Remote sensing and communication system
First Claim
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1. A remote sensing system comprising:
- an environmentally secure housing having communication ports for sensors;
at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the communication ports, the at least one sensor monitoring parameters in a vicinity of the housing;
a bracket for supporting the housing, securable to an interior surface of an entry cover in a manner that does not require entire penetration through the entry cover, the bracket providing at least one opening for operation for the at least one sensor;
a microcontroller within the housing coupled to the communication ports;
a two-way communication module coupled to the microcontroller;
a connector cable connected to the two-way communication module which leads to an external antenna for transmitting the parameters to a remote communication device; and
a power means for providing power at least to the microcontroller, sensors, and two-way communication module, wherein parameters received from the at least one sensor is processed by the microcontroller and forwarded to the two-way communication module for transmission.
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Abstract
A remote sensing system and method for instrumenting the entries to manhole enclosures, in order to provide a platform and means for sensing environmental parameters within and around the enclosures and wirelessly transmitting those parameters to a distant site. The system comprises a housing with sensor for monitoring environmental parameter in the vicinity of the manhole. A microcontroller in the housing sends the parameters to a radio module, which transmits the parameters to a communication device for alerting a user that a manhole has been tampered with.
149 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A remote sensing system comprising:
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an environmentally secure housing having communication ports for sensors; at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the communication ports, the at least one sensor monitoring parameters in a vicinity of the housing; a bracket for supporting the housing, securable to an interior surface of an entry cover in a manner that does not require entire penetration through the entry cover, the bracket providing at least one opening for operation for the at least one sensor; a microcontroller within the housing coupled to the communication ports; a two-way communication module coupled to the microcontroller; a connector cable connected to the two-way communication module which leads to an external antenna for transmitting the parameters to a remote communication device; and a power means for providing power at least to the microcontroller, sensors, and two-way communication module, wherein parameters received from the at least one sensor is processed by the microcontroller and forwarded to the two-way communication module for transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A remote sensing system comprising:
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environmentally secure means for housing having communication ports; means for sensing a parameter in a vicinity of the means for housing coupled to at least one of the communication ports; means for supporting the means for housing to an interior of an entry cover, the means for supporting providing an attachment mechanism that does not entirely penetrate through the entry cover and providing at least one opening for operation of the means for sensing; means for processing data a within the means for housing coupled to the communication ports; means for two-way communication coupled to the means for processing data; means for radiating and receiving electromagnetic energy; means for coupling signals between the means for two-way communication and the means for radiating and receiving; means for providing power to at least the means for sensing, the means for processing, and the means for two-way communication, wherein data received from the means for sensing is processed by the means for processing and forwarded to the means for two-way communication for transmission via the means for radiating and receiving.
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17. A method for remote sensing comprising:
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providing an environmental secure housing with at least one communication port therein for sensor hookup; coupling at least one sensor having the ability to monitor parameters in a vicinity of the housing, to a first communication port; providing a removable bracket for supporting the housing, the bracket having at least one opening for operation of the sensor; attaching the bracket to an interior side of an entry cover in a manner that does not require entire penetration of the entry cover; coupling an antenna to a second communication port; processing parameters forwarded by the sensor; forwarding the processed parameters to a two-communication transceiver; and transmitting the processed parameters to a remote communication device.
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Specification