Monitoring device mesh network systems and methods

• US 9,097,555 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2012
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MWA Intelligence Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Trevino, Ramiro, Anderson, Lester
• Primary Examiner(s): ZHANG, SHIRLEY X
• Application Number:
  US13/466,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20120221720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/065 related to network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/34 Modification of an existing route
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

Methods, systems, devices, and software are described for data transmission to and from a monitored device via a mesh network. Monitoring devices report usage, status, location, and other pertinent data via a mesh network, and perhaps other networks as well. Novel data collection, transmission, and aggregation techniques are described. Data transfer may be bi-directional in order to manage and update device status and operation. The monitored device location may be tracked with the reported information.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring business machines using a mesh network, the system comprising:

a plurality of field nodes comprising the mesh network, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of field nodes is each configured to;

monitor usage of a selected one of a first plurality of business machines to generate a first set of monitoring data; and

transmit the first set of monitoring data through other field nodes of the mesh network;

a base station node, in communication with the subset of the plurality of field nodes via the other field nodes; and

configure to;

receive the first set of monitoring data transmitted from each of the subset of the plurality of field nodes via the other field nodes; and

aggregate the received first set of monitoring data to generate an aggregated set of monitoring data; and

a consolidating server, in communication with the base station node, and configured to;

receive the aggregated set of monitoring data;

collect a second set of monitoring data from a second plurality of business machines via a second network distinct from the mesh network; and

identify a change in location of a field node of the plurality of field nodes based at least in part on a change in a routing table entry associated with the mesh network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a selected field node of the plurality of field nodes is configured to shut down because of a failure to receive a communication from the consolidating server based at least in part on a change in location of the selected field node causing a change in a routing table entry.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the consolidating server is further configured to:

identify a new location of a first field node of the plurality of field nodes based at least in part on a change in a routing table entry associated with the mesh network and a known location of at least a subset of the plurality of field nodes.

4. A method of monitoring a location of a plurality of field nodes comprising a mesh network, the method comprising:

monitoring a routing table for each of at least a subset of the plurality of field nodes in the mesh network;

establishing location identification information for one or more of the subset of field nodes;

identifying a change in the monitored routing table for at least one of the one or more of the subset of field nodes; and

identifying a change in location for a first field node of the plurality of field nodes based at least in part on the identified change in the monitored routing table and the location identification information.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein identifying the change in location comprises:

identifying a new location for the first field node.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the new location comprises a new floor, a new room, or a new building.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

transmitting a set of data to deactivate the first device based at least in part on the change in location.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

generating an alert to identify a new location for the first field node based at least in part on the identified change in location.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein,

the first field node comprises a business machine;

and

the first field node does not comprise the at least one of the one or more of the subset of field nodes with the change in the monitored routing table.