System and method for communicating over an 802.15.4 network

• US 8,976,767 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2012
• Issued: 03/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Simple Works, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Simple Works, Inc.
• Inventors: Black, Tom, Mason, Dale, Schneider, Robert, Bricketto, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Arevalo, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US13/621,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20140080415A1
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 370/254, 370/329, 370/338, 370/328, 370/311, 370/349, 370/255
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/26 at least one of which is mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A method of reducing data transfer while increasing image information over an 802.15.4 network includes obtaining an image with a sensor, modulating a representation of the image using a first 802.15.4 modem, sending the representation of the image to a coordinator, demodulating the representation of the image using a second 802.15.4 modem, and digitally enhancing at least one of the representation of the image and the image. A system for communication over an 802.15.4 network includes a sensor for obtaining data, the size of the data being at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet, a first 802.15.4 modem coupled to the sensor, a buffer for temporarily storing the data to allow transmission of portions of the data; the buffer being coupled to the sensor, a coordinator coupled to the sensor, the coordinator being capable of communicating with a computer, and a second 802.15.4 modem coupled to the coordinator.

Claims

1. A method for communication over an 802.15.4 network comprising:

receiving a first request at a first camera over an 802.15.4 network;

in response to the first request, obtaining a first image with the first camera, the first image comprising data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet;

buffering a representation of the first image;

transmitting 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of the representation of the first image from the first camera over the 802.15.4 network;

receiving a second request at the first camera over the 802.15.4 network;

in response to the second request, obtaining a second image with the first camera, the second image comprising data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of the 802.15.4 packet;

buffering a representation of the second image;

transmitting 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of the representation of the second image from the first camera over the 802.15.4 network;

receiving a third request at the first camera over the 802.15.4 network;

in response to the third request, obtaining a third image with the first camera, the third image comprising data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of the 802.15.4 packet;

buffering a representation of the third image; and

transmitting 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of the representation of the third image from the first camera over the 802.15.4 network,

wherein the receiving a third request comprises receiving a request comprising at least one of

altering a resolution of the third image with respect to the second image;

altering a focus of the third image with respect to the second image;

altering a zoom of the third image with respect to the second image;

altering a crop of the third image with respect to the second image; and

altering an area of the third image with respect to the second image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a second request occurs at a selectable interval.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a third request occurs at an interval different than the selectable interval.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining a third image comprises obtaining an image comprising at least one of:

a different resolution with respect to the second image;

a different focus with respect to the second image;

a different zoom with respect to the second image;

a different crop with respect to the second image; and

a different area with respect to the second image.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a further request at a second camera over the 802.15.4 network;

in response to the further request, obtaining a further image with the second camera, the further image comprising data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of the 802.15.4 packet;

buffering a representation of the further image; and

transmitting 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of the representation of the further image from the second camera over the 802.15.4 network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the receiving a further request occurs at an interval different than the selectable interval.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the receiving a further request comprises receiving a request comprising at least one of:

altering a resolution of the further image with respect to the second image;

altering a focus of the further image with respect to the second image;

altering a zoom of the further image with respect to the second image;

altering a crop of the further image with respect to the second image; and

altering an area of the further image with respect to the second image.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the obtaining a further image comprises obtaining an image comprising at least one of:

a different resolution with respect to the second image;

a different focus with respect to the second image;

a different zoom with respect to the second image;

a different crop with respect to the second image; and

a different area with respect to the second image.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein:

the obtaining a first image comprises obtaining a first image of a first section of an unbounded area;

the obtaining a second image comprises obtaining a second image of the first section of an unbounded area; and

the obtaining a further image comprises obtaining an image of a second section of an unbounded area.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the receiving a further request occurs at an interval different than the selectable interval.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a set of executable instructions to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 1.

12. A method for communication over an 802.15.4 network comprising:

transmitting a first request to a first camera over an 802.15.4 network;

in response to the first request, receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a first image from the first camera over the 802.15.4 network, the first image comprising data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet;

transmitting a second request to the first camera over an 802.15.4 network;

in response to the second request, receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a second image from the first camera over the 802.15.4 network, the second image comprising data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet;

one of;

comparing the representation of the first image with the representation of the second image, or sending the representation of the first image and the representation of the second image for comparison;

based at least in part on the comparison, transmitting a third request to the first camera over an 802.15.4 network; and

in response to the third request, receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a third image from the first camera over the 802.15.4 network, the third image comprising data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet,

wherein the transmitting a third request comprises transmitting a request comprising at least one of;

altering a resolution of the third image with respect to the second image;

altering a focus of the third image with respect to the second image;

altering a zoom of the third image with respect to the second image;

altering a crop of the third image with respect to the second image; and

altering an area of the third image with respect to the second image.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmitting a second request occurs at a selectable interval.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmitting a third request occurs at an interval different than the selectable interval.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a third image comprises receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of an image comprising at least one of:

a different resolution with respect to the second image;

a different focus with respect to the second image;

a different zoom with respect to the second image;

a different crop with respect to the second image; and

a different area with respect to the second image.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

one of;

comparing the representation of the first image with the representation of the second image, or sending the representation of the first image and the representation of the second image for comparison;

based at least in part on the comparison, transmitting a further request to a second camera over an 802.15.4 network;

in response to the further request, receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a further image from the second camera over the 802.15.4 network, the further image comprising data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the transmitting a further request occurs at an interval different than the selectable interval.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the transmitting a further request comprises transmitting a request comprising at least one of:

altering a resolution of the further image with respect to the second image;

altering a focus of the further image with respect to the second image;

altering a zoom of the further image with respect to the second image;

altering a crop of the further image with respect to the second image; and

altering an area of the further image with respect to the second image.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a further image comprises receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of an image comprising at least one of:

a different resolution with respect to the second image;

a different focus with respect to the second image;

a different zoom with respect to the second image;

a different crop with respect to the second image; and

a different area with respect to the second image.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a first image comprises receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a first image of a first section of an unbounded area;

the receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a second image comprises receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a second image of a first section of an unbounded area; and

the receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a further image comprises receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of an image of a second section of an unbounded area.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a signal associated with a triggering event prior to the transmitting the first request.

22. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving from a sensor a signal indicating whether the sensor has sensed an event; and

based at least in part on the signal, transmitting a further request to the first camera over an 802.15.4 network;

in response to the further request, receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a further-image from the first camera over the 802.15.4 network, the further image comprising data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet.

23. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving from a sensor a signal indicating whether the sensor has sensed an event;

receiving from a further sensor a further signal indicating whether the further sensor has sensed a further event; and

based at least in part on the signal and the further signal, transmitting a further request to the first camera over an 802.15.4 network;

in response to the further request, receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a further image from the first camera over the 802.15.4 network, the further image comprising image data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet.

24. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving from a sensor a signal indicating whether the sensor has sensed an event; and

based on the signal, combining information about the event with the first image to confirm whether the event has occurred.

25. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving from a sensor a signal indicating whether the sensor has sensed an event;

based at least in part on the signal, transmitting a further request to the first camera over an 802.15.4 network;

in response to the further request, receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a further image from the first camera over the 802.15.4 network, the further image comprising image data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet;

based at least in part on the signal, activating a device capable of remote activation; and

transmitting a second-further request to the first camera over an 802.15.4 network;

in response to the second-further request, receiving 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of a buffered representation of a second-further image from the first camera over the 802.15.4 network, the second-further image comprising image data of a size at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet.

26. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a set of executable instructions to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 12.

27. A system for communication over an 802.15.4 network comprising:

a first camera for obtaining image data, the size of the image data being at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet;

a first buffer for temporarily storing the image data to allow transmission of portions of the image data, the first buffer being coupled to the first camera;

a first 802.15.4 modem coupled to the first buffer, the first modem configured to transmit 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of the image data over the 802.15.4 network;

a second 802.15.4 modem configured to communicate with the first 802.15.4 modem; and

a coordinator coupled to the second 802.15.4 modem, the coordinator configured to receive the image data and to communicate with a computer,

wherein the image data comprises a first image and a second image, the second image being obtained on a selectable interval, and

wherein the computer comprises a processor programmed to;

receive from the coordinator the first image and the second image;

compare at least a portion of the data associated with the first image and at least a portion of the data associated with the second image; and

based at least in art on the comparison, learn a pattern of events.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the first camera comprises an imaging device, a microprocessor, and a memory.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the computer is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a cellular telephone, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

receive from the coordinator the third image on the selectable interval;

compare at least a portion of the data associated with the third image and the pattern of events; and

based at least in part on the comparison, one of;

update the pattern of events, or

request multiple images on intervals shorter than that of the selectable interval.

31. The system of claim 30, further comprising:

an alarm configured to communicate with the computer;

wherein the processor is further programmed to, based at least in art on the comparison, activate the alarm.

32. The system of claim 27, further comprising:

a second camera for obtaining further image data, the size of the further image data being at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet;

a second buffer for temporarily storing the further image data to allow transmission of portions of the further image data, the second buffer being coupled to the second camera; and

a fourth 802.15.4 modem coupled to the second buffer, the fourth modem configured to communicate with the second 802.15.4 modem.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the further image data comprises a third image, and wherein the processor is further programmed to:

based at least in part on the comparison, request the third image on an interval different than that of the selectable interval,

wherein the first image comprises a first image of a first section of an unbounded area,

wherein the second image comprises a second image of the first section of an unbounded area and

wherein the third image comprises an image of a second section of an unbounded area.

34. The system of claim 27, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

based at least in part on the comparison, request multiple images on intervals shorter than that of the selectable interval.

39. The system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

receive from the coordinator a second signal indicating whether the sensor has sensed a second event;

compare the second signal and the pattern of events; and

based at least in part on the comparison, one of;

update the pattern of events, or

request multiple images on intervals shorter than that of the selectable interval.

40. The system of claim 39, further comprising:

an alarm configured to communicate with the computer;

wherein the processor is further programmed to, based at least in part on the comparison, activate the alarm.

35. A system for communication over an 802.15.4 network comprising:

a first camera for obtaining image data, the size of the image data being at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet;

a first buffer for temporarily storing the image data to allow transmission of portions of the image data, the first buffer being coupled to the first camera;

a first 802.15.4 modem coupled to the first buffer, the first modem configured to transmit 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of the image data over the 802.15.4 network

a second 802.15.4 modem configured to communicate with the first 802.15.4 modem; and

a coordinator coupled to the second 802.15.4 modem, the coordinator configured to receive the image data and to communicate with a computer;

a sensor for sensing an event; and

a third 802.15.4 modem coupled to the sensor configured to communicate with the second 802.15.4 modem

wherein the computer comprises a processor programmed to;

receive from the coordinator the image data and a signal indicating whether the sensor has sensed an event; and

based at least in part on the image data and the signal, learn a pattern of events.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the first camera and the sensor are each capable of operating for at least one year on battery power.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the first camera is capable of operating for at least one year on power from two AAA batteries.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein wherein the image data comprises a first image and a second image, the second image being obtained on a selectable interval;

wherein the processor is further programmed to compare at least a portion of the data associated with the first image and at least a portion of the data associated with the second image; and

wherein learn the pattern of events comprises learn the pattern of events based at least in part on the signal and the comparison of the first image and the second images.

41. The system of claim 35, further comprising:

a device capable of remote activation; and

a fourth 802.15.4 modem coupled to the device configured to communicate with the second 802.15.4 modem,

wherein the processor is further programmed to;

receive from the coordinator a second signal indicating whether the sensor has sensed a second event;

compare the second signal and the pattern of events; and

based at least in part on the comparison, one of;

update the pattern of events,

activate the device, or

request multiple images on intervals shorter than that of the selectable interval.

42. The system of claim 35:

wherein the image data comprises a first image and a second image, the second image being obtained on a selectable interval; and

wherein the processor is further programmed to;

based at least in part on the signal, request multiple images on intervals shorter than that of the selectable interval.

43. The system of claim 35, further comprising:

a further sensor for sensing a further event; and

a fourth 802.15.4 modem coupled to the further sensor configured to communicate with the second 802.15.4 modem,

wherein the image data comprises a first image and a second image, the second image being obtained on a selectable interval, and

wherein the processor is further programmed to;

receive from the coordinator a further signal indicating whether the further sensor has sensed the further event; and

based at least in part on the signal and the further signal, request multiple images on intervals shorter than that of the selectable interval.

44. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

based on the signal, combine information about the event with the image data to confirm whether the event has occurred.

45. The system of claim 35, further comprising:

a device capable of remote activation; and

a fourth 802.15.4 modem coupled to the device configured to communicate with the second 802.15.4 modem,

wherein the processor is further programmed to;

based at least in part on the signal, request a first image;

based at least in part on the signal, activate the device; and

request a second image on a selectable interval after the activating.

46. The system of claim 35, wherein the image data comprises a first image, further comprising:

a device capable of remote activation; and

a fourth 802.15.4 modem coupled to the device configured to communicate with the second 802.15.4 modem,

wherein the processor is further programmed to;

request a further image from the coordinator at a selected interval after receiving the signal;

compare the further image with the first image;

based at least in part on the comparison and the signal activate the device.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the device is a garage door.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

request a second further image from the coordinator after activating the device.