Authentication codes for building/area code address

• US 7,893,812 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2008
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US12/182,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20080284590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.8, 340/3.1, 340/3.21, 340/3.5, 340/3.52, 340/309.16, 340/539.1, 340/539.17, 340/539.22, 340/825.49, 340/825.52, 340/825.53
• US Class Current: 340/5.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3209 Monitoring remote activity, e.g. over telephone lines or network connections
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/04 by breaking of glass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/001 Alarm cancelling procedures or alarm forwarding decisions, e.g. based on absence of alarm confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/007 Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/02 Automatically-operated arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A low cost, robust, wireless sensor that provides an extended period of operability without maintenance is described. The wireless sensors are configured to communicate with a base unit or repeater. When the sensor unit detects an anomalous ambient condition (e.g., smoke, fire, water, etc.) the sensor communicates with the base unit and provides data regarding the anomalous condition. The sensor unit receives instructions to change operating parameters and/or control external devices.

Claims

1. A method of bi-directional communication within a wireless sensor system using authentication codes, comprising:

communicating with each of one or more wireless sensor units to and from a base unit via, at least one of, one or more wireless repeater units using communication packets having at least a first building/area code address and a sub-code address;

waiting for a programmed delay by each of said one or more wireless repeater units after receiving said communication packets having at least a first building/area code address and a sub-code address;

forwarding said communication packets from said one or more wireless sensor units to said base unit by said one or more wireless repeater units;

forwarding said communication packets from said base unit to said one or more wireless sensor units by said one or more wireless repeater units to the building/area within said wireless sensor system assigned to said first building/area code address in said communication packets; and

receiving said forwarded communication packets in said building/area within said wireless system by each of said one or more wireless sensor units assigned to both said first building/area code address and said sub-code address in said communication packets.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the programmed delay is randomly chosen.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the programmed delay is randomly chosen for each communication packet.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first building/area code address is at least 6 digits.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the sub-code address is at least 5 digits.

2. A method of bi-directional communication with a wireless sensor unit using authentication codes, comprising:

communicating with said wireless sensor unit using communication packets having at least a first building/area code address and a sub-code address;

waiting for a programmed delay after receiving communication packets to or from said wireless sensor unit;

forwarding said communication packets from wireless sensor unit; and

forwarding said communication packets to the building/area assigned to said first building/area code address in said communication packets and receiving said forwarded communication packets by said wireless sensor unit assigned to both said first building/area code address and said sub-code address in said communication packets.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the programmed delay is randomly chosen.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the programmed delay is randomly chosen for each communication packet.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first building/area code address is at least 6 digits.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the sub-code address is at least 5 digits.

7. A method comprising:

communicating with a wireless sensor unit using communication packets having at least a first code and a second code;

waiting for a programmed delay after receiving communication packets to or from said wireless sensor unit;

forwarding said communication packets from said wireless sensor unit; and

forwarding said communication packets to the location assigned to said first code in said communication packets and receiving said forwarded communication packets by said wireless sensor unit assigned to both said first code and said second code in said communication packets.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the location is a building.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the programmed delay is randomly chosen.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the programmed delay is randomly chosen for each communication packet.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the first code is at least 6 digits.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the second code is at least 5 digits.