Communication nodes for use with a wireless ad-hoc communication network

• US 7,113,106 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2003
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olsonet Communications Corporation
• Inventors: Sendrowicz, Gerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Albert K.
• Application Number:
  US10/342,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20030134598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.03, 370/252, 370/328, 370/254, 709/230
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• 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: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/003 Signalling to neighbouring houses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/566 Routing instructions carried by the data packet, e.g. active networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

Communication nodes for use with a wireless ad-hoc communication network are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication node comprises a transducer, which generates a signal in response to an external signal. The ad-hoc network communication is supported in part by static communication nodes, which defined an organized infrastructure network in order to achieve the various functions of the transducers. In another embodiment, the communication node for use with a wireless ad-hoc network does not include a transducer. Such communication nodes are preferred for use with a less structured network with virtually no infrastructure and allow for being used with expanding and contracting networks. Mobile communication nodes mostly support the propagation of signals. However, pseudo-static or static communication nodes are also used in wireless communication ad-hoc networks.

Claims

1. A monitoring node comprising:

a processor;

a transceiver in communication with the processor for receiving signals and for transmitting signals, the signals transmitted and received via a wireless communication medium;

a transducer, in communication with the processor for sensing a first physical parameter and for providing a first signal, including data, relating to the first physical parameter;

the processor for identifying a received second signal as one destined for the monitoring node and other than destined for the monitoring node, and when the identification is indicative of the second signal being destined for other than the monitoring node, relaying the received second signal via the transceiver, and when the identification is indicative of the second signal being destined for the monitoring node, providing an indication to the receiving party of the received signal;

the processor for generating a third signal for transmission, wherein the third signal includes at least the first signal including data relating to the first physical parameter; and

wherein the monitoring node executes an ad-hoc communications protocol to communicate with at least one other monitoring node to form an ad-hoc network.

2. A monitoring node according to claim 1, wherein the transducer is a security sensor for sensing security data and for providing a first signal including data relating to the sensed security data.

3. A monitoring node according to claim 2, including a protocol processor for inserting within the first signal data indicative of the security monitoring node.

4. A monitoring node according to claim 3, comprising a display for use in locating a transducer having generated a first signal including data relating to sensed security data.

5. A monitoring node according to claim 4, comprising a switch for selecting a monitoring node from a plurality of monitoring nodes.

6. A monitoring node according to claim 2, including a protocol processor for inserting within the third signal data indicative of a source of the security data and data indicative of a destination for the security data.

7. A monitoring node according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring node includes a protocol processor for identifying the data indicative of the destination for the security data and for relaying the security data when the identified data indicate that the node is other than a destination for the security data.

8. A monitoring node according to claim 2, wherein the transducer is a household-type security detector.

9. A monitoring node according to claim 2, comprising a memory for storing an indication of a transmitted third signal and upon receiving a second signal, performing one of transmitting the second signal when the stored indication indicates that the second signal was other than transmitted from the monitoring node and other than transmitting the second signal when the stored indication indicates that the second signal was transmitted from the monitoring node.

10. A monitoring node according to claim 9, comprising a clock wherein the time the third signal was first relayed is stored.

11. A monitoring node according to claim 9, comprising a clock wherein the time the third signal was first relayed is stored and after a predetermined period of time, the time is cleared form the memory.

12. A monitoring node according to claim 1, including a memory having stored therein data, the data for execution by the processor for implementing a predetermined protocol for identifying a received second signal as relating to previously received second signal or other than previously received second signal.

13. A monitoring node according to claim 1, wherein the transducer comprises a consumption metering circuit for providing a meter signal indicative of data relating to a metering performed by the consumption metering circuit.

14. A monitoring node according to claim 13, wherein the processor includes instruction data stored in association therewith for, when executed, transmitting the received second signal when it is both other than previously received and other than destined for the consumption meter.

15. A monitoring node according to claim 13, wherein the processor comprises circuitry for implementing a predetermined protocol for identifying a consumption meter used as a source of data indicative of consumption metering performed by a consumption metering circuit.

16. A monitoring node according to claim 13, including a memory having stored therein data, the data for execution by the processor for implementing a predetermined protocol for identifying a consumption meter used as a source of data indicative of consumption metering performed by a consumption metering circuit.

17. A monitoring node according to claim 13, wherein the processor comprises circuitry for implementing a predetermined protocol for identifying a received second signal as relating to previously received data or other than previously received data.

18. A monitoring node according to claim 13, including a memory having stored therein data, the data for execution by the processor for implementing a predetermined protocol for identifying a received second signal as relating to previously received data or other than previously received data.

19. A monitoring node according to claim 13, wherein the consumption meter is a consumption meter relating to household consumption.

20. A monitoring node according to claim 19, wherein the consumption meter is a water consumption meter.

21. A monitoring node according to claim 19, wherein the consumption meter is a gas consumption meter.

22. A monitoring node according to claim 19, wherein the consumption meter is an electricity consumption meter.