BR102017012010B1 - SMART OPTICAL SENSOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention refers to an optical sensor capable of capturing, processing, transmitting information and transmitting alarms in real time, comprising: an image capture module, comprising a camera (1), digital inputs (3), analog inputs (4), electronic image capture circuit (9c); an alarm calculation and transmission module, comprising an electronic alarm need calculation circuit (9b), high power transmission circuit (8a), alarm transmission element (antenna or sonar) (2); a data recording and transmission module, comprising data recording memory (9d), data receiving element identifier (9c), low power data transmitter (8b); a logic programming module, comprising logic recording memory (9d), logic transmitting element identifier (9c), logic information receiver (8c); a power supply module, comprising a battery (7), power supply conditioning circuit (9a); LED status lamps (5); sealed casing (6); transmission and reception assembly (8) and printed circuit board (9).

Description

Field of invention

[1] The present invention falls within the field of telemetry, more specifically in the area of processing and recognizing patterns in images in real time, an area called computer vision, especially as it describes an optical sensor capable of capturing images at specific moments, extracting information relevant data, record data locally and announce alerts in real time.

Fundamentals of the invention:

[2] Telemetry is an automated communication process in which measurements are made and other data are also collected at remote or mobile points where access is generally difficult, or it is impractical to establish cabling. This data is then transmitted to receiving and processing equipment for remote analysis.

[3] Telemetry solutions can be carried out via monitoring analog and/or digital signals in real time, or via recording for a predefined period of time of the parameters of interest (datalog), as required by real-time analysis and memory space available for recording.

[4] Optical sensors are often used in telemetry to capture and process images in real time without local recording capabilities. Such sensors are often used to detect changes in color and shape on surfaces, process control, event detection, information organization and modeling of objects or environments, in computer vision system solutions.

[5] Computer vision is the science and technology that underlies the construction of artificial systems capable of obtaining information from images or any multidimensional data, based on optical sensors.

[6] Other optical sensor solutions are used without the need for real-time data transmission, where image capture, processing and analysis are done locally, integrating the sensor with a local computer. Such solutions are usually used in facial recognition as well as fingerprints, being limited to applications with easy access and a controlled external environment.

[7] The present invention aims to meet the demand for optical sensors capable of withstanding inhospitable environments, difficult to access and with restrictions on the volume of data that can be transmitted in real time, but which require continuous monitoring.

[8] To this end, a hybrid solution is proposed, capable of capturing, processing and recording data locally, transmitting recorded data periodically, as well as issuing alerts in real time. In this way, the restriction regarding the volume of data that can be transmitted in real time is met, without losing the ability to process and analyze a large volume of information.

[9] The proposed solution also meets the demand for flexibility of use, allowing editing and updating (uploading) of internal logic for image capture, memory recording and alarm announcement.

State of the art:

[10] Document US3590151A “Television surveillance system” describes a method and apparatus for surveillance which detects certain changes in a domain while ignoring others. If there is a desired movement, an alarm can be triggered. However, compared to the present invention, the device does not have most of the functions performed by it.

[11] Document US4148062A “Television-based alarm system” describes a system for surveillance using a plurality of cameras, which detect different pre-established patterns. If there is a desired movement, an alarm can be triggered. Making a comparison with the present invention, the system is less complex and therefore does not perform most of the functions proposed by it.

[12] Document US3836710A “Pattern discrimination system using television” describes a surveillance system for discriminating desired patterns. If there is a desired pattern, an alarm can be triggered. There is also a memory that stores the data obtained. However, the system does not cover other resources available in the present invention.

[13] Document US4679077A “Visual Image sensor system” describes a surveillance system for detecting changes in a monitored area using pre-established standards. If there is a change different from what was planned, an alarm may be triggered. There is also a memory that stores the data obtained. But in relation to the present invention, such a system is limited in that it does not obtain other functions.

[14] Document US20040161133A1 “System and method for video content analysis-based detection, surveillance and alarm management” describes a surveillance system method for detecting changes in a monitored area through pre-established standards. If there is a change different from what was planned, an alarm may be triggered. There is also a memory that stores the data obtained. Contrasting this surveillance method, in relation to the present invention, it does not have the same features and functionalities as it.

[15] Document FR2542957(A1) “Mobile and autonomous video alarm detection device with video recording” describes an autonomous surveillance system. The recording of images is initiated upon an order issued after detection of a certain pattern. An alarm is also described in the document. System with a proposal that is similar to that of the present invention, but not having all of its applications.

[16] Document US4160998A “Television-based alarm system” describes a surveillance system that detects movements or changes in the monitored area. If there is a desired predetermined pattern in the detected image, an alarm can be triggered. There is also a memory that stores the data obtained. However, the system does not contain the same utilities and functionalities as the present invention.

[17] The documents presented are similar to the invention in that they have the ability to recognize an abnormal situation pattern and issue an alarm. However, none of them feature automatic transmission of alarms via radio or sonar, they do not allow the transmission of recorded data automatically after identification of an appropriate data reader, nor do they allow editing and updating (uploading) of internal logic to identify the best moments. of: capturing images, recording data in memory and announcing alarms.

Brief description of the invention:

[18] The present invention refers to an Optical Sensor with capacity for capturing, processing, transmitting information and transmitting alarms in real time, comprising the following modules: - Image capture module, consisting of: * Camera (1 ) * Digital inputs (3) * Analog inputs (4) * Electronic image capture circuit (9c) - Alarm calculation and transmission module, composed of: * Electronic alarm need calculation circuit (9b) * Control circuit high power transmission (8a) * Alarm transmission element (2), being (antenna or sonar) - Data recording and transmission module, composed of: * Data recording memory (9d) * Alarm receiving element identifier data (9c) * Low power data transmitter (8b) - Logic programming module, composed of: * Logic recording memory (9d) * Logic transmitter element identifier (9c) * Logic information receiver ( 8c) - Power supply module, consisting of: * Battery (7) * Power supply conditioning circuit (9a) - LED status lamps (5) - Sealed housing (6) - Transmission and reception assembly (8 ) - Printed circuit board (9)

Brief description of the figures:

[19] To obtain a full and complete visualization of the object of this invention, the figures to which references are made are presented, as follows.

[20] Figure 1 is an engraving of the external view of the optical sensor revealed here.

[21] Figure 2 is a representation of the internal schematic view of the device of the present invention.

[22] Figure 3 is an illustration of the logical circuit diagram of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention:

[23] The present invention refers to an Optical Sensor with capacity for capturing, processing, transmitting information and transmitting alarms in real time, comprising the following modules: - Image capture module, consisting of: * Camera (1 ) * Digital inputs (3) * Analog inputs (4) * Electronic image capture circuit (9c) - Alarm calculation and transmission module, composed of: * Electronic alarm need calculation circuit (9b) * Control circuit high power transmission (8a) * Alarm transmission element (antenna or sonar) (2) - Data recording and transmission module, consisting of: * Data recording memory (9d) * Data receiving element identifier ( 9c) * Low power data transmitter (8b) - Logic programming module, composed of: * Logic recording memory (9d) * Logic transmitter element identifier (9c) * Logic information receiver (8c) - Power supply module, consisting of: * Battery (7) * Power supply conditioning circuit (9a) - LED status lamps (5) - Sealed housing (6) - Transmit and receive assembly (8) - Printed circuit board (9) Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the device well in its functionality, external and internal architecture.

[24] The transmission and reception assembly (8) contains a high power transmitter (8a), a low power transmitter (8b) and a receiver (8c). For low power transmission, the 2.4 GHz frequency band is used, while for high power transmission, this same band or another band typically between 1800 KHz and 1850 KHz can be used.

[25] The internal circuit board (9) contains a power supply circuit

[26] electrical power (9a), a monitoring processor (9b), a main processor (9c) and memory (9d).

[27] The camera (1) is connected to the internal circuit board (9), whose purpose is to process and store information. The camera must be low light and highly sensitive, capable of capturing images in the most adverse lighting conditions, resistant to large thermal amplitudes and compatible with the PAL or NTSC standard. The camera (1) is controlled by the Main Processor (9c) which recognizes information, in a pre-established pattern, and defines the ideal moment for capturing images from digital inputs (3) and analog inputs (4 ). Furthermore, the main processor (9c) also records information in memory (9d).

[28] The definition of the ideal moment for capturing images is carried out by the image capture module. Basically, the sensor must be connected to other external systems that provide external digital and analog inputs. In this module, the user can program the electronic image capture circuit (9c), defining a capture logic based on specific combinations of digital and analog inputs, according to particularities of the final application of the optical sensor.

[29] The monitoring processor (9b) verifies the need to trigger the alarm, which is sent, in real time, by the transmission and reception set (8), more precisely by the high power transmitter (8a), and by the antenna or sonar (2). The antenna must be Omnidirectional, External Wireless of at least 15 dBi. For underwater applications, the antenna must be replaced with a long-range omnidirectional sonar.

[30] The pre-established pattern for triggering the alarm is recorded in memory (9d) by the user through a generic external data access device, capable of transmitting information to the optical sensor via radio, according to the IEEE 802.11 (Wi -Fi). This external device must have, stored in memory, a logic pre-defined by the user to trigger the alarm. To transmit this information to the optical sensor, initially the external data access device continuously transmits via radio, in the 2.4 GHz band, its identification via a specific information header that allows the optical sensor to recognize its presence and only authorize access to data from pre-registered devices. Once the presence of the external device has been identified and its access has been authorized, with information available in its memory regarding logic defined by the user, the transmission begins according to the IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) standard of this information to the optical sensor. The antenna or sonar (2) of the optical sensor captures the signal from the device and transmits it to the receiver (8c), thus recording.

[31] Access to information recorded in memory is also done by the external data access device. This device must have memory for recording data and the ability to receive information recorded in the memory of the optical sensor. To read the information recorded in the optical sensor, initially the external data access device continuously transmits via radio, in the 2.4 GHz band, its identification via a specific information header that allows the optical sensor to recognize its presence through of the receiver (8c). If the device identification matches a pre-registered one, access to data is allowed, otherwise, it is denied. Once the presence of the external data access device has been identified, and its access to data has been authorized, with information available in the memory of the optical sensor, the transmission of this recorded data to that device begins. From that moment on, the low-power transmitter (8b) transmits the information recorded in memory to the external device according to the IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) standard.

[32] The status LED lamps (5) are connected to the main processor (9c) and are activated according to its interpretation of the information. The LED lamps indicate operating status of the optical sensor (ON or OFF), operating mode (updating logic, downloading information recorded in memory and normal operation), as well as battery charge status (above or below half charge).

[33] The battery (7) is connected to the electrical power supply circuit (9a) that electrically feeds the other parts of the printed circuit board (9), thus allowing the device to operate. It is a 12V battery with a charging capacity of more than 3000 mAh.

[34] The sealed casing (6) is made of material capable of simultaneously protecting and isolating the constituent elements of the optical sensor. Preferably, the casing will be made of resistant plastic material and will have a shape typically similar to that in figure 1.

[35] Those skilled in the art will value the knowledge presented here and will be able to reproduce the invention in the presented embodiments and in other variants, covered within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims (16)

1. Intelligent optical sensor, characterized by the fact that it captures, processes, transmits information and transmits alarm in real time, preferably comprising the functional modules: - Image capture module, composed of: * Camera (1) * Digital inputs (3 ) * Analog inputs (4) * Electronic image capture circuit (9c) - Alarm calculation and transmission module, composed of: * Electronic alarm need calculation circuit (9b) * High power transmission circuit (8a ) * Alarm transmission element (antenna or sonar) (2) - Data recording and transmission module, consisting of: * Data recording memory (9d) * Data receiving element identifier (9c) * Data transmitter at low power (8b) - Logic programming module, composed of: * Logic recording memory (9d) * Logic transmitting element identifier (9c) * Logic information receiver (8c) - Power supply module , consisting of: * Battery (7) * Power supply conditioning circuit (9a) - LED status lamps (5) - Sealed housing (6) - Transmission and reception assembly (8) - Printed circuit board (9 ) 2. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the transmission and reception assembly (8) contains the high power transmitter (8a), the low power transmitter (8b) and the receiver (8c). 3. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the transmission and reception assembly (8) preferably operates with low power transmission in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and high power transmission in the band between 1800 KHz and 1850 KHz. 4. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the internal circuit board (9) contains the electrical power supply circuit (9a), the monitoring processor (9b), the main processor of the image capture (9c) and memory (9d). 5. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the camera (1) is connected to the internal circuit board (9), is low luminosity and high sensitivity, resistant to large thermal amplitude and compatible with the standard PAL or NTSC, in which the camera (1) is controlled by the main processor of the image capture circuit (9c) responsible for recognizing information. 6. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1 or 5, characterized by the fact that the main processor of the image capture circuit (9c) considers a pre-established pattern and defines the ideal moment for capturing images from the digital inputs (3) and analog inputs (4), and additionally record the information in memory (9d). 7. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1 or 6, characterized by the fact that the ideal capture moment is additionally defined with the aid of the image capture module. 8. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1 or 6, characterized by the fact that the image capture electronic circuit sensor (9c) is connected to external systems that provide external digital and analog inputs. 9. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1 or 7, characterized by the fact that the image capture module allows the user to program the electronic image capture circuit (9c), defining a capture logic based on specific combinations of digital and analog inputs, according to particularities of the final application of the optical sensor. 10. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the high-power transmitter (8a) and the antenna or sonar (2) receive the real-time alarm trigger signal verified by the monitoring processor (9b) . 11. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the antenna (2) is Omnidirectional, External Wireless and of at least 15 dBi, optionally replaced by a long-range omnidirectional sonar when in underwater applications. 12. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the receiver (8c) receives the signal from an external data access device, via the antenna or sonar (2). 13. Smart optical sensor, according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the external data access device accesses information recorded in memory, has memory for recording data and the ability to transmit information from its memory to the optical sensor, as well as to receive information recorded in the memory of the optical sensor. 14. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the status LED lamps (5) are connected to the main processor of the image capture electronic circuit (9c) and activated according to the interpretation of the information made by the same. 15. Intelligent optical sensor, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the battery (7) is connected to the electrical energy supply circuit (9a) that electrically feeds the other parts of the printed circuit board (9), preferably being a 12V battery with a charging capacity of more than 3000 mAh. 16. Smart optical sensor, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the sealed casing (6) is made of material capable of simultaneously protecting and isolating the constituent elements of the optical sensor, preferably plastic.