I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII 111111111111111111
`US007746887B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`McFarland
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,746,887 B2
`Jun.29,2010
`
`(54) DYNAMIC VALUE REPORTING FOR
`WIRELESS AUTOMATED SYSTEMS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Norman R. McFarland, Palantine, IL
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc., Alpharetta, GA
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1112 days.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2003/0174070 Al * 9/2003 Garrod et al.
`2005/0078672 Al
`4/2005 Caliskan
`
`340/870.07
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Lester Kincaid
`Assistant Examiner-Phuoc Doan
`(7 4) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Thomas J. Burton
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/402,743
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 12, 2006
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2007 /0242688 Al
`
`Oct. 18, 2007
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04L 121413
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................................... 370/455; 370/316
`(58) Field of Classification Search ....................... None
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`A wireless automation device monitors a condition and wire(cid:173)
`lessly reports an event over an automation network in
`response to detecting a change in the condition. The condition
`is sampled at a variable periodic interval, and the event
`reported during intervals when a change in the condition is
`determined. The change may be determined according to
`detecting a value for the condition outside a variable range.
`The change may also be determined according to detecting
`differences in the value from values detected in prior inter(cid:173)
`vals. The range and the periodic interval may vary according
`to an analysis of multiple samples of the condition.
`
`21 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`100
`
`)
`
`MLN
`
`113
`
`102
`
`112
`
`Device
`107a
`
`Device
`107b
`
`Sensor
`109a
`
`Actuator
`109b
`
`Controller
`108d
`
`Emerson Exhibit 1001
`Emerson Electric v. Ollnova
`IPR2023-00626
`Page 00001
`
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.29,2010
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 7,746,887 B2
`
`100
`
`)
`
`MLN
`
`113
`
`102
`
`WBLN
`
`112
`
`Device
`107a
`
`Device
`107b
`
`Field Panel
`106a
`
`Field Panel
`106b
`
`WFLN
`
`110a
`
`Controller
`108a
`
`Controller
`108b
`
`Controller
`108c
`
`Controller
`108e
`
`Sensor
`109a
`
`Actuator
`109b
`
`Figure 1
`
`Controller
`108d
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.29,2010
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 7,746,887 B2
`
`Device
`207
`
`Sensor
`209
`
`Processor
`214
`
`Storage
`228
`
`Memory
`226
`
`Programs
`234
`
`Data Input
`Device
`230
`
`Display
`232
`
`Transceiver
`216
`
`Figure 2
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.29,2010
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 7,746,887 B2
`
`Polling
`Interval
`V(t)
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`·.,.
`
`Polling
`Interval
`
`Figure 3
`
`t1/436 ; ( 436 ;l 436 ii 436
`
`436
`
`436
`
`Transmissions
`
`Time (t)
`
`Figure 4
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.29,2010
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 7,746,887 B2
`
`Device
`507
`
`508
`
`__ T_:_1~ __ H __ P_ro_~_20_ss_or_H __ r_:_2R.: __
`
`Figure 5
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00005
`
`

`

`The invention relates to remote monitoring of conditions
`and more particularly to wirelessly reporting a sensed condi(cid:173)
`tion over a wireless communication network.
`Automation systems include one or more distributed com(cid:173)
`ponents and/or grouping of components that together form an
`integrated system for automating a process control. The com(cid:173)
`ponents include controllers, sensors, switches, alarms, actua(cid:173)
`tors, chillers, fans, humidifiers, and/or air handling units con(cid:173)
`figured to automate process control for heating, ventilation,
`air conditioning (HVAC), environmental air quality, safety
`and security, fire, hazard prevention, or other processes for a
`building or facility. The devices may communicate informa(cid:173)
`tion over a wired network and/or by wirelessly broadcasting
`information between and among the components.
`The components may detect events, sense conditions,
`respond to detected events or changes in conditions, and/or
`control operation of other devices. An event may be detected
`by a sensor, which communicates related information to a
`controller. The controller generates control signals, which are
`communicated to a device for an appropriate responsive
`action. For example, a temperature sensor wirelessly broad(cid:173)
`casts a temperature reading to a controller. The controller
`reads the information from the sensor and determines
`whether a responsive control action may be taken. The con(cid:173)
`troller communicates a control signal, as appropriate, to an 30
`actuator to control airflow in the room. The controller also
`may communicate a feedback or status signal to a remote
`computer.
`Wireless networks are limited by the amount of available
`bandwidth over which the devices may communicate. The 35
`number of devices and amount of information communicated
`over a wireless system may be constrained by the available
`bandwidth. Systems having many wireless devices may cre-
`ate a noisy environment in which data can be lost, dropped or
`not communicated with the targeted recipient. The continu- 40
`ous monitoring of conditions and broadcast of information
`consumes larges amounts of power, which may shorten a
`limited-lifetime power source. The continuous stream of
`information from and to devices uses a great amount process(cid:173)
`ing power for a controller, and may provide redundant infor- 45
`mation that may need to be filtered before being processed.
`Accordingly, there is a need for a system for reducing an
`amount of communication over a wireless automated system
`using dynamic value reporting.
`
`2
`or statistics determined based on prior readings. A statistical
`analysis of the measurement may be made, and an appropriate
`control response determined and executed. The measure(cid:173)
`ment, the change over a prior measurement, and/or the results
`of a comparison to a limit and/or range may be made accord(cid:173)
`ing to a second periodic interval. The second periodic interval
`may coincide with the first periodic interval.
`In an embodiment, a wireless automation device includes a
`wireless transceiver, such as a RF transceiver, RF transmitter,
`10 and/or RF receiver or other device that wirelessly communi(cid:173)
`cates packets of information over a wireless network. A sen(cid:173)
`sor generates a signal based on whether a sensed condition is
`within a predetermined range. In the device, a controller polls
`the sensor at a variable periodic interval to read the signal
`15 from the sensor. The sensor may be continuously activated, or
`may be activated upon a polling by the controller. The con(cid:173)
`troller also controls the transceiver to selectively communi(cid:173)
`cate information associated with the signal from the sensor.
`The information is transmitted during a variable periodic
`20 interval for transmitting the information. The information
`may be transmitted in response a change in a sensed condi(cid:173)
`tion, in response to a sensed condition being outside a prede(cid:173)
`termined range or limit, and/or in response to an externally
`received control signal. Transmission of information during
`25 an interval may be suspended in response to an externally
`received control signal. The controller and/or sensor may
`enter a stand-by or sleep mode during times other than the
`variable periodic interval.
`The present invention is defined by the following claims.
`Nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on
`those claims. Further aspects and advantages of the invention
`are discussed below in conjunction with the preferred
`embodiments and may be later claimed independently or in
`combination.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale,
`emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles
`of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference
`numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the dif-
`ferent views.
`FIG. 1 is an example of a wireless automated system for
`building automation.
`FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation for a sensor device.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a timing chart illustrating the polling
`interval for a sensor configured for dynamic value reporting.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a timing chart for the transmission of
`information for a device configured for dynamic value report-
`50 ing.
`FIG. 5 illustrates sensor device in communication with a
`controller.
`
`US 7,746,887 B2
`
`1
`DYNAMIC VALUE REPORTING FOR
`WIRELESS AUTOMATED SYSTEMS
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`The described embodiments include methods, processes,
`apparatuses, and systems for reporting information over a
`wireless automation system, and particularly to a wireless 55
`building automation system. An automated wireless system
`using dynamic value reporting provides for a robust process
`control that minimizes an amount of communications in the
`wireless network. The amount of wireless traffic in the system
`may be reduced, and/or the number of devices communicat- 60
`ing over a wireless network increased, by minimizing or
`reducing the amount of information reported by a sensor.
`Conditions are monitored, or sensed, during a variable
`periodic interval to determine whether a measurement for the
`condition has changed, is above, and/or below a limit or 65
`within or outside a range. The measurement may also be
`compared to measurements made during prior intervals, and/
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`A wireless automation system configured for or using
`dynamic value reporting communicates data among and
`between devices related to changes in a value of a monitored
`condition and/or measured parameter ( e.g., a wireless sensor
`for monitoring environmental temperature). A wireless auto(cid:173)
`mation device using dynamic value reporting monitors and
`wirelessly reports building automation information over a
`building automation network formed by multiple distributed
`devices. The distributed devices communicate information
`between and among the devices from a source device to a
`destination device.
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00006
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`US 7,746,887 B2
`
`3
`A device that uses dynamic value reporting senses,
`samples and/or measures a condition during a period of a
`sampling or polling interval. A reading of the condition may
`be taken to identify an indicator associated with the current or
`present condition. The indicator of the current or present
`condition may be read during a current period of the sampling
`interval. The current reading of the indicator may be stored
`with prior readings of the indicator in a memory. The current
`readings and prior readings may be stored in memory in order
`in which the readings were read, such as in a stack manner.
`The current reading of the indicator also may be compared to
`prior readings of the indicator to determine a change. The
`indicator and/or the change may be compared to a limit or
`range, such as an absolute limit and/or a range for changes
`from one or more previous measured values.
`The device wirelessly receives and transmits information
`over the network. The information may include a current
`indicator of the condition, a value or status for the condition
`and/ or sensor, and/or the comparison of the indicator to a limit
`or range, the time or interval sequence number in which an
`indicator was made, the time or interval sequence in which an
`indicator is deemed to have changed beyond a limit or outside
`a range and like information. The information is routed as
`packets, such as according to a TCP/IP transmission protocol.
`The information is communicated to destination device, such
`as an actuator, and/or a controller that executes a process
`control such as executing a responsive action, and/or commu(cid:173)
`nicating an appropriate control signal. The device may com(cid:173)
`municate information during a period of a transmission inter(cid:173)
`val. The device may communicate information during a
`transmission, or communication, interval. The information
`may be communicated in response to a comparison that iden(cid:173)
`tifies a change in the sensed condition, such as a change
`outside a band limit, or a reading of the indicator beyond a
`limit. Similarly, a transmission of information may be sus(cid:173)
`pended for periods of a transmission interval for which no
`change in the indicator has been identified. The device may
`enter a sleep mode, or go into a standby mode, between
`periods of the transmission and/or polling interval. The trans(cid:173)
`mission and polling intervals, the limits and ranges may be
`changed, varied, regulated, adjusted, extended and/or com(cid:173)
`pressed according to the measured values and/or comparison
`to the limits.
`FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram for an example of a 45
`wireless automation system 100 configured for and/or using
`dynamic value reporting. The illustrated wireless automation
`system 100 automates a building control process for heating,
`ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) for one or more
`buildings and/or facilities. In an embodiment, the building 50
`automation system may be an APOGEE™ system provided
`by Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. of Buffalo Grove, Ill.
`The wireless automation system 100 using dynamic value
`reporting may be any of a variety of other automation sys(cid:173)
`tems, including air quality systems, industrial control sys- 55
`terns, security and loss prevention systems, hazard detection
`and/or prevention systems, lighting systems, combinations
`and integrations thereof, and the like.
`The automation system 100 provides process control func(cid:173)
`tionality for one or more building, or facility operations. The 60
`automation system 100 includes one or more devices posi(cid:173)
`tioned, or distributed, throughout the building. The devices
`generate and/or receive information related to a specific
`event, condition, status, acknowledgement, control, combi(cid:173)
`nations thereof and the like. The devices may also respond to
`control commands and/or execute an instruction received by
`or in a signal. The devices may also communicate or route the
`
`4
`information between and among components of the system
`from a source to a destination.
`The automation system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a multi-tier
`architecture having a high-speed or high bandwidth commu(cid:173)
`nications level that includes aggregate collections of sensor
`and/or actuator data, video or other high bandwidth data or
`long range communications and a level for point-to-point
`communication between devices. The devices may be field
`panels, controllers, sensors, actuators and any other compo-
`10 nent of an automation system. Control processes are distrib(cid:173)
`uted to the field panels, controllers, sensors and actuators as
`appropriate for the particular operations or functions of the
`device.
`The devices of the system 100 communicate information,
`15 data and commands according to an assigned binding asso(cid:173)
`ciation. That is, devices may be commissioned as an operat(cid:173)
`ing pair or group according to a binding association. Even
`though devices may be commissioned as an operating pair or
`group, communications between devices may be routed, or
`20 hopped, via one or more other devices of the network. That is,
`the communication of information between and among
`devices includes transmitting, routing, and/or information
`hopping using low-power wireless RF communications
`across a network defined by the devices. Multiple paths from
`25 a source to a destination may exist in the network.
`A sensing device monitors a condition and/or status of an
`event. The sensing device may report appropriate sensor
`information, such as a current value or indicator of the con(cid:173)
`dition, timing of a reading, prior measurements, status of the
`30 sensor and/or a comparison of a measured value to a desired
`limit, range or a previous measurement. Actuators may pro(cid:173)
`cess sensor information to determine an appropriate action
`for the actuator. Controllers monitor the process or action of
`sensors and actuators, and may override the sensor and/or
`35 actuators to alter processing based on a regional or larger area
`control process.
`The automation system 100 includes a supervisory control
`system or workstation 102, one or more field panels 106a,
`106b, and one or more controllers 108a-108e. Each controller
`40 108a-108e, for example, corresponds to an associated local(cid:173)
`ized, standard building control subsystem such as a space
`temperature control, air quality control, lighting control, haz(cid:173)
`ard detection, security, combinations thereof, or the like. The
`controllers 108a-108e communicate with one or more sen(cid:173)
`sors 109a using two-way wireless communication protocol.
`The controllers 108a-108e also may communicate informa-
`tion with one or more actuators 109b using two-way wireless
`communication protocol. For example, sensor 109a and
`actuator 109b are commissioned to communicate data and/or
`instructions with the controller 108a. Sensor 109a may also
`communicate information directly with actuator 109b using
`two-way wireless communications.
`The controller 108a provides control functionality of each,
`one, or both of the sensor 109a and the actuator 109b. Con(cid:173)
`troller 108a controls a subsystem based on sensed conditions
`and desired set point conditions. The controller 108a controls
`the operation of one or more actuators in response to an event
`reported by a sensor 109a. The controller 108a may drive the
`one or more actuator to a desired set point.
`The controller 108a is progrannned with the set points and
`a code setting forth instructions that are executed by the
`controller for controlling the actuators to drive the sensed
`condition to be with the set point. For example, the actuator
`109b is operatively connected to an air conditioning damper
`65 and sensor 109a may be a room temperature sensor that
`reports information related to a temperature being monitored
`by the sensor. The sensor may report current temperature or a
`
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`US 7,746,887 B2
`
`5
`relative temperature change compared to a prior measure(cid:173)
`ment. If the temperature sensed by the sensor 109a exceeds a
`threshold, the actuator may respond accordingly to open a
`damper, allowing air conditioning to flow into a room. The
`sensor 109a may communicate the sensed condition to the
`actuator 109b and/or to the controller 108a, which thereafter
`provides an appropriate control signal to the actuator 109a.
`Sensor, actuator, and set point information may be shared
`among or common to, controllers 108a-108e, field panels
`106a-106b, work station 102, and any other components or 10
`elements that may affect control of the building automation
`system 100. To facilitate sharing of information, groups of
`subsystems such as those coupled to controllers 108a and
`108b are organized into wireless field (or floor) level net(cid:173)
`works ("WFLN's") and generally interface at least one field 15
`panel 106a. Controllers 108c, 108d and 108e along with the
`field panel 106b also may communicate via a low-level
`WFLN data network 110b.
`The WFLN data networks 110a 110b are low-level data
`networks that may use any suitable proprietary or open pro- 20
`tocol. The devices forming a WFLN communicate via two(cid:173)
`way radio links. Interfaces, routers and bridges are provided
`for implementing the WFLN 110a and 110b. While shown as
`a common bus or interconnection structure, the WFLN may
`include multiple or different communication links between
`components with some or no redundancy in any of various
`patterns.
`Any of a wide variety ofWFLN architectures may be used.
`For example, the devices of the WFLN may utilize a wireless
`MESH technology to form a MESH network. For example,
`the WFLN configured as a wireless MESH network include
`multiple nodes that communicate via wireless communica(cid:173)
`tion links. The MESH network establishes a grid of nodes that
`create redundant paths for information flow between and
`among the nodes. In the MESH network, information may 35
`reach a destination either by a direct point-to-point commu(cid:173)
`nication or by an indirect communication where the informa(cid:173)
`tion is routed or hops from node to node, among different
`paths from a source to the destination. The WFLN may be
`self-forming and/or self-healing. The WFLN also allows bi- 40
`directional routing for command and control information.
`Additional, different or fewer networks may be provided. For
`example, a WFLN may be wired, while other networks may
`be wireless, one or both wireless networks include wired
`components, or the networks may be distributed among only 45
`one, three or more levels.
`The WFLN's 110a and 110b operate in accordance with
`distinguishable or the same wireless communications proto(cid:173)
`cols. For example, the WFLN 110a operates pursuant to the
`802.15.4 communications protocols, but IEEE 802.1 lx (e.g., 50
`802.lla 802.llb, 802.llc ... 802.llg), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max,
`Bluetooth, ZigBee, Ethernet, proprietary, standard, now
`known or later developed wireless communication protocols
`may be used. The WFLN 11 Ob may operate using the same or
`different protocol as the protocol employed by WFLN 110a. 55
`Any now known or later developed network and transport
`algorithms may be used. Communication, transport and rout(cid:173)
`ing algorithms are provided on the appropriate devices. Any
`packet size or data format may be used.
`The field panels 106a and 106b coordinate communication 60
`of data, information and signals between the controllers
`108a-108e and the workstation 102 and network 104. In
`addition, one or more of the field panels 106a and 106b may
`control devices such as HVAC actuators 107a and 107b. The
`field panels 106a and 106b accept modification, changes, 65
`alterations, and the like from the user with respect to objects
`defined by the building automation system 100. The objects
`
`6
`are various parameters, control and/or set points, port modi(cid:173)
`fications, terminal definitions, users, date/time data, alarms
`and/or alarm definitions, modes, and/or prograniming of the
`field panel itself, another field panel, and/or any controller in
`communication with a field panel.
`The field panels 106a and 106b may communicate
`upstream via a wireless building level network ("WBLN")
`112 to the workstation 102. The workstation 102 includes one
`or more supervisory computers, central control panels or
`combinations thereof. The workstation 102 provides overall
`control and monitoring of the building automation system
`100 and includes a user interface. The workstation 102 further
`operates as a building control system data server that
`exchanges data with one or more components of the building
`automation system 100. The workstation 102 may also allow
`access to the building control system data by other applica-
`tions. The applications are executed on the workstation 102 or
`other supervisory computers that may be communicatively
`coupled via a management level network (MLN) 113.
`The workstation provides user access to components of the
`building automation system 100, such as the field panels 106a
`and 106b. The workstation 102 accepts modifications,
`changes, and alterations to the system. For example, a user
`may use the workstation 102 to reprogram set points for a
`25 subsystem via a user interface. The user interface may be an
`input device or combination of input devices, such as a key(cid:173)
`board, voice-activated response system, a mouse or similar
`device. The workstation 102 may affect or change operations
`of the field panels 106a and 106b, utilize the data and/or
`30 instructions from the workstation 102, and/or provide control
`of connected devices, such as devices 107a and 107b and/or
`the controllers 108a and 108b. The field panels 106a and
`106b therefore accept the modifications, changes, alterations
`and the like from the user.
`The workstation 102 may process data gathered from the
`field panels 106a and 106b and including maintain a log of
`events and conditions. Information and/or data are gathered
`in connection with the polling, query or otherwise. The work(cid:173)
`station 102 maintains a database associated with each field
`panel 106a and 106b, controllers 108a-108e, and sensor
`109a, actuator 109b, controller 108d and devices 107a and
`107 b. The database stores or records operational and configu(cid:173)
`ration data.
`The workstation 102 may be communicatively coupled to
`a web server. For example, the workstation 102 may be
`coupled to communicate with a web server via the MLN 113
`through a network 104 such as an Ethernet network, a LAN,
`WLAN, or the Internet. The workstation 102 uses the MLN
`113 to communicate building control system data to and from
`other elements on the MLN 113. The MLN 113 is connected
`to other supervisory computers, servers, or gateways through
`the network 104. For example, the MLN 113 may be coupled
`to a web server to communicate with external devices and
`other network managers. The MLN 113 may be configured to
`communicate according to known communication protocols
`such as TCP/IP, BACnet, and/or other communication proto-
`cols suitable for sharing large amounts of data.
`FIG. 2 illustrate a block diagram of an automation device
`207 for a wireless automation system using dynamic value
`reporting. The automation device 207 provides service func(cid:173)
`tionality. The automation device 207 may be a function-
`specific device, or configured to provide one or more of a
`variety of functionalities. In an example, the automation
`device 207 monitors a condition or parameter and wirelessly
`reports dynamics in the condition or parameter. The automa(cid:173)
`tion device 207 may be a sensor that monitors a condition
`and/or event, such as a building environment. The automation
`
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`US 7,746,887 B2
`
`7
`device 207 may be installed, positioned, and/or located with,
`within, on, or around a building, facility, a plant, factory,
`assembly, edifice, structure, colliery, combinations or por(cid:173)
`tions thereof or other environment having conditions to be
`monitored.
`The automation device 207 communicates over a network
`which may include other automation devices, data proces(cid:173)
`sors, desktop computers, a mobile computers, a notebook
`computers, a tablet computers, controllers, personal comput(cid:173)
`ers, workstations, mainframe computers, servers, personal
`digital assistants ("PDA"), personal communications devices
`such as a cellular telephone, and like devices configured to
`communicate information over a communication network.
`The network may be any known or proprietary network of
`computers, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless
`LAN (WLAN) a Personal Area Network (PAN), Wireless
`PAN (WPAN) and a Virtual Private Network (VPN), combi(cid:173)
`nations thereof and the like. The automation device 207 may
`communicate according to any known or proprietary commu(cid:173)
`nication protocols such as TCP/IP, BACnet, and/or other
`communication protocols suitable for sharing large amounts
`of data. For example, the automation device 207 is a tempera(cid:173)
`ture sensor that monitors and reports information related to a
`temperature in a room or portion thereof. The sensor 207
`reports information related to the temperature between and
`among devices of a building automation system.
`The device 207 includes a processor 214, a transceiver 216,
`and a sensor 209. Additional, different or fewer components
`may be provided, such as providing a plurality of different or
`the same types of sensors. For example, the device may also
`have a memory 226, a storage device 228, a data input device
`230, and a data output 232. A program 234 resides in the
`memory 226 and includes one or more sequences of execut(cid:173)
`able code or coded instructions. The program 234 may be
`implemented as computer software, firmware including
`object and/or source code, hardware, or a combination of
`software and hardware. The program 234 may be stored on a
`computer-readable medium, ( e.g., storage device 228)
`installed on, deployed by, resident on, invoked by and/or used
`by the processor 214. The program 234 is loaded into the
`memory 226 from storage device 228. Additionally or alter(cid:173)
`natively, code may be executed by the controller processor
`214 from the storage device 228. The program 234 may be
`implemented using any known or proprietary software plat(cid:173)
`form or frameworks including basic, visual basic, C, C+,
`C++, J2EE™, Oracle 9i, XML, API based designs, and like
`software systems.
`The processor 214 implements a control process for the
`device 207. The control process may be implemented based
`on a signal that is read from and/or provided by the sensor
`209, such as a measured value of a parameter, an indicator of
`a sensed condition and/or status of an event. The processor
`214 may be may be one or more devices including a general
`processor, digital signal processor (DSP), control processor
`unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
`field programmable gate array (FPGA), analog circuit, digital
`circuit, combinations thereof or other now known or later
`developed devices for implementing a control process. The
`processor 214 has a processing power or capability and asso(cid:173)
`ciated memory corresponding to the needs of one or more of
`a plurality of different types of sensors 209 and transceiver
`216. The processor 214 implements a control process algo(cid:173)
`rithm specific to the sensor 209. Other control processes may
`be stored but unused due to a specific configuration.
`The processor 214 executes one or more sequences of
`instructions of the program 234 to process data. Data and/or
`instructions may be preprogrammed to the device 207 and or
`
`8
`provide to the device 207 using the data input device 230.
`Data and/or instructions may also be received via the trans(cid:173)
`ceiver 216. The processor 214 interfaces data input device
`230 and/or the transceiver 216 to receive data and instruc(cid:173)
`tions. The processor 214 may also interface the storage device
`228 for storage and retrieval of data. Data processed by the
`processor 214 may be stored in and retrieved from in storage
`device 228, communicated via the transceiver 216, and/or
`presented via data output device 232. The data output device
`10 232 may be a display, monitor, a printer, a communications
`port, an array oflights, combinations thereof and the like. For
`example, the processor may control a light array of the output
`device 232 to indicate an operation status, or read data status,
`a transmit status and the like. The light array may be internal
`15 to an enclosure for the device, and/or externally visible.
`The transceiver 216 is a receiver, transmitter, combination
`receiver/transmitter, wireless communication port, wireless
`communication device, wireless modem and like device
`capable of wirelessly receiving, communicating, transmit-
`20 ting, and/or broadcasting information. In an embodiment, the
`transceiver 216 may receive and transmit control information
`from other components or devices. The information may be
`control information to alter the implemented control process.
`The transceiver 216 wirelessly communicates information
`25 using one or a combination of one-way and/or two-way wire(cid:173)
`less communications. The information may be communi(cid:173)
`cated using radio frequency (RF), infra-red (IR), ultra-sound
`communication, cellular radio-telephone communications, a
`wireless telephone, a Personal Communication Systems
`30 (PCS) and like wireless communication technologies. The
`transceiver 216 communicate information as packets of infor(cid:173)
`mation according to one or more communications protocols
`or standards, including IEEE 802.1 l(x), 802.16, Wi-Fi, Wi(cid:173)
`Max, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Voice Over Internet Protocol
`35 (VoIP). The transceiver 216 also or alternatively communi(cid:173)
`cates information and/or packets of information in accor(cid:173)
`dance with known and proprietary network protocols such as
`TCP/IP, Ethernet and like protocols over a Personal Area
`Network (PAN), Wireless PAN (WPAN), virtual private net-
`40 work (VPN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and l