Trusted monitoring system and method
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 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 is synchronized, wherein the synchronized data is transmitted to a remote device in a secure manner.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the object is a person and the identification sensor is a biometric sensor configured to receive biometric information of the person.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the identification sensor is a camera configured to capture images of the object.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the object is located in a room.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the location sensor comprises a GPS sensor.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the timing device is configured to receive a system time.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the environmental sensor comprises a chemical detector.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the environmental sensor comprises a radiological detector.
9 . A 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 configure to receive location information; and
an electronic device configured to receive data from the plurality of sensors, 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, the location information and the environmental information is synchronized, wherein the synchronized data is transmitted to a remote device in a secure manner.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an image capture device configured to capture images of the inside of the container.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an image capture device configured to capture images of the container.
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the location sensor comprises a GPS sensor.
13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the timing device is configured to receive a system time.
14 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a plurality of antenna; and
wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the synchronized data via one of the antenna.
15 . The system of claim 9 , 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.
16 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a bus comprising a plurality of similar connectors; and
wherein the plurality of sensors are further configured to plug into the common connectors of the bus and to communicate with the electronic device with a common communications protocol.
17 . 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, 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 is synchronized, wherein the synchronized data is transmitted to a remote device in a secure manner.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an image capture device configured to capture image data.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an audio capture device configured to capture audio information.
20 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the location sensor comprises a GPS sensor.
21 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the timing device is configured to receive a system time.
22 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising:
a plurality of antenna; and
wherein the electronic device is further configured to transmit the synchronized data via one of the antenna.