Abstract:
An image sensor for body protection gear and equipment for monitoring and detection of impacts from surrounding object. The image sensor comprises multiple image processors to record images, use images to estimate and calculate environment parameters, and a controller to process the data. 
     The controller utilizes the received information from image processors to estimate and calculate various environmental parameters which can be used to activate certain functions and devices.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Smart environments represent the next evolutionary development step in building, utilities, industrial, home, shipboard, and transportation systems automation. Like any sentient organism, the smart environment relies first and foremost on sensory data from the real world. Sensory data comes from multiple sensors of different modalities in distributed locations. The smart environment needs information about its surroundings as well as about its internal workings. 
     One of the important sensors which can be used for smart environment is image sensor. Image sensors are used primarily in digital cameras and in a large number of imaging devices used in industrial, media, medical, and consumer applications. Image sensors are standard measurement tools to convert light to digital signal to be processed by a control processor. 
     There are two image sensors that dominate digital photography today: CCD (charge-coupled device) and CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor). Each image sensor has its place in the world but comes with very distinct advantages and disadvantages. 
     Both CCD and CMOS image sensors start at the same point—they have to convert light into electrons. It is somehow similar to how solar cells work. One simplified way to think about the image sensor is to think of it as having a 2-D array of thousands or millions of tiny solar cells, each of which transforms the light from one small portion of the image into electrons 
     Image sensors by definition convert electrons into voltage. However, there are different ways to get from point A to point B. A CMOS sensor has circuitry at every photo sensor. So each pixel is read simultaneously and then transmitted as digital information at once. This set up leaves the chip relatively crowded with circuitry but is extremely efficient and fast. In a CCD imager, the pixels are recorded on the chip and then one by one sent through the analog to digital converter to build the data. This takes more power than the CMOS process, but delivers much cleaner images. 
     CMOS sensors generally record less resolution than CCD sensors because they cannot physically sustain as many pixels on the plane of the chip. Each CMOS pixel is packaged with the circuitry to convert it to a digital signal, thus each sensor takes up more space. 
     CCD sensors tend to respond better to low light conditions than CMOS sensors. The clutter on CMOS sensors reduces the light sensitivity of the chip. It takes more lights to penetrate the thick layers, so dim light will not make it through. However, the advantage is that CMOS sensors facilitate adding gain to an image. Because circuitry is so close to each pixel, the camera can boost the exposure as it is recorded. 
     Wireless sensors are also used in smart environment. They are equipped with transmitters to convert signals from a control processor into a radio transmission. Then the reflected radio signal is interpreted by a receiver which then detects the received signal and sends it to a processor to be analyzed. 
     This patent application discloses use of image sensors for body protection gears. The image sensor is applied to estimate and calculate the distance and approaching speed of an external object, and use this information to decide to activate functions or devices that protect the body. This application also discloses use of both wireless sensor and image sensor for body protection. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of an image sensor 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a wireless sensor. 
         FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of image sensor interaction with one object. 
         FIG. 4  illustrate an embodiment of both image sensor and wireless sensor interaction with one object. 
         FIG. 5  illustrate embodiments of a flow chart of image sensor functions. 
     
    
    
     The drawings referred to in this description should be understood as not being drawn to scale except if specifically noted. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present technology, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the technology will be described in conjunction with various embodiment(s), it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present technology to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present technology is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     Furthermore, in the following description of embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. However, the present technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of image sensor  100 . In general, image sensor  100  facilitates estimation and calculation of certain parameters of environment by using the images from the environment. The images are produced through a lens  101  and an image processor  102  which comprises of an imager/digitizer  103  and a DSP (digital signal processor)  104 . The image is processed in DSP  104  to identify an external object. Then through use of the pixels from multiple images from multiple lenses the approaching speed and distance of the object from image sensor are estimated. The speed and distance information is passed to a controller  105  to decide what function or device has to be activated. 
     Image sensor system  100  includes, among other things, control processor  105 , image processor  102  and lens  101 . 
     In one embodiment, control processor  105 , image processor  102  and lens  101  are components of image sensor  100  that could be used for various applications. For example, it can be used in robotics, automobiles, helmets, traffic monitoring, and etc. 
     Control processor  105  is for processing information received from image processor  102 . Control processor  105  typically utilizes appropriate hardware and software algorithm to properly process the information. 
     In one embodiment, the timing of collecting image data in image sensor  100  is defined by control processor  105 . 
     In one embodiment, the imager/digitizer of image sensor  100  is of CCD type. 
     In one embodiment, the imager/digitizer of image sensor  100  is of CMOS type. 
     In one embodiment, the image sensor uses the information from pixels that belong to an identified object produced from multiple images to estimate some parameters of the environment. 
     In one embodiment, the DSP  104  has a variety of functions. In general, DSP  104  is utilized for signal processing, calculation, estimation of environmental parameters. 
     Control Processor  105  has a variety of functions. In general, control processor  105  is utilized for activities, methods, procedures, and tools that pertain to the operation, administration, maintenance, and provisioning of image sensor. In one embodiment, control processor  105  includes a database that is used for various applications. The database can be utilized for analyzing statistics in real-time. 
     Control processor  105  also has a variety of thresholds. In general, control processor  105  provides controls to various functions and devices. Moreover, control processor  105  is a high capacity communication facility that connects primary nodes. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of wireless sensor  200 . In general, wireless sensor  200  facilitates estimation and calculation of certain parameters by transmitting a coded signal generated by a control processor  209  through a transmitter  203  and antenna  202  and then receiving the attenuated version of the same coded signal by an antenna  201  and receiver  204 . For example, control processor  209  creates a random transmit pattern, send it to transmitter  203  for modulation by modulator  205  and up conversion to radio frequency by up convertor  206  and transmission through antenna  202 . Then the reflected transmit signal from an object in the environment is received by antenna  201 , down converted by down convertor  207 , the transmitted pattern detected by detector  208  and send an indication to control processor  209 . The down converter  207  also facilitates measurement of received signal strength to provide to control processor  209 . 
     Wireless sensor system  200  includes, among other things, control processor  209 , transmitter  203 , transmit antenna  202 , receive antenna  201 , and receiver  204 . 
     In one embodiment, control processor  209 , transmit antenna  202 , transmitter  203 , receive antenna  201 , and receiver  204  are components of wireless sensor  200  that could be used for various applications. For example, it can be used in robotics, automated automobiles, helmets, traffic monitoring, and etc. 
     In one embodiment, communications through wireless network  200  are by a transmit antenna  202  and a received antenna  201 . Transmit and receive antennas are physically separated to provide sufficient isolation between transmit and receive antennas. 
     Control Processor  209  has a variety of functions. In general, control processor  209  is utilized for signal processing, calculation, estimation, activities, methods, procedures, and tools that pertain to the operation, administration, maintenance, and provisioning of wireless sensor. In one embodiment, control processor  209  includes a database that is used for various applications. The database can be utilized for analyzing statistics in real-time. 
     Control processor  209  also has a variety of thresholds. In general, control processor  209  provides controls to various components that are connected to it. Moreover, control processor  209  is a high capacity communication facility that connects primary nodes. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of image sensor interaction with one object. For instance, image sensor system includes controller  305 , DSP  304 , “k” Imager/digitizer  303 , and lenses  302   1 to  302   k . 
     Controller  305  request information from one or more of imager/digitizers  303  by sending an activation signal. The imager/digitizers receive the activation signal and each record an image from external object  301 . 
     In one embodiment, DSP  304  processes the recorded images from a number of lenses and extracts the needed information to estimate the required parameters from object  301  to send to controller  305 . The controller  305  uses the information received from DSP  304  to decide which function or device needs to be activated. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of image/wireless sensor interaction with an object. For instance, image/wireless sensor system includes controller  308 , DSP  407 , “k” Imager/digitizer  406 , lenses  403   1  to  403   k , wireless sensor  405 , antenna interface  404 , and antennas  402   1 - 402   j . 
     Controller  408  requests information from one or more of “k” imager/digitizers  406  and wireless sensor  405  by sending an activation signal. The imager/digitizer receives the activation signal then record an image from external object  301  and wireless sensor receives the activation signal then configures antennal interface  404  for transmission and reception from one or more of antennas  402   1 - 402   j . 
     In one embodiment, DSP  407  processes the recorded images from a number of lenses and extracts the needed information to estimate the required parameters for object  401  to send to controller  408 . Wireless sensor also configures antenna interface  404  for transmission and reception from one or more of the antennas  402   1 - 402   j  and collect the appropriate information for object  401  to send to controller  408 . The controller  408  uses the information received from DSP  407  and wireless sensor  405  to decide which function or device needs to be activated. 
       FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment of method  500  for using an image sensor to estimate and calculate environmental parameters. In various embodiments, method  500  is carried out by processor, imager/digitizers and lenses under the control of processes or executable instructions. The readable and executable instructions reside, for example, in a data storage medium such as processor usable volatile and non-volatile memory. However, the readable and executable instructions may reside in any type of processor readable storage medium. In some embodiments, method  500  is performed at least by one of the circuits described herein. 
     At  501  of method  500 , the image processor is reset. 
     At  502  of method  500 , the imager/digitizer is activated. 
     At  503  of method  500 , the recorded image from imager/digitizer is processed to identify the portion of the image related to an approaching external object. 
     At  504  of method  500 , a portion of the identified external object is selected and from the image pixels information the distance and approaching speed of the object is estimated. 
     At  505  of method  500 , the controller uses the estimated distance and approaching speed of the external object to decide which function and device needs to be activated. 
     Various embodiments are thus described. While particular embodiments have been described, it should be appreciated that the embodiments should not be construed as limited by such description, but rather construed according to the following claims.