Remote sensor interface (RSI) stepped wake-up sequence

• US 7,650,135 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2006
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TeraHop Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Twitchell, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Blane J
• Application Number:
  US11/422,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20060276161A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/343.1, 455/343.2, 455/343.3, 455/343.4, 455/574
• US Class Current: 455/343.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0293 having a sub-controller with a low clock frequency switching on and off a main controller with a high clock frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A transceiver includes a two-way communication component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the two-way communication component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide the electronic signal to the two-way communication component in order to power up the two-way wireless communication component. The second receiver is configured to screen the radio frequency broadcast for first criteria, and screen the radio frequency broadcast for second criteria. The electric current may be an order of magnitude larger when screening for the first criteria than the second criteria. Screening also may be performed for third criteria, namely, specific data. The second receiver is adapted to draw substantially less current while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast than the two-way wireless communication component.

Claims

1. A system of wireless transceivers, comprising:

(a) a first plurality of wireless transceivers, each respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers comprising;

(i) a two-way wireless communication component configured to power down to conserve energy and configured to power up in response to an electronic signal, the two-way wireless communication component including a transmitter and a first receiver, and

(ii) a second receiver that is configured to;

(A) screen radio frequency broadcasts for first criteria, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers draws a first electric current when screening for the first criteria,

(B) for each broadcast in which the first criteria is met, screen such radio frequency broadcast for second criteria, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers draws a second electric current when screening such radio frequency broadcast for the second criteria, the second electric current being an order of magnitude larger than the first electric current, and

(C) for each broadcast in which the second criteria is met, screen such radio freguency broadcast for specific data identifying a designation out of a plurality of predefined designations of the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers draws a third electric current when screening such radio frequency broadcast for the specific data, the third electric current being larger than the second electric current,

(iii) wherein the two-way wireless communication component is configured to screen radio frequency broadcasts for specific data in each broadcast identifying a designation out of the plurality of predefined designations of the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers, and

(iv) wherein the second receiver is adapted to draw substantially less current while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation than the current that the two-way wireless communication component draws while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation;

(b) a second plurality of wireless transceivers, each respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers comprising;

(i) a two-way wireless communication component configured to power down to conserve energy and configured to power up in response to an electronic signal, the two-way wireless communication component including a transmitter and a first receiver, and

(ii) a second receiver that is configured to;

(A) screen radio frequency broadcasts for first criteria, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers draws a first electric current when screening for the first criteria,

(B) for each broadcast in which the first criteria is met, screen such radio frequency broadcast for second criteria, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers draws a second electric current when screening such radio frequency broadcast for the second criteria, the second electric current being an order of magnitude larger than the first electric current, and

(C) for each broadcast in which the second criteria is met, screen such radio frequency broadcast for specific data identifying a designation out of a plurality of predefined designations of the respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers draws a third electric current when screening such radio frequency broadcast for the specific data, the third electric current being larger than the second electric current,

(iii) wherein the two-way wireless communication component is configured to screen radio frequency broadcasts for specific data in each broadcast identifying a designation out of the plurality of predefined designations of the respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers, and

(iv) wherein the second receiver is adapted to draw substantially less current while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation than the current that the two-way wireless communication component draws while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation; and

(c) a gateway configured to make radio frequency broadcasts,

(i) wherein at least some of the radio frequency broadcasts made by the gateway include specific data identifying a designation out of the plurality of predefined designations of each respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers, whereby the gateway causes the first plurality of wireless transceivers to awaken and to communicate without awakening or communicating with the second plurality of wireless transceivers, and

(ii) wherein at least some of the radio frequency broadcasts made by the gateway include specific data identifying a designation out of the plurality of predefined designations of each respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers, whereby the gateway causes the second plurality of wireless transceivers to awaken and to communicate without awakening or communicating with the first plurality of wireless transceivers.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second receiver of each respective transceiver of the first plurality of transceivers is configured to, for each broadcast in which the second criteria is met, screen such radio frequency broadcast for specific data identifying any designation of the plurality of predefined designations of that respective wireless transceiver.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second criteria is specific data.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first current that is drawn while screening radio frequency broadcasts for first criteria by a particular wireless transceiver of the first plurality is on the order of magnitude of tens of microamps of electric current, and wherein the second current that is drawn while screening radio frequency broadcasts for second criteria by the particular wireless transceiver of the first plurality is on the order of magnitude of hundreds of microamps of electric current.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second receiver of each transceiver of the first plurality of transceivers is configured to, for each broadcast in which the second criteria is met, screen a preamble of such radio frequency broadcast for specific data identifying a designation out of a plurality of predefined designations of the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers.

6. A method of wireless transceiver communications in a population of wireless transceivers, each wireless transceiver of the population including a two-way wireless communication device, having a transmitter and a first receiver, and a second receiver, wherein a first subset of wireless transceivers of the population are configured to share a first common designation, whereby each wireless transceiver of the first subset of wireless transceivers forms a node of a first common designation network, and wherein a second subset of wireless transceivers of the population are configured to share a second common designation different from the first common designation, whereby each wireless transceiver of the second subset of wireless transceivers forms a node of a second common designation network, the method comprising:

(a) by each respective wireless transceiver of the first subset of wireless transceivers,

(i) powering down the two-way wireless communication device of such respective wireless transceiver to conserve energy,

(ii) while the two-way wireless communication device is powered down,

(A) screening radio frequency broadcasts for first criteria while drawing a first electric current,

(B) if the first criteria is met in a radio frequency broadcast, then screening in such radio frequency broadcast for second criteria while drawing a second current that is at least an order of magnitude greater than the first current,

(C) if the second criteria is met in a radio frequency broadcast, then screening in such radio frequency broadcast for specific data identifying the common designation of the first subset of wireless transceivers of the population, and

(D) if the specific data identifying the common designation of the first subset of wireless transceivers of the population is found, then providing an internal wake-up signal to the two-way wireless communication device of the respective wireless transceiver; and

(iii) in response to receiving the internal wake-up signal at the two-way wireless communication device of the respective wireless transceiver,

(A) powering up the two-way wireless communication device of the respective wireless transceiver, and

(B) screening, by the two-way wireless communication device of the respective wireless transceiver, while powered up, radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying the common designation of the first subset of wireless transceivers of the population and processing the radio frequency broadcast if the specific data identifying the common designation of the first subset of wireless transceivers of the population is found therein by the two-way wireless communication device,

(iv) wherein the second receiver of the respective wireless transceiver is adapted to draw substantially less current while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation than the two-way wireless communication device of the respective wireless transceiver while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation; and

(b) by each respective wireless transceiver of the second subset of wireless transceivers,

(i) powering down the two-way wireless communication device of such respective wireless transceiver to conserve energy,

(ii) while the two-way wireless communication device is powered down,

(A) screening radio frequency broadcasts for first criteria while drawing a first current,

(B) if the first criteria is met in a radio frequency broadcast, then screening in such radio frequency broadcast for second criteria while drawing a second current that is at least an order of magnitude greater than the first current,

(C) if the second criteria is met in a radio frequency broadcast, then screening in such radio frequency broadcast for specific data identifying the common designation of the second subset of wireless transceivers of the population, and

(D) if the specific data identifying the common designation of the second subset of wireless transceivers of the population is found, then providing an internal wake-up signal to the two-way wireless communication device of the respective wireless transceiver; and

(iii) in response to receiving the internal wake-up signal at the two-way wireless communication device of the respective wireless transceiver,

(A) powering up the two-way wireless communication device of the respective wireless transceiver, and

(B) screening, by the two-way wireless communication device of the respective wireless transceiver, while powered up, radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying the common designation of the second subset of wireless transceivers of the population and processing the radio frequency broadcast if the specific data identifying the common designation of the second subset of wireless transceivers of the population is found therein by the two-way wireless communication device,

(iv) wherein the second receiver of the respective wireless transceiver is adapted to draw substantially less current while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation than the two-way wireless communication device of the respective wireless transceiver while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a particular wireless transceiver of the first subset of the population is configured to include another common designation, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of, by the particular wireless transceiver of the first subset of wireless transceivers,

(a) screening a radio frequency broadcast for specific data identifying the other common designation when screening of the radio frequency broadcast by the particular wireless transceiver is found to meet the first and second criteria;

(b) if the specific data identifying the other common designation is found, then providing an internal wake-up signal to the two-way wireless communication device of the particular wireless transceiver; and

(c) in response to receiving the subsequent internal wake-up signal at the two-way wireless communication device of the particular wireless transceiver,

(i) powering up the two-way wireless communication device of the particular wireless transceiver, and

(ii) screening, by the two-way wireless communication device of the particular wireless transceiver, while powered up, radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying the other common designation and processing the radio frequency broadcast if the specific data identifying the other common designation of the particular wireless transceiver is found therein by the two-way wireless communication device.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of processing a radio frequency broadcast, by the two-way wireless communication device of a respective wireless transceiver of the first subset of wireless transceivers, comprises communicating a message in response to the radio frequency broadcast.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of processing a radio frequency broadcast, by the two-way wireless communication device of a respective wireless transceiver of the first subset of wireless transceivers, comprises forwarding a message of the radio frequency broadcast by the two-way wireless communication device of the respective wireless transceiver.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the first current that is drawn while screening radio frequency broadcasts for first criteria by a particular wireless transceiver of the first subset is on the order of magnitude of tens of microamps of electric current, and wherein the second current that is drawn while screening radio frequency broadcasts for second criteria by the particular wireless transceiver of the first subset is on the order of magnitude of hundreds of microamps of electric current.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the first current that is drawn while screening radio frequency broadcasts for first criteria by a particular wireless transceiver of the second subset is on the order of magnitude of tens of microamps of electric current, and wherein the second current that is drawn while screening radio frequency broadcasts for second criteria by the particular wireless transceiver of the second subset is on the order of magnitude of hundreds of microamps of electric current.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein screening of a radio frequency broadcast for second criteria comprises screening of the radio frequency broadcast for data.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein screening of a radio frequency broadcast for second criteria comprises screening in a preamble of the radio frequency broadcast for data.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein screening of a radio frequency broadcast for second criteria comprises screening in a payload of the radio frequency broadcast for data.

