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`Case 1:16-cv-00830-RGA Document 1-6 Filed 09/19/16 Page 1 of 31 PageID #: 268
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`EXHIBIT 6
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`EXHIBIT 6
`
`TO COMPLAINT
`TO COMPLAINT
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`Case 1:16-cv-00830-RGA Document 1-6 Filed 09/19/16 Page 3 of 31 PageID #: 270
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`US 7,468,661 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,917,405 A *
`6,044,062 A *
`6,366,217 Bl*
`
`6/1999 Joao ...................... 340/426.17
`3/2000 Brownrigg et al. .......... 370/238
`412002 Cunningham et al ... 340/870.31
`
`7,117,239 Bl*
`7,254,372 B2 *
`7,304,587 B2 *
`2004/0090950 Al*
`* cited by examiner
`
`10/2006 Hansen ....................... 709/200
`8/2007 Janusz et al. .................. 455/88
`12/2007 Boaz ..................... 340/870.02
`512004 Lauber et al. ............... 370/352
`
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`Case 1:16-cv-00830-RGA Document 1-6 Filed 09/19/16 Page 18 of 31 PageID #: 285
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 23, 2008
`
`Sheet 15 of 18
`
`US 7,468,661 B2
`
`FIG. 11
`To Addr. From Addr. Pkt. No. Pkt. Max. Pkt Lngth. Cmd.
`(1-6)
`(6)
`(1)
`(1)
`(1)
`(1)
`
`Message Structure
`
`Data
`(0-238)
`
`CkH
`(1)
`
`CkL
`(1)
`
`The order of appearance remains fixed although byte position number in each
`packet may vary due to one or more of the following reasons:
`1.
`Scalability of the "TO ADDRESS" (1 to 6 Bytes).
`The CMD Byte.
`2.
`Scalability of the Data portion of the message (0 to 238 Bytes)
`3.
`
`"To Address" Byte Assignment:
`
`MSB - Byte 1
`Device Type
`
`FF-FO (16) - Broadcast All Devices (1 Byte Address)
`EF-1F (224) - Device Type Base (2 to 6 Byte Address)
`OF-00 (16) - Personal Transceiver Identification (6 Byte Address)
`
`Byte 2
`Mfg./Owner ID
`
`FF-FO (16) - Broadcast all Devices (Byte 1 Type)
`(2 Byte Broadcast Address)
`EF-00 (240) - Mfg./Owner Code Identification Number
`
`Byte 3
`Mfg.towner
`Extension ID
`
`FF-FO (16) - Broadcast all Devices (Byte 1 & Byte 2 Type)
`(3 Byte Broadcast Address)
`EF-00 (240) - Device Type/Mfg./Owner Code ID Number
`
`Byte4
`
`Byte 5
`
`Byte6
`
`FF-FO (16) - Broadcast all Devices (Byte 1 & Byte 2 Type)
`(4 Byte Broadcast Address)
`EF-00 (240) - ID Number
`
`(FF-00) 256 - Identification Number
`
`(FF-00) 256 - Identification Number
`
`"From Address" Byte Assignment:
`(FF-00) Full "ID" of Originating Device (up to 6 Bytes)
`From Address
`(FF-00) Packet Number of Msg. longer than 256 Bytes
`Packet Number
`Packet Max.
`(FF-00) Number of Packets in Message over 256 Bytes
`Packet Length
`(FF-00) Length (in Bytes) of Packet/Message Transmission
`Command
`(FF-00) Command Byte
`Data
`(FF-00) Data as required by specific command
`ChkH
`(FF-00) Packet Checksum, High Byte
`ChkL
`(FF-00) Packet Checksum, Low Byte
`Packet Length - 13 Bytes (Min.)/ 256 Bytes (Max.)
`
`

`

`

`

`

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`Case 1:16-cv-00830-RGA Document 1-6 Filed 09/19/16 Page 22 of 31 PageID #: 289
`
`US 7,468,661 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING
`AND CONTROLLING REMOTE DEVICES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`2
`Conversely, utility meter monitoring, recording, and client
`billing are representative of a periodic monitoring system. In
`the past, utility providers sent a technician from meter to
`meter on a periodic basis to verify meter operation and to
`record utility use. One method of cutting operating expenses
`in the utility industry involved increasing the period at which
`manual monitoring and meter data recording was performed.
`While this method decreased the monitoring and recording
`expense associated with more frequent meter observation and
`10 was convenient for consumers who favor the consistent billed
`amounts associated with "budget billing," the utility provider
`retained the costs associated with less frequent meter read(cid:173)
`ings and the processing costs associated with reconciling
`consumer accounts.
`Lastly, a number of environmental and safety systems
`require constant or real-time monitoring. Heating, ventila(cid:173)
`tion, and air-conditioning systems, fire reporting and damage
`control systems, alarm systems, and access control systems
`are representative systems that utilize real-time monitoring
`20 and often require immediate feedback and control. These
`real-time systems have been the target of control systems
`theory and application thereof for some time.
`A problem with expanding the use of control systems tech(cid:173)
`nology to distributed systems are the costs associated with the
`25 sensor-actuator infrastructure required to monitor and control
`functions within such systems. The typical approach to
`implementing control system technology is to install a local
`network of hard-wired sensors and actuators along with a
`local controller. Not only is there expense associated with
`30 developing and installing appropriate sensors and actuators
`but the added expense of connecting functional sensors and
`controllers with the local controller. Another prohibitive cost
`associated with applying control systems technology to dis(cid:173)
`tributed systems is the installation and operational expense
`35 associated with the local controller.
`Accordingly, an alternative solution to applying monitor(cid:173)
`ing and control system solutions to distributed systems that
`overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art is desired.
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
`No. 10/139,492, entitled, "System and Method for Monitor(cid:173)
`ing and Controlling Remote Devices," filed on May 6, 2002,
`now U.S. Pat. No. 7,053,767 which itself is continuation of
`U.S. application Ser. No. 09/439,059, filed on Nov. 12, 1999
`and entitled "System and Method for Monitoring and Con(cid:173)
`trolling Remote Devices," and bearing U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,
`692. U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,692 is a continuation-in-part ofU.S.
`patent applications Ser. No. 09/271,517, filed Mar. 18, 1999 15
`now abandoned and entitled, "System For Monitoring Con(cid:173)
`ditions in a Residential Living Community"; Ser. No. 09/102,
`178 filed Jun. 22, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,268 and
`entitled, "Multi-Function General Purpose Transceiver"; Ser.
`No. 09/172,554, filed Oct. 14, 1998 and entitled, "System for
`Monitoring the Light Level Around an ATM," now U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,028,522; Ser. No. 09/412,895, filed Oct. 5, 1999 and
`entitled, "System and Method for Monitoring the Light Level
`Around an ATM," now U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,953; and further
`claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
`60/146,817, filed Aug. 2, 1999 and entitled, "System and
`Method
`for Monitoring and Controlling Residential
`Devices." Each of the above identified applications and pat(cid:173)
`ents are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention generally relates to remotely oper(cid:173)
`ated systems, and more particularly to a computerized system
`for monitoring, reporting on, and controlling remote systems
`by transferring information signals through a wide area net(cid:173)
`work (WAN) and using software applications hosted on a
`connected server to appropriately process the information.
`
`DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART
`
`40
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`50
`
`As is known, there are a variety of systems for monitoring
`and controlling manufacturing processes, inventory systems,
`emergency control systems, and the like. Most automatic
`systems use remote sensors and controllers to monitor and
`automatically respond to system parameters to reach desired
`results. A number of control systems utilize computers to
`process system inputs, model system responses, and control
`actuators to implement process corrections within the system.
`Both the electric power generation and metallurgical process(cid:173)
`ing industries have had success controlling production pro(cid:173)
`cesses by implementing computer controlled control systems
`in individual plants.
