Coastal monitoring techniques

• US 8,581,688 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2007
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US11/938,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20100283626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,192 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.72, 340/610, 340/8.1, 340/10.5, 340/13.24
• US Class Current: 340/3.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5678 characterised by electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 : Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 : Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 : responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 : specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/433 : using reflection from the obstruction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/85 : User input means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/542 : Roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 : Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/42 : Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 : Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 : with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1961 : Movement detection not involving frame subtraction, e.g. motion detection on the basis of luminance changes in the image
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 : Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 : EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 : Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 : due to failing power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 10/40 : Controlling or monitoring, e.g. of flood or hurricane; Forecasting, e.g. risk assessment or mapping

Abstract

Method and system for monitoring coastlines includes arranging sensors proximate the coastline, obtaining data about the coastline via the sensors, analyzing the data to determine the presence of a reportable condition relating to passage of an object proximate the coastline, and transmitting the data or a signal indicative of the analysis, optionally with an identification or location of the sensors, to a monitoring facility. The sensors may be spaced apart from one another along the coastline and programmed to wake-up upon detection of a predetermined condition in order to obtain data. If the location of each sensor is not programmed into the sensor or otherwise known by the monitoring facility, each sensor may be arranged to determine its location so that each sensor provides its location when transmitting data or the signal to the monitoring facility.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a coastline for passage of a person or vessel, comprising:

arranging sensors at fixed locations proximate the coastline and spaced apart from one another, each sensor being configured to determine its location;

obtaining data about the environment around the sensors via the sensors;

providing each sensor with a processor such that each sensor includes a processor, the processor in each sensor embodying a pattern recognition system that analyzes the data obtained by the sensor to recognize characteristic signals indicating the passing of a person or vessel and a reportable condition relating to passage of the person or vessel proximate the coastline;

analyzing the data using the pattern recognition system in each sensor to determine the presence of a reportable condition relating to passage of a person or vessel proximate the coastline; and

for any sensors that have determined the presence of a reportable condition,

transmitting using a communication portion of the sensor, the data or a signal indicative of the analysis of the data from the sensor to a monitoring facility via the Internet, and

transmitting using the communication portion of the sensor, the location of the sensor as determined by the sensor from the sensor to the monitoring facility.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reportable condition is passage of the person or vessel near the sensor.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising programming the sensors to wake-up upon detection of a predetermined condition in order to obtain data.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising tethering the sensors to a bottom of a body of water.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising regulating time at which the sensors obtain data.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting the presence of one of a number of predetermined conditions which require monitoring of the coastline; and

only when one of the predetermined conditions is detected, directing the sensors to obtain data.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising commanding the sensors to obtain data upon reception of a signal from the monitoring facility.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensors is a vibration sensor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensors is an infrared radiation sensor.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing further analysis of the data or the signal indicative of the analysis of the data at a processor unit at the monitoring facility.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising directing results of the further analysis of the data or the signal indicative of the analysis of the data performed by the processor unit at the monitoring facility from the monitoring facility to a remote facility or to response facility.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein each sensor includes a unit that determines its location, and the location of the sensor is transmitted in the same transmission with the data or the signal indicative of the analysis of the data.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the pattern recognition system embodied in the processor in each sensor is configured to recognize characteristic signals indicating the passing of the person or vessel and the reportable condition relating to passage of the person or vessel proximate the coastline by determining the presence of a pattern in the data obtain by the sensor.

14. A system for monitoring a coastline for passage of a person or vessel, comprising:

a plurality of sensors arranged at fixed locations proximate the coastline and spaced apart from one another, each of said sensors being configured to determine its location; and

analysis devices coupled to said sensors that analyze data to determine the passage of an object proximate the coastline, said analysis devices comprising a respective processor unit arranged in each of said sensors and a pattern recognition system that analyzes data obtained by said sensors to recognize characteristic signals indicating the passing of a person or vessel and a reportable condition relating to passage of the person or vessel proximate the coastline;

each of said sensors including a communication portion that directs the data or a signal indicative of the analysis of the data, and the location of said sensor when the presence of a reportable condition has been determined by said pattern recognition associated with said sensor, to a monitoring facility, said communication portion being configured to direct the data or the signal indicative of the analysis of the data and the location of said sensor from said sensor to the monitoring facility via the Internet.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein each of said sensors is arranged to wake-up upon detecting one of a predetermined number of conditions which require monitoring of the coastline and only then obtaining data.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said communication device receives commands from the monitoring facility and directs said sensors to obtain data upon reception of the commands.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of said sensors is a vibration sensor.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of said sensors is an infrared radiation sensor.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the reportable condition is passage of the person or vessel near the sensor.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein said pattern recognition system in each of said sensors is configured to recognize characteristic signals indicating the passing of the person or vessel and the reportable condition relating to passage of the person or vessel proximate the coastline by determining the presence of a pattern in the data obtain by said sensor.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein each sensor includes a unit that determines its location, and the location of the sensor is transmitted in the same transmission with the data or the signal indicative of the analysis of the data by said communication portion.