Deployable monitoring device having self-righting housing and associated method

• US 20030011706A1
• Filed: 07/11/2001
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chang Industry, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Chang Industry, Inc.
• Inventors: Traeger, William, Osterholm, William, Rios, Pablo De Los, Johnson, Michael, Grainger, William, Chang, Yu-Wen
• Granted Patent: US 6,831,699 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/375
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19621 Portable camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A deployable monitoring apparatus is provided comprising an ovate housing and a video capturing device operably engaged therewith. The housing has a base and an opposed end disposed along an axis. The housing is further configured to have a center of gravity disposed about the base so as to be self-righting along the axis such that the opposed end extends substantially upwardly from the base. The video capturing device is operably engaged with the housing and is configured to capture video data of a scene external to the housing. In some instances, the video data of the scene may be transmitted by a transceiver module to a station disposed remotely from the scene, wherein the station is configured to process the video data so as to provide a remote visual depiction of the scene. The housing may also include other devices such as, for example, a light source, a motion sensor, an audio sensor, and a chemical sensor functioning independently of or in conjunction with the video capturing device. An associated method is also provided.

Claims

1. A deployable monitoring apparatus comprising:

an ovate housing having a base and an opposed end disposed along an axis, the housing being configured to have a center or gravity disposed about the base so as to be self-righting along the axis such that the opposed end extends substantially upwardly from the base; and

a video capturing device operably engaged with the housing and configured to capture video data of a scene external to the housing.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a transceiver module disposed within the housing and operably engaged with the video capturing device, the transceiver module being adapted to transmit the video data of the scene to a station disposed remotely from the scene, the station being configured to process the video data so as to provide a visual depiction of the scene.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base further comprises a planar portion configured such that the axis is perpendicular thereto so as to facilitate stabilization of the housing about the base upon self-righting of the housing.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a power source disposed within the housing and operably engaging the video capturing device.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the power source is disposed about the base so as to direct the center of gravity toward the base.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the video capturing device comprises a video capture module configured to capture video data through a lens member in communication therewith.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the video capture module and the lens member are disposed within the housing and the housing is configured such that the video capture module is capable of capturing video data of the scene through the housing via the lens member.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the housing is at least partially translucent so as to allow the lens member to receive video data of the scene therethrough.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the video capture module is disposed within the housing and the lens member is at least partially disposed in an orifice defined by the housing such that the video capture module is capable of capturing video data of the scene via the lens member.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing is separable into a lower portion comprising the base and an upper portion comprising the opposed end.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing is configured to be at least one of shock resistant, capable of withstanding extreme gravitational force, impact resistant, abrasion resistant, waterproof, chemical resistant, capable of withstanding extreme temperature, and fireproof.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the video capturing device is configured so as to be capable of withstanding at least one of shock, extreme temperature, and extreme gravitational force.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the video capturing device comprises at least one of a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera and a charge coupled device (CCD) camera.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the video capturing device is configured to be responsive to at least one of visible light and infrared light.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a light source operably engaged with the housing and configured to illuminate the scene.

16. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the video capturing device is configured to automatically focus on the scene.

17. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the video capturing device is configured to be manually focused and is responsive to a focus command from the remotely disposed station received via the transceiver module.

18. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a motion sensor device operably engaged with the video capturing device for actuating the video capturing device to capture video data upon detection of a motion in the scene.

19. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising an audio sensor operably engaged with the transceiver module and configured to capture audio data from the scene, wherein the transceiver module is further adapted to transmit the audio data from the scene to the remotely disposed station so as to provide remote audio monitoring of the scene.

20. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a chemical sensor operably engaged with the transceiver module and configured to capture chemical composition data from the scene, wherein the transceiver module is further adapted to transmit the chemical composition data from the scene to the remotely disposed station so as to provide remote chemical monitoring of the scene.

21. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a self-destruction device operably engaged with the transceiver module and configured to destroy the apparatus, the self-destruction device being further configured to be at least one of automatically activated and manually activated in response to a destruct command from the remotely disposed station received via the transceiver module.

22. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a gimbal mechanism operably engaged between the video capturing device and the housing, the gimbal mechanism being configured to at least one of pan, tilt, and rotate the video capturing device.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the gimbal mechanism is configured to rotate the video capturing device about the axis.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the gimbal mechanism is further configured to tilt the video capturing device over a range of between about 30 degrees below a horizontal plane and about 90 degrees above the horizontal plane.

25. An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the gimbal mechanism operably engages the transceiver module and is responsive to a movement command from the remotely disposed station received via the transceiver module.

26. An apparatus according to claim 22 further comprising a motion sensor device operably engaged with the gimbal mechanism, the gimbal mechanism being responsive to the motion sensor device to pan and tilt the video capturing device such that video data is captured where a motion is detected in the scene.

27. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a plurality of video capturing devices operably engaging the transceiver module, each video capturing device being configured to capture video data over a predetermined angular field of view, wherein the plurality of video capturing devices are disposed within the housing and configured so as to capture video data over a 360 degree field of view about the housing.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein each video capturing device is configured to capture video data over about a 90 degree field of view.

29. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising an antenna operably engaged with the transceiver module and adapted to facilitate wireless communication between the transceiver module and the remotely disposed station.

30. An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the housing at least partially comprises the antenna.

31. An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the antenna is disposed at least one of externally and internally to the housing.

32. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a tether operably engaged with the housing and configured to allow at least one of retrieval of the housing, movement of the housing, and positional adjustment of the housing following deployment of the apparatus.

33. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a sound source operably engaged with the housing and configured to emit sound.

34. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a launching mechanism capable of interacting with and deploying the apparatus.

36. A method according to claim 35 further comprising establishing a wireless communication link with the monitoring apparatus via the transceiver module prior to receiving video data of the scene.

37. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises a power source operably engaging at least one of the video capturing device and the transceiver module and the method further comprises actuating the video capturing device with the power source so as to initiate capturing of video data of the scene by the video capturing device.

38. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises a light source operably engaged with the transceiver module and the method further comprises actuating the light source so as to illuminate the scene.

39. A method according to claim 35 wherein the video capturing device is configured to be at least one of automatically focused and manually focused in response to a focus command from the remotely disposed station received via the transceiver module and the method further comprises focusing the video capturing device with respect to the scene.

40. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises a motion sensor operably engaged with the video capturing device and the method further comprises actuating the video capturing device upon detection by the motion sensor of a motion in the scene so as to initiate capturing of video data of the scene by the video capturing device.

41. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises an audio sensor operably engaged with the transceiver module and configured to capture audio data from the scene and the method further comprises receiving audio data of the scene at the remotely disposed station from the audio sensor via the transceiver module so as to facilitate remote aural monitoring of the scene.

42. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises a chemical sensor operably engaged with the transceiver module and configured to capture chemical composition data from the scene and the method further comprises receiving chemical composition data of the scene at the remotely disposed station from the chemical sensor via the transceiver module so as to facilitate remote chemical monitoring of the scene.

43. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises a self-destruction device operably engaged with the transceiver module and configured to be at least one of automatically activated and manually activated in response to a destruct command from the remotely disposed station received via the transceiver module and the method further comprises destroying the monitoring apparatus by activating the self-destruction device.

44. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises a gimbal mechanism operably engaged between the video capturing device and the housing and configured to at least one of pan, tilt, and rotate the video capturing device and the method further comprises panning and tilting the video capturing device with respect to the scene.

45. A method according to claim 44 wherein the gimbal mechanism is further configured to be manually actuated in response to a movement command from the remotely disposed station received via the transceiver module and the method further comprises actuating the gimbal mechanism from the remotely disposed station and via the transceiver module so as to pan and tilt the video capturing device with respect to the scene.

46. A method according to claim 44 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises a motion sensor operably engaged with the gimbal mechanism and the method further comprises actuating the gimbal mechanism so as to pan and tilt the video capturing device in response to the motion detector detecting a motion in the scene to thereby initiate capturing of video data by the video capturing device from where the motion is detected in the scene.

47. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises a plurality of video capturing devices operably engaging the transceiver module, with each video capturing device being configured to capture video data over a predetermined angular field of view, and disposed within the housing so as to capture video data over a 360 degree field of view about the housing and the method further comprises selectively actuating one of the video capturing devices so as to capture video data of the scene within the field of view of the actuated video capturing device.

48. A method according to claim 47 further comprising substantially simultaneously actuating the plurality of video capturing devices so as to capture video data of the scene over a 360 degree field of view about the housing.

49. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises an antenna operably engaged with the transceiver module and establishing a wireless communication link further comprises establishing a wireless communication link with the transceiver module of the monitoring apparatus via the antenna.

50. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises a launching mechanism capable of interacting therewith and deploying the monitoring apparatus to the scene further comprises deploying the monitoring apparatus to the scene with the launching mechanism.

51. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring apparatus further comprises a tether operably engaged with the housing and the method further comprises at least one of retrieving, moving, and positionally adjusting the monitoring apparatus with the tether following deployment of the monitoring apparatus to the scene.

35. A method of viewing a scene from a station disposed remotely thereto, said method comprising:

deploying a monitoring apparatus to the scene, the monitoring apparatus comprising a video capturing device and a transceiver module operably engaged therewith disposed within a self-righting ovate housing; and

receiving video data of the scene at the remotely disposed station from the video capturing device, the video data thereby providing a remote visual depiction of the scene.