Systems and methods are provided for selecting a suitable proxy to be used for adding a new node to an existing wireless mesh network and quickly finding the new node and bringing it into a wireless mesh network. More specifically, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, a neighbor of the target node can be automatically and quickly found and used as a proxy to update the network settings of the target node, enabling the target node to communicate on an existing network. In some embodiments, a proxy node can be selected based on relative locations of the new and existing nodes, as indicated by a site map.
H04W 24/02 - Arrangements for optimising operational condition
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]Services to user groupsOne-way selective calling services
H04W 40/20 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing based on geographic position or location
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
H04L 12/18 - Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference
2.
Methods and systems for coordinating nodes in a mesh network
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for synchronizing nodes in a mesh network. A system in some embodiments may comprise a node having a counter that is incremented using a non-linear counting function. The node may be incremented using the function at intervals as measured by an internal oscillator of the node. The counter may also be incremented by a fixed amount when receiving a sync-packet from neighboring nodes. The non-linear counting function effectively smooths out the variability of the internal oscillator while the synchronization packet acts to keep the value of the counter synchronized with the value of the counters of neighboring nodes. This allows nodes in a mesh network to be synchronized for certain events while avoiding the issues of other synchronization techniques.
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for verifying operation and configuration of a lighting network. In some embodiments, a site controller is configured to receive sensor data from a plurality of sensors and to transmit commands to nodes of a lighting network for controlling light sources based on the sensor data. The site controller is also configured to store a site plan including a listing of the nodes and, for each of the nodes, indicating a number of sensors to be coupled to the respective node. The site controller is further configured to detect the sensors coupled to the nodes based on the sensor data and to compare the detected sensors to the site plan for determining whether the detect sensors is consistent with the site plan. If not, the site controller is configured to provide an alert.
H05B 47/19 - Controlling the light source by remote control via wireless transmission
H05B 47/115 - Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
H05B 47/11 - Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
A backend network controller, such as a gateway, pushes “hint” instructions to nodes with instructions on planned reactions to asynchronous events so that the nodes are capable of reacting to hinted events before being instructed by the network controller to do so. Thereafter, when a sensor node senses and reports an event to the network controller or otherwise, one or more nodes having received a hint corresponding to the event may recognize the occurrence of the event in response to the reporting message and then react to the event before receiving a command from the network controller to do so. Thus, the nodes are capable of reacting to events faster than would otherwise be possible relying only on commands from the network controller.
Systems and methods are provided for reducing network traffic in a mesh network by reducing the number of status messages communicated over the network. The nodes of the network can provide status information to a gateway based on each node's distance from the gateway. The closer nodes respond to the request from the gateway first and then the farther nodes respond to the request. When a node is ready to transmit a status message with status information to the gateway, the node sends the message to the nodes in communication with the transmitting node. One of the closer nodes that receives the message then forwards the message to additional nodes in communication with the forwarding node, while the other nodes that received the message do not forward the message. The process of forwarding messages by a single closer node is repeated until the status information is received by the gateway.
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]Services to user groupsOne-way selective calling services
H04L 1/18 - Automatic repetition systems, e.g. Van Duuren systems
To speed up a firmware update process, a gateway performs an expedited topological discovery of networked nodes. The gateway maintains a list of unlinked network nodes that are not known to share good edges with other nodes. The gateway transmits a topology query to a selected unlinked node, which the node retransmits to its neighboring nodes. Each neighboring node responds to the gateway with a link status of the edge between the queried node and the neighbor. The queried node and each neighboring node with an edge of sufficient link quality are removed from the list of unlinked nodes. The process is repeated until no networked nodes remain in the list of unlinked nodes. The gateway then sends a firmware update to nodes that will in turn retransmit the update over identified good edges.
An indoor air quality control system may be implemented to control a plurality of air handling units within an industrial facility in a concerted effort to effect an overall air quality goal. A remote server analyzes sensor data, historical data, and other environmental data (e.g., predicted weather data), and uses one or more machine learning algorithms to model the behavior of air within the facility. The sensed air quality data is considered holistically to understand the overall condition of the facility and the gradient of air flows and/or contaminant flows within the 3-dimensional space. Air handling models are applied to current sensor data to generate instructions to selectively turn on/off or otherwise control components of various air handling equipment to reach an optimized air quality result. Decisions on how to control the facility are based on environmental health and safety considerations.
G05B 13/02 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric
G06N 20/10 - Machine learning using kernel methods, e.g. support vector machines [SVM]
G05B 13/04 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric involving the use of models or simulators
A system for a tag includes a network controller that, when it has information to send to a tag, is configured to communicate with the tag's neighbors, such as anchors that may be used for communication between the tag and the network controller. In this regard, the network controller may instruct the tag's neighbors to stun the tag upon hearing from the tag. Thus, when the tag transitions out of a sleep state and transmits a status message or other type of message to the network controller or other resource of the network, at least one neighbor of the tag hears the message and, in response, stuns the tag so that it remains awake for a longer period of time, thereby giving the network controller sufficient time to send control information or other information to the tag. Since the neighbors are responsible for stunning the tag, the amount of time required to stun the tag after it awakens from the sleep state is decreased.
Nodes of a wireless network are automatically commissioned for communication. In this regard, the nodes of a wireless network are configured to recognize a primary network identifier and a default network identifier. A first node to be commissioned transmits a join request that includes the default network identifier. Neighboring nodes that receive the join request transmit a reply that includes network parameters, such as the primary network identifier, for enabling the first node to communicate on the wireless network. Thereafter, the first node uses such network parameters to communicate on the network.
H04W 84/18 - Self-organising networks, e.g. ad hoc networks or sensor networks
H04W 40/10 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing based on wireless node resources based on available power or energy
H04W 76/11 - Allocation or use of connection identifiers
H04W 40/24 - Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update
H04L 1/18 - Automatic repetition systems, e.g. Van Duuren systems
10.
Systems and methods for routing messages through wireless networks
A wireless mesh network has a coordinator that is configured to determine a topology of the network and define, based on the topology, a plurality of routes through the network. For each route, the coordinator is configured to assign a plurality of nodes to the route. Each of the nodes assigned to the route is configured to receive messages and wirelessly retransmit messages that include a route identifier that identifies the route. Since messages are forwarded through the network based on route identifiers, it is unnecessary for the nodes to maintain conventional routing tables and to broadcast route discovery messages in order to learn routes for populating the routing tables with route data, thereby reducing network traffic and congestion.
Lights sources may be installed in a facility without regard to their unique identifiers, which are necessary for a lighting control system to exercise control over the light sources. After installation, a mobile device can identify the identifier of a particular light source through use of a mobile device with a photodetector that detects visible light signals emitted by a light source. The user of the mobile device may locate themselves within range of a light source. The light source transmits a visible light signal to convey information includes an identifier of the light source, such as a MAC address. The mobile device can then determine a correspondence between the light source's identifier and its location in the facility. Accordingly, a mapping of a plurality of light sources can be created while minimizing the possibility for human error during commissioning of a lighting system.
G01S 1/70 - Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmittersReceivers co-operating therewith using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
A wireless network may include a server, a network, a network access device and a plurality of nodes configured to communicate wirelessly. Messages may be communicated through the network wirelessly in an uncoordinated manner. Some nodes may be assigned a first priority indicating that the node has a higher priority than other nodes assigned a second priority. During a certain time period or window, referred to as a “quality of service window,” nodes assigned the first priority may continue transmitting in the uncoordinated manner, while nodes associated with the second priority may wait to transmit their messages until after the expiration of the quality of service window. Thus, during the quality of service window, there should be less congestion since nodes assigned the second priority remain quiet, thereby increasing the likelihood that messages transmitted by the nodes assigned the first priority will be successfully communicated.
A monitoring system for a facility can automatically determine the presence of leaks in a compressed gas system at the facility. The monitoring system can use information from sensors in the compressed gas system to determine if there is a constant flow of gas in the system that can be indicative of a leak in the system. The monitoring system can process flow measurements from the sensors to determine minimum gas flow amounts for a series of time windows. The minimum gas flow amounts are then averaged to generate an average minimum gas flow amount. If the average minimum gas flow amount is greater than an average threshold, a variance of the minimum gas flow amounts can be determined. If the determined variance is less than a variance threshold, the average minimum gas flow amount is determined to correspond to a leak in the compressed gas system.
G01M 3/28 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables, or tubesInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipe joints or sealsInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for valves
Lights sources may be installed in a facility without regard to their unique identifiers, which are necessary for a lighting control system to exercise control over the light sources. After installation, a graphical user interface (GUI) executed on a user's mobile device can facilitate the user's identification of the identifier of a particular light source located at a particular position. The GUI displays to the user a map of the facility, onto which the user can delineate the boundaries of a lighting area in which he intends to identify the location of light sources. The user then inputs into the GUI row and column dimensions for the lights positioned within the delineated lighting area. The GUI automatically generates and displays a plurality of selectable lighting positions arranged within the delineated area according to the selected dimensions, without the need for individual placement by the user. The user may then, via the GUI, select a displayed lighting position and execute a search function to find an intended identifier for the light source located at the selected lighting position. The GUI may then store a correspondence between the light source's identifier and its location in the facility. Accordingly, a mapping of a plurality of light sources can be accurately created while improving the efficiency of a user's commissioning of a lighting system.
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
H05B 47/19 - Controlling the light source by remote control via wireless transmission
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
15.
Systems and methods for upgrading scripts on low power devices
A mobile device connected to a wireless sensor network may receive a script update in a series of transmissions from a network management device, the transmissions being broken up over an extended period of time. The transmissions may be as small as one or several packets that make up a portion of the script. Each transmission is sent and received in coordination with a predetermined active cycle of the mobile device, i.e., during the normal mode of operation for the mobile device. A device may transition from a low-power (sleep) state to an active (awake) state to perform its routine functions. During this active time, a network management device sends a message to the mobile device indicating the availability of a script update. The mobile device, in response, transmits to the network management device a requested amount of update data it wishes to receive during this period of activity. Once the requested amount of update data has been received, the mobile device returns to a low-power state, during which it receives no additional data transmissions.
H04L 7/02 - Speed or phase control by the received code signals, the signals containing no special synchronisation information
G06F 16/27 - Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database systemDistributed database system architectures therefor
H04L 12/24 - Arrangements for maintenance or administration
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
A system for a tag includes a network controller that, when it has information to send to a tag, is configured to communicate with the tag's neighbors, such as anchors that may be used for communication between the tag and the network controller. In this regard, the network controller may instruct the tag's neighbors to stun the tag upon hearing from the tag. Thus, when the tag transitions out of a sleep state and transmits a status message or other type of message to the network controller or other resource of the network, at least one neighbor of the tag hears the message and, in response, stuns the tag so that it remains awake for a longer period of time, thereby giving the network controller sufficient time to send control information or other information to the tag. Since the neighbors are responsible for stunning the tag, the amount of time required to stun the tag after it awakens from the sleep state is decreased.
Systems and methods for performing node maintenance on network nodes in a communication network are provided. The network nodes can be in communication with a node management device that can control when each network node is in a sleep state and in an awake state as part of a check-in cycle where the network nodes report to the node management device. When maintenance is required on the network nodes, the node management device can increase the amount of time used during the check-in cycle to account for the time needed to perform maintenance on one of the network nodes. The node management device can then use this additional time to perform the required maintenance on one of the network nodes. The remaining network nodes that are not receiving the required maintenance are provided with an extended sleep time to permit the one network node to receive maintenance.
A wireless network has a transmitting node that can send a multicast message over the wireless network to a plurality of receiving nodes. Each of the receiving nodes, on receipt of the multicast message, can estimate, based on the receipt of the multicast message, a distance between the transmitting node and the receiving node. If the distance is within a certain distance range from the transmitting node, the receiving node implements a delay of a predetermined amount of time before retransmitting the message to its neighboring nodes. If the distance is beyond that range, the message is retransmitted without delay. All nodes within the distance range implement the same delay before retransmission, however, they may also implement an additional, randomized delay to allow nodes to transmit in several discrete time slots, thereby avoiding or minimizing data collisions with other nodes' transmissions of the message.
H04W 28/02 - Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]Services to user groupsOne-way selective calling services
H04B 17/27 - MonitoringTesting of receivers for locating or positioning the transmitter
H04W 40/22 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point
H04W 84/18 - Self-organising networks, e.g. ad hoc networks or sensor networks
19.
Identification of orphaned light sources in wireless lighting networks
Lights may be misconfigured during installation or after they are installed in a facility, such that these lights, also known as orphaned nodes, cannot receive control messages sent by a lighting control system. After installation, a mobile device can be used to identify the network a particular light source is communicating on, by use of a photodetector that detects, in the visible light signal emitted by a light source, data representing the network ID used by the light source. The mobile device can determine from that data whether or not the light source is communicating over the wrong network. If it is determined that a light source is on the wrong network, and therefore orphaned, the mobile device can switch its own configuration so as to be able to communicate to the orphaned light source, and provide instructions to reconfigure the light source to use a corrected network ID.
H04B 10/00 - Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
An asset tracking system has a plurality of anchors. A tag communicates with the anchors as it is moved by a user being tracked by the system, and data based on communication between the tag and at least one of the anchors is transmitted to a server. The server determines a location of the tag based on the data and detects an occurrence of an event based on the location. The server also transmits to each of the anchors a tag alert message having a tag identifier identifying the tag and an event indicator associated with the occurrence of the event. At least one of the anchors transmits the tag identifier and the event indicator to the tag, which issues a warning to the user in response to tag alert message.
A wireless network can perform a topological mapping through its gateway, which sends a multicast message over the wireless network to every node of a network. Each of the nodes on the network, on receipt of the multicast message, can transmit a one-hop multicast message containing a topological ping to its neighboring nodes. A neighboring node receiving a topological ping will store information relating to the link quality between the sender and neighboring nodes. After network traffic related to the topology discovery has quieted, the neighboring nodes sends the stored information to the gateway, without any processing by the node which sent the topological ping. All nodes may also implement a randomized delay both before sending the topological ping, and/or before sending the stored information to the gateway, to minimize the opportunity for data collision of messages relating to topological discovery.
A lighting system has a twist-lock lighting controller that is electrically coupled to at least one light source. The twist-lock lighting controller has a translucent cover in which an optical sensor is positioned to sense ambient light for controlling the light source. A shade element having a canopy is positioned on the twist-lock lighting controller such that the canopy blocks direct sunlight from entering the twist-lock lighting controller through the translucent cover, thereby significantly reducing operating temperatures within the twist-lock lighting controller.
F21V 23/00 - Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
F21V 23/04 - Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches
F21W 131/103 - Outdoor lighting of streets or roads
F21V 17/04 - Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages onto or by the light source
A switching circuit with switches between a charging path and a low-impedance active path. The charging path comprises a zener diode substantially in parallel with a charging capacitor. Current flows through the charging path when the circuit is powered on and a power supply charges the charging capacitor while current flows through the charging path. The low-impedance bypass path comprises a switch that remains closed until a voltage across the charging capacitor exceeds a threshold voltage. The switch opens when the charging capacitor exceeds the threshold voltage.
H03K 17/30 - Modifications for providing a predetermined threshold before switching
H03K 3/012 - Modifications of generator to improve response time or to decrease power consumption
H03K 17/687 - Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and -breaking characterised by the use of specified components by the use, as active elements, of semiconductor devices the devices being field-effect transistors
H03K 17/74 - Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and -breaking characterised by the use of specified components by the use, as active elements, of diodes
G05F 3/18 - Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable is DC using uncontrolled devices with non-linear characteristics being semiconductor devices using Zener diodes
H02M 3/156 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
G05F 1/575 - Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable actually regulated by the final control device is DC using semiconductor devices in series with the load as final control devices characterised by the feedback circuit
G05F 1/613 - Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable actually regulated by the final control device is DC using semiconductor devices in parallel with the load as final control devices
24.
Systems and methods for reducing network traffic in a lighting system
Systems and methods are provided for reducing network traffic in a lighting system. A server computer can calculate the energy consumption of the light sources in the lighting system based on the settings of the lights sources implemented by the server computer and power usage data for the light sources. By calculating the energy consumption at the server computer based on the implemented settings and the power usage data, the server computer does not have to receive communications from the controllers of the light sources indicating the power usage or energy consumption of the light source. The power usage data for the light sources can be updated to enable the server computer to provide more accurate energy consumption information for the lighting system.
A control system for a facility can automatically control lighting conditions in an area of a facility to prevent the accidental turning off of lights in the area while machines or equipment are operating in the area. The control system can use information from a compressed air system that provides compressed air to the machines in the area to determine if the machines are presently being used in the area. If the machines are being used, the control system can control the lighting conditions in the area to provide a appropriate level of lighting. If the machines are not being used in the area, the control system can control the lighting conditions in the area based on one or more occupancy sensors used to determine if a person is located in the area.
Systems and methods for selecting a node management device for a node of a wireless network are provided. The node can receive advertisements from two or more node management devices communicatively coupled to the node over a predetermined time period. Upon the expiration of the predetermined time period, the node can select a node management device based on the number of advertisements received from that node management device. The node can then link to the selected node management device and use that node management device for communications. The node can also continue to monitor for advertisements from the node management devices and can decide to select a different node management device based on the number of advertisements received from the other node management devices.
In a tag identification system, active tags are configured to emulate at least one passive tag so that existing passive identifications systems, such as passive radio-frequency (RFID) systems or near field communication (NFC) systems, can be retrofitted to operate with the active tag without having to make expensive hardware updates to the readers within the system. The active tag permits continuous monitoring of its movement or status, as may be desired, regardless of its proximity relative to the readers thereby allowing a system to capture more data regarding the tag's location and use. In addition, the active tag may be compatible with different passive identification systems thereby permitting it to operate with disparate passive identification systems and obviating the need of the user to carry multiple passive tags.
G07C 9/00 - Individual registration on entry or exit
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
G06K 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers
An asset tracking system has a plurality of anchors. A tag communicates with the anchors as it is moved by a user being tracked by the system, and data based on communication between the tag and at least one of the anchors is transmitted to a server. The server determines a location of the tag based on the data and detects an occurrence of an event based on the location. The server also transmits to each of the anchors a tag alert message having a tag identifier identifying the tag and an event indicator associated with the occurrence of the event. At least one of the anchors transmits the tag identifier and the event indicator to the tag, which issues a warning to the user in response to tag alert message.
In a tag identification system, active tags are configured to emulate at least one passive tag so that existing passive identifications systems, such as passive radio-frequency (RFID) systems or near field communication (NFC) systems, can be retrofitted to operate with the active tag without having to make expensive hardware updates to the readers within the system. The active tag permits continuous monitoring of its movement or status, as may be desired, regardless of its proximity relative to the readers thereby allowing a system to capture more data regarding the tag's location and use. In addition, the active tag may be compatible with different passive identification systems thereby permitting it to operate with disparate passive identification systems and obviating the need of the user to carry multiple passive tags.
G07C 9/00 - Individual registration on entry or exit
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
G06K 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers
A system for detecting arc faults in a solar array generally comprises a plurality of solar panels connected in series, where each solar panel comprises a positive and negative output. A panel monitoring device is connected between the positive and negative output of each solar panel. The panel monitoring device comprises a switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The panel monitoring device comprises logic configured to scan a frequency spectrum of the solar panel and log locations of a plurality of valleys in the spectrum, monitor the plurality of valleys to determine if the plurality of valleys rise above a threshold value, report a fault status when the plurality of valleys rise above the threshold value, and automatically disable the output of the solar panel upon the determination of a fault status.
E04H 9/14 - Buildings, groups of buildings or shelters adapted to withstand or provide protection against abnormal external influences, e.g. war-like action, earthquake or extreme climate against other dangerous influences, e.g. tornadoes, floods
H01H 9/30 - Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
An asset tracking system has a plurality of anchors. A tag communicates with the anchors as it is moved by a user being tracked by the system, and data based on communication between the tag and at least one of the anchors is transmitted to a server. The server determines a location of the tag based on the data and detects an occurrence of an event based on the location. The server also transmits to each of the anchors a tag alert message having a tag identifier identifying the tag and an event indicator associated with the occurrence of the event. At least one of the anchors transmits the tag identifier and the event indicator to the tag, which issues a warning to the user in response to tag alert message.
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for switching data at nodes of a wireless networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a node comprises memory, a first port, a second port, a virtual machine, and logic. The memory is configured to store port settings, and the virtual machine is configured to execute a remote procedure call wirelessly transmitted to the node through the wireless network. In executing the remote procedure call, the virtual machine is configured to set the port settings. The logic is configured to receive data from the first port and to transmit the data to the second port based on the port settings without processing of the data by the virtual machine such that the data streams unchanged through the node from the first port to the second port.
In a system and method for upgrading software in a wireless mesh network, a first node in the network sends a first multicast request to a plurality of other nodes in the network that are in radio range of the first node. The first multicast request queries whether the other nodes are running a software version older than the software version and device type currently running in the first node. The first node then selects a node to upgrade and sends a request asking if any other nodes have already claimed that node. The first node then updates the nodes only if they have not been claimed for update by another node. In upgrading the claimed nodes, the first node copies to the claimed nodes the software it is currently executing in its internal flash memory thereby creating a clone, and does not store any additional copies of the updated software.
In a system and method for upgrading software in a wireless mesh network, a first node in the network sends a first multicast request to a plurality of other nodes in the network that are in radio range of the first node. The first multicast request queries whether the other nodes are running a software version older than the software version and device type currently running in the first node. The first node then selects a node to upgrade and sends a request asking if any other nodes have already claimed that node. The first node then updates the nodes only if they have not been claimed for update by another node. In upgrading the claimed nodes, the first node copies to the claimed nodes the software it is currently executing in its internal flash memory thereby creating a clone, and does not store any additional copies of the updated software.
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]Services to user groupsOne-way selective calling services
H04W 8/18 - Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profilesTransfer of user or subscriber data
Each light source to be controlled by a lighting control system is associated with a light identifier, and the light sources can be installed in any desired manner without regard to which light identifier is mapped to which light source by the system. After installation, a user provides inputs for mapping each light to its appropriate identifier. Accordingly, the installation process is simplified, and errors that otherwise could arise by an installer incorrectly installing light sources relative to the light identifier mappings used by the system are prevented.
G05F 1/00 - Automatic systems in which deviations of an electric quantity from one or more predetermined values are detected at the output of the system and fed back to a device within the system to restore the detected quantity to its predetermined value or values, i.e. retroactive systems
A system for sensing occurrences of hand washing events includes a dispenser of a hand sanitizing solution and a motion sensor that is coupled to the dispenser. The motion sensor is configured to sense vibrations of the dispenser. When at least a threshold amount of movement is sensed, logic is configured to analyze samples from the motion sensor in order to determine whether the sensed vibrations result from activation of the dispenser. If so, the dispenser activation is logged and reported for use within a system, such as a system for monitoring compliance with a hand washing policy.
A tag security system has a plurality of hubs positioned within a store. A security tag is attached to an article of merchandise and tracked, via the hubs, to determine when the security tag is moved to a predefined area, such as close to a store exit. An alarm is provided when the security tag is determined to be within the predefined area. In addition to providing merchandise security, the security tag is used for other purposes, such as taking inventory and marketing analysis. As an example, during a store-wide inventory, the approximate location of the article of merchandise may be determined via wireless communication with the security tag. Also, the security tag may be used to sense when consumers are handling the article of merchandise thereby providing marketing information indicative of consumer interest in such article. Further, unlocking of the security tag from the article of merchandise may be automatically controlled based on a message confirming that the article has been purchased thereby frustrating attempts to defeat the security provided by the system.
