Apparatuses, systems, and methods for collecting information

Abstract

Described embodiments include devices and systems for collecting information from environments, including from hazardous environments. Methods of deploying such devices are also disclosed.

1 . A portable sensor device for collecting information from an environment, the device comprising:
 an enclosure having a plurality of substantially flat side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface;   at least one camera for obtaining images inlaid in at least one of the side surfaces or the top surface;   a communications interface for transmitting obtained images from the sensor device to a remote device.   
     
     
         2 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the communications interface is a wireless communications interface for transmitting a wireless signal to the remote device. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The portable device of  claim 1 , further comprising a casing covering edges of the enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is a cubic enclosure having four side surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure further comprises rounded edges or beveled edges surrounding at least one of the surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The portable device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 camera assemblies inlaid in each of the four side surfaces; and   environmental sensors inlaid in each of the four side surfaces.   
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The portable device of  claim 1 , further comprising a charging terminal located on at least one of the top, side, and bottom surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The portable device of  claim 1 , the bottom surface further comprising a weighted material for making the bottom surface heavier than the side and top surfaces. 
     
     
         11 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The portable device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one environmental sensor for obtaining the environmental information inlaid in at least one of the surfaces. 
     
     
         17 . The portable device of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one environmental sensor is configured to obtain information on at least one of:
 a temperature of the environment;   levels of carbon dioxide in the environment;   levels of chlorine gas in the environment;   levels of hydrocarbons in the environment;   levels of smoke in the environment;   levels of fire suppression agents in the environment;   levels of radiation in the environment;   levels of hydrogen sulfide in the environment;   levels of oxygen in the environment; and   levels of carbon monoxide in the environment.   
     
     
         18 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The portable device of  claim 1 , further comprising a phase change material configured to absorb energy from heat within the enclosure. 
     
     
         26 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A system for collecting information, the system comprising:
 a host device   a portable device configured to obtain information from the environment, the portable device comprising:   an enclosure having a plurality of substantially flat side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface;   at least one camera for obtaining images inlaid in at least one of the side surfaces or the top surface; and   a communications link for transmitting information between the portable device and the host.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the communications link is a wireless communications link. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , the portable device further comprising
 at least one environmental sensor inlaid in one of the side surfaces or the top surface.   
     
     
         33 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the host comprises a user interface configured to display:
 images obtained by the portable device; and   controls for user interaction with the portable device.   
     
     
         36 . A method of collecting images and environmental information, the method comprising:
 deploying a portable device into a hazardous environment by throwing the portable device into the hazardous environment;   obtaining images of the hazardous environment with the portable device; and   transmitting images from the portable device to a host using a communications link.   
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 obtaining environmental information with the portable device; and   transmitting environmental information from the portable device to the host using the communications link.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 monitoring an internal temperature of the portable device.   
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the environmental information obtained includes at least one of:
 a temperature of the hazardous environment   a level of carbon monoxide in the environment;   a level of oxygen in the environment;   a level of hydrogen sulfide in the environment   a level of carbon dioxide in the environment;   a level of chlorine gas in the environment;   a level of hydrocarbons in the environment;   a level of smoke in the environment;   a level of fire suppression agents in the environment; and   a level of radiation in the environment.   
     
     
         42 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The portable device of  claim 1 , further comprising an internal temperature sensor configured to monitor an internal temperature of the portable device.