System and method for variable threshold sensor
First Claim
1. A sensor system, comprising:
- one or more sensor units, each of said one or more sensor units comprising at least one sensor configured to measure a condition, said sensor unit configured to receive instructions, said sensor unit configured to report a severity of failure value when said sensor determines that data measured by said at least one sensor fails a threshold test, said sensor unit configured to adjust said threshold from time to time according to sensor reading taken during a specified time period; and
a base unit configured to communicate with said one or more sensor units to a monitoring computer, said monitoring computer configured to send a notification to a responsible party when said severity of failure value corresponds to an emergency condition, said monitoring computer configured to log data from one or more of said sensor units when said data from one or more of said sensor units corresponds to a severity of failure value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor system that provides an adjustable threshold level for the sensed quantity is described. The adjustable threshold allows the sensor to adjust to ambient conditions, aging of components, and other operational variations while still providing a relatively sensitive detection capability for hazardous conditions. The adjustable threshold sensor can operate for extended periods without maintenance or recalibration. In one embodiment, the sensor is self-calibrating and runs through a calibration sequence at startup or at periodic intervals. In one embodiment, the adjustable threshold sensor is used in an intelligent sensor system that includes one or more intelligent sensor units and a base unit that can communicate with the sensor units. When one or more of the sensor units detects an anomalous condition (e.g., smoke, fire, water, etc.) the sensor unit communicates with the base unit and provides data regarding the anomalous condition. The base unit can contact a supervisor or other responsible person by a plurality of techniques, such as, telephone, pager, cellular telephone, Internet (and/or local area network), etc. In one embodiment, one or more wireless repeaters are used between the sensor units and the base unit to extend the range of the system and to allow the base unit to communicate with a larger number of sensors.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A sensor system, comprising:
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one or more sensor units, each of said one or more sensor units comprising at least one sensor configured to measure a condition, said sensor unit configured to receive instructions, said sensor unit configured to report a severity of failure value when said sensor determines that data measured by said at least one sensor fails a threshold test, said sensor unit configured to adjust said threshold from time to time according to sensor reading taken during a specified time period; and
a base unit configured to communicate with said one or more sensor units to a monitoring computer, said monitoring computer configured to send a notification to a responsible party when said severity of failure value corresponds to an emergency condition, said monitoring computer configured to log data from one or more of said sensor units when said data from one or more of said sensor units corresponds to a severity of failure value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification