IL295066B2 - A system and method for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe - Google Patents
A system and method for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipeInfo
- Publication number
- IL295066B2 IL295066B2 IL295066A IL29506622A IL295066B2 IL 295066 B2 IL295066 B2 IL 295066B2 IL 295066 A IL295066 A IL 295066A IL 29506622 A IL29506622 A IL 29506622A IL 295066 B2 IL295066 B2 IL 295066B2
- Authority
- IL
- Israel
- Prior art keywords
- rit
- tag
- reader
- stahlband
- blockage
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 17
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 44
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005236 sound signal Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 6
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009435 building construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005672 electromagnetic field Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013519 translation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
- H02G1/06—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
- H02G1/08—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling
- H02G1/081—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling using pulling means at cable ends, e.g. pulling eyes or anchors
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
- H02G1/06—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
- H02G1/08—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling
- H02G1/083—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling using lines, e.g. needles, rods or tapes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/80—Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
- B65H2701/37—Tapes
- B65H2701/376—Electrician's fish tapes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V15/00—Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Geophysics (AREA)
- Near-Field Transmission Systems (AREA)
- Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
Description
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A SYSTEM A SYSTEM A SYSTEM A SYSTEM AND METHOD AND METHOD AND METHOD AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A FOR DETECTING A FOR DETECTING A FOR DETECTING A
BLOCKAGE IN AN INFRASTRUCTURE PIPE BLOCKAGE IN AN INFRASTRUCTURE PIPE BLOCKAGE IN AN INFRASTRUCTURE PIPE BLOCKAGE IN AN INFRASTRUCTURE PIPE
TECHNICAL FIELD TECHNICAL FIELD TECHNICAL FIELD TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of electricity
network infrastructure of a building construction.
BACKGROUND ART BACKGROUND ART BACKGROUND ART BACKGROUND ART
The term "electricity network" refers herein to a network
of pipes disposed in a room's walls including its ceiling. Such
pipes are referred as "infrastructure pipes". The pipes are
placed in the walls and ceiling before the plastering stage.
Later on the electrical wires are disposed inside the
infrastructure pipes by an instrument called "stahlband".
A stahlband, which is the German translation of steel
band, comprises a cable, usually made of steel, in which at the
end thereof is installed a hooking device. Since the wire is
made of steel, it has some flexibility, which allows only a
limited bending. As such, the stahlband can be passed through
an infrastructure pipe until it comes out from the other side of
the pipe. Then the electrical wire is connected to the hooking
device, and is passed to the other side of the pipe by pulling
the stahlband.
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A major problem with this technology is a presence of a
blockage inside infrastructure pipes. Since in the prior art no
solution is provided for detecting the blockage, a constructor
has to spend time for detecting the blockage and removing it.
As such, there is a long felt need of a solution to the
problems of the prior art described herein.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent as the description proceeds.
SUMMARY OF SUMMARY OF SUMMARY OF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION THE INVENTION THE INVENTION THE INVENTION
RIT, the acronym of Radio Identification Technology
refers herein to a radio identification technology, such as RFID
and many other technologies that are available presently in
the market. It comprises a tag, which is referred herein as RIT RIT RIT RIT
tag tag tag tag, and a corresponding reader, which is referred herein as
RIT RIT RIT RIT reader reader reader reader, such as in the RFID technology. Ultra Wide-Band
(UWB) RTLS, WiFi RTLS and AirFinder are technologies that
provide RFID like functionality.
"A smartphone is a portable device that combines mobile
telephone and computing functions into one unit." (From
Wikipedia)
"A tablet computer, commonly shortened to tablet, is a
mobile device, typically with a mobile operating system and
touchscreen display processing circuitry, and a rechargeable
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battery in a single, thin and flat package." (From Wikipedia).
Usually it is not adapted to be used as a telephone.
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a
system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe (16),
the system comprising:
a stahlband device (10) having a cable (11) and a hooking
device (12) at one side thereof;
an RIT tag (22), disposed at the side; and
an RIT reader (23) in a form of a smartphone or tablet
computer, for communicating with the RIT tag (22), the RIT
reader being adapted to detect an intensity of a
communication signal (24) of the RIT reader with the RIT tag
(22),
thereby allowing detecting a blockage (21) in an
infrastructure pipe (16) by detecting a location of the RIT tag
(22) according to an intensity of the communication signal (24).
Preferably, the RIT tag is an RFID tag, and the RIT
reader is an RFID reader.
The RIT tag may be passive as well as active.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the RIT
reader may comprise an audio player for playing an audio
signal in an intensity which is a function of strength of the
communication.
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According to one embodiment of the invention, the RIT
reader comprises an audio player for playing a flickering audio
signal, wherein the denser the flickering, the stronger the
communication signal.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the RIT
reader comprises a light fixture that its lighting intensity is a
function of strength of the communication.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the RIT
reader comprises a light fixture for displaying a flickering light
signal, wherein the denser the flickering, the stronger the
communication signal.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the RIT
tag comprises a first RIT tag device detectable from a distance
up to 10 cm, and a second the RIT tag device detectable from a
distance of greater than 10 cm, thereby allowing firstly
detecting a general direction of the blockage, and then
detecting the blockage more accurately.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the RIT
reader comprises a pointer (27) pointing on a direction of a
corresponding RIT tag.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the
communication is according to Bluetooth protocol.
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According to one embodiment of the invention, the RIT
tag is embedded in a sleeve that wraps said cable, wherein a
diameter of the sleeve does not exceed a width of the stahlband
device along all its entire length, thereby allowing installing
the RIT tag to an existing stahlband.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the RIT
tag is embedded in the sleeve surrounding the cable and
adapted to grab a cable in a range of diameters, thereby
enabling the installation of the RIT tag in an existing
stahlband.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the RIT
tag is installed in a hooking device (12) of the stahlband device
(10), wherein the hooking device (12) is connectable to the
stahlband cable (11) by a threading (33), and wherein the
hooking device comprises a power source for operating said
RIT tag.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a
method for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe, the
method comprising the steps of:
providing an RIT tag, and attaching thereof to an end of
a stahlband device;
upon blocking an advance of a cable of the stahlband
device in the infrastructure pipe, approaching an RIT reader
in a form of smartphone or tablet computer to a location where
an RIT communication signal with the RIT tag is an highest,
thereby detecting a location proximate to the blocking.
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The reference numbers have been used to point out
elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein,
in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They
are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Also, the
foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described
and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods
thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not
limiting.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention are described herein in
conjunction with the following drawings:
Fig. 1 Fig. 1 Fig. 1 Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a structure of a room,
according to the prior art.
Fig. 2 Fig. 2 Fig. 2 Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a second step of
operating a stahlband, according to the prior art.
Fig. 3 Fig. 3 Fig. 3 Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a blockage that blocks a
stahlband wire from advancing, according to the prior art.
Fig. 4a Fig. 4a Fig. 4a Fig. 4a schematically illustrates a system for detecting a
blockage in an infrastructure pipe, according to one
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4b Fig. 4b Fig. 4b Fig. 4b schematically illustrates a system for detecting a
blockage in an infrastructure pipe, according to a further
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 5 Fig. 5 Fig. 5 Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a detection of a blockage
by a system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe,
according to one embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 6 Fig. 6 Fig. 6 Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a repaired infrastructure
pipe, according to one embodiment of the invention.
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Fig. 7a Fig. 7a Fig. 7a Fig. 7a schematically illustrates an RFID reader of a
system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe,
according to one embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 7b Fig. 7b Fig. 7b Fig. 7b schematically illustrates an RFID reader of a
system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe,
according to another embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 8 Fig. 8 Fig. 8 Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a system for detecting a
blockage in an infrastructure pipe, according to one
embodiment of the invention.
Each of Figs. 9a, 9b and 9c Each of Figs. 9a, 9b and 9c Each of Figs. 9a, 9b and 9c Each of Figs. 9a, 9b and 9c schematically illustrates a
stage in installing a RIT tag on a prior art stahlband,
according to one embodiment of the invention.
It should be understood that the drawings are not
necessarily drawn to scale.
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DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The present invention will be understood from the
following detailed description of preferred embodiments ("best
mode"), which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting.
For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods,
systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not
described in detail.
Fig. 1 Fig. 1 Fig. 1 Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a structure of a room,
according to the prior art.
In the wall 14 and in the ceiling 15 is installed an
infrastructure pipe 16. Numeral 17 denotes a junction box
disposed on the ceiling 15. Numeral 18 denotes a terminal box
disposed at wall 14.
The stahlband 10 comprises (a) a cable 11 which has a
limited flexibility, (b) a hooking device 12 at one end thereof,
and (c) a coil of the limited flexibility cable 13 at the other end
thereof. Preferably, the cable is made of steel.
Fig. 1 also illustrates a first step of operating a
stahlband. A user pushes the stahlband cable 11 into an
infrastructure pipe 16 until it emerges through the other end
of the infrastructure pipe 16.
Fig. 2 Fig. 2 Fig. 2 Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a second step of
operating a stahlband, according to the prior art.
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In this step, the user ties the electrical wire 19 to the
hooking device 12 of the stahlband, and pulls the stahlband
back until the electrical wire 19 emerges from the entry of the
infrastructure pipe 16.
Fig. 3 Fig. 3 Fig. 3 Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a blockage that blocks a
stahlband wire from advancing, according to the prior art.
Reference numeral 21 denotes a blockage.
When such blockage is present in an infrastructure pipe,
the user needs to detect the location of the blockage, break the
wall or ceiling at this place, remove the blockage, and repair
the infrastructure pipe. Only then he can continue with the
wiring process. Such a blockage may delay the work for several
hours.
Until now there is no solution for detecting the blockage
location. According to the present invention, an RFID tag is
attached to the end of a stahlband cable 11, close to the
hooking device 12, and therefore the end of the stahlband
cable can be detected by a signal intensity of communication
with an RFID reader.
"Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses
electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags
attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a tiny radio
transponder, a radio receiver and transmitter. When triggered
20580
by an electromagnetic interrogation pulse from a nearby RFID
reader device, the tag transmits digital data, usually an
identifying inventory number, back to the reader. This number
can be used to track inventory goods.
There are two types of RFID tags:
- Passive tags are powered by energy from the RFID reader's
interrogating radio waves.
- Active tags are powered by a battery and thus can be read
at a greater range from the RFID reader, up to hundreds of
meters.
Unlike a barcode, the tag does not need to be within the
line of sight of the reader, so it may be embedded in the
tracked object." (From Wikipedia)
"Hitachi holds the record for the smallest RFID chip, at
0.05 mm × 0.05 mm. This is 1/64th the size of the previous
record holder, the mu-chip.[23] Manufacture is enabled by
using the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) process. These dust-sized
chips can store 38-digit numbers using 128-bit Read Only
Memory (ROM).[24] A major challenge is the attachment of
antennas, thus limiting read range to only millimeters." (From
Wikipedia)
Since the RFID tag can be detected by an RFID reader,
and since an RFID reader can measure the intensity of the RF
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(Radio Frequency) signal, the intensity of the signal can be
used for detecting a distance of the RFID tag from the RFID
reader.
Fig. 4 Fig. 4 Fig. 4 Fig. 4a a a a schematically illustrates a system for detecting a
blockage in an infrastructure pipe, according to one
embodiment of the invention.
The system comprises a stahlband device comprising a
limited flexibility cable 11, as in the prior art; a hooking device
12, as in the prior art; an RFID tag 22; and an RFID reader 23.
The RFID reader communicates with the RFID tag via
RFID communication signal 24. The strength of the
communication signal 24 is displayed to a user by the RFID
reader 23, either by an audio and/or visual alerting 29. For
example, the intensity of the alerting signal 29, whether is an
audio or visual signal, is a function of the strength of the RFID
communication signal 24.
The user tries to approach the RFID reader 23 to the
location in which the RFID communication signal intensity is
the highest. The blockage is in the infrastructure pipe close to
this place.
As explained, the strength of the communication
signal can be displayed to the user via either visual and/or
sound. The stronger the communication signal, the greater
the intensity of the light / sound.
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Another way to display this information is through
flickering. The denser the flickering, the stronger the
communication signal.
Fig. 4 Fig. 4 Fig. 4 Fig. 4b b b b schematically illustrates a system for detecting a
blockage in an infrastructure pipe, according to a further
embodiment of the invention.
Some RFID systems are designed for the short distance
between the tag and the reader, such as up to 10 cm, there are
systems for larger distances, such as meters or more, and even
tens and hundreds of meters. Therefore, in order to improve
the detection of the RFID tag, two or more tags can be used,
one for short distances (for example up to 10 cm), and the
other for larger distances. The direction is first located using
the long-distance tag, and once the communication with short-
range tag is effective, the blockage can be reached more
accurately.
