Patent No. 18/821,210

Description:
This invention is a device designed to create a temporary sensor network. Sensors deployed to remote areas are difficult to reach, and often without cellular/internet service. This invention will make interaction with these sensors easier. Devices can connect to the Tlacuache through WiFi or Ethernet cable. Connected devices are able to communicate to Tlacuache and other connected devices, thus creating a sensor network. USB peripherals are available to expand functionality, such as increasing the system’s memory through a USB thumb drive, or expanding the devices’ network connections through a USB WiFi antenna. The Tlacuache is designed to be portable, and small enough to fit in a pocket. It can be powered through USB or a laptop charging cable with voltage between 5v-24v. It has a mountable display, ability to host websites, custom design electronic board, expanded Ethernet ports, and runs on Linus OS. Supported devices such as the Phenocam remote time-lapse cameras have specialized functions when connected to the Tlacuache. Users can interact with the supported devices through the mountable display or the website. The Tlacuache can download data from the sensor and store this data on an SD card or USB thumb drive. The Tlacuache has high-precision clock to sync the clocks of supported devices, which is important for timestamp images. Software update is supported through internet connection. Hosted website through the Tlacuache can be access by any other device on the network. The device can provide a health diagnostic monitor and show information such as battery health, free memory space and device system time.

Abstract:
In research fields such as environmental science, operational environments such as marine navigation buoys, and industrial settings such as underground mining operations, sensors are deployed in remote or hazardous locations where data telemetry and/or physical access to sensing systems is challenging or dangerous. These areas often have no cellular service or internet service and may extend beyond the range of other data telemetry solutions such as Bluetooth. The Tlacuache's purpose is to make interaction with these sensors easier, safer, usable on autonomous vessels/vehicles of opportunity (e.g. drones, trains, vessels, delivery vans etc). Much like an internet router, devices can connect to the Tlacuache through WiFi or ethernet cable. Connected devices are able to communicate to the Tlacuache and other connected devices, thus creating a sensor network. Furthermore, if an internet service is available (either through a wireless, ethernet, satellite connection), the Tlacuache is able to connect to the internet service and provide service to all connected devices. The device supports expandable functionality with USB peripherals that includes but is not limited to system memory extension, WiFi antenna, other sensors, and actuators. The Tlacuache is designed to be portable and easy to deploy in remote areas, during hazardous conditions, and/or on autonomous vessels/vehicles of opportunity. The device is slightly larger than a typical cell phone and can fit in a standard shirt/pant pocket. It can be powered through USB or a laptop charging cable with voltages between 5v-24v. The Tlacuache has a mountable display with buttons that allow for interaction with the device. It also hosts its own onboard website that any devices connected to the Tlacuache can access. Such functionality allows for the Tlacuache to serve as a powerful device to link laptop computers, cell phones, and other control systems to sensors/sensing systems. The Tlacuache has a custom designed electronic board that acts as a power manager and provides internet switch functionality. It also expands the number of ethernet ports on the system that allows for communication among many ethernet cabled devices. Functionality is executed via an onboard microcomputer running a Linux Operating System. The Tlacuache provides specialized functions when connected to supported devices, such as time lapse cameras, micrometeorological sensors, air samplers, and other sensors/sensing systems. Users can interact with the supported devices through a mountable display with buttons, or the onboard website. The Tlacuache can download data from the sensor and store this data on an SD card or USB thumb drive. The Tlacuache has a high-precision clock that it uses to synchronize the clocks of supported devices. This is important for certain devices such as the time lapse cameras to accurately timestamp images. If the Tlacuache is connected to the internet, users can download software updates and transfer these to supported devices at a later time, even when there is no internet access. If the supported device hosts a website (becoming more common in environmental sensing systems), the Tlacuache can make the website accessible to any other device on its network. For example, a user can connect their smartphone to the local network and view the status of any supported devices hosting a website. Many remote sensing devices are designed to be power efficient and will go to a lower power mode in a few minutes. This makes it difficult to troubleshoot these sensors. The Tlacuache can configure supported device functionality and control when these devices enter or exit lower power mode. The device can provide a health diagnostic monitor to gauge information on supported devices such as battery health, free memory space, and device system log file information.


UTEP Docket No: 2023-015