SENSOR NETWORKS FOR MONITORING PIPELINES AND POWER LINES
First Claim
1. A sensor network for monitoring utility power lines, the network comprising:
- (a) a sensor disposed for monitoring utility power lines, the sensor capable of acquiring data related to the utility power lines and communicating sensor data;
(b) a first remote sensor interface (RSI) comprising a data communications device capable of, (i) receiving the sensor data communicated from the sensor, and (ii) transmitting data relating to the received sensor data; and
(c) a data communications device capable of receiving the data transmitted by the first RSI and transmitting data related to the sensor data directly or indirectly to a network external to the sensor network;
(d) wherein the sensor network comprises a common designation network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor network for monitoring utility power lines comprises a sensor disposed for monitoring utility power lines, the sensor capable of acquiring data related to the utility power lines and communicating sensor data; a first remote sensor interface (RSI) comprising a data communications device capable of receiving the sensor data communicated from the sensor, and transmitting data relating to the received sensor data; and a data communications device capable of receiving the data transmitted by the first RSI and transmitting data related to the sensor data directly or indirectly to a network external to the sensor network. The sensor network comprises a common designation network.
134 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A sensor network for monitoring utility power lines, the network comprising:
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(a) a sensor disposed for monitoring utility power lines, the sensor capable of acquiring data related to the utility power lines and communicating sensor data;
(b) a first remote sensor interface (RSI) comprising a data communications device capable of, (i) receiving the sensor data communicated from the sensor, and (ii) transmitting data relating to the received sensor data; and
(c) a data communications device capable of receiving the data transmitted by the first RSI and transmitting data related to the sensor data directly or indirectly to a network external to the sensor network;
(d) wherein the sensor network comprises a common designation network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for monitoring utility power lines that includes (i) a sensor disposed for monitoring utility power lines, (ii) a plurality of remote sensor interfaces disposed generally along an extent of utility power lines, and (iii) a data communications device disposed proximate the utility power lines for receiving data from the at least one remote sensor interface and communicating with a network external to the wireless sensor network, the method including the steps of:
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(a) acquiring, by the sensor, data related to the utility power lines;
(b) after step (a), communicating, by one of the remote sensor interfaces, sensor data;
(c) after step (b), receiving, by another one of the remote sensor interfaces, the sensor data;
(d) after step (c), transmitting data, by the other remote sensor interface, that relates to the received sensor data;
(e) after step (d), receiving, by the data communications device, data transmitted by one of the remote sensor interfaces that relates to the sensor data; and
(f) after step (e), communicating, by the data communications device, data that is related to the sensor data to a network external to the wireless sensor network. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification