Method and apparatus for multi-sensor processing

• US 6,922,664 B1
• Filed: 09/07/2001
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Dennis Sunga Fernandez
• Inventors: Hu, Irene Y., Fernandez, Dennis S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Thai
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAY, HERNG DER
• Application Number:
  US09/949,257
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 703/22, 703/1, 703/13, 700/2, 700/67, 700/75, 709/217, 709/223, 709/224, 709/204, 702/19, 702/189
• US Class Current: 703/13
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0227 Qualitative history assessment, whereby the type of data acted upon, e.g. waveforms, images or patterns, is not relevant, e.g. rule based assessment; if-then decisions

Abstract

Multi-sensor system for real-time embedded monitoring of object senses mixed-mode object conditions. Various sensors separately provide disparate analog signals representing different measurable attributes regarding sensed object. For example, such sensors may separately sense temperature, pressure, or other biometric value. Then, according to specified rule set or other qualifying parameters, a digital signal is generated by a processor or controller to indicate one or more condition of the sensed object according to certain sensor input values. Additionally, such multi-sensor scheme may be coupled to a digital network or otherwise coupled thereto for simulation and/or communication applications.

Claims

1. In a network comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes, a communication method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a video or image signal bi-directionally between a first node and a second node in a network with distributed sensor array architecture;

sensing a first signal associated with a first voluntary condition in the first node;

sensing a second signal associated with a second involuntary condition in the first node;

from the first node providing the second node a determination regarding the first node adaptively according to the first and second signals, wherein the first node comprises a plurality of adaptively accessible sensors for generating respectively the first and second signals;

sensing a third signal associated with a third voluntary condition in the second node;

sensing a fourth signal associated with a fourth involuntary condition in the second node; and

from the second node providing the first node a second determination regarding the second node adaptively according to the third and fourth signals, whereby the second node comprises a plurality of adaptively accessible sensors for generating respectively the third and fourth signals.

2. The communication method of claim 1 wherein:

the first and second conditions correspond with independently measurable values, at least one such independently measurable value being accessible selectively in a sensor group providing a higher resolution or quality signal.

3. The communication method of claim 1 wherein:

the determination comprises a physiological state of a user associated with the first node, the physiological state being determined from a plurality of measurements detecting the user perspiration, temperature, and blood pressure or heart rate.

4. The communication method of claim 1 wherein:

the transmitted signal is modified in response to the determination, the transmitted signal comprising a modified online shopping catalog or message.

5. The communication method of claim 1 wherein:

the determination is provided according to user-specified or pre-programmed rule set, the rule set enabling a medical diagnosis for dispensing medication automatically, wherein usage of the rule set is remotely monitorable or licensable.

6. The communication method of claim 1 wherein:

the first signal is provided by a silicon-based microstructure having a cavity for sensing a cell condition, the microstructure being implemented in a programmable or self-organizing micro-electromechanical system in a semiconductor substrate implanted in a user.

7. The communication method of claim 1 wherein:

a network access is provided securely according to a user authorization or subscription, such authorization or subscription being secured biometrically using a genetic sequence of the user.

8. The communication method of claim 7 wherein:

the first signal is sensed through a network interface coupled thereto effectively to the first signal during a selected time segment or within a qualified sensor group according to a programmable instruction set which is executable by the interface, the network interface accessing one or more sensors directly, at least one of such sensors being accessed wirelessly in a mobile-vehicle.

9. A communication signal interface comprising:

a first signal path for transmitting a video or image signal effectively in duplex mode between a first node and a second node in a network with distributed sensor array architecture; and

a second signal path for providing the second node from the first node a determination regarding the first node adaptively according to first and second signals, the first signal being associated synchronously with a first condition in the first node, and the second signal being associated asynchronously with a second condition in the first node, wherein the first node comprises a plurality of adaptively accessible sensors for generating respectively the first and second signals;

the second signal path further provides the first node from the second node a second determination regarding the second node adaptively according to third and fourth signals, the third signal being associated synchronously with a third condition in the second node, and the fourth signal being associated asynchronously with a fourth condition in the second node, wherein the second node comprises a plurality of adaptively accessible sensors for generating respectively the third and fourth signals.

10. The communication signal interface of claim 9, wherein:

the first and second conditions correspond with independently measurable values, a plurality of such independently measurable values being accessible in a sensor group providing a higher resolution and quality signal.

11. The communication signal interface of claim 9 wherein:

the determination comprises a physiological state of a user associated with the first node, the physiological state being determined hierarchically from at least one measurement detecting the user perspiration, temperature, blood pressure or heart rate.

12. The communication signal interface of claim 9 wherein:

the transmitted signal is modified in response to the determination, the transmitted signal comprising a modified online shopping catalog or message for renting or buying an audio or video file.

13. The communication signal interface of claim 9 wherein:

the determination is provided according to user-specified or pre-programmed rule set, the rule set providing a medical diagnosis for dispensing medication interactively, wherein subscription of the rule set is monitorable or licensable effectively in real-time.

14. The communication signal interface of claim 9 wherein:

the first signal is provided by a silicon-based microstructure having a cavity for controlling a cell metabolism, the microstructure being implemented in a programmable or self-organizing micro-electromechanical system in one or more semiconductor substrate attached to a user.

15. The communication signal interface of claim 9 wherein:

a network access is provided securely according to a user authorization or subscription, such authorization or subscription being accomplished exclusively using an identifiable genetic sequence.

16. The communication signal interface of claim 9 wherein:

the first signal is sensed through a network interface coupled thereto effectively to the first signal during a selected time segment or within a qualified sensor group according to a programmable instruction set which is executable by the network interface, the network interface accessing a plurality of sensors, at least one of the accessed sensors being accessed bodily in a worn clothing.

17. A communication device comprising:

a network interface for communicating a video or image signal between a first node and a second node in a network with distributed sensor array architecture; and

a processor for providing the second node from the first node a determination regarding the first node according to first and second signals, the first signal being associated with a first active condition in the first node, and the second signal being associated with a second passive condition in the first node, wherein the first node comprises a plurality of adaptively accessible sensors for generating respectively the first and second signals;

the processor further provides the first node from the second node a second determination regarding the second node according to third and fourth signals, the third signal being associated with a third active condition in the second node, and the fourth signal being associated with a fourth passive condition in the second node, wherein the second node comprises a plurality of adaptively accessible sensors for generating respectively the third and fourth signals.

18. The communication device of claim 17 wherein:

the first and second conditions correspond with independently measurable values, a plurality of such independently measurable values being accessible hierarchically in a tiered sensor group providing a higher reliability signal.

19. The communication device of claim 17 wherein:

the determination comprises a physiological state of a user associated with the first node, the physiological state being determined using a self-navigating access to a measurement detecting the user perspiration, temperature, blood pressure or heart rate.

20. The communication device of claim 17 wherein:

the transmitted signal is modified in response to the determination, the transmitted signal comprising a modified online shopping catalog or message for requesting or downloading a game software.

21. The communication device of claim 17 wherein:

the determination is provided according to user-specified or pre-programmed rule set, the rule set detecting a user symptom for programmably dispensing a medical supply, wherein the application of the rule set is transacted with the user to dispense the medical supply.

22. The communication device of claim 17 wherein:

the first signal is provided by a silicon-based microstructure having a cavity for sensing a neuro-electronic activity, the microstructure being implemented in a programmable or flexibly organized micro-electromechanical sensor array attached externally to a user body.

23. The communication device of claim 17 wherein:

a network access is provided securely according to a user authorization or subscription.

24. The communication device of claim 17 wherein:

the first signal is sensed through a network interface coupled thereto effectively to the first signal during a selected time segment or within a qualified sensor group according to a programmable instruction set which is executable by the interface, the network interface providing a data feedback signal for accessing a plurality of sensors, at least one of the sensors being accessed during a video-conference between the first and second nodes.