Wireless sensor system, method and apparatus with switch and outlet control

• US 9,251,699 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2013
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Powercast Corporation
• Original Assignee: Powercast Corporation
• Inventors: Greene, Charles E., Harrist, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROSE, KERRI M
• Application Number:
  US13/848,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20130250845A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15507 Relay station based processing for cell extension or control of coverage area, network planning with network coordinated processing with regard to cell extension H04W16/26; network topologies using dedicated repeater stations H04W84/047; terminal devices adapted for relaying to or from an other terminal H04W88/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/886 using energy harvesting, e.g. solar, wind or mechanical
• 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 40/08 based on transmission power

Abstract

In some embodiments an apparatus includes a wireless sensor configured to be operatively coupled to a network gateway device that is configured to receive one of a first data packet or a second packet from the wireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured to send the first data packet at a first time on a first frequency, the first data packet including a payload associated with a value of a measurement that was measured by the wireless sensor. The wireless sensor is configured to send the second data packet at a second time on a second frequency, the second data packet includes a payload associated with the value.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless sensor configured to be operatively coupled to a network gateway device that is configured to receive one of a first data packet or a second data packet from the wireless sensor,

the wireless sensor configured to send the first data packet at a first time on a first frequency, the first data packet including a payload associated with a value of a measurement that was measured by the wireless sensor,

the wireless sensor configured to send the second data packet at a second time on a second frequency different from the first frequency, the second time being after the first time and without substantial delay between an end of the first time and a start of the second time, the second data packet including a payload corresponding to the payload of the first data packet,

the wireless sensor configured to send the first data packet and the second data packet independent of an instruction from the network gateway device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless sensor is further configured to be operatively coupled to a wireless repeater that is configured to receive the first data packet or the second data packet.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless sensor is configured to be coupled to the wireless repeater having a buffer to store at least one of the first data packet or the second data packet for an amount of time.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wireless repeater is a first wireless repeater, the wireless sensor is configured to be coupled to the wireless repeater that discards the first data packet based on the payload of the first data packet being the same as the payload of the second data packet when the second data packet has been sent from a second wireless repeater and the first data packet is stored in a buffer of the wireless repeater.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless sensor is configured to be coupled to the wireless repeater that adds a received signal strength value to the first data packet or the second data packet when the first data packet or the second data packet is received.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless sensor is configured to be operatively coupled to a wireless repeater that (1) receives the first data packet via a first antenna associated with a first transceiver and (2) receives the second data packet via a second antenna associated with a second transceiver.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless sensor is configured to be coupled to the network gateway device that (1) selects a first antenna or a second antenna, based on received signal strength, to receive the first data packet, and (2) selects a third antenna or a fourth antenna, based on received signal strength, to receive the second data packet.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless sensor configured to be operatively coupled to a network gateway device,

the wireless sensor transmitting a first data packet at a first time on a first frequency,

the wireless sensor transmitting a second data packet at a second time on a second frequency different from the first frequency, the second time being after the first time and without substantial delay between an end of the first time and a start of the second time, the data of the second data packet corresponding to the data of the first data packet,

the wireless sensor configured to transmit the first data packet and the second data packet independent of an instruction from the network gateway device,

at least one wireless repeater configured to retransmit the first data packet and the second data packet, the wireless repeater having a first antenna associated with a first transceiver and a second antenna associated with a second transceiver, the first antenna and first transceiver configured to receive the first data packet, the second antenna and second transceiver configured to receive the second data packet,

the network gateway device configured to receive one of the first data packet or the second data packet.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one wireless repeater including a buffer to store at least one of the first data packet or the second data packet for an amount of time.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one wireless repeater is configured to add a received signal strength value to the first data packet or the second data packet when the first data packet or the second data packet is received.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless sensor including an antenna portion and configured to be operatively coupled, via the antenna portion, to a network gateway device,

the wireless sensor including a housing configured to be at least partially disposed within an electrical enclosure that is one of a junction box or a light fixture, the antenna portion of the wireless sensor configured to be operatively coupled to an antenna ground plane of the electrical enclosure,

the wireless sensor configured to send, to the network gateway device a signal indicative of a value of a characteristic of the wireless sensor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless sensor is configured to send the signal using a dipole antenna, wherein the antenna portion is a first half of the dipole antenna and a metal portion of the electrical enclosure is a second half of the dipole antenna.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless sensor is configured to send the signal using an antenna, wherein the antenna portion of the wireless sensor is a monopole element of the antenna and a metal portion of the electrical enclosure is a ground plane for the monopole element.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a ground of the wireless sensor is isolated from the electrical enclosure by a dielectric.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless sensor is configured to be operatively coupled to a battery disposed within the housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless sensor includes an energy harvester device separate from an energy source associated with the junction box or the light fixture.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the characteristic is an energy usage.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless sensor includes an alternating current outlet.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless sensor includes an alternating current switch.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the characteristic is a status of the alternating current switch.