Sensor function system and sensor device for use in such a system

Abstract

One aspect of the disclosure pertains to a sensor function system configured to organize a set of sensor devices in a sensor device hierarchy. The sensor device hierarchy may comprise at least a first tier of one or more sensor devices and a second tier of one or more sensor devices. One or more sensor devices of the set of sensor devices is configured for providing measurement data to perform a sensor function. The sensor function system may be configured to determine association of one or more sensor devices with the first tier of sensor devices and association of one or more sensor devices with the second tier of sensor devices. The sensor function system is further configured to assign a first tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices of the first tier and transmit the first tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices if determined to be associated with the first tier of sensor devices and to assign a second tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices of the second tier and transmit the second tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices if determined to be associated with the second tier of sensor devices. The disclosure also relates to a sensor function system to obtain measurement data and to sensor devices for use with such sensor function systems.

Description

[0001] Sensor function system and sensor device for use in such a system

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a sensor function system and to a sensor device. In particular, the disclosure relates to a sensor function system to organize a set of sensor devices, to a sensor function system configured to obtain measurement data from such an organized set of sensor devices and to sensor devices configured to be organized and operate with such a sensor function system.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Wireless sensor networks, WSNs, comprise interconnected sensor devices that communicate wirelessly to collect data about the surrounding environment. Such devices are generally low power and distributed in a decentralized fashion. A common paradigm for practical WSN deployment is one where sensor devices in the WSN are organized into clusters, and one sensor device in the cluster is assigned the role of cluster head or primary sensor device. The primary sensor device is responsible for gathering data from the other sensor devices in the cluster and communicating it to a base station or other network access point.

[0006] In general, it is desirable that wireless sensor networks save energy. One common technique applied to this end involves waking up sensor devices only when sensor information, for example measurement data, is needed from these devices.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] The inventors have considered that a particular organizing scheme for the interrogation of sensor devices in a wireless sensor network may improve the operating efficiency for such a wireless sensor network. A dynamic organization of the wireless sensor network may, for example, reduce energy consumption and / or resource consumption of the operation of the wireless sensor network as a whole. In one example, the number of sensor devices that is interrogated to provide measurement data can be significantly reduced by an appropriate organization.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a sensor function system configured to organize a set of sensor devices in a sensor device hierarchy. The sensor device hierarchy may comprise at least a first tier of one or more sensor devices and a second tier of one or more sensor devices. It should be appreciated that the tier organization may be such that the first tier ranks higher than the second tier, which is an indication that interrogation of sensor devices associated with the first tier typically precedes interrogation of sensor devices associated with the second tier. It should further be appreciated that further tiers of sensor devices may be defined, for example, a third tier ranking below the second tier, a fourth tier ranking below the third tier, etc. One or more sensor devices of the set of sensor devices is configured for providing measurement data to perform a sensor function. The sensor function may be performed within the sensor function system or externally from the sensor function system. The sensor function system may, optionally, be configured to determine association of one or more sensor devices with the first tier of sensor devices and association of one or more sensor devices with the second tier of sensor devices. The sensor function system is further configured to assign a first tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices of the first tier and transmit the first tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices if determined to be associated with the first tier of sensor devices and to assign a second tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices of the second tier and transmit the second tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices if determined to be associated with the second tier of sensor devices. It should be noted that assigning tier identifiers to sensor devices in the sensor function system may be sufficient for some purposes, so that transmission of the tier identifiers to the respective sensor devices, or a derivative thereof, is optional.

[0010] One further aspect of the disclosure involves a sensor function system configured to obtain measurement data for performing a sensor function, wherein the measurement data is obtained from one or more sensor devices of a set of sensor devices. The set of sensor devices is organized in a sensor device hierarchy comprising at least a first tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a first tier identifier and a second tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a second tier identifier. It should be appreciated that the tier organization may be such that the first tier ranks higher than the second tier, which is an indication that interrogation of sensor devices associated with the first tier typically precedes interrogation of sensor devices associated with the second tier. When one or more sensor devices associated with a lower tier are interrogated, it is optional that one or more sensor devices associated with a higher tier may also respond. When one or more sensor devices associated with a higher tier are interrogated, sensor devices associated with a lower tier should generally not respond. It should further be appreciated that further tiers of sensor devices may be defined, for example, a third tier ranking below the second tier, a fourth tier ranking below the third tier, etc.

[0011] The sensor function system is configured to transmit a measurement data request message to the one or more sensor devices of the first tier of sensor devices using the first tier identifier to obtain first measurement data. The measurement data request message may comprise the first tier identifier. The sensor function system may then apply the sensor function to the first measurement data to obtain a sensor function result. Alternatively, the sensor function may be executed externally of the sensor function system.

[0012] The sensor function system may also be configured to perform a contribution or confidence algorithm to the sensor function result to obtain a contribution or confidence score. The algorithm may be executed externally of the sensor function system so that the sensor function system only obtains the contribution or confidence score, or an indication thereof.

[0013] The sensor function system may also be configured to trigger or transmit a second measurement data request message, dependent on the contribution or confidence score or the indication thereof, to one or more sensor devices of the second tier of sensor devices using the second tier identifier to obtain second measurement data. The second measurement data request message may comprise the second tier identifier. The sensor function system may then apply the sensor function to the second measurement data to obtain a further sensor function result. Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a sensor device for use with the sensor function system as disclosed herein, wherein the sensor device is configured to receive an assignment message comprising a tier identifier associated with a tier in the sensor device hierarchy defined in the sensor function system. The sensor device may be configured to store the tier identifier in a local storage of the sensor device and respond to a request message from the sensor function system upon detecting the tier identifier.

[0014] Yet another aspect of the disclosure comprises a sensor device for use with the sensor function system as disclosed herein, wherein the sensor function system applies a sensor device hierarchy comprising at least a first tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a first tier identifier and a second tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a second tier identifier.

[0015] The sensor device is configured to obtain measurement data from a measurement by the sensor of the sensor device. If the sensor device stores the first tier identifier, the sensor device is configured to respond to a measurement data request message comprising the first tier identifier by transmitting the measurement data. Optionally, the sensor device is triggered to obtain the measurement data in response to receiving the first tier identifier. If the sensor device stores the second tier identifier, the sensor device is configured to respond to a measurement data request message comprising the second tier identifier by transmitting the measurement data and not respond if the measurement data request message contains the first tier identifier. Optionally, the sensor device is triggered to obtain the measurement data in response to receiving the second tier identifier

[0016] The disclosed sensor function system provides a low complexity organizing system enabling flexible organization of sensor devices in a hierarchy of tiers of sensor devices. The hierarchy may, for example, differ dependent on current conditions, such as available system resources, required functionality, radio and other interference sources at a particular moment, etc. The hierarchical organization enables the sensor function system to interrogate sensor devices tier-by-tier until a desired sensor function result is obtained (for example based on the contribution or confidence score (or indication thereof), so that use of and / or communications with sensor devices can be reduced or minimized, and energy and / or resources can be saved. The sensor devices are configured to operate with the sensor function system in this manner.

[0017] It should be appreciated that ranking of a sensor device in a particular tier and assigning the associated tier identifier may be based on several factors. Generally, a higher tier (i.e. a lower tier identifier, for example), would be assigned to a sensor device from which a better contribution to the sensor function result (for example in terms of reliability) can be expected than for a sensor device in a lower tier, (i.e. with a higher tier identifier, for example). The highest tier may be reserved for the single best sensor device, also referred to as primary sensor device below.

[0018] It should also be noted that assigning and / or transmission of the tier identifier includes assigning and / or transmission of a derivative of the tier identifier that is associated to the tier to which a sensor device is associated that is able to distinguish different tiers of sensor devices to establish a sensor device hierarchy and / or to obtain measurement data. For example, tier identifiers may be translated to one or more appropriate device addresses for sensor devices associated with a particular tier. Transmitting the tier identifier may involve broadcasting the tier identifier in a broadcast message. In general, once the tier identifiers are assigned to the respective sensor devices, the transmitting of a message that includes the tier identifier, such as a measurement data request message or wake-up message, may involve the broadcasting of the tier identifier in a broadcast message. The sensor devices may then detect the tier identifier in the broadcast message.

[0019] It should also be noted that in some embodiments, the sensor function system may include one or more sensor devices, such as a primary sensor device as described in more detail below. Such a sensor device may both fulfill a role in providing measurement data for the sensor function and to interrogate sensor devices associated with lower tiers than the tier to which this sensor device is associated. Specific information as to how to communicate with the primary sensor device may be communicated to the other sensor devices, for example with or when transmitting the tier identifier. Such information may include coding or particular address or expected frequency band.

[0020] In one embodiment, the sensor function system may be configured to receive sensor information from one or more sensor devices of the set of sensor devices, wherein the sensor function system is configured to determine association with the first tier of one or more sensor devices or the second tier of one or more sensor device based on the sensor information. Optionally, the sensor information comprises measurement data and the sensor function system determines a contribution or confidence score of the measurement data to the sensor function to determine the association of the one or more sensor devices with the first tier or second tier (or successive tier, if needed).

[0021] In one embodiment, the sensor device may be configured to receive a sensor information request message from the sensor function system. The sensor device may further be configured to transmit sensor information to the sensor function system in response to the sensor information request message. The sensor information may comprise measurement data obtained through a sensor of the sensor device.

[0022] The sensor information may contain sensor specific information, including sensor device identifier information, sensor device type information, sensor device capability information and / or measurement data obtained from one or more sensors of the sensor device. The sensor information can be requested by the sensor function system and used by the sensor function system to establish the sensor device hierarchy. The request may include measurement instructions to indicate to the sensor devices which measurement data should be measured and / or provided to the sensor function system. The request may be repeated as desired so that a flexible organization of sensor devices is provided, i.e. different hierarchies may be achieved dependent on sensor information obtained from the sensor devices.

[0023] In one embodiment, the sensor function system may be configured to assign at least one of the sensor devices of the first tier as a primary sensor device. The sensor function system may be configured to communicate with other sensor devices in the set of sensor devices through the primary sensor device including transmission of the second tier identifier. Optionally, the first tier identifier corresponds to a primary sensor device identifier. In one embodiment, the sensor device may be configured to receive the assignment message comprising a primary device identifier and store the primary device identifier as a first tier identifier associated with a first tier of the sensor device hierarchy.

[0024] In one embodiment, the sensor device may be configured to transmit assignment messages including a second tier identifier associated with a second tier of the sensor device hierarchy received from the sensor function system.

[0025] The one or more sensor devices of the first tier may typically be found to be the best sensor device under the current conditions, i.e. has or have the biggest contribution to the sensor function result or produces the most meaningful result. The embodiments enable to assign such a device or devices the special status of primary sensor device(s) within the set of sensor devices. The primary sensor device may be used for particular functions within the wireless sensor network, for example be used as an intermediary node for communications between the sensor function system and the one or more sensor devices of lower tiers in the sensor device hierarchy.

[0026] In one embodiment, the sensor function system may be configured to instruct the primary sensor device as defined above to transmit a wake-up message to at least one or more sensor devices of the second tier using the second tier identifier. The wake-up message may comprise the second tier identifier.

[0027] In one embodiment, the sensor device may be configured to receive a wake-up message from the sensor function system and activate the sensor device upon detection of the primary device identifier in the wake-up message.

[0028] In one embodiment, the sensor device may be configured to receive an instruction from the sensor function system to transmit a wake-up message to the one or more sensor devices of the second tier and transmit a wake-up message using the second tier identifier. The wake-up message may comprise the second tier identifier.

[0029] The use of wake-up messages to activate the sensor devices enables the sensor device to stay in or go to a low power mode, which contributes to energy efficiency. The use of the tier identifier allows to only wake up the sensor devices associated with the one tier identified by the tier identifier, which avoids waking up sensor devices that are not needed to contribute to the sensor function operation at that time. The tier identifier may be used to trace other identifiers, such as device addresses, of the sensor devices associated with a tier or may be directly carried in the wake-up message.

[0030] In one embodiment, the sensor function system is further configured to transmit a measurement data request message to the one or more sensor devices of the first tier of sensor devices using the first tier identifier to obtain first measurement data. The measurement data request message may comprise the first tier identifier. The sensor function system may then apply the sensor function to the first measurement data to obtain a sensor function result.

[0031] The sensor function system may also be configured to perform a contribution or confidence algorithm to the sensor function result to obtain a contribution or confidence score.

[0032] The sensor function system may also be configured to, dependent on the contribution or confidence score, to transmit a second measurement data request message to one or more sensor devices of the second tier of sensor devices using the second tier identifier to obtain second measurement data. The sensor function system may, alternatively or in addition, trigger one or more sensor devices associated with the first tier of sensor devices to transmit a second measurement data request. The second measurement data request message may comprise the second tier identifier. The sensor function system may then apply the sensor function to the second measurement data to obtain a further sensor function result. If the contribution or confidence score is still unsatisfactory (it does not meet a set threshold, for example) a third tier of sensor devices may be activated accordingly.

[0033] The embodiment enables the sensor function system to apply the sensor device hierarchy obtained previously by assigning tier identifiers for performing the sensor function.

[0034] In one embodiment, the sensor function system may be further configured to trigger at least one first sensor device associated with the first tier as a primary sensor device to transmit the second measurement data request message to the one or more sensor devices associated with the second tier of one or more sensor devices and to receive the second measurement data, for example through the primary device.

[0035] In one embodiment, the sensor device may be configured to, in response to receiving a trigger from the sensor function system containing a primary device identifier, to transmit a measurement data request message for the one or more sensor devices associated with the second tier of the sensor device hierarchy using the second tier identifier. The measurement data request may comprise the second tier identifier. Optionally, the sensor device may further be configured to receive measurement data from the one or more sensor devices associated with the second tier in response to transmitting the measurement data request message and transmit the measurement data to the sensor function system.

[0036] As mentioned above, after having assigned one or more sensor devices to the first tier of one or more sensor devices of the set of sensor devices, i.e. the assignment of one or more primary sensor devices, these devices may be used for particular functions within the wireless sensor network, for example be used as an intermediary node for communications between the sensor function system and the one or more sensor devices of lower layers in the sensor device hierarchy. The present embodiment enables a primary sensor device to transmit a measurement data request including the second tier identifier to the sensor devices of the second tier and to forward any measurement data received to the sensor function system for performing the sensor function either within the sensor function system or externally. The primary sensor device may do the same for one or more further tiers of sensor devices ranking after the second tier.

[0037] In one embodiment, the sensor function system is implemented, at least in part, in a 3GPP standard compliant telecommunications network, such as a base station and / or a core network system of a core network of the telecommunications system.

[0038] The embodiment facilitates full or partial integration in a 3GPP compliant telecommunications network, wherein existing or new systems and / or functions can be used or defined to perform at least a part of the disclosed method for organizing a set of sensor devices in a sensor device hierarchy and / or to obtain measurement data from the hierarchically organized set of sensor devices to perform a sensing function within the telecommunications network or via the telecommunications network. For example, a base station or set of base stations may include the sensor function system. Alternatively, part of the sensor function system may be implemented in the core network of the telecommunications network, while the base stations are responsible for wireless connections with the sensor devices.

[0039] Another aspect of the disclosure involves a sensor function system configured to organize a set of sensor devices in a sensor device hierarchy. The sensor device hierarchy may comprise at least a first tier of one or more sensor devices, a second tier of one or more sensor devices and a third tier of one or more sensor devices. It should be appreciated that the tier organization may be such that the first tier ranks higher than the second tier and the second tier ranks higher than the third tier, which is an indication that interrogation of sensor devices associated with the first tier typically precedes interrogation of sensor devices associated with the second tier and interrogation of sensor devices associated with the second tier typically precedes interrogation of sensor devices associated with the third tier. One or more sensor devices of the set of sensor devices is configured for providing measurement data to perform a sensor function. The sensor function may be performed within the sensor function system or externally from the sensor function system.

[0040] The sensor function system may, optionally, be configured to determine association of one or more sensor devices with the first tier of sensor devices and association of one or more sensor devices with the second tier of sensor devices and association of one or more sensor devices with the third tier of sensor devices. The sensor function system is further configured to assign a first tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices of the first tier and transmit the first tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices if determined to be associated with the first tier of sensor devices. The sensor function system is further configured to assign a second tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices of the second tier and transmit the second tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices if determined to be associated with the second tier of sensor devices. The sensor function system is further configured to assign a third tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices of the third tier and transmit the third tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices if determined to be associated with the third tier of sensor devices.

[0041] One further aspect of the disclosure involves a sensor function system configured to obtain measurement data for performing a sensor function, wherein the measurement data is obtained from one or more sensor devices of a set of sensor devices. The set of sensor devices is organized in a sensor device hierarchy comprising at least a first tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a first tier identifier, a second tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a second tier identifier and a third tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a third tier identifier. It should be appreciated that the tier organization may be such that the first tier ranks higher than the second tier and the second tier ranks higher than the third tier, which is an indication that interrogation of sensor devices associated with the first tier typically precedes interrogation of sensor devices associated with the second tier and interrogation of sensor devices associated with the second tier typically precedes interrogation of sensor devices associated with the third tier. When one or more sensor devices associated with a lower tier are interrogated, it is optional that one or more sensor devices associated with a higher tier may also respond. When one or more sensor devices associated with a higher tier are interrogated, sensor devices associated with a lower tier should generally not respond. It should further be appreciated that further tiers of sensor devices may be defined, for example, a third tier ranking below the second tier, a fourth tier ranking below the third tier, etc.

[0042] The sensor function system is configured to transmit a measurement data request message to the one or more sensor devices of the first tier of sensor devices using the first tier identifier to obtain first measurement data. The measurement data request message may comprise the first tier identifier. The sensor function system may then apply the sensor function to the first measurement data to obtain a sensor function result. Alternatively, the sensor function may be executed externally of the sensor function system.

[0043] The sensor function system may also be configured to perform a contribution or confidence algorithm to the sensor function result to obtain a contribution or confidence score. The contribution or confidence algorithm may be executed externally of the sensor function system so that the sensor function system only obtains the contribution or confidence score, or an indication thereof.

[0044] The sensor function system may also be configured to trigger or transmit a second measurement data request message, dependent on the contribution or confidence score or the indication thereof, to one or more sensor devices of the second tier of sensor devices using the second tier identifier to obtain second measurement data. The second measurement data request message may comprise the second tier identifier. The sensor function system may then apply the sensor function to the second measurement data to obtain a further sensor function result.

[0045] The sensor function system may also be configured to perform the contribution or confidence algorithm or another contribution or confidence algorithm or measure to the further sensor function result to obtain a further score. The contribution or confidence algorithm may be executed externally of the sensor function system so that the sensor function system only obtains the contribution or confidence score, or an indication thereof.

[0046] The sensor function system may also be configured to trigger or transmit a third measurement data request message, dependent on the further contribution or confidence score or the indication thereof, to one or more sensor devices of the third tier of sensor devices using the third tier identifier to obtain third measurement data. The third measurement data request message may comprise the third tier identifier. The sensor function system may then apply the sensor function to the third measurement data to obtain another sensor function result.

[0047] The disclosure also relates to a method for organizing a set of sensor devices in a sensor device hierarchy comprising at least a first tier of one or more sensor devices and a second tier of one or more sensor devices, wherein the one or more sensor devices of the set of sensor devices is configured for providing measurement data to perform a sensor function. The method may, optionally, include a step of determining association of one or more sensor devices with the first tier of sensor devices and association of one or more sensor devices with the second tier of sensor devices. The method may further comprise a step of assigning a first tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices of the first tier and, optionally, transmit the first tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices determined to be associated with the first tier of sensor devices. The method may further comprise a step of assigning a second tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices of the second tier and, optionally, transmit the second tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices determined to be associated with the second tier of sensor devices. The method may be extended to further tiers of sensor devices to obtain a sensor device hierarchy with three or more tiers of sensor devices.

[0048] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a computer program comprising one or more software code portions configured to execute the above method of organizing a set of sensor devices when run on a computer system.

[0049] Yet another aspect of the disclosure involves a method to obtain measurement data for performing a sensor function, wherein the measurement data is obtained from one or more sensor devices of a set of sensor devices. The set of sensor devices is organized in a sensor device hierarchy comprising at least a first tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a first tier identifier and a second tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a second tier identifier.

[0050] The method may include the step of transmitting a measurement data request message to the one or more sensor devices of the first tier of sensor devices using the first tier identifier to obtain first measurement data, wherein the measurement data request message optionally comprises the first tier identifier. The method may further include the step of applying the sensor function to the first measurement data to obtain a sensor function result and to perform a contribution or confidence algorithm to the sensor function result to obtain a contribution or confidence score. The method may also include a step, dependent on the contribution or confidence score, to trigger or transmit a second measurement data request message to one or more sensor devices of the second tier of sensor devices using the second tier identifier to obtain second measurement data, wherein the second measurement data request message optionally comprises the second tier identifier. The method may further comprise the step of applying the sensor function to the second measurement data to obtain a further sensor function result. The method may also include an optional step of communicating with other sensor devices through a primary sensor device including transmission of the second measurement data request message. This step may be performed in a case wherein one of the sensor devices of the first tier is configured to operate as a primary sensor device.

[0051] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a computer program comprising one or more software code portions configured to execute the above method of obtaining measurement data when run on a computer system.

[0052] The disclosure further pertains to a wireless sensor network system comprising a sensor function system and a plurality of sensor devices as disclosed herein.

[0053] The methods, system and computer programs may further relate to functions performed by the passive wireless communication device and the transceiver system as disclosed herein, for example as defined in the dependent claims.

[0054] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, a method or a computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system." Functions described in this disclosure may be implemented as an algorithm executed by a processor / microprocessor of a computer. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied, e.g., stored, thereon.

[0055] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a computer readable storage medium may include, but are not limited to, the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of the present invention, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store, a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0056] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0057] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber, cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the person's computer, partly on the person's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the person's computer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the person's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0058] Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor, in particular a microprocessor or a central processing unit (CPU), of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0059] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0060] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0061] The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0062] Moreover, a computer program for carrying out the methods described herein, as well as a non- transitory computer readable storage-medium storing the computer program are provided.

[0063] Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Embodiments of the present invention will be further illustrated with reference to the attached drawings, which schematically will show embodiments according to the invention. It will be understood that the present invention is not in any way restricted to these specific embodiments.

[0064] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] Aspects of the invention will be explained in greater detail by reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor network system comprising a sensor function system and a plurality of sensor devices;

[0066] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a sensor device;

[0067] FIG. 3 is a visualization of a sensor device hierarchy of three tiers;

[0068] FIG. 4 depicts a few steps for the assignment of tier identifiers to a set of sensor devices;

[0069] FIGS. 5A and 5B depict a few steps for obtaining measurement data from sensor devices organized in a sensor device hierarchy;

[0070] FIGS. 6A and 6B are more detailed illustrations of the sensor function system when organizing sensor device and obtaining measurement data from the organized set of sensor devices, respectively; and

[0071] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of of a processing system according to an embodiment of a sensor function system and / or a second device or part thereof.

[0072] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless sensor network system 1 comprising a sensor function system 10 and a plurality of sensor devices 20.

[0074] Sensor function system 10 comprises a processor system 11 and a storage 12. Processor system 11 is configured to perform one or more steps in a method of hierarchically organizing a set S of sensor devices 20 and to obtain measurement data from these sensor devices 20. The one or more algorithms applied forthat purpose and or data received or generated may be stored in storage 12.

[0075] Sensor function system 10 may also execute a sensor function 13 based on the measurement data received from the sensor devices 20. Alternatively, the sensor function is performed outside the sensor function system 10, as shown by 13’. Sensor function 13, 13’ may be a virtual sensor function, wherein raw measurement data obtained from sensor devices 20 is used as an input to generate a sensor function output result derived from the measurement data. For example, infrared data may be obtained from sensor devices 20 while the sensor function 13 generates object presence detection (for example, presence of a person or animal). The sensor function may aggregate and process measurement data from sensor devices 20 to provide indirect measurements of a particular process variable or an abstract condition relating to an event or asset. Examples include machine states (on, off, needs maintenance, etc.), room occupancy monitoring, etc.

[0076] Sensor function system 10 may be implemented, at least in part, in a 3GPP standard compliant telecommunications network. Existing or new systems and / or functions can be used or defined to perform at least a part of the disclosed method for organizing a set S of sensor devices 20 in a sensor device hierarchy (an example is shown in FIG. 3) and / or to obtain measurement data from the hierarchically organized set of sensor devices 20 to perform a sensing function within the telecommunications network or via the telecommunications network. For example, a base station or set of base stations may include the sensor function system 10. Alternatively, part of the sensor function system 10 may be implemented in the core network of the telecommunications network, while the base stations are responsible for wireless connections with the sensor devices 20. The set S may consist of sensor devices 20 that have been determined to be capable of providing useful measurement data for the sensor function. The set S may be dependent on the sensor function 13 to be performed.

[0077] Sensor function system 10 may decide on the set S of sensor devices 20 that should participate in a sensor device hierarchy around an asset or event location E. Examples include technical systems such as machines, cars, or airplanes, but also social or sociotechnical systems such as patients to be monitored or a work environment.

[0078] In FIG. 1 , sensor devices 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F belong to the set S of sensor devices 20. The skilled person may appreciate that the number of sensor devices 20 in a set S may be considerably higher than shown in FIG. 1.

[0079] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a sensor device 20 comprising a processing part 21 , a storage part 22, a transceiver part 23 and one or more sensors 24 (or connections therefore). Sensor device 20 is typically a low cost, low complexity device with limited or no on-board power supply. Examples of sensors include a sensor for measuring one or more physical parameters, such as an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, a pressure sensor, a motion sensor etc.

[0080] Processing part 21 is configured to process messages received wirelessly from sensor function system 10 via transceiver part 23 and to prepare messages for sensor function system 10 to be transmitted via transceiver part 23. Storage part 22 stores any algorithm for performing its function, (processed) measurement data from sensor 24, sensor information as described in further detail below, and / or data received from sensor function system 10. In particular, storage part 22 may be configured to store a tier identifier Tl associated with tier ‘i’, or derivative thereof, as an indication of the tier to which the particular sensor device 20 is associated.

[0081] In more detail, a sensor device 20 may contain a wake-up receiver. A wake-up receiver may comprise a specialized receiver unit specifically for receiving wake-up messages as will be described in further detail below from the sensor function system 10 or another sensor device 20. Wake-up receivers may, for example, rely on an on-off keying (OOK) modulation scheme. The wake-up receiver may be embodied in transceiver part 23 of FIG. 2.

[0082] The sensor device 20 may also contain a radio communications unit which the sensor device 20 uses to transmit its measurement data to the sensor function system 10 or another sensor device 20. This may also be used to communicate wake-up messages.

[0083] The storage part 12 may store, for example, sensor information. The sensor information may include a set of parameters which describe properties of the sensor device 20. This sensor information may primarily include those one or more parameters which are related to energy use - for example, current battery level, total battery capacity, average or peak transmit power, etc. The sensor information may also include an identifier for the sensor device.

[0084] The sensor device may also comprise sensing hardware necessary for collecting measurement data. This hardware is represented by sensor 24 in FIG. 2.

[0085] An embodiment of organizing a set S of sensor devices 20 in a sensor device hierarchy will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein FIG. 3 is a visualization of a sensor device hierarchy of three tiers (as an example, more of less tiers are also envisaged) and FIG. 4 depicts a few steps for the assignment of tier identifiers to a set of sensor devices 20. In one embodiment, the number of sensor devices 20 increases in each tier added to the hierarchy from top to bottom. It is expected that there would be a rough “pyramid” structure or inverse “pyramid” structure for the organization, where each tier contains more sensor devices 20 than the previous, but each of those sensor devices 20 contributes less useful data.

[0086] The sensor device hierarchy as shown in FIG. 3 comprises a first tier with sensor device 20A, a second tier with sensor devices 20B, 20C and a third tier with sensor devices 20D, 20E and 20F. The sensor device hierarchy is based on sensor information SI of the sensor devices 20 of the set S. The sensor information may contain sensor specific information, including sensor device identifier information, sensor device type information, sensor device capability information and / or measurement data obtained from one or more sensors 24 of the sensor device 20. Based on the sensor information, sensor device 20A is assigned tier identifier Tl (1 ) , sensor devices 20B and 20C tier identifier Tl(2) and sensor devices 20D, 20E and 20F tier identifier Tl (3). Sensor devices 20 may be organized such the devices in a lower tier provide progressively less useful measurement data than sensor devices in a higher tier.

[0087] The sensor device hierarchy comprises tiers of sensor devices 20. Each tier may have one or more rules associated with it, which govern the conditions in which the sensor function system 10 requests measurement data from the sensor devices 20 in that tier, or when the sensor devices 20 in that tier are sent wake-up messages. Rules may be associated with both sensor function factors (i.e. when measurement contribution or confidence falls below a threshold, for example) and sensor device factors (e.g. how much battery life remains).

[0088] Whereas sensor information SI may be present in or loaded in the sensor function system 10, the sensor function system 10 in the embodiment of FIG. 4 receives sensor information SI from the one or more sensor devices 20A-20F of the set S of sensor devices. This transmission may be triggered by a sensor information request message transmitted to the set of sensor devices 20A-20B as shown in step S1. The request may be repeated as desired so that a flexible organization of sensor devices 20 is provided, i.e. different hierarchies may be achieved dependent on sensor information obtained from the sensor devices. Tier identifiers of the current organization may be reassigned as needed.

[0089] In step S2, sensor devices 20A-20F, triggered by the sensor information request message S1 , transmit sensor information SI(A) from sensor device 20A, SI(B) from sensor device 20(B), SI(C) from sensor device 20C, SI(D) from sensor device 20D, SI(E) from sensor device 20E and SI(F) from sensor device 20F that is received by sensor function system 10 in step S2.

[0090] In step S3, the sensor function system 10 evaluates the sensor information SI received in step S2 to determine association of each sensor devices 20 to a respective tier and assign a tier identifier Tl corresponding to the tier. The sensor function system 10 may apply a contribution score to that end to assess the contribution of a sensor to a sensor function result.

[0091] According to FIG. 3, and based upon the sensor information SI as described with reference to FIG. 4, sensor function system 10 may determine association of sensor device 20A to the first tier and is assigned tier identifier Tl(1), determine association of sensor devices 20B and 20C to the second tier and are assigned tier identifier Tl(2) and determine association of sensor devices 20D, 20E and 20F to the third tier and are assigned tier identifier Tl(3). It should be noted that the numbering of the tiers is arbitrary.

[0092] It should be appreciated that the tier organization may be such that the first tier with tier identifier Tl(1) ranks higher than the second tier with tier identifier Tl (2) , which is an indication that interrogation for measurement data from sensor device 20A associated with the first tier typically precedes interrogation of sensor devices 20B and 20C associated with the second tier, as will be described in further detail with reference to FIG. 5A. Likewise, interrogation of sensor devices 20D, 20E, 20F associated with the third tier will typically only occur when measurement data of sensor devices 20B and 20C of the second tier are considered insufficient for appropriate operation of the sensor function.

[0093] In order to inform sensor devices 20A-20F of the established sensor device hierarchy, sensor function system 10 may inform sensor devices 20A-20F of their respective tier identifiers (or equivalent information). This is shown in FIG. 4 with individual messages, collectively indicated by step S4, wherein sensor device 20A receives tier identifier Tl(1) to indicate its association with the first tier, sensor devices 20B, 20C receive tier identifier Tl (2) to indicate their association with the second tier and sensor devices 20D, 20E and 20F receive tier identifier Tl(3) to indicate their association with the third tier. The sensor devices 20A-20F store the tier identifiers Tl (i) in storage part 22 as shown in FIG. 2. Alternative ways to provide sensor devices 20 with their respective tier identifiers (or equivalent information) have been envisaged, including pre-storing of tier identifiers, for example, initial tier identifiers or with a broadcast message.

[0094] Devices may obtain an initial tier identifier before deployment or a generic or default tier that may indicate that the device has not yet stored a dedicated tier identifier.

[0095] The sensor function system 10 may be configured to assign at least one of the sensor devices 20 of the first tier as a primary sensor device. In the example of FIG. 3 and FIG.4, sensor device 20A may be assigned as the primary sensor device. The sensor function system 10 may communicate with other sensor devices 20B-20F in the set S of sensor devices through the primary sensor device 20A, such as for transmission of the second tier identifier TI2 and third tier identifier TI3. Optionally, the first tier identifier TI1 corresponds to a primary sensor device identifier PDI.

[0096] When establishing a sensor device hierarchy, a default primary sensor device may first be used (not shown in FIG. 4). In that case, transmissions between the sensor function system 10 and sensor devices 20 may go via this primary sensor device until another primary sensor device is selected.

[0097] Sensor device 20A may be configured to receive the assignment message comprising a primary device identifier PDI and store the primary device identifier as a first tier identifier associated with a first tier of the sensor device hierarchy. In one embodiment, the sensor device 20A may be configured to transmit assignment messages including a second tier identifier TI2 and third tier identifier TI3 associated with a second tier and third tier of the sensor device hierarchy received from the sensor device system 10. The one or more sensor devices 20A of the first tier may typically be found to be the best sensor device under the current conditions, i.e. sensor device 20A may be determined to have the biggest contribution to the sensor function result. Such device or device may be assigned the special status of primary sensor device(s) within the set S of sensor devices 20. The primary sensor device may be used for particular functions within the wireless sensor network 1 , for example be used as an intermediary node for communications between the sensor function system 10 and the one or more sensor devices 20B-20F of lower tiers in the sensor device hierarchy. The primary device may also be most useful for the sensor function, i.e. contributes most strongly to a to a high contribution or confidence sensor function result. Specific information as to how to communicate with the primary sensor device may be communicated to the other sensor devices, for example with or when transmitting the tier identifier in steps S4 above. Such information may include coding or particular address or expected frequency band.

[0098] It should be appreciated that in one embodiment a set S may only have one primary sensor device. It should also be appreciated that in one embodiment, a primary sensor device of one set of sensor devices 20 may also be a primary sensor device for another set S’ (not shown) of sensor devices 20.

[0099] As mentioned above, sensor devices 20 may be low cost, low complexity devices. Such sensor devices may be in a sleep mode by default and be woken up to perform one or more operations. The use of wake-up messages to activate the sensor devices 20 enables the sensor device to stay in or go to a low power mode, which contributes to energy efficiency.

[0100] One or more of the messages FIG. 4 may be used to wake up the sensor devices 20, such as the sensor devices 20A-20F of the set S. The sensor information request message of step S1 from sensor function system 10 may wake up the sensor devices 20A-20F to trigger these to return sensor information SI as shown in step S2. Likewise, the transmission of the tier identifier Tl in step S4 may wake up sensor devices 20A-20F to store the appropriate tier identifier Tl in storage part 22.

[0101] If sensor device 20A is the primary sensor device, sensor device 20A may transmit the wake-up message(s).

[0102] FIG. 5A shows a few steps for operating a sensor function system 10 and sensor device 20 using an established sensor device hierarchy, as indicated by the assignment of tier identifiers Tl(1), Tl(2) and Tl(3), respectively. The sensor device hierarchy may have been established using the embodiment of FIG. 4 that is based on sensor information SI.

[0103] In step S10, sensor function system 10 may determine that measurement data is needed for the sensor function 13, 13’. To that end, sensor function system may evaluate the sensor device hierarchy to find the one or more sensor devices 20 associated with the first tier in the hierarchy having tier identifier T I (1 ).

[0104] In step S11 , sensor function system 10 transmits a measurement data request message to the one or more sensor devices 20 of the first tier of sensor devices using the first tier identifier Tl(1) to obtain first measurement data. The measurement data request message may comprise the first tier identifier Tl(1), as shown in FIG. 5A. Sensor device 20A recognizes the measurement data request message based on the first tier identifier and therefore activates its operation as shown by the black dot. Measurement data request message may also serve as a wake-up message for sensor device 20A.

[0105] Sensor devices 20B-20E do not respond since these do not find their tier identifier Tl in the message and hence save energy from not engaging in the measurement data collection at this stage.

[0106] In step S12 sensor device 20A associated with the first tier responds to the measurement data request message by transmitting its measurement data. The measurement data includes data obtained from the one or more sensors 24. Sensor function system 10 receives the measurement data from the sensor device 20A associated with the first tier. The sensor function system 10 may then apply the sensor function 13 to the first measurement data to obtain a sensor function result. The sensor function system 10 is configured to perform a contribution or confidence algorithm to the sensor function result to obtain a contribution or confidence score. This evaluation is executed in step S13.

[0107] If the contribution or confidence score is satisfactory in step S13 (the contribution or confidence score meets one or more contribution or confidence criteria, for example), sensor function system 10 does not need to obtain further measurement data and, accordingly, saves energy by not activating other sensor devices in the set S.

[0108] The sensor function system 10 may, in step S13 find however that more measurement data is required to obtain a satisfactory sensor function result.

[0109] In FIG. 5A, therefore, sensor function system 10 transmits in step S14 a second measurement data request message to one or more sensor devices 20B, 20C of the second tier of sensor devices using the second tier identifier Tl(2) to obtain second measurement data. The second measurement data request message may comprise the second tier identifier, as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0110] Sensor devices 20B and 20C recognize the second measurement data request message based on the second tier identifier Tl (2) and therefore activate their operation as shown by the black dots for sensor devices 20B and 20C. The second measurement data request message may also serve as a wake-up message for sensor devices 20B and 20C.

[0111] Sensor devices 20D-20E do not respond since these do not find their tier identifier Tl (3) in the message and hence save energy from not engaging in the measurement data collection at this stage.

[0112] In step S15, sensor devices 20B and 20C associated with the second tier respond to the second measurement data request message by transmitting their measurement data. The measurement data includes data obtained from the one or more sensors 24. Sensor function system 10 receives the measurement data from the sensor devices 20B and 20C associated with the second tier. The sensor function system 10 may then apply the sensor function 13 to the second measurement data to obtain a sensor function result. The sensor function system 10 is configured to perform a contribution or confidence algorithm to the sensor function result to obtain a contribution or confidence score. This evaluation is executed in step S16.

[0113] If the contribution or confidence score is satisfactory in step S16 (the contribution or confidence score meets one or more contribution or confidence criteria, for example), sensor function system 10 does not need to obtain further measurement data and, accordingly, saves energy by not activating other sensor devices in the set S. This is shown in FIG. 5A. However, if the contribution or confidence score is not satisfactory, sensor devices 20D-20E associated with the third tier may be interrogated using tier identifier Tl (3) .

[0114] As mentioned previously, the wireless sensor network system 1 may contain one or more primary sensor devices 20 that have been attributed a special status, for example an intermediary node status. In FIG. 5B, sensor device 20A is a primary sensor device having been assigned a primary device identifier PDI.

[0115] Steps S10-S13 are the same as for FIG. 5A except that the first tier identifier Tl(1) is the primary device identifier PDI.

[0116] In step S14’, sensor function system 10 transmits a second measurement data request message to the primary sensor device 20, comprising for example the primary device identifier PDI to address the message to the primary sensor device 20A. The message also comprises the second tier identifier Tl (2) to obtain second measurement data.

[0117] Primary sensor device 20A receives the second measurement data request and is triggered to forward this request in step S20 to sensor devices 20B, 20C associated with the second tier identifier Tl(2). The request may, for example, contain the second tier identifier Tl (2) as shown in FIG. 5B. Sensor devices 20B and 20C recognize the second measurement data request message based on the second tier identifier Tl (2) and therefore activate their operation as shown by the black dots for sensor devices 20B and 20C. The second measurement data request message from the primary sensor device 20A may also serve as a wake-up message for sensor devices 20B and 20C.

[0118] Sensor devices 20D-20E do not respond since these do not find their tier identifier Tl (3) in the message from the primary sensor device 20A and hence save energy from not engaging in the measurement data collection at this stage.

[0119] In step S21 , sensor devices 20B and 20C associated with the second tier respond to the second measurement data request message by transmitting their measurement data. The measurement data includes data obtained from the one or more sensors 24. Primary sensor device 20A receives the measurement data from the sensor devices 20B and 20C associated with the second tier. Sensor devices 20B and 20C may have obtained information to communicated with primary sensor device 20A previously, for example when the tier identifier Tl (2) was assigned. Such information may include coding or particular address or expected frequency band.

[0120] Primary sensor device 20A may process the measurement data from the second tier sensor devices and transmit a message with aggregated measurement data to the sensor function system 10 as shown in FIG. 5B in step S15’. Primary sensor device 20A may also simply forward the received messages from step S21 . In both cases, primary sensor device 20A may also send its own measurement data once again, either aggregated with the other measurement data or as a dedicated message.

[0121] Step S16 corresponds to step S16 in FIG. 5A.

[0122] FIGS. 6A and 6B show more detailed schematic illustrations of the sensor function system 10 for organizing the sensor devices 20 in a sensor device hierarchy for obtaining measurement data from the organized set of sensor devices 20. Communications between the sensor function system 10 and the primary sensor device 20(PRI) and between the primary sensor device 20(PRI) and the other sensor devices 20 in the set S are shown by the arrows between the respective boxes in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0123] The sensor device hierarchy comprises tiers of sensor devices 20. Each tier may have one or more rules associated with it, which govern the conditions in which a primary sensor device requests measurement data from the sensor devices in that tier, or when the sensor devices in that tier are sent wake-up messages. Rules may be associated with both sensor function factors (i.e. when measurement contribution or confidence falls below a threshold, for example) and sensor device factors (e.g. how much battery life remains).

[0124] The wireless sensor network system 1 of FIGS. 6A and 6B may use a network access point, such as a base station of a 3GPP standard compliant telecommunications network (such as a gNB on the 5G network). The base station may connect the sensor devices to a broader network. The base station has a radio interface to the wireless sensor devices 20 plus access to a core network hosting the sensor function system 10. An example of a base station interface BS is indicated by the horizontally dotted line in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0125] The base station may play a role in the operation of the sensor function system 10. For example, the base station may contain a list of identifiers of primary sensor devices 20 of one or more sensor device hierarchies for sets S of sensor devices 20.

[0126] In the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the sensor function system 10 contains a processor 11 comprising an orchestration module 14 (a software code portion, for example) which sets up and orchestrates sensing tasks handled by sensor function 13 via the coordination of sensor device hierarchies in the network of sensor devices 20.

[0127] The sensor function 13 may comprise a plurality of sensor functions. Each sensor function may be specific to a particular variable related to an asset or event. For example, a “Machine State” sensor function where the possible values of the sensor function result are “healthy system”, “degraded system” and “failed system”.

[0128] Each sensor function may have an associated identifier and an associated primary device, indicated by an primary device identifier PDI. Initially, a new sensor function may not have an assigned primary device and therefore no associated PDI. Alternatively, a new sensor function may be associated with one sensor device 20 known to provide relevant measurement data and this may be the default primary sensor device.

[0129] The sensor function 13 may comprise a data fusion function or model, referred to as aggregator 15 herein, which transforms measurement data from the interrogated sensor devices 20 to a sensor function result. The aggregator 15 may comprise many types of data aggregators, such as fuzzy logic models, neural networks, support vector machines (SVM), etc.

[0130] The sensor function 13 may also comprise a classifier 16 that runs on the sensor function result to output a prediction or classification. The classifier 16 may comprise a machine learning model. The classifier 16 also produces a contribution or confidence score indicating the contribution or confidence by the classifier in the sensor function result. The contribution or confidence level may be affected by the quality of the measurement data obtained from the sensor devices 20. A predefined threshold may be set for the measurement contribution or confidence below which any sensor function result is considered unreliable.

[0131] The sensor function system 10 may also be configured to provide any instructions for the sensor devices 20 when taking measurements. For example, taking measurements for a particular time duration, or, if available, settings such as frequency or gain may be provided to the sensor devices 20.

[0132] Sensor function system 10 may further be configured to run a contribution score assignment algorithm 17 in processor 11 . The algorithm is configured to calculate and assign a score, a contribution score, to a given sensor device 20. The score indicates how much the measurement data of a particular sensor device 20 contributes to an increase of the measurement contribution or confidence of a given sensor function result.

[0133] Sensor function system 10 may further be configured to run a sensor device tier assignment algorithm which, based on their contribution scores and / or sensor properties, assigns sensor devices 20 to specific tiers of the sensor device hierarchy.

[0134] The orchestration module 14 may receive requests for sensing tasks and may relay this task to the appropriate primary sensor device via the base station. The orchestration module 14 may also be responsible for initiating set and / or sensor device hierarchy creation for new sensor functions or recalculating tier positions in the sensor device hierarchy.

[0135] FIG. 6A is an illustrative embodiment of the sensor function system 10 in the process of establishing the sensor device hierarchy.

[0136] The orchestration module 14 may initiate the set-up of a sensor device hierarchy for a new sensor function 13 performed by of via the sensor function system 10. This may be triggered when a new sensor function 13 is stored in sensor function system 10 or sensor function system 10 is informed thereof. This trigger may also originate from the fact that a measurement contribution or confidence measure of sensor function 13 falls below some minimum threshold. Another embodiment pertains to a periodic trigger to set-up the sensor device hierarchy anew.

[0137] An initial primary sensor device is chosen. If the sensor function 13 already has a primary sensor device ID assigned to it, this may be used. If the sensor function 13 is new and / or does not have a default primary sensor device ID assigned to it, an initial primary sensor device may be chosen based on known sensor device properties, such that energy expenditure is minimized. In this case, a new primary sensor device ID may be generated. Alternatively, an initial primary sensor device may be chosen randomly. The primary sensor device is indicated by reference number 20(PRI) in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0138] The orchestration module 14 of sensor function system 10 may send a new hierarchy setup message to the primary sensor device via the base station. The base station may first send a wakeup message to the primary sensor device, if asleep.

[0139] The primary sensor device 20(PRI) may then send a generic data request message to all sensor device 20 in the wireless sensor network to request sensor information, such as measurement data, possibly according to the measurement instructions in the request, and current sensor properties. The primary sensor device may first send a generic wake-up message to the sensor devices 20, if asleep.

[0140] The sensor devices 20 return measurement data and sensor device properties to the primary sensor device, which transmits it back to the orchestration module 14 via the base station. The primary sensor device may also store the sensor device properties locally.

[0141] The process for assigning sensor devices 20 to the set S of sensor devices and to tiers of the sensor device hierarchy may then begin.

[0142] First, the impact of individual measurement data on overall measurement contribution or confidence may be determined by the contribution score assignment algorithm 17 in FIG. 6A. The general procedure may comprise that the aggregator 15 and classifier 16 stack is iteratively run on subsets of the total set of measurement data, such that a contribution score may be determined for each sensor device 20.

[0143] There may be many approaches to perform this step. One method includes an ablative method wherein the aggregator 15 and classifier 16 stack is run initially on the total set of measurement data (i.e. the data from all sensor devices 20), and the measurement contribution or confidence is saved. One set of measurement data is then removed from the total set, and the aggregator 15 and classifier 16 stack is then run on the remaining set. The measurement contribution or confidence is again saved, and the difference in measurement contribution or confidence caused by the data removal is also saved as the contribution score. This difference in measurement contribution or confidence is treated as a proxy for the relative importance of the removed measurement data to the sensor function 13, and therefore as a proxy for the relative importance of the associated sensor device 20 to the sensor function 13. This may be repeated until all sets of measurement data have been removed. The measurement data sets may then be ranked based on the contribution score. The measurement data associated with the largest contribution score is the most important, and the measurement data with the smallest contribution score is the least important. Sensor devices 20 associated with a negligible contribution score (i.e. below some threshold) may be marked for complete removal from the hierarchy.

[0144] The remaining sensor devices 20 may then be assigned to tiers of the sensor device hierarchy based on their contribution scores. The most impactful sensor device may be assigned as the primary sensor device 20(PRI) (Tier 1), and assigned the primary sensor device ID, PDI. This may or may not be the same sensor device 20 which was the primary sensor device at the beginning of the process. The remaining sensor devices 20 may be assigned to tiers 2, 3, 4 etc. based on, for example, which percentile of contribution score they fall into. They are assigned the appropriate tier identifier Tl. If a new primary sensor device has been selected, the new primary sensor device ID, PDI, is associated with the sensor function 13 and stored for this purpose.

[0145] Various messages may then be sent from the sensor function system 10, for example from orchestration module 14, to the primary sensor device, via the base station. If a new primary sensor device has been selected, the previous primary sensor device may, for example, be informed that it is no longer the primary sensor device for this sensor function 13 through a primary sensor device removal message. Likewise, if a new primary sensor device has been selected, this sensor device may be informed via a primary sensor device notification message.

[0146] The primary sensor device notification message may also contain information about the sensor device hierarchy, such as the sensor device identifiers and associated tier identifiers for all sensor devices 20 in the set S. The information may also contain tier rules as described above.

[0147] Various messages may be sent from the, possibly newly selected, primary sensor device 20(PRI) to sensor devices 20. For example, a sensor device hierarchy notification message may be sent to each sensor device 20 in the set S. This message includes the primary sensor device identifier, PDI, and tier identifier Tl such that each sensor device 20 in the set S is informed of the tier to which it is associated in the sensor device hierarchy.

[0148] Any sensor device 20 may use a local look-up-table to determine what the associated wakeup message received at the wake-up receiver would be. Any sensor devices 20 which were previously part of the set and now are not, may be informed through a set removal message.

[0149] FIG. 6B is an illustrative embodiment of the sensor function system 10 in the process of obtaining measurement data to execute a sensor function 13.

[0150] The orchestration module 14 may receive a request to initiate sensor function 13 using a sensor function identifier. This may be used to trace the primary sensor device identifier PDI. The orchestration module 14 may then send a measurement data request message to the primary sensor device via the base station, the base station may first send a wake-up message to the primary sensor device 20(PRI), if asleep.

[0151] The primary sensor device 20(PRI), associated with tier 1 as indicated in FIG. 6B, receives the measurement data request message and may then begin collecting measurement data in accordance with the instructions in the measurement data request message. The primary sensor device 20(PRI) may then return the measurement data to the orchestration module 14 via the base station. The measurement data is processed by the sensor function 13 (aggregator 15 and then classifier 16) to return a sensor function result and a measurement contribution or confidence. The measurement contribution or confidence is assessed and compared against the contribution or confidence threshold, which may be preset.

[0152] If the measurement contribution or confidence is above the contribution or confidence threshold, the sensor function result is returned to the originator of the request. In this case, the orchestration module 14 may send a confirmation message to the primary sensor device via the base station to confirm the measurement success. Alternatively, no message may be sent, and the primary sensor device returns to sleep, possibly after a time-out.

[0153] If measurement contribution or confidence is below the contribution or confidence threshold, a low contribution or confidence message may be returned by the orchestration module 14 to the primary sensor device via the base station. Based on the measurement contribution or confidence and contribution or confidence threshold, as well as the locally stored sensor device properties and tier rules, the primary sensor device 20 may determine which tiers in the sensor device hierarchy to wake up and request measurement data from. The primary sensor device 20(PRI) transmits a specific measurement data request message with a particular primary sensor device ID and tier identifier Tl(2), for example, such that the appropriate sensor devices 20 associated with this tier identifier begin returning and / or recording measurement data. The primary sensor device may first send a wake-up message to the primary sensor device, if asleep.

[0154] The sensor devices 20 transmit the measurement data to the primary sensor device, possibly alongside current sensor device properties. The primary sensor device may return the measurement data to the orchestration module 14 via the base station.

[0155] The above steps may be repeated until a measurement contribution or confidence is generated which is over the contribution or confidence threshold or all tiers of sensor devices in the sensor device hierarchy have reported measurement data. The sensor function result may be returned to the originator of the request.

[0156] The disclosed embodiments enable a novel and inventive approach to organize data retrieval from wireless sensor networks to fulfil sensor functions, which optimizes between reducing the energy expenditure of sensors and ensuring sensor measurement quality. A reduction of overall resource use (both energy and communications) in a wireless sensor network for fulfilling a sensor function task is obtained and energy expenditure of individual wireless sensors is also reduced. The quality of the sensor function result may be ensured regardless of which sensor devices contribute measurement data by using measurement contribution or confidence metric(s). The effect of any transient changes in the environment which may affect which sensor in a network is the most important at a given time is mitigated by the dynamic sensor device hierarchy.

[0157] FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram illustrating an exemplary processing system according to a disclosed embodiment, e.g. a (part of a) sensor function system 10 or sensor device 20 as described above for use in a random number generation system 1 . As shown in FIG. 7, the processing system 70 may include at least one processor 71 coupled to memory elements 72 through a system bus 73. As such, the processing system may store program code within memory elements 72. Further, the processor 71 may execute the program code accessed from the memory elements 72 via a system bus 73. In one aspect, the processing system may be implemented as a computer system that is suitable for storing and / or executing program code. It should be appreciated, however, that the processing system 70 may be implemented in the form of any system including a processor and a memory that is capable of performing the functions described within this specification.

[0158] The memory elements 72 may include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory 74 and one or more bulk storage devices 75. The local memory may refer to random access memory or other non-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of the program code. A bulk storage device may be implemented as a hard drive or other persistent data storage device. The processing system 70 may also include one or more cache memories (not shown) that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device 75 during execution. I nput / output (I / O) devices depicted as an input device 76 and an output device 77 optionally can be coupled to the processing system. Examples of input devices may include, but are not limited to, a space access keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, or the like. Examples of output devices may include, but are not limited to, a monitor or a display, speakers, or the like. Input and / or output devices may be coupled to the processing system either directly or through intervening I / O controllers.

[0159] In an embodiment, the input and the output devices may be implemented as a combined input / output device (illustrated in FIG. 7 with a dashed line surrounding the input device 76 and the output device 77). An example of such a combined device is a touch sensitive display, also sometimes referred to as a “touch screen display” or simply “touch screen” that may be provided with the UE. In such an embodiment, input to the device may be provided by a movement of a physical object, such as e.g. a stylus or a finger of a person, on or near the touch screen display.

[0160] A network adapter 78 may also be coupled to the processing system to enable it to become coupled to other systems, computer systems, remote network devices, and / or remote storage devices through intervening private or public networks. The network adapter may comprise a data receiver for receiving data that is transmitted by said systems, devices and / or networks to the processing system 70, and a data transmitter for transmitting data from the processing system 70 to said systems, devices and / or networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are examples of different types of network adapter that may be used with the processing system 70.

[0161] As pictured in FIG. 7, the memory elements 72 may store an application 79. In various embodiments, the application 79 may be stored in the local memory 74, the one or more bulk storage devices 75, or apart from the local memory and the bulk storage devices. It should be appreciated that the processing system 70 may further execute an operating system (not shown in FIG. 7) that can facilitate execution of the application 79. The application 79, being implemented in the form of executable program code, can be executed by the processing system 70, e.g., by the processor 71 . Responsive to executing the application, the processing system 70 may be configured to perform one or more operations or method steps described herein.

[0162] In one aspect of the present invention, one or more components of the base station selection support system and / or user device for use with such a base station selection support system, as disclosed herein may represent processing system 70 as described herein.

[0163] Various embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a program product for use with a computer system, where the program(s) of the program product define functions of the embodiments (including the methods described herein). In one embodiment, the program(s) can be contained on a variety of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, where, as used herein, the expression “non-transitory computer readable storage media” comprises all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory, propagating signal. In another embodiment, the program(s) can be contained on a variety of transitory computer-readable storage media. Illustrative computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, ROM chips or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory) on which information is permanently stored; and (ii) writable storage media (e.g., flash memory, floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory) on which alterable information is stored. The computer program may be run on the processor 71 described herein.

[0164] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the implementations in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the claims. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and some practical applications of the present invention, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A sensor function system configured to organize a set of sensor devices in a sensor device hierarchy comprising at least a first tier of one or more sensor devices and a second tier of one or more sensor devices, wherein the one or more sensor devices of the set of sensor devices is configured for providing measurement data to perform a sensor function, wherein the sensor function system is configured to: determine association of one or more sensor devices with the first tier of sensor devices and association of one or more sensor devices with the second tier of sensor devices; assign a first tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices of the first tier and transmit the first tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices determined to be associated with the first tier of sensor devices; and assign a second tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices of the second tier and transmit the second tier identifier to the one or more sensor devices determined to be associated with the second tier of sensor devices.

2. The sensor function system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor function system is configured to receive sensor information from one or more sensor devices of the set of sensor devices, wherein the sensor function system is configured to determine association with the first tier of one or more sensor devices or the second tier of one or more sensor devices based on the sensor information, wherein, optionally, the sensor information comprises measurement data and the sensor function system determines a contribution or confidence score of the measurement data to the sensor function to determine the association of the one or more sensor devices with the first tier or second tier.

3. The sensor function system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor function system is configured to assign at least one of the sensor devices of the first tier as a primary sensor device and wherein the sensor function system is configured to communicate with other sensor devices in the set of sensor devices through the primary sensor device including transmission of the second tier identifier, wherein, optionally, the first tier identifier corresponds to a primary sensor device identifier.

4. The sensor function system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor function system is configured to at least one of the following: transmit a wake-up message to at least the one or more sensor devices of the first tier of one or more sensor devices using the first tier identifier, wherein the wake-up message optionally comprises the first tier identifier;instruct the primary sensor device of claim 3 to transmit a wake-up message to at least one or more sensor devices of the second tier using the second tier identifier, wherein the wake-up message optionally comprises the second tier identifier.

5. The sensor function system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor function system is configured to: transmit a measurement data request message to the one or more sensor devices of the first tier of sensor devices using the first tier identifier to obtain first measurement data, wherein the measurement data request message optionally comprises the first tier identifier; apply the sensor function to the first measurement data to obtain a sensor function result; perform a contribution or confidence algorithm to the sensor function result to obtain a contribution or confidence score; dependent on the contribution or confidence score, transmit a second measurement data request message to one or more sensor devices of the second tier of sensor devices using the second tier identifier to obtain second measurement data, or trigger one or more sensor devices associated with the first tier of sensor devices to transmit a second measurement data request, wherein the second measurement data request message optionally comprises the second tier identifier; and apply the sensor function to the second measurement data to obtain a further sensor function result.

6. The sensor function system according to claim 5, wherein the sensor function system is configured to trigger at least one first sensor device associated with the first tier as a primary sensor device to transmit the second measurement data request message to the one or more sensor devices associated with the second tier of one or more sensor devices and to receive the second measurement data, optionally, through the primary device.

7. The sensor function system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor function system is implemented, at least in part, in a 3GPP standard compliant telecommunications network, such as a base station and / or a core network system of a core network of the telecommunications system.

8. A sensor function system configured to obtain measurement data for performing a sensor function, wherein the measurement data is obtained from one or more sensor devices of a set of sensor devices, wherein the set of sensor devices is organized in a sensor device hierarchy comprising at least a first tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a first tier identifier and a second tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a second tier identifier, the sensor function system being configured to: transmit a measurement data request message to the one or more sensor devices of the first tier of sensor devices using the first tier identifier to obtain first measurement data, wherein the measurement data request message optionally comprises the first tier identifier; apply the sensor function to the first measurement data to obtain a sensor function result; perform a contribution or confidence algorithm to the sensor function result to obtain a contribution or confidence score; dependent on the contribution or confidence score, trigger or transmit a second measurement data request message to one or more sensor devices of the second tier of sensor devices using the second tier identifier to obtain second measurement data, wherein the second measurement data request message optionally comprises the second tier identifier; and apply the sensor function to the second measurement data to obtain a further sensor function result, wherein, optionally, at least one of the sensor devices of the first tier is configured to operate as a primary sensor device and wherein the sensor function system is configured to communicate with other sensor devices in the set of sensor devices through the primary sensor device including transmission of the second measurement data request message.

9. The sensor function system according to claim 8, wherein the sensor function system is further configured as defined in one or more of the claims 1-7.

10. A sensor device for use with the sensor function system according to one or more of the preceding claims 1-7, wherein the sensor device is configured to: receive an assignment message comprising a tier identifier associated with a tier in the sensor device hierarchy; store the tier identifier in a local storage of the sensor device; and respond to a request message from the sensor function system upon detecting the tier identifier.11 . The sensor device according to claim 10, wherein the sensor device is configured to: receive a sensor information request message from the sensor function system; andtransmit sensor information to the sensor function system in response to the sensor information request message, wherein, optionally, the sensor information comprises measurement data obtained through a sensor of the sensor device.

12. The sensor device according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the sensor device is configured to at least one of: receive the assignment message comprising a primary device identifier and store the primary device identifier as a first tier identifier associated with a first tier of the sensor device hierarchy; and transmit assignment messages including a second tier identifier associated with a second tier of the sensor device hierarchy received from the sensor device system.

13. The sensor device according to claim 12, wherein the sensor device is configured to at least one of: receive a wake-up message from the sensor function system and activate the sensor device upon detection of the primary device identifier in the wake-up message; and receive an instruction from the sensor function system to transmit a wake-up message to the one or more sensor devices of the second tier and transmit a wake-up message using the second tier identifier, wherein the wake-up message optionally comprises the second tier identifier.

14. The sensor device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the sensor device is configured to: in response to a trigger from the sensor function system containing a primary device identifier, transmit a measurement data request message for the one or more sensor devices associated with the second tier of the sensor device hierarchy using the second tier identifier, wherein the measurement data request message optionally comprises the second tier identifier, and, optionally, receive measurement data from the one or more sensor devices associated with the second tier in response to transmitting the measurement data request message, and transmit the measurement data to the sensor function system.

15. A sensor device for use with the sensor function system according to claim 8, wherein the sensor function system applies a sensor device hierarchy comprising at least a first tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a first tier identifier and a second tier of one or more sensor devices associated with a second tier identifier, wherein the sensor device is configured to: obtain measurement data from a measurement by a sensor of the sensor device; if the sensor device stores the first tier identifier, respond to a measurement data request message comprising the first tier identifier by transmitting the measurement dataif the sensor device stores the second tier identifier, respond to a measurement data request message comprising the second tier identifier by transmitting the measurement data and not respond if the measurement data request message contains the first tier identifier, wherein, optionally, the sensor device is triggered to obtain the measurement data in response to receiving the first tier identifier and second tier identifier, respectively.

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