Autonomous tracking wireless imaging sensor network
First Claim
1. 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 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, wherein at least one of the nodes includes an articulating sensor.
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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.
117 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. 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 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, wherein at least one of the nodes includes an articulating sensor.
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6. A node comprising:
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at least one processor coupled to at least one communication device, wherein the processor automatically organizes the 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 processor to track detected targets. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of collecting data in a sensor network, comprising:
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automatically organizing a plurality of network elements including at least one node among an environment and at least one remote client system, wherein the organizing includes coupling and controlling a flow of information among the network elements;
remotely controlling at least one function of the at least one node;
detecting at least one target in the environment using at least one sensor of the at least one node;
tracking the target using the at least one articulating sensor of the at least one node;
andcollecting and transferring data of the tracked target to the remote client system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification