Distributed imaging array system

• US 7,890,302 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2008
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano; Edward R
• Application Number:
  US12/047,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20090231695A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 73/11, 731/701.6, 734/321, 738/658, 738/659, 340/500, 340/540, 340/600, 340/601, 340/870.01, 340/870.07, 382/100, 382/354, 382/376, 382/309, 702/1, 702/2, 702/85, 702/104, 702/127, 702/187, 702/188, 702/189, 713/1, 713/100
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/105 Space science

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method for astronomical activity monitoring and imaging using a plurality of distributed remotely-reprogrammable observing devices communicating with a server, and providing astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information. In one embodiment the observing devices may also have sensors coupled to provide atmospheric data that further characterizes the astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information. Furthermore, remote reprogramming of observing device by broadcast data transmitted by a satellite is provided.

Claims

1. An astronomical activity monitoring and imaging system comprising:

a satellite adapted to transmit broadcast data;

a plurality of distributed remotely-reprogrammable observing devices adapted to receive said broadcast data by said satellite based on a user configuration comprising customized selections of events of interest;

an atmospheric sensor adapted to provide atmospheric data and coupled to each of the observing devices; and

a server adapted to receive astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information from said observing devices and transmit said broadcast data to said satellite for reprogramming of said observing devices,

wherein said broadcast data comprises reprogramming instructions for said plurality of distributed remotely-reprogrammable observing devices and scripted content to query or provide information regarding newly observed atmospheric events that relate to said events of interest defined by said user configuration.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein said observing devices comprise a digital telescope.

3. The system as in claim 1, wherein said atmospheric sensor is adapted to sense wind direction, temperature, and light receptivity.

4. The system as in claim 1, wherein said atmospheric sensor is adapted to sense atmospheric data that affects said astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information.

5. The system as in claim 1, wherein said server is adapted to recalibrate astronomical activity and imaging information based on atmospheric data.

6. The system as in claim 1, wherein said server is adapted to process said astronomical activity and imaging information obtained from one group of observing devices and transmit broadcast data to said satellite for reprogramming another group of observing devices.

7. The system as in claim 1, wherein said user configuration comprises accessibility settings of an observing device of a user.

8. The system as in claim 1, wherein said broadcast data comprises reprogramming instructions.

9. The system as in claim 1, wherein said broadcast data comprises survey queries generated by said server.

10. The system as in claim 1, wherein said observing devices wirelessly transmit said astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information to said server.

11. The system as in claim 1, wherein said server is adapted to process said astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information obtained from said observing devices to generate improved information.

12. The system as in claim 11, wherein said server is adapted to provide improved information using image interferometry.

13. The system as in claim 11, wherein said improved information is accessible by a remote service access device.

14. The system as in claim 13, wherein said remote service access device is coupled to said server through the World Wide Web.

15. A method for astronomical activity monitoring and imaging, said method comprising:

generating a broadcast data for reprogramming of a remotely-reprogrammable observing device based on atmospheric data;

receiving broadcast data transmitted by a satellite at a plurality of distributed remotely-reprogrammable observing devices;

monitoring and imaging astronomical activity by said plurality of observing devices based on a user configuration comprising customized selections of events of interest;

receiving the atmospheric data generated by sensors coupled to each of the observing devices; and

transmitting the received astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information to a server for processing,

wherein said broadcast data comprises reprogramming instructions for said plurality of distributed remotely-reprogrammable observing devices and scripted content to query or provide information regarding newly observed atmospheric events that relate to said events of interest defined by said user configuration.

16. The method as in claim 15, wherein said observing devices comprise a digital telescope.

17. The method as in claim 15, further comprising said sensors sensing wind direction, temperature, and light receptivity.

18. The method as in claim 15, further comprising recalibrating astronomical activity and imaging information based on atmospheric data.

19. The method as in claim 15, wherein said astronomical activity and imaging information obtained from one group of observing devices is processed to create broadcast data to said satellite for reprogramming another group of observing devices.

20. The method as in claim 15, wherein the user configuration comprises accessibility settings of an observing device of a user.

21. The method as in claim 15, wherein said broadcast data comprises reprogramming instructions.

22. The method as in claim 15, wherein said broadcast data comprises survey queries generated by said server.

23. The method as in claim 15, further comprising wirelessly transmitting said astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information from said observing devices to said server.

24. A reprogrammable apparatus for astronomical activity monitoring and imaging, said apparatus comprising:

a microprocessor;

a telescope adapted to position itself based on microprocessor instructions;

an antenna adapted to receive broadcast data;

a wireless data modem adapted to communicate with a server;

at least one atmospheric sensor adapted to sense information on atmospheric parameters; and

a user interface adapted to allow user inputs of replies to queries generated by said server,

wherein said broadcast data comprises reprogramming instructions for said at least one atmospheric sensor and scripted content to query or provide information regarding newly observed atmospheric events that relate to events of interest defined by a user configuration stored in said microprocessor.