Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for monitoring the fill level of salt in a brine tank of a water softener system. Distance measurements may be taken by a wireless-enabled smart sensor device disposed at an interior surface of a brine tank cover. Calibration of the smart sensor device may include taking distance measurements corresponding to different fill levels of the brine tank, obtaining at least one corresponding user-defined fill ratio, and storing these as calibration data. Subsequent distance measurements may be used to determine a current fill ratio based on the calibration data. If the current fill ratio is below a threshold value, an alert may be sent to the user device indicating that salt should be added. If the current fill ratio is above a previous fill ratio, an alert may be sent to the user device requesting recalibration of the smart sensor device.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to communication with and control of network-enabled water devices and sensors of various water systems are disclosed. Such water systems may include water filtration systems, water reclamation systems, sump pump systems, pool or spa systems, water softening systems, and plumbing systems. Such water devices may include chemical controllers, smart valves, pool pumps, sump pumps, water softeners, residential appliances, and manifolds. Such sensor devices may include flow meters, splash detectors, motion sensors, moisture sensors, humidity sensors, chemical sensors, water level sensors, pressure sensors, and cameras. Data received from network-enabled water devices and sensors may be processed at a remote server or a local controller, which may cause corresponding alerts or maintenance requests to be sent to one or more user devices or service providers or may automatically control one or more of the water devices and sensors based on analysis of the data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described, which relate to internet-of-things (IoT) feedback systems, in which data received from a given IoT device may be analyzed by a controller and used as a basis for controlling another IoT device and/or sending an alert to a user. The controller may activate a dehumidifier upon detecting activation of a sump pump. The controller may monitor water level data and alert a user and/or request maintenance of the sump pump upon detecting the water level exceeds a threshold. The controller may monitor dishwasher data to detect suboptimal performance of a dishwasher, in response to which the controller may instruct valves of a manifold and water heater to close to isolate the dishwasher, and instruct a water softener to elevate salt levels of softened water during a self-cleaning cycle of the dishwasher.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for monitoring the fill level of salt in a brine tank of a water softener system. Distance measurements may be taken by a wireless-enabled smart sensor device disposed at an interior surface of a brine tank cover. Calibration of the smart sensor device may include taking distance measurements corresponding to different fill levels of the brine tank, obtaining at least one corresponding user-defined fill ratio, and storing these as calibration data. Subsequent distance measurements may be used to determine a current fill ratio based on the calibration data. If the current fill ratio is below a threshold value, an alert may be sent to the user device indicating that salt should be added. If the current fill ratio is above a previous fill ratio, an alert may be sent to the user device requesting recalibration of the smart sensor device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for initiating sealed sensor units in the field. A packaged sensor unit may include a sensor module, an activation mechanism and an internal battery, all situated in a sealed enclosure. In some cases, the sealed enclosure may be devoid of any externally accessible switches. A pre-defined triggering stimulus may be applied to the packaged sensor unit, and the pre-defined triggering stimulus may be detected via the activation mechanism. In response to the activation mechanism detecting the pre-defined triggering stimulus, the internal battery may be connected to the sensor module. Prior to detecting the pre-defined triggering stimulus, both the sensor module and the activation mechanism may draw no power from the internal battery of the packaged sensor unit. In some cases, the activation mechanism, once activated, irreversibly couples the power supply to the sensor module.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for initiating sealed sensor units in the field. A packaged sensor unit may include a sensor module, an activation mechanism and an internal battery, all situated in a sealed enclosure. In some cases, the sealed enclosure may be devoid of any externally accessible switches. A pre-defined triggering stimulus may be applied to the packaged sensor unit, and the pre-defined triggering stimulus may be detected via the activation mechanism. In response to the activation mechanism detecting the pre-defined triggering stimulus, the internal battery may be connected to the sensor module. Prior to detecting the pre-defined triggering stimulus, both the sensor module and the activation mechanism may draw no power from the internal battery of the packaged sensor unit. In some cases, the activation mechanism, once activated, irreversibly couples the power supply to the sensor module.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generate a random network identifier to a network device to set up a wireless network. The generated random network identifier may be compared to network identifiers of other wireless networks within the range of the network device. If the generated network identifier matches any of the network identifiers within the range, a new random network identifier may be generated, until a generated network identifier does not match any of the network identifiers within the range. The network device may then assign the generated unique network identifier as the wireless network's network identifier and send the network identifier to all the devices that wish to join the wireless network.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure allow a central wireless monitoring device, such as a coordinator device, in a wireless network to remotely control the operation of wireless end devices in the network. In particular, controlling the operation of the wireless end devices may include enabling and disabling different modes of operation, such as a radio silence mode, of the devices. The monitoring device may wirelessly transmit a command that turns devices, which in normal operation transmit and receive data, into receiving-only devices. The end devices may operate in the receiving-only mode until the monitoring device sends a command that restores the normal operating mode of transmitting and receiving data.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a device operating in a first mode, a communication including a status indicator from a plurality of sensing devices, and storing the indicators in a memory. Operating in the first mode, a first input that includes a first actuation duration is received via a button, and the device is configured to operate in a second mode. The first actuation duration is longer than a first duration and shorter than a second duration, where an input duration exceeding the second duration configures the device to operate in a third mode. Operating in the second mode, an indication of the respective status indicator is provided on an output device for each of the status indicators. Transitions between the indications occur responsive to toggle inputs via the button. A second input is received via the button, and the device is configured to operate in the first mode.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a white space at a first wireless node and selecting a channel in the identified white space. The white space includes at least one frequency or frequency band not in use (like a licensed frequency or frequency band). The method also includes identifying at the first wireless node a channel access factor for each of multiple wireless nodes including the first wireless node. The method further includes determining if the first wireless node has a specified channel access factor. In addition, the method includes transmitting data from the first wireless node on the channel when the first wireless node has the specified channel access factor. The channel access factors can be identified and the determination whether the first wireless node has the specified channel access factor can be performed without using control signals transmitted between the wireless nodes. The channel access factor could represent a hash function value.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a white space at a first wireless node and selecting a channel in the identified white space. The white space includes at least one frequency or frequency band not in use (like a licensed frequency or frequency band). The method also includes identifying at the first wireless node a channel access factor for each of multiple wireless nodes including the first wireless node. The method further includes determining if the first wireless node has a specified channel access factor. In addition, the method includes transmitting data from the first wireless node on the channel when the first wireless node has the specified channel access factor. The channel access factors can be identified and the determination whether the first wireless node has the specified channel access factor can be performed without using control signals transmitted between the wireless nodes. The channel access factor could represent a hash function value.

