Terrestrial crittercam system

• US 20050162279A1
• Filed: 07/16/2004
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: National Geographic Society
• Original Assignee: National Geographic Society
• Inventors: Bakhtiari, Mehdi, Rasch, David John, Marshall, Gregory John
• Application Number:
  US10/892,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20050162279A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.200
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/008 incorporating GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating

Abstract

A method and apparatus for remotely monitoring wild animals in their natural habitat, having a remote monitoring device that is attached to a subject animal, the remote monitoring device having various components such as a video camera, a temperature sensor, a microphone, and a transmitter to wirelessly transmit gathered data to a base station to give scientists a better way to observe the subject animals'"'"' behavior in its natural environment with minimal human disturbance.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a securing device having a release mechanism;

a data acquisition unit attached to the securing device, the unit configured to collect audio, video, and/or telemetry data;

a data transmission unit for receiving data from the data acquisition unit and transmitting the data;

a battery for providing power to at least the data acquisition unit and data transmission unit.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the securing device includes a transceiver for receiving a remote signal.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the securing device includes a remotely releasable hinge and the transceiver triggers the release of the hinge.

4. The securing device of claim 1 wherein the data transmission unit transmits a signal at a frequency of about 450 mhz.

5. The securing device of claim 1 wherein the data acquisition unit and the battery pack are located at opposite sides of the securing device.

6. The securing device of claim 5 wherein the battery is heavier than the data acquisition unit.

7. The system of claim 1 comprising a receiver for receiving transmissions from the data transmission unit.

8. The system of claim 1 comprising at least one repeater for receiving and retransmitting a signal from the data transmission unit.