Wireless Sensor Interface with Mobile Terminal Satellite Modem and Global Location System

• US 20110237203A1
• Filed: 03/01/2011
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rich Battista
• Original Assignee: Rich Battista
• Inventors: Battista, Rich
• Granted Patent: US 8,284,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/68
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile

Abstract

A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area wireless network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area wireless network enables sensors on an asset to wirelessly transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A wireless sensor monitoring system at an asset location, comprising:

a first wireless device that interfaces with a satellite modem for delivery of sensor data to a remote location; and

a second wireless device that is coupled to a sensor, said second wireless device being configured to awaken from a low power state to receive a status request from said first wireless device, said second wireless responding to said status request with measurement data generated by said sensor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first wireless device is configured as a master device and said second wireless device is configured as a slave device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said first wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said slave device after said slave device completes a synchronization process.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said first wireless device wirelessly transmits configuration information to said second wireless device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said configuration information originates at a remote location and is received by said first wireless device via said satellite modem.

7. A wireless sensor interface device at an asset location, comprising:

a first wireless device that interfaces with a satellite modem for delivery of sensor data to a remote location, said first wireless device being configured to communicate wirelessly with a second wireless device that is awakened from a low power state to receive a status request from said first wireless device, said first wireless device receiving, in response to said status request, measurement data generated by a sensor that is coupled to said second wireless device.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a locating device that is coupled to said satellite modem, said locating device generating information that is used to identify a location of the asset.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said locating device generates location information that is used, at a location remote from said asset location, to calculate a location of the asset.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein said first wireless device is integrated in hardware with said satellite modem.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein said first wireless device is on separate hardware from said satellite modem, and communicates with said satellite modem using a hardwired interface.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein said first wireless device is configured as a master device and said second wireless device is configured as a slave device.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said first wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said slaved device after said slave device completes a synchronization process.

14. The device of claim 7, wherein said first wireless device transmits configuration information to said second wireless device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said configuration information originates at a remote location and is received by said first wireless device via said satellite modem.