Method and Apparatus for Resource Assignment in a Sensor Network
First Claim
1. A method for resource assignment in a network of sensor nodes, the method comprising:
- a first sensor node of the network detecting an event and collecting data samples for the event;
the first sensor node exchanging messages with other sensor nodes of the network that detect the event to form a community of sensor nodes;
sensor nodes in the community exchanging information comprising sensor data and location information;
one or more sensor nodes of the community computing the total data samples collected for the event by the community;
the first sensor node of the community sending a help message to a second sensor node outside of the community;
the second sensor node estimating a potential marginal gain to be attained if the second sensor node were to be assigned to cover the event; and
the second sensor node covering the event if the potential marginal gain exceeds a threshold,wherein the potential marginal gain comprises the expected change in a utility function that is dependent upon the total data samples collected for the event by the community.
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Abstract
Resources are assigned in a network of sensor nodes by a first sensor node of the network detecting an event and collecting data samples for the event, exchanging messages with other sensor nodes of the network that detect the event to form a community of sensor nodes. Based on information exchanged, the total data samples collected for the event is calculated and the community sends a help message to other sensor nodes. The other sensor nodes are assigned to cover the event if the potential marginal gain if they were to cover the event exceeds a threshold. The potential marginal gain comprises the expected change in a utility function that is dependent upon the total data samples collected for the event by the community. The utility function is a concave function of the total data samples and may be dependent upon an importance level of the event.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for resource assignment in a network of sensor nodes, the method comprising:
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a first sensor node of the network detecting an event and collecting data samples for the event; the first sensor node exchanging messages with other sensor nodes of the network that detect the event to form a community of sensor nodes; sensor nodes in the community exchanging information comprising sensor data and location information; one or more sensor nodes of the community computing the total data samples collected for the event by the community; the first sensor node of the community sending a help message to a second sensor node outside of the community; the second sensor node estimating a potential marginal gain to be attained if the second sensor node were to be assigned to cover the event; and the second sensor node covering the event if the potential marginal gain exceeds a threshold, wherein the potential marginal gain comprises the expected change in a utility function that is dependent upon the total data samples collected for the event by the community. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A network of sensor nodes for collecting data samples of an event, the network comprising:
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a first set of sensor nodes operable to detect the event, collect data samples for the event, and exchange messages to form a community of sensor nodes when the event is detected; a second set of at least one sensor node, contained within the first set of sensor nodes, operable to compute the total data samples collected for the event by the community; and an external sensor node, not within the community of sensor nodes, operable to receive a help message from a sensor node of the community and further operable to cover the event if an estimate of a potential marginal gain exceeds a threshold, the potential marginal gain comprising the expected change in a utility function that is dependent upon the total data samples collected for the event by the community. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A help message for conveying information from a sensor node in a community of sensor nodes covering an event to an external sensor node not within the community of sensor nodes, the help message enabling the external sensor node to estimate the potential marginal gain if the external sensor node were to cover the event, the help message comprising:
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a measure of the data samples collected by the community of sensor nodes before the help message was sent; and the location of the event. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification