In-field sensor programming

1. A stand-alone programming device for programming a sensor at a customer location, comprising:

a data interface;

a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

a transducer for modulating a magnetic field, an RF signal or infra-red light;

a transducer driver coupled to the transducer; and

a processor, coupled to the data interface, the memory and the transducer driver, for executing the processor-executable instructions that causes the apparatus to:

receive, by the processor, sensor data from the data interface, the sensor data comprising sensor identification information;

provide, by the processor, the sensor data to the transducer driver;

generate, by the transducer driver, an electronic driver signal matching the sensor data capable of electronically driving the transducer; and

modulate, by the transducer, the magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light in accordance with the electronic driver signal.

2. The portable programming device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a user interface;

wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise instructions that further cause the apparatus to:

receive, by the processor via the user interface, a command that causes the sensor to enter a programming mode of operation;

provide, by the processor, the command to the transducer driver;

generate, by the transducer driver, a second electronic driver signal matching the command and capable of electronically driving the transducer; and

modulate, by the transducer, the magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light in accordance with the second electronic driver signal.

3. The portable programming device of claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise instructions that further cause the apparatus to:

generate, by the processor, a command that causes the sensor enter a normal mode of operation, the normal mode of operation comprising the sensor detecting a change in the magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light and transmitting a signal to a remote location in response thereto;

provide, by the processor, the command to the transducer driver;

generate, by the transducer driver, a second electronic driver signal matching the command and capable of electronically driving the transducer; and

modulate, by the transducer, the magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light in accordance with the amplified command signal.

4. The portable programming device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor data comprises a serial number of a defective sensor at the customer location.

5. The portable programming device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a door or a window sensor, further comprising:

a reed switch module;

wherein the reed switch module demodulates the modulated magnetic field, the modulated RF signal or the modulated infra-red light to re-produce the sensor data.

6. A method performed by a stand-alone programming device for programming a sensor in the field, comprising:

receiving, by a processor, sensor data from a data interface, the sensor data comprising sensor identification information;

providing, by the processor, the sensor data to a transducer driver;

generating, by the transducer driver, an electronic driver signal matching the sensor data and capable of electronically driving the transducer; and

modulating, by the transducer, a magnetic field, an RF signal or infra-red light in accordance with the electronic driver signal.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

receiving, by the processor via a user interface, a command that causes the sensor to enter a programming mode of operation;

providing, by the processor, the command to the transducer driver;

generating, by the transducer driver, a second electronic driver signal matching the command and capable of electronically driving the transducer; and

modulate, by the transducer, the magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light in accordance with the second electronic driver signal.

8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

generating, by the processor, a command that causes the sensor enter a normal mode of operation, the normal mode of operation comprising the sensor detecting a change in the magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light and transmitting a signal to a remote location in response thereto;

providing, by the processor, the command to the transducer driver;

generating, by the transducer driver, a second electronic driver signal matching the command and capable of electronically driving the transducer; and

modulating, by the transducer, the magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light in accordance with the amplified command signal.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the sensor data comprises a serial number of a defective sensor at the customer location.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a door or a window sensor, further comprising:

a reed switch module;

wherein the reed switch module demodulates the modulated magnetic field, the modulated RF signal or the modulated infra-red light to re-produce the sensor data.

11. A transducer module coupled to a computing device for programming a sensor at a customer location, comprising:

a data interface for receiving sensor data from the computing device relating to the sensor;

a transducer driver coupled to the data interface for receiving the sensor data and for generating an electronic driver signal matching the sensor data and capable of electronically driving a transducer; and

the transducer for receiving the electronic driver signal and for modulating a magnetic field, an RF signal, or infra-red light based on the electronic driver signal;

wherein the sensor is programmed with the sensor data as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the modulated RF signal, or the modulated infra-red light.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the sensor data comprises a serial number of a defective sensor at the customer location.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the sensor data comprises a firmware update.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the sensor comprises a door or a window sensor, further comprising:

a reed switch module;

wherein the reed switch module demodulates the modulated magnetic field, the modulated RF signal or the modulated infra-red light to re-produce the sensor data.

15. A method performed by a transducer module coupled to a computing device for programming a sensor in the field, comprising:

receiving, by a data interface, sensor data from the computing device relating to the sensor;

receiving, by a transducer driver coupled to the data interface, the sensor data and generating an electronic driver signal based on the sensor data and capable of electronically driving a transducer; and

receiving, by the transducer, the electronic driver signal and for modulating a magnetic field, an RF signal, or infra-red light based on the electronic driver signal;

wherein the sensor is programmed with the sensor data as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the modulated RF signal, or the modulated infra-red light.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sensor data comprises a serial number of a defective sensor.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sensor data comprises a firmware update.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sensor comprises a reed switch module, the method further comprising:

demodulating the modulated magnetic field, the modulated RF signal or the modulated infra-red light to generate the sensor data.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sensor data comprises a serial number of a defective sensor at the customer location.