Autonomous tracking wireless imaging sensor network including an articulating sensor and automatically organizing network nodes
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of collecting data in a sensor network, comprising:
- automatically organizing a plurality of network elements including a plurality of nodes locally disposed among an environment and at least one remote client system, wherein the organizing includes automatically coupling and configuring the plurality of nodes for self-assembly and further includes coupling and controlling a flow of information among the network elements, and wherein at least one of the plurality of nodes includes an articulating sensor;
remotely controlling at least one function of the plurality of nodes;
detecting a target in the environment using at least one sensor of the plurality of nodes in addition to the articulating sensor;
tracking the target using the articulating sensor; and
collecting and transferring data associated with the target to the remote client system.
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Abstract
A wireless integrated network sensor (WINS) system is provided that integrates articulating tracking systems with WINS network components including visual or infrared sensors and imaging devices to enable precise tracking and targeting of objects moving through a sensor field or past a single integrated sensing and targeting unit. Further, arrays of sensors together with local signal processing are used to trigger cameras and tracking systems, and to provide an alternative location capability for improved robustness. The system is self-configuring and remotely controllable, and enables remote systems and operators to query for collected data, including sensory and image data, and control the system in response to the collected data.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of collecting data in a sensor network, comprising:
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automatically organizing a plurality of network elements including a plurality of nodes locally disposed among an environment and at least one remote client system, wherein the organizing includes automatically coupling and configuring the plurality of nodes for self-assembly and further includes coupling and controlling a flow of information among the network elements, and wherein at least one of the plurality of nodes includes an articulating sensor; remotely controlling at least one function of the plurality of nodes; detecting a target in the environment using at least one sensor of the plurality of nodes in addition to the articulating sensor; tracking the target using the articulating sensor; and collecting and transferring data associated with the target to the remote client system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 11. A sensor network comprising a plurality of nodes, wherein the plurality of nodes are coupled to communicate with at least one remote system via at least one coupling with components of a wide area network, wherein the nodes automatically organize to form the sensor network in response to information communicated among the nodes, wherein the automatic organizing comprises automatically coupling and configuring the nodes to form the sensor network and automatically controlling data transfer, processing, and storage within the sensor network, wherein functions of the nodes are remotely controllable and programmable via internetworking among the nodes.
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15. A sensor node comprising:
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at least one processor coupled to at least one communication device, wherein the at least one processor automatically couples the sensor node to and configures the sensor node among a plurality of network elements and automatically controls communication with and control of a flow of information among the network elements, wherein the network elements couple among an environment and at least one remote client system to support remote controllability of the sensor node via the remote client system; and at least one articulating sensor coupled to the at least one processor to track detected targets. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification