SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND
`CONTROLLING REMOTE DEVICES
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS & PRIORITY CLAIMS
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`5
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`This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`
`12/337,739, entitled System and Method for Monitoring and Controlling Remote Devices and
`
`filed on 18 December 2008; which is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application Number
`
`111395,685, entitled, "System and Method for Monitoring and Controlling Remote Devices,"
`
`filed on Mar. 31,2006, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,661; which is a continuation of U.S. patent
`
`10
`
`application Ser. No. 10/139,492, entitled, "System and Method for Monitoring and Controlling
`
`Remote Devices," filed on May 6,2002 and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,053,767; which is a
`
`continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/439,059, filed on Nov. 11, 1999 and entitled
`
`"System and Method for Monitoring and Controlling Remote Devices," now U.S. Pat. No.
`
`6,437,692. U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,692 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`
`15
`
`09/271,517, filed Mar. 18, 1999 and entitled, "System for Monitoring Conditions in a Residential
`
`Living Community", which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`
`091102,178 filed Jun. 22, 1998 and entitled, "Multi-Function General Purpose Transceiver," now
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,268, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`
`09/412,895, filed Oct. 5, 1999 and entitled, "System and Method for Monitoring the Light Level
`
`20 Around an ATM," now U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,953; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`
`application Ser. No. 091172,554, filed Oct. 14, 1998 and entitled, "System for Monitoring the
`
`Light Level Around an ATM," now U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,522; and further claims the benefit of
`
`U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 601146,817, filed Aug. 2, 1999 and entitled, "System and
`
`Method for Monitoring and Controlling Residential Devices." Each of the above identified
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`25
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`applications and patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
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`Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to remotely operated systems, and
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`more particularly to a computerized system for monitoring, reporting on, and controlling remote
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`systems by transferring information signals through a wide area network (WAN) and using
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`software applications hosted on a connected server to appropriately process the information.
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`BACKGROUND
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`As is known, there are a variety of systems for monitoring and controlling manufacturing
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`processes, inventory systems, emergency control systems, and the like. Most automatic systems
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`use remote sensors and controllers to monitor and automatically respond to system parameters to
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`5
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`reach desired results. A number of control systems utilize computers to process system inputs,
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`model system responses, and control actuators to implement process corrections within the
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`system. Both the electric power generation and metallurgical processing industries have had
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`success controlling production processes by implementing computer controlled control systems
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`in individual plants.
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`One way to classify control systems is by the timing involved between subsequent
`
`monitoring occurrences. Monitoring processes can be classified as aperiodic or random, periodic,
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`and real-time. A number of remotely distributed service industries implement the monitoring and
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`controlling process steps through manual inspection and intervention.
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`A periodic monitoring systems (those that do not operate on a predetermined cycle) are
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`15
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`inherently inefficient as they require a service technician to physically traverse an area to record
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`data, repair out of order equipment, add inventory to a vending machine, and the like. Such
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`service trips are carried out in a number of industries with the associated costs being transferred
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`to the consumers of the service.
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`Conversely, utility meter monitoring, recording, and client billing are representative of a
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`20
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`periodic monitoring system. In the past, utility providers sent a technician from meter to meter
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`on a periodic basis to verify meter operation and to record utility use. One method of cutting
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`operating expenses in the utility industry involved increasing the period at which manual
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`monitoring and meter data recording was performed. While this method decreased the
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`monitoring and recording expense associated with more frequent meter observation and was
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`convenient for consumers who favor the consistent billed amounts associated with "budget
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`billing," the utility provider retained the costs associated with less frequent meter readings and
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`the processing costs associated with reconciling consumer accounts.
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`Lastly, a number of environmental and safety systems require constant or real-time
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`monitoring. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, fire reporting and damage control
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`systems, alarm systems, and access control systems are representative systems that utilize real-
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`time monitoring and often require immediate feedback and control. These real-time systems have
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`been the target of control systems theory and application thereof for some time.
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`A problem with expanding the use of control systems technology to distributed systems
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`are the costs associated with the sensor-actuator infrastructure required to monitor and control
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`functions within such systems. The typical approach to implementing control system technology
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`is to install a local network of hard-wired sensors and actuators along with a local controller. Not
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`only is there expense associated with developing and installing appropriate sensors and actuators
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`but the added expense of connecting functional sensors and controllers with the local controller.
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`Another prohibitive cost associated with applying control systems technology to distributed
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`systems is the installation and operational expense associated with the local controller.
