Systems and methods for adaptive power management in wireless sensor communications

Abstract

When in a walking test mode, the battery-powered wireless sensor transmits a plurality of wireless communication signals at different transmission power levels, respectively, and listens for a corresponding wireless acknowledgement signal for each of the plurality of wireless communication signals. The security panel listens to a plurality of wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery-powered wireless sensor, attenuates the plurality of wireless communication signals by a predetermined margin, and transmits a wireless acknowledgement signal to the battery-powered wireless sensor for those attenuated wireless communication signals received and identified by the security panel. The battery-powered wireless sensor determines a minimum transmit power level based at least in part on a wireless acknowledgement signal from the security panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to security systems employing wireless sensors, and more particularly to power management for wireless sensor communications in security systems. Background Art

[0002] Many different systems employ sensors. One example includes security systems. Security systems may include a large number of sensors, such as door sensors, window sensors, glass breakage sensors, motion sensors, and the like. Many sensors are placed in locations that are not easily hardwired, which means that some sensors are often not only wireless sensors, but also battery-powered sensors. Typically, the sensors communicate with a security panel. Many battery-powered wireless sensors are able to adjust the power at which they send messages. It should be understood that the power required for reliable communication may vary for each sensor and may vary depending on circumstances such as the distance between the sensor and the security panel, interference with other electronic devices, materials in or around the sensor and / or security panel (including materials in or around walls and ceilings), and other factors. In addition, the required power level for reliable communication may vary on a time basis due to, for example, time changes in the environment.

[0003] Transmitting at a higher power level than necessary for reliable communication wastes electrical power, which means that the battery of a battery-powered wireless sensor may be depleted faster than necessary. In addition, when a battery-powered wireless sensor transmits at a higher than necessary level, those messages travel farther than necessary and may cause unnecessary traffic, noise, and / or interference to other devices in the system. This may result in an increase in signal collisions, which may cause multiple messages to not reach their intended destinations. What is desired is a method and system for regulating communication power levels in a battery-powered wireless sensor so as to improve battery life while allowing the battery-powered wireless sensor to communicate effectively within a security system. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure generally relates to security systems employing wireless sensors, and more specifically to power management for wireless sensor communications in security systems. An example may be found in a method for configuring a transmit power level of a battery-powered wireless sensor of a security system. The method includes entering a walk test mode for at least a portion of the security system. Once in the walk test mode, the battery-powered wireless sensor transmits a plurality of wireless communication signals at different transmit power levels, respectively, and listens for a corresponding wireless confirmation signal for each of the plurality of wireless communication signals. In the walk test mode, a security panel of the security system listens for the plurality of wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery-powered wireless sensor, attenuates the plurality of wireless communication signals by a predetermined margin, and transmits a wireless confirmation signal to the battery-powered wireless sensor for those attenuated wireless communication signals received and recognized by the security panel. The battery-powered wireless sensor determines a minimum transmit power level based at least in part on which of the plurality of wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery-powered wireless sensor at different transmit power levels results in a corresponding wireless confirmation signal from the security panel and which of the plurality of wireless communication signals does not result in a corresponding wireless confirmation signal. The method includes exiting the walk test mode and entering an operation mode. Once in the operating mode, the battery powered wireless sensor transmits wireless communication signals to the security panel using the determined minimum transmit power level, and the security panel of the security system no longer attenuates the wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery powered wireless sensor.

[0005] Another example may be present in a method for operating a security system including a battery-powered wireless sensor that communicates with a security panel. The battery-powered wireless sensor senses a sensed event and, when sensed, wirelessly communicates the sensed event to the security panel via a wireless communication signal. The security system includes an armed state and a disarmed state. The method includes determining whether the security system is in the armed state or in the disarmed state. The sensed event is sensed by the battery-powered wireless sensor, and in response, the sensed event is wirelessly communicated to the security panel via the wireless communication signal at a first power level when the security system is in the armed state, and wirelessly communicated to the security panel via the wireless communication signal at a second power level when the security system is in the disarmed state, wherein the first power level is higher than the second power level.

[0006] Another example may be present in a method for operating a security system including a battery-powered wireless sensor in communication with a security panel. The method includes the battery-powered wireless sensor sensing a first sensed event, and in response, wirelessly communicating the first sensed event to the security panel via a wireless communication signal at a first power level. The battery-powered wireless sensor repeatedly wirelessly transmits supervisory signals to the security panel at regular intervals at a second power level lower than the first power level, and the security panel responds to each supervisory signal received and recognized by the security panel by transmitting a corresponding confirmation signal.

[0007] The above summary is provided to facilitate understanding of some innovative features unique to the present disclosure, but is not intended to be a complete description. A comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure can be obtained by viewing the entire specification, claims, drawings and abstract as a whole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present disclosure may be more fully understood by considering the following description of various examples in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary security system including a plurality of wireless battery-powered sensors;

[0010] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C are flow charts that together illustrate illustrative methods for configuring transmit power levels of battery-powered wireless sensors in a security system;

[0011] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating an illustrative method for operating a security system including a battery-powered wireless sensor in communication with a security panel;

[0012] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an illustrative method for operating a security system including a battery-powered wireless sensor in communication with a security panel;

[0013] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the results of a battery powered wireless sensor communicating at full power; and

[0014] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the results of a battery-powered wireless sensor communicating at adaptive power levels.

[0015] Although the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, the details thereof have been shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the specific examples described. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the essence and scope of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The following description should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered in the same manner. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and they depict examples that are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Although examples of various elements are illustrated, those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that can be utilized.

[0017] It is assumed herein that all numbers are modified by the term "about" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (eg, 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

[0018] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and / or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0019] It should be noted that references to "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "other embodiments", etc. in the specification indicate that the described embodiments may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with one embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with one embodiment, and it is contemplated that the feature, structure, or characteristic may be applied to other embodiments regardless of whether explicitly described, unless otherwise clearly stated.

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an illustrative security system 10. Although security system 10 is used as an example, it is contemplated that the present disclosure may be applied to any suitable system, such as an HVAC system with battery-powered wireless HVAC sensors, an industrial process with battery-powered wireless process sensors, and / or any other suitable process. Figure 1 The exemplary security system 10 of includes a security panel 12. The security system 10 may include a single security panel 12 that operates as a master security system controller for the security system 10, or may include a plurality of distributed security panels 12 (e.g., a plurality of regional security panels), each of which is operatively coupled to the master security system controller. It is contemplated that the security system 10 may have any desired architecture as desired.

[0021] exist Figure 1In the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of battery-powered wireless sensors 14, respectively labeled 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d, communicate wirelessly with the security panel 12. At least some of the battery-powered wireless sensors 14 may each be, for example, a door sensor, a window sensor, a glass breakage sensor, a motion sensor, a fire sensor, a smoke sensor. In some cases, at least some of the battery-powered wireless sensors 14 may each be a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or a gas detection sensor such as a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a TVOC (total volatile organic compound). These are just examples.

[0022] Each of the battery-powered wireless sensors 14 may be considered to include a controller 16 configured to operate the battery-powered wireless sensor 14, a battery 18 to power the battery-powered wireless sensor 14, a transceiver 20 or a separate transmitter and receiver for communicating with the security panel 12, and of course one or more sensors 22 that provide the battery-powered wireless sensor 14 with its sensing capabilities. Each controller 16 is configured to be able to identify whether the security panel 12 has transmitted an acknowledgment of each message transmitted, and to be able to adjust the power level at which that battery-powered wireless sensor 14 transmits messages to the security panel 12. The security panel 12 includes a controller 24 that is configured to transmit and receive messages via the transceiver 26.

[0023] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C 2 are flow charts that together illustrate an exemplary method 28 for configuring the transmit power level of a battery-powered wireless sensor (such as the battery-powered wireless sensor 14) of a security system (such as the security system 10). The method 28 includes entering a walk test mode for at least a portion of the security system, as indicated by block 30. In the walk test mode, a technician typically walks around an area and checks that each sensor responds as expected at its installed location. For example, in the walk test mode, a technician may walk toward each motion sensor and check to ensure that each motion sensor responds correctly to motion in the motion sensor's field of view. The walk test mode may be used to test the sensors without causing an alarm at a central monitoring station.

[0024] Once in the walk test mode, the battery powered wireless sensor transmits a plurality of wireless communication signals at different transmit power levels, respectively, and for each of the plurality of wireless communication signals, listens for a corresponding wireless confirmation signal (e.g., from the security panel 12), as indicated by block 32. While in the walk test mode, the security panel of the security system (e.g., the security panel 12) takes a number of actions, as indicated by block 34. The security panel listens for the plurality of wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery powered wireless sensor, as indicated by block 36.

[0025] While in the walk test mode, the security panel of the security system attenuates the plurality of wireless communication signals by a predetermined margin (e.g., a predetermined communication margin), as shown at block 38. In some cases, attenuating the wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery-powered wireless sensor by the predetermined margin may include activating a hardware attenuator of the security panel. In some cases, attenuating the wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery-powered wireless sensor by the predetermined margin may include activating a software attenuator of the security panel. For example, the predetermined margin may fall within a range of 5 to 15 decibels of attenuation.

[0026] While in the walk test mode, the security panel of the security system transmits a wireless confirmation signal to the battery-powered wireless sensor for those attenuated wireless communication signals that are received and recognized by the security panel, as shown in block 40. For those attenuated wireless communication signals that do not have sufficient power (e.g., sufficient signal-to-noise ratio) at the security panel and therefore cannot be reliably received by the security panel, the security panel will not transmit the corresponding wireless confirmation signal. While still in the walk test mode, the battery-powered wireless sensor determines a minimum transmit power level based at least in part on which of a plurality of wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery-powered wireless sensor at different transmit power levels resulted in a corresponding wireless confirmation signal from the security panel and which of the plurality of wireless communication signals did not result in a corresponding wireless confirmation signal, as shown in block 42.

[0027] continue Figure 2B , the method 28 includes exiting the walk test mode and entering the operational mode, as indicated by block 44. Once in the operational mode, the battery-powered wireless sensor transmits a wireless communication signal to the security panel using the determined minimum transmit power level, as indicated by block 46. Once in the operational mode, the security panel of the security system no longer attenuates the wireless communication signal transmitted by the battery-powered wireless sensor, as indicated by block 48. By no longer attenuating the wireless communication signal, a predetermined communication margin is established. The predetermined communication margin can be easily and reliably set by simply setting an appropriate amount of attenuation in the security panel (e.g., between 5 and 15 decibels of attenuation).

[0028] In some cases, the method 28 may also include, when in the operating mode, the battery-powered wireless sensor repeatedly wirelessly transmits supervision signals to the security panel at regular intervals, and the security panel responds to each of the supervision signals received and recognized by the security panel by transmitting a corresponding confirmation signal, as shown in block 50. The supervision signals can be used to monitor whether the battery-powered wireless sensor remains online and in communication with the security panel. In some cases, the method 28 may also include, when in the operating mode, and in response to the security panel not receiving two or more consecutive supervision signals from the battery-powered wireless sensor, the security panel may transmit a command to the battery-powered wireless sensor to increase the power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor transmits wireless communication signals to the security panel, as shown in block 52. In some cases, the method 28 may also include, when in the operating mode, and in response to the battery-powered wireless sensor not receiving one or more confirmation signals from the security panel, the battery-powered wireless sensor may automatically increase the power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor transmits wireless communication signals to the security panel, as shown in block 54. This may be repeated until the battery-powered wireless sensor receives a confirmation signal from the security panel.

[0029] continue Figure 2C , the method 28 may also include taking additional steps while in the operating mode, as indicated by block 56. The additional steps may include the battery-powered wireless sensor reducing the power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends wireless communication signals to the security panel, as indicated by block 58. The additional steps may include, after reducing the power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends wireless communication signals to the security panel, determining whether the battery-powered wireless sensor has not received one or more acknowledgment signals from the security panel, and if not, increasing the power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends wireless communication signals to the security panel, as indicated by block 60. Using this process, the battery-powered wireless sensor may automatically adjust the power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends wireless communication signals to the security panel to achieve and maintain a minimum power level while still achieving reliable communication with the security panel.

[0030] Figure 36 is a flow chart showing an exemplary method 62 for operating a security system, such as security system 10, that includes a battery-powered wireless sensor, such as battery-powered wireless sensor 14, in communication with a security panel, such as security panel 12. The battery-powered wireless sensor senses a sensed event, and when sensed, the battery-powered wireless sensor wirelessly communicates the sensed event to the security panel via a wireless communication signal. The security system has an armed state and a disarmed state. The method includes determining whether the security system is in the armed state or in the disarmed state, as shown in block 64. The sensed event is sensed by the battery-powered wireless sensor, and in response, the sensed event is wirelessly communicated to the security panel via a wireless communication signal at a first power level when the security system is in the armed state, and the sensed event is wirelessly communicated to the security panel via a wireless communication signal at a second power level when the security system is in the disarmed state, wherein the first power level is higher than the second power level, as shown in block 66.

[0031] In some cases, the second power level may be an adaptive power level and the first power level may be a fixed power level, as shown in block 68. The adaptive power level may be determined by the battery-powered wireless sensor lowering an adaptive power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends wireless communication signals to the security panel, as shown in block 70. The adaptive power level may be determined by, after lowering the adaptive power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends wireless communication signals to the security panel, determining whether the battery-powered wireless sensor has not received one or more acknowledgment signals from the security panel, and if not, increasing the adaptive power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends wireless communication signals to the security panel, as shown in block 72.

[0032] In some cases, the method 62 may include the battery-powered wireless sensor repeatedly wirelessly sending supervisory signals to the security panel at regular intervals, and the security panel responding to each of the supervisory signals received and recognized by the security panel by sending a corresponding confirmation signal, as shown in block 74. The method 62 may include the battery-powered wireless sensor repeatedly wirelessly sending supervisory signals to the security panel at a second power level in both the armed state and the disarmed state, as shown in block 76. In some cases, the battery-powered wireless sensor may be a motion sensor. In some cases, the battery-powered wireless sensor may be a smoke sensor. These are just examples.

[0033] Figure 4is a flow chart showing an exemplary method 78 for operating a security system, such as security system 10, that includes a battery-powered wireless sensor, such as battery-powered wireless sensor 14, in communication with a security panel. The method includes the battery-powered wireless sensor sensing a first sensed event, and in response, wirelessly communicating the first sensed event to the security panel via a wireless communication signal at a first power level, as indicated by block 80. The battery-powered wireless sensor repeatedly wirelessly transmits supervisory signals to the security panel at regular intervals at a second power level that is lower than the first power level, and the security panel responds to each supervisory signal received and recognized by the security panel by transmitting a corresponding confirmation signal, as indicated by block 82.

[0034] In some cases, the second power level may be an adaptive power level and the first power level may be a fixed power level. In some cases, the second power level may be an adaptive power level, as shown in block 84. The adaptive power level may be determined by the battery-powered wireless sensor lowering an adaptive power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends supervisory signals to the security panel, as shown in block 86. The adaptive power level may be determined by, after lowering the adaptive power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends supervisory signals to the security panel, determining whether the battery-powered wireless sensor has not received one or more acknowledgment signals from the security panel, and if not, raising the adaptive power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends supervisory signals to the security panel, as shown in block 88.

[0035] In some cases, the method 78 may include the battery-powered wireless sensor sensing a second sensed event, and in response, wirelessly communicating the second sensed event to the security panel via a wireless communication signal at a third power level, as shown in block 90. ​​In some cases, the third power level may be different from the first power level and the second power level. In some cases, the second sensed event may be a different event type having a different event priority than the first sensed event.

[0036] Figure 5 is a diagram of the relative signal ranges of several sensors when the sensors are transmitting at full power levels, and Figure 6 92 (labeled as sensor 6), sensor 92 has a signal range indicated by circle 94. Figure 5 At full power as shown, sensor 92 is able to reach transceiver 96 (labeled as transceiver 1), transceiver 98 (labeled as transceiver 2), and transceiver 100 (labeled as transceiver 2). In some cases, transceiver 96, transceiver 98, and transceiver 100 may each correspond to a different security panel, but this is not required. At reduced power levels (such as Figure 6 ), sensor 92 can only reach transceiver 98 (labeled as transceiver 2). This means that when sensor 1 and sensor 3 try to communicate with transceiver 96 (labeled as transceiver 1), sensor 92 no longer competes with sensor 1 and sensor 3, or when sensor 4 tries to communicate with transceiver 100 (labeled as transceiver 3), sensor 92 no longer competes with sensor 4. When comparing Figure 5 and Figure 6 A similar comparison can be made with the relative signal ranges of other sensors when transmitting at a lower power level. Being able to successfully transmit at a lower power level not only saves battery power for the corresponding battery-powered wireless sensor, but also means less signal congestion on the system.

[0037] Although several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in this manner, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that other embodiments may be made and used within the scope of the claims appended hereto. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is in many respects merely illustrative. Details (especially details related to shape, size, arrangement of parts, and exclusion and order of steps) may be changed without exceeding the scope of the present disclosure. Of course, the scope of the present disclosure is defined in the language of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a transmit power level of a battery-powered wireless sensor of a security system, the method comprising: Entering a walk test mode for at least a portion of the safety system, and once in the walk test mode: The battery-powered wireless sensor transmits a plurality of wireless communication signals at different transmission power levels, respectively, and for each of the plurality of wireless communication signals, listens for a corresponding wireless confirmation signal; The security panel of the security system: listening to the plurality of wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery-powered wireless sensor; attenuating the plurality of wireless communication signals by a predetermined margin; as well as for those attenuated wireless communication signals received and identified by the security panel, sending a wireless confirmation signal to the battery-powered wireless sensor; the battery powered wireless sensor determining a minimum transmit power level based at least in part on which of the plurality of wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery powered wireless sensor at the different transmit power levels results in a corresponding wireless acknowledgement signal from the security panel and which of the plurality of wireless communication signals does not result in a corresponding wireless acknowledgement signal; Exit the walk test mode and enter operational mode, and once in operational mode: the battery-powered wireless sensor transmitting a wireless communication signal to the security panel using the determined minimum transmit power level; as well as The security panel of the security system no longer attenuates the wireless communication signal transmitted by the battery powered wireless sensor.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the operating mode: The battery powered wireless sensor repeatedly wirelessly transmits supervisory signals to the security panel at regular intervals, and the security panel responds to each of the supervisory signals received and recognized by the security panel by transmitting a corresponding acknowledgement signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein in the operating mode: In response to the security panel not receiving two or more consecutive supervisory signals from the battery powered wireless sensor, the security panel transmits a command to the battery powered wireless sensor to increase the power level at which the battery powered wireless sensor sends wireless communication signals to the security panel.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein in the operating mode: In response to the battery powered wireless sensor not receiving one or more confirmation signals from the security panel, the battery powered wireless sensor increases the power level at which the battery powered wireless sensor transmits wireless communication signals to the security panel.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein in the operating mode: the battery powered wireless sensor reducing the power level at which the battery powered wireless sensor transmits wireless communication signals to the security panel; and After reducing the power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends wireless communication signals to the security panel, determine whether the battery-powered wireless sensor has not received one or more confirmation signals from the security panel, and if not, increase the power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor sends wireless communication signals to the security panel. 6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein attenuating the wireless communication signal transmitted by the battery-powered wireless sensor by the predetermined margin comprises activating a hardware attenuator of the security panel.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein attenuating the wireless communication signal transmitted by the battery-powered wireless sensor by the predetermined margin comprises activating a software attenuator of the security panel. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the predetermined margin is in the range of 5 to 15 decibels.

9. A system, comprising: Battery powered wireless sensor, configured to: sending a plurality of wireless communication signals at different transmission power levels respectively, and for each of the plurality of wireless communication signals, listening for a corresponding wireless confirmation signal; The panel is configured as: listening to the plurality of wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery-powered wireless sensor; attenuating the plurality of wireless communication signals by a predetermined margin; as well as For those attenuated wireless communication signals received and identified by the panel, a wireless confirmation signal is sent to the battery-powered wireless sensor; the battery-powered wireless sensor is configured to: determining a minimum transmit power level based at least in part on which of the plurality of wireless communication signals transmitted by the battery powered wireless sensor at the different transmit power levels results in a corresponding wireless acknowledgment signal from the panel and which of the plurality of wireless communication signals does not result in a corresponding wireless acknowledgment signal; as well as A wireless communication signal is transmitted to the panel using the determined minimum transmit power level, wherein the panel no longer attenuates the wireless communication signal transmitted by the battery powered wireless sensor.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein: the battery-powered wireless sensor repeatedly wirelessly transmits supervisory signals to the panel at regular intervals, and the panel responds to each of the supervisory signals received and recognized by the panel by transmitting a corresponding acknowledgement signal; in response to the panel not receiving two or more consecutive supervisory signals from the battery-powered wireless sensor, the panel transmitting a command to the battery-powered wireless sensor to increase the power level at which the battery-powered wireless sensor transmits wireless communication signals to the panel; as well as In response to the battery powered wireless sensor not receiving one or more confirmation signals from the panel, the battery powered wireless sensor increases the power level at which the battery powered wireless sensor sends wireless communication signals to the panel.

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