Method and apparatus for generating an environmental element prediction for a point of interest

Abstract

An apparatus for generating environmental element predictions at a point location includes a receiver for collecting broadcast environmental element prediction data. A processor generates at least one environmental element prediction for the point location.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a receiver for collecting broadcast environmental element prediction data associated with at least one point location; and   a processor processing the environmental element prediction data to generate at least one environmental element prediction for a point of interest, wherein the point of interest is distinct from any point location associated with the broadcast environmental element prediction data, wherein the receiver and the processor are located at the point of interest.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the environmental element prediction data is at least one of grid prediction data and scatter prediction data. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the environmental element prediction data includes both grid prediction data and scatter prediction data. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the environmental element prediction data includes at least one element from the set including {air temperature, pressure, wind speed, wind direction, probability of precipitation, amount of precipitation, humidity, cloud cover, visibility, radiation, wind chill, heat index, water temperature, wave height, wave direction}. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the environmental element prediction is for at least one element from the set including {air temperature, pressure, wind speed, wind direction, probability of precipitation, amount of precipitation, humidity, cloud cover, visibility, water temperature, wave height, wave direction, heat index, wind chill, drought index, soil moisture, ultraviolet radiation, aerosol dispersion}. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a locator for providing the point of interest. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the locator determines the point of interest through satellite trilateration. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the environmental element prediction data is collected by the receiver from a wireless over-the-air broadcast. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the environmental element prediction data is collected by the receiver from a computer network. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 a) receiving broadcast environmental element prediction data for at least one point location; and   b) computing at least one environmental element prediction for a point of interest from the environmental element prediction data, wherein the point of interest is distinct from any point location of the environmental element prediction data, wherein the computing is performed by a processor, wherein the receiver and the processor are located at the point of interest.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the environmental element prediction data comprises at least one of grid data and scatter data. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the environmental element prediction data comprises both grid data and scatter data. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 c) generating a control signal for controlling a controlled element in response to the at least one environmental element prediction for the point of interest. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the controlled element is a fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the controlled element is water. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the controlled element is electrical power. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the controlled element is temperature. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the received data includes at least one element from the set including {air temperature, pressure, wind speed, wind direction, probability of precipitation, amount of precipitation, humidity, cloud cover, visibility, radiation, wind chill, heat index, water temperature, wave height, wave direction}. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the environmental element prediction is for at least one element from the set including {air temperature, pressure, wind speed, wind direction, probability of precipitation, amount of precipitation, humidity, cloud cover, visibility, water temperature, wave height, wave direction, heat index, wind chill, drought index, soil moisture, ultraviolet radiation, aerosol dispersion}. 
     
     
         20 . A control apparatus comprising:
 a receiver collecting broadcast environmental element prediction data associated with at least one point location as received data;   a processor processing the received data to generate at least one environmental element prediction for a point of interest, wherein the point of interest is distinct from any point location of the received data, wherein the receiver and the processor are located at the point of interest, wherein the processor generates a first control signal based upon the at least one environmental element prediction; and   a controller for controlling a controlled element, the controller responsive at least in part to the first control signal.   
     
     
         21 . The control apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising:
 a least one environmental sensor providing a second control signal, wherein the controller controls the controlled element in accordance with at least one of the first and second control signals. 
 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the controlled element is a fluid. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the fluid is water. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the controlled element is electrical power. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the controlled element is temperature. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the received data includes at least one element from the set including {air temperature, pressure, wind speed, wind direction, probability of precipitation, amount of precipitation, humidity, cloud cover, visibility, radiation, wind chill, heat index, water temperature, wave height, wave direction}. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the environmental element prediction is for at least one element from the set including {air temperature, pressure, wind speed, wind direction, probability of precipitation, amount of precipitation, humidity, cloud cover, visibility, water temperature, wave height, wave direction, heat index, wind chill, drought index, soil moisture, ultraviolet radiation, aerosol dispersion}.