Handheld Tool Electronics Remote Configuration via Mobile Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern hand-held tools lack the ability to remotely monitor and transmit data outside the immediate vicinity of a personal computer, limiting early detection of malfunctions and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method for configuring device electronics in hand-held tools that includes sensor means, a control unit, and a data transmission device capable of wireless communication via a mobile radio network, allowing data transmission and configuration file retrieval from anywhere, using SMS or direct mobile radio connections for bidirectional communication, and incorporating a position determination device for location-based data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual data transmission via personal computer interface is used, then data can be transmitted when tool is in immediate vicinity of PC, but remote data transmission capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile radio network as an intermediary between the tool's data transmission device and the evaluation center. The mobile radio network acts as a mediator that enables communication when the tool is not in immediate vicinity of a personal computer, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable data transmission and remote capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data transmission system into three independent components: the tool's data transmission device, the mobile radio network, and the evaluation center. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently and communicate through standardized interfaces, enabling both reliable transmission and remote capability.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then early detection of malfunctions is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the control unit wake up from sleep mode at predetermined times to check for configuration files and transmit data. This periodic activation maintains the capability for early malfunction detection while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring, as the system remains in low-power state between activations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the control unit checks for configuration files that may contain updates or commands from the evaluation center. This feedback loop allows the system to respond to remote instructions while maintaining energy efficiency by only activating when necessary to check for and process these feedback signals.
3Productivity
If data transmission device is activated continuously, then data can be transmitted anytime, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control program implements periodic activation of the data transmission device at predetermined times rather than continuous operation. This reduces both energy consumption and the complexity of the control program, as the system only needs to manage scheduled wake-up events rather than continuous transmission protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where the control unit automatically wakes up at predetermined times to check for configuration files and transmit data without requiring external triggering. This automation reduces the complexity of the control program by eliminating the need for complex event-driven architecture while maintaining data transmission availability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for configuring the electronics of a handheld tool (10), which includes sensor means (20) for acquiring measurement data, a control unit (50) for processing measurement data and controlling device functions, and a data transmission device (30). In this method, data is transmitted between the data transmission device (30) and an evaluation center (62) via a mobile network. The electronics are woken up from a sleep mode (70) and activated at a time specified as a time parameter in a control program. Subsequently, the data transmission device (30) retrieves a configuration file provided by the evaluation center (62) via the mobile network and checks whether the response received from the mobile network contains a new configuration file.If a configuration file is received, the parameters contained in the configuration file are implemented in the control program for the device electronics (77). The device electronics are then returned to sleep mode (70).