1. A mobile terminal, comprising:
a portable housing;
a wireless communication network interface circuit in the housing;
a memory coupled to the housing;
a user interface in the housing;
a data interface in the housing configured to be operatively coupled to a game module; and
a controller in the housing configured to couple the memory andor the user interface of the mobile terminal to the game module through the data interface to supplement resources of the game module using the memory andor the user interface.
2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to obtain user data associated with a game from the game module and to save the obtained user data in the memory responsive to a user request.
3. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to provide saved user data from the memory to the game module.
4. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the data interface comprises a Bluetooth interface, an infrared interface andor a data cable interface.
5. The mobile terminal of claim 4, wherein the data cable interface comprises a serial bus interface.
6. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the memory comprises a removable memory.
7. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the user interface comprises a display of the mobile terminal and wherein the controller is configured to couple the display of the mobile terminal to the game module for use by the game module in displaying supplemental game user information while continuing display of graphics associated with a game on a display of the game module.
8. The mobile terminal of claim 7, wherein the user interface further comprises a user input interface and wherein the controller is configured to couple the user input interface to the game module to allow a user to obtain information associated with the game from the game module based on a user request input to the game module through the user input interface of the mobile terminal.
9. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a display of the mobile terminal and wherein the controller is configured to couple the display of the mobile terminal to the game module for use by the game module in displaying supplemental game user information while continuing display of graphics associated with a game on a display of the game module.
10. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the supplemental information comprises inventory information associated with a character of the game, a map associated with the game, a playbook associated with the game andor a character to character communication visual interface associated with the game.
11. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the user interface further comprises a user input interface and wherein the controller is configured to couple the user input interface to the game module to allow a user to obtain information associated with the game from the game module based on a user request input to the game module through the user input interface of the mobile terminal.
12. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a user input interface and wherein the controller is configured to couple the user input interface to the game module to allow a user to obtain information associated with the game from the game module based on a user request input to the game module through the user input interface of the mobile terminal.
13. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the user input interface comprises a keypad of the mobile terminal and wherein the information associated with the game is inventory information associated with a character of the game.
14. A method of supplementing game module resources with a mobile terminal, the method comprising:
communicatively linking the mobile terminal to the game module using a data interface of the mobile terminal; and
utilizing a memory andor a user interface of the mobile terminal to supplement resources of the game module.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein utilizing a memory andor a user interface comprises:
obtaining user data associated with a game from the game module; and
saving the obtained user data in the memory responsive to a user request.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing saved user data from the memory to the game module.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the user interface comprises a display of the mobile terminal and wherein utilizing a memory andor a user interface comprises:
coupling the display of the mobile terminal to the game module; and
using the display of the mobile terminal to display supplemental game user information while continuing display of graphics associated with a game on a display of the game module.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the user interface comprises a user input interface and wherein utilizing a memory andor a user interface comprises:
coupling the user input interface of the mobile terminal to the game module; and
inputting a user request to the game module through the user input interface of the mobile terminal to obtain information associated with the game from the game module.
19. A computer program product for supplementing game module resources with a mobile terminal, the computer program product comprising computer program code embodied in a computer readable medium, the computer program code comprising program code configured to carry out the method of claim 14.
20. A computer program product for supplementing game module resources with a mobile terminal, the computer program product comprising computer program code embodied in a computer readable medium, the computer program code comprising program code configured to carry out the method of claim 15.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
Having thus described a preferred embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following:
1. A function monitor capable of detecting a condition and reporting the condition over a wireless connection, the monitor comprising:
a detector operable to electrically respond to the condition;
a transmitter operable to be electrically coupled with the detector and indicate the detector’s status by transmitting a status signal over the wireless connection; and
a base unit operable to power the transmitter over the wireless connection, receive the status signal from the transmitter over the wireless connection, and discern the detector’s status from the status signal.
2. The monitor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detector includes an adjustable pressure switch operable to respond when pressure within a hydraulic system reaches an adjustable set-point.
3. The monitor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the base unit substantially continuously wirelessly transmits electromagnetic energy that powers the transmitter.
4. The monitor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits the status signal indicative of the detector’s status using only power wirelessly received from the base unit.
5. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detector includes a position switch operable to sense when a workpiece is properly positioned.
6. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detector includes a position switch operable to sense when a clamp is properly positioned in order to determine whether it is safe to manipulate a workpiece.
7. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detector includes a level switch operable to sense a fluid level in a hydraulic system in order to prevent a pump from running when insufficient fluid is available.
8. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detector includes a temperature switch operable to sense a temperature in a railcar and the monitor is used to monitor the temperature in order to report failure of the railcar’s refrigeration unit.
9. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transmitter modifies the status signal in response the detector being actuated.
10. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the status signal includes a serial number identifying the transmitter and information indicative of the detector’s status.
11. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transmitter only transmits the status signal in response the detector being actuated.
12. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the status signal consists of information identifying the transmitter.
13. A machine operable to process a workpiece, the machine comprising:
a detector operable to electrically respond to pressure within a hydraulic system of the machine;
a transmitter electrically coupled with the detector, and operable to indicate the detector’s status; and
a base unit mounted at a separation distance from the transmitter and operable to power the transmitter over a wireless connection and discern the detector’s status over the wireless connection.
14. The machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the detector includes a pressure switch operable to respond when pressure within the hydraulic system reaches a set-point.
15. The machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the base unit substantially continuously wirelessly transmits electromagnetic energy to the transmitter and the electromagnetic energy powers the transmitter.
16. The machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the transmitter transmits a status signal indicative of the detector’s status using only power wirelessly received from the base unit.
17. The machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the detector includes a position switch operable to sense when the workpiece is properly positioned.
18. The machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the detector includes a position switch operable to sense when a clamp of the machine is properly positioned.
19. The machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the detector includes a level switch operable to sense a fluid level of the hydraulic system.
20. A function monitor capable of detecting a condition and reporting the condition over a wireless connection, the monitor comprising:
an adjustable pressure switch operable to electrically respond when pressure within a hydraulic system reaches an adjustable set-point;
a position switch operable to sense when a workpiece is properly positioned;
a position switch operable to sense when a clamp is properly positioned;
a level switch operable to sense a fluid level of the hydraulic system;
a transmitter electrically coupled with the switches, and operable to transmit a status signal indicative of the switches’ status over a wireless connection; and
a base unit mounted within eight inches of the transmitter and operable to substantially continuously transmit electromagnetic energy over the wireless connection which powers the transmitter, receive the status signal, and actuate at least one output according to the switches’ status as indicated by the status signal received from the transmitter.