Attorney Docket No.: 010030-000900US
`Client Reference No. B04-102-1
`
`Provisional
`
`Patent Application
`
`WILDFIRE MONITORING SYSTEM USING
`WIRELESS NETWORK
`
`INVENTOR(S):
`
`David M. Doolin, a citizen of the USA residing at
`6016 B Avila Ave.
`El Cerrito, CA 94530
`
`Steve Glaser, a citizen of the USA residing at
`1115 Woodside Rd.
`Berkeley, CA 94708
`
`Nicholas Sitar, a citizen of CANADA residing at
`64 Donna Maria Way
`Orinda, CA 94563
`
`: ASSIGNEE:
`
`The Regents of the University of California
`1111 Franklin Street, 12th Floor
`Oakland, CA 94607-5200
`
`ENTITY:
`
`Small
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 1
`
`

`

`Provisional
`Patent Application.
`
`WILDFIRE MONITORING SYSTEM USING
`WIRELESS NETWORK'
`
`[01]
`
`Acknowledgment of Government Support
`This invention was made with Government support under Contract No.
`EAR-0121693 awarded by the National Science Foundation. The Government has
`certain rights to this invention.
`
`[02]
`
`Background Of The Invention
`Monitoring and sensing of uncontrolled fires, so-called "wildfires," is
`important to prevent damage to people, property and the environment. Information such
`as the position, directi.on and speed of a fire; wind, humidity, surface moisture~
`temperature and other data can help indicate what a fire is doing at a present moment, and
`can also be used to predict how the fire may liehave in the near future. This information
`can be very valuable in extinguishing or controlling the fire and can also provide vital
`informat~on for the safety of firefighters and the public.
`[03]
`
`Accurate and comprehensive monitoring of wildfires can be difficult
`because the occurrence of fires is unpredictable and can take place anywhere over huge
`geographical areas thus making pre-installed sensors and networks impractical. Further,
`wildfir~s are unpredictable and can travel quickly so that ~eploying sensors in real time
`once a fire starts is difficult. The environment created by a wildfire 1s very harsh for
`sensitive sensors and telecommunication systems. Devices mustoperate in remote
`locations with limited power and communication ability.
`[04]
`
`One type of system is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,734,335.
`
`1
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 2
`
`

`

`Summary of Embodiments of the Invention
`[05]
`Embodiments of the invention provide a system for monitoring fire events
`and the conditions c~mducive to the initiation and evolution of wildfires in wildfire prone
`terr"ain.. In one embodiment, a pl{u-ality of devices are deployed in an area of expected
`fire spread or possible fire occurrence. Each device includes one or more sensors.
`Sensor data is sampled and communicated to a base station for relay to a computer
`processing system such as a collection of servers and clients interconnected with a
`network. Sensor data can be prioritized according to multiple an~ different criteria.
`Devices and sensors cah be reconfigured and controlled by commands from the client
`computer systems.
`[06]
`One embodiment provides a system for monitoring a fire, the system
`comprising: a plurality of devices, each with a plurality of sensors, wherein a priority is
`assigned to two or more sensors; a base station for communicating with the devices; and
`a processing system for receiving data from the sensors via the base station, wherein the
`data is received from the sensors according to the priority.
`[07]
`Another embodiment provides a system for monitoring a fire, the system
`comprising: a plurality of devices, each with a plurality of sensors; a base station for
`communicating with the devices; a processing system for receiving data from the sensors
`via the base station; and a process executing on one or more of the devices for organizing
`a flow of data from the devices to the base station after deploy~ent of the devices.
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`·
`Figure i illustrates a ~asic configuration of a sensor monitoring system.·
`
`Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention
`Details of the invention are described in the accompanying papers ~
`
`[08]
`
`follows:
`
`"Wireless Sensors for Wildfire Monitoring," (8,pages) D. Doolin, N. Sitar;
`
`2
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 3
`
`

`

`"Rapid Prototyping and Deployment Chassis for Wireless Sensor
`Devices," (3 pages) D. Doolin, N. Sitar, May 17, 2004; and
`"Design and Construction of a Wildfire Instrumentation System Using
`Networked Sensors," (1 page) M. Chen, C. Majidi, D. Doolin, S. Glas~r, N. Sitar, June
`17,2003.
`
`[09]
`
`Note the more-than-one-year prior to the filing date of this application of
`the last paper, above.
`
`[10]
`
`Figure 1 shows a generalized arrangement of sensors, processors and
`telecommunication devices. Note that the specific number and arrangement of devices is
`only for purposes of illustration. In general, features of embodiments of the invention
`can work with any suitable types of network devices and network topology, protocol,
`communication links, etc. For example, communications among sensors 100 and base
`station 102 can be by radio frequency, infrared, hardwired or other arrangement.
`Protocols such as session initiation protocol (SIP), Internet protocol (IP), hyper-text
`transfer protocol (HTTP), etc., can be used. Processing performed by servers 106 and
`'
`clients 104 can be by any suitable one or more processors that can work in real-time or
`non-real-time (e.g., batch, offline, etc.) modes; parallel or distributed processing, etc.
`[11]
`In one embodiment, sensors 100 are deployed in an area of interest, such
`as an area that might be susceptible to a fire, or in the path of an advancing wildfire.
`Other types of deployment of sensors include attaching the sensors to a person, vehicle,
`structure, etc. In some cases, it may necessary or convenient to pre-install sensors, sensor
`networks and supporting network infrastructure such as base stations for satellite or cell
`communication. Deployment can be systematic, such as by regular, patterned placement
`.
`by humans or machines; or arbitrary such as by thrown or dropped batches of sensors by
`land or air. Other types of deployment are possible. The capability of sensors to be
`rapidly deployed in difficult and adverse environmental condition~, as well as having
`such rapidly deployed sensors self-organize into networks and automatically interact with
`any pre:.existing support infrastructure may provide critical information for property and
`life safety management during wildfire evolution. ·
`
`'
`
`3
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 4
`
`

`

`[12]
`
`The sensors, or "motes," include various types of sensors. For example,
`position, temperature, moisture or humidity, air pressure, force, light, and other sensors
`can all be used. A single mote can have multiple sensors and different motes can use
`different numbers and types of sensors than other motes. Depending on the type of
`application, different types of sensing may be more desirable than _others, and sensor
`characteristics such as sensitivity, ruggedness, sample rate, power consumption,
`transmit/receive range, etc., may be more critical than others.
`[13]
`Motes can have pre-programmed behavior so that the need for transmitting
`commands to a mote is reduced. Another option is to allow each mote to be
`reprogrammable so that mote behavior, such as sensor sampling rate, transmit range,
`communications relay ability, etc., can be adjusted from a control center. Mote firmware
`and software can be downloa~ed to each mote from a control center, server or other
`device.
`[14)
`
`One embodiment of the invention uses base station 102 to send and
`receive signals among a network of motes that are in geographic proximity to the base
`station. The base station can be configured to perform different functions such as
`aggregating and correlating data, filtering data, monitoring motes, etc. A primary
`function of the base station is to act as a central radio-frequency receiver/transmitter and
`relay to servers 106 which, in turn, provide data from the motes to clients 104. Clients
`104 can operate automatically or in interaction with human operators to analyze data,
`monitor and report on conditions, make predictions and issue commands to the motes via
`servers 106 and base station 102. Note that in practice several or many base stations can
`be used, each with an associated plurality of motes. Base station coverage c~ overlap to
`provide robustness via redundancy. Such overlapping coverage can also improve overall
`bandwidth of communications from and to motes.
`[15)
`Sensors on motes can be prioritized so that if there is a lack of resources
`(e.g., limited bandwidth), the sensor readings with higher priority can be communicated
`first. Data of sensor types with lower priority can be buffered and transmitted when there
`is free bandwidth at a later time, or discarded and not sent at all. If a mote starts to
`become low on power, sensors with higher priority can remain active while.lower priority
`sensors are shut down.
`
`4
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 5
`
`

`

`[16]
`
`Sensing can be triggered or controlled or modified in reaction to events or
`other criteria. For example, where a concentration of a toxic or dangerous gas such as
`carbon monoxide is being sensed a mote can be programmed to report infrequently on
`concentrations below a predetermined level. If concentration exceeds a threshold ( e.g.,
`maximum safe exposure time is 2 hours·or less) then the mote can send the sampling or
`an alert message at a high priority. The mote can begin sampling the carbon monoxide
`level more frequently and give the appropriate sensor a higher priority. When the
`condition becomes safe (i.e., does not exceed the threshold) the mote and sensing
`operation can go back to the previous state. One sensor reading can be used to modify
`the operation and reporting of other sensors. For example, if temperature increases then
`harmful gas monitoring can be increased in frequency, reporting, priority, etc.
`[17]
`Motes and sensors can be applied to movable objects such as firefighters
`and vehicles. One embodiment of the invention uses fire equipment such as fire engines
`to provide base station support for motes deployed in the terrain, on the fire fighters, and
`on fire fighting vehicle. The motes may be used to collect environmental data at each fire
`fighter's location, and report dat<:1 collect from sensors measuring physical condition of
`fire fighters, such as body temp, etc. Base stations can also be made mobile as where
`base station functionality is carried in a vehicle, remotely operated vehicle (i.e., "drone"),
`etc.
`[18]
`
`Another embodiment of the invention uses a mobile base station attached
`to a fire fighter which communicates via long distance radio, satellite etc. as a relay to
`communcicate to back end servers. Base stations can be pre-deployed to collect data
`from mobile motes mounted on fire fighters, which interact with previously or
`concurrently deployed stationary motes.
`
`[19] ·
`
`Although the invention has been discussed with respect to specific
`embodiments thereof, these embodiments are merely illustrative, and not restrictive, of
`the invention. For example, although specific sensor types have been dis~ussed, any type
`of sensor can be included in a mote. Additional types of sensors include imaging sensors
`(e.g., cameras), chemical detectors, infrared sensing, etc. Any type of software
`applications or functionality can be provi~ed at the mote, base station, servers and clients.
`
`5
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 6
`
`

`

`It is anticipated that third-party commercial software can be used to perform functions
`suc_h as database storage and retrieval, data transfer, data analysis, operating system
`functions, etc.
`
`[20]
`Although embodiments of the invention have been presented primarily
`with respect to wildfires, other uses are possible. For example, the system can be used
`during controlled burns, firefighter training, monitoring chemical or biological
`contamination movement and spread, etc.
`[21]
`In the description herein, numerous specific detail~_are provided, such as
`examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of
`embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,
`however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of
`the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components,
`materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or
`operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of
`embodiments of the present invention.
`[22]
`Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "an
`embodiment", <?r "a specific embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
`characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one
`embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus,
`respective appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "in a
`specific embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily
`referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or
`characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in
`any suitabl_e manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that
`other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described
`and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered
`as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention.
`[23]
`It .will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the
`drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or
`even removed or~rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a
`parti9ular application.
`
`6
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 7
`
`

`

`[24]
`
`As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,
`"a", "an", and "the" includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates
`otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,
`the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
`[25]
`The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present
`invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or
`to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments
`of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only,
`various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present
`invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recogniz~ and appreciate. As indicated,
`these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing
`description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included
`within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
`[26]
`Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference
`to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and
`substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, ruid it will be appreciated that in
`some instances· some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without
`a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the
`invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
`'
`situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is
`intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims
`and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying
`out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and
`equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.
`
`7
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 8
`
`

`

`WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
`
`1. A system for monitoring a fire, the system comprising:
`a plurality of devices, each with a plurality of sensors, wherein a priority is
`assigned to two or more sensors;
`a base station for communicating with the devices; and
`a processing system for receiving data from the sensors via the base station,
`wherein the data is received from the sensors according to the priority.
`
`2. The system of claim 1, wherein the priority is predetermined at a time of
`deployment of a device.
`
`3. The system of claim 1, wherein the priority is set after a time of deployment of
`a device.
`
`4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
`a process executing at a device for preventing operation of a sensor depending on
`a criterion.
`
`5. The system of claim 4, wherein the criterion includes a determination of a low(cid:173)
`power condition.
`
`6. The system of claim 4, wherein the criterion includes a determination of a
`restricted bandwidth condition.
`
`7. A system for monitoring a fire, the system comprising:
`a plurality of devices, each with a plurality of sensors;
`~ base station for communicating with the devices;
`a processing system for receiving data from the sensors via the base station; and
`a process executing on one or more of the devices for organizing a flow of data
`from the devices to the base station after deployment of the devices.
`·
`
`8. The system of claim 7, wherein the devices are pre-deployed in an area.
`.
`.
`9. The system of claim 7, wherein the devices are dynamically deployed during a
`··
`fire event.
`
`10. The system of claim 7, wherein data collection priorities are modified.
`
`11. The system of claim 10, wherein data collection priorities are modified
`according to a data type.
`
`12. The system of claim 10, wherein data collection priorities are modified
`according to a data collection rate.
`
`8
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 9
`
`

`

`13. The system of claim 10, wherein data collection priorities are modified
`according to fire conditions.
`
`14. A system for monitoring a plurality of mobile objects, the system comprising:
`a plurality of devices coupled to the mobile objects, wherein each device includes
`a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensors include environmental and health sensors;
`a base station for communicating with the devices;
`a processing system for receiving q.ata from the sensors via the base station; and
`a process executing on one or more of the devices for organizing a flow of data
`from the devices to the base station after deployment of the devices.
`
`15. The system of claim 14, wherein a mobile object includes a person.
`
`16. The system of claim 14, wherein a mobile object includes a vehicle.
`
`1 7. The system of claim 14, wherein the base station is mobile.
`
`18. The system of claim 14, wherein data collection priorities are
`modified.
`
`19. The system of claim 14, wherein data collection priorities are
`modified according to data type.
`
`20. The system of claim 14, wherein data collection priorities are
`modified according to data collection rate.
`·
`
`21. The system of claim 14, wherein data collection priorities are
`modified according values of data collected.
`
`9
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 10
`
`

`

`ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
`Embodiments of the invention provide a system for monitoring fire events.
`In one embodiment, a plurality of devices are deployed in an area of expected fire spread
`or possible fire occurrence. Each device includes one or more sensors. Sensor data is
`sampled and communicated to a base station for relay to a computer processing system
`such as a collection of servers and clients interconnected with a network. Sensor data can
`be prioritized according to different criteria. Devices and sensors can be reconfigured
`and controlled by commands from the client computer systems.
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 11
`
`

`

`r
`
`104
`
`--
`
`Clients
`
`"\
`
`100
`'it
`
`□
`
`\
`
`_____,____ □
`z
`
`-□
`
`Sensors
`
`Base Station
`
`~·
`
`Server
`
`\...
`
`Server
`
`-
`
`106
`
`.-I
`
`□
`□ □
`
`/
`~ ~ □------□
`~~
`
`□
`
`I\
`
`Figure 1
`
`□
`
`11
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1009, p. 12
`
`