Communication nodes for use with a wireless ad-hoc communication network

• US 20030134598A1
• Filed: 01/15/2003
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olsonet Communications Corporation
• Inventors: Sendrowicz, Gerry
• Granted Patent: US 7,113,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/67.11
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/003 Signalling to neighbouring houses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/566 Routing instructions carried by the data packet, e.g. active networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

Communication nodes for use with a wireless ad-hoc communication network are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication node comprises a transducer, which generates a signal in response to an external signal. The ad-hoc network communication is supported in part by static communication nodes, which defined an organized infrastructure network in order to achieve the various functions of the transducers. In another embodiment, the communication node for use with a wireless ad-hoc network does not include a transducer. Such communication nodes are preferred for use with a less structured network with virtually no infrastructure and allow for being used with expanding and contracting networks. Mobile communication nodes mostly support the propagation of signals. However, pseudo-static or static communication nodes are also used in wireless communication ad-hoc networks.

Claims

1. A monitoring node comprising:

a transceiver for receiving signals and for transmitting signals, the signals transmitted and received via a wireless communication medium;

a transducer in communication with the transceiver for sensing data and for providing a signal including data relating to the sensed data; and

,

a processor for identifying the received signal as one of destined for the monitoring node and other than destined for the monitoring node and for, when the identification is indicative of the message being destined for other than the monitoring node, relaying the received signal via the transceiver and, when the identification is indicative of the message being destined for the monitoring node, providing an indication to a receiving party of the received signal,

wherein the monitoring node communicates with at least another monitoring node for forming an ad-hoc network.

2. A monitoring node according to claim 1, wherein the transducer is a security sensor for sensing security data and for providing a signal including data relating to the sensed security data.

3. A monitoring node according to claim 2, including a protocol processor for inserting within the security data data indicative of the security monitoring node.

4. A monitoring node according to claim 3, comprising a display for use in locating a transducer having generated a signal including data relating to sensed security data.

5. A monitoring node according to claim 4, comprising a switch for selecting a destination security-monitoring node from a plurality of destination nodes.

6. A monitoring node according to claim 2, including a protocol processor for inserting within the security data data indicative of a source of the security data and data indicative of a destination for the security data.

7. A monitoring node according to claim 2, wherein the security monitoring node includes a protocol processor for identifying the data indicative of the destination for the security data and for relaying the security data when the identified data indicate that the node is other than a destination for the security data.

8. A monitoring node according to claim 2, wherein the transducer is a household-type security detector.

9. A monitoring node according to claim 2, comprising a memory for storing an indication of a transmitted signal and upon receiving a another signal, performing one of transmitting the other signal when the stored indication indicates that the other signal was other than transmitted from the security monitoring node and other than transmitting the signal when the stored indication indicates that the other signal was transmitted from the security monitoring node.

10. A monitoring node according to claim 9, comprising a clock wherein the time a message is first relayed is stored.

11. A monitoring node according to claim 9, comprising a clock wherein the time a message is first relayed is stored and after a predetermined period of time, the time is cleared form the memory.

12. A monitoring node according to claim 2, including a memory having stored therein data, the data for execution by the protocol processor for implementing a predetermined protocol for identifying a received signal as relating to previously received data or other than previously received data.

13. A monitoring node according to claim 1, wherein the transducer comprises a consumption metering circuit for providing a meter signal indicative of data relating to a metering performed by the consumption metering circuit.

14. A monitoring node according to claim 13, wherein the protocol processor includes instruction data stored in association therewith for, when executed, transmitting the received data only when it is both other than previously received and other than destined for the consumption meter.

15. A monitoring node according to claim 13, wherein the protocol processor includes a port for receiving data destined for the transceiver.

16. A monitoring node according to claim 13, wherein the protocol processor comprises circuitry for implementing a predetermined protocol for identifying a consumption meter used as a source of data indicative of consumption metering performed by a consumption metering circuit.

17. A monitoring node according to claim 13, including a memory having stored therein data, the data for execution by the protocol processor for implementing a predetermined protocol for identifying a consumption meter used as a source of data indicative of consumption metering performed by a consumption metering circuit.

18. A monitoring node according to claim 13, wherein the protocol processor comprises circuitry for implementing a predetermined protocol for identifying a received signal as relating to previously received data or other than previously received data.

19. A monitoring node according to claim 13, including a memory having stored therein data, the data for execution by the protocol processor for implementing a predetermined protocol for identifying a received signal as relating to previously received data or other than previously received data.

20. A monitoring node according to claim 13, wherein the consumption meter is consumption meter relating to household consumption.

21. A monitoring node according to claim 20, wherein the consumption meter is a water consumption meter.

22. A monitoring node according to claim 20, wherein the consumption meter is a gas consumption meter.

23. A monitoring node according to claim 20, wherein the consumption meter is an electricity consumption meter.

24. A network comprising:

a plurality of communication nodes including at least one communication node in wireless transmission range of another communication node, the at least one communication node comprising;

a transducer for sensing a physical parameter and for providing a sensor signal in dependence thereon;

a receiver receiving a signal from a communication node in wireless transmission range; and

,

a transmitter for transmitting a first signal in dependence upon the sensor signal to another communication node in wireless transmission range and for re-transmitting some received signals received from a communication node in wireless transmission range to another communication node in wireless transmission range.

25. A network according to claim 24, wherein the transducer is a consumption meter and wherein the first signal is indicative of data relating to a metering performed by the transducer.

26. A network according to claim 25, wherein the transducer is consumption meter relating to household consumption.

27. A network according to claim 26, wherein the transducer is a water consumption meter.

28. A network according to claim 26, wherein the transducer is a gas consumption meter.

29. A network according to claim 26, wherein the transducer is an electricity consumption meter.

30. A network according to claim 24, wherein, in use, the network is an ad-hoc network.

31. A network according to claim 25, comprising a processor for processing data content of the first signal in accordance with an ad-hoc network protocol.

32. A network according to claim 25, wherein the at least a communication node includes a processor;

and a memory having stored therein data for, when executed, causing the received data to be transmitted only when it is both other than previously received and other than destined for the at least a communication node.

33. A network according to claim 25, wherein the at least a communication node includes a processor;

and a memory having stored therein data, the data for execution by the processor for inserting within the first signal an indication that the at least a communication node is a source generating the first signal.

34. A network according to claim 25, wherein the at least a communication node includes a processor;

and a memory having stored therein data, the data for execution by the processor for identifying a received signal as relating to previously received data or relating to other than previously received data.

35. A network according to claim 24, wherein the transducer comprises a security sensor for sensing a household security parameter and for providing a sensor signal in dependence thereon.

36. A method of automating meter readings comprising the steps of:

receiving a meter reading value at a first node;

processing the meter reading value at the first node to append thereto ad-hoc network protocol data;

transmitting a meter signal from the first node comprising the meter reading value with the appended data;

receiving the meter signal at a second node;

processing the received meter signal in accordance with the ad-hoc network protocol to determine whether the same meter signal was received prior at the second node; and

,

in dependence upon a result of the determination, performing one of transmitting the received signal and other than transmitting the signal.

37. A method of monitoring a household comprising the steps of:

sensing security data within a household;

generating a signal including data relating to the sensed security data;

transmitting the signal via a self configuring dynamic network;

receiving the signal including data relating to the sensed security data;

attaching protocol data to the received signal, the protocol for at least identifying a source and a destination of the signal in accordance with a use of a wireless ad-hoc network; and

,

wirelessly transmitting the signal such that the signal propagates from a communication node to another communication node.

38. A method of monitoring a household comprising the steps of:

sensing security data within a household;

generating a signal including data relating to the sensed security data;

transmitting the signal via an ad-hoc network;

receiving the signal including data relating to the sensed security data;

attaching protocol data to the received signal, the protocol for at least identifying a source and a destination of the signal in accordance with a use of a wireless ad-hoc network; and

,

wirelessly transmitting the signal such that the signal propagates from a communication node to another communication node.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the ad-hoc network comprises a plurality of nodes wherein at least a node is in a wireless transmission range of another node, such that the at least a node is capable of propagating data from the at least a node to another node.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein each node from the plurality of nodes comprises a transmitter and a receiver.

41. The method according to claim 38, comprising the step of providing a display monitor for displaying a location of a destination node.

42. A method of monitoring a household comprising the steps of:

sensing security data within a household;

generating a signal including data relating to the sensed security data;

attaching protocol data to the generated signal, the protocol data for at least identifying a source and a destination of the signal in accordance with a use of a wireless ad-hoc network; and

,

wirelessly transmitting the signal such that the signal propagates from a communication node to another communication node.

43. A method of monitoring a household comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal via a wireless communication medium, the signal including security data having protocol data attached thereto;

identifying the protocol data attached to the received signal; and

,

generating signals to be transmitted in accordance with a security ad-hoc network protocol.

44. A method of monitoring a household according to claim 43, wherein the protocol data is in accordance with a use of a wireless ad-hoc network.

45. A vehicle network comprising:

a plurality of communication nodes including at least one communication node installed in a vehicle in wireless transmission range of another communication node, the at least one communication node comprising;

a receiver for receiving a signal having protocol data attached therein, the signal received from a communication node in wireless transmission range;

a protocol processor for identifying the attached protocol data and for in accordance with an ad-hoc network protocol performing one of re-transmitting the received signals received from a communication node in wireless transmission range to another communication node in wireless transmission range and other than re-transmitting the received signal; and

,

a transmitter for transmitting the signal to another communication node in wireless transmission range;

wherein the ad-hoc network protocol is in accordance with a use of a wireless vehicle ad-hoc network.

