Microprocessor and microcontroller stabilized geophysical instruments

• US 6,577,978 B1
• Filed: 03/22/1999
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sensors & Software Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sensors & Software Inc.
• Inventors: Annan, Alexander Peter, Leggatt, Charles David
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Charioui, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US09/273,460
• Time in Patent Office: 1,541 Days
• Field of Search: 702/104, 702/33, 702/115, 702/116, 702/56, 702/57, 702/58, 702/86, 702/93, 702/99, 737/66, 737/08, 738/62
• US Class Current: 702/104
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/16 Receiving elements for seismic signals; Arrangements or adaptations of receiving elements

Abstract

This patent embodies the concept of embedding a microprocessor or micro-controller, associated environment sensing transducers, and compensation elements, into every sensor or actuator element of a system which will allow monitoring of the conditions which affect the sensor performance and then provide a means of compensating for such effect.

Claims

1. An embedded control system for monitoring changing environment conditions for a use selected from a group consisting of agriculture, airports, archeology, biocounting, bridges, building inspection, concrete, conveyer belts, dams, environmental, forensics/police, geotechnical, gravel pits, graveyard, groundwater, hydro/nuclear power, ice/snow, lake/river, military, mining, pipe/sewer, quarries, railroads, real estate, roads, security/customs immigration, smelters, treasure mapping, trenchless technology, tunneling, utility/pipes and wood inspection, comprising:

(a) a microprocessor having a means for modification and compensation to said changing environments;

(b) at least one transducer for detecting and emitting signals from said changing environment;

(c) sensors for detecting or emitting responses;

wherein said microprocessor monitors said signals emitted from said at least one transducer, and said means for modification and compensation to said changing environments modifies and compensates said responses from said sensors thereby compensating for said changing environment and rendering said responses from said sensors invariant and maintained.

2. An embedded control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said microprocessor can be re-programmed or possesses learning capabilities.

3. An embedded control system as claimed in claim 2 wherein signals emitted from said at least one transducer are digitally modified.

4. An embedded control system as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said signals emitted from at least one transducer are modified using analog control.

5. An embedded control system as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said embedded control system is coordinated using digital interprocess communication.

6. An embedded control system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising a master processor or independent computer for coordination of said embedded control system.

7. An embedded control system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said responses from said sensors are modified by digital control.

8. An invariant sensor for a response to a desired target selected from a group consisting of agriculture, airports, archeology, biocounting, bridges, building inspection, concrete, conveyer belts, dams, environmental, forensics/police, geotechnical, gravel pits, graveyard, groundwater, hydro/nuclear power, ice/snow, lake/river, military, mining, pipe/sewer, quarries, railroads, real estate, roads, security/customs immigration, smelters, treasure mapping, trenchless technology, tunneling, utility/pipes and wood inspection, in changing environments comprising:

(c) a microprocessor having a means for response modification to said changing environments;

(d) multiple auxiliary monitoring transducers for detecting and emitting an output signal from said changing environment;

wherein said microprocessor monitors said output signal from said multiple transducers and said means for response modification to said changing environment modifies said response to said desired target.

9. An invariant sensor as claimed in claim 8 wherein said microprocessor is re-programmable.

10. An invariant sensor as claimed in claim 9 wherein a dynamic algorithm is embedded for said desired target.

11. An invariant sensor as claimed in claim 8 wherein said output signal is modified by the digital modification of an electric stream for said desired target.

12. An invariant sensor as claimed in claim 8 wherein said output signal is modified by adjustment to an analog signal path of said desired target.

13. An invariant sensor as claimed in claim 8 wherein multiple microprocessors are connected to multiple sensors by a series of communication links yielding said responses invariant to a desired target.