# US 9,596,091 B2 · Multiple sensor data processor interface and relay > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,596,091 B2 - Document ID: US9596091B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/658,131 - Filed: 2015-03-13 - Published: 2015-11-26 - Granted: 2017-03-14 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-17 - Assignees: Camgian Microsystems Corp. - Applicants: Camgian Microsystems Corp. - Inventors: Gary Butler; Derrick J. Savage; David Lindley; Muthukumar Nagarajan; Jeffery Hunt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9596091B2 ## CPC - H04L 67/12: specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks - G08C 15/00: Arrangements characterised by the use of multiplexing for the transmission of a plurality of signals over a common path - H04L 12/10: Current supply arrangements - H04L 49/30: {Peripheral units, e.g. input or output ports} - H04L 67/565: Conversion or adaptation of application format or content (adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561) - 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 - H04Q 2209/30: using a wired architecture - H04Q 2209/43: using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth® or Zigbee® - H04Q 2209/883: where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - G08C: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS (fluid pressure transmitting systems F15B; mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member into a different variable G01D5/00; mechanical control systems G05G) - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) ## Abstract The present invention relates generally to a system and method of networking and interconnecting a large number of various types of sensors to a remote location in an efficient manner. Specifically, the invention utilizes a flexible, configurable, scalable and power-efficient sensor interface relay architecture to gather sensor data from various locations and then relay it to a remote location via the internet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of obtaining inputs from a plurality of sensor coupling ports, comprising the steps of: from a first processing unit, communicating a state change on a first common addressing signal coupled to each of a plurality of second processing units and uniquely addressing one of the plurality of second processing units on at least one additional addressing signal; communicating from the first processing unit to each of the plurality of second processing units a subsequent state change on a common enable signal line coupled to each of the plurality of second processing units; detecting the state change on the first common addressing signal, the unique addressing, and the subsequent state change on the common enable signal line in one of the plurality of second processing units; and communicating from the first processing unit to the one uniquely addressed second processing unit to receive an input to the first processing unit from the sensor coupling port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein, uniquely addressing one of the plurality of second processing units further comprises the step of addressing over a plurality of addressing signals respectively coupled to each of the second processing units. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of, communicating configuration information from the uniquely addressed second processing unit to a sensor interface circuit that communicates over the sensor coupling port in a standard selected from RS232, RS485, UART, Open Collector, Open Drain, I2C, Maxim 1-Wire, Analog AC voltage, Analog DC voltage, Analog Resistance, CMOS, or TTL. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of, eliminating power from any non-uniquely addressed remaining plurality of second processing units. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of, uniquely addressing a second of the plurality of second processing units, subsequently initiating a state change on the common enable signal line coupled to each of the plurality of second processing units, and detecting both the unique addressing and the subsequently initiated state change on the common enable signal line in the second of the plurality of second processing units, and communicating from the first processing unit to the second uniquely addressed second processing unit to receive input from the second sensor coupling port. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of, communicating configuration information from the second uniquely addressed second processing unit to a second sensor interface circuit that communicates over the second sensor coupling port in a standard selected from RS232, RS485, UART, Open Collector, Open Drain, I2C, Maxim 1-Wire, Analog AC voltage, Analog DC voltage, Analog Resistance, CMOS, or TTL. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of, sourcing a sensor power supply signal to one of the plurality of sensor coupling ports prior to communicating the state change on the first common addressing signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method in claim 1 further wherein, the plurality of sensor coupling ports are unpowered and communicating a state change on a first common addressing signal after receipt of an interrupt from at least one of the sensor coupling ports. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method in claim 1 wherein, the plurality of sensor coupling ports are unpowered and communicating a state change on a first common addressing signal is initiated at programmed intervals. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method in claim 1 wherein, the sensor coupling port communicates with a standard selected from RS232, RS485, UART, Open Collector, Open Drain, I2C, Maxim 1-Wire, Analog AC voltage, Analog DC voltage, Analog Resistance, CMOS, or TTL. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method in claim 10 further comprising the step of, enabling a circuit to communicate with a standard selected from RS232 and RS485. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method in claim 10 further comprising the step of, enabling a circuit to convert root mean square readings to DC voltage readings and communicating the DC voltage readings to the first processing unit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method in claim 1 further comprising the steps of, eliminating power to the plurality of second processing units and transmitting the input to at least one remote hardware and software system; and placing the first processing unit into a standby mode. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of, eliminating power to the plurality of second processing units and transmitting the input under a selected set of conditions to at least one remote hardware and software system; and placing the first processing unit into a standby mode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method in claim 1 wherein, the communication is selected from Cellular, ZigBee, and POTS.