Abstract: A method for automatically collecting and analyzing data from a plurality of industrial equipment includes automatically establishing communication between sensor nodes of the plurality of equipment and a walk-in device in response to the walk-in device entering a data collection area in a facility associated with the plurality of electrical equipment. The method also includes determining if the walk-in device is an authorized device to collect data from the plurality of industrial equipment and, in response to determining the walk-in device is an authorized device, automatically collecting select data from the plurality of industrial equipment on the walk-in device. The collected data is processed and one or more actions are performed based on the collected data.

Abstract: A wireless sensor preferably has a case which is intrinsically safe and has no exposed parts which can become not intrinsically safe due to the passage of time or through contact with chemicals typically encountered in a location where the wireless sensor is used. It preferably has no integral visual display other than lights, and it preferably includes at least one signal light. The sensor preferably includes a wireless transceiver for allowing remote read and remote control of the sensor. The sensor preferably includes piezoelectric pressure detectors for allowing a user to locally interact with the sensor by pressing on the case. Data can be automatically harvested from the sensors by a portable electronic data-retrieving device which is usually geographically remote from the sensors when the portable electronic data-retrieving device and the sensors are in range of a wireless system which allows them to communicate when they are geographically proximate each other.

Abstract: A wireless instrument area network node employs an internal force sensor arrangement to detect user-provided force on the node and initiate a node operation, such as wake the node from a sleep state or low power mode to a more power-hungry awake and processing state. The internal force sensor avoids the need to provide external buttons, a screen, and the like on the surface of the node that could lead to intrusion of fluids, gases, or other unwanted substances into the node. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a microswitch that has sufficient sensitivity to detect even a very small amount of deflection resulting from, for example, a hand touch. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a piezoelectric sensor that has similarly high deflection sensitivity. Multiple such deflection detectors may be at different angles to one another deployed to provide greater directional coverage for the deflection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing one-time pad (OTP) encryption in industrial wireless instruments advantageously make use of data storage devices now available that can store a large number of encryption keys or pads in a small enough package to fit within an industrial wireless instrument. In some embodiments, the wireless instruments use solid-state memory devices that can easily hold a sufficient number of pads to last the expected lifetime of the wireless instruments. The solid-state memory devices are installed only during manufacturing of the wireless instruments where tamper-resistant manufacturing and assembly techniques may be used to ensure security for the pads. Likewise, the solid-state memory devices of the wireless instruments are also replaced or replenished only at an authorized manufacturer should additional pads be needed.

Abstract: A wireless instrument area network node employs an internal force sensor arrangement to detect user-provided force on the node and initiate a node operation, such as wake the node from a sleep state or low power mode to a more power-hungry awake and processing state. The internal force sensor avoids the need to provide external buttons, a screen, and the like on the surface of the node that could lead to intrusion of fluids, gases, or other unwanted substances into the node. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a microswitch that has sufficient sensitivity to detect even a very small amount of deflection resulting from, for example, a hand touch. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a piezoelectric sensor that has similarly high deflection sensitivity. Multiple such deflection detectors may be at different angles to one another deployed to provide greater directional coverage for the deflection.

Abstract: A wireless sensor preferably has a case which is intrinsically safe and has no exposed parts which can become not intrinsically safe due to the passage of time or through contact with chemicals typically encountered in a location where the wireless sensor is used. It preferably has no integral visual display other than lights, and it preferably includes at least one signal light. The sensor preferably includes a wireless transceiver for allowing remote read and remote control of the sensor. The sensor preferably includes piezoelectric pressure detectors for allowing a user to locally interact with the sensor by pressing on the case. Data can be automatically harvested from the sensors by a portable electronic data-retrieving device which is usually geographically remote from the sensors when the portable electronic data-retrieving device and the sensors are in range of a wireless system which allows them to communicate when they are geographically proximate each other.

Abstract: A method for automatically collecting and analyzing data from a plurality of industrial equipment includes automatically establishing communication between sensor nodes of the plurality of equipment and a walk-in device in response to the walk-in device entering a data collection area in a facility associated with the plurality of electrical equipment. The method also includes determining if the walk-in device is an authorized device to collect data from the plurality of industrial equipment and, in response to determining the walk-in device is an authorized device, automatically collecting select data from the plurality of industrial equipment on the walk-in device. The collected data is processed and one or more actions are performed based on the collected data.

Abstract: A wireless sensor preferably has a case which is intrinsically safe and has no exposed parts which can become not intrinsically safe due to the passage of time or through contact with chemicals typically encountered in a location where the wireless sensor is used. It preferably has no integral visual display other than lights, and it preferably includes at least one signal light. The sensor preferably includes a wireless transceiver for allowing remote read and remote control of the sensor. The sensor preferably includes piezoelectric pressure detectors for allowing a user to locally interact with the sensor by pressing on the case. Data can be automatically harvested from the sensors by a portable electronic data-retrieving device which is usually geographically remote from the sensors when the portable electronic data-retrieving device and the sensors are in range of a wireless system which allows them to communicate when they are geographically proximate each other.