Monitoring buoy system
A fixed-position buoy for observing and monitoring the surface of a predetermined area of water, including a flotation device; an imaging device operable for obtaining images of the surface of the predetermined area of water; memory for storing the images of the surface of the predetermined area of water; one or more communications devices operable for transmitting a signal representing the images of the surface of the predetermined area of water to a remote location; and a tether and a mooring attached to the flotation device, the tether and the mooring operable for securing the flotation device.
1. A fixed-position buoy for observing and monitoring the surface of a predetermined area of water, comprising:
a flotation device;
an imaging device operable for obtaining images of the surface of the predetermined area of water;
memory for storing the images of the surface of the predetermined area of water;
a communications device operable for transmitting a signal representing the images of the surface of the predetermined area of water to a remote location; and
a tether and a mooring attached to the flotation device, the tether and the mooring operable for securing the flotation device in a fixed position.
2. The buoy of claim 1 , further comprising a gimbal structure attached to the imaging device, the gimbal structure operable for allowing the imaging device to remain level in the presence of buoy tilting.
3. The buoy of claim 1 , further comprising a power source for providing power to the imaging device and the communications device.
4. The buoy of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of power generating devices operable for maintaining the voltage level of the power source.
5. The buoy of claim 1 , wherein the communication device further comprises a mobile telephone having data transmission capability.
6. The buoy of claim 1 , wherein the communications device further comprises a telemetry device.
7. The buoy of claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is disposed within a protective structure.
8. The buoy of claim 1 , further comprising a controller associated with the imaging device, the controller operable for controlling the orientation of the imaging device relative to the surface of the predetermined area of water.
9. A fixed-position buoy for observing and monitoring the surface of a predetermined area of water, comprising:
a flotation device;
an imaging device operable for obtaining images of the surface of the predetermined area of water;
a memory for storing the images of the surface of the predetermined area of water;
a communications device operable for transmitting a signal representing the images of the surface of the predetermined area of water to a remote location;
a gimbal structure attached to the imaging device, the gimbal structure operable for allowing the imaging device to remain level in the presence of buoy tilting; and
a tether and a mooring attached to the flotation device, the tether and the mooring operable for securing the flotation device in a fixed position.
10. The buoy of claim 9 , further comprising a power source operable for providing power to the imaging device and the communication device.
11. The buoy of claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of power generating devices operable for maintaining the voltage level of the power source.
12. The buoy of claim 9 , wherein the communications device further comprises a mobile telephone having data transmission capability.
13. The buoy of claim 9 , wherein the communications device further comprises a telemetry device.
14. The buoy of claim 9 , wherein the imaging device is disposed within a protective structure.
15. The buoy of claim 9 , further comprising a controller associated with the imaging device, the controller operable for controlling the orientation of the imaging device relative to the surface of the predetermined area of water.