Method and apparatus for collecting, processing and displaying ultraviolet radiation data

• US 4,975,584 A
• Filed: 03/29/1989
• Issued: 12/04/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mountain SEAN
• Original Assignee: Mountain SEAN
• Inventors: Benjamin, Thomas L., Robillard, Jean J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannaher, Constantine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eisenberg, Jacob M.
• Application Number:
  US07/329,961
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 250/372, 250/339, 250/340, 250/227.11, 340/600
• US Class Current: 250/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/06 using light
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0219 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/04 Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0425 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4228 arrangements with two or more detectors, e.g. for sensitivity compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/429 applied to measurement of ultraviolet light using counting tubes G01T
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/4242 Modulated light, e.g. for synchronizing source and detector circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/4276 Solar energy integrator over time

Abstract

A system for public display of ultraviolet radiation levels wherein said radiation is collected and measured by one or several optical collectors or sensor assemblies at remote sensing stations. Optical fibers receive and then convey the radiation of the sun through a filter and onto a photovoltaic sensor, measuring the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation. An electrical signal proportional to the ultraviolet radiation is produced with the signal being amplified and either used directly as analog data or converted to a digital signal for the modulation of a radio transceiver. The signal is transmitted to a transceiver of a central data processing station, where it is processed. The processed signal is retransmitted to a receiver in which the processed signal carrier is demodulated and the signal fed to a display station providing the level of exposure to the public.

Claims

1. An ultraviolet radiation detection and display system, comprising in combination:

at least one sensing station located at a selected site having ultraviolet radiation sensing means for collecting ultraviolet radiation and producing information in the form of an analog signal proportional to the level of ultraviolet radiation, first microcomputer means for storing said analog signal and having the capability of averaging radiation levels collected over a period of time and for converting said signal to a digital signal, and first transceiver means for transmitting said digital signal and for receiving transmitted input signals;

a central station having second transceiver means for transmitting input signals to the sensing station and receiving said digital signal from said sensing station, second microcomputer means for processing said digital signal received from said sensing station and having the capability of averaging the information carried by said digital signal with information received from multiple sensing stations, and second transceiver means for further transmitting said processed digital signal; and

a display station having display means for displaying information indicative of the level of ultraviolet radiation sensed at said sensing station, a receiver for receiving said digital signal from said central station, and third microcomputer means for controlling the display means for displaying said information in a predesigned format.

2. The ultraviolet radiation detection and display system of claim 1 wherein said means for sensing ultraviolet radiation includes a spherically-shaped dome, a plurality of optical fibers perpendicular to and connected at the surface of said dome for conveying said ultraviolet radiation to a predetermined location, a filter mounted at said predetermined location, said filter allowing only ultraviolet rays to pass, and means for converting ultraviolet radiation passed through said filter into signals proportional thereto.