Object Condition Sensing

Abstract

Embodiments are described for multi-sensor systems for real-time embedded monitoring of object senses and mixed-mode object conditions. In one or more embodiments, various sensors can separately provide disparate analog signals representing different measurable attributes regarding a sensed object. For example, sensors may separately sense temperature, pressure, or other biometric values. In some embodiments and according to specified rule sets or other qualifying parameters, a digital signal can be generated by a processor and/or controller to indicate one or more conditions of the sensed object according to sensor input values. Additionally or alternatively, a multi-sensor scheme may be coupled to a digital network and/or coupled thereto for simulation and/or communication applications.

1 . A sensor architecture comprising:
 a first sensor configured to monitor a first physical attribute of an object and generate a corresponding first signal;   a second sensor configured to monitor a second physical attribute of the object and generate a corresponding second signal, wherein the first and second sensors are configured to be coupled as peers on a network;   a sensor array configured to control accessibility of the first and second sensors and to process the first signal and the second signal to indicate one or more physiological conditions associated with the object; and   an output device configured to provide output based on the one or more physiological conditions.   
   
   
       2 . The sensor architecture of  claim 1 , wherein the output is a video signal. 
   
   
       3 . The sensor architecture of  claim 1 , wherein the output is configured to enable a client device to implement one or more of gaming, therapy, or exercise functionality. 
   
   
       4 . The sensor architecture of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first signal or the second signal are configured to be utilized to diagnose one or more medical conditions. 
   
   
       5 . The sensor architecture of  claim 1 , wherein the output device is configured to dispense one or more medications. 
   
   
       6 . The sensor architecture of  claim 1 , wherein the output device comprises one or more of:
 a display device;   an audio device;   a dispenser device; or   a mechanical device.   
   
   
       7 . The sensor architecture of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first physical attribute or the second physical attribute comprises one or more of:
 temperature;   perspiration rate; or   blood pressure.   
   
   
       8 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first sensor configured to monitor a first physical condition of an object and generate a corresponding first signal according to a first rule;   a second sensor configured to monitor a second physical condition of the object and generate a corresponding second signal according to a second rule; and   a storage configured to provide the apparatus with one or more of the first rule or the second rule according to one or both of a usage license or subscription.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a sensor array configured to process the first signal and the second signal to indicate one or more physiological conditions associated with the object. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein one or more of the first signal or the second signal are configured to enable the apparatus to implement one or more of gaming, therapy, or exercise functionality. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein one or more of the first sensor or the second sensor are configured to monitor one or more of the first physical condition or the second physical condition via contact with a person. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the output signal is configured to cause the apparatus to perform a function associated with a physiological condition indicated by one or more of the first physical condition or the second physical condition. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus comprises one or more of:
 a display device;   an audio device;   a dispenser device; or   a mechanical device.   
   
   
       14 . A tangible computer-readable medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions that, if executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising:
 monitoring a first physical condition of an object with a first sensor to generate, according to a first rule, a corresponding first signal;   monitoring a second physical condition of the object with a second sensor to generate, according to a second rule, an associated second signal, wherein the first sensor and second sensor are coupled as peers on a network, and wherein each of the first sensor and second sensor is accessible on the network based on one or more sensor parameters; and   determining a physiological condition of the object based on the first signal and the second signal.   
   
   
       15 . The tangible computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises:
 monitoring a third physical condition of the object with a third sensor to generate, according to a third rule, a corresponding third signal, wherein the third sensor is coupled to the first and second sensors as peers on the network, and wherein the third sensor is accessible on the network based on one or more of the sensor parameters; and   determining the physiological condition of the object based additionally on the third signal.   
   
   
       16 . The tangible computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the first sensor is configured to operate according to a high-level programming language or application programming interface. 
   
   
       17 . The tangible computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein data associated with one or both of the first signal or second signal is accessible to a client device. 
   
   
       18 . The tangible computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein one or both of the first signal or the second signal are configured to cause the client device to implement one or more of gaming, therapy, or exercise functionality. 
   
   
       19 . The tangible computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein one or both of the first signal or the second signal are configured to cause an output device associated with the client device to perform an output function comprising at least one of:
 producing sound;   causing a display;   producing video; or   dispensing a good.   
   
   
       20 . The tangible computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the one or more sensor parameters is associated with:
 sensor sensitivity;   sensor reliability;   sensor accuracy; or   sensor performance.