Method and system for efficiently regulating data transmissions

• US 20040178905A1
• Filed: 01/23/2004
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Dernier, William Phillip, Clifford, Thomas Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,109,858 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/500
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 1/18 with arrangements for signalling that a predetermined value of an unspecified parameter has been exceeded G01D1/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/88 Providing power supply at the sub-station
• 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

Abstract

A remote device or module (100) sends data to a base station (260) when the change in data from the last transmission exceeds a predetermined threshold. The invention also allows for transmission at a minimal specific time interval. Additionally, the device allows for transmissions based on alarm or alerting conditions.

Claims

1. A method for efficiently transmitting data from a remote location to a base station, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a first data sample (301) and a second data sample (303); and

transmitting the second data sample if it is determined that the first data sample and the second data sample differ by a predetermined amount (311);

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the second data sample if a predetermined length of time has elapsed.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting an alarm if the second data sample is above an alarm limit value.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting an alarm if the second data sample is below an alarm limit value.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting an alert if the second data sample has increased more than a predetermined amount during a predetermined time interval.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting an alert if the second data sample has decreased more than a predetermined amount during a predetermined time interval.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitted data includes a message or code.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein parameter values used to determine whether a transmit condition exists are entered by a user at the remote location.

9. A system for efficiently transmitting data from a remote location to a base station (260), comprising:

an input device (230) that obtains a first data sample and a second data sample;

a controller (210) that determines whether the first data sample and the second data sample differ by a predetermined amount; and

a transmitter (140) that transmits the second data sample if it is determined that the first data sample and the second data sample differ by the predetermined amount.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller further determines whether a predetermined length of time has elapsed and the transmitter transmits the second data sample if it is determined that the predetermined length of time has elapsed.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller further determines whether the second data sample is above an alarm limit value and the transmitter transmits an alarm if it is determined that the second data sample is above the alarm limit value.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller further determines whether the second data sample is below an alarm limit value and the transmitter transmits an alarm if it is determined that the second data sample is below the alarm limit value.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller further determines whether the second data sample has increased more than a predetermined amount during a predetermined time interval and the transmitter transmits an alert if it is determined that the second data sample has increased more than the predetermined amount during the predetermined time interval.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller further determines whether the second data sample has decreased more than a predetermined amount during a predetermined time interval and the transmitter transmits an alert if it is determined that the second data sample has decreased more than the predetermined amount during the predetermined time interval.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the transmitted data includes a message or code.

16. The system of claim 9, further comprising controls for inputting parameter values used to determine whether a transmit condition exists are entered by a user at the remote location.