Mote device locating using impulse-mote-position-indication

• US 20070296558A1
• Filed: 11/22/2005
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alarm.com Inc. (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Rinaldo, John, Malamud, Mark, Lord, Robert, Levien, Royce, Jung, Edward
• Granted Patent: US 8,018,335 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/314
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• 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 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal

Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to receiving by at least one mote device a request to provide an impulse-mote-position-indication; and indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication. Another aspect of the disclosure related to receiving by a communication device an impulse-mote-position-indication of at least one mote device; and deriving a geographic location of the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the receiving by the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving by at least one mote device a request to provide an impulse-mote-position-indication; and

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving by at least one mote device a request to provide an impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

receiving by multiple ones of the at least one mote device a broadcasted-request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving by at least one mote device a request to provide an impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

receiving by the at least one mote device a signaling-request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving by at least one mote device a request to provide an impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

receiving by the at least one mote device the impulse-mote-position-indication at least partially as a group including one or more of;

a wireless signal, a sound signal, a light, a vibration, an acoustic signal, or a radio-frequency signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information relative to at least one other device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information relative to the at least one mote device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information an absolute geographic position of the at least one mote device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information upon an indication that the at least one mote device has failed.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information upon an indication of at least one out-of-range reading when the at least one mote device is removed.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information that provided an out-of-range measurement of the at least one mote device.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information that is indicative of at least one relative location of the at least one mote device with respect to at least one other mote device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information that is indicative of at least one offset from one or more previous locations of the at least one mote device.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information at least partially by generating an optical-signal-based impulse-mote-position-indication.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information at least partially by generating a photographic-based impulse-mote-position-indication.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information at least partially by generating a radio-frequency (RF) based impulse-mote-position-indication.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information at least partially by generating a phosphorescent-based impulse-mote-position-indication.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information at least partially by generating a reflective-based impulse-mote-position-indication.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information relative to a template.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information at least partially by refining one or more graphical indications of the at least one mote device.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information including one or more from a group including position in a structure, position on a surface, and/or position within a medium.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information at least partially via one or more of a projection system, glasses, a display screen, a display, or a heads up display.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information at least partially by providing at least one indication that the at least one mote device is in a wrong or unexpected position.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device the positional information at least partially by providing at least one indication that the at least one mote device is absent or not functioning at an expected position.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication further comprises:

indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of conformation or orientation change of a surface with which the at least one mote device is associated.

31. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing at least one positional location of the at least one mote device at least partially at the at least one mote device.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

indicating at least one positional location of the at least one mote device at least partially by comparing an at least one measured mote network topology with an at least one desired or expected mote network topology.

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

33. A method comprising:

receiving by a communication device an impulse-mote-position-indication of at least one mote device; and

deriving a geographic location of the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the receiving by the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the receiving by a communication device an impulse-mote-position-indication of at least one mote device further comprising:

receiving by the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication at least partially via at least a portion of a wireless communication system.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the receiving by a communication device an impulse-mote-position-indication of at least one mote device further comprising:

receiving by the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication at least partially via at least a portion of a wire-based communication system.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the receiving by a communication device an impulse-mote-position-indication of at least one mote device further comprising:

receiving by the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication at least partially via at least a portion of a communication link device.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the receiving by a communication device an impulse-mote-position-indication of at least one mote device is performed at least partially in response to a requesting with the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used to derive the geographic location of the at least one mote device.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein the deriving a geographic location of the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the receiving by the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device further comprising:

deriving the geographic location of the at least one mote device at least partially at the communication device relative to the communication device.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein the deriving a geographic location of the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the receiving by the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device further comprising:

deriving the geographic location of the at least one mote device relative to a fixed geographic location at least partially at the communication device.

42. The method of claim 33, wherein the deriving a geographic location of the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the receiving by the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device further comprising:

deriving an indication that the at least one mote device is failing to respond as expected at least partially at the communication device.

43. The method of claim 33, wherein the deriving a geographic location of the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the receiving by the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device further comprising:

deriving an indication that the at least one mote device is providing a signal that is below a prescribed strength at least partially at the communication device.

44. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

deriving the geographic location of the at least one mote device relative to one or more neighboring mote devices at least partially at the communication device, wherein the deriving a geographic location of the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the receiving by the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device is performed at least partially in response to the deriving the geographic location of the at least one mote device relative to one or more neighboring mote devices at least partially at the communication device.

36. (canceled)

41. (canceled)

45. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

software, hardware, or firmware located in the at least one mote device that is configurable to generate the at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by the at least one other device to derive the at least some positional information about the at least one mote device.

47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

the at least one mote device that is configurable to generate the at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by the at least one other device to derive an absolute geographic location about the at least one mote device.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

the at least one mote device that is configurable to generate the at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by the at least one other device to derive a location of the at least one mote device with respect to a structure, a surface, or a medium.

49. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

at least one subsequent signal to report location that is configurable to cause the at least one mote device to generate the at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by the at least one other device to derive the at least some positional information about the at least one mote device.

50. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

the at least one mote device to generate a change of location that can be used by the at least one other device to derive the change of location of the at least one mote device.

51. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

the at least one mote device to generate a turbulence indication that can be used by the at least one other device to derive the turbulence indication of the at least one mote device.

52. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

the at least one mote device to generate an indication that can be used by the at least one other device to derive a conformation or orientation change of a surface with which the at least one mote device is associated.

55. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

the at least one mote device to generate at least one wire-based impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by the at least one other device to derive the at least some positional information about the at least one mote device.

56. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

the at least one mote device to generate at least one energy-based signal that can be used to provide energy that can be used by the at least one other device.

57. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

the at least one mote device configurable to generate the at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by a neighboring mote device to derive the at least some positional information about the at least one mote device.

59. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

the at least one mote device configurable to generate the at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by a neighboring mote device to derive an aspect of a signal from the at least one mote device.

61. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one mote device configurable to generate at least one impulse-mote-position-indication that can be used by at least one other device to derive at least some positional information about the at least one mote device further comprises:

logic included in the at least one mote device that is configurable to respond with at least one of (a) one or more wireless identifiers, (b) one or more distinguishing light patterns and/or colors, or (c) one or more distinguishing sounds and/or tones.

53. (canceled)

54. (canceled)

58. (canceled)

60. (canceled)

62. An apparatus comprising:

at least one mote device operable to indicate to at least one other device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially using an impulse-mote-position-indication.

63. A system comprising:

circuits associated with at least one mote device that are configurable for receiving a request to provide an impulse-mote-position-indication; and

circuits configurable for indicating at least partially using the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device positional information about the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the request to provide the impulse-mote-position-indication.

64. A system comprising:

circuits associated with a communication device for receiving an impulse-mote-position-indication of at least one mote device; and

circuits for deriving a geographic location of the at least one mote device at least partially in response to the receiving by the communication device the impulse-mote-position-indication of the at least one mote device.