G08B 13/14 - Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
G06K 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management
G06K 19/077 - Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
38.
Systems and methods for synchronizing optical transmitters
A wireless network has a plurality of nodes that are configured to communicate electrical signals via a backhaul channel in which messages hop from node-to-node through the network. The nodes have optical transmitters for communicating with tags via an optical channel that is time division multiplexed (TDM) among the nodes of the network. The nodes are configured to transmit an electrical synchronization signal via the backhaul channel and to synchronize transmissions for the optical channel based on the electrical synchronization signal. Thus, use of the backhaul channel to communicate the synchronization signal leverages the existing framework of the network in order to synchronize the optical transmitters without requiring specialized synchronization circuitry, and a robust TDM algorithm can be implemented for the optical channel with relatively low complexity and costs.
H04B 10/00 - Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
H04W 4/04 - in a dedicated environment, e.g. buildings or vehicles
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software for implementing wireless communication protocols in wireless networks; wireless communication modules for implementing wireless mesh networks, namely, integrated circuit modules; electronic devices for locating and tracking [ personnel and ] assets using radio frequency; [ electronic devices for monitoring compliance of hand washing rules and regulations by caregivers in healthcare facilities; computer hardware and software for managing and monitoring personnel and assets in the healthcare industry; computer hardware and software for communicating and managing patient and caregiver information in the healthcare industry; computer hardware and software for monitoring healthcare equipment at healthcare facilities; ] wireless sensor networks, comprised of electronic devices for wirelessly communicating sensor data received from electronic sensors
The present disclosure generally pertains to lighting control systems and methods. In one exemplary embodiment, a building having at least one light source (25) controlled by a manually-actuated switch (79) is retrofitted with a networked control system. In this regard, the manually-actuated switch is decoupled from a power line (37) that provides power to the light source, and the power line is coupled to a node (52) of a wireless network (55) to provide in-line control of the light source. Another node (53) of the network is coupled to the manually-actuated switch so that the node can receive inputs from such switch. Such node uses the wireless network to transmit data indicative of the inputs from the manually-actuated switch. Logic (64, 91 ) then uses such data to control the activation state of the light source via the in-line relay coupled to the power line.
A wireless network (28) has a plurality of nodes (21-25, 55) that are configured to communicate with one another in accordance with a communication protocol of the wireless network. At least one of the nodes is out of range of the other nodes. The out-of-range node is configured to communicate with the other nodes through a network routing server (NRS) (36) that is coupled to the out-of-range node and at least one other node via a network (30), such as the Internet, having a communication protocol different than the communication protocol of the wireless network. In addition, if desired, a user may utilize a web browser (48) to communicate with any of the nodes of the wireless network when the user does not have physical access to any such nodes.
G08B 9/00 - Order telegraph apparatus, i.e. means for transmitting one of a finite number of different orders at the discretion of the user, e.g. bridge to engine room orders in ships
43.
Systems and methods for reducing power consumption in communication networks
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for reducing power consumption in communication networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a system includes a leader node in communication with a plurality of follower nodes. The leader node causes the leader and follower nodes to transition from an awake mode to a sleep mode where they consume less power. An exemplary embodiment of a method includes the steps of configuring nodes in a communication network as follower nodes and configuring a node in the communication network as a leader node. The leader node is configured to cause the leader and follower nodes to alternate between an awake mode and a sleep mode. The leader and follower nodes consume less power when in the sleep mode than when in the awake mode.
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for controlling sensor networks. A sensor network has a plurality of sensor nodes, which have sensors for monitoring operational parameters of devices within an application-specific system. A wireless communication module is provided for each node to enable the node to wirelessly communicate with other nodes of the network. A user defines various scripts for controlling the behavior of one or more nodes, and the network distributes the scripts, as appropriate, to various nodes thereby implementing the behavior defined by the scripts. Accordingly, a user can easily and dynamically configure or re-configure the behavior of any node without having to physically access the node that is being configured or re-configured.
G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
45.
Systems and methods for performing topology discovery in wireless networks
A wireless mesh network has a plurality of nodes. One of the nodes, referred to as a “topology building node,” is configured to discover a topology of the network. In this regard, a multicast topology message is transmitted via at least one node of the network. Each node that receive such message transmits a topology multicast reply to the topology building node which adds the transmitting node to the topology if the transmitting node is not already identified by the topology. Upon adding a node to the topology, the topology building node transmits a topology multicast command to the added node thereby causing such node to transmit a multicast topology message. Accordingly, the topology eventually receives a topology multicast reply from each node of the network allowing such node to build a complete topology of the network.
H04W 40/02 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
H04W 40/10 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing based on wireless node resources based on available power or energy
H04W 40/12 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing based on transmission quality or channel quality
H04W 84/18 - Self-organising networks, e.g. ad hoc networks or sensor networks
46.
Systems and methods for reducing power consumption in communication networks
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for reducing power consumption in communication networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a system includes a leader node in communication with a plurality of follower nodes. The leader node causes the leader and follower nodes to transition from an awake mode to a sleep mode where they consume less power. An exemplary embodiment of a method includes the steps of configuring nodes in a communication network as follower nodes and configuring a node in the communication network as a leader node. The leader node is configured to cause the leader and follower nodes to alternate between an awake mode and a sleep mode. The leader and follower nodes consume less power when in the sleep mode than when in the awake mode.
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for reducing power consumption in communication networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a system includes a leader node in communication with a plurality of follower nodes. The leader node causes the leader and follower nodes to transition from an awake mode to a sleep mode where they consume less power. An exemplary embodiment of a method includes the steps of configuring nodes in a communication network as follower nodes and configuring a node in the communication network as a leader node. The leader node is configured to cause the leader and follower nodes to alternate between an awake mode and a sleep mode. The leader and follower nodes consume less power when in the sleep mode than when in the awake mode.
The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for dynamically changing network node behavior. In one exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of nodes defining a wireless sensor network, and the plurality of nodes includes at least a first node and a second node. The first node has an output interface, a virtual machine, a stack, and a communication device. The stack is configured to packetize payload data into data packets, and the communication device is configured to communicate the data packets via wireless signals through the wireless sensor network. The output interface is coupled to an apparatus, and the second node is configured to transmit a script image through the wireless sensor network to the first node via at least one data packet. The first node is configured to run the script image on the virtual machine such that the apparatus is controlled by the script image.
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for using predefined network addresses in wireless sensor networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a first node and a plurality of nodes defining a wireless sensor network. The wireless sensor network is configured to allow nodes to dynamically join, and each of the plurality of nodes has a respective network address for the wireless sensor network. The first node has a predefined network address that identifies the first node in the wireless sensor network, and the predefined network address is known to the first node prior to the first node joining the wireless sensor network such that the first node is able to immediately communicate via the wireless sensor network using the predefined network address upon joining the wireless sensor network.
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for disabling routing table purges in wireless networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a node is for use in a wireless sensor network and comprises memory that is configured to store a routing table specifying at least one data route through the wireless sensor network. The node also comprises logic that is configured to track time and to automatically purge at least one entry of the routing table based on the tracked time thereby forcing a rediscovery of a data route for the purged entry. The logic is further configured to selectively disable automatic routing table purges based on user input.
The present invention generally pertains to systems and methods for communicating messages in wireless networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a wireless sensor network has a first node and a second node. The second node is configured to wirelessly transmit a message through a channel of the wireless sensor network to the first node. The second node is further configured to determine whether to retransmit the message through the channel of the wireless sensor network to the first node based on an amount of energy detected for the channel by the second node immediately after transmission of the message by the second node.
G08B 9/00 - Order telegraph apparatus, i.e. means for transmitting one of a finite number of different orders at the discretion of the user, e.g. bridge to engine room orders in ships
52.
Systems and methods for switching data at nodes of wireless networks
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for switching data at nodes of a wireless networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a node comprises memory, a first port, a second port, a virtual machine, and logic. The memory is configured to store port settings, and the virtual machine is configured to execute a remote procedure call wirelessly transmitted to the node through the wireless network. In executing the remote procedure call, the virtual machine is configured to set the port settings. The logic is configured to receive data from the first port and to transmit the data to the second port based on the port settings without processing of the data by the virtual machine such that the data streams unchanged through the node from the first port to the second port.
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for displaying node information in wireless sensor networks. An exemplary system has logic that is configured to display a list of nodes in a wireless sensor network. The logic is further configured to display a plurality of function identifiers in response to a first user input identifying one of the nodes, and the function identifiers identify a plurality of functions and a script image of the one node. The logic is further configured to receive a second user input selecting one of the function identifiers and to transmit a remote procedure call through the wireless network to the one node in response to the second user input. The one node is configured to run the function or script image identified by the selected function identifier in response to the remote procedure call.
The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for dynamically changing network node behavior. In one exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of nodes defining a wireless sensor network, and the plurality of nodes includes at least a first node and a second node. The first node has an output interface, a virtual machine, a stack, and a communication device. The stack is configured to packetize payload data into data packets, and the communication device is configured to communicate the data packets via wireless signals through the wireless sensor network. The output interface is coupled to an apparatus, and the second node is configured to transmit a script image through the wireless sensor network to the first node via at least one data packet. The first node is configured to run the script image on the virtual machine such that the apparatus is controlled by the script image.
