System and method for position awareness for minimizing power consumption in sensor network environment
US7499376B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S5/0289
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Provided are a system and method for position awareness that can be used indoors in a large-scale environment and can minimize generation of radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic waves in a wireless sensor network including low-priced sensor nodes capable of precise position measurement, thus improving energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary power consumption. The method includes the steps of: (a) calculating initial position coordinates using beacon information received from adjacent beacons through a broadcast beacon solicitation signal, sending a synchronization signal to the beacons, and synchronizing the beacons; (b) receiving ultrasonic waves generated from the adjacent beacons activated by a broadcast start message, and calculating position coordinates; and (c) when the calculated position coordinates correspond to a predetermined hand-off threshold position, transmitting a hand-off process message to a newly activated beacon, and executing a hand-off process routine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.