Energy Efficient Sensor

Abstract

A sensor is discloses that uses very little power by entering a sleep state, waking up, finding a sensor or other device to report to, then going back to sleep for the next sleep cycle. The sensor may need to add itself onto its network. To do so, keys are exchanged with the network provisioner, the sensor informs the network of its capabilities, and/or characteristics, etc, and the network determines which other sensors and other places in the network the sensor may talk with.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 A first sensor, the first sensor comprising a solar panel, a battery, a processor with memory, and sensor data, the first sensor operationally able to encode an active state, a sleep state, and a time period;   Wherein the first sensor is operationally able to use the processor with memory and solar power from the solar panel or battery power from the battery to:   enter the sleep state for the time period,   enter the active state at end of the time period, and   while in the active state, send a sensor data report to a second device, the sensor data report comprising at least a portion of the sensor data; and   after the sensor data has been reported, enter the sleep state.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is operationally able to enter the sleep state after the second device has indicated it has received the sensor data report. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein when, after a report time period, the second device has not indicated it has received the sensor data report, the first sensor is operationally able to send the sensor data report to a third device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the battery is operationally able to recharge using ambient light. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second sensor, and wherein the second sensor is operationally able to send and receive wireless signals from the first sensor at a distance up to 150 feet. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a third sensor, wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor are operationally able to be connected using a self-healing mesh. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is one half inch wide or smaller. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor comprises a sensor for air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds, CO2, occupancy, floor temperature, rainfall, or air quality. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor further comprises a power wire, and wherein the first sensor is operationally able to be wired into an electrical system using the power wire. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor further comprises a sensor for occupancy, and wherein the sensor works with a controller to track occupant locations using mesh trilateration. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the first sensor notices a wireless signal from a personal electronic device, the wireless signal comprising strength and directionality. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor comprises a sensor for air temperature, humidity, CO2, VOC, and light level, occupant mapping, and occupancy detection. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first sensor further comprises a sensor for occupant mapping, occupancy detection, and occupancy velocity. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor further comprises a sensor face, and wherein the sensor face displays historical values of the sensor data. 
     
     
         15 . A sensor minimal power usage method comprising:
 a sensor entering a sleep state;   the sensor waiting for a designated time;   the sensor entering an active state;   the sensor reporting data; and   the sensor entering the sleep state.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising waiting for a second designated time for a data reporting signal; wherein when the data reporting signal is not received, sending data to a second device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising using ambient light to power a battery associated with the sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a power mode and determining whether power mode is standard, abundant, or unlimited. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising a role and determining whether the role is standard or gateway. 
     
     
         20 . A sensor energy saving system, comprising: a solar panel, a battery, a processor with memory, and sensor data, the processor and memory in communication with a controller, the sensor operationally able to send the sensor data to the controller; and wherein the sensor is operationally able to send data to a second device after not receiving a signal from a first device.