Trusted monitoring system and method

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for monitoring remotely located objects with a system comprised of at least one master data collection unit, any number of remote sensor units, and a central data collection server are described. The master unit is configured to monitor any object, mobile or stationary, including monitoring multiple remote sensor units associated with the objects being monitored. The master unit may be in a fixed location, or attached to a mobile object. The master unit is configured for monitoring objects that enter and leave the area where it is located. The master unit may act as a parent controller for one or more child devices, wherein the child devices can be remote sensors or monitors of various measurable conditions including environmental conditions, substance identification, product identification and biometric identification. The master unit is able to discover new remote sensor units as they enter or leave the area where the master unit is located. The master unit can be remotely reprogrammed. The reprogramming can be accomplished with authenticated instructions.

1 . A surveillance system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors configured to provide environmental and spatial data; and   an electronic device configured to receive the sampled environmental and spatial data from the sensors, the electronic device further configured to receive monitoring instructions, and to use the received monitoring instructions to process the received environmental and spatial data.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a remote device configured to provide the monitoring instructions to the electronic device. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the sensors is enclosed within a tamper and eavesdrop-proof enclosure. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring instructions are contained in a script message. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein received monitoring instructions are encrypted and the electronic device is further configured to decrypt the encrypted monitoring instructions. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to authenticate the remote device prior to using the monitoring instructions to process the received environmental and spatial data. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to compare at least a portion of the received sensor data to a range of acceptable values and to transmit the data to the remote device. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to conduct a self-diagnosis prior to transmitting the data to the remote device. 
   
   
       9 . A monitoring system comprising
 a plurality of sensors configured to sense information; and   an electronic device configured to receive data from the sensors, the electronic device configured to determine an alarm condition based upon the received data, and wherein the electronic device compares the received data to a range of acceptable values and conducts a self-diagnosis prior to transmitting the alarm condition to a remote device.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the alarm condition to the remote device over a plurality of communication links. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of communication links comprise at least two or more of a code division multiple access system, a frequency division multiple access system, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access system, a time division multiple access system, a Terrestrial Trunked Radio system, and a wideband code division multiple access system. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the received data comprises redundant data from two or more of the sensors, the electronic device being further configured to conduct the self diagnosis based on a majority rule of the redundant data from the two or more sensors. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the electronic device is configured to conduct the self diagnosis by performing an integrity check of the received data, and to determine the alarm condition to be in a state of alarm if the received data lies outside the range of acceptable values and the self diagnosis shows no failure conditions. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the alarm condition comprises three or more levels of alarm. 
   
   
       15 . A monitoring system comprising
 a plurality of sensors configured to sense information; and   an electronic device configured to receive data from the sensors, the electronic device configured to determine an alarm condition based upon the received data, and wherein the electronic device determines a state of reliability of the sensor that the data is received from, and conducts a self-diagnosis based on the determined state of reliability prior to transmitting the alarm condition to a remote device.   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the alarm condition to the remote device over a plurality of communication links. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the electronic device is configured to determine the state of reliability based on a checksum. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the self diagnosis comprises the electronic device to request a first sensor to retransmit the sensed information if the data from the first sensor is determined to be unreliable. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the self diagnosis comprises the electronic device to request a second sensor to retransmit redundant data if the data from a first sensor is determined to be unreliable, wherein the redundant data from substantially the same type of sensor and location. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to compare the received data to a range of acceptable values, and to determine the alarm condition to be in a state of alarm if the data received from a first sensor lies outside the range of acceptable values and the self diagnosis shows the first sensor to be reliable. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the alarm condition comprises three or more levels of alarm. 
   
   
       22 . A monitoring system, wherein the monitoring system comprises a plurality of communication devices that are authorized to communicate in the monitoring system, the system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors authorized and configured to communicate in the monitoring system; and   an electronic device authorized to communicate in the monitoring system and configured to receive data in a secure manner from the sensors when a task authorization message is received and authenticated as having been transmitted from a remote master device authorized to communicate in the monitoring system, wherein the task authorization message comprises information identifying at least the sensor from which to receive the data,   wherein the electronic device authenticates and encrypts the received data prior to transmitting the received data to the remote master device.   
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to be activated from a sleep mode upon receiving the task authorization message. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the received data in a secure manner to the remote master device. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the sensors are configured to broadcast a sensor identification number, and wherein the task authorization information identifying the sensor comprises at least a portion of the broadcast sensor identification number. 
   
   
       26 . A monitoring system, wherein the monitoring system comprises a plurality of communication devices that are configured to communicate in a secure manner in the monitoring system, the system comprising:
 a plurality of non-system sensors configured to sense information, wherein the non-system sensors are not authorized to communicate securely in the monitoring sensor; and   an electronic device authorized to communicate in the monitoring system and configured to receive data from the non-system sensors when a task authorization message is received and authenticated as having been transmitted from a remote master device authorized to communicate in the monitoring system, wherein the task authorization message comprises information identifying at least the non-system sensor from which to receive the data,   wherein the electronic device authenticates and encrypts the received data prior to transmitting the received data to the remote master device.   
   
   
       27 . The monitoring system of  claim 26 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to be activated from a sleep mode upon receiving the task authorization message. 
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the received data in a secure manner to the remote master device. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the non-system sensors are configured to broadcast a sensor identification number, and wherein the task authorization information identifying the non-system sensor comprises at least a portion of the broadcast sensor identification number. 
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to encode context information into a message containing the received data, and to transmit the received data message in a secure manner to the remote master device, wherein the context information comprises data identifying a time and a location from which the data was received. 
   
   
       31 . A monitoring system, wherein the monitoring system comprises a plurality of communication devices that are authorized to communicate in the monitoring system, the system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors configured to sense information, wherein the sensors are authorized and configured to communicate in the monitoring system, and wherein the sensors are configured to be in a sleep mode until activated by a task authorization message received from a master device authorized to communicate in the monitoring system; and   an electronic master device authorized to communicate in the monitoring system and configured to transmit a task authorization message to the sensors, wherein the task authorization message comprises information identifying at least the sensor from which to receive sensed information,   wherein the sensor encodes a digital signature and encrypts the sensed information prior to transmitting the sensed information to the electronic master device.   
   
   
       32 . The monitoring system of  claim 31 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to be activated from a sleep mode upon receiving a second task authorization message from a remote master device authorized to communicate in the monitoring system. 
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the received information in a secure manner to the remote master device. 
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the sensors are configured to intermittently broadcast a sensor identification number while in the sleep mode, and wherein the task authorization information identifying the sensor comprises at least a portion of the broadcast sensor identification number. 
   
   
       35 . A monitoring system, wherein the monitoring system comprises a plurality of communication devices that are authorized to communicate in the monitoring system, the system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors; and   an electronic device authorized to communicate in the monitoring system and configured to receive data from the sensors when a task authorization message is received and authenticated as having been transmitted from a remote master device authorized to communicate in the monitoring system, wherein the task authorization message comprises information identifying at least the sensor from which to receive the data,   wherein the electronic device authenticates and encrypts the received data prior to transmitting the received data to the remote master device via a first communication pathway, and wherein the electronic device is configured to confirm receipt of the transmitted data by the remote master device.   
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the electronic device transmits the received data to remote master device via a second communication path if the electronic device does not confirm receipt of the data by the remote master device. 
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the first communication pathway comprises a satellite network and wherein the second communication pathway comprises a local wireless network. 
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the first communication pathway comprises a local wireless network and wherein the second communication pathway comprises a satellite network. 
   
   
       39 . A monitoring system comprising:
 an environmental sensor configured to detect environmental information associated with an object;   an identification sensor configured to identify the object;   a timing device configured to provide time information comprising a time of day and a date;   a location sensor configured to receive location information; and   an electronic device configured to receive data from the environmental sensor, the identification sensor, the timing device and the location sensor, and wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the received data such that the timing information, object identification information, the location information and the environmental information can be linked together, wherein the linked data is transmitted to a remote device in a secure manner.   
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the object is a person and the identification sensor is a biometric sensor configured to receive biometric information of the person. 
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the identification sensor is a camera configured to capture images of the object. 
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the object is located in a room. 
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the location sensor comprises a GPS sensor. 
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the timing device is configured to receive a system time. 
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the environmental sensor comprises a chemical detector. 
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the environmental sensor comprises a radiological detector. 
   
   
       47 . A shipping container monitoring system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors configured to detect environmental information about an area inside or outside the container;   a timing device configured to provide time information comprising a time of day;   a location sensor configured to receive location information; and   an electronic device configured to receive data from the plurality of sensors, the timing device and the location sensor, wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the received data such that the timing information, wherein the location information and the environmental information is synchronized, and wherein the synchronized data is encrypted and transmitted to a remote device in a secure manner.   
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an image capture device configured to capture images of the inside of the container. 
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an image capture device configured to capture images of the container. 
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the location sensor comprises a GPS sensor. 
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the timing device is configured to receive a system time. 
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 a plurality of antenna,   wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the synchronized data via one of the antenna.   
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the plurality of sensors are further configured to be in a sleep state until a task authorization message is received and authenticated as having been transmitted from the remote device. 
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 a bus comprising a plurality of connectors,   wherein the plurality of sensors are further configured to plug into the connectors of the bus and to communicate with the electronic device with a communications protocol.   
   
   
       55 . A portable monitoring system comprising:
 a tempest constructed housing to provide shielding for enclosed devices, the housing enclosing:   an environmental sensor configured to detect environmental information;   a timing device configured to provide time information comprising a time of day and a date;   a location sensor configured to receive location information; and   an processor configured to receive data from the environmental sensor, the timing device and the location sensor, wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the received data such that the timing information, object identification information, the location information, and the environmental information is synchronized, and wherein the synchronized data is transmitted to a remote device in a secure manner.   
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an image capture device configured to capture image data. 
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an audio capture device configured to capture audio information. 
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the location sensor comprises a GPS sensor. 
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the timing device is configured to receive a system time. 
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 55 , further comprising:
 a plurality of antenna,   wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the synchronized data via one of the antenna.   
   
   
       61 . A system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors;   a remote device configured to transmit secure instructions; and   an electronic device configured to receive data from the sensors, the electronic device further configured to receive the secure instructions from the remote device,   wherein the secure instructions direct the electronic device to receive data from one or more of the sensors.   
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the electronic deice is further configured to authenticate the received secure instructions. 
   
   
       63 . A method comprising:
 receiving data at an electronic device from a first sensor;   receiving instructions from a remote device, the instructions directing the electronic device to receive data from a second sensor instead of the first sensor;   discontinuing the receiving of data from the first sensor; and   receiving data at the electronic device from the second sensor.   
   
   
       64 . A system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors;   a remote device configured to transmit encrypted monitoring instructions; and   an electronic device configured to receive data from the sensors, the electronic device further configured to receive and decrypt the monitoring instructions from the remote device via a network, the monitoring instructions including a monitoring schedule for one or more of the plurality of sensors, the electronic device configured to received data from the sensors in accordance with the received monitoring schedule.   
   
   
       65 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the monitoring schedule defines the frequency that at least one of the sensors will transmit data to the electronic device. 
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the monitoring schedule defines a sampling frequency for at least one of the least one of the sensors. 
   
   
       67 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the monitoring instructions defines a plurality of alarm conditions. 
   
   
       68 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the electronic deice is further configured to authenticate the received monitoring instructions. 
   
   
       69 . A method comprising:
 receiving an encrypted monitoring schedule from a remote device, the monitoring schedule defining a sensing schedule for a plurality of sensors and wherein the monitoring schedule identifies at least one alarm threshold;   decrypting the monitoring schedule;   receiving data from one or more sensors based upon the received sensing schedule;   determining an alarm condition based upon the alarm threshold and data received from the sensor;   encrypting notification of the alarm condition; and   transmitting the encrypted notification of the alarm condition to the remote device.   
   
   
       70 . A system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors;   a remote device configured to transmit encrypted monitoring instructions, wherein the encrypted monitoring instructions comprise a tolerance range for at least one of the sensors; and   an electronic device configured to receive sensor data from the sensors, the electronic device further configured to receive, authenticate and decrypt the encrypted monitoring instructions from the remote device, the electronic device configured to compare the sensor data to the received tolerance range.   
   
   
       71 . A method comprising:
 receiving encrypted monitoring instructions from a remote device, the monitoring instructions including a tolerance range for sensed data from at least one sensor;   decrypting the monitoring instructions;   determining whether the sensed data are within the identified tolerance range; and   transmitting an encrypted alarm signal to the remote device when the sensed data falls outside the identified tolerance range.   
   
   
       72 . A system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors;   a remote device configured to transmit an encrypted monitoring instructions, the encrypted monitoring instructions identifying one or more of the plurality of sensors, a sensing schedule, and one or more alarm thresholds; and   an electronic device configured to receive sensor data from the sensors in accordance with the sensing schedule, the electronic device further configured to receive and decrypt the monitoring instructions, the electronic device being further configured to identify alarm conditions based upon the identified alarm thresholds and sensed data from the sensors.   
   
   
       73 . A method comprising:
 receiving encrypted monitoring instructions from a remote device, the monitoring instructions including a tolerance range for sensed data from at least one sensor;   decrypting the monitoring instructions;   determining whether the sensed data are within the identified tolerance range; and   transmitting an encrypted alarm signal to the remote device when the sensed data falls outside the identified tolerance range.