1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 11111 1111111111 lllll 111111111111111 lllll 111111111111111 11111111
`US 20060176169A1
`US 20060176169Al
`
`(19) United States
`c19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (π» Pub. No.: US 2006/0176169 Al
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`c10i Pub. No.: US 2006/0176169 Al
`Doolin et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Aug. 10,2006
`Aug. 10, 2006
`Doolin et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SYSTEM FOR SENSING ENVIRONMENTAL
`(54) SYSTEM FOR SENSING ENVIRONMEJ',TAL
`CONDITIONS
`CONDITIONS
`
`(75) Inventors: David M. Doolin, El Cerrito, CA (US);
`Inventors: David M. Doolin, El Cerrito, CA (US);
`(75)
`Steve Glaser, Berkeley, CA (US);
`Steve Glaser, Berkeley, CA (US);
`Nicholas Sitar, Orinda (CA); John
`Nicholas Sitar, Orinda (CA); John
`Radke, Berkeley (CA)
`Radke, Berkeley (CA)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Correspondence Address:
`Trellis Intellectual Property Law Group, PC
`Trellis Intellectual Property Law Group, PC
`1900 EMBARCADERO ROAD
`1900 EMBARCADERO ROAD
`SUITE 109
`SUITE 109
`PALO ALTO, CA 94303 (US)
`PALO ALTO, CA 94303 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: The Regents of the University of Cali­
`(73) Assignee: The Regents of the University of Cali(cid:173)
`fornia, Oakland, CA (US)
`fornia, Oakland, CA (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/303,458
`11/303,458
`
`(22) Filed:
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 16, 2005
`Dec. 16, 2005
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/637,279, filed on Dec.
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/637,279, filed on Dec.
`17, 2004.
`17, 2004.
`
`Publication Classification
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G08B 19/00
`G08B 19100
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`G08B 1/00
`G08B 1100
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`G08B 17/00
`G08B 17100
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`G08B 17/10
`G08B 17110
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl............................ 340/521; 340/628; 340/584;
`(52) U.S. Cl .
`......................... 340/521; 340/628; 340/584;
`340/531
`340/531
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A system and method for facilitating measurement of envi­
`A system and method for facilitating measurement of envi(cid:173)
`ronmental conditions such as might be used in emergencies
`ronmental conditions such as might be used in emergencies
`or other situational awareness applications. The method
`or other situational awareness applications. The method
`includes dispersing several networked nodes in a region, the
`includes dispersing several networked nodes in a region, the
`nodes being coupled to one or more sensors, and then
`nodes being coupled to one or more sensors, and then
`employing the one or more sensors to sense one or more
`employing the one or more sensors to sense one or more
`environmental conditions and providing sensed data in
`environmental conditions and providing sensed data in
`response thereto. In a more specific embodiment, the region
`response thereto. ln a more specific embodiment, the region
`exhibits a fire, and the method further includes utilizing the
`exhibits a fire, and the method further includes utilizing the
`sensed data to predict fire conditions, such as fire movement
`sensed data to predict fire conditions, such as fire movement
`and temperature. A controller may be employed to selec­
`and temperature. A controller may be employed to selec(cid:173)
`tively adjust power to one or more sensors based on prede­
`tively adjust power to one or more sensors based on prede(cid:173)
`termined priorities associated with sensed data output from
`termined priorities associated with sensed data output from
`the one or more sensors.
`the one or more sensors.
`
`ir-66
`Browser Client(s)
`
`User
`Interface
`
`Server(s)
`(Processing
`System)
`
`1r ~;•
`
`4
`Database
`(Data
`Storage and
`Analysis)
`
`10
`,J
`12--..
`
`42
`
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`/30
`54
`
`::;;,-..
`
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`Network
`Controller
`
`32
`'-ss
`
`Node 1
`
`..
`
`44
`...-20 ·==
`Node2
`Sensor
`Suite 2
`
`48
`
`C)!L.• _-:_:;.
`----·
`i,-26
`NodeS
`(In Building)
`
`In-Building
`Sensor Suite 5
`
`Front
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1008, p. 1
`
`

`

`(':)
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`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 10, 2006 Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 2006/0176169 Al
`
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`
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`
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`ir-24
`
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`ir-18
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`Suite 1
`
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`46
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`ir-22
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`Node3
`Sensor
`Suite 3
`
`~-------'-ir-~66
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`
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`Interface
`
`-:::-68
`
`§
`
`.--~---'---,ir-62
`
`Server(s)
`(Processing
`System)
`p
`q
`I -El
`
`I --= 1-g
`I
`
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`Database
`(Data
`Storage and
`Analysis)
`
`42
`,/
`
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`1$;,
`,/ 30
`,.-~54
`,.~::-
`
`ir-14
`Base Station
`
`Sensor(cid:173)
`Network
`Controller
`
`Node2
`Sensor
`Suite 2
`
`32
`'-ss
`
`◄--·
`
`···········•
`50 ..... :>•
`ir-26
`Node 5
`(In Building)
`
`52
`ir-28
`40 Node 6
`Sensor
`Suite 6
`
`In-Building
`Sensor Suite 5
`
`' Fire f~'-
`
`Fig. 1
`
`-,'J:Js,_.._,~··-·
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1008, p. 2
`
`

`

`(':)
`
`""C a ('t> = ....
`t '"C -....
`~ ....
`.... 0 =
`""C = O" =:
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`
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`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 10, 2006 Sheet 2 of 4
`
`N
`0
`0
`O'I
`
`('t>
`
`00 =(cid:173)
`('t> ....
`0 ...,
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`
`US 2006/0176169 Al
`
`-...J
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`
`,r-18
`
`kr-8080
`
`Node Platform
`
`100
`
`i,,r-82
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`ir-112
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`(Modular
`Sensor Board)
`
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`
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`
`116
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`
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`/Ctrl.
`126
`124
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`Data and
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`
`120
`
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`
`ir-90
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`
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`Transceiver
`
`102
`
`.&
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`System (GPS)
`Receiver System
`
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`
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`Pressure
`Sensor
`
`•I
`
`86
`
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`
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`/Ctrl.
`
`Battery
`
`Fig. 2
`
`122
`
`84
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1008, p. 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 10, 2006 Sheet 3 of 4
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 10, 2006 Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 2006/0176169 Al
`US 2006/0176169 Al
`
`)
`
`.130
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1008, p. 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 10, 2006 Sheet 4 of 4
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 10, 2006 Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 2006/0176169 Al
`US 2006/0176169 Al
`
`150
`150
`
`,_,
`
`Establish sensor-network base station.
`
`Strategically disperse self-networking nodes coupled to sensors and/or Global
`Positioning System (GPS) receivers in proximity to a fire or other scene for which
`situational awareness is desired, the sensors being associated with priority values.
`
`Wait for nodes to organize into a network interconnected with the base station.
`
`~ - - - - - -No
`
`158
`
`Yes
`Yes
`________________________________i__________________________ z—160
`160
`Employ a client and one or more servers in communication with the base station to
`Employ a client and one or more servers in communication with the base station to
`receive sensed data, such as temperature, position information, from the sensors a
`receive sensed data, such as temperature, position information, from the sensors a
`via the sensor network in accordance with sensor priority values or corresponding
`via the sensor network in accordance with sensor priority values or corresponding
`sensed-data priority values.
`sensed-data priority values.
`________________________________ i__________________________/—162
`162
`Use the sensed data to ascertain fire and/or other scene characteristics and behavior.
`Use the sensed data to ascertain fire and/or other scene characteristics and behavior.
`/—164
`!
`164
`Use the fire and/or scene characteristics and behavior to predict fire spread.
`Use the fire and/or scene characteristics and behavior to predict fire spread.
`
`End
`
`Fig. 4
`Fig. 4
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1008, p. 5
`
`

`

`US 2006/0176169 Al
`US 2006/0176169 Al
`
`1
`I
`
`Aug. 10, 2006
`Aug. I 0, 2006
`
`SYSTEM FOR SENSING ENVIRONMENTAL
`SYSTEM FOR SENSIJ'IG ENVIRONMENTAL
`CONDITIONS
`CONDITIONS
`
`CLAIM OF PRIORITY
`CLAIM OF PRIORITY
`[0001] This invention claims priority from U.S. Provi­
`[0001] This invention claims priority from U.S. Provi(cid:173)
`sional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/637,279, entitled
`sional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/637 0279 0 entitled
`WILDFIRE MONITORING SYSTEM USING WIRELESS
`WILDPIRE MONITORING SYSTEM USING WIRELESS
`NETWORK, filed on Dec. 17, 2004, which is hereby
`NETWORK, filed on Dec. 17, 2004, which is hereby
`incorporated by reference as if set forth in full in this
`incorporated by reference as if set forth in full in this
`specification.
`specification.
`
`ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GOVERNMENT
`ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GOVERNMENT
`SUPPORT
`SUPPORT
`[0002] This invention was made with Government support
`[0002] This invention was made with Government support
`under Contract No. EAR-0121693 awarded by the National
`under Contract No. EAR-0121693 awarded by the National
`Science Foundation. The Government has certain rights to
`Science Foundation. The Government has certain rights to
`this invention.
`this invention.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`[0003] This invention is related in general to wireless
`[0003] This invention is related in general to wireless
`networks and more specifically to a wireless network used to
`net\vorks and more specifically to a wireless network used to
`sense environmental conditions for situational awareness
`sense enviromnental conditions for situational awareness
`and response, especially where positionally accurate data are
`and response. especially where positionally accurate data are
`necessary.
`necessary.
`[0004] Systems for detecting and observing the environ­
`[0004] Systems for detecting and observing the environ(cid:173)
`ment can be used to provide a way to monitor, predict or
`ment can be used to provide a way to monitor, predict or
`control events such as fires, hazardous conditions, potential
`control events such as fires, hazardous conditions, potential
`threats to people or property, etc. One type of event that can
`threats to people or property, etc. One type of event that can
`benefit from accurate monitoring is a wildfire such as a brush
`benefit from accurate monitoring is a wildfire such as a bmsh
`fire, forest fire, and building fire, etc. Other applications
`fire. forest fire, and building fire, etc. Other applications
`include threat evaluation and control, such as to guard
`include threat evaluation and control, such as to guard
`against or responding to illicit acts by human perpetrators,
`against or respomling lo illicit acts by human perpetrators,
`hazardous conditions (e.g., chemical, gas, mechanical, natu­
`hazardous conditions (e.g., chemical, gas, mechanical, nah1-
`ral, etc., and other events that are localized to an area. Such
`ral, etc., and other events that are localized to an area. Such
`applications often demand versatile systems and methods to
`applications often demand versatile systems and methods to
`provide positionally accurate and timely data about the
`provide positionally accurate and timely data about the
`environmental conditions of an event, and the locations and
`enviromnental conditions of an event, and the locations and
`environmental conditions associated with the personnel and
`enviromnental conditions associated with the personnel and
`equipment responding to the event.
`equipment responding to the event.
`[0005] In some cases it may not be possible to position
`[0005]
`In some cases it may not be possible to position
`sensing equipment ahead of an event because the location of
`sensing equipment ahead of an event because the location of
`the event is too unpredictable over a very large area. In such
`the event is too m1predictable over a very large area. In such
`cases, it is usually important that any sensing system be
`cases, it is usually important that any sensing system be
`rapidly deployable in addition to providing accurate, current
`rapidly deployable in addition to providing accurate, current
`data; and that the system be robust enough to handle
`data; and that the system be robust enough lo handle
`changing conditions, such as damage to devices, loss of
`changing conditions, such as damage to devices. loss of
`power, etc., that might occur in the face of an environmental
`power, etc., that might occur in the face of an environmental
`condition or threat.
`condition or threat.
`
`SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`INVENTION
`[0006] Embodiments of the invention provide a system
`[0006] Embodiments of the invention provide a system
`and method for obtaining measurements of environmental
`and method for obtaining measurements of environmental
`conditions such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, posi­
`conditions such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, posi(cid:173)
`tion, elevation, ozone, CO2, etc and the locations at which
`tion, elevation, ozone, CO2 , etc and the locations at which
`those data were collected. In general, any type of environ­
`those data were collected. In general, any type of environ(cid:173)
`mental condition can be measured and located. In one
`mental condition can be measured and located. In one
`embodiment, the method includes creating a network of
`embodiment, the method includes creating a net\vork of
`dispersed sensors. The network can be selectively controlled
`dispersed sensors. The network can be selectively controlled
`to configure and/or prioritize data that is sent to a processing
`to configure and/or prioritize data that is sent to a processing
`system. The processing system can present the data in a user
`system. The processing system can present the data in a user
`interface to human controllers for situational awareness
`interface to human controllers for situational awareness
`
`applications. Data can also be provided to a simulation or
`applications. Data can also be provided to a simulation or
`model to predict behavior of an event or entity such as a
`model to predict behavior of an event or entity such as a
`wildfire, toxic spill, human mob, etc.
`wildfire, toxic spill, human mob, etc.
`[0007] Sensors can be placed, dropped or targeted in an
`[0007] Sensors can be placed, dropped or targeted in an
`ordered arrangement or arbitrarily over locations or items in
`ordered arrangement or arbitrarily over locations or items in
`an area. In one embodiment, sensors are included upon
`an area. In one embodiment, sensors are included upon
`“mobiles” such as people (e.g., firefighters, police, emer­
`"mobiles" such as people (e.g., firefighters, police, emer(cid:173)
`gency workers, victims or injured parties, reporters, rescue
`gency workers, victims or injured parties, reporters, rescue
`or detection animals, etc.), vehicles, equipment or other
`or detection animals, etc.), vehicles, equipment or other
`targets. This allows individual and group tracking of the
`targets. This allows individual and group tracking of the
`mobiles, or “assets,” that can be valuable to observer,
`mobiles, or "assets," that can be valuable to observer,
`respond to or control a situation or event.
`respond to or control a situation or event.
`[0008] One embodiment includes dispersing plural self­
`[0008] One embodiment includes dispersing plural self(cid:173)
`networking nodes in proximity to an event. Each self­
`networking nodes in proximity to an event. Each self(cid:173)
`networking node is in communication with one or more
`networking node is in communication with one or more
`sensors and is able to transfer sensed data to other sensors
`sensors and is able to transfer sensed data to other sensors
`for eventual relay to a destination, such as a processing
`for eventual relay to a destination, such as a processing
`system. The sensed data includes position information cor­
`system. The sensed data includes position information cor(cid:173)
`responding to one or more sensors of the sensor network.
`responding to one or more sensors of the sensor network.
`The position information is associated with sensed data
`The position information is associated with sensed data
`corresponding to one or more measured environment con­
`corresponding to one or more measured environment con(cid:173)
`ditions or measurements.
`ditions or measurements.
`[0009] The sensed data may be selectively prioritized
`[0009] The sensed data may be selectively prioritized
`based on bandwidth, sensor communication capabilities, or
`based on bandwidth, sensor communication capabilities, or
`other factors associated with the sensors. Power to each of
`other factors associated with the sensors. Power to each of
`the spatially dispersed sensors may be selectively adjusted
`the spatially dispersed sensors may be selectively adjusted
`according to one or more priority values associated with
`according to one or more priority values associated with
`each of the spatially dispersed sensors.
`each of the spatially dispersed sensors.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`IlRIDP DESCRIPTION OP TIIE DRAWINGS
`[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless sensor
`[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless sensor
`network for monitoring environmental conditions associated
`network for monitoring envir01m1ental conditions associated
`with a fire according to a first embodiment of the present
`with a fire according to a first embodiment of the present
`invention.
`invention.
`[0011] FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram of a node of the
`[0011] FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram ofa node of the
`wireless sensor network of FIG. 1.
`wireless sensor network of FIG. 1.
`[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating use of the wireless
`[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating use of the wireless
`sensor network of FIG. 1 to sense the location of each sensor
`sensor network of FIG. 1 to sense the location of each sensor
`and the environmental conditions at the sensor location for
`and the environmental conditions at the sensor location for
`situational awareness and response.
`situational awareness and response.
`[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a first method adapted
`[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a first method adapted
`for use with the wireless sensor network of FIG. 1.
`for use with the wireless sensor network of FIG. 1.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`INVENTION
`[0014] For clarity, various well-known components, such
`[0014] For clarity, various well-lmown components, such
`as server operating systems, communications ports, Internet
`as server operating systems, communications ports, Internet
`Service Providers (ISPs), and so on have been omitted from
`Service Providers (ISPs ), and so on have been omitted from
`the figures. However, those skilled in the art with access to
`the figures. However, those skilled in the art with access to
`the present teachings will know which components to imple­
`the present teachings will k"llow which components to imple(cid:173)
`ment and how to implement them to meet the needs of a
`ment and how to implement them to meet the needs of a
`given application.
`given application.
`[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless sensor
`[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless sensor
`network 10 according to a first embodiment of the present
`network 10 according to a first embodiment of the present
`invention. In the present specific embodiment, the wireless
`invention. In the present specific embodiment, the wireless
`sensor network 10 includes plural self-networking, self­
`sensor nenvork 10 includes plural self-nenvorking, self(cid:173)
`locating environmental sensor nodes 12 in communication
`locating environmental sensor nodes 12 in communication
`with a base station 14 running a sensor-network controller
`with a base station 14 rum1ing a sensor-network controller
`16 for facilitating controlling the sensor nodes 12.
`16 for facilitating controlling the sensor nodes 12.
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1008, p. 6
`
`

`

`US 2006/0176169 Al
`US 2006/0176169 Al
`
`2
`2
`
`Aug. 10, 2006
`Aug. I 0, 2006
`
`[0016] For illustrative purposes, the sensor nodes 12 are
`[0016] For illustrative purposes, the sensor nodes 12 arc
`shown including a first sensor node 18, a second sensor node
`shown including a first sensor node 18, a second sensor node
`20, a third sensor node 22, a fourth sensor node 24, a fifth
`20, a third sensor node 22, a fourth sensor node 24, a fifth
`sensor node 26, and a sixth mobile sensor node 28. The
`sensor node 26, and a sixth mobile sensor node 28. The
`sensor nodes 18-28 are shown including sensor suites 30-40,
`sensor nodes 18-28 are shown including sensor suites 30-40,
`respectively, for selectively wirelessly communicating
`respectively,
`for selectively wirelessly communicating
`sensed data to the base station 14 via respective sensor
`sensed data to the base station 14 via respective sensor
`antennas 42-52 and a base station antenna 54. A fire front 56
`antennas 42-52 and a base station antenna 54. A fire front 56
`is shown approaching the first sensor node 18 and the second
`is shown approaching the first sensor node 18 and the second
`sensor node 20 after having passed the third sensor node 22,
`sensor node 20 after having passed the third sensor node 22,
`the fourth sensor node 24, the fifth sensor node 26, and the
`the fourth sensor node 24, the fifth sensor node 26, and the
`sixth sensor node 28.
`sixth sensor node 28.
`[0017] In the present specific embodiment, the base station
`[0017]
`In the present specific embodiment, the base station
`14 is a mobile base station, exhibiting base station wheels
`14 is a mobile base station, exhibiting base station wheels
`58. Similarly, the sixth mobile node 28 exhibits node wheels
`58. Similarly, the sixth mobile node 28 exhibits node wheels
`60. While only two network nodes 14, 28 are equipped with
`60. While only two network nodes 14, 28 are equipped with
`wheels, more or fewer nodes of the network 10 may be made
`wheels, more or fewer nodes of the network 10 may be made
`mobile without departing from the scope of the present
`mobile without departing from the scope of the present
`invention. Furthermore, the mobility mechanisms other than
`invention. Furthermore, the mobility mechanisms other than
`wheels may be employed without departing from the scope
`wheels may be employed without departing from the scope
`of the present invention. In addition, the antennas 42-54 may
`of the present invention. In addition, the antennas 42-54 may
`represent Radio Frequency (RF) transceivers, laser trans­
`represent Radio Prequency (RP) transceivers, laser trans(cid:173)
`ceivers, or other types of wireless communications mecha­
`ceivers, or other types of wireless communications mecha(cid:173)
`nisms.
`nisms.
`[0018] The base station 14 further communicates with one
`[0018] The base station 14 further communicates with one
`or more servers 62 running a database 64 for maintaining
`or more servers 62 running a database 64 for maintaining
`sensor data, also called sensed data. The sensed data is
`sensor data, also called sensed data. The sensed data is
`output by the sensor suites 32-52. Examples of sensed data
`output by the sensor suites 3 2-52. Examples of sensed data
`include temperature data, humidity data, blackbody radia­
`include temperature data, humidity data, blackbody radia(cid:173)
`tion data, and Global Positioning System (GPS) position
`tion data, and Global Positioning System (GPS) position
`data. The position data may include elevation data. Sensed
`data. The position data may include elevation data. Sensed
`data may further include various conditions pertaining to a
`data may further include various conditions pertaining to a
`fire, such as fire movement or temperature. Fire movement
`fire, such as fire movement or temperature. Fire movement
`and velocity may be calculated by software, such as the
`and velocity may be calculated by software, such as the
`database 64, by analyzing reported temperature data from
`database 64, by analyzing reported temperature data from
`the various sensor nodes 12 at specific times.
`the various sensor nodes 12 at specific times.
`[0019] The database 64 may maintain other types of data
`[0019] The database 64 may maintain other types of data
`other than just sensor data without departing from the scope
`other than just sensor data without departing from the scope
`of the present invention. For example, the database 64 may
`of the present invention. For example, the database 64 may
`be employed to facilitate implementing an algorithm for
`be employed to facilitate implementing an algorithm for
`predicting movement, temperature, and other characteristics
`predicting movement, temperature, and other characteristics
`of the fire front 56 based on the sensed data. Data pertaining
`of the fire front 56 based on the sensed data. Data pertaining
`to the predicted fire movement and behavior may be stored
`to the predicted fire movement and behavior may be stored
`in the database 64 along with sensed data.
`in the database 64 along with sensed data.
`[0020] Sensed data maintained by the database 64, which
`[0020] Sensed data maintained by the database 64, which
`may be implemented via a My SQL® or another type of
`may be implemented via a My SQUB! or another type of
`database, is accessible via one or more browser clients 66 in
`database, is accessible via one or more browser clients 66 in
`communication with the one or more servers 62. The
`commtmication with the one or more servers 62. The
`browser client 66 includes a user interface 68 for facilitating
`browser client 66 includes a user interface 68 for facilitating
`user access to the sensed data.
`user access to the sensed data.
`[0021] In operation, the self-networking sensor nodes 12
`[0021]
`In operation, the self-networking sensor nodes 12
`are pre-dispersed in fire-prone regions. Alternatively, the
`are pre-dispersed in fire-prone regions. Alternatively, the
`sensor nodes 12 may be dispersed in or in proximity to the
`sensor nodes 12 may be dispersed in or in proximity to the
`fire 56 in real time as the fire front 56 progresses. Pre­
`fire 56 in real time as the fire front 56 progresses. Pre(cid:173)
`dispersed sensor nodes may be augmented with newly
`dispersed sensor nodes may be augmented with newly
`dispersed sensor nodes as needed to meet the needs of a
`dispersed sensor nodes as needed to meet the needs of a
`given situation. Additionally dispersed sensor nodes are
`given situation. Additionally dispersed sensor nodes are
`adapted to automatically self-network with pre-dispersed
`adapted to autmruitically self-network with pre-dispersed
`nodes upon dispersal. The sensor nodes 12 may be dropped
`nodes upon dispersal. The sensor nodes 12 may be dropped
`by air, foot, vehicle, or by other mechanisms. The sensor
`by air, foot, vehicle, or by other mechanisms. The sensor
`nodes 12 may be implemented via miniature disposable
`nodes 12 may be implemented via miniature disposable
`devices. Additional mechanisms, such as special stands
`devices. Additional mechanisms, such as special stands
`
`and/or parachutes (not shown), may be employed to ensure
`and/or parachutes (not shown), may be employed to ensure
`that the sensor suites 12 deploy in optimum positions
`that the sensor suites 12 deploy in optimum positions
`relative to the terrain.
`relative lo the terrain.
`[0022] The base station 14 may be dispersed similarly to
`[0022] The base station 14 may be dispersed similarly to
`the sensor nodes 12 without departing from the scope of the
`the sensor nodes 12 without departing from the scope of the
`present invention. Furthermore, while only one base station
`present invention. Furthermore, while only one base station
`14 is shown, plural base stations may be employed.
`14 is shown, plural base stations may be employed.
`[0023] For the purposes of the present discussion, a self­
`[0023] Por the purposes of the present discussion, a self(cid:173)
`networking node may be any device that begins communi­
`networking node may be any device that begins communi(cid:173)
`cating with surrounding devices upon dispersal to facilitate
`cating with surrounding devices upon dispersal to facilitate
`implementing a network. A self-networking node may auto­
`implementing a network. A self-networking node may auto(cid:173)
`matically begin communicating with proximate nodes upon
`matically begin comnmnicating with proximate nodes upon
`dispersal or may be triggered to begin networking in
`dispersal or may he triggered to begin networking in
`response to certain events, such as in response to a remote
`response to certain events, such as in response to a remote
`control signal. The use of self-networking nodes may facili­
`control signal. The use of self-networking nodes may facili(cid:173)
`tate rapid sensor-network deployment, organization, and
`tate rapid sensor-network deployment, organization, and
`operation.
`operation.
`[0024] Upon dispersal, the self-networking nodes 12
`[0024] Upon dispersal, the self-networking nodes 12
`employ a self-networking protocol to detect signals from
`employ a self-networking protocol to detect signals from
`neighboring nodes and to establish communications there­
`neighboring nodes and to establish commw1ications there(cid:173)
`with. For example, the fourth node 24 may detect a strong
`with. Por example, the fourth node 24 may detect a strong
`signal from the third node 22 and visa versa, and then
`signal from the third node 22 and visa versa, and then
`automatically establish a wireless connection with the third
`automatically establish a wireless com1ection with the third
`node 22. The third node 22 may detect signals from the first
`node 22. The third node 22 may detect signals from the first
`node 18 and visa versa, and then automatically establish
`node 18 and visa versa, and then automatically establish
`communications with the first node 18 in addition to the
`communications with the first node 18 in addition to the
`fourth node 24. Similarly, the first node 18 may detect
`fourth node 24. Similarly, the first node 18 may detect
`signals from the base station 14 and visa versa, and then
`signals from the base station 14 and visa versa, and then
`subsequently establish communications between the base
`subsequently establish communications between the base
`station 14 and the first node 18. Upon establishing commu­
`station 14 and the first node 18. Upon establishing commu(cid:173)
`nications between the base station 14, the first node 18, the
`nications between the base station 14, the first node 18, the
`third node 22, and the fourth node 24, data sensed by the
`third node 22, and the fourth node 24, data sensed by the
`various nodes 18, 22, 24 may be relayed to the base station
`various nodes 18, 22, 24 may be relayed lo the base station
`14. For example, sensed data from the fourth sensor node 24
`14. For example, sensed data from the fourth sensor node 24
`may be relayed to the base station 14 via the first node 18
`may he relayed to the base station 14 via the first node 18
`and the third node 22. However, if the fourth node 24
`and the third node 22. However, if the fourth node 24
`successfully establishes suitable communications with the
`successfully establishes suitable communications with the
`first node 18, the fourth node 24 may choose to relay data to
`first node 18, the fourth node 24 may choose to relay data to
`the base station 14 via the first node 18 instead of via the
`the base station 14 via the first node 18 instead of via the
`third node 22 and the first node 18.
`third node 22 and the first node 18.
`[0025] The communications-link bypassing of the third
`[0025] The communications-linl, bypassing of the third
`node 22 by the fourth node 24 to communicate with the first
`node 22 by the fourth node 24 to communicate with the first
`node 18 is called sensor-position hopping. Position infor­
`node 18 is called sensor-position hopping. Position infor(cid:173)
`mation in addition to signal-strength information associated
`mation in addition to signal-strength infomrntion associated
`with each node 18-28 may be employed to facilitate com­
`with each node 18-28 may be employed to facilitate com(cid:173)
`munications decisions made by each of the nodes 18-28.
`munications decisions made by each of the nodes 18-28.
`Hence, hopping may be based on sensor position, signal
`Hence, hopping may be based on sensor position, signal
`strength, or other parameters.
`strength, or other parameters.
`[0026] Relay nodes can be used. A relay node is used to
`[0026] Relay nodes can be used. A relay node is used to
`re-broadcast a received signal to one or more other nodes in
`re-broadcast a received signal to one or more other nodes in
`order to extend the range, or provide needed continui