Emergent information pattern driven sensor networks
First Claim
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1. A method for utilizing emergent information from an array of sensors, the method comprising:
- deploying an array of sensors to an array location, wherein the array of sensors comprises a plurality of different types of sensors;
programming each sensor in the array of sensors with at least one trigger rule, wherein the at least one trigger rule describes a local condition that must be met for the sensor to trigger an event signal to the other sensors in the array of sensors;
programming each sensor in the array of sensors with a relationship rule, wherein the relationship rule describes a hierarchy of communication control among sensors in the array of sensors;
providing each sensor of the array of sensors with controlling software that defines a set of search patterns that utilizes the plurality of different types of sensors within the array of sensors, wherein the set of search patterns is stored within each sensor in the array of sensors, and wherein each sensor in the array of sensors is capable of generating emergent information about the array location;
activating the array of sensors, wherein each sensor in the array of sensors monitors at least one condition of a plurality of conditions at the array location and transmits an event signal to the other sensors in the array of sensors in response to detecting an external stimulus that matches any of the set of search patterns stored within the sensor; and
in response to the plurality of conditions at the array location causing a predetermined percentage of sensors, from the array of sensors, to each transmit an event signal which conforms to a known search pattern of the set of search patterns;
a first one or more sensors in the array of sensors generating emergent information about the array location, wherein the emergent information describes the plurality of conditions at the array location, and wherein the emergent information exists only when the predetermined percentage of sensors in the array of sensors each transmits an event signal; and
the first one or more sensors sharing the generated emergent information with a remote server via a first one or more communication channels.
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Abstract
Emergent information is created and utilized by an array of sensors. Each sensor is programmed with a trigger rule, which describes a local condition that must be met for the sensor to trigger an event signal, and a relationship rule, which describes a hierarchy of communication control among sensors in the array of sensors. When a predetermined percentage or weighting of the sensors trigger event signals, emergent information that describes conditions at the array location is generated.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for utilizing emergent information from an array of sensors, the method comprising:
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deploying an array of sensors to an array location, wherein the array of sensors comprises a plurality of different types of sensors; programming each sensor in the array of sensors with at least one trigger rule, wherein the at least one trigger rule describes a local condition that must be met for the sensor to trigger an event signal to the other sensors in the array of sensors; programming each sensor in the array of sensors with a relationship rule, wherein the relationship rule describes a hierarchy of communication control among sensors in the array of sensors; providing each sensor of the array of sensors with controlling software that defines a set of search patterns that utilizes the plurality of different types of sensors within the array of sensors, wherein the set of search patterns is stored within each sensor in the array of sensors, and wherein each sensor in the array of sensors is capable of generating emergent information about the array location; activating the array of sensors, wherein each sensor in the array of sensors monitors at least one condition of a plurality of conditions at the array location and transmits an event signal to the other sensors in the array of sensors in response to detecting an external stimulus that matches any of the set of search patterns stored within the sensor; and in response to the plurality of conditions at the array location causing a predetermined percentage of sensors, from the array of sensors, to each transmit an event signal which conforms to a known search pattern of the set of search patterns; a first one or more sensors in the array of sensors generating emergent information about the array location, wherein the emergent information describes the plurality of conditions at the array location, and wherein the emergent information exists only when the predetermined percentage of sensors in the array of sensors each transmits an event signal; and the first one or more sensors sharing the generated emergent information with a remote server via a first one or more communication channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for utilizing emergent information from an array of sensors, the method comprising:
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deploying an array of sensors to an array location, wherein the array of sensors comprises a plurality of different types of sensors, wherein the array location is on a water coastline, and wherein the array of sensors comprises a weather sensor, a thermal sensor, a video camera, a radar system, and an audio sensor; programming each sensor in the array of sensors with a plurality of trigger rules, wherein a trigger rule describes a local condition that must be met for the sensor to trigger an event signal to the other sensors in the array of sensors, and wherein each trigger rule of the plurality of trigger rules is used in a generation of particular emergent information; programming each sensor in the array of sensors with a relationship rule, wherein the relationship rule describes a hierarchy of communication control among sensors in the array of sensors, and wherein the relationship rule defines how each sensor, in the array of sensors, communicates with other sensors in the array of sensors, and wherein the relationship rule defines which sensor, in the array of sensors, communicates with a remote controller for the array of sensors; providing each sensor of the array of sensors with controlling software that defines a set of search patterns that utilizes the plurality of different types of sensors within the sensors, wherein the set of search patterns is stored within each sensor in the array of sensors, and wherein each sensor in the array of sensors is capable of generating emergent information about the array location; activating the array of sensors, wherein each sensor in the array of sensors monitors at least one condition of a plurality of conditions at the array location and transmits an event signal to the other sensors in the array of sensors in response to detecting an external stimulus that matches any of the set of search patterns stored within the sensor; in response to the plurality of conditions at the array location causing a predetermined percentage of sensors, from the array of sensors, to each transmit an event signal which conforms to a known search pattern of the set of search patterns; a first one or more sensors of the array of sensors consolidating event signals from all sensors in the array of sensors and generating emergent information about the array location, wherein the emergent information describes the plurality of conditions at the array location, and wherein the emergent information exists only when the predetermined percentage of sensors in the array of sensors each transmits an event signal; the first one or more sensors sharing the generated emergent information with a remote server via a first one or more communication channels; and in response to the first one or more sensors sharing the generated emergent information with a remote server via the first one or more communication channels, a second one or more sensors of the plurality of sensors sharing the generated emergent information with the remote server via a second one or more communication channels; and updating, via the remote controller, at least one trigger rule of the plurality of trigger rules and the relationship rule in each sensor in the array of sensors.
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Specification