System, method and devices for monitoring conditions through a structure

Abstract

A system, method and devices for monitoring several conditions in a containment space or through a surface or panel. A sensor is electronically coupled with a first coil to receive power wirelessly from a compatible second coil of a controller or from a computing device with wireless power transmitting means. The sensor may display the sensor readouts on a display and/or may communicate the information wirelessly to the controller or to another device. The sensor is placed within the containment or on the other side of a surface or panel, and the controller coil/computing device outside of the containment (or other side of the panel), or in some operably spaced apart manner (i.e., within the coil radiance or signal range) from the sensor to provide power to the sensor. The sensor does not require batteries, and the container may remain inaccessible while sensor readings are ascertained and during the monitoring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for sensing conditions the device comprising:
 a) at least one sensor comprising sensor that senses at least one condition of an environment, the sensor including circuitry configured to receive power wirelessly and to communicate the at least one sensed condition wirelessly to another device;   b) a controller that powers at least one sensor;   c) wherein the controller wirelessly powers the sensor, and wherein the sensor circuitry is configured to receive the power wirelessly from the controller; and   d) wherein the controller is spaced apart from the sensor a suitable distance that permits the controller to provide wireless power to the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes an antenna, and wherein the controller includes an antenna. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the controller distributes power to the at least one sensor wirelessly via a transmission from the controller antenna to the sensor antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to receive wireless power from the controller through a structure that divides the locations of the at least one sensor and the controller. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the structure comprises at least one panel, and wherein the device is configured to operate in conjunction with the at least one panel, wherein the at least one panel defines an interior or first environment that the at least one sensor monitors and an exterior or second environment where the controller is located. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the controller wirelessly powers the at least one sensor via transmission through the structure of a wireless signal. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the structure comprises at least one wall defining an interior and an exterior, a containment space, and wherein the at least one wall defines at least in part the containment space, and wherein the at least one sensor is configured to monitor the containment space, and wherein the controller wirelessly powers the at least one sensor through the at least one wall. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one sensor receives wireless power from the controller through the panel of the structure. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to operate within the containment space, and wherein the controller is configured to operate outside of the containment space. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a phone. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the phone comprises a wireless power transmitting circuit. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller contains a Wi-Fi capable component. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes controlling circuitry and wherein the controlling circuitry generates a first driving frequency. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the controlling circuitry of the controller generates a second driving frequency. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor circuitry comprises a capacitor and a coil. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controlling circuitry of the controller generates a driving frequency, wherein the sensor circuitry comprises a capacitor and a coil, wherein the combination of capacitance of the sensor circuitry capacitor and coil inductance of the sensor circuitry coil has a resonant frequency that matches the driving frequency of the controller. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the combination of capacitance of the sensor circuitry capacitor and coil inductance of the sensor circuitry coil has a resonant frequency which matches a proportion of the driving frequency of the controller. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the driving frequency of the controller is adjustable. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes at least one detecting portion, and wherein the sensor circuitry is preferably hermetically sealed except for the detecting portion of the sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises controller circuitry and wherein the controller circuitry comprises a pulse-generator or sine-wave generator which generates a driving frequency. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the pulse or sine wave generated by the pulse-generator or sine-wave generator is sent to a capacitor-coil combination whose resonant frequency matches the generated signal. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors, and wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to sense at least one condition different from that of another sensor of the plurality of sensors.