The figure illustrates two RFID tags 22a and 22b, and
an RFID reader 23, which communicates with both tags
simultaneously.
Fig. 5 Fig. 5 Fig. 5 Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a detection of a blockage
by a system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe,
according to one embodiment of the invention.
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When a blockage happens, the user brings the RFID
reader 23 closer as possible to the blockage by approaching the
reader to the location from where the intensity of the detected
signal is the highest. At this location he breaks the wall /
ceiling, cuts the infrastructure pipe 16, removes the blockage
21, repairs the broken pipe, and continues with threading the
stahlband cable 11. The broken pipe can be repaired by an
adapter, as illustrated in Fig. 6 by component 28.
Fig. 6 Fig. 6 Fig. 6 Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a repaired infrastructure
pipe, according to one embodiment of the invention.
As illustrated, an adapter 28 is installed instead of the
removed part of the infrastructure pipe 16, and the electrical
wire is passed through the pipe.
Fig. 7a Fig. 7a Fig. 7a Fig. 7a schematically illustrates an RFID reader of a
system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe,
according to one embodiment of the invention.
From a user point of view, the RFID reader 23 according
to this embodiment is a "simple" device which comprises
displays audio and/or video signal which is a function of the
RFID communication signal strength, as explained
hereinabove. It is adapted to work only with a corresponding
RFID tag 22.
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Fig. 7b Fig. 7b Fig. 7b Fig. 7b schematically illustrates an RFID reader of a
system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe,
according to another embodiment of the invention.
The RFID reader according to this embodiment of the
invention is a box that comprises a display 26 on which are
displayed informative details, such as the RFID
communication strength. Of course, the RFID reader 23 is
capable of playing an audio and/or visual signal, which is a
function of the RFID communication signal strength, as
explained hereinabove.
The RFID reader according to this embodiment of the
invention comprises also a pointer 27 which points on the
direction where the RFID communication strength is the
highest, i.e., the location of the corresponding RFID tag.
For the sake of brevity, in Figs. 7a and 7b the
infrastructure pipe is not illustrated.
Fig. 8 Fig. 8 Fig. 8 Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a system for detecting a
blockage in an infrastructure pipe, according to one
embodiment of the invention.
The system comprises a stahlband device comprising a
limited flexibility cable 11, as in the prior art; a hooking device
12, as in the prior art; a RIT tag 22; and a RIT reader 23.
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According to this embodiment of the invention, the RIT
reader 23 is in a form of smartphone or tablet computer. The
communication between the RIT tag and the RIT reader (i.e.,
the smartphone or tablet computer) can be carried out via
RFID protocol. However, as presently smartphones and tablet
computers do not support RFID communication, this requires
upgrading the smartphone / tablet computer hardware to
support RFID communication.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the
communication between the RIT tag and its associated RIT
reader is carried out via a Bluetooth protocol. As presently
smartphones and tablet computers support Bluetooth
communication, the Bluetooth protocol can be used as a RIT
communication without any modification to the smartphone or
tablet computer hardware. Since Bluetooth is a
communication protocol between two communicators, each of
the communicators can identify himself to the other one via
the Bluetooth communication.
"A communication protocol is a system of rules that
allows two or more entities of a communications system to
transmit information via any kind of variation of a physical
quantity. The protocol defines the rules, syntax, semantics and
synchronization of communication and possible error recovery
methods. Protocols may be implemented by hardware,
software, or a combination of both." (From Wikipedia)
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"Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard
that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile
devices over short distances using UHF radio waves in the
ISM bands, from 2.402 GHz to 2.48 GHz, and building
personal area networks (PANs)." (From Wikipedia)
As mentioned, the benefit of using Bluetooth
communication between the RIT tag and the RIT reader over
RFID communication is that presently smartphones support
Bluetooth communication, and therefore a smartphone can be
employed as a RIT reader without upgrading its hardware.
Furthermore, as presently smartphones are able to
communicate simultaneously with several Bluetooth
communicators one smartphone can be used as a RIT reader to
several RIT tags.
In this figure is shown a single smartphone (used as RIT
reader) simultaneously communicating with two stahlbands.
On the smartphone's screen are presented two Bluetooth icons,
one refers to a stahlband referred as #1, and the other to a
stahlband referred as #2. Only stahlband #1 is shown in this
figure.
Each of Each of Each of Each of Fig Fig Fig Figs s s s. 9 . 9 . 9 . 9a, 9b and 9c a, 9b and 9c a, 9b and 9c a, 9b and 9c schematically illustrates a
stage in installing a RIT tag on a prior art stahlband,
according to one embodiment of the invention.
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Since presently stahlbands are not designed to work
with an RIT tags, this embodiment of the invention overcomes
this obstacle by an RIT tag which can be attached to a prior
art stahlband.
The RIT tag 22 is attached to a first sleeve 31 which
comprises an inner threading. Numeral 32 denotes a second
sleeve, which comprises an external threading respectively to
the inner threading of the first sleeve 31. The sleeves are
designed such that by rotating sleeve 31 the diameter of sleeve
32 diminishes, and thereby the grab on the stahlband cable
increases.
It should be noted that sleeve 32 is halved so that the
sleeve can be wrapped around the cable in the open position of
the sleeve, and then close it, and fastened by rotating the
external sleeve 31. In Fig. 9a sleeve 32 is open. In Fig. 9c
sleeve 32 is closed.
The use of two overlapping sleeves 31 and 32 allow to
attach an RIT tag to a stahlband such that the perimeter of
the stahlband does not increase, therefore the threading the
stahlband in an infrastructure pipe is not affected.
This mechanism is actually a "universal" mechanism
since it can be used in cables of different diameters, and
therefore in almost any stahlband.
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The embodiment of Figs. 9a to 9c is merely an example,
and other gripping mechanisms can be employed.
For example, most prior art stahlbands have an external
threading near to the hooking device. Accordingly, sleeve 31
can be adapted to comprise an inner threading
correspondingly with this external threading of the stahlband.
Figs. Figs. Figs. Figs. 10 10 10 10a, a, a, a, 10 10 10 10b and b and b and b and 10 10 10 10c c c c schematically illustrate a system
for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe, according to
one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 10a is an exploded side-
view thereof; Fig. 10b is an exploded-perspective view thereof;
and Fig. 10c is a perspective view thereof.
At the end of the stahlband cable 11 is connected a male
threading 33, which threads to a corresponding female
threading (not shown) in the hooking device 12. The RFID tag
22 is installed on the detachable hooking device 12.
If required, the hooking device has a power source (i.e.,
battery) for operating the RFID tag. The power source is not
shown in these figures.
This arrangement allows replacing only the hooking
device 12 instead of the entire stahlband device in case the
RFID tag has to be replaced.
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In the figures and/or description herein, the following
reference numerals (Reference Signs List) have been
mentioned:
- numeral 10 denotes a stahlband device;
- numeral 11 denotes a stahlband cable having a limited
flexibility (referred herein also as stahlband cable);
- numeral 12 denotes a hooking device;
- numeral 13 denotes a coiled steel cable;
- numeral 14 denotes a wall;
- numeral 15 denotes a ceiling;
- numeral 16 denotes an infrastructure pipe;
- numeral 17 denotes a junction box;
- numeral 18 denotes a terminal box;
- numeral 19 denotes an electrical wire;
- numeral 20 denotes a coiled electrical wire;
- numeral 21 denotes a blockage;
- each of numerals 22, 22a and 22b denotes an RFID tag;
- numeral 23 denotes an RFID reader;
- numeral 24 denotes RFID communication signal;
- numeral 26 denotes a display;
- numeral 27 denotes a direction pointer of an RFID reader
that points on the corresponding RFID tag;
- numeral 28 denotes an adapter;
- numeral 29 denotes an alerting audio / visual signal;
- numeral 31 denotes a first sleeve 31 which comprises an
inner threading;
- numeral 32 denotes a second sleeve, which comprises an
external threading respectively to the inner threading of
the first sleeve 31;
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- numeral 33 denotes a male threading; and
- numeral 34 denotes a connector that connects the threading
33 to the stahlband cable 11.
The foregoing description and illustrations of the
embodiments of the invention has been presented for the
purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or
to limit the invention to the above description in any form.
Any term that has been defined above and used in the
claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition.
The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of
the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof.
These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting
the claims in any form.
Claims (17)
1. A system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe (16), the system comprising: a stahlband device (10); an RIT tag (22), disposed at said side; and an RIT reader (23) in a form of a smartphone or tablet, for communicating with said RIT tag (22), said RIT reader being adapted to detect an intensity of a communication signal (24) of said RIT reader with said RIT tag (22), thereby allowing detecting a blockage (21) in an infrastructure pipe (16) by detecting a location of said RIT tag (22) according to an intensity of said communication signal (24).
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said RIT tag is an RFID tag, and said RIT reader is an RFID reader.
3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said RIT tag is passive.
4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said RIT tag is active.
5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said RIT reader comprises an audio player for playing an audio signal in an intensity which is a function of strength of said communication. 20580 - 23 -
6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said RIT reader comprises an audio player for playing a flickering audio signal, wherein the denser the flickering, the stronger the communication signal.
7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said RIT reader comprises a light fixture that its lighting intensity is a function of strength of said communication, thereby informing a user thereof of a distance of said RIT reader from said blockage.
8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said RIT reader comprises a light fixture for displaying a flickering light signal, wherein the denser the flickering, the stronger the communication signal.
9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said RIT tag comprises a first RIT tag device detectable from a distance up to 10 cm, and a second said RIT tag device detectable from a distance of greater than 10 cm, thereby allowing firstly detecting a general direction of said blockage, and then detecting said blockage more accurately.
10. A system according to claim 1, wherein said RIT reader comprises a pointer (27) pointing on a direction of a corresponding RIT tag.
11. A system according to claim 1, wherein said communication is carried out via a Bluetooth protocol. 20580 - 24 -
12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said RIT tag is embedded in a sleeve that wraps said cable, wherein a diameter of said sleeve does not exceed a width of said stahlband device along all its entire length, thereby allowing installing said RIT tag in an existing stahlband.
13. A system according to claim 1, wherein the RIT tag is embedded in the sleeve surrounding said cable and adapted to grab a cable in a range of diameters, thereby enabling the installation of a RIT tag to an existing stahlband.
14. A system according to claim 1, wherein said RIT tag is installed in a hooking device (12) of said stahlband device (10), wherein said hooking device (12) is connectable to said stahlband cable (11) by a threading (33), and wherein said hooking device comprises a power source for operating said RIT tag.
15. A method for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe, the method comprising the steps of: providing a RIT tag, and attaching thereof to an end of a stahlband device; upon blocking an advance of a cable of said stahlband device in said infrastructure pipe, approaching an RIT reader in a form of a smartphone to a location where an RIT communication signal with said RIT tag is an highest, thereby detecting a location proximate to said blocking. 20580 - 25 -
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said RIT tag communicates with said RIT tag via RFID protocol.
17. A method according to claim 15, wherein said RIT tag communicates with said RIT tag via Bluetooth protocol. In the name of the applicant Reuben Berman. Patent attorney
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IL295066A IL295066B2 (en) | 2022-07-25 | 2022-07-25 | A system and method for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe |
PCT/IL2023/050769 WO2024023818A1 (en) | 2022-07-25 | 2023-07-24 | A system and method for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IL295066A IL295066B2 (en) | 2022-07-25 | 2022-07-25 | A system and method for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IL295066A IL295066A (en) | 2022-09-01 |
IL295066B1 IL295066B1 (en) | 2023-12-01 |
IL295066B2 true IL295066B2 (en) | 2024-04-01 |
Family
ID=89069686
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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IL295066A IL295066B2 (en) | 2022-07-25 | 2022-07-25 | A system and method for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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IL (1) | IL295066B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2024023818A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2892570A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-04-27 | Alain Grimoin | Needle locating device for e.g. electric conduit in building site for renovation, has proximity sensor integrated inside head of needle, and electronic case to emit sound signal to head of sensor |
IL280758B (en) * | 2021-02-09 | 2022-01-01 | Makhluf Maor | A system and method for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe |
-
2022
- 2022-07-25 IL IL295066A patent/IL295066B2/en unknown
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2023
- 2023-07-24 WO PCT/IL2023/050769 patent/WO2024023818A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IL295066B1 (en) | 2023-12-01 |
WO2024023818A1 (en) | 2024-02-01 |
IL295066A (en) | 2022-09-01 |
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