Method in a wireless sensor reader for obtaining sensor data from a radio frequency addressable sensor

• US 20080212544A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TeraHop Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Twitchell, Robert W.
• Application Number:
  US11/930,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20080212544A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• 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 method in a wireless sensor reader for obtaining sensor data from one or more radio frequency (RF) addressable sensors includes transmitting signals to the one or more RF addressable sensors wherein the signals initialize the one or more RF addressable sensors; interrogating the one or more RF addressable sensors to isolate an individual RF addressable sensor; receiving sensor data from the isolated RF addressable sensor, wherein the received sensor data includes sensor identification information; communicating sensor identification information to a processor external to the wireless sensor reader; receiving sensor data processing information; and processing the sensor data based on the received processing information. At least the transmitting step includes common designation network communications. The wireless sensor reader is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. A method in a wireless sensor reader for obtaining sensor data from one or more radio frequency (RF) addressable sensors, comprising:

(a) transmitting signals to the one or more RF addressable sensors wherein the signals initialize the one or more RF addressable sensors;

(b) interrogating the one or more RF addressable sensors to isolate an individual RF addressable sensor;

(c) receiving sensor data from the isolated RF addressable sensor, wherein the received sensor data includes sensor identification information;

(d) communicating sensor identification information to a processor external to the wireless sensor reader;

(e) receiving sensor data processing information; and

(f) processing the sensor data based on the received processing information;

(g) wherein at least step (a) comprises common designation network communications;

(h) wherein the wireless sensor reader is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal; and

(i) wherein the wireless sensor reader comprises,

(i) a transmitter and a first receiver, and

(ii) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency transmission and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein representing a common designation in common designation network communications, the electronic signal in order to power up the wireless sensor reader, the second receiver being adapted to draw less current than the first receiver while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency transmission.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the received sensor data processing information includes a database command.

26. A method in a wireless two-way radio frequency data communication device for obtaining sensor data from one or more radio frequency (RF) addressable sensors, comprising:

(a) transmitting signals to the one or more RF addressable sensors wherein the signals initialize the one or more RF addressable sensors;

(b) interrogating the one or more RF addressable sensors to target an individual RF addressable sensor;

(c) receiving sensor data from the targeted RF addressable sensor, wherein the received sensor data includes sensor identification information;

(d) communicating sensor identification information to a processor external to the wireless two-way radio frequency data communication device;

(e) receiving sensor data processing information; and

(f) processing the sensor data based on the received processing information;

(g) wherein at least step (a) comprises common designation network communications;

(h) wherein the wireless two-way radio frequency data communication device is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal; and

(i) wherein the two-way radio frequency data communication device comprises,

(i) a transmitter and a first receiver, and

(ii) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency transmission and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein representing a common designation in common designation network communications, the electronic signal in order to power up the wireless two-way radio frequency data communication device, the second receiver being adapted to draw less current than the first receiver while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency transmission.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the received sensor data processing information includes a database command.

28. A method in a wireless two-way radio frequency data communication device for obtaining sensor derived information from one or more radio frequency (RF) addressable sensor interfaces, comprising:

(a) transmitting signals to the one or more RF addressable sensor interfaces wherein the signals initialize the one or more RF addressable sensor interfaces;

(b) communicating with the one or more RF addressable sensor interfaces to target an individual RF addressable sensor interface;

(c) receiving sensor derived information from the targeted RF addressable sensor interface, wherein the received sensor derived information includes sensor identification information;

(d) communicating sensor identification information to a processor external to the wireless two-way radio frequency data communication device;

(e) receiving sensor data processing information; and

(f) processing the sensor derived information based on the received processing information;

(g) wherein at least step (a) comprises common designation network communications;

(h) wherein the wireless two-way radio frequency data communication device is capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal; and

(i) wherein the wireless two-way radio frequency data communication device comprises,

(i) a transmitter and a first receiver, and

(ii) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency transmission and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein representing a common designation in common designation network communications, the electronic signal in order to power up the wireless two-way radio frequency data communication device, the second receiver being adapted to draw less current than the first receiver while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency transmission.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the received sensor data processing information includes a database command.