System and method for autonomous tracking and imaging of a target

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10691993-B2
Application number	US-201916412294-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 14, 2019
Priority date	Sep 16, 2016
Publication date	Jun 23, 2020
Grant date	Jun 23, 2020

Abstract

A submersible tag device configured to operate within a liquid medium, including a liquid-tight housing defining a chamber that remains isolated from the liquid medium when the housing is immersed in the liquid medium, and an attachment mechanism configured to attach to a target selected by a user. A communication module is disposed in the chamber, the module including a receiver, a controller configured to receive input from the receiver, a power source operatively connected to at least the controller, and data storage. When the tag device is immersed in the liquid medium, the receiver is configured to receive a command signal through the liquid medium.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A submersible tag device configured to operate within a liquid medium, comprising:
a housing defining a chamber;
an attachment mechanism configured to attach to a target selected by a user; and
an electronics module disposed in the chamber, the module including a controller and a power source operatively connected to at least the controller; and;
wherein the attachment mechanism includes an actuator mechanism having a release mechanism, responsive to a communication from the controller, configured to mechanically release the housing from the target.

2. The tag device of claim 1 further including a receiver configured to receive at least one command signal through the liquid medium and to send input to the controller when the at least one command signal is received.

3. The tag device of claim 2 further including a transmitter configured to transmit a data signal through the liquid medium, and the controller is also configured to provide output to the transmitter.

4. The tag device of claim 2 wherein the release mechanism is configured to release the tag device from the target when a release command signal is received by the receiver.

5. The tag device of claim 1 further including an imaging system.

6. The tag device of claim 1 further including a locator system to assist recovery of the tag device.

7. The tag device of claim 1 further including a buoyancy compensation mechanism.

8. The tag device of claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism includes at least one of an intramuscular mount, an external mount, or a bracket mount.

9. The tag device of claim 1 wherein the communication frequency range is approximately 10 kHz to 100 kHz.

10. A system for locating a target on or in a liquid medium, comprising:
at least a first vehicle configured to travel autonomously on or in the liquid medium and configured to send at least one command signal and to receive data signals; and
a submersible tag device including (i) a housing defining a chamber, (ii) an attachment mechanism configured to attach to a target selected by a user, (iii) a communication module including a receiver, (iv) a controller configured to receive input from the receiver, (v) a power source operatively connected to at least the controller, and (vi) data storage;
wherein the receiver is configured to receive the at least one command signal through the liquid medium and the at least first vehicle is configured to autonomously track three-dimensionally and follow the submersible tag device.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the communication module further includes a transmitter configured to transmit a data signal through the liquid medium, and the controller is also configured to provide output to the transmitter.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising at least a second vehicle in communication with the tag device.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein at least the second vehicle is selected from the group comprising an autonomous underwater vehicle, a remotely operated vehicle, a vessel, a glider, a submarine, a mini submarine, and a human-occupied vehicle.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the attachment mechanism includes an actuator mechanism configured to release the housing from the target in response to a communication from the controller.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the attachment mechanism includes a multi-tiered release capability including at least one of a command-initiated release, a depth-dependent release, a timed-based release, or a power level-based release.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein at least the first vehicle is capable of three-dimensional autonomous tracking, following within the liquid medium, and close distance recording of the target.

17. A submersible tag device configured to operate within a liquid medium, comprising:
a housing defining a chamber;
an attachment mechanism configured to attach to a target selected by a user;
an actuator mechanism connecting said housing to said attachment mechanism;
a communications module, comprising a transmitter configured to a transmit a transmitted signal through the liquid medium;
a controller disposed in said chamber connected to said communications module and configured to provide data to said transmitter; and
a power source disposed in said chamber and operatively connected to at least said controller;
wherein said actuator mechanism is configured to mechanically release said housing from said target.

18. The tag device of claim 17 wherein said communications module further includes a receiver configured to receive a received signal though the liquid medium and connected to said controller to provide said received signal to said controller.

19. The tag device of claim 17 further including a buoyancy compensation mechanism.

20. The tag device of claim 17 wherein said communication frequency range is approximately 10 kHz to 100 kHz.

Assignees

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst

Inventors

• Kukulya Amy L
• Austin Thomas
• Jaffre Frederic
• Littlefield Robin Hunter

Classifications

• G01S15/74 Primary

  Systems using reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. IFF, i.e. identification of friend or foe · CPC title

• A01K79/00

  Methods or means of catching fish in bulk not provided for in groups A01K69/00 - A01K77/00, {e.g. fish pumps; Detection of fish; Whale fishery} · CPC title

• G01S15/89

  for mapping or imaging · CPC title

• G06K19/07749 Primary

  the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card · CPC title

• G01S15/66

  Sonar tracking systems · CPC title