Sensor and transmission control circuit in adaptive interface package

• US 8,058,991 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2010
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FTC-Forward Threat Control LLC
• Original Assignee: FTC-Forward Threat Control LLC
• Inventors: Zajac, Francis S., Peverill, James, Bachta, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US12/710,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20100141426A1
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.22, 340/539.13, 340/540, 340/541, 340/426.28, 340/517, 701/207, 701/213, 348/143, 348/152
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/06 Electric actuation of the alarm, e.g. using a thermally-operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/08 Actuation involving the use of explosive means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/12 Actuation by presence of radiation or particles, e.g. of infrared radiation or of ions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A programmable interface module includes a linear power regulator to control and provide power to interfaced components on an as needed basis. The interface module is implemented in, for example, a sensor pack and multiplexed to a plurality of sensor modules. In a first mode, the linear voltage regulator provides a relatively small amount of power which allows a sensor module to output a signal responsive to detecting an environmental condition (e.g., gamma or x-ray radiation, extreme temperatures, etc.). The interface module can switch the linear voltage regulator to a second mode in which the linear voltage regulator ramps up the amount of power provided to a detecting sensor module. The sensor module can then provide a level indicative of a concentration or intensity of the environmental condition. If the level surpasses a predetermined threshold, the sensor pack can output an alert signal to security server.

Claims

1. A sensor pack system with an interface configured for asset tracking, comprising:

a sensor module for sensing an asset environment status and generating a signal indicating status therefrom, the sensor module having associated configuration information related to operation of the sensor module;

a programmable interface module coupled to the sensor module and configured to receive the status signal and output a threshold signal, the programmable interface comprising;

a configuration module to receive the configuration information through wired or wireless communication, or update the configuration information, allowing adaptation to operation with the sensor module wherein the configuration module is configured to store configuration information;

a processor, communicatively coupled to the interface module that executes one or more instructions responsive to one or more signals received from the sensor module; and

a communication module, communicatively coupled to the interface module, for outputting an alert in response to said threshold signal indicating the status signal has met an alert threshold.

2. The sensor pack system of claim 1, wherein the communication module is communicatively coupled to a satellite server and the communication module transmits the alert signal to the satellite server.

3. The sensor pack system of claim 1, wherein the sensor module is coupled to a moving object and the communication module is configured to receive a change in location of the moving object and output information about the change in location.

4. The sensor pack system of claim 1, wherein the sensor module is coupled to a marine vehicle.

5. The sensor pack system of claim 1, wherein the sensor module is coupled to a military asset.

6. The sensor pack system of claim 1, wherein the sensor module is coupled to a vehicle.

7. The sensor pack system of claim 1, wherein the sensor pack system is coupled to a mobile asset, the environmental status is related to a location of the mobile asset, and the sensor pack system transmits location of the mobile asset responsive to an event associated with the mobile asset.

8. A method for tracking an asset, comprising:

sensing, at a sensor module, an asset environment status and generating a signal indicating a status therefrom, the sensor module having associated configuration information related to operation of the sensor module;

receiving, at a programmable interface module, the status signal and outputting a threshold signal, the programmable interface comprising a configuration module to receive the configuration information through wired or wireless communication, or update the configuration information, allowing adaptation to operation with the sensor module wherein the configuration module is configured to store configuration information; and

outputting an alert in response to said threshold signal indicating the status signal has met an alert threshold.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a communication module outputs the alert and the communication module is communicatively coupled to a satellite server and the communication module transmits the alert signal to the satellite server.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the sensor module is coupled to a moving object, the method further comprising:

receiving a change in location of the moving object; and

outputting information about the change in location.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor module is coupled to a marine vehicle.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor module is coupled to a military asset.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor module is coupled to a vehicle.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor module is coupled to a mobile asset, the environment status is related to a location of the mobile asset, and the alert threshold is associated with the location of the asset.