Wirelessly Communicating Sensor Data to the Internet

Abstract

A method of wirelessly communicating sensor data includes providing a wireless sensor module that includes a sensor and a transmitting circuit. The transmitting circuit is connected for wirelessly transmitting data derived from the sensor for receipt by a receiver connected to the internet for providing information derived from said sensor on the internet. The method also includes using said sensor and wirelessly transmitting data derived from the sensor.

1 . A method of wirelessly communicating sensor data, comprising:
 a. providing a wireless sensor module, wherein said wireless sensor module includes a sensor and a transmitting circuit, wherein said transmitting circuit is connected for wirelessly transmitting data derived from said sensor for receipt by a receiver connected to the internet for providing information derived from said sensor on the internet;   b. using said sensor; and   c. wirelessly transmitting data derived from said sensor.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising receiving said wirelessly transmitted data with a receiver connected to the internet and providing information derived from said sensor on the internet. 
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said receiver includes a first circuit and a second circuit, wherein said first circuit is for receiving said wirelessly transmitted data, wherein said second circuit is for communicating said information derived from said wirelessly transmitted data on the internet. 
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said receiver includes non-volatile memory and storing data derived from said sensor in said non-volatile memory. 
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a base station, wherein said base station includes said receiver connected to the internet. 
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of said wireless sensing modules, wherein said receiver is configured to receive from each of said wireless sensing modules. 
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of said wireless sensing modules communicate using time division multiple access (TDMA) and transmitting using TDMA. 
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said receiver is further connected to a local area network. 
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said receiver includes a receiver microprocessor, wherein said receiver microprocessor is configured to provide error checking of said wirelessly transmitted data, and providing error checking of wirelessly transmitted data before providing said information derived from said sensor on the internet. 
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising providing an apparatus for providing said information derived from said sensor on the internet, wherein said apparatus includes at least one from the group consisting of a computer, a router, and a cable modem, wherein said receiver communicates said information to said apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said receiver includes a cell phone, and using said cell phone for said providing said information derived from said sensor to said apparatus for connection to the internet. 
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said receiver provides bidirectional wireless communication with the internet, and using said receiver for said bidirectional communication. 
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said receiver provides said information to the internet in XML data format. 
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said wireless sensing module further includes sensor signal conditioning, an A/D converter, and a microprocessor. 
     
     
         15 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said wireless sensing module further includes a timer, and using said timer to set time for said transmission. 
     
     
         16 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said wireless sensing module further includes a plurality of sensors and a multiplexor, and wirelessly transmitting data derived from said plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         17 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said wireless sensing module further includes an RF transceiver, wherein said transmitting circuit is part of said RF transceiver, and receiving at least one from the group consisting of data and instructions with said transceiver. 
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said wireless sensing module further includes an energy storage device, and using said energy storage device to power said transmitter. 
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said wireless sensing module further includes a data storage device, and using said data storage device to store data prior to transmitting. 
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sensor includes at least one from the group consisting of a thermocouple, a strain gauge, a load cell, a torque transducer, and a displacement transducer. 
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said receiver includes a cell phone, and using said cell phone for said providing information derived from said wirelessly transmitted data on the internet. 
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said wireless sensing module includes a power receiving circuit, and using said power receiving circuit for powering said wireless sensing module. 
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 22 , further comprising an unmanned vehicle, and using said unmanned vehicle to approach said wireless sensing module, wherein said unmanned vehicle includes an unmanned vehicle power transmitting circuit, and using said unmanned vehicle power transmitting circuit for providing power to said power receiving circuit. 
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 23 , wherein said unmanned vehicle power transmitting circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit power to said wireless sensing module and using said unmanned vehicle power transmitting circuit to wirelessly transmit power to said wireless sensing module. 
     
     
         25 . A method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said wireless sensing module includes an energy storage device for storing energy received by said power receiving circuit and using said energy storage device for storing energy received by said power receiving circuit. 
     
     
         26 . A system, comprising:
 a base station having a connection to the internet; and   a wireless sensor module including a sensor and transmitting circuit, wherein said transmitting circuit is connected for wirelessly transmitting data derived from said sensor, wherein said base station includes a first circuit for receiving said wirelessly transmitted data, wherein said base station includes a second circuit for communicating information derived from said data to the internet.   
     
     
         27 . A system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein said base station includes a cell phone, wherein said second circuit includes said cell phone. 
     
     
         28 . A system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein said second circuit provides bidirectional wireless communication with the internet. 
     
     
         29 . A system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein said second circuit provides said information to the internet in XML data format. 
     
     
         30 . A system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein said sensor module further comprises a sensor module receiving circuit. 
     
     
         31 . A system, comprising a wireless sensor module, wherein said wireless sensor module includes a sensor and a transmitting circuit, wherein said transmitting circuit is connected for wirelessly transmitting data derived from said sensor to a receiver connected to the internet for providing information derived from said sensor on the internet.