Atmospheric and Chemical Monitoring Techniques

• US 20140070943A1
• Filed: 03/31/2013
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Application Number:
  US13/854,099
• Publication Number:
  US 20140070943A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/015 Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/829 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/853 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 : for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 : monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 : including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 : responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 : responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 : responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 : using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 : using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 : using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 : Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 : responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 : specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/433 : using reflection from the obstruction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/516 : for trucks or trailers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/542 : Roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 : Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/42 : Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 : Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 : using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 : Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1672 : using sonic detecting means, e.g. a microphone operating in the audio frequency range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/12 : responsive to undesired emission of substances, e.g. pollution alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 : using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

Monitoring method and arrangement includes sensor systems arranged at different locations and that detect or measure a property of air at its location, at least one of which is situated on a fixed asset, a monitoring facility, and a communication system coupled to each sensor system and which generates a signal indicative of data provided by the sensor system and sends the signal to the monitoring facility. Data provided by the sensor systems and sent via the communication system is analyzed at the monitoring facility in association with a location of each sensor system, provided for example, by a location determining system associated with each sensor system or the communication system. An alert system may be coupled to the monitoring facility and generates an alert based on the data analysis. One or more of the sensor systems may be incorporated into a cell phone or personal digital assistant.

Claims

1. A monitoring arrangement, comprising:

a plurality of sensor systems, each arranged at a different location, each of said sensor systems being configured to detect or measure a property of air at its location, at least one of said sensor systems being situated on a fixed asset;

a monitoring facility; and

a communication system coupled to each sensor system and configured to generate a signal indicative of data provided by said sensor system and send the signal to said remote monitoring facility;

data provided by said sensor systems and sent via said communication system being analyzed at said monitoring facility in association with a location of each of said sensor systems.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising an alert system coupled to said monitoring facility and that generates an alert based on the analysis of the data by said monitoring facility.

3. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a location determining system associated with each of said sensor systems, said communication system being configured to transmit the location of each of said sensor systems with the data provided by each of said sensor systems.

4. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a location determining system associated with said communication system, said communication system being configured to transmit its location with the data provided by each of said sensor systems.

5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sensor systems is configured to detect or measure presence of a pollutant in the air.

6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sensor systems is configured to detect or measure presence of radioactivity in the air.

7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sensor systems is configured to detect or measure presence of bacteria in the air.

8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said sensor systems are separated from one another to cover an area being monitored.

9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sensor systems is incorporated into a cell phone or personal digital assistant.

10. A monitoring method, comprising:

arranging a plurality of sensor systems at different locations, at least one of the sensor systems being arranged on a fixed asset;

detecting or measuring a property of air by means of the sensor systems;

coupling a communication system to each sensor system;

generating a signal indicative of data provided by the sensor system and sending the signal to a remote monitoring facility using the communication system; and

analyzing data provided by the sensor systems and sent via the communication system at the monitoring facility in association with a location of each of the sensor systems.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising generating an alert based on the analysis of the data by the monitoring facility.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting the location of each sensor system with the data provided by each sensor system via the communication system.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting the location of the communication system with the data provided by each sensor system via the communication system.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising arranging the sensor systems at a fixed distance from a common asset.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the sensor systems is incorporated into a cell phone or personal digital assistant.

16. A chemical monitoring arrangement, comprising:

a plurality of mobile sensor systems, each of said sensor systems being configured to detect or measure presence of a chemical, at least one of said sensor systems is integrated with a cell phone or personal digital assistant (PDA); and

a communication system coupled to each sensor system and configured to generate a signal indicative of data provided by said sensor systems about presence of the chemical and send the signal to a remote monitoring facility,

data provided by said sensor systems and sent via said communication system being analyzed at the monitoring facility in association with a location of each of said sensor systems.

17. The arrangement of claim 16, further comprising an alert system coupled to said monitoring facility and that generates an alert based on the analysis of the data by said monitoring facility.

18. The arrangement of claim 16, wherein each of said sensor systems is integrated with a respective cell phone or PDA.

19. The arrangement of claim 16, wherein the monitoring facility is separate and apart from said sensor systems.

20. The arrangement of claim 16, further comprising a location determining system associated with each of said sensor systems, data provided by said sensor systems and sent via said communication system being analyzed at the monitoring facility in association with a location of each of said sensor systems provided by said location determining system associated with each of said sensor systems.