46. A vehicle network according to claim 45, wherein a communication node from the plurality of communication nodes comprises a processor for generating advertisement signals and wherein the protocol processor determines a number of communication nodes the advertisement signal is propagating.

47. A parknet comprising:

a plurality of communication devices for being carried by a park'"'"'s visitors, the plurality of communication devices including at least one communication device in wireless transmission range of another communication device, the at least one communication device comprising;

a receiver for receiving a signal having protocol data attached therein, the signal received from a communication device in wireless transmission range;

a protocol processor for identifying the attached protocol data and for in accordance with an ad-hoc protocol performing one of re-transmitting the received signals received from a communication device in wireless transmission range to another communication device in wireless transmission range and other than re-transmitting the received signal; and

,

a transmitter for transmitting the signal to another communication device in wireless transmission range;

wherein the ad-hoc network protocol is in accordance with a use of a wireless ad-hoc parknet.

48. A parknet according to claim 47, comprising:

a second plurality of communication devices, each communication device from the second plurality of communication devices comprising;

a receiver for receiving a signal having protocol data attached therein, the signal received from a communication device in wireless transmission range;

a protocol processor for identifying the attached protocol data and for in accordance with a parknet ad-hoc protocol performing one of re-transmitting the received signals received from a communication device in wireless transmission range to another communication device in wireless transmission range and other than re-transmitting the received signal; and

,

a transmitter for transmitting the signal to another communication device in wireless transmission range;

wherein the transmission range of each communication device from the first plurality of communication devices is shorter than the transmission range of each communication device from the second plurality of communication devices.

49. A cruisenet comprising:

a plurality of communication devices for being carried by users disembarking from a cruise ship, the plurality of communication devices including at least one communication device in wireless transmission range of another communication device, the at least one communication device comprising;

a receiver for receiving a signal having protocol data attached therein, the signal received from a communication node in wireless transmission range;

a protocol processor for identifying the attached protocol data and for in accordance with an ad-hoc protocol performing one of re-transmitting the received signals received from a communication device in wireless transmission range to another communication device in wireless transmission range and other than re-transmitting the received signal; and

,

a transmitter for transmitting the signal to another communication device in wireless transmission range;

wherein the ad-hoc network protocol is in accordance with a use of a wireless ad-hoc cruisenet.

50. A cruisenet according to claim 49, wherein a communication device from the plurality of communication devices comprises a processor for generating advertisement signals and wherein the protocol processor determines a number of communication devices the advertisement signal is propagating.

51. A boatnet comprising:

a plurality of communication devices including at least one communication device in wireless transmission range of another communication device, the at least one communication device comprising;

a receiver for receiving a signal having protocol data attached therein, the signal received from a communication node in wireless transmission range;

a protocol processor for identifying the attached protocol data and for in accordance with an ad-hoc protocol performing one of re-transmitting the received signals received from a communication device in wireless transmission range to another communication device in wireless transmission range and other than re-transmitting the received signal; and

,

a transmitter for transmitting the signal to another communication device in wireless transmission range;

wherein the ad-hoc network protocol is in accordance with a use of a wireless ad-hoc boatnet.

52. A boatnet according to claim 51, wherein a communication device from the plurality of communication devices comprises a processor for generating announcement signals and wherein the protocol processor determines a number of communication devices the advertisement signal is propagating.

53. A skinet comprising:

a plurality of communication devices for being carried by users in ski resorts, the plurality of communication devices including at least one communication device in wireless transmission range of another communication device, the at least one communication device comprising;

a receiver for receiving a signal having protocol data attached therein, the signal received from a communication device in wireless transmission range;

a protocol processor for identifying the attached protocol data and for in accordance with an ad-hoc protocol performing one of re-transmitting the received signals received from a communication device in wireless transmission range to another communication device in wireless transmission range and other than re-transmitting the received signal; and

,

a transmitter for transmitting the signal to another communication device in wireless transmission range;

wherein the ad-hoc network protocol is in accordance with a use of a wireless ad-hoc skinet.

54. A skinet according to claim 53, wherein a communication device from the plurality of communication devices comprises a processor for generating advertisement signals and wherein the protocol processor determines a number of communication devices the advertisement signal is propagating.

55. An ad-hoc network comprising:

a first plurality of transceivers and a second plurality of transceivers, each transceiver from the first plurality of transceivers and from the second plurality of transceivers comprising;

a receiver for receiving a signal having protocol data attached therein the signal received from a transceiver in wireless transmission range,

a protocol processor for identifying the attached protocol data and for in accordance with an ad-hoc protocol performing one of re-transmitting the received signals and other than re-transmitting the received signal; and

,

a transmitter for transmitting the signal;

wherein the transmission range of each transceiver from the first plurality of transceivers is shorter than the transmission range of each transceiver from the second plurality of transceivers.