Electronic observation post with communications relay

• US 6,072,524 A
• Filed: 04/07/1997
• Issued: 06/06/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Creekmore, Veron R., Davis, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Andy
• Application Number:
  US08/835,368
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 348/164, 348/144, 348/35
• US Class Current: 348/164
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/005 for forest fires, e.g. detecting fires spread over a large or outdoors area fire fighting forest fires A62C3/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18502 Airborne stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

This invention relates to an apparatus for observing objects and determining their position. A SIRPS (Staring Infrared Panoramic Sensor) for observing objects in a 360° field of view around the SIRPS is coupled with a GPS (global positioning system) to give position data for the objects observed by the SIRPS, an IMU (inertial measurement unit) which provides data on the attitude of the SIRPS and a transmitter to transmit the view of the objects and the position data to a user having a display showing him the objects and positions of the objects. The SIRPS, IMU, GPS and transmitter/receiver are combined in a pod which is placed in a position where it can have a large field of view such as by being flown over the area to be observed such as under a modified Rogollo wing tethered to the ground to hold it in position. A repeater will allow two way communications through the device which is in the air such that radio communications over barriers, such as hills, is enabled. A user receives the SIRPS images and displays them for viewing such that the user can then see objects and know their positions.

Claims

1. Apparatus for observing objects and providing position data thereon comprising:

a staring infrared panoramic sensor (SIRPS), including optics for providing real-time observation of objects, and electronics for providing electronic data related to the observed objects;

an inertial measuring unit (IMU) for determining an orientation of the SIRPS;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for determining a position of the SIRPS;

a link connection, connected to the SIRPS, the IMU and the GPS receiver, for combining signals from the IMU, GPS receiver and the SIRPS; and

a transmitter connected to the link connection to broadcast the signals from the IMU, GPS and SIRPS.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a communications repeater, connected to the link connection and adapted to enable communications between multiple users.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising an elevation mechanism adapted to support the apparatus in an elevated position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the elevation mechanism comprises a flying device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the flying device is a tethered, inflatable device having a Rogollo wing shape including means for pointing the device windward to enhance stability of the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a command receiver, connected to the SIRPS and adapted to receive command signals from a remote source to enable remote control of the SIRPS.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a display terminal, connected to the transmitter and adapted to display information regarding the objects observed by the optics.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the display terminal is adapted to display data relating to relative positions of the objects with respect to each other.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the display terminal is further adapted to display global positioning system coordinates of the objects.

10. A system for observing objects and providing positioning data thereon, the system comprising:

a housing;

a staring infrared panoramic sensor (SIRPS), including

optics for providing real-time observation of objects, and

electronics, enclosed in the housing and in communication with the optics for providing electronic data related to the observed objects;

an inertial measuring unit (IMU), enclosed in the housing, for determining orientation of the SIRPS;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, enclosed in the housing, for determining a position of the SIRPS;

a link connection, connected to the electronics, the IMU and the GPS receiver, for providing a communications link between the IMU, GPS receiver, and the SIRPS;

a transmitter connected to the link connection and adapted to broadcast signals from the IMU, GPS receiver and the SIRPS; and

a radio repeater, connected to the link connection, to relay messages through the link connection to enable communications between multiple users.

11. The system of claim 10, and further comprising an elevation mechanism connected to the optics and adapted to support the optics in an elevated position to provide a better view of the objects and enhanced broadcasting of signals from the transmitter.

12. The system of claim 10, and further comprising a command receiver, connected to the electronics and adapted to receive command messages from a remote source to enable remote control of the electronics.

13. The system of claim 10, and further comprising an elevation mechanism adapted to support the optics in an elevated position for a better view of the objects and enhanced signal broadcasting from the transmitter.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the elevation mechanism comprises a flying device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the flying device is a tethered, inflatable device having a Rogollo wing shape.