Researchers Submit Patent Application, “Sensor Data To Identify Catastrophe Areas”, for Approval (USPTO 20210035432)
2021 FEB 23 (NewsRx) -- By a
The patent’s assignee is
News editors obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “Detection of and response to catastrophic events traditionally relies on public emergency detection and reporting sensor networks, such as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System and Emergency Alert System. However, such public infrastructure is designed specifically with certain needs in mind--namely, public safety and alert notification--and may not be optimized for other uses. Further, underlying data gathered by public systems may not be made publically available in a useful format. Still further, public infrastructure may be underfunded, which may lead to incomplete data coverage with respect to geographical areas of interest and/or detectable event types. There is therefore a need for an improved system for detecting and responding to catastrophic events.”
As a supplement to the background information on this patent application, NewsRx correspondents also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent application: “Embodiments of the present technology relate to computer-implemented methods, computing devices, and computer-readable media for detecting and responding to catastrophic events. The embodiments provide for receiving data generated by a plurality of sensors positioned in and around a plurality of houses or other structures, comparing the data against known thresholds or patterns indicative of catastrophic events, and generating responses and/or operational instructions if, for example, a catastrophic event is indicated. The embodiments may permit improved event detection and tracking--for example where the system automatically reconfigures a remote sensor network and/or data gathering regimes to improve data clarity around an event--and/or may improve the efficiency and accuracy of remedial response(s) to the event.
“In a first aspect, a computer-implemented method for tracking a catastrophic event using a remote sensor network is provided. The method may include receiving and comparing a first set of event data against an event threshold to determine that the event threshold has been exceeded. A geographic boundary for an area associated with the first set of event data may also be identified. The boundary may encompass a plurality of sensors positioned in and around a plurality of structures such as houses. A data receipt pattern may also be determined based on the first set of event data, and a data file may be initialized to receive a second set of event data comprising sensor data from the plurality of sensors based on the receipt pattern. The sensor data may then be received into the data file. As a result, data gathering regarding a catastrophic event may be improved, preferably through optimization of system components and functions for an event type and use of ‘private’ sensor networks in place of or in addition to public emergency notification systems. The method may include additional, fewer, or alternative actions, including those discussed elsewhere herein.
“In another aspect, a computer-implemented method for detecting and generating an automated response to a catastrophic event may be provided. The method may include setting an event threshold that is for a first event type and that is configured for comparison against event data. The event data may be analyzed to determine that the event threshold has been exceeded by the event data and that the first event type has occurred. A geographic boundary for an area associated with the event data may be identified and may encompass a plurality of sensors positioned in and around a plurality of houses. A response may be automatically generated based on the first event type and the geographic boundary. As a result, the efficiency and accuracy of remedial reaction to a specific type of event may be improved, and/or impact of the event on persons or belongings may be alleviated. The method may include additional, fewer, or alternative actions, including those discussed elsewhere herein.
“In yet another aspect, a computer-implemented method for generating an automated response to a catastrophic event may be provided. The method may include analyzing a sample set of data generated in association with a catastrophic event to determine a threshold pattern. Home sensor data may also be collected/received from a smart home controller via wireless communication or data transmission. The home sensor data may include data regarding at least one of (i) structural status; (ii) wind speed; (iii) availability of electricity; (iv) presence of water; (v) temperature; (vi) pressure; and/or (vii) presence of pollutants in the air and/or water. The home sensor data may be analyzed with reference to the threshold pattern to determine whether a match is present (indicating a catastrophic event has occurred or may have occurred). If a match is present, a response may be automatically generated. As a result, data gathering regarding a catastrophic event may be improved, preferably through optimization for an event type and use of ‘private’ sensor networks in place of or in addition to public emergency notification systems. The method may include additional, fewer, or alternative actions, including those discussed elsewhere herein.
“Advantages of these and other embodiments will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the exemplary embodiments which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the present embodiments described herein may be capable of other and different embodiments, and their details are capable of modification in various respects. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.”
The claims supplied by the inventors are:
“1-19. (canceled)
“20. A computer-implemented method for tracking a catastrophic event using a remote sensor network, the computer-implemented method comprising: comparing an event threshold corresponding to an event type against a first set of event data to determine that the event threshold has been met or exceeded; comparing the first set of event data with a second set of event data, the second set of event data including data received for a prior event corresponding to the event type; and generating, based upon the comparison of the first set of event data and the second set of event data, a customized threshold pattern for a plurality of sensors of the remote sensor network that corresponds to the event type.
“21. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, further comprising issuing operational instructions to at least some of the plurality of sensors based upon a data receipt pattern determined from the first set of event data.
“22. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, further comprising receiving a supplemental data set, the supplemental data set including weather-related data received from an external database configured for weather tracking.
“23. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein the area associated with the first set of event data includes areas effected by and likely to be affected by the event type.
“24. The computer-implemented method of claim 23, wherein the event is a weather-related event.
“25. The computer-implemented method of claim 23, wherein the event is an electrical outage-related event.
“26. The computer-implemented method of claim 23, wherein the event is a traffic-related event.
“27. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein at least some of the plurality of sensors generate physical weather-related data.
“28. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein at least some of the plurality of sensors generate traffic-related data.
“29. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein at least some of the plurality of sensors generate structural status information regarding a plurality of structures.
“30. The computer implemented method of claim 21, further comprising formatting the operational instructions for transmission to the plurality of sensors via communication network.
“31. The computer-implemented method of claim 21, further comprising formatting the operational instructions as a request for routing to an operator of the plurality of sensors.
“32. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the operator is an alarm security company.
“33. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, further comprising: (1) receiving additional weather-related event data from an external database configured for weather tracking; (2) comparing the additional weather-related event data against the event threshold to confirm occurrence of the event type.
“34. A non-transitory computer-readable medium with an executable program stored thereon for tracking a catastrophic event using a remote sensor network, wherein the program instructs a processing element of a computing device to perform the following: compare an event threshold corresponding to an event type against a first set of event data to determine that the event threshold has been met or exceeded; compare the first set of event data with a second set of event data, the second set of event data including data received for a prior event corresponding to the event type; and generate, based upon the comparison of the first set of event data and the second set of event data, a customized threshold pattern for a plurality of sensors of the remote sensor network that corresponds to the event type.
“35. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, further storing executable instructions cause the computer system to: issue operational instructions to at least some of the plurality of sensors based upon a data receipt pattern determined from the first set of event data.
“36. A computing device for tracking a catastrophic event using a remote sensor network, the device comprising: a memory element electronically coupled to the communication element, the memory element configured to store data and executable instructions; and a processing element electronically coupled to the communication element and the memory element, the processing element configured to-- compare an event threshold corresponding to an event type against a first set of the event data to determine that the event threshold has been met or exceeded; compare the first set of event data with a second set of event data, the second set of event data including data received for a prior event corresponding to the event type; and generate, based upon the comparison of the first set of event data and the second set of event data, a customized threshold pattern for a plurality of sensors of the remote sensor network that corresponds to the event type.
“37. The computing device of claim 36, wherein the processing element is further configured to issue operational instructions to at least some of the plurality of sensors based upon a data receipt pattern of the first set of event data, and via a communication element.
“38. The computing device of claim 37, wherein the processing element is further configured to format the operational instructions for transmission to the plurality of sensors via a communication network.
“39. The computing device of claim 37, wherein the processing element is further configured to format the operational instructions for routing to an operator of the plurality of sensors.”
For additional information on this patent application, see: Moon, Phillip; Menon, Sunish; Kinsey, Jeffrey; Stoiber, Jeffrey W. Sensor Data To Identify Catastrophe Areas. Filed
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