WO2019220216A1

WO2019220216A1 - A wireless communication identification sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2019220216A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/051405
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terrence Keith Ashwin
Original assignee: Terrence Keith Ashwin
Priority date: 2018-05-14
Filing date: 2019-02-21
Publication date: 2019-11-21

Abstract

A wireless network communication system with interacting sensors having internet communication capabilities via private and public wifi networks. The sensors being wireless communication identification sensors comprising a wifi BSSID combined with programmable SSID data, wherein the BSSID in combination the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor.

Description

A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION IDENTIFICATION SENSOR

G01L, G01H

The present invention relates to a wireless network communication system with interacting sensors having internet communication capabilities via private and public wifi networks. In particular, the invention relates to an identification sensor.

BACKGOUND

The use of wireless communication systems such as wifi and blue tooth routers are well known. Similarly, wireless communication devices which are enabled to report the occurrence of a notifiable event through the internet are well known. By example, a suitably enabled tracking device may be programmed to transmit a gps coordinate notification to an internet server upon a vehicle being involved a collision. The event is logged, stored on the server and the event data being individually transmitted as a report at a later point to a user, again through internet and GSM communication.

Of particular relevance to the invention is the ability to detect the unique identity of a wireless communication device by other wireless communication devices regardless of whether the devices are a known or affiliated with one another. In this regard, the invention pertains to the use of a BSSID (basic service set identifier) associated with wifi communication devices as a unique device identification means. As is known to those skilled in the prior art - every wifi engine is manufactured with a unique BSSID at time of manufacture and the BSSID is fixed and non-changeable. Accordingly, when the wifi engine of a wireless communication device broadcasts its identification data - the BSSID is broadcast and readable by any suitably enabled device. As the BSSID of a wifi engine is detectable without authentication - the unique BSSID can be even be detected by unaffiliated or unpaired wifi devices thus making identification possible. It would thus be beneficial to create a method and apparatus for using the BSSID of a wifi communication device for at least one of: securely communicating data; uniquely identifying and tracking the user of such device; authenticating the identity of a device user; enabling access of a device user; regulating use of electronic devices; regulating use of software; activating device or software functionality; use for emergency purposes.

The invention seeks to provide a suitable I/O devices for use with a wireless network communication system that at least partially ameliorates the abovementioned disadvantages associated with the prior art.

The term I/O refers to devices being input-output enabled, whereby they can transmit data and process instructional data received and transmitted.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a wireless communication identification sensor comprising a wifi BSSID combined with programmable SSID data, wherein the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor.

Conveniently the sensor data comprises an instruction data set, wherein said data causes the activation, alternately deactivation of a function associated with the sensor. Conveniently the BSSID integral with a router comprises 31 bytes of programmable data. By example, the first three programmable characters of said programmable data result in the initiation of a message to be transmitted by the sensor.

Conveniently, the wireless communication identification sensor comprises a sensor for detection of at least one of moisture, pressure, light, impact, temperature, biometrics, altitude, chemical composition, sound, wherein a predetermined sensor reading results in the activation, alternately deactivation of a sensor communication device function.

Conveniently, the sensor additionally comprises at least one of a gps device, a speaker, a light, a vibration generator, or an electrical shock generator.

Conveniently a sensor notification is generated upon function criteria being met, wherein a notification is sent to at least one of a predetermined telephone number, email or other communication destination (such as a whatsapp, website, hashtag, social media profile)

Conveniently, the sensor is enabled to operate as either

- a client via a suitably enabled wifi router, pc or suitable electronic communication device, whereby data stored on the device is accessible by a suitably enabled and linked wireless communication device; or

- a Webserver wherein the device comprise RAM for storage of user data and whereby the data is accessible by using a web browser of a paired wireless communication device.

Conveniently, the device functionality is activated upon connecting to wireless communication device having at least one of GSM or wifi capabilities such as a phone, tablet or PC. Conveniently the sensor comprises a signal strength detector thereby enabling directional and distance tracking of the device while in range of one or more wifi routers. In this way, the device can activate predetermined notifications, alternately cause the activation of predetermined functions upon the movement pattern of the device. By example, a child wearing the device and heading towards a pool will result in the activation of a notification to the phone of a parent, alternately a siren being sounded near the pool, alternately the locking of a pool access gate, alternately the vibration of a wearable device which may be secured on the child and person responsible for supervising the child. Additionally, the notification may comprise a GPS location, visual details of the wearer and guardian being displayable / viewable on monitoring devices of emergency personal or access control, delivery of an electrical shock to the wearer. By example, a device activation due to removal from a house will result in access to or from premises being prevented. Accordingly, a device which has been removed from a user's house will result in the access gate to the house being prevented from opening upon the device being proximal with the access gate.

Conveniently the device comprises at least two modes of functionality, wherein the device "bleeps" or remains in a dormant sleep mode. The frequency of bleeps are variable in accordance with activation parameters.

Conveniently the device comprises data fields which are editable and where data is uploadable onto the sensor and accessible through a web browser. Accordingly, a third party user does not require specialised software to interrogate, alternately edit the data on the device.

Conveniently the editable data comprises at least one of text, images or audio files which data evidences actions performed on the device, alternately for the user associated with the device. By example, the device of a user who receives medical treatment is populated with data pertaining to the treatment and drugs used in such treatment. The user data is thereafter viewable through a web browser of a third party who has paired their wireless communication device with that of the user. Conveniently the sensor selects the destination to where the event data must be transmitted whereafter sensor data is transmitted upon data transmission criteria being established.

Conveniently access to data or modification thereof is limited in accordance with user access criteria, which criteria are programmable.

Conveniently the sensor is programmable whilst operative, wherein programming instructions are transmitted to the sensor from a remote communication device such as a computer or phone having enabling software. This is typically transmitted using a wireless communication protocol such as wifi, Bluetooth or gsm.

Conveniently the sensor is programmable to switch at least part of its functionality on or off; and where the functionality is enabled or restricted for a limited duration.

Conveniently input and output data may be communicated to and from the sensor via a sensor specific data address such as an cellular phone number, IP address, IPv6 address, MAC Address, or an equivalent address format that will identify a specific device or virtual address where data can be transferred via the Internet.

Conveniently the sensor information is readable using a suitably enabled software application on a wireless communication device, wherein the software, once activated, searches for wifi networks resulting in sensors within wifi range being detected. The signal strength of the sensor relative to the wireless communication device is used to determine the location of the sensor, when using the enabling software.

Conveniently the sensor comprises event triggered programmable data. Accordingly, the data broadcast with the BSSID comprises sensor environment information. By example, a shipping container sensor comprising a thermostat and a light sensor will broadcast temperatures experienced by the sensor and exposure to light. Accordingly, a person utilising suitably enabled software will be able to scan for wifi networks in range, identify the specific sensor and determine what temperatures the shipping container was exposed to; the number of times the container was opened and the duration which temperatures persisted and the container was opened.

Where a BSSID is known to a third party by virtue of the device being associated with a user or authorised follower, namely by authentication - then the authorised follower can ping all devices within an area to reveal BSSID interaction with the various wifi routers and suitably enabled devices. This enables the authorised follower to track the historic and real-time movement of the device.

Where a plurality of devices are associated with or paired to a system - the system is enabled to transmit a group "find-me" request and whereby all associated devices begin collaborating with the tracking of the targeted BSSID. This enables the exact location of a targeted BSSID to be tracked using wifi as and when the device comes in range of collaborating wifi active devices (even without being connected to a router or other wireless communication device). The wifi name displayed is modifiable and may be identical to other devices while maintaining a unique BSSID, which is not modifiable and thereby enables device specific detection.

Conveniently a plurality of sensors may be paired, wherein sensor activity or a lack thereof (health / status check), of a paired sensor is communicated to other paired sensors. Accordingly, non-responsiveness of a paired sensor will result in a functioning paired sensor - transmitting a fault report in accordance with the sensor's fault detection transmission criteria.

Conveniently sensors having varying functionality may be paired.

Conveniently where a plurality of sensors are connected, storage of event data may be stored on one or more of the sensors thereby enabling sharing of data storage generated from sensor activity. Alternately, data stored may be duplicated on one or more connected sensors thereby serving as a data back-up means. Conveniently the sensor device has 'store and forward' capability, wherein transmission of sensor based data results in deleting of the storage cache on the sensor device, which is typically deleted on a first in/first out basis, although deletion criteria may be modified in accordance with user preferences.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a wireless communication identification sensor comprising a unique wireless identifier combined with programmable broadcast data, wherein the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor.

Conveniently the sensor data comprises an instruction data set, wherein said data causes the activation, alternately deactivation of a function associated with the sensor.

Conveniently the wireless communication identification sensor having a unique identifier is enabled to perform functions and employ methods of use as they pertain to the aforementioned uses of a BSSID combined with programmable SSID data to identify the sensor

Further features, variants and/or advantages of the invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of an example of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A wifi router comprises an unique BSSID in conjunction with a SSID which typically has 31 bytes of programmable characters. Wifi devices simply scan for the name allocated to a wifi device and not the BSSID. Upon further interrogation, the BSSID may be revealed although the BSSID is not replicable. In accordance with the invention, the characters of the SSID are used to either transmit information, alternately control the activation a desired functionality. By example, the initial 3 characters of a SSID are allocated to sending a message, the remaining characters pertain to information of the device affiliated with the user or information pertaining to the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor is used for monitoring shipping containers. Said sensors comprises a thermostat and light sensor which record the temperature range, duration of temperature range fluctuation; and the number and duration of container door openings by means of the light sensor. Additionally, the sensor SSID data comprises a waybill number thereby enabling the sensor data and waybill data to be correlated by simply interrogating the wifi broadcast sensor data. As will be appreciated, the sensor data broadcast may be recorded and transmitted to a server database for tracking the sensor.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor has a unique wifi tag which is programmable to correspond with an object. In doing so, the object status is monitorable in accordance with the sensor capabilities. Sensor events may be transmitted to local server, alternately a cloud based server or a combination thereof. A MySQL database would typically be used to track and record sensor events. The sensor selects the destination to where specific event data must be transmitted thereby maintaining data confidentiality and preventing unauthorised interception by a non-authorised reader. Accordingly, the sensor may broadcast both restricted and unrestricted data in addition to being able to transmitted restricted confidential data to a server.

Input and output data may be communicated to and from the sensor via a sensor specific data address such as an IP address, IPv6 address, MAC Address, or an equivalent address format that will identify a specific device or virtual address where data can be transferred to on the Internet. Accordingly, it is possible to dial into the closed-loop wifi network server and provide output instructions to a specific sensor which in turn will result in the object functioning. By example, the sensor may be attached to a light which will switch on or off depending on the instruction sent to the sensor. The invention enables a mobile communication device to communicate with a wifi router without using data. This is enabled due to the BSSID and SSID being broadcast whilst the wifi engine is operational. Any suitably enabled wifi reader is able to detect the presence and potentially the proximity of the wifi engine based on signal strength. By example, a wifi network search would determine which wifi engines are within range. Said search is accomplished without the transfer of data. As will be appreciated, this ameliorates the problems associated with data transfer, which is dependent on a data availability and internet connectivity; and wifi devices without access to data usage, which are unable to transfer data.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, dormant wifi engines may be activated for a limited period of time as and when the sensor data is needed. Activation can be in response to a physical event which event is determined by a suitable sensor, such as an impact sensor, a time based event, proximity to a RFID type device resulting in the activation of the wifi engine from a sleep condition. This results in a prolonged battery life where the wifi engine does not utilise an external power supply.

The sensor comprises an independent battery power supply to enable the transmission of event notifications. The sensor may however be plugged into an external power supply source to charge the battery.

The sensor comprises at least one environmental variation sensor for detecting environmental changes. These may include at least one of a thermostat sensor, impact sensor, light sensor, audio sensor, chemical composition sensor, electrical magnetic sensor, gps sensor, altitude sensor or humidity sensor.

In one embodiment of the invention, the functionality of an electronic device which is connected to a wireless communication enabled I/O sensor, is controllable. This is done by: - pairing the sensor with an electronic device such as a TV;

- programming the sensor to affect the function of the device upon a predetermined event being detected by the sensor. By example, where a sensor detects movement of the TV, the sensor will disable the TV in the event of the TV passing geographically ringed area. Should the TV pass this area - it will no longer function;

- maintaining the electronic device function until contrary output instructions are received by the sensor. By example, a user associated with the sensor - will have to send a reactivation code to the sensor before TV functionality is restored.

Where the predetermined event is the result of environmental changes - the restoration of pre-event environmental factors may serve as the contrary output instructions to restore the electronic device functionality. By example, when the TV is returned to the geographically ringed area - the sensor will re-enable the TV functionality.

The sensor can itself directly communicate with a remote server data address and does not require a sensor login prior to receiving or transmitting data to and from the sensor.

The data transmitted by the sensor includes the sensor identification which may additionally include user information such as contact details, thereby allowing the recipient of the data transmitted from the sensor to contact the user. By example, a geyser may be connected to a thermostat sensor. When the geyser malfunctions due to its thermostat failing and bursting is likely - the sensor will either send a notification to the user, alternately the person responsible for its maintenance, whereafter the user can send output information to the sensor to cut power to the geyser thereby preventing the geyser bursting. Alternately, the sensor may automatically cut the power supply to the geyser, transmit a notification to the user and the geyser will remain powerless until a contrary output instruction is sent to the sensor. The invention is not limited to the precise details described above. Modifications may be made and other embodiments developed without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, data generated from sensor activity may be stored at least partially on the sensor itself - the sensor having data storage capacity. Further, where a plurality of sensors are connected, storage of event data may be stored on one or more of the sensors thereby enabling sharing of data storage generated from sensor activity. Alternately, data stored may be duplicated on one or more connected sensors thereby serving as a data back-up means. Still further, where a plurality of sensors are connected, input and output data may be jointly processed by the sensors to improve data processing abilities.

In this invention, the term BSSID may extend to any unique identifier whose unique identifier can be broadcast and wirelessly detected by a suitably enabled device. Additionally, a wireless communication device having a unique identifier in addition to a BSSID - interacts with one or more electronic communication devices by virtue of the unique identifier and/or the interaction of the unique identifier with the BSSID of the wireless communication device. By example, the unique identifier may be a mobile phone number, or IMEI number affiliated with a mobile phone or GSM modem. The method of broadcast may be any wireless protocol including wifi, gsm, Bluetooth.

The Summary of Invention and Claims forms an integral aspect of the description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A wireless communication identification sensor comprising a wifi BSSID combined with programmable SSID data, wherein the BSSID in combination the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor.

2. The sensor as claimed in claim 1, having sensor data comprising an instruction data set, wherein a computing device with an enabling software application for analysing and processing the data set causes an activation, alternately deactivation of a function associated with the sensor upon predetermined sensor activation perimeters being reached, in use.

3. The sensor as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the software application enables the user to input and store personal identifying information on the user sensor as an aspect of the SSID data broadcast, alternately a user may input said information on a remote server which interacts with the software application and communicates the user information when appropriately accessed.

4. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising a sensor for detection of at least one of moisture, pressure, light, impact, temperature, biometrics, altitude, chemical composition, sound, wherein a predetermined sensor reading results in the activation, alternately deactivation of a sensor communication device function.

5. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising at least one of a gps device, a speaker, a light, a vibration generator, or an electrical shock generator.

6. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a sensor notification is generated upon function criteria being met, the notification being transmitted to at least one of a predetermined telephone number, email or other communication destination in addition to the sensor data being broadcast.

7. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sensor is enabled to operate as either:

8. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sensor comprises a signal strength detector thereby enabling directional and distance tracking of the sensor while in range of one or more wifi routers and in conjunction with utilising suitably enabled software and hardware.

9. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of sensors being paired to a system, the system is enabled to transmit a group "find-me" request and whereby all associated devices begin collaborating with the tracking of the targeted BSSID.

10. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when the emergency service is activated, the software application utilises the sensor gps coordinates to transmit the appropriate distress notification to the nearest appropriate service provider.

11. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sensor is event triggered and the programmable data reflects the nature of the triggering event.

12. A wireless communication identification sensor comprising a unique wireless identifier combined with programmable broadcast data, wherein the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor. IB. The sensor as claimed in claim 12 comprising an instruction data set, wherein said data causes the activation, alternately deactivation of a function associated with the sensor.

14. The sensor as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the wireless communication identification sensor having a unique identifier is enabled to perform functions as they pertain to the aforementioned sensors in claims 3 to 11.