Portable diagnostic device

• US 6,851,612 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2002
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Sun, Peter, Pierce, Michael, Stouchko, Brian, Iasso, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): PAIK, STEVEN SANGYUL
• Application Number:
  US10/199,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20030057956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 235/472.01, 235/451, 235/492, 340/586, 340/538, 340/506, 340/508, 340/514
• US Class Current: 235/472.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0408 Test fixtures or contact fields; Connectors or connecting adaptors; Test clips; Test sockets G01R1/067 takes precedence; mass production testing systems G01R31/59; testing of connections G01R31/66; for testing printed circuit boards G01R31/2808
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23313 Load program to initial configure machine, then erase and install userprogram
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

A portable, preferably hand-held device is provided which may be used to test device loops in fire safety systems for short circuits, open circuits, ground faults and can test the response of the devices in the loop before or after the device loop is connected to the system.

Claims

1. A method for programming and testing devices in a system using a hand-held device, said hand-held device comprising a graphical user interface, comprising:

displaying a menu on said graphical user interface of said hand-held device;

receiving a user input to select a mode of operation for said hand-held device allowing a user to test or program, or a combination thereof, devices and device loops;

receiving a user request to display device program options and displaying said device program options;

receiving a user request to select a programming option; and

displaying a prompt on said graphical user interface to insert a device to be tested or programmed or a combination thereof.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a user request to display optional systems to test.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying information on said graphical user interface about optional systems to be tested by said hand-held device.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising receiving a user request to test a selected system.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising testing said selected system using said hand-held device.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the test comprises testing a device loop in said selected system.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a user request to test a device loop and displaying the results on said graphical user interface.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising receiving a user request for further information about said device loop.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising displaying a summary of information about said devices in said device loop.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising receiving a user request to test or program, or a combination thereof, an individual device.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising displaying test or programming options for individual devices on said graphical user interface.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising receiving a user request to select an automatic mode for testing or programming, or a combination thereof, a device and testing or programming, or a combination thereof, said device.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of testing or programming, or a combination thereof, comprises inserting said individual device in an aperture in said hand-held device.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising displaying results of said testing or programming or a combination thereof.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising receiving a user request to select an manual mode for testing or programming, or a combination thereof, a device.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising testing or programming, or a combination thereof, an individual device and displaying the results on said graphical user interface.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of testing or programming, or a combination thereof, comprises inserting said individual device in an aperture in said hand-held device.