Patent ID: 6720887
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: G08C,Y10S

Abstract:
A multi-sensor, reconfigurable, programmable remote sensing system, comprising:a) a remote mobile unit comprising a first radio frequency data transceiver adapted for transmitting sensor data and receiving commands, a microprocessor and signal collection means, said remote mobile unit being adapted to connect to and accept data from a plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors, each sensor being equipped with a standard interface for pluggable connection to said signal collection means; wherein each of said plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors provides an output in a predetermined output level range, wherein at least one of said plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors further comprises signal normalization means for modifying a raw output from said at least one sensor to said predetermined output level range, wherein said signal normalization means comprises signal conditioning performed by at least one selected from the group of processes; amplification; attenuation, level converting, phase shifting, integration, differentiation; b) a base station comprising a second radio frequency data transceiver communicatively compatible with said first radio frequency data transceiver for receiving said sensor data therefrom, said base station further comprising a processor for managing communication with said remote mobile unit and for accepting said sensor data and generating an output representative thereof; wherein each of said plurality of diverse, interchangeable sensors comprise sensor identification means and at least one of said remote mobile unit and said base station are adapted to interrogate said sensor identification means and at least one of said remote mobile unit and said base station are adapted to interrogate said sensor identification means and perform a configuring operation responsive to a sensor identification retrieved therefrom.