Mechanism for remotely controlling equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for wirelessly controlling a water jet machine by way of a wireless connection between the water jet machine and a computing device. The computing device provides an interface for controlling the operating device either directly to the water jet machine or via a control unit which is removably connected to the water jet machine. The water jet machine or control unit communicates wirelessly with the computing device, allowing a user to move about freely while still controlling the water jet machine. The control unit may include at least one valve for use in controlling the operating device.

1 . A system comprising:
 a computing device, wherein the computing device includes a first wireless module;   a machine that is pneumatically or hydraulically operable;   a second wireless module, wherein the second wireless module is connected to the machine;   a wireless communications link between the computing device and the machine, wherein the wireless communication link is formed by the first wireless module and the second wireless module;   a signal, wherein the signal is generated by the computing device and communicated to the machine by way of the wireless communications link; and   wherein the machine is actuated the signal is received.   
     
     
         2 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the machine includes a pump and the pump is actuated when the machine receives the signal. 
     
     
         3 . The system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the machine is a fluid jet machine and the pump is operatively engaged with a nozzle; and wherein actuation of the pump causes fluid to flow under pressure from the nozzle. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control unit, wherein the second wireless module is disposed in the control unit; and   a connector, wherein the control unit is connected to the machine by the connector.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a control unit, wherein the second wireless module is disposed in the control unit;   a connector, wherein the control unit is connected to the machine by the connector;   a valve disposed in the control unit and operable in an open position and a closed position; wherein the control unit is in communication with the machine when the valve is in the open position; and   wherein the pump is actuated when the control unit is in communication with the machine.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the signal is communicated to the control unit by way of the wireless communication link, and wherein the valve moves to the open position when the control unit receives the signal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communications link is formed using Bluetooth wireless communications protocol. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a touchscreen interface on the computing device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a display on the computing device;   a set of system metrics, wherein the set of system metrics is communicated from the machine to the computing device by way of the wireless communications link; and   an output presented on the display, wherein the output graphically represents the set of system metrics.   
     
     
         10 . A method comprising the steps of:
 forming a wireless communication link between a portable computing device and a machine that is hydraulically or pneumatically operable;   sending a first signal from the computing device to the machine via the wireless communication link; and   actuating the machine upon receiving the first signal.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 connecting a first wireless module to a second wireless module to form the wireless communication link therebetween, wherein the first wireless module is disposed in the computing device, and wherein the second wireless module is connected to the machine.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 forming the wireless communication link with a Bluetooth communication protocol.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 sending a second signal from the machine to the computing device via the wireless communications link; and   updating a display on the computing device upon receiving the second signal.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 actuating an element on the computing device prior to the step of sending the first signal;   sending a termination signal from the computing device to the machine when the element is no longer actuated; and   halting operation of the machine when the machine receives the termination signal.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the machine is a fluid jet machine and includes a pump and nozzle; and wherein the step of actuating the machine includes actuating the pump and causing a pressurized jet of fluid to flow from the nozzle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the machine includes wheels and the step of actuating the machine includes actuating the wheels and physically moving the machine over a surface. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising the steps of:
 forming a wireless communication link between a portable computing device and a control unit;   forming a wired communication link between the control unit and a machine;   sending a first signal from the computing device to the control unit via the wireless communication link;   translating the first signal into a second signal;   sending the second signal from the control unit to the machine via the wired communications link; and   actuating an operation of the machine upon receiving the second signal.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of actuating an operation of the machine includes actuating a hydraulic system or a pneumatic system of the machine. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 connecting a first wireless module to a second wireless module to form the wireless communication link therebetween, wherein the first wireless module is disposed in the computing device, and wherein the second wireless module is disposed in the control unit.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:
 sending a third signal from the machine to the control unit via the wired communications link;   translating the third signal to a fourth signal;   sending the fourth signal from the control unit to the computing device via the wireless communications link; and   updating a display on the computing device upon receiving the fourth signal.