Interfacing peripheral devices used in a hazardous environment
AssigneeWearable Technology Limited
InventorMichael John LYNCH
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A peripheral device (701) is knocked against a control unit (704), whereafter the peripheral device is attached to an item of clothing, such as a jacket. The control unit is connected to a wiring loom in the jacket, to operate attached light-emitting devices. The control unit is located within the jacket to receive environmental data during an operation shift. In response to the knocking step, the control unit energizes a passive transponder attached to the peripheral device and the passive transponder transmits held signature data in response to being energized. The control unit stores the transmitted signature data and the control unit only records environment data that includes stored signature data.
Claims20
An apparatus for use in a hazardous environment, comprising:
- a control unit including a processor and a battery;
- an item of clothing having light-emitting devices and a wiring loom for connecting said light-emitting devices to said control unit;
- and
- a peripheral device attached to said item of clothing, wherein:
- said peripheral device is configured to generate environmental data and broadcast said environmental data after predetermined intervals by radio transmission;
- each said broadcast includes signature data identifying said peripheral device;
- said peripheral device includes a passive transponder including a data storage device for holding said signature data;
- said control unit includes an energizing device for energizing said passive transponder, a receiver for receiving data transmitted from said passive transponder and a data storage device for storing transmitted signature data;
- and
- said processor is configured to only record environmental data that includes previously stored signature data.
A method of receiving environmental data from a peripheral device, comprising steps of:
- knocking a peripheral device against a control unit;
- attaching said peripheral device to an item of clothing, such that said peripheral device is mechanically supported;
- connecting said control unit to a wiring loom in said item of clothing, wherein said control unit operates light-emitting devices attached to said item of clothing;
- and
- locating said control unit within said item of clothing to receive environmental data during an operation shift, wherein:
- in response to said knocking step, said control unit energizes a passive transponder attached to said peripheral device;
- said passive transponder transmits held signature data in response to being energized;
- said control unit stores said transmitted signature data;
- and
- said control unit only records environment data that includes stored signature data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.