Interface for communicating sensor data to a satellite network
First Claim
1. An electrical circuit designed to process multiple different user-selectable sensor inputs, including discrete, serial, and analog inputs, the electrical circuit comprising a processor having a sensor task handler configured to interpret data from one of the sensor inputs, the data from the sensor input being in a raw data format that is incompatible with a satellite modem data transmission format, and conform the data from the sensor input to a predefined format, the predefined format allowing the data from the sensor input to be transmitted by a satellite modem, the sensor task handler further configured to:
- enter into a low power mode;
monitor the sensor inputs while in the low power mode;
wake from the low power mode based on a condition for satellite transmission; and
enable different types of monitoring for different sensor inputs;
wherein conforming the data includes packetizing the data for transmission by the satellite modem according to a predefined data placement within the predefined format.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication interface, and method thereof, allows a single communication device to accept data from multiple different types of sensors for transmission to a communication network. The communication interface is capable of inputting data from many types of sensors and outputting the data directly to the communication device. The communication interface translates or otherwise converts a variety of sensor data into a common message format that is appropriate and acceptable to the communication device. Such a communication interface allows many different types of sensing applications, particularly in distant and remote locations, to use a common communication device to communicate with a central server.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electrical circuit designed to process multiple different user-selectable sensor inputs, including discrete, serial, and analog inputs, the electrical circuit comprising a processor having a sensor task handler configured to interpret data from one of the sensor inputs, the data from the sensor input being in a raw data format that is incompatible with a satellite modem data transmission format, and conform the data from the sensor input to a predefined format, the predefined format allowing the data from the sensor input to be transmitted by a satellite modem, the sensor task handler further configured to:
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enter into a low power mode; monitor the sensor inputs while in the low power mode; wake from the low power mode based on a condition for satellite transmission; and enable different types of monitoring for different sensor inputs; wherein conforming the data includes packetizing the data for transmission by the satellite modem according to a predefined data placement within the predefined format. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of monitoring multiple different user-selectable sensor inputs, including discrete, serial, and analog inputs, the method comprising configuring a plurality of sensor task handlers of a processor to interpret data from the sensor inputs, the data from the sensor input being in a raw data format that is incompatible with a satellite modem data transmission format, and conform the data from the sensor inputs to a predefined format, each sensor task handler individually configured to interpret data from a different one of the sensor inputs, the predefined format allowing the data from the different sensor inputs to be transmitted by a satellite modem, the predefined format including a message identifier for each sensor input that allows a central server to determine which of several predefined sensor data formats the transmitted data is in, each sensor task handler further configured to:
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enter a low power mode; monitor the sensor inputs while in the low power mode; wake from the low power mode based on a condition for satellite transmission; and enable different types of monitoring for different sensor inputs; wherein conforming the data includes packetizing the data for transmission by the satellite modem according to a predefined data placement within the predefined format. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A wireless adapter designed to remotely monitor multiple different user-selectable sensor inputs, including discrete, serial, and analog inputs, the wireless adapter comprising:
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a satellite modem configured to communicate with a satellite network using a predefined message format; a sensor-modem interface unit connected to the satellite modem, the sensor-modem interface unit having a processor therein, the processor including a plurality of sensor task handlers configured to interpret data from the sensor inputs, the data from the sensor inputs being in a raw data format that is incompatible with a satellite modem data transmission format, and conform the data from the sensor inputs to the predefined message format, each sensor task handler individually configured to interpret data from a different one of the sensor inputs, the predefined message format allowing the data from the different sensor inputs to be transmitted by the satellite modem to the satellite network, the predefined format including a message identifier for each sensor input that allows a central server to determine which of several predefined sensor data formats the transmitted data is in; and a power supply configured to provide power to the satellite modem and the sensor-modem interface unit; wherein the sensor task handler is further configured to enter into a low power mode, monitor the sensor inputs during the low power mode, wake from the low power mode based on a condition for satellite transmission, and enable different types of monitoring for different sensor inputs; and wherein conforming the data includes packetizing the data for transmission by the satellite modem according to a predefined data placement within the predefined format.
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Specification