Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 1 of 376 PageID #: 650
`Case 1:19-cv-01365—MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 1 of 376 PageID #: 650
`
`EXHIBIT A
`
`EXHIBIT A
`
`TO COMPLAINT
`TO COMPLAINT
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 2 of 376 PageID #: 651
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`US006914893B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Petite
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,914,893 B2
`Jul. 5, 2005
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING
`AND CONTROLLING REMOTE DEVICES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Thomas D. Petite, Douglasville, GA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: StatSignal IPC, LLC, Atlanta, GA
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 824 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/812,044
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 19, 2001
`
`( 65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2003/0067889 Al Apr. 10, 2003
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`( 63) Continuation of application No. 09/704,150, filed on Nov. 1,
`2000, and a continuation-in-part of application No. 09/439,
`059, filed on Nov. 12, 1999, and a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 09/412,895, filed on Oct. 5, 1999, and a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/271,517, filed on
`Mar. 18, 1999, and a continuation-in-part of application No.
`09/172,554, filed on Oct. 14, 1998, and a continuation-in(cid:173)
`part of application No. 09/102,178, filed on Jun. 22, 1998
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/224,043, filed on Aug. 9,
`2000.
`
`Int. Cl.7 .................................................. H04Q 7/24
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 370/338; 370/310; 370/328;
`370/401
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 370/338, 310,
`370/310.2, 312, 313, 315, 328, 400, 401
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,604,869 A *
`5,619,192 A
`5,897,607 A
`5,963,650 A
`6,087,957 A
`6,246,677 Bl
`6,362,745 Bl *
`6,366,217 Bl
`6,735,630 Bl *
`
`2/1997
`4/1997
`4/1999
`10/1999
`7/2000
`6/2001
`3/2002
`4/2002
`5/2004
`
`............ 709/232
`Mincher et al.
`Ayala ... ... ... ... ... .. ... 340/870.02
`Jenney et al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 702/62
`Simionescu et al. .......... 380/49
`Gray . ... ... ... ... ... .. ... 340/825.54
`Nap et al. ................... 370/346
`Davis ......................... 340/637
`Cunningham et al. . 340/870.31
`Gelvin et al. ............... 709/224
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner---Phirin Sam
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Troutman Sanders LLP;
`Ryan A Schneider; James Hunt Yancey, Jr.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present system is directed to a computerized system for
`monitoring and controlling remote devices by transmitting
`data between the remote systems and a gateway interface via
`a packet message protocol system. The system comprises
`one or more remote sensors to be read and possibly one or
`more actuators to be remotely controlled. The remote sensor
`(s)/actuator(s) then interface with uniquely identified remote
`transceivers that transmit and/or receive data. If necessary in
`individual applications, signal repeaters may relay informa(cid:173)
`tion between the transceiver(s) and the gateway interface.
`Communication links between the remote transceivers and
`the gateway interface are preferably wireless but may also
`be implemented via a mixture of wireless and wired com(cid:173)
`munication links. To successfully communicate between the
`transceiver(s) and the gateway interface, the present inven(cid:173)
`tion receives a plurality of RF signal transmissions contain(cid:173)
`ing a packet protocol via RF signals that includes sender and
`receiver identifiers, a description of the packet itself, a
`message number, any commands, the data, and an error
`detector. In addition, the packet protocol can be easily
`integrated with alternate data communication protocols for
`use with systems other than the Internet.
`
`5,590,179 A
`
`12/1996 Shincovich et al.
`
`........ 379/107
`
`44 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`Workstation
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 3 of 376 PageID #: 652
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 5, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 6,914,893 B2
`
`Actuator ·1 I
`
`<I--·
`
`..
`
`JF'
`
`112
`Sensor I
`..
`Actuator
`
`111
`Sensor/
`Actuator
`
`..
`
`~
`
`100/
`
`114
`Sensor/
`
`113
`Sensor/
`Actuator
`
`115
`Sensor/
`Actuator
`"
`
`" ,.
`
`" ..
`
`116
`Sensor/
`Actuator
`"
`I
`
`•
`
`117
`Sensor I
`Actuator
`
`Local
`Controller
`
`.-110
`
`120
`
`Central
`Controller
`
`FIG. 1
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 4 of 376 PageID #: 653
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 5, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 6,914,893 B2
`
`Transceiver
`
`Sensor/
`Actuator
`214
`
`Transceiver
`Sensor I
`Actuator
`
`212
`
`Data
`
`Transceiver
`
`205
`
`Transceiver
`
`Sensor/
`Actuator
`222
`
`Transceiver
`
`210
`
`220
`
`Local Gateway
`
`240
`
`Laptop
`computer
`250
`
`D
`
`Workstation
`
`FIG. 2
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 5 of 376 PageID #: 654
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 5, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 6,914,893 B2
`
`Transceiver
`1.0.
`
`330
`Function
`Code
`
`323
`
`340
`
`328
`
`RF
`Transceiver
`
`310
`
`Sensor
`
`321
`
`Data
`Interface
`
`324
`
`r>
`
`"
`
`
`
`Data
`Controller
`
`326
`
`Transceiver
`l.D.
`
`FIG.3
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 6 of 376 PageID #: 655
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 5, 2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 6,914,893 B2
`
`Transmitter
`ID
`
`450
`
`Function
`Code
`
`400
`
`Sensor
`
`440
`
`10
`
`05
`
`Transmitter
`Controller
`
`420
`
`Data
`Interface
`
`Data
`Controller
`
`425
`
`430
`
`Transmitter
`ID
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 7 of 376 PageID #: 656
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 5, 2005
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 6,914,893 B2
`
`Transceiver
`l.D.
`
`60
`Function
`Code
`
`510
`
`550
`
`Sensor
`
`30
`
`RF
`Transceiver
`Controller
`
`25
`
`Data
`Interface
`
`I--+-~~~~~~~--
`
`Data
`Controller
`
`35
`
`40
`
`Transceiver
`l.D.
`
`Actuator
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 8 of 376 PageID #: 657
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 5, 2005
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 6,914,893 B2
`
`Transceiver
`ID (I)
`
`Function
`Code (I)
`
`Transceiver
`ID (X)
`
`Function
`Code (X)
`
`656
`
`655
`
`Identify
`Remote
`Transceiver
`
`660
`
`Identify
`Intermediate
`Transceiver
`
`610
`
`600
`
`615
`
`RF
`Transceiver
`
`Look-Up
`Table(s}
`
`650
`
`CPU
`
`620
`
`Network
`Card
`
`DSL
`Modem
`
`ISDN
`
`630
`
`635
`
`640
`
`TCP/IP
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 9 of 376 PageID #: 658
`
`d •
`\JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`FIG. 7 Message Structure
`
`Msg.
`To Addr. rrom Addr. Pkt. No.I Pkt. Max. Pkt. Lngthj Num.
`(1-6)
`(6)
`(1)
`(1)
`(1)
`(1)
`
`Cmd. Data
`(0-109)
`(1)
`
`CkH
`(1)
`
`CkL
`(1)
`
`I
`
`.
`
`700
`
`'-710
`
`'-720
`
`'-730
`
`'-740
`
`'-750
`
`'-760
`
`'-770
`
`\780
`
`\.790
`
`~Ul
`
`~ = :-
`N c c
`
`Ul
`
`'Jl =-~
`~ ......
`-..J
`0 ......,
`\C
`
`e
`rJ'J.
`-..a-..
`\0
`lo-"
`.i;;..
`~
`\0
`~
`~
`N
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 10 of 376 PageID #: 659
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 5, 2005
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 6,914,893 B2
`
`FIG. 8
`
`"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
`
`Byte 3
`Mfg./Owner
`Extension ID
`
`Byte 4
`
`FF-FO (16) - Broadcast all Devices (Byte 1 Type)
`(2 Byte Broadcast Address)
`EF-00 (240) - Mfg./Owner Code Identification Number
`
`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
`--------------------------------------
`FF-FO (16) - Broadcast all Devices (Byte 1 & Byte 2 Type}
`(4 Byte Broadcast Address)
`EF-00 (240) - ID Number
`
`Byte5
`
`Byte6
`
`(FF-00} 256 - Identification Number
`
`(FF-00) 256 - Identification Number
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 11 of 376 PageID #: 660
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 5, 2005
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 6,914,893 B2
`
`Sample Messages
`
`Central Server to Personal Transceiver - Broadcast Message - FF (Emergency)
`
`Byte Count= 12
`
`910
`
`o Addr. From Addr. Pkt. No. Pkt. Max. Pkt. Lngth Cmd.
`(FF)
`(12345678)
`(00)
`(00)
`(OC)
`(FF)
`
`CkH CkL
`(02)
`(9E)
`
`First Transceiver to Repeater (Transceiver)
`Broadcast Message - FF (Emergency)
`Byte Count= 17
`
`/'.
`
`-920
`
`To Addr
`(FO)
`
`CkH CkL
`From Addr Pkt. No. Pkt. Max. Pkt. Lngth Cmd.
`(00)
`(03)
`(12345678)
`(00)
`(11)
`(FF)
`(AO)
`~
`Data
`(A000123456)
`
`Note: Additional Transceiver Re-Broadcasts do not change the message.
`The messages are simply received and re-broadcast.
`
`Message to Device "AO" From Device "E1" Command - "08" (Respond to PING)
`Response will reverse "To" and "From" Addresses
`(;
`930
`From Addr. P# P Max. P Lngth Cmd. Data CkH CkL
`(E112345678)
`(00)
`(08)
`(00)
`(11)
`(67)
`(AS) (04)
`
`To Addr.
`(A012345678)
`
`Byte Count = 17
`
`FIG. 9
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 12 of 376 PageID #: 661
`
`US 6,914,893 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING
`AND CONTROLLING REMOTE DEVICES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`5
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/704,150, filed Nov. 1, 2000, and
`entitled "System and Method for Monitoring and Control(cid:173)
`ling Residential Devices"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`09/271,517; filed Mar. 18, 1999, and entitled, "System For
`Monitoring Conditions in a Residential Living Commu(cid:173)
`nity;" Ser. No. 09/439,059, filed Nov. 12, 1999, and entitled,
`"System and Method for Monitoring and Controlling
`Remote Devices," and Ser. No. 09/102,178; filed Jun. 22, 15
`1998, entitled, "Multi-Function General Purpose Trans-
`ceiver;" Ser. No. 09/172,554; filed Oct. 14, 1998, entitled,
`"System for Monitoring the Light Level Around an ATM;"
`Ser. No. 09/412,895; filed Oct. 5, 1999, entitled, "System
`and Method for Monitoring the Light Level Around an
`ATM." Each of the identified U.S. patent applications is
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This appli(cid:173)
`cation also claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application
`Ser. No. 60/224,043, filed Aug. 9, 2000, and entitled "SOS
`OEA Packet Message Protocol (RF)", the contents of which 25
`are also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`
`20
`
`2
`More particularly, a prior art control system 100 includes a
`plurality of sensor/actuators 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 and
`117 electrically and physically 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 public switched tele-
`10 phone network (PSTN) 120 to a central controller 130.
`Central controller 130 can also serve as a technician moni(cid:173)
`toring station and/or forward alarm conditions via PSTN 120
`to appropriate officials.
`Prior art control systems similar to that of FIG. 1 require
`the development and installation of an application-specific
`local system controller. In addition, each local system
`requires the direct coupling of electrical conductors to each
`sensor and actuator to the local system controller. Such prior
`art control systems are typically augmented with a central
`controller 130 that may be networked to the local controller
`110 via PSTN 120. As a result, prior art control systems
`often are susceptible to a single point of failure if local
`controller 110 goes out of service. Also, appropriately wiring
`an existing industrial plant can be a dangerous and expen(cid:173)
`sive proposition.
