Data Collection Method and Apparatus

Abstract

An illustrative embodiment of a data collection method and apparatus comprises at least one sensor that may be configured as a mobile data collection apparatus, which sensor may be in communication with a controller. The data collection apparatus may include one or more sensors, including but not limited to air pressure, air humidity, air temperature, road surface temperature, lightning distance, light level, precipitation rate, ozone level, carbon dioxide level, nitrous oxide level, and methane level; all of which may be in communication with a controller. One or more sensors may be positioned on or within a main assembly.

1 . A data collection apparatus comprising:
 a. a main assembly;   b. a controller in communication with said main assembly;   c. a surface temperature sensor in communication with said controller; and,   d. an air temperature sensor positioned within said main assembly, wherein said air temperature sensor is in communication with said controller, and wherein main assembly is configured for a mobile application.   
     
     
         2 . The data collection apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a barometric pressure sensor positioned within said controller, wherein said barometric pressure sensor is in communication with said controller. 
     
     
         3 . The data collection apparatus according to  claim 2  further comprising an air humidity sensor positioned within said main assembly, wherein said air humidity sensor is in communication with said controller. 
     
     
         4 . The data collection apparatus according to  claim 3  further comprising an ozone sensor positioned within said main assembly, wherein said air pressure sensor is in communication with said controller. 
     
     
         5 . The data collection apparatus according to  claim 4  further comprising an pyranometer positioned on said main assembly, wherein said pyranometer is in communication with said controller. 
     
     
         6 . The data collection apparatus according to  claim 5  further comprising a precipitation sensor engaged with said main assembly, wherein said precipitation sensor is in communication with said controller. 
     
     
         7 . The data collection apparatus according to  claim 6  further comprising a wind sensor engaged with said main assembly, wherein said wind sensor is in communication with said controller. 
     
     
         8 . The data collection apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said main assembly further comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a fan positioned within said main assembly, and wherein said fan is configured to move ambient air from said inlet to said outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The data collection apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said data collection unit is further defined as being configured to be in wired communication with a standard vehicle telematics interface. 
     
     
         10 . A data collection method comprising the steps:
 a. engaging a data collection apparatus with a vehicle, wherein said data collection apparatus comprises:
 i. a main assembly; 
 ii. a controller in communication with said main assembly; 
 iii. a surface temperature sensor in communication with said controller; and, 
 iv. an air temperature sensor positioned within said main assembly, wherein said air temperature sensor is in communication with said controller, and wherein said data collection apparatus is configured for a mobile application 
   b. programming said controller to cause said air temperature sensor to take a measurement at a specific time interval;   c. programming said controller to cause said surface temperature sensor to take a measurement at a specific time interval;   d. allowing said data collection apparatus to communicate with an existing telematics unit within said vehicle; and,   e. storing data from said air temperature sensor and said surface temperature sensor.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said data collection apparatus further comprises a barometric pressure sensor positioned within controller, wherein said barometric pressure sensor is in communication with said controller, and wherein said method further comprises the step of programming said controller to cause said barometric pressure sensor to take a measurement at a specific time interval. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein said data collection apparatus further comprises an air humidity sensor positioned within said main assembly, wherein said air humidity sensor is in communication with said controller, and wherein said method further comprises the step of programming said controller to cause said air humidity sensor to take a measurement at a specific time interval. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein said data collection apparatus comprises a buffer, wherein said controller is configured to cause a first portion of data from said measurement of said surface temperature sensor and said air temperature sensor to be stored in said buffer, and wherein said controller is configured to analyze at least said first portion of data from said measurement of said surface temperature sensor and said air temperature sensor in real-time such that said controller is able to identify an anomaly in said first portion of data. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein said central controller is configured to cause said specific time interval for said road surface temperature sensor and said specific time interval for air temperature sensor to change depending on said anomaly. 
     
     
         15 . A main assembly comprising:
 a. an exterior housing having an inlet and an outlet;   b. a base engaged with said exterior housing;   c. an interior member engaged with said base, wherein said interior member is positioned between said base and said exterior housing, wherein said interior member is configured with a main sensing chamber, and wherein a primary circuitry is engaged with said interior member; and,   d. a temperature/humidity sensor positioned in said main sensing chamber, wherein said temperature/humidity sensor is in communication with said primary circuitry.   
     
     
         16 . The main assembly according to  claim 15  further comprising a lightning sensor positioned in said main sensing chamber, wherein said lightning sensor is in communication with said primary circuitry. 
     
     
         17 . The main assembly according to  claim 16  further comprising an ozone sensor positioned in said main sensing chamber, wherein said ozone sensor is in communication with said primary circuitry. 
     
     
         18 . The main assembly according to  claim 17  wherein said exterior housing further comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a slope, wherein said slope is positioned on a leading edge of said main assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The main assembly according to  claim 17  wherein said main assembly further comprises an interstitial area positioned between an exterior surface of said interior member and an interior surface of said exterior housing. 
     
     
         20 . An adaptive interval sensing method comprising:
 a. monitoring a first type of data from at least one sensor at a first time interval;   b. recording a first value of said first type of data at a second time interval, wherein said second time interval is greater than said first time interval;   c. transmitting said first value of said first type of data at a third time interval, wherein said third time interval is equal to or greater than said second time interval;   d. recording a second value of said first type of data at said second time interval;   e. comparing said first value of said first type of data to said second value of said first type of data;   f. detecting a first difference in said first and second values of said first type of data; and   g. recording a third value of said first type of data at a fourth time interval, wherein said fourth time interval is less than said first time interval.