Wireless sensor interface with mobile terminal satellite modem and global location system

• US 8,971,227 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2012
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Battista, Rich
• Primary Examiner(s): ROSE, KERRI M
• Application Number:
  US13/645,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20140098723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 370/311, 370/316, 455/427, 455/557, 455/575.9
• US Class Current: 370/311
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18528 Satellite systems for providing two-way communications service to a network of fixed stations, i.e. fixed satellite service or very small aperture terminal [VSAT] system
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements
• 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 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. A wireless device, comprising:

an interface with a sensor device configured to generate measurement data; and

a processor that is configured to awaken the wireless device from a low power state to receive a status request from an inquiring device that interfaces with a with a wireless modem in a mobile terminal affixed to an asset, said wireless device responding to said status request with measurement data generated by said sensor device.

2. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein said wireless modem is a satellite modem.

3. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein said inquiring device is configured as a master device and the wireless device is configured as a slave device.

4. The wireless device of claim 3, wherein said slave device only transmits in acknowledgment of a request from said master device.

5. The wireless device of claim 3, wherein said inquiring device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to the wireless device after the wireless device completes a synchronization process.

6. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein said inquiring device wirelessly transmits configuration information to the wireless device.

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

8. The wireless device of claim 6, wherein said configuration information includes an operating mode of said sensor device.

9. The wireless device of claim 6, wherein said configuration information includes a baud rate of said sensor device.

10. The wireless device of claim 6, wherein said configuration information includes a power level of said sensor device.

11. The wireless device of claim 6, wherein said configuration information includes a wake up interval of said sensor device.

12. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is integrated with said sensor device.

13. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is coupled to said sensor device via a serial interface.

14. A wireless device, comprising:

an interface with a wireless modem module in a mobile terminal affixed to an asset; and

a processor that is configured to control the wireless device in communicating wirelessly with a responding device that interfaces with a sensor device, said responding device configured to awaken from a low power state to receive a status request from the wireless device, the wireless device receiving, in response to said status request, measurement data generated by said sensor device.

15. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the wireless device is integrated in hardware with said wireless modem module.

16. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the wireless device is on separate hardware from said wireless modem module, and communicates with said wireless modem module using a hardwired interface.

17. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein said wireless modem module is a satellite modem module.

18. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the wireless device assigns a communication channel and wakeup time to said responding device after said responding device completes a synchronization process.