Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for efficient use of communication channels for remote telemetry

US6940421B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
7References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 2000
Grant dateSep 6, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 6, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L43/06
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A remote telemetry system utilizing dual communication pathways comprising low-cost remote communications devices operating on existing wire-based communications systems, wireless communications systems, and/or a combination thereof, to provide real-time reading and control of the remote telemetry units. A central controller directs the operation of the remote telemetry units and receives data from the remote telemetry units. The central controller is configured to utilize a conventional broadcast communications channel to transmit commands to individual remote telemetry units, each of which is assigned a unique identification code. Signals broadcast from the central controller are received at receivers associated with each remote telemetry unit, which performs a directed operation if a unique identification code included in the broadcast signal matches the identification code assigned to the remote telemetry unit. Each remote telemetry unit is provided with access to a conventional shared two-way communication pathway for return communication to the central controller. The shared two-way communication pathway is inactive unless specifically activated by a remote telemetry unit upo…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.