Low battery detector for a wireless sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for monitoring a parameter in a device for sending messages, the method comprising:
- a) measuring a value of the parameter existing at a time during the sending of a first message by the sending device;
b) sending a second message from the sending device reporting the value of the parameter over a communication channel to a system controller, the second message being sent at a time subsequent to the sending of the first message.
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Abstract
Measuring the critical value of a parameter of a sensor in a security system (e.g., battery voltage) is performed at a time when the critical value is most likely to be reached, and the critical value information is sent from the sensor to a system controller at a time when the information is most likely to be successfully received.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring a parameter in a device for sending messages, the method comprising:
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a) measuring a value of the parameter existing at a time during the sending of a first message by the sending device; b) sending a second message from the sending device reporting the value of the parameter over a communication channel to a system controller, the second message being sent at a time subsequent to the sending of the first message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of detecting a low-power level of a sensor which sends groups of message packets, comprising:
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a) measuring a power level of the sensor existing at a time during sending of a first group of message packets by the sensor; and b) sending from the sensor the measured power level as part of a second group of message packets, the second group of message packets being sent at a time subsequent to the sending of the first group of message packets. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21)
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16. A low-battery detector for a battery-powered sensor which sends messages containing message packets to a system controller, comprising:
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a) a reference voltage; b) a comparator connected to the reference voltage and a battery of the sensor, and adapted to generate an output signal indicative of the battery level; and c) a transmitter, operably connected to the comparator, for including in a group of message packets the output signal generated by the comparator, the output signal being indicative of the battery level existing a time during sending of an earlier group of message packets, wherein the group of message packets including the output signal is sent subsequent to the sending of the earlier group of message packets. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A sensor which sends messages containing message packets to a system controller, comprising:
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a packet generator for generating the message packets, a low battery detector operably connected to the packet generator, the detector comprising, a) a reference voltage, b) a comparator connected to the reference voltage and a battery of the sensor, and adapted to generate an output signal indicative of the battery level existing at a time during the generation of a first group of message packets, and wherein the packet generator includes the comparator output signal in a second group of message packets in a succeeding message generated subsequent to the first group of message packets.
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22. A low-battery detector for a battery-powered sensor which sends messages containing message packets to a system controller, comprising:
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a) a reference voltage; b) a comparator connected to the reference voltage and a battery of the sensor, and adapted to generate an output signal indicative of the battery level; and c) a transmitter, operably connected to the comparator, for including in a next succeeding group of packets the output signal generated at a time during one of the messages, wherein the transmitter includes in the next succeeding group of packets the output signal generated at a time near the end of one of the messages.
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23. A sensor which sends messages containing message packets to a system controller, comprising:
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a packet generator for generating the message packets, a low battery detector operably connected to the packet generator, the detector comprising; a) a reference voltage, and b) a comparator connected to the reference voltage and a battery of the sensor, and adapted to generate an output signal indicative of the battery level, wherein the packet generator includes in a succeeding group of packets in a succeeding message the comparator output signal generated at a time near the end of one of the messages.
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24. A battery-powered sensor module comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting messages containing information indicative of one or more sensor parameters; a battery for powering the sensor module, wherein a power level of the battery generally varies from a lower power level near the end of transmission of one of the messages to a higher power level near the start of transmission of one of the messages; and a battery level indicator for indicating a power level of the battery, wherein the transmitter transmits with one of the messages battery information indicative of the power level of the battery existing at a time near the end of transmission of one of the messages, and transmits the battery information near the start of transmission of a subsequent one of the messages. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A battery-powered sensor module comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting messages containing information indicative of one or more sensor parameters; a battery for powering the sensor module; and a battery level indicator for indicating a power level of the battery existing at a time during transmission of a first message, wherein the transmitter transmits battery information indicative of the power level of the battery existing at the time during the transmission of the first message with a subsequent one of the messages.
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28. A battery-powered sensor module comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting messages containing information indicative of one or more sensor parameters; a battery for powering the sensor module; and a battery level indicator for indicating a power level of the battery, wherein the transmitter transmits battery information indicative of the power level of the battery existing at a time near the end of transmission of a previous one of the messages, wherein each of the messages includes a plurality of message packets, and the transmitter transmits with one of the messages battery information indicative of the power level of the battery existing at a time near the end of the last one of the message packets of one of the messages.
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29. A method for monitoring a power level of a battery in a battery-powered sensor module, wherein the sensor module transmits messages containing information indicative of one or more sensor parameters, wherein a power level of the battery generally varies from a lower power level near the end of transmission of one of the messages to a higher power level near the start of transmission of one of the messages, the method comprising the steps of:
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indicating the power level of the battery; and transmitting to a system controller with one of the messages battery information indicative of the power level of the battery existing at a time during transmission of a previous one of the messages.
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30. A battery-powered sensor module comprising:
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a sensor circuit for generating information indicative of one or more sensed conditions; a battery for powering the sensor circuit; a battery level indicator for indicating a power level of the battery; a transmitter for transmitting messages containing the information generated by the sensor circuit, wherein the transmitter transmits battery information indicative of the power level of the battery existing at a time during transmission of one of the messages, the battery information being transmitted with a subsequent one of the messages.
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Specification