Method and apparatus for internet enabled, wireless remote sensor measurement

• US 20040113773A1
• Filed: 12/11/2002
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP BV (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Filkins, Robert John, Nieters, Edward James, Lester, Carl Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 6,927,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link

Abstract

A method for remotely monitoring at least one sensor and a measurement system. The method includes making a first measurement using a first sensor of the at least one sensor. The method also includes converting the first measurement into a first data signal; and transmitting the first data signal via a wireless connection to a first processor. The measurement system includes at least one sensor unit having at least one sensor for making a first measurement; and a first wireless transceiver coupled to the at least one sensor for transmitting a data signal based on the first measurement. The measurement system includes a second wireless transceiver arranged for receiving the data signal from the first wireless transceiver, and a first processor coupled to the second wireless transceiver arranged for receiving the data signal from the second wireless transceiver.

Claims

1. ] A method for remotely monitoring at least one sensor, comprising:

making a first measurement using a first sensor of the at least one sensor;

converting the first measurement into a first data signal; and

transmitting the first data signal via a wireless connection to a first processor.

2. ] The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing data corresponding to the first data signal in a memory associated with the first processor.

3. ] The method of claim 2, further comprising:

transmitting data derived from the stored data to a second processor via a modem.

4. ] The method of claim 1, further comprising:

making a second measurement using a second sensor of the at least one sensor;

converting the second measurement into a second data signal; and

transmitting the second data signal via a wireless connection to the first processor.

5. ] The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing data processing of data from the first measurement at a remote processor, remote relative to the first processor, to provide processed data, and wherein the converting the first measurement step comprises converting the processed data into the first data signal.

6. ] The method of claim 1, wherein the converting the first measurement comprises converting raw data into the first data signal as a first raw data signal, wherein the raw data is received from a remote processor, remote relative to the first processor.

7. ] The method of claim 6, further comprising:

storing raw data corresponding to the first data signal as stored data in a memory associated with the first processor.

8. ] The method of claim 7, further comprising:

transmitting the raw data from the stored data to a second processor via a modem.

9. ] The method of claim 8, further comprising:

performing data processing of the raw data at the second processor.

10. ] A method for remotely monitoring multiple sensors, comprising:

(a) making a measurement using each sensor of the multiple sensors;

(b) converting the measurement of each sensor into a data signal; and

(c) transmitting the data signal via a wireless connection to a first processor.

11. ] The method of claim 10, wherein at least step (c) is performed in a round-robin fashion for the sensors.

12. ] A measurement system comprising:

at least one sensor unit comprising;

at least one sensor for making a first measurement; and

a first wireless transceiver coupled to the at least one sensor for transmitting a data signal based on the first measurement; and

a second wireless transceiver arranged for receiving the data signal from the first wireless transceiver; and

a first processor coupled to the second wireless transceiver arranged for receiving the data signal from the second wireless transceiver.

13. ] The measurement system of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor unit further comprises:

a remote processor unit comprising a remote processor, remote relative to the first processor, for performing data processing on the first measurement to provide data for the data signal.

14. ] The measurement system of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor unit further comprises a battery accepting unit for accepting at least one battery providing power to at least one of the remote processor and the at least one sensor.

15. ] The measurement system of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one transducer arranged on a silo for measuring the amount of material in the silo.

16. ] The measurement system of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor is mounted on a moving object.

17. ] The measurement system of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor comprises one of a temperature and an ultrasound sensor.

18. ] The measurement system of claim 12, further comprising:

a modem coupled to the first processor for transmitting a second data signal based on the first data signal to the internet.

19. ] The measurement system of claim 18, wherein the modem is adapted to connect to the internet via one of a phone line wire and a cellular connection.

20. ] The measurement system of claim 12, wherein the first processor is part of a server upon which is installed a web browser.

21. ] The measurement system of claim 12, wherein the first and second transceivers comprise one of radio frequency and infrared transceivers.

22. ] The measurement system of claim 12, wherein the first processor is a java-enabled computer.

23. ] A measurement system comprising:

a plurality of sensor units, each sensor unit comprising;

at least one sensor for making a measurement; and

a first wireless transceiver coupled to the at least one sensor for transmitting a data signal based on the measurement; and

a second wireless transceiver arranged for receiving the data signal from each of the first wireless transceivers; and

a first processor coupled to the second wireless transceiver arranged for receiving the data signal from the second wireless transceiver.