Abstract: Wireless communication systems using transmitter initiated communications methods. Several devices in the system listen by following a common frequency hopping sequence. When communication is desired, a transmitting device sends a request to send signal to an addressee; if available, the addressee sends a clear to send signal, and the transmitting device and the addressee then perform communications using a separate frequency hopping sequence. Methods for adding new devices are also included. In an example, a new device uses a discovery frequency hopping sequence to ping a number of frequencies until the common frequency hopping sequence is discovered. In another example, a new device listens on a single frequency forming part of the common frequency hopping sequence until the common frequency hopping sequence overlaps the single frequency.

Abstract: Wireless communication systems using transmitter initiated communications methods. Several devices in the system listen by following a common frequency hopping sequence. When communication is desired, a transmitting device sends a request to send signal to an addressee; if available, the addressee sends a clear to send signal, and the transmitting device and the addressee then perform communications using a separate frequency hopping sequence. Methods for adding new devices are also included. In an example, a new device uses a discovery frequency hopping sequence to ping a number of frequencies until the common frequency hopping sequence is discovered. In another example, a new device listens on a single frequency forming part of the common frequency hopping sequence until the common frequency hopping sequence overlaps the single frequency.

Abstract: A secure wireless network system includes one or more wireless receivers that receive communications from wireless devices. The wireless receivers, or access points, include sensors that detect the location of a wireless device sending communications to the wireless receiver. A controller rejects access to the wireless network by a wireless device as a function of the location of the wireless device. In further embodiments, security information is combined with location information to form events. The events are correlated with known access attempt patterns to control access to the network.

Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless network including redundant communication. Methods involving redundantly connected nodes are discussed including addressing methods and/or methods of creating groups for such redundant communication. The use of primary and secondary redundant connections is discussed. The inclusion of a redundant network in association with a non-redundant network such as a Zigbee® protocol network is discussed. Also, devices for implementing such methods are described.

Abstract: Wireless configuration tools for communicating with and configuring wireless device systems. An illustrative tool makes use of a software defined radio (SDR) to communicate in multiple formats, modes, or frequencies, with multiple wireless device systems that may otherwise be incompatible. In some embodiments, the tool determines what type and how many wireless systems are to be configured prior to configuration of any of the systems. The tool may then adjust how each system is configured to reduce intra-system as well as inter-system interference. Methods for performing such functions are also included.

Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless network including redundant communication. Methods involving redundantly connected nodes are discussed including addressing methods and/or methods of creating groups for such redundant communication. The use of primary and secondary redundant connections is discussed. Also, devices for implementing such methods.

Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless network including redundant communication. Methods involving redundantly connected nodes are discussed including addressing methods and/or methods of creating groups for such redundant communication. The use of primary and secondary redundant connections is discussed. Also, devices for implementing such methods.

Abstract: A system of wireless infrastructure nodes are communicatively coupled to a number of internally powered leaf nodes. The leaf nodes may have sensors and/or actuators. A wireless leaf node transmits data to an infrastructure node at a time according to a duty cycle. When a collision occurs, the data is retransmitted until an acknowledgement is received from an infrastructure node. A change in a transmission protocol parameter, such as duty cycle/phase of sampling is initiated with such retransmissions. A decision to change the parameter is taken either by the wireless leaf node itself, or by an infrastructure node. Some of the leaf nodes can be transmit-only devices which repeat each data packet a number of times.

Abstract: Redundant, non-overlapping paths or routes for a sensor signal in a mesh network are selected based on predetermined metrics. In one embodiment, a wireless sensor transmits a signal that is received by two separate infrastructure nodes. The signal is retransmitted by the two intermediate nodes via the selected non-overlapping routes to a controller node. Routes are identified for at least two infrastructure nodes that receive signals from an added sensor. Performance metrics are calculated for each route. The two routes with the best performance metrics are selected in one embodiment.