COMPACT SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

Abstract

A compact surveillance system (CSS) includes a power input configured to provide power to the system; one or more sensors configured to measure a measurand; a receiver configured to receive an external signal; and a processor configured to generate information, the processor being in electrical communication with: the one or more sensors; an information storage device configured to store the information; a transmitter unit configured to transfer the information; wherein the information is generated based on the measurand so as to reduce a transfer energy.

Claims

1. A compact surveillance system (CSS) comprising: a power input configured to provide power to the system; one or more sensors configured to measure a measurand; a receiver configured to receive an external signal; and a processor configured to generate information, the processor being in electrical communication with: the one or more sensors; an information storage device configured to store the information; a transmitter unit configured to transfer the information; wherein the information is generated based on the measurand so as to reduce a transfer energy.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises: a receiver transducer configured to convert the external signal into an electrical signal; a rectenna configured to convert electromagnetic energy of the external signal into electrical energy.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the rectenna is further configured to capture and convert ambient energy into electrical energy.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the device further comprises an energy storage unit configured to store the electrical energy captured by the rectenna.

5. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the receiver transducer is a smart transducer.

6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the transmitter unit comprises: a transmitting having a modulator configured to modulate the information on to a carrier signal; a transmitter transducer configured to produce and radiate an electromagnetic wave comprising the modulated signal.

7. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises a data storage device configured to store the measurement.

8. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a data input configured to receive external data from an external source.

9. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the processor generates the information based on the environmental data and the external data.

10. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more sensors each comprise a processor having logic configured to determine a parameter of the measurand.

11. A network comprising: a first CSS having a first receiver and a first transmitter, the first transmitter configured to transfer an electromagnetic signal comprising information; and a second CSS having a second receiver and a second transmitter, the second transmitter configured to receive the electromagnetic signal, wherein at least one CSS is at least partially submerged in a fluid propagating medium; wherein the first transmitter and the second receiver are operable to communicate within a far field of said electromagnetic signal, said far field corresponding to the region around the transmitter; and wherein a field strength of the electromagnetic signal at an inverse distance (1/r) is greater than the field strength at an inverse distance squared (1/r.sup.2) and an inverse distance cubed (1/r.sup.3).

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the network further comprises a third CSS having a third receiver and a third transmitter.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first CSS is configured to transfer a first information to the second CSS and the second CSS is configured to transfer modified information to the third CSS.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the modified information is generated by the second CSS, wherein the modified information comprises the first information and an additional information.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 is a compact surveillance system according to a first aspect of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a network of compact surveillance systems of FIG. 1, according to a second aspect of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a further network of compact surveillance systems.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a further network of compact surveillance systems.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a further network of compact surveillance systems.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a further network of compact surveillance systems.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a further network of compact surveillance systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a compact surveillance system (CSS) 10. The CSS 10 includes: a power input 12; a sensor 42; a data input 14; a data memory storage 15; a processor 16, an information storage device 17; a modulator 18, a transmitter transducer 22; and a receiver transducer 25.

[0045] The sensor 42 is configured to measure a measurand 44. In the present example, the sensor comprises two temperature gradient sensors 42 configured to provide a signal indicative of a temperature and/or temperature gradient.

[0046] The processor 16 is in electrical communication with: the data input 14; the data memory storage 15; the modulator 18; the information storage device 17; and the receiver transducer 25. The processor 16 is configured to receive measurand data from the sensor. The processor 16 is also operable to pre-process and process the data into information. The processor 16 stores the information on the information storage device 17 and generates an information signal representative of the information. For example, the processor 16 is configured to derive one or more selected from the range of: a thermal gradient; a temperature time constant; and a thermal properties of the measurand. The information signal is communicated to the modulator 18.

[0047] The modulator 18 is in electrical communication with the processor 16 and the transmitter transducer 22. The modulator 18 is configured to receive the information signal generated by the processor 16. The modulator 18 is also configured to superimpose the information signal on to a carrier signal, and the modulated signal is subsequently communicated to the transmitter transducer 22.

[0048] The transmitter transducer 22 is in electrical communication with the modulator 18. The transmitter transducer 22 is configured to receive the modulated signal and convert the modulated signal into an electromagnetic wave for transferring to a remote device (not shown). In alternative embodiments, the transmitter transducer may convert the modulated signal into a magneto-inductive signal.

[0049] The receiver transducer 25 is in electrical communication with the processor 16. The receiver transducer 25 comprises an intelligent antenna. The receiver transducer 25 is configured to receive an external signal from an external source (not shown).

[0050] The CSS 10 is at least partially submerged in a fluid propagating medium 26 such that the receiver transducer 25 is submerged in the fluid propagating medium 26. A signal path between the transmitter transducer 22 and the receiver transducer 25 at least partially traverses the fluid propagating medium.

[0051] The CSS 10 further comprises an energy harvesting module. In particular, the CSS 10 further comprises a power management unit 9 and an energy storage unit 11. The receive transducer 25 comprises a rectenna, said rectenna being in electrical communication with the power management unit 9. The rectenna is configured to convert electromagnetic energy of the external signal into energy. The energy storage unit 11 is a battery configured to store energy from the rectenna, and release said energy to the CSS 10. The power management unit 9 is a microcontroller configured to govern power functions. For example, the power management unit 9 measures a voltage and/or a discharge and recharge time of the energy storage unit. The power management unit 9 controls power functions, and regulates a real time clock.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a network of compact surveillance systems comprising a first CSS 210 and a second CSS 220. The first CSS 210 and the second CSS 220 are substantially similar to the CSS 110. The first CSS 210 is integrated with an underwater vehicle 230, submerged in a fluid propagating medium 226, such as water.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a network of compact surveillance systems comprising a first CSS 310 and a second CSS 320. The first CSS 310 and the second CSS 320 are substantially similar to the CSS 10. The first CSS 310 is submerged in a first fluid propagating medium 326, such as water. The second CSS 320 is submerged in a second fluid propagating medium 327. The first fluid propagating medium 326 and the second fluid propagating medium 327 are separated by a fluid boundary 329. The respective transducers of the first CSS 310 and the second CSS 320 are configured such that an electromagnetic signal 321 transmitted by a transmitter transducer of the first CSS 310 traverses the boundary 329 and is received by the receiver transducer of the second CSS 320. Additionally, the first CSS 310 and the second CSS 320 are positioned such that a field strength of the electromagnetic signal received at the receiver transducer of the second CSS 320 at an inverse distance (1/r) is greater than the field strength at an inverse distance squared (1/r.sup.2) and an inverse distance cubed (1/r.sup.3).

[0054] FIG. 4 is a network of compact surveillance systems comprising a first CSS 410 and a second CSS 420. The first CSS 410 and the second CSS 420 are substantially similar to the CSS 10. The first CSS 410 is submerged in a first fluid propagating medium 426, such as water. The second CSS 420 is located in or on a solid propagating medium 427. The first fluid propagating medium 426 and the solid propagating medium 427 are separated by a solid boundary 429. The respective transducers of the first CSS 410 and the second CSS 420 are configured such that an electromagnetic signal 421 traverses the solid boundary 429. Additionally, the first CSS 410 and the second CSS 420 are positioned such that a field strength of the electromagnetic signal received at the receiver transducer of the second CSS 420 at an inverse distance (1/r) is greater than the field strength at an inverse distance squared (1/r.sup.2) and an inverse distance cubed (1/r.sup.3).

[0055] FIG. 5 is a network of compact surveillance systems comprising a first CSS 510 and a second CSS 520. The first CSS 510 and the second CSS 520 are substantially similar to the CSS 10. The first CSS 510 and the second CSS 520 are both submerged in a first fluid propagating medium 526, such as water. A fluid-fluid boundary 529 separates the first fluid propagating medium 526 from a second fluid propagating medium 527. The respective transducers of the first CSS 510 and the second CSS 520 are configured such that an electromagnetic signal 521 transmitted by a transmitter transducer of the first CSS 510 is transmitted directly or indirectly. In the direct transmission case, the signal 521 traverses the first medium 526. In the indirect transmission case, the signal 521 traverses the fluid boundary 529, propagates through the second medium 529, and traverses the fluid boundary 529 from the second medium 529 to the first medium 526.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a network of compact surveillance systems comprising a first CSS 610 and a second CSS 620. The first CSS 610 and the second CSS 620 are substantially similar to the CSS 10. The first CSS 610 and the second CSS 620 are both submerged in a fluid propagating medium 626, such as water. A fluid-solid boundary 629 separates the fluid propagating medium 626 from a solid propagating medium 627. The respective transducers of the first CSS 610 and the second CSS 620 are configured such that an electromagnetic signal 621, 627 transmitted by a transmitter transducer of the first CSS 610 is transmitted directly or indirectly. In the direct transmission case, the direct signal 521 traverses the first medium 626. In the indirect transmission case, the indirect signal 627 traverses the fluid boundary 629, propagates through the second medium 629, and traverses the fluid boundary 629 from the second medium 629 to the first medium 626. Additionally, the first CSS 610 and the second CSS 620 are positioned such that a field strength of the electromagnetic signal received at the receiver transducer of the second CSS 620 at an inverse distance (1/r) is greater than the field strength at an inverse distance squared (1/r.sup.2) and an inverse distance cubed (1/r.sup.3). The indirect transmission path 621 is longer than the direct transmission path 627. Transferring through the boundary 629 is sub-optimal.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a network of compact surveillance systems comprising a first CSS 710, a second CSS 720, and a third CSS 720 submerged in a fluid propagating medium 726. The first CSS 710, the second CSS 720, and the third CSS 730 are substantially similar to the CSS 10. The first CSS 710 transfers a first information to the second CSS 720. The second CSS 720 modifies, via its processor, the first information so as to include additional information. The second CSS 720 transfers a second information, comprising the first information and the additional information, to the third CSS 730.

[0058] The above-mentioned compact surveillance system and networks find particular, but not limited use in offshore structure surveillance and holistic companion animal care.

[0059] The description provided herein may be directed to specific implementations. It should be understood that the discussion provided herein is provided for the purpose of enabling a person with ordinary skill in the art to make and use any subject matter defined herein by the subject matter of the claims.

[0060] It should be intended that the subject matter of the claims not be limited to the implementations and illustrations provided herein, but include modified forms of those implementations including portions of implementations and combinations of elements of different implementations in accordance with the claims.

[0061] Reference has been made in detail to various implementations, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. In the detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure provided herein. However, the disclosure provided herein may be practiced without these specific details. In some other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure details of the embodiments.

[0062] It should also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element. The first element and the second element are both elements, respectively, but they are not to be considered the same element.

[0063] The terminology used in the description of the disclosure provided herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations and is not intended to limit the disclosure provided herein. As used in the description of the disclosure provided herein and appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify a presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

[0064] As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context. The terms “up” and “down”; “upper” and “lower”; “upwardly” and “downwardly”; “below” and “above”; and other similar terms indicating relative positions above or below a given point or element may be used in connection with some implementations of various technologies described herein.

[0065] While the foregoing is directed to implementations of various techniques described herein, other and further implementations may be devised in accordance with the disclosure herein, which may be determined by the claims that follow. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.