Internet linked environmental data collection system and method
First Claim
1. An airship for low altitude applications comprising:
- (a) a remote controlled lighter-than-air platform having a data acquisition means and a telecommunications device for transmitting data from said data acquisition means;
(b) a ground proximity system for providing distance information between the ground and said remote controlled lighter-than-air platform said ground proximity system communicating with said telecommunications device for transmitting data to a remote location;
(c) propulsion means for propelling said remote controlled lighter-than-air platform;
(d) a buoyancy control system to maintain said remote controlled lighter-than-air at a predetermined altitude; and
(e) a computer at a remote location for controlling the operation of said data acquisition means, said propulsion means and said buoyancy control system in response to said distance information provided by said ground proximity system.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An environmental data collection system and method is provided having an internet link for providing an additional level of security for a remotely controlled data collection platform having a security alarm for protecting the platform and the environmental subject of the study. A novel lighter-than-air platform having a novel snorkel for detachably securing, mooring and providing buoyancy control is provided for the collection of data in the form of real time audio and video linked to the internet and subscribers. The novel snorkel is flexible and retractable into the novel airship to provide remote buoyancy control of the airship together with silently operating electrical motors for allowing the novel airship to be remotely controlled and moved at will to track and monitor wildlife and make environmental measurements necessary for the protection of the environment, wildlife and the operation of the novel airship. Detachable securing means provide an anti-tethering feature of the novel airship and allow the collection of data from both, an aerial perspective and a ground perspective, while providing for the collection of data from either the surface of the earth or below the surface of the water while transmitting the data to scientists, environmentalists and subscribers through the internet.
105 Citations
53 Claims
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1. An airship for low altitude applications comprising:
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(a) a remote controlled lighter-than-air platform having a data acquisition means and a telecommunications device for transmitting data from said data acquisition means;
(b) a ground proximity system for providing distance information between the ground and said remote controlled lighter-than-air platform said ground proximity system communicating with said telecommunications device for transmitting data to a remote location;
(c) propulsion means for propelling said remote controlled lighter-than-air platform;
(d) a buoyancy control system to maintain said remote controlled lighter-than-air at a predetermined altitude; and
(e) a computer at a remote location for controlling the operation of said data acquisition means, said propulsion means and said buoyancy control system in response to said distance information provided by said ground proximity system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An airship comprising:
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(a) a lighter-than-air aircraft;
(b) a detachable anchor means for controlling positive buoyancy to maintain said lighter-than-air aircraft at a predetermined maximum altitude;
(c) a ballast ballonet for controlling negative buoyancy to maintain said lighter-than-air aircraft at a predetermined minimum altitude;
(d) a ground proximity system for providing distance information between the ground and said lighter-than-air aircraft; and
(e) a ballast release mechanism for maintaining said lighter-than-air aircraft in a position intermediate said predetermined maximum altitude and said predetermined minimum altitude. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A remote controlled untethered airship comprising:
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(a) a lighter-than-air aircraft;
(b) a ground proximity system for providing distance information between the ground and said lighter-than-air aircraft;
(c) propulsion means for propelling said lighter-than-air aircraft;
(d) a buoyancy control system to maintain said lighter-than-air aircraft at a predetermined altitude;
(e) a telecommunications device for transmitting distance information between the ground and said lighter-than-air aircraft; and
(f) a computer for controlling the operation of said buoyancy control system and said propulsion means in response to said distance information provided by said ground proximity system. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification