In-field sensor programming
View Patent ↗A method, system, and apparatus for programming a sensor at a customer location is disclosed. A defective sensor at a customer location is replaced by a new sensor that is programmed at the customer location using a programming device or a transducer coupled to a computing device. The new sensor is programming using the sensor's detector normally used to sense a change in a magnetic field, an RF signal, infra-red light, or some other emission or property.
1. A sensor, comprising:
a magnetic field detector;
a memory for storing processor-executable instructions and sensor data;
a transmitter for transmitting alarm signals to a remote receiver; and
a processor, coupled to the magnetic field detector, the memory and the transmitter, for executing the processor-executable instructions that causes the sensor to:
determine, by the processor, that a magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field detector is being modulated;
in response to determining that a magnetic field is being modulated, enter a programming mode of operation;
detect, by the processor, further modulation of the magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field detector;
convert, by the processor, the further modulation of the magnetic field into programming information; and
replace, by the processor, at least some of the sensor data stored in the memory with the programming information.
2. The sensor of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator for providing an indication, and the instructions comprise further instructions that causes the sensor to:
determine, by the processor, that the programming information was successfully stored in the memory; and
in response to determining that the programming information was successfully stored in the memory, provide a signal to the indicator that causes the indicator to generate the indication.
3. The sensor of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator for providing an indication, and the instructions comprise further instructions that causes the sensor to:
determine, by the processor, that the sensor successfully entered the programming mode of operation; and
in response to determining that the sensor successfully entered the programming mode of operation, provide a signal to the indicator that causes the indicator to generate the indication.
4. The sensor of claim 2 , wherein the instructions comprise further instructions that causes the sensor to:
determine, by the processor, that the sensor successfully entered the programming mode of operation; and
in response to determining that the sensor successfully entered the programming mode of operation, provide a second signal to the indicator that causes the indicator to generate a second indication.
5. The sensor of claim 3 , wherein the instructions comprise further instructions that causes the sensor to:
determine, by the processor, that the programming information was successfully stored in the memory; and
in response to determining that the programming information was successfully stored in the memory, provide a second signal to the indicator that causes the indicator to generate a second indication.
6. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sensor data comprises a serial number.
7. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the instructions that cause the sensor to determine that a magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field sensor is being modulated comprises instructions that cause the sensor to:
determine a number of times that the magnetic field detector has been toggled;
compare the number of times that the magnetic field detector has been toggled to a predetermined number stored in the memory; and
enter the programming mode of operation when the number of times that the magnetic field detector has been toggled matches the predetermined number stored in the memory.
8. A method, performed by a sensor, comprising:
determining, by a processor, that a magnetic field sensed by a magnetic field detector is being modulated;
in response to determining that a magnetic field is being modulated, entering a programming mode of operation;
detecting, by the processor, further modulation of the magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field sensor;
converting, by the processor, the further modulation of the magnetic field into programming information; and
replacing, by the processor, at least some of the sensor data stored in the memory with the programming information.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
determining, by the processor, that the programming information was successfully stored in the memory; and
in response to determining that the programming information was successfully stored in the memory, providing a signal to an indicator that causes the indicator to generate an indication.
10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
determining, by the processor, that the sensor successfully entered the programming mode of operation; and
in response to determining that the sensor successfully entered the programming mode of operation, providing a signal to an indicator that causes the indicator to generate an indication.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
determining, by the processor, that the sensor successfully entered the programming mode of operation; and
in response to determining that the sensor successfully entered the programming mode of operation, providing a second signal to the indicator that causes the indicator to generate a second indication.
12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
determining, by the processor, that the programming information was successfully stored in the memory; and
in response to determining that the programming information was successfully stored in the memory, providing a second signal to the indicator that causes the indicator to generate a second indication.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the sensor data comprises a serial number.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein determining that a magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field sensor is being modulated comprises:
determining a number of times that the magnetic field detector has been toggled;
comparing the number of times that the magnetic field detector has been toggled to a predetermined number stored in the memory; and
entering the programming mode of operation when the number of times that the magnetic field detector has been toggled matches the predetermined number stored in the memory.