Handover mechanism for sensor networks
AssigneeKoninklijke Philips N.V.
InventorRichard Matthew Miller-Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and access devices for collecting data from sensors of a wireless sensor network include transmitting a broadcast signal by a master device which currently collects the data and detected by other access devices. Handover of data collection control from the current master access device to an alternate access device is initiated based on a result of the detection. A handover request signal is received at the master device and a handover reply is signaled to a source device of the handover request signal. The handover reply indicates the time at which data collection is handed over from the current master access device to the source device. Thereby, the master device can be changed in a flexible manner based on current environmental conditions.
Claims32
A system for data collection from a plurality of mobile sensors connected in a wireless network, the system comprising:
- a stationary master device powered by mains;
- a mobile master device powered by a battery for data collection from a plurality of mobile sensors and having a detector for detecting a broadcast signal from the stationary master device;
- and
- a control unit for handover of data collection from the mobile master device to the stationary master device based on the quality of the detected broadcast signal, the quality indicating that the mobile master device is in a vicinity of the stationary master device allowing the data collection by the stationary master device when the mobile master device is in the vicinity of the stationary device.
A system for data collection from a plurality of mobile sensors connected in a wireless network, the system comprising:
- a stationary master device powered by mains;
- and
- a mobile master device powered by a battery for the data collection from the plurality of mobile sensors and having a receiver for receiving a request signal for handover of the data collection from the stationary master device;
- and
- a control unit for issuing a reply signal to the stationary master device for the request signal, the reply signal indicating a timing at which to transfer the data collection to the stationary master device, wherein the control unit is configured to handover the data collection from the mobile master device to the stationary master device based on the quality of a detected signal, the quality indicating that the mobile master device is in a vicinity of the stationary master device for the data collection by the stationary master device when the mobile master device is in the vicinity of the stationary master device.
A method of operating a mobile master device for controlling and data collection from a plurality of sensors in a wireless network, the method comprising the acts of:
- controlling and collecting by a mobile master device powered by a battery, data from a plurality of sensors;
- detecting by the mobile master device via a receiver a broadcast signal transmitted by a stationary master device which is configured for controlling and collecting the data;
- and
- transferring by the mobile master device, data collection from the mobile master device to the stationary master device based on a quality result of detecting act indicating that the mobile master device is in a vicinity of the stationary master device for the data collection by the stationary master device when the mobile device is in the vicinity of the stationary master device.
A method of operating a stationary master device for controlling and data collection from a plurality of mobile sensors in a wireless network, the method comprising the acts of:
- collecting by a stationary master device powered by mains, via a receiver, data from the plurality of sensors;
- detecting by the stationary master device, a request signal for transferring the data collecting, to a mobile master device powered by a battery;
- signaling a reply to the mobile master device issuing the request signal, the reply indicating a timing at which the data collecting is handed over from the stationary master device to the mobile master device;
- detecting by the mobile master device, a broadcast signal transmitted by the stationary master device, which is configured for the data collecting;
- and
- transferring by the mobile master device, the data collecting from the mobile device to the stationary device, based on a quality result of the act of detecting by the mobile master device the broadcast signal indicating that the mobile master device is in a vicinity of the stationary master device for the data collecting by the stationary master device when the mobile master device is in the vicinity of the stationary master device.
A computer readable medium that is not a transitory propagating signal or wave, comprising computer instructions embodied in hardware which, when in communication with mobile master device controls the mobile master device to perform the acts of:
- collecting data by a mobile master device powered by a battery, from a plurality of sensors connected in a wireless sensor network;
- detecting by the mobile master device a broadcast signal transmitted by a stationary master device which is configured for collecting the data, the stationary master device is powered by mains;
- and
- transferring by the mobile master device, data collection from the mobile master device to the stationary master device based on a quality result of the detecting act indicating that the mobile master device is in a vicinity of the stationary master device for the data collection by the stationary master device when the mobile master device is in the vicinity of the stationary master device.
An mobile master for traveling with, controlling, and collecting data from, a plurality of mobile sensors in a wireless mobile network, the mobile master comprising:
- a battery power source;
- a. transmitter configured to transmit control and data signals including signals to control a plurality of mobile sensors in a wireless mobile network;
- a receiver configured to receive control signals and data including data from the plurality of mobile sensors in the wireless network;
- a detector configured to detect via the receiver, the quality of broadcast signals from a second master, the quality indicating the distance to the changing location of the mobile network;
- a handover control unit configured to send a control signal via the transmitter, to the second master to:
- initiate handover of control and data collection for the plurality of mobile sensors, from the mobile master to the second master, depending on the detector detecting higher quality broadcast signal of the second master based on a predetermined threshold, and initiate handover of control and data collection for the plurality of mobile sensors, from the second master to the mobile master depending on the detector detecting lower quality broadcast signal of the second master based on a predetermined threshold.
An mobile master for traveling with, controlling, and collecting data from, a plurality of mobile sensors in a wireless mobile network, the mobile master comprising:
- a battery power source;
- a transmitter configured to transmit control signals and data including signals to control a plurality of mobile sensors in a wireless network;
- a receiver configured to receive control signals and data including data from the plurality of mobile sensors in the wireless network;
- a detector configured to detect via the receiver, handover request signals from a second master;
- depending on a quality of the handover request signals indicating distance, handover control unit configured to send a control signal via the transmitter, to the second master to indicate a handover and the timing of the handover to:
- initiate handover of control and data collection for the plurality of mobile sensors, from the mobile master to the second master, depending on a detected handover request signal from the second master requesting handover of control and data collection for the plurality of mobile sensors, from the mobile master to the second master, and
- initiate handover of control and data collection for the plurality of mobile sensors, from the mobile master to the second master, depending on a detected handover request signal from the second master requesting handover of control and data collection for the plurality of mobile sensors, from the mobile master to the second master.
A second master for intermittent communication with, controlling, and collecting data from, a plurality of sensors in a mobile wireless network, the second master comprising:
- a connection for a distributed power system;
- a transmitter configured to transmit control signals and data including signals to control a plurality of mobile sensors in a wireless network;
- a receiver configured to receive control signals and data including data from the plurality of mobile sensors in the wireless network;
- a detector configured to detect via the receiver, a quality of broadcast signals from a mobile master, the quality indicating distance to the mobile master;
- depending on a quality of the signals from the mobile master, handover control unit configured to send a control signal via the transmitter, to the mobile master to:
- initiate handover of control and data collection for the plurality of mobile sensors, from the mobile master to the second master, and
- initiate handover of control and data collection for the plurality of mobile sensors, from the second master to the mobile master.
An mobile master for traveling with, controlling, and collecting data from, a plurality of mobile sensors in a wireless network, the mobile master comprising:
- a battery power source;
- a transmitter configured to transmit control signals and data including signals to control a plurality of mobile sensors in a wireless network;
- a receiver configured to receive control signals and data including data from the plurality of mobile sensors in the wireless network;
- a detector configured to detect via the receiver, handover request signals from a second master of a different type than the mobile master, and a quality of the handover request signals;
- a handover control unit configured to send, depending on the quality of the request signal, a control signal via the transmitter, to the second master to indicate a handover and the timing of the handover to:
- initiate handover of control and data collection for the plurality of mobile sensors, from the mobile master to the second master, depending on a detected handover request signal from the second master requesting handover of control and data collection for the plurality of mobile sensors, from the mobile master to the second master, and
- initiate handover of control and data collection for the plurality mobile sensors, from the mobile master to the second master, depending on a detected handover request signal from the second master requesting handover of control and data collection for the plurality of mobile sensors, from the mobile master to the second master.
A method of operating a mobile master for control of and data collection from a plurality of sensors in a wireless network, the method comprising:
- detecting via a detector, a broadcast request signal from a second master configured for control and data collection of a plurality of sensors in a network, and determining a quality of the broadcast signal from a second master;
- depending on the quality of the request signal, initiating handover of control and data collection for the plurality of sensors, from the second master to the access device based on a result of the detection.
A method of operating a second master for control of and controlling data collection from a plurality of sensors of a wireless sensor network, the method comprising:
- detecting via a receiver, a handover request signal from a mobile master which controls and collects data from a mobile plurality of sensors in a wireless network;
- depending on the quality of the handover request signal indicating proximity, signaling via a transmitter, a handover reply to the handover request signal from the mobile master, the handover reply indicating a timing at which control and data collection is to be handed over from the mobile master to the second master.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.