Apparatus for internetworked wireless integrated network sensors (WINS)

• US 8,140,658 B1
• Filed: 10/04/2000
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Borgia/Cummins LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Gelvin, David C., Girod, Lewis D., Kaiser, William J., Merrill, William M., Newberg, Fredric, Pottie, Gregory J., Sipos, Anton I., Vardhan, Sandeep
• Primary Examiner(s): Pwu, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sciacca, Scott M
• Application Number:
  US09/684,706
• Time in Patent Office: 4,185 Days
• Field of Search: 709217-226, 709230-236, 709204-206, 709227-229, 709/238, 709/240, 709/239, 709/247, 370/389, 455/13.1
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/173 using an interconnection network, e.g. matrix, shuffle, pyramid, star, snowflake
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/125 Means for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0407 Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna dipole H01Q9/285; monopole H01Q9/40
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0414 in a stacked or folded configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0464 Annular ring patch
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40273 the transportation system being a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1051 Group master selection mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

The Wireless Integrated Network Sensor Next Generation (WINS NG) nodes provide distributed network and Internet access to sensors, controls, and processors that are deeply embedded in equipment, facilities, and the environment. The WINS NG network is a new monitoring and control capability for applications in transportation, manufacturing, health care, environmental monitoring, and safety and security. The WINS NG nodes combine microsensor technology, low power distributed signal processing, low power computation, and low power, low cost wireless and/or wired networking capability in a compact system. The WINS NG networks provide sensing, local control, remote reconfigurability, and embedded intelligent systems in structures, materials, and environments.

Claims

1. A sensor network comprising a plurality of network elements including at least one node configured to be communicatively coupled among a monitored environment,

wherein the at least one node is further configured to be remotely controllable and to determine an energy cost for communication and a message priority, wherein the energy cost is determined based on a plurality of attenuation values, wherein the plurality of attenuation values comprises at least one attenuation value for wireless communication and at least one attenuation value for wired communication,

wherein the at least one node is further configured to distribute objects for data processing to one or more of the plurality of network elements, wherein the objects for data processing comprise data and executable code,

wherein the distribution of the objects for data processing varies based on the energy cost for communication and the message priority,

wherein the plurality of network elements is configured to communicate a high priority message code for a high priority event,

wherein, in response to receipt of the high priority message code, the at least one node is configured to broadcast one or more inhibit messages configured to inhibit messaging from nodes not engaged in conveying the high priority event, and

wherein at least one inhibit message of the one or more inhibit messages is broadcast wirelessly.

2. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node includes sensing, processing, communications, and storage devices supporting a plurality of processing and protocol layers.

3. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node supports at least one communication mode selected from the group consisting of wireless communications, wired communications, and hybrid wired and wireless communications.

4. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node is communicatively coupled to the plurality of network elements, wherein the plurality of network elements includes at least one gateway, at least one server, and at least one network.

5. The sensor network of claim 4, wherein the at least one gateway comprises at least one node.

6. The sensor network of claim 4, wherein the at least one gateway is configured to perform at least one function selected from the group consisting of protocol translation, sensor network management, management of transmissions from a remote user, and to interface with at least one communication physical layer including wired local area network, packet radio, microwave, optical, wireline telephony, cellular telephony, and satellite telephony.

7. The sensor network of claim 4, wherein the at least one network includes wired networks, wireless networks, and hybrid wired and wireless networks.

8. The sensor network of claim 4, wherein the at least one network comprises at least one network selected from the group consisting of the Internet, local area networks, wide area networks, metropolitan area networks, and information service stations.

9. The sensor network of claim 8, wherein internetworking among the plurality of network elements comprises accessing tools for data, code, management, and security functions, wherein data includes signals or images, wherein code includes signal processing, decision support, and database elements, and wherein management includes operation of the at least one node and the sensor network.

10. The sensor network of claim 4, wherein the plurality of network elements further includes at least one device selected from the group consisting of repeaters and interrogators.

11. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the plurality of attenuation values comprises a table of pre-determined attenuation values indexed at least by signaling frequency.

12. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein at least one redundant information pathway is established among the plurality of network elements.

14. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node comprises a plurality of node types, wherein the plurality of node types includes at least one node of a first type and at least one node of a second type, wherein a first network having a first node density is assembled using the at least one node of a first type, wherein a second network having a second node density is assembled using the at least one node of a second type, wherein the second network is overlayed onto the first network.

15. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the executable code and data anticipated for future use are predistributed through the sensor network using low priority messages, wherein the executable code and the data are downloadable from at least one location selected from the group consisting of storage devices of the plurality of network elements, and storage devices outside the sensor network.

16. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the plurality of network elements is configured to automatically organize, and wherein the automatic organizing comprises automatically controlling data transfer, processing, and storage within the sensor network.

17. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein a plurality of levels of synchronization are supported among different subsets of the plurality of network elements, wherein a first level of synchronization is supported among a first subset of the plurality of network elements, and wherein a second level of synchronization is supported among a second subset of the plurality of network elements.

18. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein data processing is controlled using at least one processing hierarchy, the at least one processing hierarchy controlling at least one event selected from the group consisting of data classifications, data transfers, data queuing, data combining, processing locations, and communications among the plurality of network elements.

19. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein data is transferred using message packets, wherein the message packets are aggregated into compact forms in the at least one node using message aggregation protocols, and wherein the message aggregation protocols are adaptive to at least one feature selected from the group consisting of data type, node density, message priority, and available energy.

20. The sensor network of claim 19, wherein the message packets include decoy message packets, and wherein information to be transferred is communicated using random message packets.

21. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein functions of the at least one node include data acquisition, data processing, communication, data routing, data security, programming, and node operation.

22. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node includes at least one preprocessor coupled to at least one processor and a plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs), wherein the plurality of APIs are coupled to control at least one device selected from the group consisting of sensors, actuators, communications devices, signal processors, information storage devices, node controllers, and power supply devices, wherein the plurality of APIs support remote reprogramming and control of the at least one device.

23. The sensor network of claim 22, wherein the plurality of APIs are layered.

24. The sensor network of claim 22, wherein the plurality of APIs are configured to communicate network resource information and message priority information to the plurality of network elements.

25. The sensor network of claim 24, wherein information transfer among the plurality of network elements is controlled using a synchronism hierarchy established in response to the resource information and message priority information.

26. The sensor network of claim 22, wherein the at least one preprocessor performs at least one function selected from the group consisting of data acquisition, alert functions, and controlling at least one operating state of the at least one node.

27. The sensor network of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform at least one function selected from the group consisting of signal identification, database management, adaptation, reconfiguration, and security.

28. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node is configured to control data processing and data transmission in response to a decision probability of a detected event.

29. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node includes at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of seismic, acoustic, infrared, thermal, force, vibration, pressure, humidity, current, voltage, magnetic, biological, chemical, acceleration, and visible light sensors.

30. The sensor network of claim 29, wherein the at least one sensor is external to the at least one node.

31. The sensor network of claim 29, wherein data gathered by the at least one sensor is processed and a predetermined identifying code representing the data is propagated through the network, wherein a high priority message containing information regarding a high priority event is represented by a high priority message code, and wherein receipt of the high priority message code by the at least one node invokes a priority protocol that causes message packets to be broadcast to nodes adjacent to a path that will inhibit messaging from nodes not engaged in conveying the information regarding the high priority event.

32. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the plurality of network elements are self-assembling, wherein search and acquisition modes of the at least one node search for participating ones of the plurality of network elements, wherein a determination is made whether each of the participating ones of the plurality of network elements are permitted to join the sensor network using a message hierarchy, and wherein the sensor network is surveyed at random intervals for new nodes and missing nodes.

33. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein a start node is selected as a base node, wherein the base node communicates an assembly packet throughout the sensor network, wherein information of the assembly packet alternates with each successive communication between directing a node to become a base node of a particular cluster number and directing a node to become a remote node of a particular cluster number, and wherein the particular cluster number is incrementally changed with each successive communication of the assembly packet.

34. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein at least one start node is selected as at least one base node, wherein the at least one base node communicates an assembly packet throughout the sensor network, wherein information of the assembly packet alternates with each successive communication between directing at least one node to become at least one base node of a particular cluster number and directing at least one other node to become at least one remote node of a particular cluster number, and wherein the particular cluster number is incrementally changed with each successive communication of the assembly packet.

35. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein synchronism is established among the plurality of network elements using assembly packets.

36. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the sensor network is managed as a distributed and active database using a distributed resource management protocol, wherein the plurality of network elements are reused among different applications, and wherein the plurality of network elements are used in multiple classes of applications.

37. The sensor network of claim 1, further comprising at least one database, wherein the at least one database includes at least one storage device selected from the group consisting of storage devices coupled to at least one of the plurality of network elements and storage devices of the at least one node.

38. The sensor network of claim 37, wherein cooperative sensing uses information of the at least one database for non-local event correlation.

39. The sensor network of claim 37, wherein the at least one database comprises data-driven alerting methods that recognize conditions on user-defined data relationships including coincidence in signal arrival, node power status, and network communication status.

40. The sensor network of claim 37, wherein the at least one database is implemented in small foot print databases at a level of the at least one node and in standard query language (SQL) database systems at a level of at least one server.

41. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein data is collected by the at least one node, and wherein at least one operation is performed on the data in response to parameters established by a user input, the at least one operation selected from the group consisting of energy detection, routing, processing, storing, and fusing.

42. The sensor network of claim 41, wherein the routing, processing, storing, and fusing are performed in response to at least one result of the energy detection.

43. The sensor network of claim 41, wherein routing comprises selecting at least one data type for routing, selecting at least one of the plurality of network elements to which to route the selected data, selecting at least one route to the selected at least one of the plurality of network elements, and routing the selected at least one data type to the selected at least one of the plurality of network elements.

44. The sensor network of claim 43, wherein routing comprises transmitting data in at least one message as a compact entry in a codebook.

45. The sensor network of claim 41, wherein processing comprises selecting at least one data type for processing, selecting at least one processing type, selecting at least one of the plurality of network elements to perform the selected at least one processing type, and transferring the selected at least one data type to the selected at least one of the plurality of network elements using at least one route through the sensor network.

46. The sensor network of claim 45, wherein selecting the of at least one processing type comprises determining at least one probability associated with a detected event and selecting at least one processing type in response to the at least one probability.

47. The sensor network of claim 45, wherein data processed in a plurality of nodes is aggregated for further processing.

48. The sensor network of claim 45, wherein data processed by the at least one node is aggregated for reporting.

49. The sensor network of claim 41, wherein storing comprises selecting at least one data type for storage, selecting at least one storage type, selecting at least one of the plurality of network elements to perform the selected at least one storage type, and transferring the selected at least one data type to the selected at least one of the plurality of network elements using at least one route through the sensor network.

50. The sensor network of claim 41, wherein fusing comprises a first node transmitting at least one query request to at least one other node, wherein the first node collects data from the at least one other node in response to the at least one query request and processes the collected data.

51. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node comprises a plurality of nodes with each of the plurality of nodes including at least one hi-static sensor and a generator for producing at least one energy beam that is radiated from the plurality of nodes, wherein the at least one energy beam comprises a combined probe beam and signal code for beam intensity control and propagation measurement, wherein the at least one energy beam is modulated in time to communicate an identifying code corresponding to a source node, and wherein the at least one energy beam is at least one type selected from the group consisting of infrared, visible, acoustic, and microwave beams.

52. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of network elements determines a position of the at least one node.

53. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein software is transferable among the plurality of network elements, and wherein software transfer is remotely controllable.

54. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein at least one public key security protocol is used to protect communications.

55. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node includes a Global Positioning System device.

56. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node comprises at least one communication modem.

57. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein communications among the plurality of network elements comprise multihop communications.

58. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the monitored environment is at least one environment selected from the group consisting of electronic equipment, mechanical equipment, electro-mechanical equipment, a facility, a structure, a material, a transportation system, a vehicle, an outdoor area, an indoor area, a biological system, a person, and an animal.

59. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the plurality of network elements are configured for short range and long range communications.

60. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node is configured to be contained in a sealed and waterproof system.

61. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the at least one node comprises a plurality of software modules, wherein a plurality of interfaces support couplings among the plurality of software modules, wherein the plurality of interfaces are reused among the plurality of software modules by changing at least one inter-module coupling, and wherein the plurality of software modules are dynamically configured at run-time.

13. The sensor network of 1, wherein the plurality of network elements comprise a plurality of network element sets, wherein the plurality of network element sets are layered.

62. A sensor network including at least one node configured to be communicatively coupled among an environment, and

wherein the at least one node is further configured to determine an energy cost for communication and a message priority, wherein the energy cost is determined based on a plurality of attenuation values, wherein the plurality of attenuation values comprises at least one attenuation value for wireless communication and at least one attenuation value for wired communication,

wherein the at least one node is further configured to distribute data processing in the sensor network, and

wherein the distribution of the data processing varies based on the energy cost for communication and the message priority,

wherein the sensor network is configured to communicate a high priority message code for a high priority event,

wherein, in response to receipt of the high priority message code, the at least one node is configured to broadcast one or more inhibit messages configured to inhibit messaging from nodes not engaged in conveying the high priority event, and

wherein at least one inhibit message of the one or more inhibit messages is broadcast wirelessly.

63. The sensor network of claim 62, wherein the first processor is a preprocessor.

64. The sensor network of claim 62, wherein the second processor is configured with an operating system.

65. The sensor network of claim 62, wherein the plurality of attenuation values comprises a table of pre-determined attenuation values indexed at least by signaling frequency.

66. The sensor network of claim 62, wherein the at least one node comprises a storage device configured to store at least part of a distributed database.

67. The sensor network of claim 62, wherein the at least one node is configured to control data processing using at least one processing hierarchy, the at least one processing hierarchy controlling at least one function selected from the group consisting of data classifications, data transfers, data queuing, data combining, processing locations, and communications.

68. The sensor network of claim 62, wherein the at least one node includes a plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs), wherein the plurality of APIs is configured to control at least one device selected from the group consisting of sensors, actuators, communications devices, signal processors, information storage devices, node controllers, and power supply devices, and wherein the plurality of APIs are layered.

69. The sensor network of claim 68, wherein the plurality of APIs comprise an API configured to enable the first processor to control the second processor.

70. The sensor network of claim 69, wherein the API is configured to enable the first processor to control the second processor is configured to permit the first processor to reboot the second processor.

71. The sensor network of claim 70, wherein the first processor is configured to reboot the second processor if the first processor does not receive an acknowledgement to a predefined message with a predefined time period.

72. The sensor network of claim 62, wherein the at least one node is further configured to collect data and to perform at least one operation on the data in response to parameters, the at least one operation selected from the group consisting of energy detection, routing, processing, storing, and fusing.

73. The sensor network of claim 72, wherein routing comprises selecting at least one data type for routing, selecting a destination to which to route the selected data, selecting at least one route, and routing the selected at least one data type.

74. The sensor network of claim 72, wherein processing comprises selecting at least one data type for processing, selecting at least one processing type, performing the selected at least one processing type, and transferring the selected at least one data type.

75. The sensor network of claim 72, wherein storing comprises selecting at least one data type for storage, selecting at least one storage type, performing the selected at least one storage type, and transferring the selected at least one data type.

76. The sensor network of claim 72, wherein fusing comprises the first node transmitting at least one query request, and wherein the first node collects data in response to the at least one query request and processes the collected data.

77. The sensor network of claim 62, wherein software is transferable to the at least one node, and wherein software transfer is remotely controllable.

78. A sensor network comprising:

means for coupling a plurality of network elements including at least one local node, wherein at least one function of the at least one local node is configured for remote control;

means for collecting sensor data;

means for communicating node information regarding message priority and energy availability from the at least one local node to one or more other nodes of the plurality of network elements;

means for determining the energy available based on a plurality of attenuation values, wherein the plurality of attenuation values comprises at least one attenuation value for wireless communication and at least one attenuation value for wired communication;

means for distributing processing of the collected sensor data among the plurality of network elements,

wherein the distribution of the data processing varies dynamically based on the message priority and the energy availability,

wherein the one or more other nodes are each a member of the sensor network prior to receiving the node information from the at least one local node,

wherein the plurality of network elements is configured to communicate a high priority message code for a high priority event,

wherein, in response to receipt of the high priority message code, the at least one local node is configured to broadcast one or more inhibit messages configured to inhibit messaging from nodes not engaged in conveying the high priority event, and

wherein at least one inhibit message of the one or more inhibit messages is broadcast wirelessly.

79. A sensor network comprising a plurality of network elements including at least one node configured to be coupled among a monitored environment,

wherein the at least one node includes at least one sensor,

wherein the at least one node is further configured to process data gathered from the monitored environment by the at least one sensor and to propagate a predetermined identifying code representing the gathered data through the sensor network,

wherein the at least one node is further configured to determine a message priority and an energy cost for communication and to distribute data and executable code through the network using messages of predetermined priority, wherein the energy cost is determined based on a plurality of attenuation values,

wherein the plurality of attenuation values comprises at least one attenuation value for wireless communication and at least one attenuation value for wired communication,

wherein the plurality of network elements is configured to communicate a high priority message code for a high priority event,

wherein, in response to receipt of the high priority message code, the at least one node is configured to broadcast one or more inhibit messages configured to inhibit messaging from nodes not engaged in conveying the high priority event, wherein at least one inhibit message of the one or more inhibit messages is broadcast wirelessly, and

wherein a distribution of data processing by the plurality of network elements varies based on a priority of the message.

80. The sensor network of claim 79, wherein the at least one node is further configured to communicate an energy cost to the plurality of network elements, and wherein the plurality of network elements is configured to distribute data processing through the sensor network based on the energy cost.

81. A network comprising

a plurality of network elements including at least one node configured to be communicatively coupled among a monitored or controlled environment,

wherein the at least one node is further configured to determine a message priority and an energy cost for communication and to distribute data and executable code through the network using messages of predetermined priority, wherein the energy cost is determined based on a plurality of attenuation values,

wherein the plurality of attenuation values comprises at least one attenuation value for wireless communication and at least one attenuation value for wired communication,

wherein the plurality of network elements is configured to distribute data processing through the network,

wherein the distribution of data processing varies based on at least the energy cost for communication

wherein the plurality of network elements is configured to communicate a high priority message code for a high priority event,

wherein, in response to receipt of the high priority message code, the at least one node is configured to broadcast one or more inhibit messages configured to inhibit messaging from nodes not engaged in conveying the high priority event, and

wherein at least one inhibit message of the one or more inhibit messages is broadcast wirelessly.

82. A sensor network comprising:

a plurality of network elements including at least one node configured to be communicatively coupled among a monitored environment,

wherein the at least one node is further configured to communicate an energy cost for communication and a message priority to the plurality of network elements,

wherein the plurality of network elements is configured to communicate a high priority message code for a high priority event,

wherein, in response to receipt of the high priority message code, the at least one node is configured to broadcast one or more inhibit messages configured to inhibit messaging from nodes not engaged in conveying the high priority event,

wherein at least one inhibit message of the one or more inhibit messages is broadcast wirelessly,

wherein the plurality of network elements is configured to distribute data processing through the sensor network in response to the energy cost for communication,

wherein the energy cost is determined based on a plurality of attenuation values,

wherein the plurality of attenuation values comprise at least one attenuation value for wireless communication and at least one attenuation value for wired communication,

wherein the distribution of the data processing comprises selecting at least one data type for processing, selecting at least one of the plurality of network elements to process the selected at least one data type, and transferring data of the selected at least one data type to the selected at least one of the plurality of network elements, and

wherein the distribution of data processing varies based on the message priority.

83. A sensor network comprising:

a plurality of network elements including at least one local node configured to be communicatively coupled among a monitored local environment, wherein the at least one local node is further configured to collect sensor data from the monitored local environment, to be remotely controllable, and to determine information regarding message priority to one or more other nodes of the plurality of network elements; and

wherein the plurality of network elements is configured to distribute, after the at least one local node has become a member of the sensor network, data processing on the collected data to one or more of the plurality of network elements, wherein the distribution of the data processing varies based on the message priority and an energy cost for communication, wherein the energy cost is determined bases on a plurality of attenuation values, wherein the plurality of attenuation values comprises at least one attenuation value for wireless communication and at least one attenuation value for wired communication,

wherein the plurality of network elements is configured to communicate a high priority message code for a high priority event, wherein, in response to receipt of the high priority message code, the at least one local node is configured to broadcast one or more inhibit messages configured to inhibit messaging from nodes not engaged in conveying the high priority event, and wherein at least one inhibit message of the one or more inhibit messages is broadcast wirelessly.

84. The sensor network of claim 83, wherein the distribution of the data processing comprises:

routing the collected data of a first data type to a first one of the plurality of network elements; and

routing the collected data of a second data type to a second one of the plurality of network elements.

85. The sensor network of claim 83, wherein the distribution of the data processing comprises selecting a processing type, selecting at least one of the plurality of network elements to perform the selected processing type, and transferring at least a portion of the collected data to the selected at least one of the plurality of network elements for processing.

86. The sensor network of claim 83, wherein the plurality of network elements is further configured to select at least one storage type for at least a portion of the collected data, to select at least one of the plurality of network elements to store data of the at least one storage type, and to transfer the at least a portion of the collected data to the selected at least one of the plurality of network elements.

87. The sensor network of claim 83, wherein the at least one local node comprises:

at least one sensor for collecting the sensor data;

a preprocessor coupled to receive the collected data from the at least one sensor; and

a processor, coupled to the preprocessor, configured to perform processing associated with the collected data.

88. The sensor network of claim 83, wherein the plurality of network elements is further configured to predistribute data anticipated for future use through the sensor network using low priority messages.

89. The sensor network of claim 83, wherein:

the plurality of network elements is further configured to self-assemble into a multi-cluster network, wherein the self-assembly comprises a base node communicating an assembly packet through the sensor network.

90. The sensor network of claim 83, wherein:

the distribution of the data processing further varies dynamically based on energy availability on the one or more other nodes.