Synchronization among distributed wireless devices beyond communications range

• US 7,522,639 B1
• Filed: 12/26/2007
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobit Telecom Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Daniel A. Katz
• Inventors: Katz, Daniel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harper, Kevin C
• Application Number:
  US11/964,120
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 370/311, 370/350, 370/465, 370/503, 340/870.02, 340/870.11, 340/870.13, 340/870.14
• US Class Current: 370/503
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0638 Clock or time synchronisation among nodes; Internode synchronisation synchronization for ring networks H04L12/422; data switching networks with synchronous transmission H04L12/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/20 using a distributed architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/826 where the data is sent periodically
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/845 where the measuring is synchronized between sensing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• 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 9/04 Arrangements for synchronous operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/002 Mutual synchronization
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and system for time synchronization among distributed communication devices, particularly wireless and even beyond communications range, either fixed or mobile, configured to communicate data with each other, typically over peer to peer local area networks, specifically mesh or ad-hoc networks, where said communication devices are usually dormant in order to save battery power, then said devices are configured to simultaneously wake up and accordingly allocate synchronized time slots for communications among thereof. A particular embodiment of the present invention concerns with Automatic Meter Reading (AMR).

Claims

1. A method for time synchronization among a plurality of distributed communication devices, comprising the steps of:

a) coupling each of said devices with a sensor;

b) configuring the sensor output to control the activity of the communication device;

c) configuring each of the sensors to output a signal upon sensing a same event, wherein this event is not a modulated communication transmission;

d) configuring said devices for operation in time synchronization with each other, wherein at least one of said communication devices achieves synchronization without communicating with other communication devices;

e) defining a transmission cycle divided to time slots;

f) assigning a unique identification number to each of said devices;

g) associating each identification number with at least one unique time slot;

h) at each device synchronizing said time slots with said sensor output signal;

i) configuring each device to periodically transmit during its unique time slot(s).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said communication device is comprised of:

a) a radio transmitter; and

b) a timing device;

said radio input coupled to said timing device output and said timing device input coupled to said sensor output.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said timing device is a microcontroller with Input/Output (I/O) interfacing.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said operation in time synchronization is at least one of:

powering up or powering down parts of the device;

resetting parts of the device;

switcing between power saving modes or between operation modes of the device;

switching between communication channels;

changing the device settings and/or configuration;

inputting and/or outputting data to/from the device.

5. A communication device for time synchronization among a plurality of distributed communication devices, according to the method of claim 1.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said communication devices operate on battery power.

7. A method according to claim 1, further configuring sensor to output a signal upon detecting an event according to at least one of the following criteria:

amount of energy;

spectrum of energy;

amplitude versus time pattern of energy;

frequency versus time pattern of energy;

direction of radiated signal;

chemical properties of detected material.

8. A method according to claim 1, further configuring said sensor to output a signal upon detecting an event which is at least one of the following in nature:

audio/voice/sound/ultrasound;

electromagnetic radiation including gamma-rays, x-rays, ultraviolet/visible/infrared light, microwaves, RF waves;

nuclear radiation;

electrical voltage/current;

temperature;

humidity;

air/water pressure;

water level/tide;

PH or any chemical property;

sun direction/shadow;

vibration;

acceleration;

mechanical shock;

lightning/thunder;

rain;

snow;

dew;

seismic activity;

air pollution;

traffic effects;

astronomical observation.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said communication devices are part of at least one of the following networks:

LAN, WAN, PAN, mesh, ad-hoc network.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said communication devices are compatible with Bluetooth or WLAN (802.11) or ZigBee, or any other unlicensed radio.

11. A method according to claim 1, applied to at least one of the following fields:

transportation, surveillance;

reconnaissance;

remote sensing;

telemedicine;

Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) of utility (gas, electricity, water) consumption.

12. A method according to claim 1, comprising further steps of:

a) providing at least one communication device comprising at least one additional sensor;

b) coupling both said sensor and said additional sensor(s) to said communication device;

c) considering, at said at least one communication device, all coupled sensors output signals as if been generated by a single sensor.

13. A method according to claim 1, further allocating at least one communication device with two or more consecutive time slots.

14. A method for time synchronization among a plurality of distributed communication devices, comprising the steps of:

a) coupling each of said devices with a sensor;

b) configuring the sensor output to control the activity of the communication device;

c) configuring each of the sensors to output a signal upon sensing a same event, wherein this event is not a modulated communication transmission;

d) configuring said devices for operation in time synchronization with each other, wherein at least one of said communication devices achieves synchronization without communicating with other communication devices;

e) configuring each of said communication devices to determine the relative delay in which it detects said event and adjust synchronization accordingly.

15. A system for Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) comprised at least of:

a) a communication device coupled to a meter, said device comprised of;

i) a radio transceiver;

ii) a meter reader;

iii) a microcontroller;

iv) memory component(s) storing a unique identification number (ID);

v) a sensor;

said radio coupled to said microcontroller and said microcontroller coupled to said meter reader and to said memory component(s) and to said sensor;

b) a central station comprised of;

i) a central computer;

ii) a radio transceiver;

wherein said communication device configured to periodically read its meter and store a data record containing at least said reading and said meter'"'"'s ID, and communicate stored data records to other communication devices, and store received data records, said central station configured to communicate with some communication devices and acquire data records, wherein at least part of the communications among said communication devices are synchronized with signals derived from said sensors, said sensors configured to output a signal upon sensing a same event which is not detected by said transceivers, wherein at least one of said communication devices achieves synchronization without communicating with other communication devices.