Systems for detecting, collecting, communicating, and using information about environmental conditions and occurrences
US8624730B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02A50/00
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying and providing warnings of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other environmental occurrences. Temperature, pressure, seismic activities and other environmental conditions are measured with improved granularity using sensors at multiple locations. More extensive distribution of sensors is enabled using existing networks, such as utility (e.g., gas and electricity) meter networks. Network traffic is improved by screening information locally so that only limited information is sent for central processing. A given location, for example, may compare its own and its neighbors measurements against a profile to identify the probable existence of a tornado before sending a message to a central processing device. Upon receiving such a message and possibly other information (e.g., other messages or weather service information), a central device may send notifications to specific facilities that an environmental occurrence may be occurring, for example, notifying specific residences in the expected path of a tornado.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.