Intelligent sensor data logging system

Abstract

A system for acquiring environmental data from a plurality of sensors is provided with a microprocessor having a sensor input for receiving data from a sensor, a memory access port for communicating with a memory system, and an output port for issuing data. Plural sensors each produce associated sensor signals responsive to respective characteristics of an environment. The sensor signals are propagated to the sensor input of the microprocessor, and a memory system is coupled to the memory access port of the microprocessor for storing calibration data associated with the plurality of sensors. A communications arrangement is coupled to the output port of the microprocessor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for acquiring environmental data from an environment to be investigated′ the system comprising:
 a microprocessor having a sensor input for receiving the environmental data, a memory access port for receiving sensor calibration data, and an output port for issuing output data responsive to the environmental data and the sensor calibration data, said microprocessor being disposed in determined spatial relation with respect to the environment to be investigated; 
 a plurality of distributed sensors for producing respectively associated sensor signals responsive to respective characteristics of the environment to be investigated, said sensor signals being propagated to the sensor input of said microprocessor; 
 a memory system coupled to the memory access port of said microprocessor for storing sensor calibration data associated with said plurality of distributed sensors and supplying the calibration data to said microprocessor, whereby the output data issued at the output port of the microprocessor is responsive to the sensor signals and the calibration data; and 
 a communications arrangement coupled to the output port of said microprocessor. 
 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said memory system is arranged to contain unique system identification data. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said memory system is arranged to contain system time data. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of distributed sensors comprises a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of distributed sensors comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of distributed sensors comprises a chemical sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein there is further provided a global positioning module coupled to said microprocessor for providing spatial location data. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said communications arrangement comprises a network link. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein there is further provided a controller arrangement coupled to the network link. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein there is further provided a housing for enclosing said microprocessor and said memory arrangement, said housing being configured to achieve a predetermined extent of buoyancy. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said microprocessor is provided with a trigger input port for receiving an external triggering signal. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said microprocessor is provided with a trigger output port for issuing a triggering signal. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein there is further provided a display system, and said microprocessor is provided with a display port for providing data to be displayed by said display system. 
     
     
         14 . A system for acquiring environmental data from an environment to be investigated, the system comprising:
 a microprocessor having a sensor input for receiving the environmental data, a memory access port for receiving sensor calibration data, and an output port for issuing output data responsive to the environmental data and the sensor calibration data, said microprocessor being disposed in determined spatial relation with respect to the environment to be investigated;   a plurality of distributed sensors for producing respectively associated sensor signals responsive to respective characteristics of the environment to be investigated, said sensor signals being propagated to the sensor input of said microprocessor;   a memory system coupled to the memory access port of said microprocessor for storing sensor calibration data associated with said plurality of distributed sensors and supplying the calibration data to said microprocessor, whereby the output data issued at the output port of the microprocessor is responsive to the sensor signals and the sensor calibration data;   an antenna arrangement coupled to the output port of said microprocessor for transmitting the output data issued by said microprocessor; and   a housing for enclosing said microprocessor and said memory system and affording protection from an aquatic environment.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said housing is configured to provide a predeterminable buoyancy. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said antenna arrangement is configured to transmit the output data using a transmission protocol suitable for sub-aquatic data transfer. 
     
     
         17 . A method of coordinating data from a plurality of data sources disposed in an environment that is to be investigated, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving environmental data from a plurality of environmental data sensors disposed in communication with the environment that is to be investigated;   storing calibration data associated with respective ones of the environmental data sensors;   producing timing data corresponding to time and date;   propagating the environmental data, the calibration data, and the timing data to a microprocessor that is disposed in determined relation to the environment that is to be investigated; and   producing at an output of the microprocessor output data responsive to the environmental data and the calibration data.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein there is further provided the step of triggering the operation of the microprocessor from a remote triggering source. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein there are further provided the steps of:
 producing a trigger signal responsive to the output data at the output of the microprocessor; and   transmitting the trigger signal to an external system.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein there is further provided the step of controlling the operation of the microprocessor from a remote computer.