Self-Balancing Remote Sensing Device And Remote Sensing System Comprising Same

• US 20100194914A1
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenneth R. Jones
• Original Assignee: Kenneth R. Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Kenneth R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,035,734 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A self-balancing remote sensing device, and a system comprised of the remote sensing devices and one or more base stations, is provided for remotely monitoring both terrestrial and maritime environments. Specifically, a spherically-shaped self-balancing remote sensing device having one or more cameras and various sensors is provided, which may ascend and descend within the water column as desired, by altering its buoyancy, while maintaining proper orientation of the camera and sensors. Further, the remote sensing system comprised of the devices and base stations is provided, wherein the devices and base stations may form an ad hoc network, thereby greatly extending the range and coverage of the system. The devices, due to their small size, may be quickly and easily deployed using various vehicles, including flight vehicles, land-based vehicles, water craft, and subsurface water vehicles.

Claims

1. A self-balancing remote sensing device comprising:

(a) a hollow outer sphere, at least a portion of which is comprised of a transparent material, said sphere defining an interior portion;

(b) an inner structure disposed within the interior portion of the hollow outer sphere, the inner structure having three or more projections formed integral therewith or attached thereto, each of said projections having one or more races and/or ball bearings rollably disposed at or in an end of the projection, or a low friction surface formed at the end, so as to enable the inner structure to roll within the hollow outer sphere;

(c) a computer processor attached to and/or indirectly supported by the inner structure;

(d) a computer readable medium in communication with the computer processor;

(e) one or more of a video camera, digital camera, IR camera and thermal imaging camera in communication with the computer processor, said one or more cameras having a lens disposed adjacent a portion of the hollow outer sphere being comprised of a transparent material;

(f) a GPS receiver in communication with the computer processor;

(g) a transceiver in communication with the computer processor, said transceiver operable to wirelessly transmit photographic data, video images, geographic location data and sensed data; and

(h) a power supply in conductive communication with the computer processor,

wherein the inner structure is balanced such that the video camera and/or digital camera tends to rotate into an upright position by action of gravitational forces.

2. The self-balancing remote sensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

(h) one or more depth sensors in communication with the computer processor; and

(i) a buoyancy control means in direct or indirect attachment with the inner structure, and communication with the computer processor, said buoyancy control means operable to alter the buoyancy of the remote sensing device so as to cause the remote sensing device to descend or ascend in the water column.

3. The self-balancing remote sensing device of claim 2, wherein the buoyancy control means is comprised of:

(i) a chamber disposed within the interior portion of the hollow outer sphere, or formed integral with the hollow outer sphere;

(ii) a piston disposed within the chamber;

(iii) an actuator means in communication with the piston; and

(iv) a motor means in communication with the actuator means and computer processor, said motor means operable to actuate the actuate means upon command by the computer processor so as to drive the piston back and forth within the chamber to alter the buoyant volume of the remote sensing device, thereby altering the buoyancy of the device.

4. The self-balancing remote sensing device of claim 2, wherein the buoyancy control means is comprised of

(i) a chamber disposed within the interior portion of the hollow outer sphere, or formed integral with the hollow outer sphere;

(ii) a bellows disposed within the chamber;

(iii) an actuator means in communication with the bellows; and

(iv) a motor means in communication with the actuator means and computer processor, said motor means operable to actuate the actuator means upon command by the computer processor so as to extend and retract the bellows to alter the buoyant volume of the remote sensing device, thereby altering the buoyancy of the device.

5. The encapsulated remote sensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a valve disposed within or adjacent to the hollow outer sphere, said valve operable to permit flow of liquid and/or gases into and/or out of the hollow outer sphere,

wherein said valve is in communication with the computer processor.

6. The encapsulated remote sensing device of claim 4, wherein the actuator means is comprised of one or more of a screw jack, a linear actuator, and a scissor mechanism.

7. The encapsulated remote sensing device of claim 1, wherein the power supply is comprised of one or more of a battery and a fuel cell.

8. The encapsulated remote sensing device of claim 7, further comprising an inductive charging mechanism in communication with the power supply.

9. The encapsulated remote sensing device of claim 7, further comprising a piezoelectric device in conductive communication with the power supply, said piezoelectric device operable to recharge the power supply.

10. The encapsulated remote sensing device of claim 7, further comprising:

one or more solar panels disposed within the interior portion of the sphere adjacent the transparent portion thereof, said one or more solar panels in conductive communication with the power supply,

wherein the one or more solar panels are operable to recharge the power supply.

11. The encapsulated remote sensing device of claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors selected from acoustic, chemical, radiation, motion detector, neutron, light meter, temperature, and pressure sensors,

wherein said sensors are in communication with the computer processor so as to transmit sensed data thereto.

12. The encapsulated remote sensing device of claim 1, further comprising one or more illumination devices in communication with the computer processor and power supply, the illumination devices selected from an LED, IR LED, an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent bulb, and an electro-photo luminescent device.

13. The encapsulated remote sensing device of claim 1, wherein the one or more cameras are rotatable or tiltable, and/or the lens is zoomable, and wherein the one or more cameras further comprise a video/photo control means in communication with the lens and/or camera, said video/photo control means capable of controlling the movement of the one or more cameras and/or the zooming of the lenses thereof.

14. The remote sensing device of claim 2, further comprising a mobile computer program product stored on the computer readable storage medium, said computer program product embodying computer usable program code for receiving and processing data received by one or more of the cameras and sensors, said computer program product operable to:

(a) receive one or more of video, photographic, geographic and sensed data;

(b) execute commands stored on the computer readable storage medium; and

(c) transmit commands to one or more of the cameras, sensors, buoyancy control means, illumination devices and valve.

15. The remote sensing device of claim 11, further comprising a mobile computer program product stored on the computer readable storage medium, said computer program product embodying computer usable program code for receiving and processing data received by one or more of the cameras and sensors, said computer program product operable to:

(a) receive one or more of video, photographic, geographic and sensed data;

(b) execute commands stored on the computer readable storage medium; and

(c) transmit commands to one or more of the cameras, sensors, buoyancy control means, illumination devices and valve.

16. The remote sensing device of claim 14, wherein the mobile computer program product is further operable to:

(d) receive external commands;

(e) authenticate received external commands;

(f) execute external commands.

17. The remote sensing device of claim 14, wherein the mobile computer program product is further operable to receive and store data received from other remote sensing devices, and transmit same in peer-to-peer communications, thereby forming an ad hoc network of remote sensing devices.

18. The remote sensing device of claim 14, wherein the mobile computer program product is further operable to delete stored data upon determination of one or more predefined parameters or upon receipt of an authenticated external command, and/or transmit an open/close command to the valve so as to permit inflow or outflow of gases and/or liquids.

19. The remote sensing device of claim 14, wherein the mobile computer program product is further operable to synchronize data with a network or system of devices and base stations by transmitting one or more of video, photographic, geographic and sensed data to an external source.

20. A remote sensing system comprising:

(a) one or more remote sensing devices; and

(b) one or more stationary and/or mobile base stations, each base station comprising;

(i) a central computer processor;

(ii) a central computer readable database in communication with the central computer processor; and

(iii) a wireless communication means in communication with the central computer processor,

wherein each base station is operable to receive one or more of video, photographic, geographic and sensor data transmitted from one or more of the remote sensing devices.

21. The remote sensing system of claim 20, further comprising a video display means in communication with the central computer processor.

22. The remote sensing system of claim 20, further comprising a base computer program product stored on the central computer readable database embodying computer usable program code for managing data received from one or more of the base stations and/or from one or more of the remote sensing devices, said computer program product operable to:

receive, at the base station, one or more of video, photographic, acoustic and geographic data transmitted from one or more of the remote sensing devices; and

display, on the video display coupled with the central computer processor, a graphical user interface for a user, wherein the graphical user interface provides;

a) a display for displaying the video, photographic, acoustic and/or the geographical data.

23. The remote sensing system of claim 20, wherein the computer program product is further operable to enable transmission of user commands to one or more of the remote sensing devices, said user commands comprised of one or more of:

(a) buoyancy commands operable to actuate the motor means so as to alter the buoyancy of the remote sensing devices;

(b) sensor commands operable to activate and/or deactivate one or more of the video camera, photographic camera and acoustic sensor; and

(c) data commands operable to command the remote sensing device computer processor to transmit data to the central base station.

24. The remote sensing system of claim 20, wherein the computer program product is further operable to receive and store data received from remote sensing devices and/or other base stations, and transmit same in peer-to-peer communications, thereby forming an ad hoc network of remote sensing devices and base stations.

25. The remote sensing system of claim 20, wherein the mobile computer program product is further operable to synchronize data with a network or system of devices and base stations by transmitting one or more of video, photographic, geographic and sensed data to an external source.

26. A remote sensing system comprising:

(a) one or more self-balancing remote sensing devices comprising;

(I) a hollow outer sphere, at least a portion of which is comprised of a transparent material, said sphere defining an interior portion;

(ii) an inner structure disposed within the interior portion of the hollow outer sphere, the inner structure having three or more projections formed integral therewith or attached thereto, each of said projections having one or more races and/or ball bearings rollably disposed at or in an end of the projection so as to enable the inner structure to roll within the hollow outer sphere;

(iii) a computer processor attached to and/or indirectly supported by the inner structure;

(iv) a computer readable medium in communication with the computer processor;

(v) a video camera and/or digital camera in communication with the computer processor, said video camera and/or digital camera having a lens disposed adjacent a portion of the hollow outer sphere being comprised of a transparent material;

(vi) a GPS receiver in communication with the computer processor;

(vii) a transceiver in communication with the computer processor, said transceiver operable to wirelessly transmit photographic and/or video images and geographic location data; and

(viii) a power supply in conductive communication with the computer processor,

wherein the inner structure is balanced such that the video camera and/or digital camera tends to rotate into an upright position by action of gravitational forces; and

(b) one or more stationary and/or mobile base stations, each base station comprising;

(I) a central computer processor;

(ii) a computer readable database in communication with the central computer processor; and

(iii) a wireless communication means in communication with the central computer processor,

wherein each base station is operable to receive one or more of video, photographic, geographic and sensed data transmitted from one or more of the remote sensing devices.