Wireless sensor interface with mobile terminal satellite modem and global location system

• US 7,468,927 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2006
• Issued: 12/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Battista, Rich
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THONG QUOC
• Application Number:
  US11/518,520
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 365/226, 365/233.1, 365/228, 365/189.2
• US Class Current: 365/226
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile

Abstract

A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area wireless network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area wireless network enables sensors on an asset to wirelessly transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.

Claims

1. A wireless sensor monitoring system at an asset location, comprising:

a satellite modem;

a first wireless device that interfaces with said satellite modem for delivery of sensor data to a remote location; and

a second wireless device that is coupled to a sensor, said second wireless device being configured to receive data from said sensor, said first wireless device including a controller that controls entry of said second wireless device into a low power state and waking of said second wireless device at a scheduled time at which said first wireless device also wakes from a low power state.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first wireless device is configured as a master device and said second wireless device is configured as a slave device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said slaved device after said slave device completes a synchronization process.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said first wireless device transmits configuration information to said second wireless device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said configuration information originates at a remote location and is received by said first wireless device via said satellite modem.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first wireless device transmits a status request to said second wireless device.

7. A wireless sensor interface device at an asset location, comprising:

a satellite modem;

a first wireless device that interfaces with said satellite modem for delivery of sensor data to a remote location, said first wireless device being configured to communicate with a second wireless device to receive data from a sensor that is coupled to said second wireless device, wherein said communication occurs at a scheduled time at which said first wireless device and said second wireless device both wake from a low power state.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a locating device that is coupled to said satellite modem, said locating device generating information that is used to identify a location of the asset.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein said locating device generates location information that is used, at a remote location, to calculate a location of the asset.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein said first wireless device is integrated in hardware with said satellite modem.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein said first wireless device is on separate hardware from said satellite modem, and communicates with said satellite modem using a hardwired interface.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein said first wireless device is configured as a master device and said second wireless device is configured as a slave device.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said first wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said slaved device after said slave device completes a synchronization process.

14. The device of claim 7, wherein said first wireless device transmits configuration information to said second wireless device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said configuration information originates at a remote location and is received by said first wireless device via said satellite modem.

16. The device of claim 7, wherein said first wireless device transmits a status request to said second wireless device.

17. A wireless sensor monitoring method, comprising:

detecting a sensor event by a first wireless device coupled to a sensor;

determining, by said first wireless device, a scheduled time during which a second wireless device is expected to be awake;

entering, by said first wireless device, a low power state;

at said scheduled time, waking said first wireless device and wirelessly transmitting a report of said detected sensor event to said second wireless device; and

sending, by said second wireless device, information regarding said detected sensor event to a remote location via a satellite modem coupled to said second wireless device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving, by said first wireless device, a message from said second wireless device prior to said wirelessly transmitting.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said wirelessly transmitting is on an assigned communication channel.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving, by said first wireless device an acknowledgment from said second wireless device.