System and method for communicating over an 802.15.4 network

• US 20060088018A1
• Filed: 09/26/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Simple Works, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Simple Works, Inc.
• Inventors: Schneider, Robert, Bricketto, Paul, Black, Tom, Mason, Dale
• Granted Patent: US 7,636,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 using intermediate storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A method of reducing data transfer while increasing image information over an 802.15.4 network includes obtaining an image with a sensor, modulating a representation of the image using a first 802.15.4 modem, sending the representation of the image to a coordinator, demodulating the representation of the image using a second 802.15.4 modem, and digitally enhancing at least one of the representation of the image and the image. A system for communication over an 802.15.4 network includes a sensor for obtaining data, the size of the data being at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet, a first 802.15.4 modem coupled to the sensor, a buffer for temporarily storing the data to allow transmission of portions of the data; the buffer being coupled to the sensor, a coordinator coupled to the sensor, the coordinator being capable of communicating with a computer, and a second 802.15.4 modem coupled to the coordinator.

Claims

1. A system for communication over an 802.15.4 network comprising:

a sensor for obtaining data, the size of the data being at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet;

a first 802.15.4 modem coupled to the sensor;

a buffer for temporarily storing the data to allow transmission of portions of the data;

the buffer being coupled to the sensor;

a coordinator coupled to the sensor, the coordinator being capable of communicating with a computer; and

a second 802.15.4 modem coupled to the coordinator.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises an imaging device.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the sensor further comprises a microprocessor and a memory.

4. The system of claim 2 further comprising a further sensor for sensing an event, the further sensor being coupled to the sensor to have the imaging device obtain an image.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is capable of operating on battery power.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer is a cellular telephone.

7. A method for communication over an 802.15.4 network comprising the steps of:

obtaining data with a sensor, the size of the data being at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet;

temporarily storing the data in a buffer;

modulating the data using a first 802.15.4 modem;

sending portions of the data to a coordinator; and

demodulating the data using a second 802.15.4 modem.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:

sending an alerting communication prior to obtaining the data with the sensor.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of obtaining occurs on a selectable interval.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of obtaining occurs after a triggering event.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the amount of time between the triggering event and the step of obtaining is dependent on a characteristic of the triggering event.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the triggering event comprises a request received from an IP addressable computer communicating with the coordinator via the Internet.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of:

selectively sending the data from the sensor to a computer when the computer is positioned within proximity of the sensor, the computer communicating with the coordinator.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of transmitting occurs when the coordinator is positioned within proximity of the sensor.

15. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:

receiving power to the coordinator from a USB enabled mobile computer, thus allowing at least a portion of the 802.15.4 network to be mobile.

23. The method of claim 10 wherein the triggering event comprises a request received from a computer communicating with the coordinator via the Internet, the coordinator being IP addressable.

16. A method of reducing data transfer while increasing image information over an 802.15.4 network comprising the steps of:

obtaining an image with a sensor;

modulating a representation of the image using a first 802.15.4 modem;

sending the representation of the image to a coordinator;

demodulating the representation of the image using a second 802.15.4 modem, and

digitally enhancing at least one of the representation of the image and the image.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

initiating a request for the image by at least one of an external request, a system alarm, and a periodic timer.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

providing variable battery life based on a feature of the image to be obtained.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

temporarily storing the image in a buffer; and

transmitting packets of the image to the coordinator.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the image is at least a QCIF.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the representation of the image comprises a low resolution thumbnail.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the size of the image being at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet.