Patent US7242294B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7242294B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for using mobile collectors for accessing a wireless sensor network
Assignee: Keysight Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2003-09-17
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Granted: 2007-07-10
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Expires: 2023-09-17
Abstract
Abstract A system and method are provided that use mobile collectors for accessing a wireless sensor network. In certain embodiments, one or more mobile collectors having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network are deployed for use in accessing the wireless sensor network. Thus, rather than relying on an access technique having certainty designed therein with regard to the access of a wireless sensor network, certain embodiments utilize an access technique that relies on statistical probability for accessing the wireless sensor network. For instance, by deploying a plurality of mobile collectors that are operable for accessing a wireless sensor network, a statistical probability exists that at some point (or at various points in time) at least one of the mobile collectors will travel within range of the wireless sensor network to enable access thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Jogesh Warrior
- 👤 John C. Eidson
- 👤 Jeff Burch
- 👤 Jerry Liu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W84/00; H04W84/18; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185; H04B7/18502; H04B7/18506; H04W48/00; H04W48/16; H04W52/00; H04W52/02; H04W52/0209; H04W52/0212; H04W52/0216; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W88/06; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D30/00; Y02D30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector, having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network, for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network, wherein said mobility that is unpredictable to said wireless sensor network comprises a travel schedule of said at least one mobile data collector that is unpredictable to said wireless sensor network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector, having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network, for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network, wherein said mobility that is unpredictable to said wireless sensor network comprises a travel schedule of said at least one mobile data collector that is unpredictable to said wireless sensor network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: deploying a plurality of said mobile data collectors, each having mobility that is unpredictable to the wireless sensor network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: distributing sensors, including said at least one sensor, in the wireless sensor network, wherein the sensors are operable to capture measurement data for a feature of interest.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor is operable to perform at least one of the following: capture measurement data for a feature of interest, sensing, actuation, computation, data storage, and forwarding data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mobile data collector comprises a general-purpose mobile communication device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mobile data collector comprises one selected from the group consisting of: cellular telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop computer, pager, and a wireless communication device in a vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one mobile data collector forms transient communication links with said at least one sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein times at which said transient communication links are formed are unpredictable to the wireless sensor network.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
105 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector, having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network, for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network; deploying a plurality of said mobile data collectors, each having mobility that is unpredictable to the wireless sensor network; and said mobility of said plurality of mobile data collectors resulting in a pattern of accesses of said at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network by ones of said plurality of mobile data collector that is unpredictable to said wireless sensor network.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
105 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector, having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network, for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network; deploying a plurality of said mobile data collectors, each having mobility that is unpredictable to the wireless sensor network; and said mobility of said plurality of mobile data collectors resulting in a pattern of accesses of said at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network by ones of said plurality of mobile data collector that is unpredictable to said wireless sensor network.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
73 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector, having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network, for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network, wherein said mobility that is unpredictable to said wireless sensor network comprises a travel route of said at least one mobile data collector that is unpredictable to said wireless sensor network.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
73 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector, having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network, for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network, wherein said mobility that is unpredictable to said wireless sensor network comprises a travel route of said at least one mobile data collector that is unpredictable to said wireless sensor network.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
115 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector, having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network, for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network; said at least one mobile data collector determining if it is in range for wireless communication with said at least one sensor; and if determined that said at least one mobile data collector is in range for wireless communication with said at least one sensor, said at least one mobile data collector communicating a wake-up signal to said at least one sensor to cause it increase its power to level suitable for communication.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
115 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector, having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network, for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network; said at least one mobile data collector determining if it is in range for wireless communication with said at least one sensor; and if determined that said at least one mobile data collector is in range for wireless communication with said at least one sensor, said at least one mobile data collector communicating a wake-up signal to said at least one sensor to cause it increase its power to level suitable for communication.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
75 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector, having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network, for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network; and during a transient communication with said at least one mobile data collector, said at least one sensor communicating data with at least one of (a) timestamp information and (b) spatial location information.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
75 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector, having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network, for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one sensor in said wireless sensor network; and during a transient communication with said at least one mobile data collector, said at least one sensor communicating data with at least one of (a) timestamp information and (b) spatial location information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the timestamp information provides a relational time reference for the data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the timestamp information identifies when the data was captured by a sensor of said wireless sensor network.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the spatial location information provides a relational spatial position reference of a sensor of said wireless sensor network that captured the data at the time of its capturing the data.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
85 words
A method comprising: deploying a plurality of mobile collectors that are each operable to communicatively access a node of a wireless sensor network and that are each independently movable; and employing an application that desires communication access with at least one node of the wireless sensor network, wherein said application relies on statistical probability that at least one of the plurality of mobile collectors will travel in communication range of the at least one node of the wireless sensor network for performing the desired communication.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
85 words