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for updating script images in wireless sensor networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a system has logic that is configured to display a list of nodes of a wireless sensor network. The logic is further configured to display a script source of a first script image stored at one of the nodes in response to a selection of the one node from the displayed list of nodes. The logic is also configured to modify the script source based on user input and to convert the modified script source to a second script image. The logic is configured to transmit at least one remote procedure call through the wireless sensor network to the one node. The one node is configured to write the second script image in memory of the one node in response to the at least one remote procedure call.
A network node for use in a wireless sensor network has memory that is configured to store a routing indicator indicating whether the network node may function as a routing node for messages destined for other nodes of the wireless sensor network. The network node also has logic that is configured to control, based on the routing indicator, whether the network node is specified as a hop for a data path from a source node to a destination node of the wireless sensor network. In one exemplary embodiment, the routing indicator is controlled based on sleeping characteristics of the network node.
H04W 40/10 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing based on wireless node resources based on available power or energy
G06F 15/173 - Interprocessor communication using an interconnection network, e.g. matrix, shuffle, pyramid, star or snowflake
A wireless sensor network comprises a plurality of nodes. Each of the plurality of nodes is configured to communicate messages through the wireless sensor network based on a first network identifier identifying the wireless sensor network. Each of the nodes is further configured to communicate messages through the wireless sensor network based on a default network identifier identifying the wireless sensor network, and the first network identifier and the default network identifier are concurrently valid for communicating messages through the wireless sensor network.
A local positioning system uses at least one node to track a location of a mobile tag. The system measures flight times of signals communicated between the node and the tag to determine values indicative of the range of the tag from the node. If desired, the values may be filtered in an effort to increase the accuracy of the range estimation. As an example, a Kalman filtering algorithm may be used. Multiple antennas are used at both the node and the tag to provide more accurate range estimates and to determine when the tag is entering a dead zone where signals are blocked or attenuated by obstacles.
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for reducing data collisions in wireless networks. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a node of a wireless network monitors traffic from at least one foreign network. The node attempts to identify patterns of communication in the foreign network. Based on an identified pattern, the node schedules a transmission during time period for which it is likely that the foreign network is not attempting a transmission that would otherwise interfere with the node's signal. Accordingly, the probability of a data collision is reduced.
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for controlling nodes in a communication network, such as a wireless sensor network. In one exemplary embodiment, a node, referred to herein as a “coordinator node,” controls the operation of various nodes, referred to herein as “sensor nodes,” that are configured to monitor various parameters. The coordinator node from time-to-time broadcasts a beacon to the sensor nodes. The beacon can include various information that is used by the sensor nodes for control. In one exemplary embodiment, the beacon includes node-specific information that informs at least some nodes that they are to transition to a sleep state for a certain period of time. Such nodes, based on the beacon, transition to a sleep state, thereby conserving electrical power.
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for controlling sensor networks. A sensor network has a plurality of sensor nodes, which have sensors for monitoring operational parameters of devices within an application-specific system. A wireless communication module is provided for each node to enable the node to wirelessly communicate with other nodes of the network. A user defines various scripts for controlling the behavior of one or more nodes, and the network distributes the scripts, as appropriate, to various nodes thereby implementing the behavior defined by the scripts. Accordingly, a user can easily and dynamically configure or re-configure the behavior of any node without having to physically access the node that is being configured or re-configured.
G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
62.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMICALLY CONFIGURING NODE BEHAVIOR IN A SENSOR NETWORK
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for controlling sensor networks. A sensor network has a plurality of sensor nodes, which have sensors for monitoring operational parameters of devices within an application-specific system. A wireless communication module is provided for each node to enable the node to wirelessly communicate with other nodes of the network. A user defines various scripts for controlling the behavior of one or more nodes, and the network distributes the scripts, as appropriate, to various nodes thereby implementing the behavior defined by the scripts. Accordingly, a user can easily and dynamically configure or re-configure the behavior of any node without having to physically access the node that is being configured or re-configured.
The present disclosure generally pertains to wireless communication modules that can be used for enabling wireless communication in various applications. A wireless communication module in accordance with one embodiment may be interfaced with other devices, such as nodes of a wireless sensor network (WSN). The module has rows of male integrated circuit (IC) pins that may be interfaced with female pin receptacles of another device. The module receives wireless signals and provides the data of such wireless signals to the other device. The module also receives data from the other devices and packetizes such data for wireless communication.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer software for creating and configuring wireless mesh networks, namely, protocol software for wireless applications that allows users to create and configure wireless mesh networks, excluding computer software for the primary purpose of data storage, replication, management, back up, recovery and security