`Accordingly, there is a need for monitoring and control
`systems that overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention generally relates to remotely oper(cid:173)
`ated systems, and more particularly to a computerized 30
`system for monitoring, controlling and reporting on remote
`systems by transferring information via radio frequency
`(RF) signals by a message protocol system.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`There are a variety of systems for monitoring and con(cid:173)
`trolling manufacturing processes, inventory systems, emer(cid:173)
`gency control systems, etc. 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
`sensor outputs, to model system responses, and to control
`actuators that implement process corrections within the
`system. Both the electric power generation and metallurgical
`processing industries successfully control production pro(cid:173)
`cesses by implementing computer control systems in indi(cid:173)
`vidual plants.
`For example, many environmental and safety systems
`require real-time monitoring. Heating, ventilation, and air(cid:173)
`conditioning systems (HVAC), fire reporting and suppres(cid:173)
`sion systems, alarm systems, and access control systems
`utilize real-time monitoring and often require immediate
`feedback and control.
`A problem with expanding the use of control system
`technology is the cost of the sensor/actuator infrastructure
`required to monitor and control such systems. The typical
`approach to implementing control system technology
`includes installing a local network of hard-wired sensor(s)/
`actuator(s) and a local controller. There are expenses asso- 60
`ciated with developing and installing the appropriate sensor
`(s)/actuator(s) and connecting functional sensor(s)/actuator
`(s) with the local controller. Another prohibitive cost of
`control systems is the installation and operational expenses
`associated with the local controller.
`FIG. 1 sets forth a block diagram illustrating certain
`fundamental components of a prior art control system 100.
`
`65
`
`The present invention is directed to a system and method
`of monitoring and controlling remote devices. More
`specifically, the present system is directed to a computerized
`system for monitoring and controlling remote devices by
`35 transmitting data between the remote systems and a gateway
`interface via a packet message protocol system.
`The system comprises one or more remote sensors to be
`read and possibly one or more actuators to be remotely
`controlled. The remote sensor(s)/actuator(s) then interface
`40 with uniquely identified remote transceivers that transmit
`and/or receive data. If necessary in individual applications,
`signal repeaters may relay information between the
`transceiver(s) and the gateway interface. Communication
`links between the remote transceivers and the gateway
`45 interface are preferably wireless but may also be imple(cid:173)
`mented via a mixture of wireless and wired communication
`links.
`To successfully communicate between the transceiver(s)
`and the gateway interface, the present invention receives a
`50 plurality of RF signal transmissions containing a packet
`protocol via RF signals that includes sender and receiver
`identifiers, a description of the packet itself, a message
`number, any commands, the data, and an error detector. In
`addition, the packet protocol can be easily integrated with
`55 alternate data communication protocols for use with systems
`other than the Internet.
`Also, the present invention can be easily integrated into an
`existing control system via networked wireless transceivers.
`Distinct control signals from the pre-existing system are
`easily mapped into the packet protocol. This allows the
`present invention to be integrated into a pre-existing control
`system easily and inexpensively.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming
`a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the
`
`

`

`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 13 of 376 PageID #: 662
`
`US 6,914,893 B2
`
`5
`
`3
`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. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a transceiver in
`accordance with the present invention integrated with a
`sensor;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a transmitter in 10
`accordance with the present invention integrated with a
`sensor;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a transceiver in
`accordance with the present invention integrated with a
`sensor and an actuator;
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a local gateway in
`accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a table illustrating the message protocol of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a table illustrating various "to" addresses; and
`FIG. 9 illustrates three sample messages using the mes(cid:173)
`sage protocol of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IBE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`4
`log detector, in combination with digital automatic gain
`control (AGC) provide robust performance in the presence
`of channel noise or interference. Two stages of surface
`acoustic wave (SAW) filtering provide excellent receiver
`out-of-band rejection. The transmitter includes provisions
`for both on-off keyed (OOK) and amplitude-shift key (ASK)
`modulation. The transmitter employs SAW filtering to sup(cid:173)
`press output harmonics, for compliance with FCC and other
`regulations.
