Patent ID: 8976763
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: A61B,G01D,G16H,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for allocating a guaranteed time slot (“GTS”) for data or at least one data packet generated from at least one sensor device configured to be disposed on a person for wireless transmission over a wireless body area sensor network, the method comprising the steps of: a) buffering and storing the data or at least one data packet in a device transmission buffer disposed in the at least one sensor device; b) determining the amount of data or number of data packets stored in the device transmission buffer; c) when the amount of data or number of data packets stored in the device transmission buffer of the at least one sensor device is greater than a predetermined data or data packet threshold for the at least one sensor device in a superframe for wireless transmission over the wireless body area sensor network, the superframe comprising a contention access period (“CAP”) and a contention free period (“CFP”) further comprising a plurality of guaranteed time slots, then generating a bandwidth demand for the at least one sensor device and transmitting the bandwidth demand to a network coordinator, wherein the step of generating the bandwidth demand comprises carrying out the steps of a bandwidth demand algorithm comprising the steps of: i. receiving a beacon frame at a beginning of the superframe, ii. computing the amount of data packets in the device transmission buffer of the at least one sensor device (“B iii. when the superframe is a first frame, setting a number of requested packets for the at least one sensor device (“R iv. when B v. when b vi. when S d) collecting the bandwidth demands from the at least one sensor device during the CAP; and e) allocating guaranteed time slots in the CFP for the data or at least one data packet generated by the at least one sensor device.