Patent ID: 7969300
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: G01D,H04B,H04Q,H04W

Abstract:
1. A controller method for a controller device in wireless communication with a plurality of low power sensor devices, the controller device comprising a plurality of omni-directional antennae, the method comprising: a) the controller device utilizing the plurality of omni-directional antennae to direct transmission of a beacon signal in a predetermined direction to solicit a sensor signal from sensor devices located in the predetermined direction, wherein the controller device determines each predetermined direction by multiplying the signal transmitted at each antennae by a corresponding weight or complex coefficient calculated for each antennae of the plurality of omni-directional antennae; b) subsequent to said directed transmission, the controller device listening, for a predetermined listening period, for a sensor signal from a sensor device located in the predetermined direction; c) responsive to receiving the sensor signal, if any, during said predetermined listening period, receiving sensor information from said sensor device; d) subsequent to said predetermined listening period, determining a new predetermined direction; and e) repeating steps a) through e).