Bi-directional hand-shaking sensor system

• US 7,893,828 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2008
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US12/182,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20080278315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.14, 340/506, 340/540, 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/10.4, 455/507
• US Class Current: 340/539.14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3209 Monitoring remote activity, e.g. over telephone lines or network connections
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/04 by breaking of glass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/001 Alarm cancelling procedures or alarm forwarding decisions, e.g. based on absence of alarm confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/007 Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
• 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: 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 9/02 Automatically-operated arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A low cost, robust, wireless sensor that provides an extended period of operability without maintenance is described. The wireless sensors are configured to communicate with a base unit or repeater. When the sensor unit detects an anomalous ambient condition (e.g., smoke, fire, water, etc.) the sensor communicates with the base unit and provides data regarding the anomalous condition. The sensor unit receives instructions to change operating parameters and/or control external devices.

Claims

1. A method of robust, bi-directional handshaking with a wireless sensor unit, comprising:

transmitting a communication containing data by said wireless sensor unit;

waiting for an acknowledgment of said communication by said wireless sensor unit if the data transmitted has an elevated priority but not if the data transmitted has a normal priority; and

re-transmitting said communication by said wireless sensor unit until said acknowledgment communication is received by said wireless sensor unit.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of testing a transmission channel by said wireless sensor unit before the step of transmitting so that said wireless sensor unit can avoid a channel that is unavailable for the step of transmitting.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said normal priority includes status information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said elevated priority includes excess smoke information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said elevated priority includes excess temperature.