System And Method For Controlling Remote Sensors

• US 20100045453A1
• Filed: 10/21/2008
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Orr, David, Brewster, Jon A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,044,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24048 Remote test, monitoring, diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25187 Transmission of signals, medium, ultrasonic, radio
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0291 Switching into safety or degraded mode, e.g. protection and supervision after failure

Abstract

A system and method for controlling one or more remote sensors includes wirelessly communicating with the sensors, monitoring operation of each one of the sensors, and causing any one of the sensors that is operating in an unauthorized manner to be disabled. In one embodiment, the sensors can include micro-mechanical structure supporting electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry is capable of monitoring at least one performance parameter of the sensor, comparing the monitored parameter to a preset limit, and disabling the sensor if the preset performance limit is exceeded.

Claims

1. A system for controlling one or more remote sensors, said system comprising:

means for wirelessly communicating with said sensors;

means for monitoring operation of each one of said sensors; and

means for causing any one of said sensors that is operating in an unauthorized manner to be disabled.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for monitoring comprises:

means for receiving operational data from each sensor; and

means for comparing said operational data to preset limits for each sensor.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising means for setting said preset limits.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said operational data relates to sensor acceleration.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said operational data relates to sensor velocity.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein said operational data relates to sensor altitude.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for causing any one of said sensors that is operating in an unauthorized manner to be disabled sends a disable command to any sensor that is operating in an unauthorized manner.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for wirelessly communicating with said sensors includes long-range wireless communication links.

9. A method for controlling one or more remote sensors, said method comprising:

monitoring operation of each one of said sensors;

determining if any sensor is operating in an unauthorized manner; and

disabling any sensor that is operating in an unauthorized manner.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein determining if any sensor is operating in an unauthorized manner comprises comparing each sensor'"'"'s actual performance to preset performance limits for each sensor.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein each sensor'"'"'s preset performance limit is set so that operation outside of the performance level is indicative of an unauthorized use.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein monitoring operation of said sensors includes receiving signals relating to sensor operation from each sensor, and disabling sensors operating in an unauthorized manner includes sending a disable command to such sensors.

13. A sensor comprising micro-mechanical structure supporting electronic circuitry for controlling said sensor, said electronic circuitry being capable of monitoring at least one performance parameter of said sensor, comparing said monitored parameter to a preset limit, and disabling said sensor if said preset performance limit is exceeded.

14. The sensor of claim 13 wherein said micro-mechanical structure comprises:

first and second wafers connected together in a stacked arrangement;

a first set of electrodes formed on said first wafer;

a second set of electrodes formed on said second wafer; and

wherein said electronic circuitry is disposed on said second wafer.

15. The sensor of claim 14 wherein said electronic circuitry is in the form of a CMOS layer integrally formed on said second wafer.

16. The sensor of claim 14 wherein said first wafer includes a frame portion and a moveable portion moveably mounted to said frame portion, and wherein said first set of electrodes is formed on said moveable portion.

17. The sensor of claim 13 wherein said electronic circuitry includes a series of fusible links that can be triggered to disable said sensor.

18. The sensor of claim 13 further comprising a wireless communication package.