local communications device.

14. The interface module as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a display device which displays the state of the field device, the interface module, and the wireless module; and

a setting device which performs setting to the field device, the interface module, and the wireless module.

15. The interface module as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a controller which cause the interface to be brought to an active state when a third signal for causing the interface to be brought to the active state is received from the wireless module, and which causes the interface to be brought to a sleep state when the first signal is accepted from the field device.

16. A wireless module which transmits and receives a wireless signal,

comprising:

a wireless communications device which wirelessly transmits a first signal from a field device and wirelessly receives a second signal destined for the field device;

a local communications device which transmits and/or receives the first signal and/or the second signal by local communications with an interface module responsible for interfacing with the field device; and

a controller which sets the interface module out of a sleep state, and sets the wireless communications device out of a sleep state based on an instruction from the interface module.