US6553336B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Smart remote monitoring system and method
Assignee: Telemonitor Inc
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Filing: 2000-06-26
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Granted: 2003-04-22
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Expires: 2020-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A remote monitoring system includes transducers, a transducer control module, a communications device, a monitoring system and end-user display terminals. The transducers are disposed on the property and/or equipment in a manner to measure specific characteristics or parameters and communicate with the transducer control module via a wireless communication protocol. The transducer control module receives and analyzes transducer measurements and detects alarm conditions. The transducer control module communicates with the monitoring system via a wide area network and the communications device. The monitoring system receives, stores and analyzes information received from the transducer control module and reports the information to the end-user terminals via a wide area network, such as the Internet, in response to user requests.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert N. Johnson
- 👤 Ronald D. Smith
- 👤 Charlotte K. Smith
- 👤 Edward C. Kight
- 👤 George H. Harrop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2803; H04L12/2823; H04L12/2825; G; G01; G01D; G01D21/00; G01D3/00; G01D3/02; G01D3/022; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/042; G05B19/0421; G05B19/418; G05B19/4185; G08; G08B; G08B25/00; G08B25/007; G08B25/01; G08B25/08; H04L41/00; H04L41/06; H04L41/0681; H04L41/069; H04L43/00; H04L43/08; H04L43/0805; H04L43/0817; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/12; H04L67/125; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/24; G05B2219/24048; G05B2219/25; G05B2219/25168; G05B2219/25289; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/31; G05B2219/31151; G05B2219/31158; G05B2219/31162; G05B2219/34; G05B2219/34012; H04L2012/284; H04L2012/2841; H04L41/08; H04L41/0803; H04L43/02; H04L43/022; H04L43/06; H04L43/10; H04L43/106; H04L43/16; H04W; H04W24/00; H04W24/10; H04W28/00; H04W28/16; H04W28/18; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P80/00; Y02P80/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 108
Claim 1
Independent Claim
347 words
A remote monitoring system for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said system comprising: at least one sensor module to measure said conditions of said remote object, wherein each sensor module is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user and includes a notification module to inform said remote monitoring system of the presence ofthat sensor module coupled to said remote object; a control module local to and in communication with said at least one sensor module to receive and analyze said measured conditions and determine the occurrence of events specified by said end-user; and a monitoring system remote from and in communication with said control module to facilitate entry of said user-specified events and to receive said measured conditions from said control module and transmit said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user; wherein said notification module includes: a message transmission module to facilitate transmission of a registration message to register said at least one sensor module with said control module; an information transmission module to facilitate transmission of sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; an indicator module to indicate to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; an assignment module to assign a prior corresponding control module to said at least one sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and a sleep module to place said at least one sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
347 words
A remote monitoring system for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said system comprising: at least one sensor module to measure said conditions of said remote object, wherein each sensor module is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user and includes a notification module to inform said remote monitoring system of the presence ofthat sensor module coupled to said remote object; a control module local to and in communication with said at least one sensor module to receive and analyze said measured conditions and determine the occurrence of events specified by said end-user; and a monitoring system remote from and in communication with said control module to facilitate entry of said user-specified events and to receive said measured conditions from said control module and transmit said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user; wherein said notification module includes: a message transmission module to facilitate transmission of a registration message to register said at least one sensor module with said control module; an information transmission module to facilitate transmission of sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; an indicator module to indicate to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; an assignment module to assign a prior corresponding control module to said at least one sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and a sleep module to place said at least one sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 further including a wireless communications network to facilitate communications between said at least one sensor module and said control module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 2 wherein at least one sensor module includes: a sensor unit to measure a corresponding condition of said remote object; and a sensor module communications device coupled to said sensor unit to facilitate communications with said control module over said wireless communications network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
135 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said sensor unit includes: a transducer to measure said corresponding condition of said remote object and produce transducer signals indicating said measured condition; a sensor unit controller to process said transducer signals, wherein said sensor unit controller includes: a conditioning module to condition said transducer signals and produce conditioned signals for transmission to said control module; a storage unit to store transducer information facilitating transducer identification and processing of transducer signals; and a communications module to facilitate communications with said control module over said wireless communications network; and a controller interface disposed between said transducer and said sensor unit controller to receive said transducer signals from said transducer and produce controller signals compatible with said sensor unit controller to facilitate communications between said transducer and said sensor unit controller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said sensor unit controller further includes: a sleep state module to control said sensor module to operate in a low power sleep mode; and an active state module to facilitate periodic transition from said low power sleep mode to an active mode to facilitate measurement of said corresponding condition and transmission of said measured corresponding condition to said control module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said sensor module communications device includes: a receiver to receive an incoming message from said control module over said wireless communications network; a transmitter to transmit an outgoing message to said control module over said wireless communications network; an antenna to receive said incoming message and transmit said outgoing message in the form of radio signals; and an antenna switch to selectively couple said receiver and transmitter to said antenna to respectively receive said incoming message and transmit said outgoing message.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
186 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said control module includes: a control module communications device to facilitate communications with each said sensor module via said wireless communications network; a module controller to process said measured conditions received from said at least one sensor module and facilitate communications with said monitoring system, wherein said module controller includes: a registration module to register said at least one sensor module with said remote monitoring system in response to receiving notification from said at least one sensor module via said notification module and to receive and store sensor module information corresponding to said at least one sensor module, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; an event module to process said received measured conditions in accordance with said corresponding sensor module information and to determine occurrence of said events specified by said end-user and received from said monitoring system; and a communications module to facilitate communications with said at least one sensor module over said wireless communications network; and a module communications unit to facilitate communications with said monitoring system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control module further includes: a power source; a power management module to monitor said power source and power facilities at said remote location; and a local interface to provide a direct connection to said control module to retrieve control module status information and set control module parameters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said at least one sensor module and said control module each include: a transmission module to facilitate on/off keyed transmissions to enable communication between said at least one sensor module and said control module via said wireless communications network; and a reception module to receive and decode said on/off keyed transmissions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said transmission module includes: an encoding module to encode an outgoing message for transmission over said wireless communications network; an error checking module to insert message validity information within said outgoing message to facilitate a determination of message validity by said reception module; a monitor module to determine the presence of an available communication link on said wireless communications network and to facilitate transmission of said encoded message in response to determining the presence of said available communication link; a storage module to store said encoded message in response to determining the absence of said available communication link; a re-transmission module to periodically re-transmit said encoded message in response to the absence of a reply message to an initial transmission of said encoded message; and a discard module to discard said encoded message in response to expiration of a prescribed time interval prior to receiving said reply message.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said encoding module includes: a bit conversion module to translate each bit within said outgoing message into a bit pair, wherein each bit within said bit pair has a different state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said error checking module includes: a checksum module to produce a checksum for said outgoing message to enable determination of message validity by said reception module.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said reception module includes: a retrieval module to receive said outgoing message until complete reception of said outgoing message or expiration of a prescribed reception time interval; a validity module to examine said message validity information of said received message and determine validity of said received message; a message processor to process said received message in response to said validity module determining that said received message is valid; and an acknowledgment module to facilitate transmission of a reply message in response to determining that said received message is of a type requiring transmission of said reply message.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 further including a first wide area network to facilitate communications between said control module and said monitoring system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said first wide area network includes a satellite network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said monitoring system includes: a monitor interface module to facilitate communications with said control module over said first wide area network, wherein said monitor interface module includes: a message processor to receive incoming messages including information relating to said measured conditions and occurrence of said user-specified events from said control module; and a message transmission module to facilitate transmission of outgoing messages including information relating to said user-specified events to said control module via said first wide area network; a monitor storage unit to store information relating to said end-user, said user-specified events and said measured conditions; and an end-user module to facilitate communications with said end-user processing system to transmit information to and receive information from said end-user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said end-user module includes: a request processor to process an information request received from said end-user and to transmit information indicated in said information request and relating to said measured conditions to said end-user processing system via a second wide area network; and an event definition module to receive and process an event definition from said end-user specifying an event and facilitate transmission of said event definition to said control module via said monitor interface module.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said monitor interface module further includes: an alarm notification module to transmit a notification to persons designated by said end-user in response to receiving an incoming message from said control module indicating occurrence of a corresponding user-specified event.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 17 further including plural sensor modules, wherein at least one event definition is based on measurements from at least two different sensor modules.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said monitoring system facilitates entry of commands to control said remote object and transmits said commands to said control module, and at least one sensor module includes: an actuator unit to control said remote object in response to said commands received from said control module; and a control module communications device coupled to said actuator unit to facilitate communications with said control module over said wireless communications network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
345 words
In a remote monitoring system, a method of measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring said conditions of said remote object via at least one sensor module, wherein said at least one sensor module is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user; (b) receiving and analyzing said measured conditions and determining the occurrence of events specified by said end-user via a control module local to and in communication with said at least one sensor module; and (c) facilitating entry of said user-specified events and receiving said measured conditions from said control module and transmitting said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user via a monitoring system remote from and in communication with said control module; wherein step (a) further includes: (a.1) informing said remote monitoring system, via said at least one sensor module, of the presence of that sensor module coupled to said remote object, wherein step (a.1) further includes: (a.1.1) transmitting a registration message to register said at least one sensor module with said control module; (a.1.2) transmitting sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; (a.1.3) indicating to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; (a.1.4) assigning a prior corresponding control module to said at least one sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and (a.1.5) placing said at least one sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
345 words
In a remote monitoring system, a method of measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring said conditions of said remote object via at least one sensor module, wherein said at least one sensor module is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user; (b) receiving and analyzing said measured conditions and determining the occurrence of events specified by said end-user via a control module local to and in communication with said at least one sensor module; and (c) facilitating entry of said user-specified events and receiving said measured conditions from said control module and transmitting said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user via a monitoring system remote from and in communication with said control module; wherein step (a) further includes: (a.1) informing said remote monitoring system, via said at least one sensor module, of the presence of that sensor module coupled to said remote object, wherein step (a.1) further includes: (a.1.1) transmitting a registration message to register said at least one sensor module with said control module; (a.1.2) transmitting sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; (a.1.3) indicating to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; (a.1.4) assigning a prior corresponding control module to said at least one sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and (a.1.5) placing said at least one sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 21 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.1) receiving said measured conditions via a wireless communications network facilitating communications between said at least one sensor module and said control module.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 22 wherein step (a) further includes: (a.2) measuring a corresponding condition of said remote object via at least one sensor module; and (a.3) facilitating communications between said at least one sensor module and said control module over said wireless communications network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
