System and method for communicating over an 802.15.4 network
A method of reducing data transfer while increasing image information over an 802.15.4 network includes obtaining an image with a sensor, modulating a representation of the image using a first 802.15.4 modem, sending the representation of the image to a coordinator, demodulating the representation of the image using a second 802.15.4 modem, and digitally enhancing at least one of the representation of the image and the image. A system for communication over an 802.15.4 network includes a sensor for obtaining data, the size of the data being at least an order of magnitude greater than the size of an 802.15.4 packet, a first 802.15.4 modem coupled to the sensor, a buffer for temporarily storing the data to allow transmission of portions of the data; the buffer being coupled to the sensor, a coordinator coupled to the sensor, the coordinator being capable of communicating with a computer, and a second 802.15.4 modem coupled to the coordinator.
1. A method comprising:
obtaining a picture with a camera, the picture comprising data of a size in bytes at least an order of magnitude greater than the size in bytes of an 802.15.4 packet;
buffering a representation of the picture;
transmitting 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of the representation of the picture from the camera over the 802.15.4 network;
before obtaining the picture with the camera, receiving, at a computer, a signal from an accelerometer placed on a garage door to indicate whether the accelerometer has sensed an event;
sending, by the computer, a request for the picture to the camera; and
upon transmission of the 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of the representation of the picture from the camera, receiving, at the computer, the 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of the representation of the picture from the camera over the 802.15.4 network.
2. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a set of executable instructions to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 1 .
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, at a computer, 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of the representation of the picture from the camera over the 802.15.4 network; and
transmitting the representation of the picture to a user device over the internet.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the user device comprises a hand held device.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the hand held device comprises a cell phone or personal digital assistant (PDA).
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
transmitting an alert based at least in part on the signal from the accelerometer.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the alert comprises the picture.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the alert is transmitted to a user device over the internet.
9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the computer is one of a mini PC or a small box.
10. A system comprising:
a camera configured to obtain a picture, the picture comprising data of a size in bytes at least an order of magnitude greater than the size in bytes of an 802.15.4 packet;
a buffer configured to buffer a representation of the picture, the buffer being coupled to the camera;
a modem configured to transmit 802.15.4 packet-sized portions of the representation of the picture from the camera over the 802.15.4 network, the modem being coupled to the buffer;
a coordinator configured to receive the picture data from the modem and to communicate with a computer, the coordinator being coupled to the modem, and
an accelerometer configured to transmit a signal indicating whether the accelerometer has sensed an event at a garage door;
wherein the computer is further configured to receive the signal from the accelerometer.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the computer is further configured to transmit an alert based at least in part on the signal from the accelerometer.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the alert comprises the picture.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the alert is transmitted to a user device over the internet.
14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the computer is one of a mini PC or a small box.
15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the computer is further configured to transmit the representation of the picture to a user device over the internet.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the user device comprises a hand held device.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the hand held device comprises a cell phone or personal digital assistant (PDA).