`Additional details of the TRlOOO transceiver need not be
`described herein, because the present invention is not lim(cid:173)
`ited by the particular choice of transceiver. Indeed, numer(cid:173)
`ous RF transceivers may be implemented in accordance with
`the teachings of the present invention. Such other transceiv-
`15 ers may include other 900 MHz transceivers, as well as
`transceivers at other frequencies. In addition
`infrared
`ultrasonic, and other types of wireless transceiv~rs may b~
`employed, consistent with the broad scope of the present
`invention. Further details of the TRlOOO transceiver may be
`20 obtained through data sheets, application notes, design
`guides (e.g., the "ASH Transceiver Designers Guide"), and
`other publications known by those skilled in the art.
`The control system 200 also can include a plurality of
`stand-alone transceivers 211, 213, 215 and 221. Each of the
`25 stand-alone transceivers 211, 213, 215 and 221 and each of
`the integrated transceiver 212, 214, 216, 222, and 224 can
`receive an incoming RF transmission and transmit an out(cid:173)
`going signal. This outgoing signal may be another low
`power RF transmission signal, a higher power RF transmis-
`sion signal, or together with alternative embodiments may
`be transmitted over a conductive wire, a fiber optic cable, or
`other transmission media. It will be appreciated by those
`skilled in the art that the integrated transceivers 212 214
`216, 222 and 224 can be replaced by RF transmitter~ (no~
`shown) for client specific applications that require continu-
`ous data collection only.
`The local gateways 210 and 220 can receive remote data
`transmissions from one or more of the stand-alone trans-
`40 ceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221 or one or more of the
`integrated transceivers 212, 214, 216, 222, and 224. The
`local gateways 210 and 220 analyze the transmissions
`received, convert the transmissions into TCP/IP format, and
`further communicate the remote data signal transmissions
`45 via the WAN 230. In this regard, the local gateways 210 and
`220 may communicate information, service requests, control
`signals, etc. to the remote integrated transceivers 212, 214,
`216, 222, and 224, from the server 260, the laptop computer
`240, and/or the workstation 250 across the WAN 230. The
`50 server 260 can be further networked with the database server
`270 to record client specific data. Further information
`regarding the integration of the invention into the WAN can
`be found in the commonly assigned U.S. utility patent
`application entitled, "System and Method for Monitoring
`and Controlling Residential Devices," issued Ser. No.
`09/704,150.
`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 one of the local gateways 210
`or 220 such that the integrated transceiver's outgoing signal
`can be received by a gateway, the outgoing signal need not
`be processed and repeated through one of the stand-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
`accordance with a preferred embodiment, a monitoring
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Having summarized the invention above, reference is now
`made in detail to the description of the invention as illus(cid:173)
`trated 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, modifi(cid:173)
`cations and equivalents included within the spirit and scope
`of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
`FIG. 2 sets forth a block diagram that illustrates an
`embodiment of a control system in accordance with the
`present invention. The control system 200 may consist of
`one or more transceivers. An exemplary transceiver 205 can
`be integrated with a sensor 224 to form a first combination.
`A second transceiver 207 can be integrated with an actuator
`222 to form a second combination. The transceivers 205,
`207 may preferably be wireless RF 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 205, 207 may be relatively
`limited. As will be appreciated from the description that
`follows, this relatively limited transmission range of the
`transceivers 205, 207 can be a desirable characteristic of the
`control system 200. Although the transceivers 205, 207 are
`depicted without user interfaces such as a keypad (not
`shown), the transceivers 205, 207 may be configured with
`user selectable buttons or an alphanumeric keypad (not
`shown). Often, the transceivers 205, 207 can be electrically
`interfaced with a sensor/actuator 222 such as a smoke
`detector, a thermostat, a security system, etc., where external
`buttons are not needed.
`It is significant to note that one or more specific types of
`RF transceivers may be used with the present invention. For
`example, one RF transceiver that may be used is the
`TRlOOO, manufactured by RF Monolithics, Inc. The 60
`TRlOOO hybrid transceiver is well suited for short range,
`wireless data applications where robust operation, small
`size, low power consumption, and low-cost are desired. All
`critical RF functions may be performed within a single
`hybrid semi-conductor chip, simplifying circuit design and 65
`accelerating the design-in process. The receiver section of
`the TRlOOO is sensitive and stable. A wide dynamic range
`
`55
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`US 6,914,893 B2
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`5
`system such as that illustrated in FIG. 2 may be employed
`to monitor and record utility usage by residential and
`industrial customers, to transfer vehicle diagnostics from an
`automobile via a RF transceiver integrated with the vehicle
`diagnostics bus to a local transceiver that further transmits 5
`the vehicle information through a local gateway onto a
`WAN, to monitor and control an irrigation system, to
`automate a parking facility, etc. Further information regard(cid:173)
`ing these individual applications can be found in the com(cid:173)
`monly assigned U. S. utility patent application entitled,
`"System and Method for Monitoring and Controlling Resi(cid:173)
`dential Devices," issued Ser. No. 09/704,150.
`The integrated transceivers 212, 214, 215, 222, and 224
`may have substantially identical construction (particularly
`with regard to their internal electronics), which provides a 15
`cost-effective implementation at the system level.
`Alternatively, the transceivers (integrated or stand-alone)
`can differ as known to one of ordinary skill in the art as
`necessitated by individual design constraints. Furthermore, a
`plurality of stand-alone transceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221, 20
`which may be identical, may be disposed in such a way that
`adequate RF coverage is provided. Preferably, the stand(cid:173)
`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, 25
`216, 222, and 224 (due in part to the low power transmission
`typically emitted by each transmitter).
`However, in certain instances, two, or even more, stand(cid:173)
`alone transceivers may pick up a single transmission. Thus,
`the local gateways 210 and 220 may receive multiple
`versions of the same data transmission from an integrated
`transceiver but from different 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 common data transmission is originating.
`Due to the transmitting device identifier incorporated within
`the preferred protocol in the transmitted signal, duplicative
`transmissions (e.g., transmissions duplicated to more than
`one gateway or to the same gateway) may be ignored or
`otherwise appropriately handled.
`The advantage of integrating a transceiver, as opposed to
`a one-way transmitter, with the sensor is the transceiver's
`ability to receive incoming control signals and to transmit
`data signals upon demand. Significantly, the local gateways
`210 and 220 may communicate with all system transceivers.
`Since the local gateways 210 and 220 are permanently
`integrated with the WAN 230, the server 260 communica(cid:173)
`tively coupled with the WAN 230 can host application
`specific software. Further, the data monitoring and control
`devices of the present invention are movable as necessary 50
`given that they remain within signal range of a stand-alone
`transceiver 211, 213, 215, or 221 that subsequently is within
`signal range of a local gateway 210, 220 interconnected
`through one or more networks to server 260. As such, small
`application specific transmitters compatible with control 55
`system 200 can be worn or carried about one's person. It will
`be appreciated that a person so equipped may be in com(cid:173)
`munication with any device communicatively coupled with
`the WAN 230.
`In one embodiment, the server 260 collects, formats, and
`stores client specific data from each of the integrated trans(cid:173)
`ceivers 212, 214, 216, 222, and 224 for later retrieval or
`access from the workstation 250 or the laptop 240. In this
`regard, the workstation 250 or the laptop 240 can be used to
`access the stored information through a Web browser in a 65
`manner that is well known in the art. In another embodiment,
`the server 260 may perform the additional functions of
`
`6
`hosting application specific control system functions and
`replacing the local controller by generating required control
`signals for appropriate distribution via the WAN 230 and the
`local gateways 210, 220 to the system actuators. In a third
`embodiment, clients may elect for proprietary reasons to
`host any control applications on their own WAN connected
`workstation. In this regard, the database 270 and the server
`260 may act solely as a data collection and reporting device
`with the client workstation 250 generating control signals
`for the system. Further information can be found in the
`commonly assigned U.S. utility patent application entitled,
`"System and Method for Monitoring and Controlling Resi(cid:173)
`dential Devices," issued Ser. No. 09/704,150.
`Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a block
`diagram illustrating certain functional blocks of a trans(cid:173)
`ceiver 340 that may be integrated with sensor 310. For
`example, sensor 310 in its simplest form could be a two-state
`device such as a smoke alarm. Alternatively, the sensor 310
`may output a continuous range of values to the data interface
`321 such as a thermometer. If the signal output from the
`sensor 310 is an analog signal, the data interface 321 may
`include an analog-to-digital converter (not shown) to con(cid:173)
`vert signals output to the transceiver 340. Alternatively, a
`digital interface (communicating digital signals) may exist
`between the data interface 321 and each sensor 310.
`In FIG. 3, the sensor 310 may be communicatively
`coupled with the RF transceiver 340. The RF transceiver 340
`may comprise a RF transceiver controller 328, a data inter(cid:173)
`face 321, a data controller 324, a transceiver identificatier
`30 326, and an antenna 328. As is shown in FIG. 3, a data signal
`forwarded from the sensor 310 may be received at an input
`port of the data interface 321. The data interface 321 may be
`configured to receive the data signal. In those situations
`where the data interface has received an analog data signal,
`35 the data interface 321 may be configured to convert the
`analog signal into a digital signal before forwarding a digital
`representation of the data signal to the data controller 324.
`In accordance with a preferred embodiment, each trans-
`40 ceiver 324 may be configured with a unique transceiver
`identification 326 that uniquely identifies the RF transceiver
`340. The transceiver identification 326 may be
`programmable, and implemented in the form of, for
`example, an EPROM. Alternatively, the transceiver identi-
`45 fication 326 may be set/configured through a series of dual
`inline package (DIP) switches. Additional implementations
`of the transceiver identification 326, whereby the number
`may be set/configured as desired, may be implemented
`consistent with the broad concepts of the present invention.
`The unique transceiver identification 326 coupled with a
`function code for a sensor "on" condition is formatted by
`data controller 324 for transformation into the RF signal 330
`by RF transmitter 328 and transmission via antenna 323.
`While the unique transceiver address can be varied within
`the scope of the invention, it preferably can be a six-byte
`address. The length of the address can be varied as necessary
`given individual design constraints. In this way, data packet
`330 communicated from transceiver 340 will readily distin(cid:173)
`guish from similar signals generated by other transceivers in
`60 the system.
`Of course, additional and/or alternative configurations
`may also be provided by a similarly configured transceiver.
`For example, a similar configuration may be provided for a
`transceiver that is integrated into, for example, a carbon
`monoxide detector, a door position sensor, etc. Alternatively,
`system parameters that vary across a range of values may be
`transmitted by transceiver 340 as long as data interface 321
`
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`Case 1:19-cv-01365-MN Document 9-1 Filed 09/25/19 Page 15 of 376 PageID #: 664
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`and data controller 324 are configured to apply a specific
`code that is consistent with the input from sensor 310. As
`long as the code was understood by the server 260 or
`workstation 250, the target parameter could be monitored
`with the present invention.
`Reference is now made to FIG. 4. Alternatively, the sensor
`400 may be communicatively coupled with the RF trans(cid:173)
`mitter 410. The RF transmitter 410 may comprise a trans(cid:173)
`mitter controller 415, a data interface 420, a data controller
`425, a transmitter identification 430, and an antenna 440. 10
`The data signal forwarded from the sensor 400 may be
`received at an input port of the data interface 420. The data
`interface 420 may be configured to receive the data signal.
`In those situations where the data interface has received an
`analog data signal, the data interface 420 may be configured 15
`to convert the analog signal into a digital signal before
`forwarding a digital representation of the data signal to the
`data controller 425.
`Each transmitter/transceiver may be configured with a
`unique transmitter identification 430 that uniquely identifies
`the RF transmitter 410. The transmitter identification num(cid:173)
`ber