15. The method of claim 6, wherein screening of a radio frequency broadcast for second criteria comprises screening of the radio frequency broadcast for a message type of the radio frequency broadcast.

16. The method of claim 6, wherein screening, by the second receiver of each respective wireless transceiver of the first subset of wireless transceivers of the population, of a radio frequency broadcast for specific data identifying the common designation of the first subset of wireless transceivers of the population draws on the order of magnitude of a milliamp of electric current.

17. The method of claim 6, further comprising reading, by a wireless transceiver of the first subset of wireless transceivers, one or more sensor devices disposed externally thereto and in proximity thereof.

18. A system of wireless transceivers, comprising:

(a) a first plurality of wireless transceivers, each respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers comprising;

(i) a two-way wireless communication component configured to power down to conserve energy and configured to power up in response to an electronic signal, the two-way wireless communication component including a transmitter and a first receiver, and

(ii) a second receiver that is configured to;

(A) screen radio frequency broadcasts for first criteria, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers draws a first electric current when screening for the first criteria,

(B) for each broadcast in which the first criteria is met, screen such radio frequency broadcast for second criteria, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers draws a second electric current when screening such radio frequency broadcast for the second criteria, the second electric current being larger than the first electric current, and

(C) for each broadcast in which the second criteria is met, screen such radio frequency broadcast for specific data identifying a designation out of a plurality of predefined designations of the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers draws a third electric current when screening such radio frequency broadcast for the specific data, the third electric current being an order of magnitude larger than the second electric current,

(iii) wherein the two-way wireless communication component is configured to screen radio frequency broadcasts for specific data in each broadcast identifying a designation out of the plurality of predefined designations of the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers, and

(iv) wherein the second receiver is adapted to draw substantially less current while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation than the current that the two-way wireless communication component draws while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation;

(b) a second plurality of wireless transceivers, each respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers comprising;

(i) a two-way wireless communication component configured to power down to conserve energy and configured to power up in response to an electronic signal, the two-way wireless communication component including a transmitter and a first receiver, and

(ii) a second receiver that is configured to;

(A) screen radio frequency broadcasts for first criteria, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers draws a first electric current when screening for the first criteria,

(B) for each broadcast in which the first criteria is met, screen such radio frequency broadcast for second criteria, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers draws a second electric current when screening such radio frequency broadcast for the second criteria, the second electric current being larger than the first electric current, and

(C) for each broadcast in which the second criteria is met, screen such radio frequency broadcast for specific data identifying a designation out of a plurality of predefined designations of the respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers, wherein the respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers draws a third electric current when screening such radio frequency broadcast for the specific data, the third electric current being an order of magnitude larger than the second electric current,

(iii) wherein the two-way wireless communication component is configured to screen radio frequency broadcasts for specific data in each broadcast identifying a designation out of the plurality of predefined designations of the respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers, and

(iv) wherein the second receiver is adapted to draw substantially less current while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation than the current that the two-way wireless communication component draws while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data identifying a designation; and

(c) a gateway configured to make radio frequency broadcasts,

(i) wherein at least some of the radio frequency broadcasts made by the gateway include specific data identifying a designation out of the plurality of predefined designations of each respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers, whereby the gateway causes the first plurality of wireless transceivers to awaken and to communicate without awakening or communicating with the second plurality of wireless transceivers, and

(ii) wherein at least some of the radio frequency broadcasts made by the gateway include specific data identifying a designation out of the plurality of predefined designations of each respective wireless transceiver of the second plurality of wireless transceivers, whereby the gateway causes the second plurality of wireless transceivers to awaken and to communicate without awakening or communicating with the first plurality of wireless transceivers.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the second receiver of each transceiver of the first plurality of transceivers is configured to, for each broadcast in which the second criteria is met, screen such radio frequency broadcast for specific data identifying any designation of the plurality of predefined designations of that respective wireless transceiver.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the first criteria is a particular frequency and the second criteria is a particular modulation type.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the second criteria is specific data.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the second receiver of each transceiver of the first plurality of transceivers is configured to, for each broadcast in which the second criteria is met, screen a preamble of such radio frequency broadcast for specific data identifying a designation out of a plurality of predefined designations of the respective wireless transceiver of the first plurality of wireless transceivers.