Monitor system

• US 7,061,399 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2003
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael John Leck
• Original Assignee: Michael John Leck
• Inventors: Leck, Michael John
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Albert K.
• Application Number:
  US10/449,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20040066271A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.06, 340/870.11, 340/870.16, 340/539.1, 340/539.22, 340/517
• US Class Current: 340/870.06
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

An apparatus for remotely monitoring variables comprising: one or more independently powered remote monitoring devices having means for sensing variables coupled to a microprocessor for receiving and processing variable data and means for transmitting the variable data to a control device; a control device having a means for receiving variable data from the one or more remote monitoring devices, coupled to a microprocessor for processing variable data and means for transmitting data to the one or more remote monitoring devices; the one or more remote monitoring devices being momentarily activated at programmed intervals, wherein during activation, the one or more remote monitoring devices transmit a beacon signal to the control device and/or further transmits processed variable data from the and/or a previous activation period, the one or more remote monitoring devices resuming a sleep mode after such transmission(s) and at the end of the activation period, the activation period being extendible.

Claims

1. An apparatus for remotely monitoring variables comprising:

a) one or more independently powered remote monitoring devices having means for sensing variables coupled to a microprocessor for receiving and processing variable data and means for transmitting the variable data to a control device;

b) a control device having a means for receiving variable data from the one or more remote monitoring devices, coupled to a microprocessor for processing variable data and means for transmitting data to the one or more remote monitoring devices;

the one or more remote monitoring devices being momentarily activated for a period of time at programmed intervals, wherein during such momentary activation period the one or more remote monitoring devices transmit a beacon signal to the control device and/or further transmits up to 1 byte of any processed variable data from the and/or a previous momentary activation period, the one or more remote monitoring devices resuming a sleep mode after such transmission(s) and at the end of the momentary activation period, the momentary activation period being extendible by means of a signal transmission from the control device.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more remote monitoring devices transmits 1 bit of any processed variable data during the momentary activation period.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extension of the activation period of the one or more remote monitoring devices is reliant upon an activation signal sent from the control device.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more control devices are linked to further control systems.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each remote monitoring device has a unique electronic serial number or address.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission means comprises electromagnetic energy.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transmission means comprises one or more or a combination of the following group:

radio waves, infra red radiation, microwave radiation and sound waves.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more remote monitoring devices is momentarily active for time periods within the range of 1 to 100 micro seconds.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more remote monitoring devices is momentarily activated at intervals of about 1 second.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more remote monitoring devices is a sensor that measures a physical variable by means of a transducer.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more remote monitoring devices is a self-sensing electronic seal.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more remote monitoring devices is used to protect and monitor goods in transit or storage.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more passwords are required prior to establishing transmission between the one or more remote monitoring devices and the control devices.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission of data is by means of one-bit transmittal and is a modulated or variable length radio frequency pulse.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission of data is by means of one-bit transmittal and is a modulated or variable length infra-red pulse.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission of data is by means of a data packet.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the data packet contains a checksum.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the data packet contains error-correcting codes.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the data packet is self-synchronizing.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the data packet contains encrypted information.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the encrypted information is encrypted by means of rolling-encryption.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control device employs an adaptive reception for one-bit transmittals from the one or more remote monitoring devices.