Emitter programmer and verification system
The disclosure describes a device for configuring an infrared (IR) emitter. The device includes a support structure and a microprocessor attached to the support structure. An interface circuit is also attached to the support structure and is configured to provide communications between the microprocessor and a portable computing device. A memory, which is attached to the support structure, is coupled to the microprocessor and is configured with instructions. Execution of the instructions by the microprocessor cause the microprocessor to communicate with an application executing on the portable computing device and initiate transmission of configuration data received from the application to the IR emitter. A transmitter is attached to the support structure and is coupled to the microprocessor. The transmitter is configured to transmit the configuration data to the IR emitter.
1. A device for configuring an infrared (IR) emitter, comprising:
a support structure;
a microprocessor attached to the support structure;
an interface circuit attached to the support structure and configured to provide communications between the microprocessor and a portable computing device;
a memory attached to the support structure and coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the memory is configured with instructions and execution of the instructions by the microprocessor cause the microprocessor to:
communicate with an application executing on the portable computing device; and
initiate transmission of commands to the IR emitter, wherein the commands cause the IR emitter to:
program memory of the IR emitter with configuration data including a vehicle identifier of a vehicle to which the IR emitter is assigned; and
transmit, from the memory of the IR emitter, data associated with operation of the IR emitter; and
a transceiver attached to the support structure and coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the transceiver includes an IR receiver attached to the support structure and coupled to the microprocessor, and the transceiver is configured to:
transmit the commands and the configuration data to the IR emitter; and
receive from the IR emitter data transmitted in response to the commands;
wherein the memory is configured with additional instructions and execution of the additional instructions by the microprocessor cause the microprocessor to:
input a count of on-off cycles of IR light emitting diodes of the IR emitter as indicated in diagnostic data and received via the IR receiver from the IR emitter; and
communicate the count of on-off cycles to the application executing on the portable computing device.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver includes a radio signal transmitter.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver includes an IR light emitter.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver includes an IR receiver attached to the support structure and coupled to the microprocessor.
5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a connector electrically coupled to the interface circuit, attached to the support structure and configured to mechanically and electrically engage with and disengage from a data port on a portable computing device.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the interface circuit includes a radio signal transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the portable computing device.
7. A method of configuring an infrared (IR) emitter, comprising:
establishing communication between a programming device and an application executing on a portable computing device;
receiving, by the programming device, commands from the application;
transmitting the commands from the programming device to the IR emitter, wherein the commands cause the IR emitter to:
program memory of the IR emitter with configuration data including a vehicle identifier of a vehicle to which the IR emitter is assigned; and
transmit, from the memory of the IR emitter, data associated with operation of the IR emitter;
receiving, by an IR receiver of the programming device, a count of on-off cycles of IR light emitting diodes of the IR emitter as indicated in diagnostic data and received from the IR emitter via the IR receiver in response to the commands; and
communicating the count of on-off cycles from the programming device to the application on the portable computing device.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the commands include a verification command that causes the IR emitter to transmit current configuration data programmed in the memory of the IR emitter, and
the receiving data from the IR emitter includes receiving the current configuration data in response to the verification command.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the transmitting the commands from the programming device to the IR emitter includes generating a radio signal that encodes the commands.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the transmitting the commands from the programming device to the IR emitter includes generating an IR light signal that encodes the commands.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the establishing communication between the programming device and the application executing on the portable computing device includes establishing communication via a wired connection between the programming device and the application executing on the portable computing device.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the establishing communication between the programming device and the application executing on the portable computing device includes establishing communication via a wireless connection between the programming device and the application executing on the portable computing device.
13. A system for configuring an infrared (IR) emitter, comprising:
a portable computing device;
a support structure;
a microprocessor attached to the support structure;
an interface circuit attached to the support structure and configured to provide communications between the microprocessor and the portable computing device;
a memory attached to the support structure and coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the memory is configured with instructions and execution of the instructions by the microprocessor cause the microprocessor to:
communicate with an application executing on the portable computing device; and
initiate transmission of commands to the IR emitter, wherein the commands cause the IR emitter to:
program memory of the IR emitter with configuration data including a vehicle identifier of a vehicle to which the IR emitter is assigned; and
transmit, from the memory of the IR emitter, data associated with operation of the IR emitter; and
a transceiver attached to the support structure and coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the transceiver includes an IR receiver attached to the support structure and coupled to the microprocessor, and the transceiver is configured to:
transmit the commands and the configuration data to the IR emitter; and
receive data from the IR emitter in response to the commands;
wherein the memory is configured with additional instructions and execution of the additional instructions by the microprocessor cause the microprocessor to:
input a count of on-off cycles of IR light emitting diodes of the IR emitter as indicated in diagnostic data and received via the IR receiver from the IR emitter; and
communicate the count of on-off cycles to the application executing on the portable computing device.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the transceiver includes a radio signal transmitter.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the transceiver includes an IR light emitter.
16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the transceiver includes an IR receiver attached to the support structure and coupled to the microprocessor.
17. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a connector electrically coupled to the interface circuit, attached to the support structure and configured to mechanically and electrically engage with and disengage from a data port on a portable computing device.
18. The system of claim 13 , wherein the interface circuit includes a radio signal transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the portable computing device.