DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a surveillance system and more particularly to a stabilized spherical apparatus which is remotely operated for data capturing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Spherical apparatus consists of housing with sensors to transmit and receive data from areas with limited access, areas which are hazardous to human life. The apparatus is thrown/ rolled into the area of interest and on stabilisation the required sensor data is transmitted to the command station located at a safe distance from the area of interest.
Generally, remotely operated equipment’s used for surveillance are costly solutions consisting of motorised arms/units to move the sensors/equipment to obtain stabilisation for data capture. As the developed equipment needs to be a cost effective solution, usage of more number of sensors and motorised stabilisation is not recommended.
PCT publication WO 2014/066405 A1 describes a surveillance system including a remote sensor apparatus and a portable receiver, a method is provided for collecting and processing data related to a surrounding environment of the remote sensor apparatus including image data for a scene external to the housing of the apparatus. The method includes receiving, at the processing unit, raw image data simultaneously from a plurality" of image sensors as the raw image data is being captured by the plurality of image sensors. One or more light sources are placed around a wide-angle lens fitted to each of the image sensor. Infrared or near- infrared light emanating from the plurality of light sources is used in a dark environment. The method also includes processing, at the processing unit, the simultaneously received raw image data to generate pre-processed image data. The method further includes transmitting the pre-processed image data to the portable receiver using the wireless transceiver.
US Patent 2008/0062255 A1 describes a self contained portable and compact omni-directional monitoring and automatic alarm video device. The device enables automatic omni-directional detection, directional imaging inspection, tracking, real-time alarm transmission, and remote monitoring. The device comprises an omni-directional detection sensor, processor, and directional video imaging camera located inside a rotatable housing. The omni-directional detection sensor enables detection of moving objects near the device's Surroundings; the processing assembly enables extraction of information Such as the relative direction to the moving object and automatic pointing of the directional video imaging camera in that direction by rotation of the housing. The information acquired by the video camera is then transmitted to a remote control and observation unit.
Thus, the present invention focussed to address the above mentioned drawbacks of the spherical apparatus by stabilisation of spherical apparatus eliminating the use of complex motorised unit and other accessories making the platform more effective.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
These objectives are provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This objective are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
An important objective of the invention aims at providing a compact solution for the shortcomings of the above mentioned spherical apparatus.
Another objective of the invention is to stabilise the spherical apparatus at minimal time to improve the overall setting time of the invention.
Further objective of the current invention is to overcome the usage of sensors and motors for stabilisation.
Yet another objective of the current invention is to provide a low cost, less complex and easy use apparatus for surveillance.
Object of the present invention is not limited to the above mentioned problem. Other technical problems that are not mentioned will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to an embodiment which is illustrated in the drawing figures:
Figure 1 shows spherical apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2A and 2B shows front view and bottom view of the spherical apparatus with design feature, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows mechanical stabilisation profile of spherical apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 4 shows destabilisation profile of spherical apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
A surveillance system includes a remote sensor apparatus and a portable receiver. Sensor apparatus is provided for collecting and transmitting the data related to a surrounding environment of the remote sensor apparatus including image data for a scene external to the housing of the apparatus.
Figure 1-2 shows spherical apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The spherical apparatus (100) has a spherical housing (102) for containing a processing unit, and a plurality of image sensors. The housing (102) has plurality of apertures (108) for accommodating plurality of sensors on its surface.
The spherical apparatus (100) is made of two halves, a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion is provided with a design feature (104) at the base for mechanical stabilisation of the spherical apparatus (100). Because of the design feature (104) the centre of gravity (CG) (106) of the spherical apparatus (100) is kept as low as possible to ensure the apparatus (100) stabilises quickly at the intended target.
The type of design feature (104) depends on the the time and distance of the target as the apparatus (100) is thrown and reaches the area of interest through rolling. For example, if the target distance is short, the mechanical stabilisation of the spherical apparatus (100) is achieved by providing a flat cut at the bottom to ensure the equipment stabilises quickly at the intended target.
The sensors according to the invention are chosen from the group comprising: imaging sensors, microphone arrays, volume detector arrays, heat detectors, light detectors, smoke detectors, fire detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and temp detectors etc to measure/detect the phenomenon of interest.
Figure 3 shows operation of spherical apparatus showing mechanical stabilisation profile, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In its operation, the apparatus (100) is made as a spherical housing (102) which can be thrown and rolled onto the target area. The CG (106) of the unit is kept as low as possible, preferably in the lower half of the two part housing (102). The CG (106) is kept low by ensuring the heavier elements of the assembly are in the bottom side of the apparatus (100). In the example, a flat cut (104) is provided on the bottom half of the sphere. Provision of the flat cut ensures that the unit stabilises quickly after rolling for a certain distance due to the inertia. A stabilizing moment is created about momentary pivot points 'A' and 'B'. The weight of the unit and low CG (106) positioning ensures stabilizing moments are created. The unit attains stable position. The corresponding figure 4 shows destabilisation profile of spherical apparatus, when the CG (106) is in the upper half of the housing (102).
Design feature (104) in the invention eliminates the need for motorised unit or counter weights for stabilisation which ensures a low cost, less complex and easy use product for surveillance.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto.
,CLAIMS:
1. A spherical apparatus (100) for collecting and transmitting data related to surrounding environment including image data for a scene external to the apparatus, the apparatus (100) comprising a spherical housing (102) made of two halves portion for containing a processing unit, and at least a sensor, wherein one of the half portion is provided with a design feature (104) at the base for mechanical stabilisation of the spherical apparatus (100).
2. The spherical apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (102) has plurality of apertures (108) for accommodating plurality of sensors on the surface.
3. The spherical apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein two halves include a top portion and a bottom portion.
4. The spherical apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of claims 3, wherein the bottom portion is provided with a design feature (104).
5. The spherical apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the centre of gravity (CG) (106) of the apparatus is located as low as possible, preferably in the bottom portion of the housing (102).
6. The spherical apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the design feature (104) depends on the time and distance of the target.
7. The spherical apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the design feature (104) is flat cut if the target distance is short.
8. The spherical apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensors are chosen from the group comprising: imaging sensors, microphone arrays, volume detector arrays, heat detectors, light detectors, smoke detectors, fire detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and temperature detectors.