Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling remote devices

• US 8,754,780 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2013
• Issued: 06/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SIPCO LLC (Ideahub, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SIPCO LLC (Ideahub, Inc.)
• Inventors: Petite, Thomas David, Huff, Richard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US13/855,452
• Publication Number:
  US 20130214937A1
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.03, 340/539.1, 340/540, 340/531, 340/539.17, 340/539.22, 340/3.1, 340/521, 340/870.01, 340/870.07, 340/870.08, 340/870.16, 340/870.17, 700/108, 702/56, 370/238, 370/375, 343/711, 343/700.R, 343/720, 375/211, 375/219, 375/220
• US Class Current: 340/870.03
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25198 Brouter: transfers data from wireless to wired networks, router: wired to wired
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31162 Wireless lan
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• 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: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless 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 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: H04W 4/38 : for collecting sensor information
• 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: Y02P 90/02 : Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 : Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a system for monitoring a variety of environmental and/or other conditions within a defined remotely located region. Such a system may be configured to monitor utility meters in a defined area. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless transmitters, wherein each wireless transmitter is integrated into a sensor adapted to monitor a particular data input. The system also includes a plurality of transceivers that are dispersed throughout the region at defined locations. The system uses a local gateway to translate and transfer information from the transmitters to a dedicated computer on a network. The dedicated computer, collects, compiles, and stores the data for retrieval upon client demand across the network. The computer further includes means for evaluating the received information and identifying an appropriate control signal, the system further including means for applying the control signal at a designated actuator. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Claims

1. In a system comprising a plurality of wireless devices, a device comprising:

a transceiver having a unique identification code and being electrically interfaced with a sensor, the transceiver being configured to receive select information and identification information transmitted from a second wireless transceiver in a predetermined signal type;

the transceiver being further configured to wirelessly retransmit in the predetermined signal type the select information, the identification information associated with the second wireless transceiver, and transceiver identification information associated with the transceiver making retransmission; and

a controller operatively coupled to the transceiver and the sensor, the controller configured to control the transceiver and receive data from the sensor, the controller configured to format a data packet for transmission via the transceiver, the data packet comprising data representative of data sensed with the sensor.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive data packets comprising control signals and in response to the control signals provide a control signal to an actuator for implementation of a command.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is at least one of a thermostat, sized and shaped to be worn/carried by a person, disposed within an automobile/vehicle, a utility meter, a rain gauge, a mobile inventory unit and an irrigation control system.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive data packets comprising a function code, and in response to the function code, implement a function.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to format data packets for transmission via the transceiver, the data packets comprising a function code corresponding to sensed data and the unique identification code that identifies the transceiver.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a memory to store one or more function codes corresponding to the device, the function codes corresponding to a number of functions the controller can implement.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising an actuator configured to receive command data from the controller and in response implement the command.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the second transceiver is nearby to the transceiver.

9. For use in a system including wireless devices, a thermostat device comprising:

a wireless transceiver having a unique identification code and being interfaced with a sensor, the wireless transceiver being configured to receive select information and identification information transmitted from a second wireless transceiver in a predetermined signal type;

the wireless transceiver being further configured to retransmit in the predetermined signal type the select information, the identification information associated with the second wireless transceiver, and transceiver identification information associated with the wireless transceiver making retransmission; and

a controller operatively coupled to the wireless transceiver and the sensor, the controller configured to control wireless transceiver operations and receive data from the sensor, the controller configured to format data packets for transmission via the wireless transceiver, the data packet comprising data representative of data sensed with the sensor.

10. The thermostat device of claim 9, further comprising an actuator, operatively coupled to the controller, the actuator configured to receive a command from the controller and implement the command thereby adjusting a condition associated with temperature.

11. The thermostat device of claim 9, wherein the unique identification code of the transceiver is electrically programmable.

12. The thermostat device of claim 9, wherein the thermostat device is coupled to a user device via a network and wherein the user device provides user control signals responsive to user input, and wherein the transceiver receives the user control signals and the controller implements control of temperature conditions based on the user control signals.

13. The thermostat device of claim 9, further comprising a memory to store one or more function codes corresponding to the thermostat device, the function codes corresponding to a number of functions the data controller can implement.

14. The thermostat device of claim 9, further comprising an actuator configured to receive command data from the controller and in response implement the command.

15. The thermostat device of claim 9, wherein the second transceiver is nearby to the transceiver.