A method comprising: deploying a plurality of mobile collectors that are each operable to communicatively access a node of a wireless sensor network and that are each independently movable; and employing an application that desires communication access with at least one node of the wireless sensor network, wherein said application relies on statistical probability that at least one of the plurality of mobile collectors will travel in communication range of the at least one node of the wireless sensor network for performing the desired communication.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said application is a distributed application.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said application is at least partially distributed among said plurality of mobile collectors.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein mobility of said plurality of mobile collectors is unpredictable to said application.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16 wherein a pattern of access of said at least one node of the wireless sensor network by said plurality of mobile collectors is not predefined for said application.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16 wherein a pattern of access of said at least one node of the wireless sensor network by said plurality of mobile collectors is not predictable to said application.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said desired communication comprises at least one of a) collecting data from said at least one node of the wireless sensor network and b) communicating data to said at least one node of the wireless sensor network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said desired communication comprises periodic communication access with said at least one node of the wireless sensor network.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said periodic communication access is desired to have a latency between accesses of the at least one node of no more than a threshold period.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the application is operable to calibrate data received from the plurality of mobile collectors.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 wherein calibrating data comprises resolving conflicts between data received from the plurality of mobile collectors.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 25 wherein calibrating data comprises organizing data received from the plurality of mobile collectors.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 25 wherein when any one of said plurality of mobile collectors communicatively access said at least one node of the wireless sensor network, said at least one node of the wireless sensor network communicates data with at least one of (a) timestamp information and (b) spatial location information to said one of said plurality of mobile collectors.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said timestamp information provides a relational time reference for the data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said timestamp information identifies when the data was captured by a node of the wireless sensor network.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said spatial location information provides a relational spatial position reference of a node of the wireless sensor network that captured the data at the time of its capturing the data.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the application bases its calibration at least in part on at least one of the timestamp information and spatial location information.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
183 words
A system comprising: a wireless sensor network having a plurality of nodes, wherein at least one of said plurality of nodes comprises a) an interface for communicating via wireless communication with other nodes of said wireless sensor network and b) an interface for communicating via a transient communication link with a mobile collector; at least one mobile collector comprising a first interface having a first range of communication for communicating with a node in said wireless sensor network, and said at least one mobile collector comprising a second interface for communicating with a node external to said wireless sensor network wherein said second interface is operable for communicating a range longer than said first range; and wherein said node external to said wireless sensor network relies on said at least one mobile collector for accessing said wireless sensor network for performing at least one of a) collecting data from said wireless sensor network and b) communicating data to said wireless sensor network, and wherein an access pattern of said at least one mobile collector accessing of said wireless sensor network is not predefined.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
183 words
A system comprising: a wireless sensor network having a plurality of nodes, wherein at least one of said plurality of nodes comprises a) an interface for communicating via wireless communication with other nodes of said wireless sensor network and b) an interface for communicating via a transient communication link with a mobile collector; at least one mobile collector comprising a first interface having a first range of communication for communicating with a node in said wireless sensor network, and said at least one mobile collector comprising a second interface for communicating with a node external to said wireless sensor network wherein said second interface is operable for communicating a range longer than said first range; and wherein said node external to said wireless sensor network relies on said at least one mobile collector for accessing said wireless sensor network for performing at least one of a) collecting data from said wireless sensor network and b) communicating data to said wireless sensor network, and wherein an access pattern of said at least one mobile collector accessing of said wireless sensor network is not predefined.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said transient communication link is a wireless communication link.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
48 words
The system of 33 wherein said interface for communicating via wireless communication with other nodes of said wireless sensor network and said interface for communicating via a transient communication link with a mobile collector are a common interface of said at least one of said plurality of nodes.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
48 words
The system of 33 wherein said interface for communicating via wireless communication with other nodes of said wireless sensor network and said interface for communicating via a transient communication link with a mobile collector are a common interface of said at least one of said plurality of nodes.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said at least one mobile collector is implemented in a general-purpose communication device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said mobile collector is implemented in a cellular telephone.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said first interface of said at least one mobile collector is operable to communicate via at least one of a) Bluetooth and b) 802.11 communication protocols.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said second interface of said at least one mobile collector is operable to communicate via cellular communication.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
114 words
A system comprising: a wireless sensor network comprising a plurality of means for measuring a characteristic of an environment and communicating via short range wireless communication; and a plurality of means for accessing at least one of the measuring means for performing a desired communication therewith, wherein said plurality of access means are independently movable and are capable of travelling outside communication range of the wireless sensor network, and wherein a statistical probability exists that at least one of the accessing means will travel within range of said at least one of the measuring means to enable the accessing means to perform the desired communication with said at least one of the measuring means.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
114 words
A system comprising: a wireless sensor network comprising a plurality of means for measuring a characteristic of an environment and communicating via short range wireless communication; and a plurality of means for accessing at least one of the measuring means for performing a desired communication therewith, wherein said plurality of access means are independently movable and are capable of travelling outside communication range of the wireless sensor network, and wherein a statistical probability exists that at least one of the accessing means will travel within range of said at least one of the measuring means to enable the accessing means to perform the desired communication with said at least one of the measuring means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 40 wherein the accessing means are each implemented in a general-purpose communication device.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 40 further comprising: means for processing measurements made by the measuring means, wherein the processing means relies on the statistical probability for receiving measurements made by the measuring means from the accessing means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
86 words
The system of claim 40 further comprising: at least one processing means that is located outside said communication range of the wireless sensor network, wherein the at least one processing means relies upon the accessing means for performing said desired communication with said at least one of the measuring means and wherein said desired communication comprises at least one of a) receiving measurement information from said at least one of the measuring means and b) communicating information to said at least one of the measuring means.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
107 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one node of a wireless sensor network; said at least one mobile data collector determining if it is in range for transient communication with said at least one node; and if determined that said at least one mobile data collector is in range for transient communication with said at least one node, said at least one mobile data collector communicating a wake-up signal to said at least one node to cause it to increase its power to a level suitable for communication.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
107 words
A method comprising: using at least one mobile data collector for performing at least one of data collection from and data communication to at least one node of a wireless sensor network; said at least one mobile data collector determining if it is in range for transient communication with said at least one node; and if determined that said at least one mobile data collector is in range for transient communication with said at least one node, said at least one mobile data collector communicating a wake-up signal to said at least one node to cause it to increase its power to a level suitable for communication.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said wake-up signal comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said transient communication comprises wireless communication.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said at least one mobile data collector has mobility that is unpredictable to the wireless sensor network.
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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) | 2010-07-09 | 2011-01-08 | 2011-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-07-09 | 2015-01-08 | 2015-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-07-09 | 2019-01-08 | 2019-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |