Abstract: A remote sensing device is described. The remote sensing device includes an enclosure that houses a smartphone processor, a smartphone memory, a sensor module, a separate microcontroller, and a wireless communication module. The remote sensing device includes a smartphone operating system having a kernel that includes a plurality of device drivers. The smartphone processor, smartphone memory, sensor module and wireless communications module are managed by the smartphone operating system. The separate microcontroller includes a power management module. A battery is electrically coupled to the microcontroller. The battery powers the smartphone processor, the smartphone memory, and the sensor module. The wireless communication module is communicatively coupled to a wide area network. The wireless communication module receives an over-the-air (OTA) update for a device driver associated with the sensor module.

Abstract: A remote detection method, node, and system is described. The detector includes a wireless communications module that wirelessly transmits the detection message to a remote sensing device. The remote sensing device includes a camera having a field of view and wirelessly communicates with the detector. The remote illumination and detection method performs preliminary filtering of captured image data to determine images/frames of interest with a computer vision module on board a processor in the node. The images of interest are then transmitted to a cloud computing component via a wireless or cellular network for detailed analysis to determine the presence or absence of motion or an object in each image of interest. The cloud computing component may employ machine learning computations that time and energy intensive, such as convolutional neural networks.

Abstract: A remote detection method, node, and system is described. The detector includes a wireless communications module that wirelessly transmits the detection message to a remote sensing device. The remote sensing device includes a camera having a field of view and wirelessly communicates with the detector. The remote illumination and detection method performs preliminary filtering of captured image data to determine images/frames of interest with a computer vision module on board a processor in the node. The images of interest are then transmitted to a cloud computing component via a wireless or cellular network for detailed analysis to determine the presence or absence of motion or an object in each image of interest. The cloud computing component may employ machine learning computations that time and energy intensive, such as convolutional neural networks.

Abstract: A remote illumination and detection method, node, and system is described. The remote illumination and detection method generates a detection message when motion is detected by a detector. The detector includes a wireless communications module that wirelessly transmits the detection message to a remote sensing device. The remote sensing device includes a camera having a field of view and wirelessly communicates with the detector. The remote sensing device then proceeds to generate an illumination instruction to illuminate an area within the field of view, when the remote sensing device receives the detection message. The remote sensing device transmits the illumination instruction to an illuminator. The illuminator wirelessly communicates with the remote sensing device. The method then illuminates an area near the illuminator, when motion is detected by the detector and the illumination instruction is received by the illuminator.

Abstract: A remote illumination and detection method, node, and system is described. The remote illumination and detection method generates a detection message when motion is detected by a detector. The detector includes a wireless communications module that wirelessly transmits the detection message to a remote sensing device. The remote sensing device includes a camera having a field of view and wirelessly communicates with the detector. The remote sensing device then proceeds to generate an illumination instruction to illuminate an area within the field of view, when the remote sensing device receives the detection message. The remote sensing device transmits the illumination instruction to an illuminator. The illuminator wirelessly communicates with the remote sensing device. The method then illuminates an area near the illuminator, when motion is detected by the detector and the illumination instruction is received by the illuminator.

Abstract: A remote sensing device, system and method is described. The remote sensing device includes an enclosure, a smartphone, and a separate microcontroller. The smartphone is disposed within the enclosure. The separate microcontroller is communicatively coupled to the smartphone. The separate microcontroller includes a power management module, a microcontroller processor, and a wireless sensor network. The power management module is electrically coupled to an auxiliary battery that powers the smartphone. The separate microcontroller is communicatively coupled to smartphone and the separate microcontroller controls the power management module. The wireless sensor network includes a wireless communication interface that is different from the smartphone wireless communication interface. The remote sensing system includes a remote sensing component, a network module such as a web application server, and a database.

Abstract: A remote sensing device, system and method is described. The remote sensing device includes an enclosure, a smartphone, and a separate microcontroller. The smartphone is disposed within the enclosure. The separate microcontroller is communicatively coupled to the smartphone. The separate microcontroller includes a power management module, a microcontroller processor, and a wireless sensor network. The power management module is electrically coupled to an auxiliary battery that powers the smartphone. The separate microcontroller is communicatively coupled to smartphone and the separate microcontroller controls the power management module. The wireless sensor network includes a wireless communication interface that is different from the smartphone wireless communication interface. The remote sensing system includes a remote sensing component, a network module such as a web application server, and a database.

Abstract: A remote sensing device, system and method is described. The remote sensing device includes an enclosure, a smartphone, and a microcontroller. The smartphone is fixedly coupled to the enclosure. The microcontroller is communicatively coupled to the smartphone. The microcontroller includes a power management module, a controller, and a wireless sensor network. The power management module is electrically coupled to an auxiliary battery that powers the smartphone. The controller is communicatively coupled to smartphone and the controller controls the power management module. The wireless sensor network includes a wireless communication interface that is different from the smartphone wireless communication interface. The remote sensing system includes a remote sensing component, a network module such as a web application server, and a database. The network module is communicatively coupled to the wide area network and receives sensor signal output and a timestamp from the smartphone.