Flexible, reconfigurable wireless sensor system

• US 6,720,887 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2000
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Michael Zunti
• Original Assignee: James Michael Zunti
• Inventors: Zunti, James Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): EDWARDS JR, TIMOTHY
• Application Number:
  US09/640,658
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.28, 340/870.07, 340/573.1, 128/903, 128/904, 600/301
• US Class Current: 340/870.28
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

The present invention features a wireless, remote monitor system for multiple, diverse sensors. A remote transceiver is equipped with one or more interchangeable sensors, each type of sensor being capable of providing a unique identity code to the base monitoring station. Multiple sensors may be piggybacked so as to monitor more than one condition substantially simultaneously. The inventive system includes routines which automatically recognize the sensors and then upload and execute one or more sensor-specific software routines. This quasi “plug and play” approach overcomes problems where improper sensor inputs are made to a particular data analysis routine resulting in erroneous results. The inventive system is applicable to a wide variety of fields such as biomedical, athletics, security, etc. Each remote sensor included provisions for signal conditioning and data analysis. In addition, storage is provided at each remote mobile unit so that, in the event that the RF link is unavailable, the sensor data may be stored for later transmission once the communication link is reestablished.

Claims

1. A multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system, comprising:

a) a remote mobile unit comprising a first radio frequency data transceiver adapted for transmitting sensor data and receiving commands, a microprocessor and signal collection means, said remote mobile unit being adapted to connect to and accept data from a plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors, each sensor being equipped with a standard interface for pluggable connection to said signal collection means;

wherein each of said plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors provides an output in a predetermined output level range, wherein at least one of said plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors further comprises signal normalization means for modifying a raw output from said at least one sensor to said predetermined output level range, wherein said signal normalization means comprises signal conditioning performed by at least one selected from the group of processes;

amplification;

attenuation, level converting, phase shifting, integration, differentiation;

b) a base station comprising a second radio frequency data transceiver communicatively compatible with said first radio frequency data transceiver for receiving said sensor data therefrom, said base station further comprising a processor for managing communication with said remote mobile unit and for accepting said sensor data and generating an output representative thereof;

wherein each of said plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors comprise sensor identification means and at least one of said remote mobile unit and said base station are adapted to interrogate said sensor identification means and at least one of said remote mobile unit and said base station are adapted to interrogate said sensor identification means and perform a configuring operation responsive to a sensor identification retrieved therefrom.

2. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one selected signal conditioning process is performed by an active device.

3. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one selected signal conditioning process is performed by a passive device.

4. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors further comprises a plug adapted to mate with a connecter proximate said remote mobile unit and said signal conditioning circuitry is disposed proximate said plug.

5. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor identification means comprises a sensor ID chip.

6. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said configuring operation is performed automatically in response to a sensor being connected to or disconnected from said remote mobile unit.

7. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors is pluggably connectable to said remote mobile unit.

8. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said remote mobile unit further comprises storage means for temporarily storing output data from at least one of said plurality of sensor when communication between said remote mobile unit and said base station is not possible.

9. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said remote mobile unit further comprises storage means for temporarily storing output data from at least one of said plurality of sensor when data is collected from said plurality of sensors at a rate faster than said data can be communicated between said remote mobile unit and said base station.

10. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said signal collection means comprises a multiplexor operatively connected to each of said plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors.

11. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 10, wherein said multiplexor comprises an analog-to-digital (A/D convertor.

12. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sensor-unique application software program for execution on at least one of said remote mobile unit and said base station.

13. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 12, wherein at least a portion of said sensor-unique application software program is disabled when an improper sensor is detected.

14. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 12, wherein said sensor-unique application software program is uploaded from said base station to said remote mobile unit for execution on said microprocessor of said remote mobile unit.

15. The multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system as recited in claim 14, wherein said sensor-unique application software program is automatically uploaded responsive to a sensor being connected to or disconnected from said remote mobile unit.

16. A multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system, comprising:

a) a remote mobile unit comprising a first radio frequency data transceiver adapted for transmitting sensor data and receiving commands, a microprocessor and signal collection means, said remote mobile unit being adapted to connect to and accept data from a plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors, each sensor being equipped with a standard interface for pluggable connection to said signal collection means;

b) a base station comprising a second radio frequency data transceiver communicatively compatible with said first radio frequency data transceiver for receiving said sensor data therefrom, said base station further comprising a processor for managing communication with said remote mobile unit and for accepting said sensor data and generating an output representative thereof,

wherein each of said plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors comprise sensor identification means, and at least one of said remote mobile unit and said base station are adapted to interrogate said sensor identification means and perform a configuring operation responsive to a sensor identification retrieved therefrom.