Method, apparatus, and system for assessing conditions

• US 7,191,097 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Government of the United States of America
• Original Assignee: Government of the United States of America
• Inventors: Hornsby-Myers, Jennifer L., Lee, Larry Alan, Soderholm, Sidney C., Flemmer, Michael, Gali, Ramesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Assouad; Patrick J.
• Application Number:
  US10/815,111
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/02 Agriculture; Fishing; Forestry; Mining
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/08 Construction

Abstract

Real-time condition data indicative of conditions is collected from at least one sensor at a particular location or from a plurality of sensors at different locations over time. The data collected from different locations is time-synchronized to produce data indicative of conditions at the different locations at one or more times. Real-time position data indicative of the location(s) of the sensor(s) are also collected over time. The collected real-time condition data are correlated with the collected real-time position data to produce correlated data indicative of conditions at the one or more locations over time. At least a portion of the collected and correlated data is analyzed to determine conditions at the one or more locations over time.

Claims

1. A method for assessing conditions, comprising the steps of:

collecting real-time condition data indicative of conditions from at least one sensor at a particular location;

collecting real-time position data indicative of the location of the sensor;

repeating the steps of collecting the real-time condition data and the real-time position data over time at one or more locations;

correlating the collected real-time condition data with the collected real-time position data to produce correlated data indicative of conditions at the one or more locations over time; and

analyzing the correlated data to determine conditions at the one or more locations over time and to produce data indicative of the accuracy of the collected position data.

2. A method for assessing conditions, comprising the steps of:

collecting real-time condition data indicative of conditions from at least one sensor at a particular location;

collecting real-time position data indicative of the location of the sensor;

repeating the steps of collecting the real-time condition data and the real-time position data over time at one or more locations;

correlating the collected real-time condition data with the collected real-time position data to produce correlated data indicative of conditions at the one or more locations over time; and

correcting the position data.

3. A method for assessing conditions, comprising the steps of:

collecting real-time condition data indicative of conditions from at least one sensor at a particular location;

collecting real-time position data indicative of the location of the sensor;

repeating the steps of collecting the real-time condition data and the real-time position data over time at one or more locations;

correlating the collected real-time condition data with the collected real-time position data to produce correlated data indicative of conditions at the one or more locations over time; and

correcting the position data in real-time with differential global positioning system (DGPS) data received using telemetry or with data received using a wide area augmentation system (WAAS).

4. An apparatus for generating data indicative of conditions, comprising:

at least one sensor for collecting real-time condition data indicative of conditions at a particular location;

a receiver for collecting real-time position data indicative of the location of the sensor, wherein the real-time condition data and the real-time position data are collected at one or more locations over time;

a correlator for correlating the collected real-time condition data with the collected real-time position data to produce correlated data indicative of conditions at the one or more locations over time, and a means for correcting the position data.

5. An apparatus for generating data indicative of conditions, comprising:

at least one sensor for collecting real-time condition data indicative of conditions at a particular location;

a receiver for collecting real-time position data indicative of the location of the sensor, wherein the real-time condition data and the real-time position data are collected at one or more locations over time;

a correlator for correlating the collected real-time condition data with the collected real-time position data to produce correlated data indicative of conditions at the one or more locations over time; and

a means for correcting the position data including a telemetry receiver that receives differential global positioning system (DGPS) data or means for receiving correction data using a wide area augmentation system (WAAS) for correcting the position data in real time.

6. An apparatus for analyzing data indicative of conditions, comprising:

a receiver for receiving data including real-time condition data indicative of conditions collected from at least one sensor at a particular location correlated with real-time position data indicative of the location of the sensor, wherein the condition data and the position data are collected at one or more locations over time; and

a processor for analyzing the received data to determine conditions at the one or more locations over time, wherein the processor produces data indicative of the accuracy of the collected position data.