MEASURING CONDITIONS WITHIN A WIRELESS SENSOR SYSTEM
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a wireless sensor system, comprising:
- sending a command from a base unit to program a threshold value to be used by one or more wireless sensor units, said one or more wireless sensor units configured to collect quantitative measured data;
receiving said command to program a threshold value by said base unit by said one or more wireless sensor units;
sending commands addressed to a plurality of wireless sensor units instructing each wireless sensor unit to transmit said quantitative measured data and other status information to said base unit, the decision to send said command based, at least in part, on a comparison of said quantitative measured data to said threshold value;
receiving in said base unit said quantitative measured data and other status information;
determining anomalous conditions by said base unit, based at least in part, on evaluating said quantitative measured data said plurality of wireless sensor units wherein measured data from a first wireless sensor unit is compared with data from a second wireless sensor unit; and
reporting anomalous conditions by said base unit.
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Abstract
A low cost, robust, wireless sensor that provides an extended period of operability without maintenance is described. The wireless sensors are configured to communicate with a base unit or repeater. When the sensor unit detects an anomalous ambient condition (e.g., smoke, fire, water, etc.) the sensor communicates with the base unit and provides data regarding the anomalous condition. The sensor unit receives instructions to change operating parameters and/or control external devices.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a wireless sensor system, comprising:
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sending a command from a base unit to program a threshold value to be used by one or more wireless sensor units, said one or more wireless sensor units configured to collect quantitative measured data; receiving said command to program a threshold value by said base unit by said one or more wireless sensor units; sending commands addressed to a plurality of wireless sensor units instructing each wireless sensor unit to transmit said quantitative measured data and other status information to said base unit, the decision to send said command based, at least in part, on a comparison of said quantitative measured data to said threshold value; receiving in said base unit said quantitative measured data and other status information; determining anomalous conditions by said base unit, based at least in part, on evaluating said quantitative measured data said plurality of wireless sensor units wherein measured data from a first wireless sensor unit is compared with data from a second wireless sensor unit; and reporting anomalous conditions by said base unit.
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2. A method of quantitatively measuring conditions in a wireless sensor system, comprising:
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programming a threshold value into each of one or more wireless sensor units by a base unit, said one or more wireless sensor units configured to measure an ambient condition and collect quantitative measured sensor data, and comparing said quantitative measured sensor data to said threshold value by said one or more wireless sensor units; establishing a baseline value based on said quantitative measured sensor data from a plurality of said one or more wireless sensor units and comparing said quantitative measured sensor data to said baseline value; transmitting said quantitative measured sensor data to said base unit, the decision to transmit said quantitative measured sensor data to said base unit based at least in part on a comparison of said quantitative measured sensor data to said threshold value, or in comparison of said quantitative measured sensor data to said baseline value; and transmitting said quantitative measured sensor data and other status information to said base unit by said one or more wireless sensor units when instructed to do so by said base unit.
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3. A method of quantitatively measuring and reporting conditions in a wireless sensor system in reference to an established baseline, comprising:
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establishing a baseline value based on quantitative measured sensor data from a plurality of one or more wireless sensor units; comparing said quantitative measured sensor data to a percentage of said baseline value; reporting said quantitative measured sensor data, the decision to report said quantitative measured sensor data based at least in part on a comparison of said quantitative measured sensor data to said percentage of said baseline value; and reporting said quantitative measured sensor data, the decision to report said quantitative measured sensor data, based at least in part, on a comparison to said percentage of said baseline value over a specified period of time.
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4. A method of multi-sensor, localized monitoring within a wireless sensor system, comprising:
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instructing a first of one or more wireless sensor units to operate in a relatively continuous mode when said first wireless sensor unit has detected an ambient condition, said first wireless sensor unit repeatedly taking quantitative measured sensor data and transmitting said quantitative measured data and other status information; and instructing a second of one or more wireless sensor units located nearby said first wireless sensor unit to operate in a relatively continuous mode, said second wireless sensor unit repeatedly taking said quantitative measured sensor data and transmitting said quantitative measured data and other status information.
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5. A method of controlling a wireless sensor unit, comprising:
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sending a command to program a threshold value used by a wireless sensor unit, said wireless sensor unit configured to collect said quantitative measured data; sending a command to said wireless sensor unit to normally operate in a relatively low-power mode; sending a command to said wireless sensor unit to transmit said quantitative measured data and other status information, the decision to send said command based, at least in part, on a comparison of said quantitative measured data to said threshold value; and sending a command to said wireless sensor unit to operate in a relatively continuous mode, the decision to send said command based at least in part on a comparison of said quantitative measured data to said threshold value.
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6. A method of managing the power of a wireless sensor unit, comprising:
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operating said wireless sensor unit in a relatively low-power mode when instructed to do so, said wireless sensor unit taking sensor readings and transmitting quantitative measured data and other status information at periodic intervals, said wireless sensor unit entering a relatively low-power state when not taking said sensor readings or transmitting said quantitative measured data and other status information; and operating said wireless sensor unit in a relatively continuous mode when instructed to do so by said base unit, said wireless sensor unit regularly collecting said quantitative measured sensor data.
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7. A method of quantitatively measuring conditions by a wireless sensor unit, comprising:
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computing a threshold value for a plurality of sensor units; programming a threshold value in said wireless sensor unit, said wireless sensor unit configured to measure an ambient condition and collect quantitative measured sensor data; comparing said quantitative measured sensor data to said threshold value by said wireless sensor unit; transmitting said quantitative measured sensor data, the decision to transmit said quantitative measured sensor data based, at least in part, on a comparison of said quantitative measured sensor data to said threshold value; and transmitting said quantitative measured sensor data to said base unit by said wireless sensor unit when instructed to do so.
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Specification