Wireless network sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors

• US 8,098,485 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2007
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Weaver, Billy L., Theiss, Silva K., Hagen, Kathy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US11/772,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20090196206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,659 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.01, 370/338
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/205 providing an omnidirectional coverage turnstile aerials H01Q21/26

Abstract

A detection sensor for detecting proximately occurring events such as traffic patterns. The detection sensor includes a housing having several apertures and a wireless network sensor located in the housing. The wireless network sensor has several sensors for detecting events occurring proximate them, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. Each of the sensors is contained within one of the apertures, and the apertures have shapes configured to provide for varying types of coverage areas for each of the sensors.

Claims

1. A detection sensor having a wireless network sensor for detecting events occurring proximate the sensor, comprising:

a housing having a base, a top portion, and a free standing elongate portion having a first end connected to the base and a second end connected to the top portion, wherein the top portion includes plurality of apertures; and

a wireless network sensor located in the housing and having a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data,

wherein the plurality of apertures in the top portion each contain one of the sensors.

2. The detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the elongate portion has a substantially cylindrical shape.

3. The detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the apertures in the top portion have a substantially uniform spacing.

4. The detection sensor of claim 3, wherein the apertures in the top portion are spaced apart by approximately 60°

.

5. The detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the elongate portion is lined with an opaque material.

6. A detection sensor having a wireless network sensor for detecting events occurring proximate the sensor, comprising:

a bottom portion and a plurality of side sections, wherein the bottom portion has a first side including a first plurality of apertures and a second side, opposite the first side, including a second plurality of apertures; and

a wireless network sensor located in the housing and having a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data,

wherein the plurality of apertures in the bottom portion each contain one of the sensors.

7. The detection sensor of claim 6, wherein the first and second plurality of apertures are positioned at varying angles with respect to the bottom portion.

8. The detection sensor of claim 6, wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged to provide a corresponding plurality of coverage areas by the sensors.

9. A detection sensor having a wireless network sensor for detecting events occurring proximate the sensor, comprising:

a bottom portion and a plurality of sections, wherein the bottom portion has a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures arranged substantially parallel to the first plurality of apertures; and

a wireless network sensor located in the housing and having a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data,

wherein the plurality of apertures in the bottom portion each contain one of the sensors.

10. The detection sensor of claim 9, wherein the first and second plurality of apertures are positioned at varying angles with respect to the bottom portion.

11. The detection sensor of claim 9, wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged to provide a corresponding plurality of coverage areas by the sensors.

12. A detection sensor having a wireless network sensor for detecting events occurring proximate the sensor, comprising:

a substantially planar back portion and a plurality of side sections, wherein the side sections include a top portion having a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures arranged substantially parallel to the first plurality of apertures; and

a wireless network sensor located in the housing and having a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data,

wherein the plurality of apertures in the top portion each contain one of the sensors.

13. The detection sensor of claim 12, wherein the first and second plurality of apertures are positioned at varying angles with respect to the back portion.

14. The detection sensor of claim 12, wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged to provide a corresponding plurality of coverage areas by the sensors.

15. A detection sensor element for use in detecting events occurring proximate the sensor, comprising:

a housing having a plurality of side sections and a top section, wherein the housing has a first aperture having a first diameter and a second aperture, joined with the first aperture, having a second diameter larger than the first diameter and having an exit portion at one of the side sections, wherein the top section is configured at a non-zero angle to the first and second apertures,

wherein the second aperture is configured to contain a sensor for detecting events occurring proximate the sensor, the sensor being coupled to a wireless network sensor having a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensor and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data.

16. The detection sensor of claim 15, wherein the top section is configured at approximately a 45°

angle to the first and second apertures.

17. A detection sensor element for use in detecting events occurring proximate the sensor, comprising:

a housing having a plurality of side sections and a top section, wherein the housing has a first aperture having a first diameter and a second aperture, joined with the first aperture, having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, wherein the first aperture has an exit portion at one of the side sections and wherein the exit portion has a circular cross-sectional shape,

wherein the second aperture is configured to contain a sensor for detecting events occurring proximate the sensor, the sensor being coupled to a wireless network sensor having a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensor and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data.

18. The detection sensor of claim 17, wherein the side sections of the housing have a rectangular shape.

19. A detection sensor element for use in detecting events occurring proximate the sensor, comprising:

a housing having a plurality of side sections and a top section, wherein the housing has a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture has a first end joined with the second aperture inside the housing and a second end comprising an exit portion at one of the side sections, wherein the exit portion has an oval cross-sectional shape with a width greater than the first end,

wherein the second aperture is configured to contain a sensor for detecting events occurring proximate the sensor, the sensor being coupled to a wireless network sensor having a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensor and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data.

20. The detection sensor of claim 19, wherein the side sections of the housing have a rectangular shape.