Environmental Monitoring System

Abstract

An environmental monitoring network has transportable, self-contained, environment sensing capsules, each capsule is water-proof, with first and second sections, the second section being hollow. Apertures in the capsule's housing enable fluid and gas entry wherein first sensor(s) disposed internal to the housing measure within the hollow, and second sensor(s) disposed external to the housing measure external to the housing. A controller and power system are connected to the first and second sensors and transmits measured data. An access entry way is on a side of the housing, enabling access to first sensors, controller system, power system, and the communication system. A central data server is configured to receive and analyze the measurement data sent from the capsules. There is a priority list of appropriate personnel for contact by the central data server in an event there is an emergency condition at a capsule location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-contained, environment sensing capsule, comprising:
 a water-proof enclosed housing, having a first and second section, wherein the second section is substantially hollow;   at least one aperture in the housing enabling entry of at least one of an external environmental fluid and gas into the second section;   one or more first sensors disposed internal to the housing and configured to measure within the second section;   one or more second sensors disposed external to the housing and configured to measure external to the housing;   a controller system and power system in the housing, connected to the one or more first and second sensors;   a communication system in the housing, connected to the controller and the power system, and configured to externally transmit data measured from one or more first and second sensors using at least one of a wired and wireless connection; and   an access entry way on a side of the housing, enabling access to at least one of the one or more first sensors, controller system, power system, and communication system,   wherein the transmitted data is evaluated for appropriate action.   
     
     
         2 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sections of the housing are on opposite ends of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first and second sensors measures at least one of temperature, smoke, toxicity, pressure, airborne particulates, vibration, strain, acoustic, electromagnetic energy, flow rate, fluid level, velocity, tilt, time of flight and radiation. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the power system provides power from at least one of commercial power, solar panels, battery, thermo-electric generator, and a fuel powered generator. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising an external display attached to the housing, the display being a printed label or electronic digital display. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising a measurement cable extending from a bottom of the housing and connected to the at least one first sensor, to enable measurements from the bottom of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one drone landing pad and drone charger, disposed on a top of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one camera attached to the housing, the camera able to detect at least one of visible, infrared and ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule of  claim 8 , wherein the camera has a panoramic lens. 
     
     
         10 . The capsule of  claim 8 , wherein the camera is configured for motion sensitive operation. 
     
     
         11 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless connection is at least one of a cell service, satellite, Internet of Things, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. 
     
     
         12 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein one of the at least one first and second sensors is configured to detect tampering or vandalism of the capsule. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the communication system wireless transmits using at least one of a fixed antenna and floating antenna, where in the floating antenna is utilized when the capsule is submerged. 
     
     
         14 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising a central data server, receiving the transmitted data measured from one or more first and second sensors. 
     
     
         15 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the access entry way is large enough for an adult person to enter, and the capsule is configured to act as an emergency shelter. 
     
     
         16 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the access entry way is controlled by a manual or electronic entry protocol initiated by the person seeking entry. 
     
     
         17 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the access entry way is large enough for an adult person to enter and the capsule is configured to act as a controlled entry way to an adjoining shelter or building. 
     
     
         18 . A method for monitoring an environmental condition, comprising:
 deploying one or more transportable, self-contained, environment sensing capsules to one or more desired locations, each capsule comprising:
 a water-proof enclosed housing, having a first and second section, wherein the second section is substantially hollow; 
 at least one aperture in the housing enabling entry of at least one of an external environmental fluid and gas into the second section; 
 one or more first sensors disposed internal to the housing and configured to measure within the second section; 
 one or more second sensors disposed external to the housing and configured to measure external to the housing; 
 a controller system and power system in the housing, connected to the one or more first and second sensors; 
 a communication system in the housing, connected to the controller and the power system, and configured to externally transmit data measured from one or more first and second sensors using at least one of a wired and wireless connection; and 
 an access entry way on a side of the housing, enabling access to at least one of the one or more first sensors, controller system, power system, and communication system, 
 wherein the at least one first and second sensors measures at least one of temperature, smoke, toxicity, pressure, airborne particulates, vibration, strain, acoustic, electromagnetic energy, flow rate, fluid level, velocity, tilt, time of flight and radiation, 
 wherein the power system's power is from at least one of commercial power, solar panels, battery, thermo-electric generator, and a fuel powered generator, 
 wherein the wireless connection is at least one of a cell service, satellite, Internet of Things, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; 
   transmitting the measurement data from each capsule to a central data server;   evaluating the measurement data for possible crisis determination; and   forwarding at least one of the evaluated data and possible crisis determination to personnel for action.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more desired locations is at least one of on a roof, basement, edge of a curb, over a lateral clean out entry, parking lot, beach, storm drain, manhole entry, bluff, building, bridge, roadway, and cliff. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising, at least one of directing an alarm to the central data server or to a nearby person via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and changing a status of an external display attached to the housing. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising flying a drone to or from the one or more capsules, wherein the capsules further comprise at least one drone landing pad and drone charger, disposed on a top of the housings. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising taking at least one of a picture and video from a camera attached to each capsule's housing, and taking an environmental measurement from a sensor on the drone. 
     
     
         23 . An environmental monitoring network, comprising:
 one or more deployable, self-contained, environment sensing capsules placed at one or more desired locations, each capsule comprising:
 a water-proof enclosed housing, having a first and second section, wherein the second section is substantially hollow; 
 at least one aperture in the housing enabling entry of at least one of an external environmental fluid and gas into the second section; 
 one or more first sensors disposed internal to the housing and configured to measure within the second section; 
 one or more second sensors disposed external to the housing and configured to measure external to the housing; 
 a controller system and power system in the housing, connected to the one or more first and second sensors; 
 a communication system in the housing, connected to the controller and the power system, and configured to externally transmit data measured from one or more first and second sensors using at least one of a wired and wireless connection; and 
 an access entry way on a side of the housing, enabling access to at least one of the one or more first sensors, controller system, power system, and communication system, 
 wherein the at least one first and second sensors measures at least one of temperature, smoke, toxicity, pressure, airborne particulates, vibration, strain, acoustic, electromagnetic energy, flow rate, fluid level, velocity, tilt, time of flight and radiation, 
 wherein the power system's power is from at least one of commercial power, solar panels, battery, thermo-electric generator, and a fuel powered generator, 
 wherein the wireless connection is at least one of a cell service, satellite, Internet of Things, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; 
   a central data server configured to receive the externally transmitted data and analyze the data; and   a priority list of appropriate personnel for contacting by the central data server in an event the analyzed data indicates an emergency at a capsule location.   
     
     
         24 . The environmental monitoring network of  claim 23 , wherein the capsules are positioned at a designated perimeter, wherein sensors in the capsules are configured to detect at least one of seismic, acoustic, infrared, and visual signals around the perimeter to operate as an electronic fence for detection and protection from outside intruders.