# US 12,604,120 B2 · Methods, devices, and systems for impact detection and reporting for structure envelopes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,604,120 B2 - Document ID: US12604120B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/790,503 - Filed: 2024-07-31 - Published: 2024-11-28 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2021-01-26 - Applicants: Timothy E. Felks; Joshua D. Heiner; Matthew C. Romney - Inventors: Timothy E. Felks; Joshua D. Heiner; Matthew C. Romney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12604120B2 ## CPC - 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 - G06Q 10/1097: {using calendar-based scheduling for task assignment} - G06Q 40/08: Insurance - H04Q 2209/82: where the sensing device takes the initiative of sending data - H04Q 2209/823: where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A sensor system for a structure comprises a sensor node in force transmitting contact with an impact receiving surface of a structure envelope of the structure. The sensor node is configured to generate first sensor data associated with the structure envelope of the structure and perform a first set of operations to filter out unwanted data from the first sensor data to form a first filtered dataset. The sensor system includes a sensor hub in communication with the sensor node. The sensor hub is configured to receive the first filtered dataset from the sensor node and perform a second set of operations on the first filtered dataset to identify an event experienced by the structure envelope that caused the sensor node to produce the first sensor data. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor system, comprising: a first node comprising: an interface for wired or wireless communication; and a processor to: receive a first candidate event over the interface, the first candidate event being identified from first sensor data generated by a plurality of sensors of a second node, the plurality of sensors including an impact sensor for sensing impacts to a roof of a structure and at least one sensor for sensing one or more aspects of an environment within or surrounding the second node, wherein the first candidate event is not directly identifiable from individual outputs of the plurality of sensors; receive a second candidate event from another node of the sensor system; and adjust a confidence level of the first candidate event based on the second candidate event. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising: the second node; and the another node, wherein the second node and the another node correspond to sensor nodes of the sensor system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The sensor system of claim 2, wherein the second node corresponds to a sensor node configured to be in force transmitting contact with an impact receiving surface of the roof of the structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The sensor system of claim 2, wherein the first node corresponds to a sensor hub of the sensor system that is separate from the sensor nodes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The sensor system of claim 2, wherein the impact sensor and the at least one sensor of the second node are housed in a housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sensor system of claim 5, wherein the housing comprises a flat surface that mounts to an underside of the roof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The sensor system of claim 2, wherein the second node identifies the first candidate event by: consulting a table that includes a list of possible events, wherein, for each possible event, the table lists a subset of sensors in the plurality of sensors and a range of values for each parameter sensed by the subset of sensors, wherein the second node selects a possible event from the list as the first candidate event when all parameters sensed by the subset of sensors for the selected possible event fall within corresponding ranges of values. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The sensor system of claim 7, wherein the subset of sensors differs for at least some of the possible events. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The sensor system of claim 2, wherein the second node further comprises a sensor calibrator that outputs vibrations detectable by the impact sensor to calibrate the impact sensor or to perform a functional check of the impact sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the second candidate event is not directly identifiable from individual outputs of sensors of the another node. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors further comprises a temperature sensor, an acoustic sensor, a humidity sensor, and a particulate sensor for detecting air particulates and smoke. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising: a third node that communicates with the first node, wherein the third node is to: determine a time window that encompasses a timestamp of when the first candidate event occurred; identify an area of interest based on information indicating a location of where the first candidate event occurred; analyze other data collected during the time window by sensor nodes of one or more other structures in the area of interest; and confirm or disconfirm the occurrence of the first candidate event as identified by the first node based on the analysis of the other data. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The sensor system of claim 12, wherein a length of the time window is determined based on information indicating how long the first candidate event lasted. ### Claim 14 A method, comprising: receiving first sensor data associated with a roof of a structure, the first sensor data including sensor data from an impact sensor and at least one sensor of a sensor node, the at least one sensor sensing one or more aspects of an environment of the structure; processing the first sensor data to identify a first candidate event that caused the impact sensor and the at least one sensor to generate the first sensor data; and adjusting a confidence level of the first candidate event based on a second candidate event identified by another sensor node. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first candidate event is not directly identifiable from individual outputs of the impact sensor and the at least one sensor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the second candidate event is not directly identifiable from individual outputs of sensors of the another sensor node. ### Claim 17 A device, comprising: an interface for wired or wireless communication; and a processor to: receive a first candidate event over the interface, the first candidate event being identified from first sensor data generated by a plurality of sensors of a sensor node, the plurality of sensors including an impact sensor for sensing impacts to a roof of a structure and at least one sensor for sensing one or more aspects of an environment within or surrounding the sensor node; receive a second candidate event from another sensor node; and adjust a confidence level of the first candidate event based on the second candidate event. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the second candidate event is not directly identifiable from individual outputs of sensors of the another sensor node. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the first candidate event is not directly identifiable from individual outputs of the plurality of sensors. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, further comprising: a second impact sensor for sensing impacts to the roof of the structure.