Method and unit for the reliable allocation of network elements to a wireless sensor network

• US 20060270344A1
• Filed: 03/30/2004
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Guido Muesch, Heribert Baldus, Karin Klabunde
• Inventors: Baldus, Heribert, Klabunde, Karin, Muesch, Guido
• Granted Patent: US 9,219,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

The reliable and controlled allocation of network elements particularly medical sensors (2) to a network (4) without prior configuration of the wireless sensors or of the network administration system can be carried out using an allocation unit (1) for allocating network elements (2) to a wireless network (4), which allocation unit (1) comprises a transmitter which transmits, in a user-controlled manner, a code to a first network element (2), which code causes the first network element (2) to transmit its ID together with the code (encoded ID) so that the latter can be received by a second network element (3) which allocates the first network element (2) to its network (4).

Claims

1. A method of allocating network elements to a wireless network, wherein an allocation unit transmits a code to a first network element, which code causes the first network element to transmit its ID together with the code so that the latter can be received by a second network element which allocates the first network element to its network.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the allocation unit transmits an encoded light pulse.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the allocation unit transmits an encoded radio signal.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the activation of NE-2 to receive the encoded ID from NE-1 takes place by receiving the code from the allocation unit.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the allocation unit can receive the encoded ID from NE-1 and transmit it to NE-2.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the allocation unit can transmit a second code which causes a first network element to leave the network of the second network element.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the allocation unit can transmit a second code which causes the second network element, which has a network administration function, to break up the network.

8. A method as claimed in of claim 6, wherein the second code for removing network elements or for breaking up the network consists in the first code being transmitted over a longer time period or a number of times.

9. An allocation unit for allocating network elements to a wireless network, comprising a transmitter which transmits, in a user-controlled manner, a code to a first network element, which code causes the first network element to transmit its ID together with the code so that the latter can be received by a second network element which allocates the first network element to its network.

10. An allocation unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the transmitter comprises a device for transmitting an encoded light pulse and/or an encoded radio signal.

11. An allocation unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the code which causes the first network element to transmit its ID together with the code causes the second network element to be ready to receive the encoded ID from NE-1.

12. An allocation unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein there is additionally a receiver for receiving encoded IDs.

13. An allocation unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein there is additionally one or more devices for displaying the respective operating state.

14. An allocation unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein there is additionally a transmitter which transmits, in a user-controlled manner, a second code which causes the first network element to leave the network of the second network element or which causes the second network element, which has a network administration function, to break up the network.