Measuring quantitative environmental data within a wireless sensor system

Abstract

Arrangements for measuring environmental conditions using a wireless sensor system may be presented. A threshold value may be determined for a sensor unit arranged in the wireless sensor system. The threshold value may be programmed in to the sensor unit. Quantitative sensor data may be measured about an ambient environmental condition. The measured quantitative sensor data may be compared to the programmed threshold value. The measured quantitative sensor data may be determined to exceed the programmed threshold value. Information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data may be transmitted in response to determining that the measured quantitative sensor data exceeds the programmed threshold value.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for measuring environmental conditions using a wireless sensor system, the method comprising:
 determining a threshold value for a sensor unit arranged in the wireless sensor system;   programming the threshold value in to the sensor unit;   measuring, by the sensor unit, quantitative sensor data about an ambient environmental condition;   comparing, by the sensor unit, the measured quantitative sensor data to the programmed threshold value;   determining, by the sensor unit, the measured quantitative sensor data exceeds the programmed threshold value; and   transmitting, by the sensor unit, via wireless communication, information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data in response to determining that the measured quantitative sensor data exceeds the programmed threshold value.   
     
     
         2 . The method for measuring environmental conditions using the wireless sensor system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the sensor unit, via the wireless communication, instructions that cause the threshold value to be set at the sensor unit.   
     
     
         3 . The method for measuring environmental conditions using the wireless sensor system of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting, by the sensor unit, via wireless communication, information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data in response to determining that the measured quantitative sensor data exceeds the programmed threshold value comprises:
 prior to performing transmitting one or more communication packets, listening to a radio frequency channel to determine the radio frequency channel is not in use by another device; and   transmitting, via the radio frequency channel, communication packets that each comprise an address that distinguishes the sensor unit from other sensor units of the wireless sensor system.   
     
     
         4 . The method for measuring environmental conditions using the wireless sensor system of  claim 1 , wherein the information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data comprises an indication of an alarm condition. 
     
     
         5 . The method for measuring environmental conditions using the wireless sensor system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting, by the sensor unit, a message indicating that the sensor unit is functioning normally.   
     
     
         6 . The method for measuring environmental conditions in the wireless sensor system of  claim 1 , wherein the ambient environmental condition is selected from the group consisting of: humidity, carbon monoxide, and smoke. 
     
     
         7 . The method for measuring environmental conditions in the wireless sensor system of  claim 1 , wherein determining the threshold value comprises:
 calculating a baseline environmental condition value based on environmental condition measurements from a plurality of sensor units.   
     
     
         8 . The method for measuring environmental conditions in the wireless sensor system of  claim 7 , wherein determining the threshold value comprises:
 increasing the calculated baseline environmental condition value by a pre-established percentage of the baseline environmental condition value to determine the threshold value.   
     
     
         9 . A wireless sensor system for measuring environmental conditions, the wireless sensor system comprising:
 a base unit, configured to:
 determine a threshold value for a sensor unit arranged in the wireless sensor system; and 
   the sensor unit, comprising a wireless transceiver configured to:
 program the threshold value such that the threshold value is stored by the sensor unit; 
 measure quantitative sensor data about an ambient environmental condition; 
 compare the measured quantitative sensor data to the programmed threshold value; 
 determine that the measured quantitative sensor data exceeds the programmed threshold value; and 
 transmit, via wireless communication, information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data to the base unit in response to determining that the measured quantitative sensor data exceeds the programmed threshold value. 
   
     
     
         10 . The wireless sensor system for measuring environmental conditions of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor unit comprises an audio output device. 
     
     
         11 . The wireless sensor system for measuring environmental conditions of  claim 9 , wherein the base unit is further configured to wirelessly transmit the determined threshold value to the sensor unit. 
     
     
         12 . The wireless sensor system for measuring environmental conditions of  claim 9 , the sensor unit further comprises a controller, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wireless transceiver to transmit the information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data to the base unit, wherein the information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data comprises the measured quantitative sensor data. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless sensor system for measuring environmental conditions of  claim 9 , the sensor unit further comprises a controller, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wireless transceiver to transmit the information indicative of the quantitate measured sensor data to the base unit, wherein the information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data comprises an indication of an alarm condition. 
     
     
         14 . The wireless sensor system for measuring environmental conditions of  claim 9 , the wireless sensor system further comprising:
 a repeater unit that relays wireless communications between the sensor unit and the base unit using a spread-spectrum technique.   
     
     
         15 . The wireless sensor system for measuring environmental conditions of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor unit comprises a tamper sensor, wherein the sensor unit is configured to wirelessly transmit an indication of a fault to the base unit in response to the tamper sensor being activated. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for measuring environmental conditions, the apparatus comprising:
 means for wirelessly receiving a threshold value;   means for programming the threshold value such that the apparatus stores the threshold value;   means for measuring quantitative sensor data about an ambient environmental condition;   means for comparing the measured quantitative sensor data to the programmed threshold value;   means for determining whether the measured quantitative sensor data exceeds the programmed threshold value; and   means for wirelessly transmitting information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data in response to the means for determining making a determination that the measured quantitative sensor data exceeds the programmed threshold value.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for measuring environmental conditions of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 means for measuring a signal strength of the means for wirelessly transmitting information; and   means for routing transmission of the information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data based on the signal strength.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus for measuring environmental conditions of  claim 16 , wherein the information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data comprises an indication of an alarm condition. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus for measuring environmental conditions of  claim 16 , further comprising means for transmitting a message indicating that the apparatus is functioning normally. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus for measuring environmental conditions of  claim 16 , wherein means for wirelessly transmitting the information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data comprises means for encrypting for transmission the information indicative of the measured quantitative sensor data.