Network sensor system and protocol
View Patent ↗A network sensor system and protocol is provided. The network sensor system includes a sensor node that has a sensor for collecting high-resolution data, and a radio for transmitting that data to a central hub. The sensor node communicates to the hub with a wireless data link, and operators solely from a battery. Accordingly, the sensor node is autonomous, and has no wire connections, so may be discreetly and simply installed. The sensor node is normally operated in a power-saving sleep mode, and is minimally activated only for required periods of time. The sensor node may be activated responsive to a low power timer, or from another locally generated interrupt. The sensor node also implements power-saving transfer protocols to further reduce power needs. Many sensor nodes may be associated with a single central hub, and larger networked sensor systems may be arranged.
1. A method for controlling a wireless imager, comprising:
powering a wireless imager using only battery power;
operating the wireless imager in a sleep mode;
receiving an interrupt while the wireless imager is in sleep mode;
activating the wireless imager responsive to the interrupt;
entering a listen mode;
waiting a period of time in the listen mode; and
returning to the sleep mode after waiting in the listen mode.
2. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 1 , wherein the interrupt is received from an internal sensor.
3. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 1 , wherein the interrupt is received from a low power timer.
4. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 3 , wherein the interrupt is received from the low power time at a rate less than about every 1 minute.
5. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 3 , wherein the interrupt is received from the low power time at a rate less than about every 10 minutes.
6. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 1 , wherein the listen period is about 1 ms to about 20 ms.
7. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 1 , further including receiving an acknowledgement signal during the listen period.
8. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 7 , further including the steps of:
receiving an instruction from a hub controller; and
capturing one or more images responsive to the instruction.
9. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 7 , further including the steps of:
receiving an instruction from a hub controller; and
transmitting one or more image files responsive to the instruction.
10. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 7 , further including the steps of:
receiving an instruction from another wireless imager on the network; and
transmitting an image file or many image files responsive to the instruction.
11. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 7 , further including the steps of:
receiving an instruction from a hub controller; and
placing the wireless imager in sleep mode responsive to the instruction.
12. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 7 , further including the steps of:
receiving new settings from a hub controller; and
storing the new settings in the wireless imager.
13. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 1 , wherein the activating step includes activating a radio.
14. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 1 , wherein the activating step includes activating a processor.
15. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 1 , wherein the interrupts are generated in a random pattern.
16. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 1 , wherein the interrupts are generated at a predetermined time.
17. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 1 , wherein the interrupts are generated on a periodic basis.
18. The method for controlling a wireless imager according to claim 1 , wherein the interrupts are generated according to a programmable time period.
19. A method for controlling a wireless imager, comprising:
operating a timer while the wireless imager is in a sleep mode;
receiving an interrupt from the timer;
activating the wireless imager;
entering a listen mode for no longer than a defined period of time;
waiting for a communication signal;
transmitting one or more images responsive to the communication signal; and
placing the wireless imager in sleep mode after transmission is completed.
20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the interrupts are received randomly.
21. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the interrupts are received at a predetermined time.
22. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the interrupts are received on a periodic basis.
23. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the interrupts are received according to a programmable time period.