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`Accordingly, an alternative solution to applying monitoring and control system solutions
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`to distributed systems that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art is desired.
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`SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
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`15
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`Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in
`
`the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
`
`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.
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`To achieve the advantages and novel features, the present invention is generally directed
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`to a cost effective method of monitoring and controlling remote devices. More specifically, the
`
`present invention is directed to a computerized system for monitoring, reporting, and controlling
`
`remote systems and system information transfer by transmitting information signals to a WAN
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`gateway interface and using applications on a connected server to process the information.
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`Because the applications server is integrated on a WAN, Web browsers can be used by anyone
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`with Internet access (and the appropriate access permissions) to view and download the recorded
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`data.
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`In accordance with a broad aspect of the invention, a system is provided having one or
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`more sensors to be read and/or actuators to be controlled remotely, ultimately through a
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`computer on the Internet. The sensors and/or actuators are interfaced with wireless transceivers
`
`that transmit and/or receive data to and from the Internet. In this regard, additional wireless
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`transceivers may relay information between the transceivers disposed in connection with the
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`sensors and actuators and a gateway to the Internet. It should be appreciated that, a portion of the
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`information communicated includes data that uniquely identifies the sensors and/or actuators.
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`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system is configured to monitor and
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`report system parameters. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless
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`transceivers. At least one wireless transceiver is interfaced with a sensor, transducer, actuator or
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`some other device associated with the application parameter of interest. In this regard, the term
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`"parameter" is broadly construed and may include, but is not limited to, a system alarm
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`condition, a system process variable, an operational condition, etc. The system also includes a
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`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
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`each transceiver is known to a central computer. The central computer may be informed of
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`transceiver physical locations after permanent installation, as the installation location of the
`
`transceivers is not limited. Each transceiver that serves to repeat a previously generated data
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`signal may be further integrated with its own unique sensor or a sensor actuator combination as
`
`required. Additional transceivers may be configured as stand-alone devices that serve to simply
`
`receive, format, and further transmit system data signals. Further, the system includes a local
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`data formatter that is configured to receive information communicated from the transceivers,
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`format the data, and forward the data via the gateway to one or more servers interconnected with
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`the WAN. The server further includes means for evaluating the received information and
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`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
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`particular embodiment or configuration. Preferably, these "means" will be implemented in
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`software that is executed by a processor within a server integrated with the Internet. However,
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`dedicated W ANs or Intranets are suitable backbones for implementing defined system data
`
`transfer functions consistent with the invention.
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`In one embodiment, a client retrieves configured system data by accessing an Internet
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`30 Web site. In such an embodiment, a system consistent with the present invention acts as a data
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`collector and formatter with data being delivered upon client request, with availability twenty(cid:173)
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`four hours a day, seven days a week.
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`In more robust embodiments, a system can be configured to collect, format, and deliver
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`client application specific information on a periodic basis to predetermined client nodes on the
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`5 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
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`client application specific processes by replacing a local control computer with a WAN
`
`interfaced server and integrating system specific actuators with the aforementioned system
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`10
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`transceivers.
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`It should be further appreciated that the information transmitted and received by the
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`wireless transceivers may be further integrated with other data transmission protocols for
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`transmission across telecommunications and computer networks other than the Internet. In
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`addition, it should be further appreciated that telecommunications and computer networks other
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`15
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`than the Internet can function as a transmission path between the networked wireless
`
`transceivers, the local gateways, and the central server.
`
`In yet a further embodiment, a system can be configured using the present invention to
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`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
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`tap into the data stream of an existing control system. Distinct control system signals may be
`
`mapped to function codes used by the present invention in order to provide customer access to
`
`control system data. In this way, the system of the present invention can be integrated with
`
`present data collection and system controllers inexpensively, as customers will only have to add
`
`a data translator and a wireless transmitter or transceiver as the application demands. By
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`25
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`integrating the present invention with the data stream generated by present monitoring and
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`control systems, potential customers enjoy the benefits of the present invention without the
`
`difficulties associated with integrating sensors and actuators to monitor individual system
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`parameters.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
`
`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:
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`5
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`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 integrated in a portable device with user operable buttons that trigger data
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`10
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`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 sensor and an actuator;
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`15
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`FIG. 3D is a functional block diagram further illustrating the transceiver of FIG. 3C as
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`applied to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system controller;
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`FIG. 3E is a functional block diagram illustrating the combination of the transceiver of
`
`FIG. 3D with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver;
`
`FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram that illustrates the functional components of a local
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`20 WAN gateway constructed in accordance with the invention;
`
`FI G. 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 collection or monitoring);
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`25
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`FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating another data monitoring and reporting application
`
`consistent with the present invention;
`
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a third client specific 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
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`business application;
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`FIG. 10 is a block diagram further illustrating the present invention as deployed in a
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`plurality of business applications;
`
`FIG. 11 is a table illustrating the message protocol of the present invention;
`
`FIG. 12 illustrates three sample messages using the message protocol of the present
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`5
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`invention;
`
`FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the system of the present invention integrated with
`
`the local controller of FIG. 1; and
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`FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the system of the present invention integrated with
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`a mobile inventory unit.
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`10
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED & ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
`
`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
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`15
`
`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, which is a block diagram
`
`illustrating certain fundamental components ofa prior art control system 100. More particularly,
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`20
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`a prior art control system 100 includes a plurality of sensor actuators 111, 112, 113, 114, 115,
`
`116, and 117 electrically 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
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`25
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`public switched telephone network (PSTN) 120 to a central controller 130. Central controller 130
`
`can be further configured 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-specific local system controller, as well as, the routing of
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`30
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`electrical conductors to each sensor and actuator as the application requires. Such prior art
`
`control systems are typically augmented with a central controller 130 that may be networked to
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`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 require electrical coupling between the local controller
`
`and system sensors and actuators. As a result, appropriately wiring an existing industrial plant
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`5
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`can be a dangerous and expensive proposition.
`
`Having described a prior art control system and delineated 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
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`10
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`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 relatively limited transmission range of the transceivers is an advantageous and
`
`desirable characteristic of control system 200. Although the transceivers are depicted without a
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`15
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`user interface such as a keypad, in certain embodiments of the invention the transceivers may be
`
`configured with user selectable buttons or an alphanumeric keypad. Often, the transceivers will
`
`be electrically interfaced with a sensor or actuator, such as a smoke detector, a thermostat, a
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`security system, etc., where external buttons are not needed.
`
`Control system 200 also includes a plurality of stand-alone transceivers 211,213,215,
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`20
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`and 221. Each stand-alone transceiver 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 signal, a higher power RF
`
`transmission signal, or alternatively may be transmitted over a conductive wire, fiber optic cable,
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`25
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`or other transmission media. The internal architecture of a transceiver integrated with a
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`sensor/actuator 212 and a stand-alone transceiver 211 will be discussed in more detail in
`
`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.
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`30
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`Local gateways 210 and 220 are configured and disposed to receive remote data
`
`transmissions from the various stand-alone transceivers 211,213,215, and 221 or integrated
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`transceivers 212,214,216,222, and 224 having an RF signal output level sufficient to
`
`adequately transmit a formatted data signal to the gateways. Local gateways 210 and 220 analyze
`
`the transmissions received, convert the transmissions into TCPIIP format and further
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`communicate the remote data signal transmissions via WAN 230. In this regard, and as will be
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`5
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`further described below, local gateways 210 and 220 may communicate information, service
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`requests, control signals, etc. to remote sensor/actuatortransceiver combinations 212,214,216,
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`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 specific data.
`
`It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that if an integrated transceiver (either of
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`10
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`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-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
`
`15
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`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 customers as illustrated in FIG.
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`6. Another preferred monitoring system is illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 depicts the transfer of
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`vehicle diagnostics from an automobile via a RF transceiver integrated with the vehicle
`
`diagnostics bus to a local transceiver that further transmits the vehicle information through a
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`20
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`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
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`25
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`illustrated in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 depicts a business application ofa 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,
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`222, and 224 may have substantially identical construction (particularly with regard to their
`
`internal electronics), which provides a cost effective implementation at the system level.
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`30
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`Furthermore, a plurality of stand-alone transceivers 211, 213, 215, and 221, which may be
`
`identical, are disposed in such a way that adequate coverage in an industrial plant or community
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`is provided. Preferably, 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
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`5
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`transceivers may pick up a single transmission. Thus, the local gateways 210 and 220 may
`
`receive multiple versions of the same data transmission signal 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
`
`transmission is originating. Due to the transmitting device identification that is incorporated into
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`10
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`the transmitted signal, duplicative 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
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`212,214,216,222, and 224 may be disposed within automobiles (see FIG. 7), a rainfall gauge
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`15
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`(see FIG. 8), or a parking lot access gate (see FIG. 9) to monitor vehicle diagnostics, total rainfall
`
`and sprinkler supplied water, and access gate position, respectively. The advantage of integrating
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`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, local gateways 210 and 220 may communicate with all system
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`20
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`transceivers. Since local gateways 210 and 220 are permanently 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 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
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`25
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`signal range of a local gateway interconnected through one or 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 transceivers 212,214,216,222, and 224 for later retrieval or access from
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`30 workstation 250 or laptop 240. In this regard, workstation 250 or laptop 240 can be used to
`
`access the stored information through a Web browser in a manner that is well known in the art.
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`In another embodiment, server 260 may perform the additional functions of hosting application
`
`specific control system functions and replacing the local controller by generating required
`
`control signals for appropriate distribution via WAN 230 and local gateways 210 and 211 to the
`
`system actuators. In a third embodiment, clients may elect for proprietary reasons to host control
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`5
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`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 for the system.
`
`It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the information transmitted and
`
`received by the wireless transceivers of the present invention may be further integrated with
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`10
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`other data transmission protocols for transmission across telecommunications and computer
`
`networks other than the Internet. In addition, it should be further appreciated that
`
`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.
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`15
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`Reference is now made to FIG. 3A, which is a block diagram that illustrates the
`
`functional components of a RF transmitter 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 "emergency" button 329. Of course, additional,
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`20
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`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 data formatter 324.
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`25
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`For example, each of the signal lines extending between the buttons and the data interface
`
`321 may be pulled up by individual pull up resistors (not shown). Depressing any of the
`
`individual buttons may ground the electrical signal line interconnecting the respective button and
`
`the data interface 321. Data formatter 324 may constantly read from the port defined by data
`
`interface 321, and all bit positions should remain high at any given time, ifno buttons are
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`30
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`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.
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`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.
`
`5 Alternatively, the transmitter identification number may be set/configured through a series of
`
`DIP switches. Additional implementations of the transmitter identification number, whereby the
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`number may be set/configured, may be implemented consistent with the broad concepts of the
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`present invention.
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`Finally, an additional functional block of the transmitter 320 is a RF transmitter 328. This
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`10
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`circuit is used to convert information from digital electronic form into a format, frequency, and
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`voltage level suitable for transmission from antenna 323 via an RF transmission medium.
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`The data formatter 324 operates to format concise data packets 330 that may be
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`transmitted via RF to a nearby transceiver. From a substantive basis, the information conveyed
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`includes a function code, as well as, a transmitter identification number. As previously
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`15 mentioned, the transmitter identification number is set for a given transmitter 320. When
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`received by server 260 (see FIG. 2), the transmitter identification number may be used to access
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`a look up table that identifies, for example, the person assigned to carry that particular
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`transmitter. Additional information about the person may also be provided within the lookup
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`table, such as, a physical description, and/or any other information that may be deemed
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`20
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`appropriate or useful under the circumstances or implementation of the particular system.
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`In addition, a function code is communicated from RF transmitter 320 to the nearby
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`transceiver. FIG. 3A illustrates a lookup table 325 that may be provided in connection with data
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`formatter 324. Lookup table 325 may be provided to assign a given and unique function code for
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`each button pressed. For example, transmit button 327 may be assigned a first code to identify
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`25
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`the party depressing the button. The emergency button 329 may be assigned a second code.
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`Furthermore, additional codes may be provided as necessary to accommodate additional
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`functions or features of a given transmitter 320. Thus, in operation, a user may depress the
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`emergency button 329, which is detected by the data formatter 324. The data formatter 324 may
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`then use the information pertaining to the emergency button 329 to access a look up table 325 to
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`30
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`retrieve a code that is uniquely assigned to emergency button 329. The data formatter 324 may
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`2071830-1
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`12
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`also retrieve the pre-configured transmitter identification number 326 in configuring a data
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`packet 330 for communication via RF signals to a nearby transceiver.
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`Reference is now made briefly to FIG. 3B, which is a block diagram illustrating certain
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`functional blocks ofa similar transmitter 340 that may be integrated with sensor 310. For
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`5
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`example, sensor 310 in its simplest form could be a two-state device such as a smoke alarm.
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`Alternatively, the sensor 310 may output a continuous range of values to the data interface 321.
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`If the signal output from the sensor 310 is an analog signal, the data interface 321 may include an
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`analog-to-digital converter (not shown) to convert signals output to the actuator 340.
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`Alternatively, a digital interface (communicating digital signals) may exist between the data
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`10
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`interface 321 and each sensor 310.
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`As illustrated, many of the components ofR