Method and apparatus for monitoring a material medium
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- self-organizing a plurality of sensors into a mesh network according to a hierarchical relationship defining how the plurality of sensors communicate;
monitoring, by a first sensor of the plurality of sensors, an operational status of a material medium;
generating, by the first sensor, first data comprising the operational status of the material medium;
receiving, by the first sensor, second data from a remote second sensor of the plurality of sensors, the remote second sensor being at a lower level of the hierarchical relationship than the first sensor, the second data comprising a status of an environmental condition threatening a structure in proximity to the material medium, the status of the environmental condition being monitored by the remote second sensor;
transmitting the first data and the second data from the first sensor to a particular sensor of the plurality of sensors via a path determined based on the hierarchical relationship, the particular sensor being at a highest level of the hierarchical relationship;
transmitting the first data and the second data from the particular sensor to a roaming unit when the roaming unit is within wireless communication range of the particular sensor;
determining an ability of the plurality of sensors to communicate with each other based on the first data and the second data;
detecting a connectivity status of the mesh network based on the ability of the plurality of sensors to communicate with each other; and
determining a connectivity status of the material medium based on the connectivity status of the mesh network.
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Abstract
A material medium, such as an optical fiber or electrical cable, is used to carry services. The material medium is monitored with at least one diagnostic sensor. The diagnostic sensor may measure the operational health of the material medium, or may measure local environmental conditions around the material medium.
25 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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self-organizing a plurality of sensors into a mesh network according to a hierarchical relationship defining how the plurality of sensors communicate; monitoring, by a first sensor of the plurality of sensors, an operational status of a material medium; generating, by the first sensor, first data comprising the operational status of the material medium; receiving, by the first sensor, second data from a remote second sensor of the plurality of sensors, the remote second sensor being at a lower level of the hierarchical relationship than the first sensor, the second data comprising a status of an environmental condition threatening a structure in proximity to the material medium, the status of the environmental condition being monitored by the remote second sensor; transmitting the first data and the second data from the first sensor to a particular sensor of the plurality of sensors via a path determined based on the hierarchical relationship, the particular sensor being at a highest level of the hierarchical relationship; transmitting the first data and the second data from the particular sensor to a roaming unit when the roaming unit is within wireless communication range of the particular sensor; determining an ability of the plurality of sensors to communicate with each other based on the first data and the second data; detecting a connectivity status of the mesh network based on the ability of the plurality of sensors to communicate with each other; and determining a connectivity status of the material medium based on the connectivity status of the mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
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a roaming unit; a plurality of sensors organized as a mesh network according to a hierarchical relationship defining how the plurality of sensors communicate; a particular sensor of the plurality of sensors, the particular sensor being at a highest level of the hierarchical relationship; a first sensor of the plurality of sensors to monitor an operational status of a material medium and to generate first data comprising the operational status of the material medium; a second sensor of the plurality of sensors, the first sensor being at a lower level of the hierarchical relationship than the second sensor, the second sensor to; monitor a status of an environmental condition threatening a structure in proximity to the material medium, generate second data comprising the status of the environmental condition, receive the first data from the first sensor, and transmit the first data and the second data to the particular sensor via a path determined based on the hierarchical relationship, the particular sensor further to transmit the first data and the second data to the roaming unit when the roaming unit is within wireless communication range of the particular sensor; and a server to; determine an ability of the plurality of sensors to communicate with each other based on the first data and the second data; detect a connectivity status of the mesh network based on the ability of the plurality of sensors to communicate with each other; and determine a connectivity status of the material medium based on the connectivity status of the mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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self-organizing a plurality of sensors into a mesh network according to a hierarchical relationship defining how the plurality of sensors communicate; receiving, by a second sensor of the plurality of sensors, first data generated by a first sensor of the plurality of sensors, the first data comprising an operational status of a material medium, the first sensor being at a lower level of the hierarchical relationship than the second sensor; generating, by the second sensor, second data comprising a status of an environmental condition threatening a structure in proximity to the material medium, the status of the environmental condition being monitored by the second sensor; transmitting the first data and the second data from the second sensor to a particular sensor of the plurality of sensors via a path determined based on the hierarchical relationship, the particular sensor being at a highest level of the hierarchical relationship; transmitting the first data and the second data from the particular sensor to a roaming unit when the roaming unit is within wireless communication range of the particular sensor; determining an ability of the plurality of sensors to communicate with each other based on the first data and the second data; detecting a connectivity status of the mesh network based on the ability of the plurality of sensors to communicate with each other; and determining a connectivity status of the material medium based on the connectivity status of the mesh network.
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Specification