US 12,745,192 B2 · Embedded sensors and systems exploiting embedded sensors

Abstract

Some construction materials are chemically active materials, e.g., concrete, requiring analysis to determine structural properties and physical-mechanical properties. Increasing industry demands for cost reductions, profitability, tighter construction deadlines etc. whilst limiting potential liabilities would benefit from embedded sensors to monitor and assess the material life cycle from initial deployment through to its current and future performance. Embodiments of the invention provide for embedded sensors with low power consumption whilst supporting communications to external devices with position within the infrastructure/construction material positional tolerance with low overhead data retrieval. Embodiments of the invention support automated self-contained data acquisition/logging modules for use throughout life cycle points.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

a) transmitting data from a sensor to a server connected to a network via a gateway also connected to the network;
b) determining whether the sensor established a link with the gateway;
c) upon a positive determination, executing a first process upon the sensor;
and
d) upon a negative determination, executing a second process upon the sensor;
wherein the data transmitted from the sensor to the gateway is via a first wireless link operating according to a first wireless protocol;
wherein the gateway relays the data to the server;
and
wherein the data transmitted from the sensor to the server relates to an environment within which the sensor is deployed.

6 more elements

A method comprising:

a) transmitting data from a sensor to a server connected to a network via a gateway also connected to the network;
b) determining whether the sensor is authenticated with the gateway;
c) upon a positive determination that the sensor is authenticated with the gateway, executing resetting a counter to zero and executing a first process upon the sensor from a first step of the first process;
and
d) upon a negative determination that the sensor is authenticated with the gateway, executing a first sequence comprising the steps of:
e) incrementing the counter;
f) determining whether the counter has exceeded a threshold value or not;
g) upon a positive determination, executing the first process upon the sensor from a second step of the first process;
and
h) upon a negative determination, executing a second process upon the sensor;
wherein the data transmitted from the sensor to the gateway is via a first wireless link operating according to a first wireless protocol;
wherein the gateway relays the data to the server;
and
wherein the data transmitted from the sensor to the server relates to an environment within which the sensor is deployed.

11 more elements

A method comprising:

a) transmitting data from a sensor to a server connected to a network via a gateway also connected to the network, where the sensor transmits to the gateway with a transmitter operating according to a wireless protocol at an initial output power;
b) determining whether the sensor has established a first wireless link with the gateway;
c) upon a positive determination, storing a new initial output power where the new initial output power is the initial output power reduced by a first predetermined power offset and stopping the process;
d) upon a negative determination, executing a process comprising the steps of:
e) establishing an initial value of a counter to one;
f) incrementing the output power of the transmitter to a new output power where the new output power is the initial output power plus a value established in dependence upon the counter and a second predetermined power offset;
g) transmitting second data from a sensor to a gateway with a transmitter operating according to a wireless protocol at the new output power;
h) determining whether the sensor has established the first wireless link with the gateway;
i) upon a positive determination, storing the new initial output power where the new initial output power is the new output power reduced by a first predetermined power offset and stopping the process;
j) upon a negative determination, establishing whether the new output power is equal to or greater than a maximum output power;
k) upon a positive determination that the new output power is equal to or greater than the maximum output power, storing the new initial output power where the new initial output power is the new output power reduced by a first predetermined power offset and stopping the process;
and
l) Upon a negative determination that the new output power is equal to or greater than the maximum output power, incrementing the counter by one and proceeding to step f);
wherein the data transmitted from the sensor to the server relates to an environment within which the sensor is deployed.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Embedded sensors and systems exploiting embedded sensors

Life of this patent

Embedded sensors and systems exploiting embedded sensors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10