98 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said step (a.2) includes: (a.2.1) measuring said corresponding condition of said remote object via a transducer and producing transducer signals indicating said measured condition; (a.2.2) conditioning said transducer signals and producing conditioned signals for transmission to said control module via a sensor controller; (a.2.3) storing transducer information facilitating transducer identification and processing of said transducer signals in a storage unit of said sensor controller; and (a.2.4) processing said transducer signals from said transducer to produce controller signals compatible with said sensor controller to facilitate communications between said transducer and said sensor controller.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 24 wherein step (a.2.1) further includes: (a.2.1.1) controlling said at least one sensor module to operate in a low power sleep mode; and (a.2.1.2) facilitating periodic transition from said low power sleep mode to an active mode to facilitate measurement of said corresponding condition and transmission of said measured corresponding condition to said control module.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
98 words
The method of claim 23 wherein step (a.3) includes: (a.3.1) receiving an incoming message at said at least one sensor module from said control module over said wireless communications network via a receiver; (a.3.2) transmitting an outgoing message from said at least one sensor module to said control module over said wireless communications network via a transmitter; (a.3.3) receiving said incoming message and transmitting said outgoing message in the form of radio signals via an antenna; and (a.3.4) selectively coupling said receiver and transmitter to said antenna to respectively receive said incoming message and transmit said outgoing message.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
118 words
The method of claim 23 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.2) processing said measured conditions received from said at least one sensor module and facilitating communications with said monitoring system; (b.3) registering said at least one sensor module with said remote monitoring system in response to receiving notification from said at least one sensor module and receiving and storing sensor module information corresponding to said at least one sensor module, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; and (b.4) processing said received measured conditions in accordance with said corresponding sensor module information and determining occurrence of said events specified by said end-user and received from said monitoring system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 27 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.5) monitoring a power source and power facilities at said remote location; and (b.6) providing a direct connection to said control module to retrieve control module status information and set control module parameters.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 23 wherein step (a.3) includes: (a.3.1) facilitating on/off keyed transmissions by said at least one sensor module and said control module to enable communication between said at least one sensor module and said control module via said wireless communications network; and (a.3.2) receiving and decoding said on/off keyed transmissions at said at least one sensor module and said control module.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
130 words
The method of claim 29 wherein step (a.3.1) includes: (a.3.1.1) encoding an outgoing message for transmission over said wireless communications network; (a.3.1.2) inserting message validity information within said outgoing message to facilitate a determination of message validity at step (a.3.2); (a.3.1.3) determining the presence of an available communication link on said wireless communications network and transmitting said encoded message in response to determining the presence of said available communication link; (a.3.1.4) storing said encoded message in response to determining the absence of said available communication link; (a.3.1.5) periodically re-transmitting said encoded message in response to the absence of a reply message to an initial transmission of said encoded message; and (a.3.1.6) discarding said encoded message in response to expiration of a prescribed time interval prior to receiving said reply message.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 30 wherein step (a.3.1.1) includes: (a.3.1.1.1) encoding said outgoing message by translating each bit within said outgoing message into a bit pair, wherein each bit within said bit pair has a different state.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 30 wherein step (a.3.1.2) includes: (a.3.1.2.1) producing a checksum for said outgoing message to enable determination of message validity at step (a.3.2).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 30 wherein step (a.3.2) includes: (a.3.2.1) receiving said outgoing message until complete reception of said outgoing message or expiration of a prescribed reception time interval; (a.3.2.2) examining said message validity information of said received message and determining validity of said received message; (a.3.2.3) processing said received message in response to step (a.3.2.2) determining that said received message is valid; and (a.3.2.4) transmitting a reply message in response to determining that said received message is of a type requiring transmission of said reply message.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 21 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.1) facilitating communications between said control module and said monitoring system via a first wide area network.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 21 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.1) facilitating communications between said control module and said monitoring system via a satellite network.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
97 words
The method of claim 34 wherein step (c) includes: (c.1) facilitating communications with said control module over said first wide area network; (c.2) receiving incoming messages including information relating to said measured conditions and occurrence of said user-specified events from said control module; (c.3) transmitting outgoing messages including information relating to said user-specified events to said control module via said first wide area network; (c.4) storing information relating to said end-user, said user-specified events and said measured conditions; and (c.5) facilitating communications with said end-user processing system to transmit information to and receive information from said end-user.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 36 wherein step (c.5) includes: (c.5.1) processing an information request received from said end-user and transmitting information indicated in said information request and relating to said measured conditions to said end-user processing system via a second wide area network; and (c.5.2) receiving and processing an event definition from said end-user specifying an event and transmitting said event definition to said control module to facilitate determination of occurrence of said event.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 36 wherein step (c) further includes: (c.6) transmitting a notification to persons designated by said end-user in response to receiving an incoming message from said control module indicating occurrence of a corresponding user-specified event.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 37 wherein plural sensor modules measure said conditions of said remote object, and step (c.5.2) further includes: (c.5.2.1) receiving and processing at least one event definition based on measurements from at least two different sensor modules.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 22 wherein step (c) further includes: (c.1) facilitating entry of commands to control said remote object and transmitting said commands to said control module.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 40 wherein step (a) further includes: (a.2) controlling said remote object via at least one sensor module in response to said commands received from said control module.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
351 words
A remote monitoring kit for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to a remote monitoring system for display to an end-user, wherein said remote monitoring system facilitates entry of user-specified events and receives said measured conditions from said kit and transmits said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user, said kit comprising: at least one sensor module to measure said conditions of said remote object, wherein each sensor module is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user and includes a notification module to inform said remote monitoring system of the presence of that sensor module coupled to said remote object; and a control module local to and in communication with said at least one sensor module to receive and analyze said measured conditions and determine the occurrence of said user-specified events received from said remote monitoring system, wherein said control module is remote from and in communication with said remote monitoring system; wherein said notification module includes: a message transmission module to facilitate transmission of a registration message to register said at least one sensor module with said control module; an information transmission module to facilitate transmission of sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; an indicator module to indicate to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; an assignment module to assign a prior corresponding control module to said at least one sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and a sleep module to place said at least one sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
351 words
A remote monitoring kit for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to a remote monitoring system for display to an end-user, wherein said remote monitoring system facilitates entry of user-specified events and receives said measured conditions from said kit and transmits said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user, said kit comprising: at least one sensor module to measure said conditions of said remote object, wherein each sensor module is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user and includes a notification module to inform said remote monitoring system of the presence of that sensor module coupled to said remote object; and a control module local to and in communication with said at least one sensor module to receive and analyze said measured conditions and determine the occurrence of said user-specified events received from said remote monitoring system, wherein said control module is remote from and in communication with said remote monitoring system; wherein said notification module includes: a message transmission module to facilitate transmission of a registration message to register said at least one sensor module with said control module; an information transmission module to facilitate transmission of sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; an indicator module to indicate to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; an assignment module to assign a prior corresponding control module to said at least one sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and a sleep module to place said at least one sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The kit of claim 42 wherein communications between said at least one sensor module and said control module are facilitated via a wireless communications network.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
47 words
The kit of claim 43 wherein at least one sensor module includes: a sensor unit to measure a corresponding condition of said remote object; and a sensor module communications device coupled to said sensor unit to facilitate communications with said control module over said wireless communications network.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
75 words
The kit of claim 43 wherein said remote monitoring system facilitates entry of commands to control said remote object and transmits said commands to said control module, and at least one sensor module includes: an actuator unit to control said remote object in response to said commands received from said control module; and a control module communications device coupled to said actuator unit to facilitate communications with said control module over said wireless communications network.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
189 words
The kit of claim 43 wherein said control module includes: a control module communications device to facilitate communications with each said sensor module via said wireless communications network; a module controller to process said measured conditions received from said at least one sensor module and facilitate communications with said remote monitoring system, wherein said module controller includes: a registration module to register said at least one sensor module with said remote monitoring system in response to receiving notification from said at least one sensor module via said notification module and to receive and store sensor module information corresponding to said at least one sensor module, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; an event module to process said received measured conditions in accordance with said corresponding sensor module information and to determine occurrence of said events specified by said end-user and received from said remote monitoring system; and a communications module to facilitate communications with said at least one sensor module over said wireless communications network; and a module communications unit to facilitate communications with said remote monitoring system.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
57 words
The kit of claim 43 wherein said at least one sensor module and said control module each include: a transmission module to facilitate on/off keyed transmissions to enable communication between said at least one sensor module and said control module via said wireless communications network; and a reception module to receive and decode said on/off keyed transmissions.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
410 words
A method of measuring conditions of an object at a remote location via a remote monitoring kit that measures said conditions and provides information relating to said measurements to a remote monitoring system for display to an end-user, wherein said remote monitoring system facilitates entry of user-specified events and receives said measured conditions from said kit and transmits said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) connecting at least one sensor module of said kit to said remote object to measure said conditions of said remote object, wherein each sensor module is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user; (b) informing a control module of said kit of the presence of said at least one sensor module, wherein said control module is local to and in communication with said at least one sensor module to receive notification from said at least one sensor module indicating said presence of said at least one sensor module, and step (b) further includes: (b.1) transmitting a registration message to register said at least one sensor module with said control module; (b.2) transmitting sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; (b.3) indicating to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; (b.4) assigning a prior corresponding control module to said at least one sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and (b.5) placing said at least one sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module; (c) entering said user-specified events into said remote monitoring system; (d) measuring said conditions of said remote object via said at least one sensor module; (e) receiving and analyzing said measured conditions at said control module and determining the occurrence of said user-specified events received from said remote monitoring system, wherein said control module is remote from and in communication with said remote monitoring system; and (f) accessing said remote monitoring system via said processing system to retrieve said measured conditions.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
410 words
A method of measuring conditions of an object at a remote location via a remote monitoring kit that measures said conditions and provides information relating to said measurements to a remote monitoring system for display to an end-user, wherein said remote monitoring system facilitates entry of user-specified events and receives said measured conditions from said kit and transmits said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) connecting at least one sensor module of said kit to said remote object to measure said conditions of said remote object, wherein each sensor module is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user; (b) informing a control module of said kit of the presence of said at least one sensor module, wherein said control module is local to and in communication with said at least one sensor module to receive notification from said at least one sensor module indicating said presence of said at least one sensor module, and step (b) further includes: (b.1) transmitting a registration message to register said at least one sensor module with said control module; (b.2) transmitting sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; (b.3) indicating to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; (b.4) assigning a prior corresponding control module to said at least one sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and (b.5) placing said at least one sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module; (c) entering said user-specified events into said remote monitoring system; (d) measuring said conditions of said remote object via said at least one sensor module; (e) receiving and analyzing said measured conditions at said control module and determining the occurrence of said user-specified events received from said remote monitoring system, wherein said control module is remote from and in communication with said remote monitoring system; and (f) accessing said remote monitoring system via said processing system to retrieve said measured conditions.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 48 wherein step (e) includes: (e.1) facilitating communications between said at least one sensor module and said control module via a wireless communications network.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 48 wherein at least one sensor module includes an actuator unit, and step (c) includes: (c.1) entering commands into said remote monitoring system to control said remote object and transmitting said commands to said control module; and step (d) includes: (d.1) controlling said remote object via said actuator unit of said at least one sensor module in response to said commands received from said control module.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 49 wherein step (e) further includes: (e.2) facilitating on/offkeyed transmissions from said at least one sensor module and said control module to enable communications via said wireless communications network; and (e.3) receiving and decoding at said at least one sensor module and said control module said on/off keyed transmissions.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 48 wherein plural sensor modules measure said conditions of said remote object, and step (c) further includes: (c.1) entering at least one event based on measurements from at least two different sensor modules.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
330 words
A remote monitoring system for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said system comprising: a plurality of sensor modules to measure said conditions of said remote object; a control module local to and in communication with each said sensor module to receive and analyze said measured conditions and determine the occurrence of events specified by said end-user, wherein said events are based on measurements from at least two different sensor modules; and a monitoring system remote from and in communication with said control module to facilitate entry of said user-specified events and to receive said measured conditions from said control module and transmit said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user; wherein each sensor module includes a notification module to inform said remote monitoring system of the presence of that sensor module, said notification module including: a message transmission module to facilitate transmission of a registration message to register that sensor module with said control module; an information transmission module to facilitate transmission of sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; an indicator module to indicate to said end-user registration of that sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; an assignment module to assign a prior corresponding control module to that sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and a sleep module to place that sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
330 words
A remote monitoring system for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said system comprising: a plurality of sensor modules to measure said conditions of said remote object; a control module local to and in communication with each said sensor module to receive and analyze said measured conditions and determine the occurrence of events specified by said end-user, wherein said events are based on measurements from at least two different sensor modules; and a monitoring system remote from and in communication with said control module to facilitate entry of said user-specified events and to receive said measured conditions from said control module and transmit said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user; wherein each sensor module includes a notification module to inform said remote monitoring system of the presence of that sensor module, said notification module including: a message transmission module to facilitate transmission of a registration message to register that sensor module with said control module; an information transmission module to facilitate transmission of sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; an indicator module to indicate to said end-user registration of that sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; an assignment module to assign a prior corresponding control module to that sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and a sleep module to place that sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 53 wherein communications between said sensor modules and said control module are facilitated via a wireless communications network.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 54 wherein at least one sensor module includes: a sensor unit to measure a corresponding condition of said remote object; and a sensor module communications device coupled to said sensor unit to facilitate communications with said control module over said wireless communications network.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 54 wherein said monitoring system facilitates entry of commands to control said remote object and transmits said commands to said control module, and at least one sensor module includes: an actuator unit to control said remote object in response to said commands received from said control module; and a control module communications device coupled to said actuator unit to facilitate communications with said control module over said wireless communications network.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
168 words
The system of claim 54 wherein said control module includes: a control module communications device to facilitate communications with each said sensor module via said wireless communications network; a module controller to process said measured conditions received from said sensor modules and facilitate communications with said monitoring system, wherein said module controller includes: a registration module to register each said sensor module with said remote monitoring system in response to receiving notification from that sensor module and to receive and store sensor module information corresponding to that sensor module, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; an event module to process said received measured conditions in accordance with said corresponding sensor module information and to determine occurrence of said events specified by said end-user and received from said monitoring system; and a communications module to facilitate communications with said sensor modules over said wireless communications network; and a module communications unit to facilitate communications with said monitoring system.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 54 wherein said sensor modules and said control module each include: a transmission module to facilitate on/off keyed transmissions to enable communication between said sensor modules and said control module via said wireless communications network; and a reception module to receive and decode said on/off keyed transmissions.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 53 wherein said monitoring system includes an alarm notification module to transmit a notification to persons designated by said end-user in response to receiving an incoming message from said control module indicating occurrence of a corresponding user-specified event.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
318 words
In a remote monitoring system, a method of measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring said conditions of said remote object via a plurality of sensor modules; (b) receiving and analyzing said measured conditions and determining the occurrence of events specified by said end-user via a control module local to and in communication with said sensor modules, wherein said events are based on measurements from at least two different sensor modules; and (c) facilitating entry of said user-specified events and receiving said measured conditions from said control module and transmitting said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user via a monitoring system remote from and in communication with said control module; wherein step (a) further includes: (a.1) informing said remote monitoring system, via each sensor module, of the presence of that sensor module, wherein step (a.1) further includes: (a.1.1) transmitting a registration message to register that sensor module with said control module; (a.1.2) transmitting sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; (a.1.3) indicating to said end-user registration of that sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; (a.1.4) assigning a prior corresponding control module to that sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and (a.1.5) placing that sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
318 words
In a remote monitoring system, a method of measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring said conditions of said remote object via a plurality of sensor modules; (b) receiving and analyzing said measured conditions and determining the occurrence of events specified by said end-user via a control module local to and in communication with said sensor modules, wherein said events are based on measurements from at least two different sensor modules; and (c) facilitating entry of said user-specified events and receiving said measured conditions from said control module and transmitting said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user via a monitoring system remote from and in communication with said control module; wherein step (a) further includes: (a.1) informing said remote monitoring system, via each sensor module, of the presence of that sensor module, wherein step (a.1) further includes: (a.1.1) transmitting a registration message to register that sensor module with said control module; (a.1.2) transmitting sensor module information to said control module in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; (a.1.3) indicating to said end-user registration of that sensor module in response to receiving said reply message from said control module indicating reception of said sensor module information; (a.1.4) assigning a prior corresponding control module to that sensor module in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and (a.1.5) placing that sensor module in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control module.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 60 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.1) receiving said measured conditions via a wireless communications, network facilitating communications between said sensor modules and said control module.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 61 wherein step (c) further includes: (c.1) facilitating entry of commands to control said remote object and transmitting said commands to said control module.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 62 wherein step (a) further includes: (a.2) controlling said remote object via at least one sensor module in response to said commands received from said control module.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
107 words
The method of claim 61 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.2) processing said measured conditions received from said sensor modules and facilitating communications with said monitoring system; (b.3) registering each said sensor module with said remote monitoring system in response to receiving notification from that sensor module and receiving and storing sensor module information corresponding to that sensor module, wherein said sensor module information includes a sensor module identification and information for processing said measured conditions; and (b.4) processing said received measured conditions in accordance with said corresponding sensor module information and determining occurrence of said events specified by said end-user and received from said monitoring system.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 61 wherein step (b.1) includes: (b.1.1) facilitating on/off keyed transmissions by said sensor modules and said control module to enable communication between said sensor modules and said control module via said wireless communications network; and (b.1.2) receiving and decoding said on/off keyed transmissions at said sensor modules and said control module.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 60 wherein step (c) further includes: (c.1) transmitting a notification to persons designated by said end-user in response to receiving an incoming message from said control module indicating occurrence of a corresponding user-specified event.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control module includes: a clock module to maintain an indication of current time; and an event time module to provide a time stamp corresponding to said current time indication for said determined occurrence of end-user specified events for transmission with event information to said monitoring system.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control module includes: a receiver module to receive location information associated with said remote object from a Global Positioning System for transmission of object position information to said monitoring system.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 68 wherein said control module further includes: a report module to periodically generate a report including a location of said remote object indicated by said received location information for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 68 wherein said control module further includes: an event location module to provide a location associated with said determined occurrence of end-user specified events and indicated by said received location information for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control module includes: a receiver module to receive time information from a Global Positioning System; and a clock module to maintain an indication of current time in accordance with said received time information to facilitate determination of time indications associated with said remote object for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 21 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.1) maintaining an indication of current time; and (b.2) generating a time stamp corresponding to said current time indication for said determined occurrence of end-user specified events for transmission with event information to said monitoring system.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 21 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.1) receiving location information associated with said remote object from a Global Positioning System for transmission of object position information to said monitoring system.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 73 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.2) periodically generating a report including a location of said remote object indicated by said received location information for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 73 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.2) determining a location associated with said determined occurrence of end-user specified events in accordance with said received location information for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 21 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.1) receiving time information from a Global Positioning System; and (b.2) maintaining an -indication of current time in accordance with said received time information to facilitate determination of time indications associated with said remote object for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
54 words
The kit of claim 42 wherein said control module includes: a clock module to maintain an indication of current time; and an event time module to provide a time stamp corresponding to said current time indication for said determined occurrence of end-user specified events for transmission with event information to said remote monitoring system.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
38 words
The kit of claim 42 wherein said control module includes: a receiver module to receive location information associated with said remote object from a Global Positioning System for transmission of object position information to said remote monitoring system.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
38 words
The kit of claim 78 wherein said control module further includes: a report module to periodically generate-a report including a location of said remote object indicated by said received location information for transmission to said remote monitoring system.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
42 words
The kit of claim 78 wherein said control module further includes: an event location module to provide a location associated with said determined occurrence of end-user specified events and indicated by said received location information for transmission to said remote monitoring system.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
58 words
The kit of claim 42 wherein said control module includes: a receiver module to receive time information from a Global Positioning System; and a clock module to maintain an indication of current time in accordance with said received time information to facilitate determination of time indications associated with said remote object for transmission to said remote monitoring system.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 48 wherein step (e) further includes: (e.1) maintaining an indication of current time; and (e.2) generating a time stamp corresponding to said current time indication for said determined occurrence of end-user specified events for transmission with event information to said remote monitoring system.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 48 wherein step (e) further includes: (e.1) receiving location information associated with said remote object from a Global Positioning System for transmission of object position information to said remote monitoring system.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 83 wherein step (e) further includes: (e.2) periodically generating a report including a location of said remote object indicated by said received location information for transmission to said remote monitoring system.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 83 wherein step (e) further includes: (e.2) determining a location associated with said determined occurrence of end-user specified events in accordance with said received location information for transmission to said remote monitoring system.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 48 wherein step (e) further includes: (e.1) receiving time information from a Global Positioning System; and (e.2) maintaining an indication of current time in accordance with said received time information to facilitate determination of time indications associated with said remote object for transmission to said remote monitoring system.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 53 wherein said control module includes: a clock module to maintain an indication of current time; and an event time module to provide a time stamp corresponding to said current time indication for said determined occurrence of end-user specified events for transmission with event information to said monitoring system.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 53 wherein said control module includes: a receiver module to receive location information associated with said remote object from a Global Positioning System for transmission of object position information to said monitoring system.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 88 wherein said control module further includes: a report module to periodically generate a report including a location of said remote object indicated by said received location information for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 88 wherein said control module further includes: an event location module to provide a location associated with said determined occurrence of end-user specified events and indicated by said received location information for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 53 wherein said control module includes: a receiver module to receive time information from a Global Positioning System; and a clock module to maintain an indication of current time in accordance with said received time information to facilitate determination of time indications associated with said remote object for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 60 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.1) maintaining an indication of current time; and (b.2) generating a time stamp corresponding to said current time indication for said determined occurrence of end-user specified events for transmission with event information to said monitoring system.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 60 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.1) receiving location information associated with said remote object from a Global Positioning System for transmission of object position information to said monitoring system.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 93 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.2) periodically generating a report including a location of said remote object indicated by said received location information for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 93 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.2) determining a location associated with said determined occurrence of end-user specified events in accordance with said received location information for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 73 wherein step (b) further includes: (b.1) receiving time information from a Global Positioning System; and (b.2) maintaining an indication of current time in accordance with said received time information to facilitate determination of time indications associated with said remote object for transmission to said monitoring system.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
338 words
A remote monitoring system for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said system comprising: at least one sensor means for measuring said conditions of said remote object, wherein each sensor means is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user and includes notification means for informing said remote monitoring system of the presence ofthat sensor means coupled to said remote object; control means local to and in communication with said at least one sensor means for receiving and analyzing said measured conditions and determining the occurrence of events specified by said end-user; and monitoring means remote from and in communication with said control means for facilitating entry of said user-specified events and receiving said measured conditions from said control means and transmitting said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user; wherein said notification means includes: message transmission means for facilitating transmission of a registration message to register said at least one sensor means with said control means; information transmission means for facilitating transmission of sensor means information to said control means in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor means information includes a sensor means identification and information for processing said measured conditions; indicator means for indicating to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor means in response to receiving said reply message from said control means indicating reception of said sensor means information; assignment means for assigning a prior corresponding control means to said at least one sensor means in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and sleep means for placing said at least one sensor means in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control means.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
338 words
A remote monitoring system for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said system comprising: at least one sensor means for measuring said conditions of said remote object, wherein each sensor means is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user and includes notification means for informing said remote monitoring system of the presence ofthat sensor means coupled to said remote object; control means local to and in communication with said at least one sensor means for receiving and analyzing said measured conditions and determining the occurrence of events specified by said end-user; and monitoring means remote from and in communication with said control means for facilitating entry of said user-specified events and receiving said measured conditions from said control means and transmitting said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user; wherein said notification means includes: message transmission means for facilitating transmission of a registration message to register said at least one sensor means with said control means; information transmission means for facilitating transmission of sensor means information to said control means in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor means information includes a sensor means identification and information for processing said measured conditions; indicator means for indicating to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor means in response to receiving said reply message from said control means indicating reception of said sensor means information; assignment means for assigning a prior corresponding control means to said at least one sensor means in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and sleep means for placing said at least one sensor means in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control means.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
343 words
A remote monitoring kit for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to a remote monitoring system for display to an end-user, wherein said remote monitoring system facilitates entry of user-specified events and receives said measured conditions from said kit and transmits said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user, said kit comprising: at least one sensor means for measuring said conditions of said remote object, wherein each sensor means is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user and includes notification means for informing said remote monitoring system of the presence ofthat sensor means coupled to said remote object; and control means local to and in communication with said at least one sensor means for receiving and analyzing said measured conditions and determining the occurrence of said user-specified events received from said remote monitoring system, wherein said control means is remote from and in communication with said remote monitoring system; wherein said notification means includes: message transmission means for facilitating transmission of a registration message to register said at least one sensor means with said control means; information transmission means for facilitating transmission of sensor means information to said control means in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor means information includes a sensor means identification and information for processing said measured conditions; indicator means for indicating to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor means in response to receiving said reply message from said control means indicating reception of said sensor means information; assignment means for assigning a prior corresponding control means to said at least one sensor means in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and sleep means for placing said at least one sensor means in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control means.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
343 words
A remote monitoring kit for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to a remote monitoring system for display to an end-user, wherein said remote monitoring system facilitates entry of user-specified events and receives said measured conditions from said kit and transmits said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user, said kit comprising: at least one sensor means for measuring said conditions of said remote object, wherein each sensor means is configured for attachment to said remote object by said end-user and includes notification means for informing said remote monitoring system of the presence ofthat sensor means coupled to said remote object; and control means local to and in communication with said at least one sensor means for receiving and analyzing said measured conditions and determining the occurrence of said user-specified events received from said remote monitoring system, wherein said control means is remote from and in communication with said remote monitoring system; wherein said notification means includes: message transmission means for facilitating transmission of a registration message to register said at least one sensor means with said control means; information transmission means for facilitating transmission of sensor means information to said control means in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor means information includes a sensor means identification and information for processing said measured conditions; indicator means for indicating to said end-user registration of said at least one sensor means in response to receiving said reply message from said control means indicating reception of said sensor means information; assignment means for assigning a prior corresponding control means to said at least one sensor means in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and sleep means for placing said at least one sensor means in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control means.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
321 words
A remote monitoring system for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said system comprising: a plurality of sensor means for measuring said conditions of said remote object; control means local to and in communication with each said sensor means for receiving and analyzing said measured conditions and determining the occurrence of events specified by said end-user, wherein said events are based on measurements from at least two different sensor means; and monitoring means remote from and in communication with said control means for facilitating entry of said user-specified events and receiving said measured conditions from said control means and transmitting said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user; wherein each sensor means includes notification means for informing said remote monitoring system of the presence of that sensor means, said notification means including: message transmission means for facilitating transmission of a registration message to register that sensor means with said control means; information transmission means for facilitating transmission of sensor means information to said control means in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor means information includes a sensor means identification and information for processing said measured conditions; indicator means for indicating to said end-user registration of that sensor means in response to receiving said reply message from said control means indicating reception of said sensor means information; assignment means for assigning a prior corresponding control means to that sensor means in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and sleep means for placing that sensor means in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control means.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
321 words
A remote monitoring system for measuring conditions of an object at a remote location and providing information relating to said measurements to an end-user, said system comprising: a plurality of sensor means for measuring said conditions of said remote object; control means local to and in communication with each said sensor means for receiving and analyzing said measured conditions and determining the occurrence of events specified by said end-user, wherein said events are based on measurements from at least two different sensor means; and monitoring means remote from and in communication with said control means for facilitating entry of said user-specified events and receiving said measured conditions from said control means and transmitting said received measured conditions to a processing system of said end-user in response to a request for said measured conditions from said end-user; wherein each sensor means includes notification means for informing said remote monitoring system of the presence of that sensor means, said notification means including: message transmission means for facilitating transmission of a registration message to register that sensor means with said control means; information transmission means for facilitating transmission of sensor means information to said control means in response to receiving a reply message within a predetermined quantity of registration message transmissions, wherein said sensor means information includes a sensor means identification and information for processing said measured conditions; indicator means for indicating to said end-user registration of that sensor means in response to receiving said reply message from said control means indicating reception of said sensor means information; assignment means for assigning a prior corresponding control means to that sensor means in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message; and sleep means for placing that sensor means in a low power sleep mode in response to the absence of said reply message to transmission of said registration message and the absence of a prior corresponding control means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-04-21 | 2006-10-21 | 2007-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-21 | 2010-10-21 | 2011-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-21 | 2014-10-21 | 2015-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |