Providing remote access to a wireless communication device for controlling a device in a housing

A method comprising:

• engaging a plate assembly to a knockout hole in a housing after removal of a knockout blank from the knockout hole, the housing defining exterior surfaces and an interior region, wherein the plate assembly comprises:
• a coupling device adapted to engage the knockout hole;
• a plate coupled to the coupling device, the plate being of dimensions to at least substantially cover uncovered portions of the knockout hole when the coupling device is engaged with the knockout hole and to be disposed on an exterior surface of the housing and defining an exterior plate surface;
• and at least one of:
• a stimulating device positioned on the exterior plate surface, the stimulating device adapted to connect to a wireless communication device housed within the interior region and that upon actuation of the stimulating device, causes the wireless communication device to perform one or more predefined operations;
• and
• an antenna device positioned on the exterior plate surface, the antenna device adapted to connect to the wireless communication device and to conduct wireless signals to the wireless communication device;
• and
• connecting the at least one of the antenna device and the stimulating device to the wireless communication device.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a wireless communication device assembly adapted to engage a knockout hole in a housing after removal of a knockout blank from the knockout hole, the housing defining exterior surfaces and an interior region housing a base unit, the wireless communication device assembly adapted to connect to the base unit and comprising:
• a housing engagement portion being of dimensions to at least substantially cover any uncovered portions of the knockout hole when the wireless communication device assembly is engaged with the knockout hole;
• a remote unit portion positioned outside of the housing when the wireless communication device assembly is engaged with the knockout hole, the remote unit portion having a remote unit surface distal from the housing engagement portion;
• and at least one of:
• an antenna device to receive wireless communications;
• and
• a stimulating device positioned on the remote unit surface that upon actuation of the stimulating device causes the base unit to perform one or more predefined operations.

A system comprising:

• a means for engaging a wireless communication device assembly to a knockout hole in a housing after removal of a knockout blank from the knockout hole, the housing defining exterior surfaces and an interior region housing a base unit, the wireless communication device assembly adapted to connect to the base unit and comprising:
• a housing engagement portion being of dimensions to at least substantially cover any uncovered portions of the knockout hole when the wireless communication device assembly is engaged with the knockout hole;
• a remote unit portion positioned outside of the housing when the wireless communication device assembly is engaged with the knockout hole, the remote unit portion having a remote unit surface distal from the housing engagement portion;
• and at least one of:
• an antenna device to receive wireless communications;
• and
• a stimulating device positioned on the remote unit surface that upon actuation of the stimulating device causes the base unit to perform one or more predefined operations;
• and
• a means for connecting the wireless communication device assembly to the base unit.