Method of inserting the video mote into remote environment, video mote and sensor system

Abstract

The invention provides a method of inserting a video mode into a remote environment, a video mote, and a sensor system. The video mote includes a camera for capturing a digital image via a flexible wire to a central computer. The video mote further includes an at least partially transparent container and includes a flexible wire having a length of more than 1 meter being connected to the receiver. The method of inserting the video mote include the steps of lowering the video mote into a pipe to a first position near an opening, and forcing a liquid through the pipe and thereby forcing the video mote through the opening into the remote environment.

1 . Method of inserting a video mote into a remote environment via a pipe, the video mote being connected to a flexible wire and the pipe comprising an opening in a wall of the pipe for providing access to the remote environment, the method comprising the steps of:
 lowering the video mote into the pipe to a first position inside the pipe near the opening, and   forcing a liquid through the pipe into the remote environment via the opening and thereby forcing the video mote through the opening into the remote environment.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the video mote is coupled to a receiver and wherein the step of lowering the video mote into the pipe comprises lowering the receiver into the pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of:
 determining the first position using the camera of the video mote.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , where a plurality of video motes are coupled to the receiver, wherein during the step of lowering the video motes into the pipe to the first position inside the pipe near the opening, video motes of the plurality of video motes are lowered into the pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method is configured for inserting the video mote into the remote environment containing oil. 
     
     
         6 . A video mote configured for capturing images in a remote environment, the video mote comprising:
 a camera for capturing digital images from the remote environment,   a controller arranged for receiving the digital image from the camera and for transmitting the digital image to a central computer via a receiver,   a container at least partially transparent for protecting the camera and the controller, the container having a maximum outer dimension less than 30 millimeter,   a flexible wire having a length of more than 1 meter and being connected to the controller for transmitting the digital image away from the video mote via the flexible wire to the receiver, and   an energy supply.   
     
     
         7 . The video mote according to  claim 6 , wherein the flexible wire is further connected to the energy supply for providing power to the video mote. 
     
     
         8 . The video mote according to  claim 6 , wherein the container comprises external fins for stabilizing the video mote in moving liquid. 
     
     
         9 . A sensor system comprising at least one video mote according to  claim 6 , and a receiver, the at least one video mote being connected to the receiver via the flexible wire for transmitting the digital image from the video mote via the flexible wire to the receiver. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor system according to  claim 9 , wherein the sensor system is configured for identifying an orientation of the video mote inside a pipe and/or inside the remote environment. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor system according to  claim 9 , wherein the sensor system further comprises the central computer connected to the receiver.