Data Collection Method and Apparatus
First Claim
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1. A main assembly comprising:
- a. an exterior housing having a width, a length, and a height, wherein said exterior housing comprises;
i. an inlet formed at a first end of said exterior housing, wherein said inlet is formed along said height of said exterior housing;
ii. an outlet formed at said first end of said exterior housing, wherein said outlet is formed along said height of said exterior housing;
iii. a slope formed on a second end of said exterior housing, wherein said slope is formed along said height of said exterior housing, and wherein said main assembly is oriented such that said slope provides a leading edge for said main assembly;
b. an interior member positioned within said exterior housing, said interior member comprising;
i. a first side wall generally parallel with respect to said height of said exterior housing;
ii. a second side wall generally parallel with respect to said first side wall;
iii. a top wall extending from a top portion of said first side wall to a top portion of said second side wall, wherein said top wall is generally parallel with respect to said width of said exterior housing, and wherein a first volume defined by said first and second side walls and said top wall forms a main sensing chamber;
iv. an exhaust fan housing formed in a portion of said interior member, wherein said exhaust fan housing is positioned adjacent said outlet of said exterior housing, said exhaust fan housing comprising;
1. a first side wall generally parallel with said first side wall of said interior member;
2. a second side wall generally parallel with said second side wall of said interior member, wherein said second side wall of said exhaust fan housing is positioned between said first and second side walls of said interior member;
3. an end wall connecting a first end of said first side wall with a first end of said second side wall, wherein said end wall is positioned opposite said outlet of said exterior housing, and wherein said exhaust fan housing is in fluid communication with said outlet of said exterior housing;
4. a top wall engaged with said first, second, and end walls, wherein said top wall is formed with a fan inlet;
5. a fan positioned in said exhaust fan housing, wherein said fan is oriented to direct ambient air out of said interior member through said outlet of said exterior housing and into said exhaust fan housing through said fan inlet;
v. an entrance zone positioned adjacent said inlet of said exterior housing, wherein a width of said entrance zone is defined by a distance between said first side wall of said interior member and said second side wall of said exhaust fan housing.
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Abstract
An illustrative embodiment of a data collection method and apparatus comprises at least one sensor that may be configured as a mobile data collection apparatus, which sensor may be in communication with a controller. The data collection apparatus may include one or more sensors, including but not limited to air pressure, air humidity, air temperature, road surface temperature, lightning distance, light level, precipitation rate, ozone level, carbon dioxide level, nitrous oxide level, and methane level; all of which may be in communication with a controller. One or more sensors may be positioned on or within a main assembly.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A main assembly comprising:
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a. an exterior housing having a width, a length, and a height, wherein said exterior housing comprises; i. an inlet formed at a first end of said exterior housing, wherein said inlet is formed along said height of said exterior housing; ii. an outlet formed at said first end of said exterior housing, wherein said outlet is formed along said height of said exterior housing; iii. a slope formed on a second end of said exterior housing, wherein said slope is formed along said height of said exterior housing, and wherein said main assembly is oriented such that said slope provides a leading edge for said main assembly; b. an interior member positioned within said exterior housing, said interior member comprising; i. a first side wall generally parallel with respect to said height of said exterior housing; ii. a second side wall generally parallel with respect to said first side wall; iii. a top wall extending from a top portion of said first side wall to a top portion of said second side wall, wherein said top wall is generally parallel with respect to said width of said exterior housing, and wherein a first volume defined by said first and second side walls and said top wall forms a main sensing chamber; iv. an exhaust fan housing formed in a portion of said interior member, wherein said exhaust fan housing is positioned adjacent said outlet of said exterior housing, said exhaust fan housing comprising; 1. a first side wall generally parallel with said first side wall of said interior member; 2. a second side wall generally parallel with said second side wall of said interior member, wherein said second side wall of said exhaust fan housing is positioned between said first and second side walls of said interior member; 3. an end wall connecting a first end of said first side wall with a first end of said second side wall, wherein said end wall is positioned opposite said outlet of said exterior housing, and wherein said exhaust fan housing is in fluid communication with said outlet of said exterior housing; 4. a top wall engaged with said first, second, and end walls, wherein said top wall is formed with a fan inlet; 5. a fan positioned in said exhaust fan housing, wherein said fan is oriented to direct ambient air out of said interior member through said outlet of said exterior housing and into said exhaust fan housing through said fan inlet; v. an entrance zone positioned adjacent said inlet of said exterior housing, wherein a width of said entrance zone is defined by a distance between said first side wall of said interior member and said second side wall of said exhaust fan housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A main assembly comprising:
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a. an exterior housing having a length, a width and a height, wherein said exterior housing is formed with an inlet and an outlet; b. a base engaged with said exterior housing; c. an interior member engaged with said base, wherein said interior member is positioned between said base and said exterior housing, wherein said interior member is configured with a main sensing chamber, and wherein a primary circuitry is engaged with said interior member; and
,d. a temperature/humidity sensor positioned in said main sensing chamber, wherein said temperature/humidity sensor is in communication with said primary circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A data collection method comprising the steps:
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a. engaging main assembly with an upwardly facing surface of a vehicle, wherein said main assembly comprises; i. an exterior housing having a width, a length, and a height, wherein said exterior housing comprises; 1. an inlet formed at a first end of said exterior housing, wherein said inlet is formed along said height of said exterior housing; 2. an outlet formed at said first end of said exterior housing, wherein said outlet is formed along said height of said exterior housing; 3. a slope formed on a second end of said exterior housing, wherein said slope is formed along said height of said exterior housing, and wherein said main assembly is oriented such that said slope provides a leading edge for said main assembly; ii. an interior member positioned within said exterior housing, said interior member comprising; 1. a first side wall generally parallel with respect to said height of said exterior housing; 2. a second side wall generally parallel with respect to said first side wall; 3. a top wall extending from a top portion of said first side wall to a top portion of said second side wall, wherein said top wall is generally parallel with respect to said width of said exterior housing, and wherein a first volume defined by said first and second side walls and said top wall forms a main sensing chamber; 4. a primary circuitry positioned on an exterior surface of said top wall; 5. an exhaust fan housing formed in a portion of said interior member, wherein said exhaust fan housing is positioned adjacent said outlet of said exterior housing, said exhaust fan housing comprising; a. a first side wall generally parallel with said first side wall of said interior member; b. a second side wall generally parallel with said second side wall of said interior member, wherein said second side wall of said exhaust fan housing is positioned between said first and second side walls of said interior member; c. an end wall connecting a first end of said first side wall with a first end of said second side wall, wherein said end wall is positioned opposite said outlet of said exterior housing, and wherein said exhaust fan housing is in fluid communication with said outlet of said exterior housing; d. a top wall engaged with said first, second, and end walls, wherein said top wall is formed with a fan inlet; e. a fan positioned in said exhaust fan housing, wherein said fan is oriented to direct ambient air out of said interior member through said outlet of said exterior housing and into said exhaust fan housing through said fan inlet; 6. an entrance zone positioned adjacent said inlet of said exterior housing, wherein a width of said entrance zone is defined by a distance between said first side wall of said interior member and said second side wall of said exhaust fan housing; iii. allowing a controller in to communicate with said primary circuitry; iv. an air temperature sensor positioned within said main assembly, wherein said air temperature sensor is in communication with said controller; b. programming said controller to cause said air temperature sensor to take a measurement at a specific time interval; c. engaging a precipitation sensor with an exterior surface of said top wall of said exterior housing; d. programming said controller to cause said precipitation sensor to take a measurement at a specific time interval; and
,e. allowing said controller to communicate with an existing telematics unit within said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification