Dynamically adjustable nodes in a sensor network
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for dynamically adjusting nodes in a mesh network embedded in objects. The nodes, which are individually capable of sensing and/or transmitting data, are paired together such that when one node is active, the other node is collecting energy via solar, wind, or other energy collecting means. When a node reaches a certain energy level, the nodes can switch status, such that the passive node becomes active and vice versa. Exemplary objects in which the systems can be embedded include benches, receptacles, and light fixtures.
1. A method comprising:
establishing a first node co-located near a second node and as a pair of nodes such that each of the first node and the second node can provide WiFi service to a same geographic location, the WiFi service providing access to the Internet for personal user mobile devices at the same geographic location;
when the first node has a first energy level of a first battery that is higher than a second energy level of a second battery of the second node, setting the second node to a second node inactive status such that the second node is not providing the WiFi service to the same geographic location;
determining, based on the first energy level and the second energy level, that the first node should change from a first node active status to a first node inactive status, to yield a determination;
based on the determination, changing the first node from the first node active status to the first node inactive status such that the first node is not providing the WiFi service to the same geographic location and changing the second node from the second node inactive status to a second node active status such that the second node, rather than the first node, serves the same geographic location with the WiFi service; and
adjusting a charging sensitivity of the first battery of the first node based on weather conditions.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein when the second node is in an inactive status, the method comprises:
collecting and storing energy for later use via the second node.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein when the first node is in an inactive status, the method comprises:
collecting and storing energy for later use via the first node.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first node and the second node each comprises one of a receptacle a light post, a stoplight, a post, a guardrail, a sign, and a bench.
5. The method of claim 1 , where the first node comprises a solar powered node and wherein the first energy level comprises a first node energy level.
6. The method of claim 1 , where in the pair of nodes are paired such that they communicate with each other and coordinate which node of the pair of nodes will provide the WiFi service to the same geographic location.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first node active status comprises providing the WiFi service for mobile devices to access the Internet.
8. The method of claim 1 , where the pair of nodes is paired at least in part based on the first node in the second node being located within a threshold distance of one another.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pair of nodes is part of a mesh network of nodes.
10. A system comprising:
a first wireless access node, the first wireless access nodes adjusting a charging sensitivity of a first battery of the first wireless access node based on weather conditions; and
a second wireless access node paired with the first wireless access node to yield a pair of nodes, wherein the first wireless access node is co-located near the second wireless access node such that each of the first wireless access node and the second wireless access node can provide WiFi service to a same geographic location, wherein, when the first battery of the first wireless access node has a first energy level that is higher than a second energy level of a second battery of the second wireless access node, a control system in the second wireless access node sets the second wireless access node to a second node inactive status such that the second wireless access node is not providing the WiFi service to the same geographic location, the WiFi service provides access to the Internet for personal user mobile devices at the same geographic location, and wherein the control system in the second wireless access node communicates with a control system in the first wireless access node to perform operations comprising:
determining, based on the first energy level and the second energy level, that the first wireless access node should change from a first node active status to a first node inactive status, to yield a determination; and
based on the determination, changing the first wireless access node from the first node active status to the first node inactive status such that the first wireless access node is not providing the WiFi service to the same geographic location and changing the second wireless access node from the second node inactive status to a second node active status such that the second wireless access node, rather than the first wireless access node, serves the same geographic location with the WiFi service.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the first wireless access node comprises one of a receptacle, a light post, a stoplight, a post, a guardrail, a sign, and a bench.
12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the second wireless access node comprises one of a receptacle, a light post, a stoplight, a post, a guardrail, a sign, and a bench.
13. The system of claim 10 , where the first wireless access node comprises a solar powered node and wherein the first energy level comprises a first node energy level.
14. The system of claim 10 , where in the pair of nodes are paired such that they communicate with each other and coordinate which node of the pair of nodes will provide the WiFi service to the same geographic location.
15. The system of claim 10 , wherein an active status comprises providing the WiFi service for mobile devices to access the Internet.
16. The system of claim 10 , where the pair of nodes is paired at least in part based on the first wireless access node and the second wireless access node being located within a threshold distance of one another.
17. A wireless access node comprising:
a processor; and
a computer-readable storage device storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
pairing the wireless access node with a second wireless access node to yield a pair of nodes, wherein the wireless access node is co-located near the second wireless access node such that each of the wireless access node and the second wireless access node can provide WiFi service to a same geographic location, wherein when the wireless access node has a first battery having a first energy level that is higher than a second energy level of a second battery of the second wireless access node, the wireless access node communicates with the second wireless access node such that a control system in the second wireless access node sets the second wireless access node to a second node inactive status in which the second wireless access node does not provide the WiFi service to the same geographic location, the WiFi service providing access to the Internet for personal user mobile devices at the same geographic location;
receiving communications from the second wireless access node to make active mode or inactive mode decisions for the wireless access node;
determining, based on the first energy level and the second energy level, that the wireless access node should change from a first node active status to a first node inactive status, to yield a determination;
based on the determination, changing the wireless access node from the first node active status to the first node inactive status such that the wireless access node is not providing the WiFi service to the same geographic location, wherein the second wireless access node changes from the second node inactive status to a second node active status such that the second wireless access node, rather than the wireless access node, serves the same geographic location with the WiFi service; and
adjusting a charging sensitivity of the first battery of the wireless access node based on weather conditions.
18. The wireless access node of claim 17 , wherein the wireless access node comprises one of a receptacle, a light post, a stoplight, a post, a guardrail, a sign, and a bench.
19. The wireless access node of claim 17 , where the wireless access node comprises a solar powered node.
20. The wireless access node of claim 17 , where in the pair of nodes are paired such that they communicate with each other and coordinate which node of the pair of nodes will provide the WiFi service.