TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of electricity network infrastructure of a building construction.

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.

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 THE INVENTION

RfT, 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 tag, and a corresponding reader, which is referred herein as RIT 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 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 RfT reader (23) in a form of a smartphone or tablet computer, for communicating with the RfT tag (22), the RIT reader being adapted to detect an intensity of a communication signal (24) of the RfT reader with the RIT tag (22), thereby allowing detecting a blockage (21) in an infrastructure pipe (16) by detecting a location of the RfT tag (22) according to an intensity of the communication signal (24).

Preferably, the RfT tag is an RFID tag, and the RfT reader is an RFID reader.

The RIT tag may be passive as well as active.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the RfT reader may comprise an audio player for playing an audio signal in an intensity which is a function of strength of the communication.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the RfT 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 RfT tag comprises a first RfT 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 RfT 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.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the RfT 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 RfT tag to an existing stahlband.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the RfT 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 RfT 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 RfT 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 RfT communication signal with the RfT tag is an highest, thereby detecting a location proximate to the blocking.

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.

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 schematically illustrates a structure of a room, according to the prior art.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a second step of operating a stahlband, according to the prior art.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a blockage that blocks a stahlband wire from advancing, according to the prior art.

Fig. 4a schematically illustrates a system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe, according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4b schematically illustrates a system for detecting a blockage in an infrastructure pipe, according to a further embodiment of the invention.

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 schematically illustrates a repaired infrastructure pipe, according to one embodiment of the invention.

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 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 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 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.

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 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 schematically illustrates a second step of operating a stahlband, according to the prior art.

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 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 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 x 0.05 mm. This is l/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 (Radio Frequency) signal, the intensity of the signal can be used for detecting a distance of the RFID tag from the RFID reader.

Fig. 4a 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.

Another way to display this information is through flickering. The denser the flickering, the stronger the communication signal.

Fig. 4b 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 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.

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 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 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.

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 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 RfT tag 22; and a RIT reader 23.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the RIT reader 23 is in a form of smartphone or tablet computer. The communication between the RfT tag and the RfT 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 RfT 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 RfT 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)

"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 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. 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 11 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.

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. 10a, 10b and 10c 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.

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 ; 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.