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`US007102505B2
`
`US 7,102,505 B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`(IO) Patent No.:
`Sep.5,2006
`(45)Date of Patent:
`
`
`Kates
`
`(54)WIRELESS SENSOR SYSTEM
`
`(76)Inventor:
`Lawrence Kates, 1111 Bayside Dr.,
`
`
`Corona Del Mar, CA (US) 92625
`
`4,827,244 A 5/1989 Bellavia et al.
`
`
`
`4,862,514 A 8/1989
`
`Kedjierski
`
`4,871,999 A 10/1989 Ishii et al.
`
`
`4,901,316 A 2/1990 Igarashi
`
`et al.
`
`4,916,432 A 4/1990 Tice et al.
`
`4,977,527 A 12/1990 Shaw et al.
`
`
`( *) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`
`
`
`
`
`
`et al.
`
`
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`
`
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 49 days.
`
`4,996,518 A 2/1991 Takahashi
`
`(21)A ppl. No.: 10/856,390
`
`
`
`(22)Filed:May 27, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`
`
`0 346 152 A2 12/1989
`
`US 2005/0275530 Al Dec. 15, 2005
`(Continued)
`
`(51)Int. Cl.
`G0SB 19100 (2006.01)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(52)U.S. Cl. .............. 340/521; 340/539.1; 340/539.24;
`
`humidity-sensor.com, 3 pages.
`
`
`340/3.1; 340/3.51; 340/286.01
`
`
`(58)Field of Classification Search ................ 340/521,
`
`
`
`340/539.24, 502-506, 628, 632, 514, 3.1,
`Primary Examiner-Davetta W. Goins
`
`
`340/3.4, 3.51, 3.52, 286.01, 286.05, 825.71,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`340/539.1
`Bear,LLP
`
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"Measuring and Controlling Indoor Humidity," http://www.relative­
`
`(Continued)
`
`(74)Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Knobbe, Martens, Olson &
`
`
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`References Cited
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`
`A low cost, robust, wireless sensor system that provides an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`extended period of operability without maintenance is
`
`
`described. The system includes one or more intelligent
`
`
`sensor units and a base unit that can communicate with a
`
`large number of sensors. When one or more of the sensors
`
`
`
`detects an anomalous condition ( e.g., smoke, fire, water,
`
`
`
`etc.) the sensor communicates with the base unit and pro­
`
`
`
`vides data regarding the anomalous condition. The base unit
`
`
`
`can contact a supervisor or other responsible person by a
`
`
`
`plurality of techniques, such as, telephone, pager, cellular
`
`
`
`telephone, Internet, etc. In one embodiment, one or more
`
`
`
`wireless repeaters are used between the sensors and the base
`
`
`unit to extend the range of the system and to allow the base
`
`
`
`unit to communicate with a larger number of sensors.
`
`
`
`29 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
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`
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`
`Emerson Exhibit 1022
`Emerson Electric v. Ollnova
`IPR2023-00626
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`US 7,102.505 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`
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`
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`20O2/OO 11570 A1
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`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`WO
`
`O 346 152 A3
`WOOO, 21047 A1
`
`12/1989
`4/2000
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“Impedance Moisture Sensor Technology,” http://www.sensorland.
`com/HowPage029.html, 2 pages.
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`com/relative-humidity.html, 6 pages.
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`Plastic Quad Flatpack,' 2 pages.
`* cited by examiner
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00002
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`
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`Sheet 1 of 8
`Sheet 1 of 8
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`US 7,102,505 B2
`US 7,102,505 B2
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`Sep. 5, 2006
`Sep. 5, 2006
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 5, 2006
`Sep. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 2 of 8
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`US 7,102,505 B2
`US 7,102,505 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 5, 2006
`Sep. 5, 2006
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`Sep. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 4 of 8
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 5, 2006
`Sep. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 5 of8
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 6 of 8
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`US 7,102,505 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 5, 2006
`Sep. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 8 of 8
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`US 7,102,505 B2
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`IPR2023-00626 Page 00010
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`

`

`1.
`WRELESS SENSOR SYSTEM
`
`US 7,102,505 B2
`
`2
`Rather, the sensors send quantitative measured data (e.g.,
`Smoke density, temperature rate of rise, etc.) to the central
`reporting station.
`In one embodiment, the sensor system includes a battery
`operated sensor unit that detects a condition, such as, for
`example, Smoke, temperature, humidity, moisture, water,
`water temperature, carbon monoxide, natural gas, propane
`gas, other flammable gases, radon, poison gasses, etc. The
`sensor unit is placed in a building, apartment, office, resi
`dence, etc. In order to conserve battery power, the sensor is
`normally placed in a low-power mode. In one embodiment,
`while in the low power mode, the sensor unit takes regular
`sensor readings and evaluates the readings to determine if an
`anomalous condition exists. If an anomalous condition is
`detected, then the sensor unit “wakes up' and begins com
`municating with the base unit or with a repeater. At pro
`grammed intervals, the sensor also “wakes up' and sends
`status information to the base unit (or repeater) and then
`listens for commands for a period of time.
`In one embodiment, the sensor unit is bi-directional and
`configured to receive instructions from the central reporting
`station (or repeater). Thus, for example, the central reporting
`station can instruct the sensor to: perform additional mea
`Surements; go to a standby mode; wake up; report battery
`status; change wake-up interval; run self-diagnostics and
`report results; etc. In one embodiment, the sensor unit also
`includes a tamper Switch. When tampering with the sensor
`is detected, the sensor reports Such tampering to the base
`unit. In one embodiment, the sensor reports its general
`health and status to the central reporting station on a regular
`basis (e.g., results of self-diagnostics, battery health, etc.).
`In one embodiment, the sensor unit provides two wake-up
`modes, a first wake-up mode for taking measurements (and
`reporting Such measurements if deemed necessary), and a
`second wake-up mode for listening for commands from the
`central reporting station. The two wake-up modes, or com
`binations thereof, can occur at different intervals.
`In one embodiment, the sensor units use spread-spectrum
`techniques to communicate with the base unit and/or the
`repeater units. In one embodiment, the sensor units use
`frequency-hopping spread-spectrum. In one embodiment,
`each sensor unit has an Identification code (ID) and the
`sensor units attaches its ID to outgoing communication
`packets. In one embodiment, when receiving wireless data,
`each sensor unit ignores data that is addressed to other
`sensor units.
`The repeater unit is configured to relay communications
`traffic between a number of sensor units and the base unit.
`The repeater units typically operate in an environment with
`several other repeater units and thus each repeater unit
`contains a database (e.g., a lookup table) of sensor IDs.
`During normal operation, the repeater only communicates
`with designated wireless sensor units whose IDs appears in
`the repeater's database. In one embodiment, the repeater is
`battery-operated and conserves power by maintaining an
`internal Schedule of when its designated sensors are
`expected to transmit and going to a low-power mode when
`none of its designated sensor units is scheduled to transmit.
`In one embodiment, the repeater uses spread-spectrum to
`communicate with the base unit and the sensor units. In one
`embodiment, the repeater uses frequency-hopping spread
`spectrum to communicate with the base unit and the sensor
`units. In one embodiment, each repeater unit has an ID and
`the repeater unit attaches its ID to outgoing communication
`packets that originate in the repeater unit. In one embodi
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a wireless sensor system
`for monitoring potentially dangerous or costly conditions
`Such as, for example, Smoke, temperature, water, gas and the
`like in a building or vehicle, and/or for monitoring energy
`usage or efficiency of water heaters and the like.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Maintaining and protecting a building or complex is
`difficult and costly. Some conditions, such as fires, gas leaks,
`etc. are a danger to the occupants and the structure. Other
`malfunctions, such as water leaks in roofs, plumbing, etc.
`are not necessarily dangerous for the occupants, but can
`nevertheless cause considerable damage. In many cases, an
`adverse condition Such as water leakage, fire, etc. is not
`detected in the early stages when the damage and/or danger
`is relatively small. Sensors can be used to detect such
`adverse conditions, but sensors present their own set of
`problems. For example, adding sensors, such as, for
`example, Smoke detectors, water sensors, and the like in an
`existing structure can be prohibitively expensive due to the
`cost of installing wiring between the remote sensors and a
`centralized monitoring device used to monitor the sensors.
`Adding wiring to provide power to the sensors further
`increases the cost. Moreover, with regard to fire sensors,
`most fire departments will not allow automatic notification
`of the fire department based on the data from a smoke
`detector alone. Most fire departments require that a specific
`temperature rate-of-rise be detected before an automatic fire
`alarm system can notify the fire department. Unfortunately,
`detecting fire by temperature rate-of-rise generally means
`that the fire is not detected until it is too late to prevent major
`damage.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`SUMMARY
`
`40
`
`The present invention solves these and other problems by
`providing a relatively low cost, robust, wireless sensor
`system that provides an extended period of operability
`without maintenance. The system includes one or more
`intelligent sensor units and a base unit that can communicate
`with a the sensor units. When one or more of the sensor units
`detects an anomalous condition (e.g., Smoke, fire, water,
`etc.) the sensor unit communicates with the base unit and
`provides data regarding the anomalous condition. The base
`unit can contact a Supervisor or other responsible person by
`a plurality of techniques, such as, telephone, pager, cellular
`telephone, Internet (and/or local area network), etc. In one
`embodiment, one or more wireless repeaters are used
`between the sensor units and the base unit to extend the
`range of the system and to allow the base unit to commu
`55
`nicate with a larger number of sensors.
`In one embodiment, the sensor system includes a number
`of sensor units located throughout a building that sense
`conditions and report anomalous results back to a central
`reporting station. The sensor units measure conditions that
`might indicate a fire, water leak, etc. The sensor units report
`the measured data to the base unit whenever the sensor unit
`determines that the measured data is sufficiently anomalous
`to be reported. The base unit can notify a responsible person
`Such as, for example a building manager, building owner,
`private security service, etc. In one embodiment, the sensor
`units do not send an alarm signal to the central location.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
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`IPR2023-00626 Page 00011
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`US 7,102,505 B2
`
`4
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`3
`ment, each repeater unit ignores data that is addressed to
`other repeater units or to sensor units not serviced by the
`repeater.
`In one embodiment, the repeater is configured to provide
`bi-directional communication between one or more sensors
`and a base unit. In one embodiment, the repeater is config
`ured to receive instructions from the central reporting station
`(or repeater). Thus, for example, the central reporting station
`can instruct the repeater to: send commands to one or more
`sensors; go to standby mode: “wake up; report battery
`status; change wake-up interval; run self-diagnostics and
`report results; etc.
`The base unit is configured to receive measured sensor
`data from a number of sensor units. In one embodiment, the
`sensor information is relayed through the repeater units. The
`base unit also sends commands to the repeater units and/or
`sensor units. In one embodiment, the base unit includes a
`diskless PC that runs off of a CD-ROM, flash memory,
`DVD, or other read-only device, etc. When the base unit
`receives data from a wireless sensor indicating that there
`may be an emergency condition (e.g., a fire or excess Smoke,
`temperature, water, flammable gas, etc.) the base unit will
`attempt to notify a responsible party (e.g., a building man
`25
`ager) by several communication channels (e.g., telephone,
`Internet, pager, cell phone, etc.). In one embodiment, the
`base unit sends instructions to place the wireless sensor in an
`alert mode (inhibiting the wireless sensor's low-power
`mode). In one embodiment, the base unit sends instructions
`to activate one or more additional sensors near the first
`SCSO.
`In one embodiment, the base unit maintains a database of
`the health, battery status, signal strength, and current oper
`ating status of all of the sensor units and repeater units in the
`wireless sensor system. In one embodiment, the base unit
`automatically performs routine maintenance by sending
`commands to each sensor to run a self-diagnostic and report
`the results. The bases unit collects such diagnostic results. In
`one embodiment, the base unit sends instructions to each
`sensor telling the sensor how long to wait between
`“wakeup' intervals. In one embodiment, the base unit sched
`ules different wakeup intervals to different sensors based on
`the sensor's health, battery health, location, etc. In one
`embodiment, the base unit sends instructions to repeaters to
`route sensor information around a failed repeater.
`
`The entire contents of Applicant’s co-pending application
`Ser. No. 10/856,390, titled “WIRELESS SENSOR SYS
`TEM,” filed May 27, 2004 is hereby incorporated by refer
`CCC.
`The entire contents of Applicant’s co-pending application
`Ser. No. 10/856.231, titled “WIRELESS SENSOR UNIT,
`filed May 27, 2004 is hereby incorporated by reference.
`The entire contents of Applicant’s co-pending application
`Ser. No. 10/856,170, titled “WIRELESS REPEATER FOR
`SENSOR SYSTEM, filed May 27, 2004 is hereby incor
`porated by reference.
`The entire contents of Applicant’s co-pending application
`Ser. No. 10/856,387, titled “WIRELESS SENSORMONI
`TORING UNIT,” filed May 27, 2004 is hereby incorporated
`by reference.
`The entire contents of Applicant’s co-pending application
`Ser. No. 10/856,395, titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS
`FOR DETECTING CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR
`GROWTH OF FUNGUS. filed May 27, 2004 is hereby
`incorporated by reference.
`The entire contents of Applicant’s co-pending application
`Ser. No. 10/856,717, titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS
`FOR DETECTING WATER LEAKS, filed May 27, 2004 is
`hereby incorporated by reference.
`FIG. 1 shows an sensor system 100 that includes a
`plurality of sensor units 102-106 that communicate with a
`base unit 112 through a number of repeater units 110–111.
`The sensor units 102-106 are located throughout a building
`101. Sensor units 102-104 communicate with the repeater
`110. Sensor units 105 105 communicate with the repeater
`111. The repeaters 110–111 communicate with the base unit
`112. The base unit 112 communicates with a monitoring
`computer system 113 through a computer network connec
`tion such as, for example, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet,
`firewire port, Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, bluetooth,
`etc. The computer system 113 contacts a building manager,
`maintenance service, alarm service, or other responsible
`personnel 120 using one or more of several communication
`systems such as, for example, telephone 121, pager 122,
`cellular telephone 123 (e.g., direct contact, voicemail, text,
`etc.), and/or through the Internet and/or local area network
`124 (e.g., through email, instant messaging, network com
`munications, etc.). In one embodiment, multiple base units
`112 are provided to the monitoring computer 113. In one
`embodiment, the monitoring computer 113 is provided to
`more than one compute monitor, thus allowing more data to
`be displayed than can conveniently be displayed on a single
`monitor. In one embodiment, the monitoring computer 113
`is provided to multiple monitors located in different loca
`tions, thus allowing the data form the monitoring computer
`113 to be displayed in multiple locations.
`The sensor units 102–106 include sensors to measure
`conditions, such as, for example, Smoke, temperature, mois
`ture, water, water temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide,
`natural gas, propane gas, security alarms, intrusion alarms
`(e.g., open doors, broken windows, open windows, and the
`like), other flammable gases, radon, poison gasses, etc.
`Different sensor units can be configured with different
`sensors or with combinations of sensors. Thus, for example,
`in one installation the sensor units 102 and 104 could be
`configured with Smoke and/or temperature sensors while the
`sensor unit 103 could be configured with a humidity sensor.
`The discussion that follows generally refers to the sensor
`unit 102 as an example of a sensor unit, with the under
`standing that the description of the sensor unit 102 can be
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`FIG. 1 shows an sensor system that includes a plurality of
`sensor units that communicate with a base unit through a
`number of repeater units.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a sensor unit.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a repeater unit.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the base unit.
`FIG. 5 shows one embodiment a network communication
`packet used by the sensor units, repeater units, and the base
`unit.
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing operation of a sensor unit
`that provides relatively continuous monitoring.
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing operation of a sensor unit
`that provides periodic monitoring.
`FIG. 8 shows how the sensor system can be used to
`detected water leaks.
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`applied to many sensor units. Similarly, the discussion
`generally refers to the repeater 110 by way of example, and
`not limitation. It will also be understood by one of ordinary
`skill in the art that repeaters are useful for extending the
`range of the sensor units 102-106 but are not required in all
`embodiments. Thus, for example in one embodiment, one or
`more of the sensor units 102-106 can communicate directly
`with the bast unit 112 without going through a repeater. It
`will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that
`FIG. 1 shows only five sensor units (102-106) and two
`repeater units (110–111) for purposes of illustration and not
`by way of limitation. An installation in a large apartment
`building or complex would typically involve many sensor
`units and repeater units. Moreover, one of ordinary skill in
`the art will recognize that one repeater unit can service
`relatively many sensor units. In one embodiment, the sensor
`units 102 can communicate directly with the base unit 112
`without going through a repeater 111.
`When the sensor unit 102 detects an anomalous condition
`(e.g., Smoke, fire, water, etc.) the sensor unit communicates
`with the appropriate repeater unit 110 and provides data
`regarding the anomalous condition. The repeater unit 110
`forwards the data to the base unit 112, and the base unit 112
`forwards the information to the computer 113. The computer
`113 evaluates the data and takes appropriate action. If the
`computer 113 determines that the condition is an emergency
`(e.g., fire, Smoke, large quantities of water), then the com
`puter 113 contacts the appropriate personnel 120. If the
`computer 113 determines that a the situation warrants report
`ing, but is not an emergency, then the computer 113 logs the
`data for later reporting. In this way, the sensor system 100
`can monitor the conditions in and around the building 101.
`In one embodiment, the sensor unit 102 has an internal
`power source (e.g., battery, Solar cell, fuel cell, etc.). In order
`to conserve power, the sensor unit 102 is normally placed in
`a low-power mode. In one embodiment, using sensors that
`require relatively little power, while in the low power mode
`the sensor unit 102 takes regular sensor readings and evalu
`ates the readings to determine if an anomalous condition
`exists. In one embodiment, using sensors that require rela
`tively more power, while in the low power mode the sensor
`unit 102 takes and evaluates sensor readings at periodic
`intervals. If an anomalous condition is detected, then the
`sensor unit 102 “wakes up' and begins communicating with
`the base unit 112 through the repeater 110. At programmed
`intervals, the sensor unit 102 also “wakes up' and sends
`status information (e.g., power levels, self diagnostic infor
`mation, etc.) to the base unit (or repeater) and then listens for
`commands for a period of time. In one embodiment, the
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`sensor unit 102 also includes a tamper detector. When
`tampering with the sensor unit 102 is detected, the sensor
`unit 102 reports such tampering to the base unit 112.
`In one embodiment, the sensor unit 102 provides bi
`directional communication and is configured to receive data
`and/or instructions from the base unit 112. Thus, for
`example, the base unit 112 can instruct the sensor unit 102
`to perform additional measurements, to go to a standby
`mode, to wake up, to report battery status, to change
`wake-up interval, to run self-diagnostics and report results,
`etc. In one embodiment, the sensor unit 102 reports its
`general health and status on a regular basis (e.g., results of
`self-diagnostics, battery health, etc.)
`In one embodiment, the sensor unit 102 provides two
`wake-up modes, a first wake-up mode for taking measure
`ments (and reporting Such measurements if deemed neces
`sary), and a second wake-up mode for listening for com
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`mands from the central reporting station. The two wake-up
`modes, or combinations thereof, can occur at different
`intervals.
`In one embodiment, the sensor unit 102 use spread
`spectrum techniques to communicate with the repeater unit
`110. In one embodiment, the sensor unit 102 use frequency
`hopping spread-spectrum. In one embodiment, the sensor
`unit 102 has an address or identification (ID) code that
`distinguishes the sensor unit 102 from the other sensor units.
`The sensor unit 102 attaches its ID to outgoing communi
`cation packets so that transmissions from the sensor unit 102
`can be identified by the repeater 110. The repeater 110
`attaches the ID of the sensor unit 102 to data and/or
`instructions that are transmitted to the sensor unit 102. In
`one embodiment, the sensor unit 102 ignores data and/or
`instructions that are addressed to other sensor units.
`In one embodiment, the sensor unit 102 includes a reset
`function. In one embodiment, the reset function is activated
`by the reset switch 208. In one embodiment, the reset
`function is active for a prescribed interval of time. During
`the reset interval, the transceiver 203 is in a receiving mode
`and can receive the identification code from an external
`programmer. In one embodiment, the external programmer
`wirelessly transmits a desired identification code. In one
`embodiment, the identification code is programmed by an
`external programmer that is connected to the sensor unit 102
`through an electrical connector. In one embodiment, the
`electrical connection to the sensor unit 102 is provided by
`sending modulated control signals (power line carrier sig
`nals) through a connector used to connect the power Source
`206. In one embodiment, the external programmer provides
`power and control signals. In one embodiment, the external
`programmer also programs the type of sensor(s) installed in
`the sensor unit. In one embodiment, the identification code
`includes an area code (e.g., apartment number, Zone number,
`floor number, etc.) and a unit number (e.g., unit 1, 2, 3, etc.).
`In one embodiment, the sensor communicates with the
`repeater on the 900 MHz band. This band provides good
`transmission through walls and other obstacles normally
`found in and around a building structure. In one embodi
`ment, the sensor communicates with the repeater on bands
`above and/or below the 900 MHz band. In one embodiment,
`the sensor, repeater, and/or base unit listen to a radio
`frequency channel before transmitting on that channel or
`before beginning transmission. If the channel is in use, (e.g.,
`by another devise Such as another repeater, a cordless
`telephone, etc.) then the sensor, repeater, and/or base unit
`changes to a different channel. In one embodiment, the
`sensor, repeater, and/or base unit coordinate frequency hop
`ping by listening to radio frequency channels for interfer
`ence and using an algorithm to select a next channel for
`transmission that avoids the interference. Thus, for example,
`in one embodiment, if a sensor senses a dangerous condition
`and goes into a continuous transmission mode, the sensor
`will test (e.g., listen to) the channel before transmission to
`avoid channels that are blocked, in use, or jammed. In one
`embodiment, the sensor continues to transmit data until it
`receives an acknowledgement from the base unit that the
`message has been received. In one embodiment, the sensor
`transmits data having a normal priority (e.g., status infor
`mation) and does not look for an acknowledgement, and the
`sensor transmits data having elevated priority (e.g., excess
`Smoke, temperature, etc.) until an acknowledgement is
`received.
`The repeater unit 110 is configured to relay communica
`tions traffic between the sensor 102 (and, similarly, the
`sensor units 103–104) and the base unit 112. The repeater
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`unit 110 typically operates in an environment with several
`other repeater units (such as the repeater unit 111 in FIG. 1)
`and thus the repeater unit 110 contains a database (e.g., a
`lookup table) of sensor unit IDs. In FIG. 1, the repeater 110
`has database entries for the Ids of the sensors 102–104, and
`thus the sensor 110 will only communicate with sensor units
`102–104. In one embodiment, the repeater 110 has an
`internal power source (e.g., battery, Solar cell, fuel cell, etc.)
`and conserves power by maintaining an internal Schedule of
`when the sensor units 102-104 are expected to transmit. In
`one embodiment, the repeater unit 110 goes to a low-power
`mode when none of its designated sensor units is scheduled
`to transmit. In one embodiment, the repeater 110 uses
`spread-spectrum techniques to communicate with the base
`unit 112 and with the sensor units 102-104. In one embodi
`ment, the repeater 110 uses frequency-hopping spread-spec
`trum to communicate with the base unit 112 and the sensor
`units 102-104. In one embodiment, the repeater unit 110 has
`an address or identification (ID) code and the repeater unit
`110 attaches its address to outgoing communication packets
`that originate in the repeater (that is, packets that are not
`being forwarded). In one embodiment, the repeater unit 110
`ignores data and/or instructions that are addressed to other
`repeater units or to sensor units not serviced by the repeater
`110.
`In one embodiment, the base unit 112 communicates with
`the sensor unit 102 by transmitting a communication packet
`addressed to the sensor unit 102. The repeaters 110 and 111
`both receive the communication packet addressed to the
`sensor unit 102. The repeater unit 111 ignores the commu
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`nication packet addressed to the sensor unit 102. The
`repeater unit 110 transmits the communication packet
`addressed to the sensor unit 102 to the sensor unit 102. In
`one embodiment, the sensor unit 102, the repeater unit 110.
`and the base unit 112 communicate using Frequency-Hop
`ping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), also known as channel
`hopping.
`Frequency-hopping wireless systems offer the advantage
`of avoiding other interfering signals and avoiding collisions.
`Moreover, there are regulatory advantages given to systems
`that do not transmit continuously at one frequency. Channel
`hopping transmitters change frequencies after a period of
`continuous transmission, or when interference is encoun
`tered. These systems may have higher transmit power and
`relaxed limitations on in band spurs. FCC regulations limit
`transmission time on one channel to 400 milliseconds (aver
`aged over 10–20 seconds depending on channel bandwidth)
`before the transmitter must change frequency. There is a
`minimum frequency step when changing channels to resume
`transmission. If there are 25 to 49