Wireless telemetry methods and systems for communicating with or controlling intelligent devices
First Claim
1. A method for remotely monitoring or controlling activities within multiple facilities geographically dispersed within at least one wireless network adapted to transmit GSM short messages to allow the facilities to communicate with other terminals without making a wireless telephone call, the method comprising:
- providing the selected facility with a gateway comprising a processor, a transceiver and a SIM card adapted to transmit short messaging service messages;
periodically causing the gateway to formulate a short message reporting on activities within the selected facility at which the gateway is located;
transmitting the message over the GSM network via a Short Messaging Center coupled to a Mobile Switching Center within the GSM network;
receiving the message at a terminal selected from a group of devices consisting of a mobile station, a work station and a central processor; and
controlling devices located at a selected facility by formulating a control message and forwarding it via the GSM network to the selected facility, wherein the gateway at the facility processes the control message in order to control one or more devices coupled to the gateway, and wherein a direct connection is provided for transmitting the short message between the gateway and the terminal without making a telephone call.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for remotely monitoring and controlling via a wireless network various devices deployed in homes and businesses. The present invention allows for monitoring and control of various gateways distributed to remotely located facilities to be monitored and the devices coupled to those gateways to be controlled via a wireless communications network. Preferably, the network is a GSM network adapted to provide short messaging services or any type of wireless network adapted to operate a General Packet Radio System for delivering data over the network. Messages are packaged at each gateway for delivery via the network to a destination terminal, whether a fixed terminal or a mobile station. Likewise, customers may forward data and commands to a particular gateway either from a mobile station or by accessing a fixed terminal, such as through an Internet connection. Transporting messages or commands via the short messaging service of the GSM network or via the GPRS protocol avoids the prohibitive cost of setting up a call for each message and avoids the significant capital costs needed to set up a separate communication network for data delivery.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for remotely monitoring or controlling activities within multiple facilities geographically dispersed within at least one wireless network adapted to transmit GSM short messages to allow the facilities to communicate with other terminals without making a wireless telephone call, the method comprising:
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providing the selected facility with a gateway comprising a processor, a transceiver and a SIM card adapted to transmit short messaging service messages; periodically causing the gateway to formulate a short message reporting on activities within the selected facility at which the gateway is located; transmitting the message over the GSM network via a Short Messaging Center coupled to a Mobile Switching Center within the GSM network; receiving the message at a terminal selected from a group of devices consisting of a mobile station, a work station and a central processor; and controlling devices located at a selected facility by formulating a control message and forwarding it via the GSM network to the selected facility, wherein the gateway at the facility processes the control message in order to control one or more devices coupled to the gateway, and wherein a direct connection is provided for transmitting the short message between the gateway and the terminal without making a telephone call. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for transmitting data to and from multiple gateways deployed in homes or businesses and capable of collecting data concerning usage or operation of various devices located in the homes or businesses, the system comprising:
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multiple gateways, each adapted to formulate or accept a wireless packet data transmission, wherein each gateway is configured to process the wireless packet data transmission to control one or more devices coupled to the gateway; a base station controller adapted to route data forwarded to the base station controller via wireless transmission to a support node, the support node formatting the message into a format selected from the group consisting of internet protocol, X.25 protocol and a data protocol depending on which network over which the message will be transmitted; and a terminal for receiving the formatted messages. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for using a wireless network to deliver messages from or to each of multiple gateways that are deployed in geographically-dispersed facilities comprising:
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formulating a message from a gateway for wireless transmission according to a GPRS format; transmitting the message to a network element for identifying that message; and transferring the message from the network element to a central processor for collating the transferred messages with other messages or data related to a selected gateway, wherein a user accesses the collected message via the central processor, and controls the gateway by formulating a command that will be routed directly from the user'"'"'s mobile station to the gateway. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification