Patent ID: 6826607
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: B60R,G01V,G06F,G06K,G08B,H04K,H04L,H04W,Y02D

Abstract:
A sensor network comprising a plurality of network elements including at least one node of a first type and at least one node of a second type coupled among an environment and at least one client computer, wherein functions of the at least one node of a first type and the at least one node of a second type are remotely controllable, wherein the at least one node of a first type includes at least one sensor that receives at least one data type from the environment, wherein the at least one node of a second type provides node information including node resource cost and message priority to the plurality of network elements, wherein processing of the at least one data type is distributed among the plurality of network elements in response to the node information; wherein the at least one node of a second type includes at least one preprocessor coupled to at least one processor and a plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs), the preprocessor operating on real-time processes, wherein the plurality of APIs are coupled to control at least one of sensors, actuators, communications devices, signal processors, information storage devices, node controllers, and power supply devices, where the plurality of APIs support remote reprogramming and control of the at least one device.