`One way to classify control systems is by the timing
`involved between subsequent monitoring occurrences. Moni(cid:173)
`toring processes can be classified as aperiodic or random,
`periodic, and real-time. A number of remotely distributed
`service industries implement the monitoring and controlling
`process steps through manual inspection and intervention.
`Aperiodic monitoring systems (those that do not operate on
`a predetermined cycle) are inherently inefficient as they
`require a service technician to physically traverse an area to
`record data, repair out of order equipment, add inventory to a
`vending machine, and the like. Such service trips are carried 65
`out in a number of industries with the associated costs being
`transferred to the consumers of the service.
`
`Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the inven(cid:173)
`tion will be set forth in part in the description that follows and
`in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
`45 examination of the following or may be learned with the
`practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the
`invention may be realized and obtained by means of the
`instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out
`in the appended claims.
`To achieve the advantages and novel features, the present
`invention is generally directed to a cost effective method of
`monitoring and controlling remote devices. More specifi(cid:173)
`cally, the present invention is directed to a computerized
`system for monitoring, reporting, and controlling remote sys-
`55 terns and system information transfer by transmitting infor(cid:173)
`mation signals to a WAN gateway interface and using appli(cid:173)
`cations on a connected server to process the information.
`Because the applications server is integrated on a WAN, Web
`browsers can be used by anyone with Internet access (and the
`60 appropriate access permissions) to view and download the
`recorded data.
`In accordance with a broad aspect of the invention, a sys(cid:173)
`tem is provided having one or more sensors to be read and/ or
`actuators to be controlled remotely, ultimately through a com(cid:173)
`puter on the Internet. The sensors and/or actuators are inter(cid:173)
`faced with wireless transceivers that transmit and/or receive
`data to and from the Internet. In this regard, additional wire-
`
`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-00830-RGA Document 1-6 Filed 09/19/16 Page 23 of 31 PageID #: 290
`
`US 7,468,661 B2
`
`4
`other than the Internet can function as a transmission path
`between the networked wireless transceivers, the local gate(cid:173)
`ways, and the central server.
`In yet a further embodiment, a system can be configured
`using the present invention to translate and transmit control
`signals from an existing local controller via the networked
`wireless transceivers. In this regard, the system of the present
`invention would require a data translator to tap into the data
`stream of an existing control system. Distinct control system
`10 signals may be mapped to function codes used by the present
`invention in order to provide customer access to control sys(cid:173)
`tem data. In this way, the system of the present invention can
`be integrated with present data collection and system control(cid:173)
`lers inexpensively, as customers will only have to add a data
`15 translator and a wireless transmitter or transceiver as the
`application demands. By integrating the present invention
`with the data stream generated by present monitoring and
`control systems, potential customers enjoy the benefits of the
`present invention without the difficulties associated with inte-
`20 grating sensors and actuators to monitor individual system
`parameters.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`3
`less transceivers may relay information between the trans(cid:173)
`ceivers disposed in connection with the sensors and actuators
`and a gateway to the Internet. It should be appreciated that, a
`portion of the information communicated includes data that
`uniquely identifies the sensors and/or actuators.
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system is
`configured to monitor and report system parameters. The
`system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless trans(cid:173)
`ceivers. At least one wireless transceiver is interfaced with a
`sensor, transducer, actuator or some other device associated
`with the application parameter of interest. In this regard, the
`term "parameter" is broadly construed and may include, but is
`not limited to, a system alarm condition, a system process
`variable, an operational condition, etc. The system also
`includes a plurality of transceivers that act as signal repeaters
`that are dispersed throughout the nearby geographic region at
`defined locations. By defined locations, it is meant only that
`the location of each transceiver is known to a central com(cid:173)
`puter. The central computer may be informed of transceiver
`physical locations after permanent installation, as the instal(cid:173)
`lation location of the transceivers is not limited. Each trans(cid:173)
`ceiver that serves to repeat a previously generated data signal
`may be further integrated with its own unique sensor or a
`sensor actuator combination as required. Additional trans(cid:173)
`ceivers may be configured as stand-alone devices that serve to 25
`simply receive, format, and further transmit system data sig(cid:173)
`nals. Further, the system includes a local data formatter that is
`configured to receive information communicated from the
`transceivers, format the data, and forward the data via the
`gateway to one or more servers interconnected with the WAN. 30
`The server further includes means for evaluating the received
`information and identifying the system parameter and the
`originating location of the parameter. The server also includes
`means for updating a database or further processing the
`reported parameters.
`Consistent with the broader concepts of the invention, the
`"means" for evaluating the received information and the
`"means" for reporting system parameters are not limited to a
`particular embodiment or configuration. Preferably, these
`"means" will be implemented in software that is executed by 40
`a processor within a server integrated with the Internet. How(cid:173)
`ever, dedicated WANs or Intranets are suitable backbones for
`implementing defined system data transfer functions consis(cid:173)
`tent with the invention.
`In one embodiment, a client retrieves configured system 45
`data by accessing an Internet Web site. In such an embodi(cid:173)
`ment, a system consistent with the present invention acts as a
`data collector and formatter with data being delivered upon
`client request, with availability twenty-four hours a day,
`seven days a week.
`In more robust embodiments, a system can be configured to
`collect, format, and deliver client application specific infor(cid:173)
`mation on a periodic basis to predetermined client nodes on
`the WAN. In these embodiments, client intervention would
`serve to close the feedback loop in the control system.
`In yet another embodiment, a system can be configured to
`collect, format, and control client application specific pro(cid:173)
`cesses by replacing a local control computer with a WAN
`interfaced server and integrating system specific actuators
`with the aforementioned system transceivers.
`It should be further appreciated that the information trans(cid:173)
`mitted and received by the wireless transceivers may be fur(cid:173)
`ther integrated with other data transmission protocols for
`transmission across telecommunications and computer net(cid:173)
`works other than the Internet. In addition, it should be further
`appreciated that telecommunications and computer networks
`
`The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming
`a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the
`present invention, and together with the description serve to
`explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art control system;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a monitoring/control
`system of the present invention;
`FIG. 3A is a functional block diagram that illustrates a
`transmitter in accordance with the present invention inte(cid:173)
`grated in a portable device with user operable buttons that
`35 trigger data transmissions as desired;
`FIG. 3B is a functional block diagram that illustrates the
`integration of a sensor with a transmitter in accordance with
`the invention;
`FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating a transceiver in
`accordance with the present invention integrated with a sen(cid:173)
`sor and an actuator;
`FIG. 3D is a functional block diagram further illustrating
`the transceiver of FIG. 3C as applied to a heating, ventilation,
`and air conditioning system controller;
`FIG. 3E is a functional block diagram illustrating the com(cid:173)
`bination of the transceiver of FIG. 3D with a global position(cid:173)
`ing system (GPS) receiver;
`FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram that illustrates the
`functional components of a local WAN gateway constructed
`50 in accordance with the invention;
`FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating WAN connectivity in a
`system constructed in accordance with the invention;
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a client specific
`application in accordance with the invention (simple data
`55 collection or monitoring);
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating another data moni(cid:173)
`toring and reporting application consistent with the present
`invention;
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a third client specific
`60 application in accordance with the invention (monitoring and
`controlling a process);
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the present invention
`as deployed in a particular business application;
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram further illustrating the present
`65 invention as deployed in a plurality of business applications;
`FIG. 11 is a table illustrating the message protocol of the
`present invention;
`
`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-00830-RGA Document 1-6 Filed 09/19/16 Page 24 of 31 PageID #: 291
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`US 7,468,661 B2
`
`5
`FIG. 12 illustrates three sample messages using the mes(cid:173)
`sage protocol of the present invention;
`FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the system of the
`present invention integrated with the local controller of FIG.
`1; and
`FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the system of the
`present invention integrated with a mobile inventory unit.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Having summarized the invention above, reference is now
`made in detail to the description of the invention as illustrated
`in the drawings. While the invention will be described in
`connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to
`the embodiment or embodiments disclosed therein. On the
`contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications
`and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the
`invention as defined by the appended claims.
`Referring now to the drawings, reference is made to FIG. 1, 20
`which is a block diagram illustrating certain fundamental
`components of a prior art control system 100. More particu(cid:173)
`larly, a prior art control system 100 includes a plurality of
`sensor actuators 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, and 117 elec(cid:173)
`trically coupled to a local controller 110. In a manner well
`known in the art of control systems, local controller 110
`provides power, formats and applies data signals from each of
`the sensors to predetermined process control functions, and
`returns control signals as appropriate to the system actuators.
`Often, prior art control systems are further integrated via the 30
`public switched telephone network (PSTN) 120 to a central
`controller 130. Central controller 130 can be further config(cid:173)
`ured to serve as a technician monitoring station or to forward
`alarm conditions via PSTN 120 to appropriate public safety
`officers.
`Prior art control systems consistent with the design of FIG.
`1 require the development and installation of an application(cid:173)
`specific local system controller, as well as, the routing of
`electrical conductors to each sensor and actuator as the appli(cid:173)
`cation requires. Such prior art control systems are typically 40
`augmented with a central controller 130 that may be net(cid:173)
`worked to the local controller 110 via PSTN 120. As a result,
`prior art control systems often consist of a relatively heavy
`design and are subject to a single point of failure should local
`controller 110 go out of service. In addition, these systems 45
`require electrical coupling between the local controller and
`system sensors and actuators. As a result, appropriately wir(cid:173)
`ing an existing industrial plant can be a dangerous and expen(cid:173)
`sive proposition.
`Having described a prior art control system and delineated 50
`some of its shortcomings, reference is now made to FIG. 2,
`which is a block diagram that illustrates a control system in
`accordance with the present invention. Control system 200
`consists of one or more sensor/actuators 212, 214, 216, 222,
`and 224 each integrated with a transceiver. The transceivers 55
`are preferably RF (Radio Frequency) transceivers, that are
`relatively small in size and transmit a relatively low power RF
`signal. As a result, in some applications, the transmission
`range of a given transceiver may be relatively limited. As will
`be appreciated from the description that follows, this rela- 60
`tively limited transmission range of the transceivers is an
`advantageous and desirable characteristic of control system
`200. Although the transceivers are depicted without a user
`interface such as a keypad, in certain embodiments of the
`invention the transceivers may be configured with user select- 65
`able buttons or an alphanumeric keypad. Often, the transceiv-
`ers will be electrically interfaced with a sensor or actuator,
`
`6
`such as a smoke detector, a thermostat, a security system, etc.,
`where external buttons are not needed.
`Control system 200 also includes a plurality of stand-alone
`transceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221. Each stand-alone trans(cid:173)
`ceiver 211, 213, 215, and 221 and each of the integrated
`transceivers 212, 214, 216, 222, and 224 may be configured to
`receive an incoming RF transmission (transmitted by a
`remote transceiver) and to transmit an outgoing signal. This
`outgoing signal may be another low power RF transmission
`10 signal, a higher power RF transmission signal, or alterna(cid:173)
`tively may be transmitted over a conductive wire, fiber optic
`cable, or other transmission media. The internal architecture
`of a transceiver integrated with a sensor/actuator 212 and a
`stand-alone transceiver 211 will be discussed in more detail in
`15 connection with FIGS. 3A through 3C. It will be appreciated
`by those skilled in the art that integrated transceivers 212,
`214, 216, 222, and 224 can be replaced by RF transmitters
`(not shown) for client specific applications that require data
`collection only.
`Local gateways 210 and220 are configured and disposed to
`receive remote data transmissions from the various stand(cid:173)
`alone transceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221 or integrated trans(cid:173)
`ceivers 212, 214, 216, 222, and 224 having an RF signal
`output level sufficient to adequately transmit a formatted data
`25 signal to the gateways. Local gateways 210 and 220 analyze
`the transmissions received, convert the transmissions into
`TCP/IP format and further communicate the remote data
`signal transmissions via WAN 230. In this regard, and as will
`be further described below, local gateways 210 and 220 may
`communicate information, service requests, control signals,
`etc. to remote sensor/actuator transceiver combinations 212,
`214, 216, 222, and 224 from server 260, laptop computer 240,
`and workstation 250 across WAN 230. Server 260 can be
`further networked with database server 270 to record client
`35 specific data.
`It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that if an
`integrated transceiver (either of 212, 214, 216, 222, and 224)
`is located sufficiently close to local gateways 210 or 220 such
`that its RF output signal can be received by a gateway, the RF
`data signal need not be processed and repeated through stand(cid:173)
`alone transceivers 211, 213, 215, or 221.
`It will be further appreciated that a monitoring system
`constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
`invention may be used in a variety of environments. In accor(cid:173)
`dance with a preferred embodiment, a monitoring system
`such as that illustrated in FIG. 2 may be employed to monitor
`and record utility usage by residential and industrial custom(cid:173)
`ers as illustrated in FIG. 6. Another preferred monitoring
`system is illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 depicts the transfer of
`vehicle diagnostics from an automobile via a RF transceiver
`integrated with the vehicle diagnostics bus to a local trans-
`ceiver that further transmits the vehicle information through a
`local gateway onto a WAN.
`It will be further appreciated that a monitoring and control
`system consistent with the present invention may be used in a
`variety of environments. In accordance with a preferred
`embodiment, a control system such as that illustrated in FIG.
`2 may be employed to monitor and control an irrigation
`system as illustrated in FIG. 8.
`Another preferred control system is illustrated in FIG. 9.
`FIG. 9 depicts a business application of a control system
`wherein the operation of a parking facility may be automated.
`As will be further appreciated from the discussion herein,
`transceivers 212, 214, 216, 222, and 224 may have substan(cid:173)
`tially identical construction (particularly with regard to their
`internal electronics), which provides a cost effective imple-
`mentation at the system level. Furthermore, a plurality of
`
`

`

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`
`US 7,468,661 B2
`
`7
`stand-alone transceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221, which may
`be identical, are disposed in such a way that adequate cover(cid:173)
`age in an industrial plant or community is provided. Prefer(cid:173)
`ably, stand-alone transceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221 may be
`dispersed sufficient that only one stand-alone transceiver will
`pick up a transmission from a given integrated transceiver
`212, 214, 216, 222, and 224 (due in part to the low power
`transmission nature of each transmitter). However, in certain
`instances two, or even more, stand-alone transceivers may
`pick up a single transmission. Thus, the local gateways 210 10
`and 220 may receive multiple versions of the same data trans(cid:173)
`mission signal from an integrated transceiver, but from dif(cid:173)
`ferent stand-alone transceivers. The local gateways 210 and
`220 may utilize this information to triangulate, or otherwise
`more particularly assess the location from which the trans- 15
`mission is originating. Due to the transmitting device identi(cid:173)
`fication that is incorporated into the transmitted signal, dupli(cid:173)
`cative transmissions (e.g., transmissions duplicated to more
`than one gateway, or to the same gateway, more than once)
`may be ignored or otherwise appropriately handled.
`In accordance with the preferred embodiment shown in
`FIG. 2, integrated transceivers 212, 214, 216, 222, and 224
`may be disposed within automobiles (see FIG. 7), a rainfall
`gauge (see FIG. 8), or a parking lot access gate (see FIG. 9) to
`monitor vehicle diagnostics, total rainfall and sprinkler sup- 25
`plied water, and access gate position, respectively. The advan(cid:173)
`tage of integrating a transceiver, as opposed to a one-way
`transmitter, into a monitoring device relates to the ability of
`the transceiver to receive incoming control signals, as
`opposed to merely transmitting data signals. Significantly, 30
`local gateways 210 and 220 may communicate with all sys(cid:173)
`tem transceivers. Since local gateways 210 and 220 are per(cid:173)
`manently integrated with WAN 230, server 260 can host
`application specific software which was typically hosted in an
`application specific local controller as shown in FIG. 1. Of 35
`further significance, the data monitoring and control devices
`of the present invention need not be disposed in a permanent
`location as long as they remain within signal range of a
`system compatible transceiver that subsequently is within
`signal range of a local gateway interconnected through one or 40
`more networks to server 260. In this regard, small application
`specific transmitters compatible with control system 200 can
`be worn or carried about one's person as will be further
`described below.
`In one embodiment, server 260 collects, formats, and
`stores client specific data from each of the integrated trans(cid:173)
`ceivers 212, 214, 216, 222, and224 for later retrieval or access
`from workstation 250 or laptop 240. In this regard, worksta(cid:173)
`tion 250 or laptop 240 can be used to access the stored infor(cid:173)
`mation through a Web browser in a manner that is well known 50
`in the art. In another embodiment, server 260 may perform the
`additional functions of hosting application specific control
`system functions and replacing the local controller by gener(cid:173)
`ating required control signals for appropriate distribution via
`WAN 230 and local gateways 210 and 211 to the system 55
`actuators. In a third embodiment, clients may elect for pro(cid:173)
`prietary reasons to host control applications on their own
`WAN connected workstation. In this regard, database 270 and
`server 260 may act solely as a data collection and reporting
`device with client workstation 250 generating control signals 60
`for the system.
`It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
`information transmitted and received by the wireless trans(cid:173)
`ceivers of the present invention may be further integrated with
`other data transmission protocols for transmission across 65
`telecommunications and computer networks other than the
`Internet. In addition, it should be further appreciated that
`
`8
`telecommunications and computer networks other than the
`Internet can function as a transmission path between the
`networked wireless transceivers, the local gateways, and the
`central server.
`Reference is now made to FIG. 3A, which is a block dia(cid:173)
`gram that illustrates the functional components of a RF trans(cid:173)
`mitter 320, of a type worn or carried by a person, in more
`detail. Blocks 327 and 329 represent physical buttons, which
`a user may actuate to cause the RF transmitter 320 to initiate
`different signal transmissions. In the illustrated embodiment,
`these include a "transmit" button 327 and a panic or "emer-
`gency" button 329. Of course, additional, fewer, or different
`buttons may be provided on a given transmitter, depending
`upon the system or implementation desired. Each of these
`buttons may be electrically wired to a data interface 321
`which is configured to receive electrical signals from buttons
`327 and 329, and ultimately convey that information to a data
`formatter 324. In one embodiment, data interface 321 may
`simply comprise an addressable port that may be read by the
`20 data formatter 324.
`For example, each of the signal lines extending between the
`buttons and the data interface 321 may be pulled up by indi(cid:173)
`vidual pull up resistors (not shown). Depressing any of the
`individual buttons may ground the electrical signal line inter(cid:173)
`connecting the respective button and the data interface 321.
`Data formatter 3 24 may constantly read from the port defined
`by data interface 321, and all bit positions should remain high
`at any given time, if no buttons are depressed. If, however, the
`data formatter 324 reads a zero in one or more of the bit
`positions, it then recognizes that one or more of the buttons
`327 and 329 have been depressed.
`Each transmitter unit may be configured to have a unique
`identification code (e.g., transmitter identification number)
`326, that uniquely identifies the transmitter to the functional
`blocks of control system 200 (see FIG. 2). This transmitter
`identification number may be electrically programmable, and
`implemented in the form of, for example, an EPROM. Alter(cid:173)
`natively, the transmitter identification number may be set/
`configured through a series of DIP switches. Additional
`implementations of the transmitter identification number,
`whereby the number may be set/configured, may be imple-
`mented consistent with the broad concepts of the present
`invention.
`Finally, an additional functional block of the transmitter
`45 320 is a RF transmitter 328. This circuit is used to convert