In-field sensor programming
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. An apparatus for programming a sensor in the field, comprising:
a user 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 user interface, the memory and the transducer driver, for executing the processor-executable instructions that causes the apparatus to:
receive, by the processor via the user interface, a command from a user 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, an amplified command signal, the amplified command signal 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;
wherein the sensor enters the programming mode of operation as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a data interface;
wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise 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, amplified sensor data, the amplified 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 amplified sensor data;
wherein the sensor stores the sensor data for use in future transmissions by the sensor as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light caused by the amplified sensor data.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise instructions that further cause the apparatus to:
generate, by the processor, a second command that causes the sensor enter a normal mode of operation;
provide, by the processor, the second command to the transducer driver;
generate, by the transducer driver, a second amplified command signal, the second amplified command signal 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 amplified command signal;
wherein the sensor enters the normal mode of operation as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light caused by the second amplified command signal.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise instructions that causes the apparatus to:
receive, by the processor, sensor data from the user interface, the sensor data comprising sensor identification information;
provide, by the processor, the sensor data to the transducer driver;
generate, by the transducer driver, amplified sensor data, the amplified 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 amplified sensor data;
wherein the sensor stores the sensor data for use in future transmissions by the sensor as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light caused by the amplified sensor data.
5. A method for programming a sensor in the field, comprising:
receiving, by the processor via a user interface coupled to the processor, a command that causes the sensor to enter a programming mode of operation;
providing, by the processor, the command to a transducer driver coupled to the processor;
generating, by the transducer driver, an amplified command, the amplified command capable of electronically driving a transducer coupled to the transducer driver; and
modulating, by the transducer, the magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light in accordance with the amplified command;
wherein the sensor enters the programming mode of operation as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
receiving, by the processor, sensor data from a data interface coupled to the processor, the sensor data comprising sensor identification information;
providing, by the processor, the sensor data to the transducer driver;
generating, by the transducer driver, amplified sensor data, the amplified sensor data comprising the sensor data 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 sensor data;
wherein the sensor stores the sensor data for use in future transmissions by the sensor as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light caused by the amplified sensor data.
7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
receiving, by the processor, sensor data from a user interface coupled to the processor, the sensor data comprising sensor identification information;
providing, by the processor, the sensor data to the transducer driver;
generating, by the transducer driver, amplified sensor data, the amplified sensor data comprising the sensor data 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 sensor data;
wherein the sensor stores the sensor data for use in future transmissions by the sensor as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light caused by the amplified sensor data.
8. An apparatus for programming a sensor in the field, comprising:
a data interface for receiving a command from a user device coupled to the apparatus to place the sensor into a programming mode of operation;
a transducer driver coupled to the data interface for receiving the command and for generating an amplified command signal; and
a transducer for receiving the amplified command signal and for modulating a magnetic field, an RF signal, or infra-red light in accordance with the amplified command signal;
wherein the sensor enters the programming mode of operation as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the modulated RF signal, or the modulated infra-red light.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:
the data interface is configured to further receive sensor information comprising sensor identification information from the user device;
the transducer driver is further configured to receive the sensor information and to generate an amplified sensor information signal; and
the transducer is further configured to receive the amplified sensor information signal and to modulate a magnetic field, an RF signal, or infra-red light in accordance with the amplified sensor information;
wherein the sensor stores the sensor data for use in future transmissions by the sensor as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light caused by the amplified sensor information.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the sensor information comprises a serial number of a defective sensor.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the sensor information comprises updated sensor firmware.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the sensor comprises a security door or a window sensor, the security door or window sensor 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 reproduce the sensor information.
13. A method for programming a sensor in the field, comprising:
receiving, by a data interface coupled to a user device, a command from the user device, the command for causing the sensor to enter into a programming mode of operation;
receiving, by a transducer driver coupled to the data interface, the command and generating an amplified command signal based on the command; and
receiving, by a transducer coupled to the transducer driver, the amplified command signal and for modulating a magnetic field, an RF signal, or infra-red light in accordance with the amplified command signal;
wherein the sensor enters the programming mode of operation as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the modulated RF signal, or the modulated infra-red light.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
receiving, by the data interface, sensor data from the user device;
receiving, by the transducer driver, the sensor data and generating amplified sensor data based on the sensor data; and
receiving, by the transducer, the amplified sensor data and for modulating a magnetic field, an RF signal, or infra-red light in accordance with the amplified sensor data;
wherein the sensor stores the sensor data for use in future transmissions by the sensor as a result of detecting the modulated magnetic field, the RF signal or the infra-red light caused by the amplified sensor information.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the sensor data comprises a serial number of a defective sensor.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the sensor data comprises updated sensor firmware.