CONTROLLED POWER-EFFICIENT OPERATION OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES

• US 20160029315A1
• Filed: 10/05/2015
• Published: 01/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 9,412,260 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3209 Monitoring remote activity, e.g. over telephone lines or network connections
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/04 by breaking of glass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/001 Alarm cancelling procedures or alarm forwarding decisions, e.g. based on absence of alarm confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/007 Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/02 Automatically-operated arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

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.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A wireless device that functions as part of an in-building wireless sensor system, comprising:

a wireless transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an electronic device located remotely from the wireless device, wherein the electronic device and the wireless device are configured to be installed within a building as part of the in-building wireless sensor system;

a smoke sensor configured to take smoke measurements;

a controller operatively coupled to the wireless transceiver and the smoke sensor and configured to;

continuously operate the wireless device in a sleep mode whereby the wireless transceiver is inoperable to transmit or receive information and consumption of power from the battery is lower than when the wireless device operates in an awake mode;

periodically and temporarily switch the operation of the wireless device from the sleep mode to the awake mode whereby, while in the awake mode, the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit one or more smoke measurements measured using the smoke sensor of the wireless device as one or more encrypted packets, each encrypted packet comprising a first checksum and first authenticity code for use in verifying an authenticity of the packet; and

in response to a received, encrypted message comprising a second checksum and a second authenticity code, alter a period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode such that during a first period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a first amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode and that during a second period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a second amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, the second amount of time being greater than the first amount of time.

3. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to alter the period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode in response to receiving an instruction from the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, the period being altered from an old period to a new period, the new period being defined by the instruction.

4. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the wireless device to switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode in response to receiving an instruction from the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, the instruction instructing the wireless device to switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode.

5. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to:

compare the one or more smoke measurements to a threshold value;

determine whether the one or more smoke measurements is outside of the threshold value; and

upon determining that the one or more smoke measurements is outside of the threshold value;

switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode, regardless of the periodic switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

while in the awake mode, communicate, to the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, information indicative of the one or more smoke measurements being outside of the threshold value; and

after communicating the information indicative of the one or more smoke measurements being outside of the threshold value, returning from the awake mode back to the sleep mode.

6. The wireless device of claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to listen for instructions while in the awake mode, after communicating the information indicative of the one or more smoke measurements being outside of the threshold value, and before returning back to the sleep mode.

7. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the wireless device to listen for one or more instructions while operating in the awake mode, and, in response to receiving the one or more instructions, perform one or more functions requested by the one or more instructions while operating in the awake mode.

8. A wireless device that functions as part of an in-building wireless sensor system, comprising:

a wireless transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an electronic device located remotely from the wireless device, wherein the electronic device and the wireless device are configured to be installed within a building as part of the in-building wireless sensor system;

a temperature sensor configured to take temperature measurements;

a controller operatively coupled to the wireless transceiver and the temperature sensor and configured to;

continuously operate the wireless device in a sleep mode whereby the wireless transceiver is inoperable to transmit or receive information and consumption of power from the battery is lower than when the wireless device operates in an awake mode;

periodically and temporarily switch the operation of the wireless device from the sleep mode to the awake mode whereby, while in the awake mode, the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit one or more temperature measurements measured using the temperature sensor of the wireless device as one or more encrypted packets, each encrypted packet comprising a first checksum and first authenticity code for use in verifying an authenticity of the packet; and

in response to a received, encrypted message comprising a second checksum and a second authenticity code, alter a period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode such that during a first period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a first amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode and that during a second period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a second amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, the second amount of time being greater than the first amount of time.

9. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to alter the period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode in response to receiving an instruction from the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, the period being altered from an old period to a new period, the new period being defined by the instruction.

10. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the wireless device to switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode in response to receiving an instruction from the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, the instruction instructing the wireless device to switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode.

11. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to:

compare the one or more temperature measurements to a threshold value;

determine whether the one or more temperature measurements is outside of the threshold value; and

upon determining that the one or more temperature measurements is outside of the threshold value;

switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode, regardless of the periodic switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

while in the awake mode, communicate, to the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, information indicative of the one or more temperature measurements being outside of the threshold value; and

after communicating the information indicative of the one or more temperature measurements being outside of the threshold value, returning from the awake mode back to the sleep mode.

12. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to listen for instructions while in the awake mode, after communicating the information indicative of the one or more temperature measurements being outside of the threshold value, and before returning back to the sleep mode.

13. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the wireless device to listen for one or more instructions while operating in the awake mode, and, in response to receiving the one or more instructions, perform one or more functions requested by the one or more instructions while operating in the awake mode.

14. A wireless device that functions as part of an in-building wireless sensor system, comprising:

a wireless transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an electronic device located remotely from the wireless device, wherein the electronic device and the wireless device are configured to be installed within a building as part of the in-building wireless sensor system;

a humidity sensor configured to take humidity measurements;

a controller operatively coupled to the wireless transceiver and the humidity sensor and configured to;

continuously operate the wireless device in a sleep mode whereby the wireless transceiver is inoperable to transmit or receive information and consumption of power from the battery is lower than when the wireless device operates in an awake mode;

periodically and temporarily switch the operation of the wireless device from the sleep mode to the awake mode whereby, while in the awake mode, the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit one or more humidity measurements measured using the humidity sensor of the wireless device as one or more encrypted packets, each encrypted packet comprising a first checksum and first authenticity code for use in verifying an authenticity of the packet; and

in response to a received, encrypted message comprising a second checksum and a second authenticity code, alter a period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode such that during a first period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a first amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode and that during a second period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a second amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, the second amount of time being greater than the first amount of time.

15. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to alter the period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode in response to receiving an instruction from the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, the period being altered from an old period to a new period, the new period being defined by the instruction.

16. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the wireless device to switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode in response to receiving an instruction from the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, the instruction instructing the wireless device to switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode.

17. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to:

compare the one or more humidity measurements to a threshold value;

determine whether the one or more humidity measurements is outside of the threshold value; and

upon determining that the one or more humidity measurements is outside of the threshold value;

switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode, regardless of the periodic switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

while in the awake mode, communicate, to the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, information indicative of the one or more humidity measurements being outside of the threshold value; and

after communicating the information indicative of the one or more humidity measurements being outside of the threshold value, returning from the awake mode back to the sleep mode.

18. The wireless device of claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to listen for instructions while in the awake mode, after communicating the information indicative of the one or more humidity measurements being outside of the threshold value, and before returning back to the sleep mode.

19. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the wireless device to listen for one or more instructions while operating in the awake mode, and, in response to receiving the one or more instructions, perform one or more functions requested by the one or more instructions while operating in the awake mode.

20. A wireless device that functions as part of an in-building wireless sensor system, comprising:

a wireless transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an electronic device located remotely from the wireless device, wherein the electronic device and the wireless device are configured to be installed within a building as part of the in-building wireless sensor system;

a water sensor configured to take water measurements;

a controller operatively coupled to the wireless transceiver and the water sensor and configured to;

continuously operate the wireless device in a sleep mode whereby the wireless transceiver is inoperable to transmit or receive information and consumption of power from the battery is lower than when the wireless device operates in an awake mode;

periodically and temporarily switch the operation of the wireless device from the sleep mode to the awake mode whereby, while in the awake mode, the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit one or more water measurements measured using the water sensor of the wireless device as one or more encrypted packets, each encrypted packet comprising a first checksum and first authenticity code for use in verifying an authenticity of the packet; and

in response to a received, encrypted message comprising a second checksum and a second authenticity code, alter a period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode such that during a first period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a first amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode and that during a second period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a second amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, the second amount of time being greater than the first amount of time.

21. The wireless device of claim 20, wherein the controller is further configured to:

compare the one or more water measurements to a threshold value;

determine whether the one or more water measurements is outside of the threshold value; and

upon determining that the one or more water measurements is outside of the threshold value;

switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode, regardless of the periodic switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

while in the awake mode, communicate, to the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, information indicative of the one or more water measurements being outside of the threshold value; and

after communicating the information indicative of the one or more water measurements being outside of the threshold value, returning from the awake mode back to the sleep mode.

22. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the controller is further configured to listen for instructions while in the awake mode, after communicating the information indicative of the one or more water measurements being outside of the threshold value, and before returning back to the sleep mode.

23. A wireless device that functions as part of an in-building wireless sensor system, comprising:

a wireless transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an electronic device located remotely from the wireless device, wherein the electronic device and the wireless device are configured to be installed within a building as part of the in-building wireless sensor system;

a carbon monoxide sensor configured to take carbon monoxide measurements;

a controller operatively coupled to the wireless transceiver and the carbon monoxide sensor and configured to;

continuously operate the wireless device in a sleep mode whereby the wireless transceiver is inoperable to transmit or receive information and consumption of power from the battery is lower than when the wireless device operates in an awake mode;

periodically and temporarily switch the operation of the wireless device from the sleep mode to the awake mode whereby, while in the awake mode, the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit one or more carbon monoxide measurements measured using the carbon monoxide sensor of the wireless device as one or more encrypted packets, each encrypted packet comprising a first checksum and first authenticity code for use in verifying an authenticity of the packet; and

in response to a received, encrypted message comprising a second checksum and a second authenticity code, alter a period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode such that during a first period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a first amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode and that during a second period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a second amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, the second amount of time being greater than the first amount of time.

24. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the controller is configured to alter the period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode in response to receiving an instruction from the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, the period being altered from an old period to a new period, the new period being defined by the instruction.

25. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the wireless device to switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode in response to receiving an instruction from the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, the instruction instructing the wireless device to switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode.

26. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the controller is further configured to:

compare the one or more carbon monoxide measurements to a threshold value;

determine whether the one or more carbon monoxide measurements is outside of the threshold value; and

upon determining that the one or more carbon monoxide measurements is outside of the threshold value;

switch from the sleep mode to the awake mode, regardless of the periodic switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

while in the awake mode, communicate, to the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, information indicative of the one or more carbon monoxide measurements being outside of the threshold value; and

after communicating the information indicative of the one or more carbon monoxide measurements being outside of the threshold value, returning from the awake mode back to the sleep mode.

27. The wireless device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to listen for instructions while in the awake mode, after communicating the information indicative of the one or more carbon monoxide measurements being outside of the threshold value, and before returning back to the sleep mode.

28. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the wireless device to listen for one or more instructions while operating in the awake mode, and, in response to receiving the one or more instructions, perform one or more functions requested by the one or more instructions while operating in the awake mode.

29. A method for using a wireless device that functions as part of an in-building wireless sensor system, comprising:

continuously operating the wireless device in a sleep mode such that the wireless transceiver is inoperable to transmit or receive information and consumption of power from the battery is lower than when the wireless device operates in an awake mode;

switching, periodically and temporarily, the operation of the wireless device from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

transmitting, by the wireless transceiver, while in the awake mode, one or more smoke measurements measured using a smoke sensor of the wireless device as one or more encrypted packets, each encrypted packet comprising a first checksum and first authenticity code for use in verifying an authenticity of the packet, wherein;

transmission of the one or more smoke measurements are performed using a wireless transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an electronic device located remotely from the wireless device; and

receiving, by the wireless transceiver, an encrypted message comprising a second checksum and a second authenticity code; and

in response to the received, encrypted message comprising the second checksum and the second authenticity code, altering a period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode such that during a first period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a first amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode and that during a second period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a second amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, the second amount of time being greater than the first amount of time.

30. The method for using the wireless device of claim 29, further comprising:

causing the wireless device to remain in the awake mode until it wirelessly receives an acknowledgement that the one or more smoke measurements were received; and

in response to receiving the acknowledgement that the one or more smoke measurements were received, causing the wireless device to enter again into the sleep mode.

31. The method for using the wireless device of claim 29, further comprising:

determining, prior to wirelessly communicating the one or more smoke measurements, an available radio frequency channel, wherein the one or more smoke measurements is wireless communicated from the wireless device to the electronic device located remote from the wireless device over the available radio frequency channel.

32. The method for using the wireless device of claim 31, further comprising:

determining, by the wireless device, that a certain radio frequency channel is in use, and selecting, by the wireless device, an alternative radio frequency channel that is not in use to wirelessly communicate the information indicative of the sensor data.

33. The method for using the wireless device of claim 32, wherein transmitting while in the awake mode, the one or more smoke measurements comprises:

wirelessly communicating, on the alternative radio frequency channel, the one or more smoke measurements utilizing spread-spectrum communication techniques; and

the method further comprising;

wirelessly receiving, while in the awake mode and using the spread-spectrum communication techniques, information from the electronic device including instructions regarding subsequent operation of the wireless device.

34. The method for using the wireless device of claim 29, further comprising:

comparing, by the wireless device, the one or more smoke measurements to a threshold value;

determining, by the wireless device, whether the one or more smoke measurements are outside of the threshold value; and

upon determining that the one or more smoke measurements are outside of the threshold value;

switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, regardless of the periodic switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

while in the awake mode, communicating, to the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, information indicative of the one or more smoke measurements being outside of the threshold value; and

after communicating the information indicative of the one or more smoke measurements being outside of the threshold value, returning from the awake mode back to the sleep mode.

35. A method for using a wireless device that functions as part of an in-building wireless sensor system, comprising:

continuously operating the wireless device in a sleep mode such that the wireless transceiver is inoperable to transmit or receive information and consumption of power from the battery is lower than when the wireless device operates in an awake mode;

switching, periodically and temporarily, the operation of the wireless device from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

transmitting, by the wireless transceiver, while in the awake mode, one or more smoke measurements measured using a temperature sensor of the wireless device as one or more encrypted packets, each encrypted packet comprising a first checksum and first authenticity code for use in verifying an authenticity of the packet, wherein;

transmission of the one or more temperature measurements are performed using a wireless transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an electronic device located remotely from the wireless device; and

receiving, by the wireless transceiver, an encrypted message comprising a second checksum and a second authenticity code; and

in response to the received, encrypted message comprising the second checksum and the second authenticity code, altering a period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode such that during a first period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a first amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode and that during a second period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a second amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, the second amount of time being greater than the first amount of time.

36. The method for using the wireless device of claim 35, further comprising:

causing the wireless device to remain in the awake mode until it wirelessly receives an acknowledgement that the one or more temperature measurements were received; and

in response to receiving the acknowledgement that the one or more temperature measurements were received, causing the wireless device to enter again into the sleep mode.

37. The method for using the wireless device of claim 35, further comprising:

determining, prior to wirelessly communicating the one or more temperature measurements, an available radio frequency channel, wherein the one or more temperature measurements is wireless communicated from the wireless device to the electronic device located remote from the wireless device over the available radio frequency channel.

38. The method for using the wireless device of claim 37, further comprising:

determining, by the wireless device, that a certain radio frequency channel is in use, and

selecting, by the wireless device, an alternative radio frequency channel that is not in use to wirelessly communicate the information indicative of the sensor data.

39. The method for using the wireless device of claim 38, wherein transmitting while in the awake mode, the one or more temperature measurements comprises:

wirelessly communicating, on the alternative radio frequency channel, the one or more temperature measurements utilizing spread-spectrum communication techniques; and

the method further comprising;

wirelessly receiving, while in the awake mode and using the spread-spectrum communication techniques, information from the electronic device including instructions regarding subsequent operation of the wireless device.

40. The method for using the wireless device of claim 35, further comprising:

comparing, by the wireless device, the one or more temperature measurements to a threshold value;

determining, by the wireless device, whether the one or more temperature measurements are outside of the threshold value; and

upon determining that the one or more temperature measurements are outside of the threshold value;

switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, regardless of the periodic switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

while in the awake mode, communicating, to the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, information indicative of the one or more temperature measurements being outside of the threshold value; and

after communicating the information indicative of the one or more temperature measurements being outside of the threshold value, returning from the awake mode back to the sleep mode.

41. A method for using a wireless device that functions as part of an in-building wireless sensor system, comprising:

continuously operating the wireless device in a sleep mode such that the wireless transceiver is inoperable to transmit or receive information and consumption of power from the battery is lower than when the wireless device operates in an awake mode;

switching, periodically and temporarily, the operation of the wireless device from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

transmitting, by the wireless transceiver, while in the awake mode, one or more smoke measurements measured using a humidity sensor of the wireless device as one or more encrypted packets, each encrypted packet comprising a first checksum and first authenticity code for use in verifying an authenticity of the packet, wherein;

transmission of the one or more humidity measurements are performed using a wireless transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an electronic device located remotely from the wireless device; and

receiving, by the wireless transceiver, an encrypted message comprising a second checksum and a second authenticity code; and

in response to the received, encrypted message comprising the second checksum and the second authenticity code, altering a period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode such that during a first period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a first amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode and that during a second period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a second amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, the second amount of time being greater than the first amount of time.

42. The method for using the wireless device of claim 41, further comprising:

causing the wireless device to remain in the awake mode until it wirelessly receives an acknowledgement that the one or more humidity measurements were received; and

in response to receiving the acknowledgement that the one or more humidity measurements were received, causing the wireless device to enter again into the sleep mode.

43. The method for using the wireless device of claim 41, further comprising:

determining, prior to wirelessly communicating the one or more humidity measurements, an available radio frequency channel, wherein the one or more humidity measurements is wireless communicated from the wireless device to the electronic device located remote from the wireless device over the available radio frequency channel.

44. The method for using the wireless device of claim 43, further comprising:

determining, by the wireless device, that a certain radio frequency channel is in use, and

selecting, by the wireless device, an alternative radio frequency channel that is not in use to wirelessly communicate the information indicative of the sensor data.

45. The method for using the wireless device of claim 44, wherein transmitting while in the awake mode, the one or more humidity measurements comprises:

wirelessly communicating, on the alternative radio frequency channel, the one or more humidity measurements utilizing spread-spectrum communication techniques; and

the method further comprising;

wirelessly receiving, while in the awake mode and using the spread-spectrum communication techniques, information from the electronic device including instructions regarding subsequent operation of the wireless device.

46. The method for using the wireless device of claim 41, further comprising:

comparing, by the wireless device, the one or more humidity measurements to a threshold value;

determining, by the wireless device, whether the one or more humidity measurements are outside of the threshold value; and

upon determining that the one or more humidity measurements are outside of the threshold value;

switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, regardless of the periodic switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

while in the awake mode, communicating, to the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, information indicative of the one or more humidity measurements being outside of the threshold value; and

after communicating the information indicative of the one or more humidity measurements being outside of the threshold value, returning from the awake mode back to the sleep mode.

47. A method for using a wireless device that functions as part of an in-building wireless sensor system, comprising:

continuously operating the wireless device in a sleep mode such that the wireless transceiver is inoperable to transmit or receive information and consumption of power from the battery is lower than when the wireless device operates in an awake mode;

switching, periodically and temporarily, the operation of the wireless device from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

transmitting, by the wireless transceiver, while in the awake mode, one or more smoke measurements measured using a water sensor of the wireless device as one or more encrypted packets, each encrypted packet comprising a first checksum and first authenticity code for use in verifying an authenticity of the packet, wherein;

transmission of the one or more water measurements are performed using a wireless transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an electronic device located remotely from the wireless device; and

receiving, by the wireless transceiver, an encrypted message comprising a second checksum and a second authenticity code; and

in response to the received, encrypted message comprising the second checksum and the second authenticity code, altering a period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode such that during a first period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a first amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode and that during a second period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a second amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, the second amount of time being greater than the first amount of time.

48. The method for using the wireless device of claim 47, further comprising:

comparing, by the wireless device, the one or more water measurements to a threshold value;

determining, by the wireless device, whether the one or more water measurements are outside of the threshold value; and

upon determining that the one or more water measurements are outside of the threshold value;

switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, regardless of the periodic switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

while in the awake mode, communicating, to the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, information indicative of the one or more water measurements being outside of the threshold value; and

after communicating the information indicative of the one or more water measurements being outside of the threshold value, returning from the awake mode back to the sleep mode.

49. A method for using a wireless device that functions as part of an in-building wireless sensor system, comprising:

continuously operating the wireless device in a sleep mode such that the wireless transceiver is inoperable to transmit or receive information and consumption of power from the battery is lower than when the wireless device operates in an awake mode;

switching, periodically and temporarily, the operation of the wireless device from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

transmitting, by the wireless transceiver, while in the awake mode, one or more carbon monoxide measurements measured using a carbon monoxide sensor of the wireless device as one or more encrypted packets, each encrypted packet comprising a first checksum and first authenticity code for use in verifying an authenticity of the packet, wherein;

transmission of the one or more carbon monoxide measurements are performed using a wireless transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an electronic device located remotely from the wireless device; and

receiving, by the wireless transceiver, an encrypted message comprising a second checksum and a second authenticity code; and

in response to the received, encrypted message comprising the second checksum and the second authenticity code, altering a period at which the wireless device switches from the sleep mode to the awake mode such that during a first period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a first amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode and that during a second period the wireless device operates in the sleep mode for a second amount of time before temporarily switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, the second amount of time being greater than the first amount of time.

50. The method for using the wireless device of claim 49, further comprising:

causing the wireless device to remain in the awake mode until it wirelessly receives an acknowledgement that the one or more carbon monoxide measurements were received; and

in response to receiving the acknowledgement that the one or more carbon monoxide measurements were received, causing the wireless device to enter again into the sleep mode.

51. The method for using the wireless device of claim 49, further comprising:

determining, prior to wirelessly communicating the one or more carbon monoxide measurements, an available radio frequency channel, wherein the one or more carbon monoxide measurements is wireless communicated from the wireless device to the electronic device located remote from the wireless device over the available radio frequency channel.

52. The method for using the wireless device of claim 49, further comprising:

comparing, by the wireless device, the one or more carbon monoxide measurements to a threshold value;

determining, by the wireless device, whether the one or more carbon monoxide measurements are outside of the threshold value; and

upon determining that the one or more carbon monoxide measurements are outside of the threshold value;

switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode, regardless of the periodic switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode;

while in the awake mode, communicating, to the electronic device via the wireless transceiver, information indicative of the one or more carbon monoxide measurements being outside of the threshold value; and

after communicating the information indicative of the one or more carbon monoxide measurements being outside of the threshold value, returning from the awake mode back to the sleep mode.