Sensor network and method for monitoring a terrain

• US 7,564,408 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2006
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Diehl Stiftung & Company KG (Diehl VA Systeme Stiftung & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: Diehl Stiftung & Company KG (Diehl VA Systeme Stiftung & Company KG)
• Inventors: Kalisch, Peter, Esser, Gerd, Glockler, Roman
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mull; Fred H
• Application Number:
  US11/542,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20070080863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 342463-465, 709/218, 709/232, 709238-253
• US Class Current: 342/463
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19641 Multiple cameras having overlapping views on a single scene
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1966 Wireless systems, other than telephone systems, used to communicate with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19669 Event triggers storage or change of storage policy
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/22 Provisions facilitating manual calibration, e.g. input or output provisions for testing; Holding of intermittent values to permit measurement

Abstract

A sensor network (1) as well as a method for monitoring a terrain (6) is specified. The sensor network (1) has a number of fixed-position sensors (3, 3′, 3″), which can be deployed in the terrain (6), and at least one programming module (25), with the fixed-position sensors (3, 3′, 3″) each being equipped with a communication device, with the at least one programming module having a position-finding device and a programming device (25), in which case the position of the sensors (3, 3′, 3″) can be determined by the position-finding device and can in each case be applied to the sensors (3, 3′, 3″) by the programming device (25) via the communication device, and with the sensors (3, 3′, 3″) being designed such that they themselves form a network. The sensor network (1) as well as the method, which is carried out in a manner corresponding to it, for monitoring the terrain (6) require sensors (3, 3′, 3″) of simple design, and are thus associated with a cost advantage.

Claims

1. A sensor network (1) having a plurality of fixed-position sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

), which is deployable in a terrain (6), for monitoring-relevant parameters,

having at least one programming module, said mobile programming module being a component of a self-navigating drone (23),

said fixed-position sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) each being equipped with a communication means for communication with one another and with the at least one programming module,

said at least one programming module having a position-finding means and a programming means (25), facilitating the position of the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) to be determined by the position-finding means, and in each case being applicable to the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) by the programming means (25) via the communication means, and

said sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) being configured to form a network.

2. A sensor network (1) according to claim 1, wherein the position-finding means is a navigation element.

3. A sensor network (1) according to claim 2, wherein said navigation element is selectively a GPS or Galileo detector (26, 32).

4. A sensor network (1) according to claim 1, wherein the position-finding means comprises a triangulation appliance (30), and at least some of the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) comprise reference sensors (3″

) for fixing a position.

5. A sensor network (1) according to claim 4, wherein the reference sensors (3″

) include a navigation element.

6. A sensor network (1) according to claim 5, wherein said navigation element is selectively a GPS or Galileo detector (26, 32).

7. A sensor network (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one master module (5), which is equipped with a communication unit, and wherein said master module comprises an interface between the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) and an external central control unit (29).

8. A sensor network (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) include a communication detector for determination of a parameter which represents the communication strength.

9. A sensor network (1) according to claim 1, wherein the communication comprise transmitting and receiving units which selectively communicate optically or by radio.

10. A sensor network (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) are ejectable from said self-navigating drone.

11. A sensor network (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) are anchorable in a fixed position.

12. A method for monitoring a terrain (6),

wherein a plurality of sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) are deployed in fixed positions in the terrain (6) and including at least one mobile programming module,

said sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) forming a sensor network (1) through communication with the at least one programming module determining the position of the sensors (3, 3′

) and applying this to the sensors,

the sensor network (1) monitoring parameters which are relevant for monitoring and associated with a local position through the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

).

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one mobile programming module is a component of a self-navigating drone and navigates autonomously with respect to the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) and in the process determines and applies their position.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) are ejectable from said self-navigating drone.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the position-finding means determines its respective position and/or the position of the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) by a navigation element, such as selectively a GPS or Galileo detector (26, 32).

16. A method according to claim 12, wherein the position-finding means determines the position of the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) by triangulation on the basis of reference sensors (3″

).

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the reference sensors (3″

) determine their position through a navigation element, in particular by selectively a GPS or Galileo detector (26, 32).

18. A method according to claim 12, wherein in addition to the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

), there is provided at least one master module (5) via which the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) communicate with an external central control unit (29).

19. A method according to claim 12, wherein the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) detect parameters which represent a communication strength, and are networked on the basis of the detected parameters.

20. A method according to claim 12, wherein the communication is implemented selectively by radio or through optical signals.

21. A method according to claim 12, wherein the sensors (3, 3′

, 3″

) are anchorable in the terrain (6) after deployment.