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BR-102022001501-B1 - SAFETY SYSTEM INSTALLED ON METEOCEANOGRAPHIC BUOYS OR SIMILAR

BR102022001501B1BR 102022001501 B1BR102022001501 B1BR 102022001501B1BR-102022001501-B1

Abstract

SECURITY SYSTEM MOUNTED ON METEOCEANOGRAPHIC BUOYS OR SIMILAR. This is a security system (10) mounted on meteoceanographic buoys or similar (BM) of the type used for collecting meteorological data, gravity waves, currents, physical-chemical parameters of seawater, among other data; the security system (10) integrates at least three cameras (10A) positioned at an angle (a) when installed in the watertight box (20) together with a mini-computer (10B) and a DC/DC converter (10C) to convert from 12v to 5v voltage, powered by a battery (10E) and connected to a satellite antenna (10D); said minicomputer (10B) is responsible for controlling and managing the operation of the system (10) and integrates the computer program (PC) for automatic operations such as activating the three cameras (10A) to capture photos (F1) simultaneously, and converting them into hexadecimal data (d1) for sending to the antenna (10D) via RS232 serial protocol; said satellite antenna (10D) receives the images (F1) previously converted into hexadecimal data (d1) in the minicomputer (10B) and sends them to the web server (SV) where they are transferred and converted back into images (F1?); said system (10) includes two computer programs, one program (PC) for the server (SV) and another (...).

Inventors

  • MARCELO ROCHA TOFFOLI

Assignees

  • MESSENOCEAN TECNOLOGIA EM METEOCEANOGRAFIA LTDA

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20220127

Claims (5)

  1. 1) “SECURITY SYSTEM ONBOARD METEOCEANOGRAPHIC BUOYS OR SIMILAR”, of the type comprising a security system (10) onboard meteoceanographic buoys or similar (BM) integrating at least three cameras (10A) installed in a watertight box (20) together with a mini-computer (10B), satellite antenna (10D) and battery (10E), characterized in that the three cameras (10A) are positioned at an angle (α) of 120 degrees from each other and the mini-computer (10B) integrates a computer program (PC) configured to: a) convert captured photos (F1) into hexadecimal data (d1) segmented into 520-byte packets, identified by sequential header tags; b) transmit said packets via RS232 serial protocol to the antenna (10D) with 15-second intervals between each packet and an interval of 45 seconds between sending batches of images from different cameras; and c) execute scheduling routines (.sh) via cron for synchronized triggering of data capture and sending in predefined time windows.
  2. 2) “ONBOARD SECURITY SYSTEM IN METEOCEANOGRAPHIC BUOYS OR SIMILAR”, according to claim 1, characterized in that the cameras (10A) are webcam type with USB interface connected to the mini-computer (10B).
  3. 3) “SAFETY SYSTEM MOUNTED ON METEOCEANOGRAPHIC BUOYS OR SIMILAR”, according to claim 1, characterized in that the watertight box (20) comprises a cylindrical capsule (21) provided with a base (21a), upper wall (21b) and secondary covers (22); in the body of the capsule (21) there are three openings (21c) at an angle (α) of 120 degrees for alignment of the cameras (10A) with sealing frames (21c’) in order to compose windows (JN).
  4. 4) “SAFETY SYSTEM MOUNTED ON METEOCEANOGRAPHIC BUOYS OR SIMILAR”, according to claim 3, characterized in that the box (20) integrates a cable gland and a submarine connector (23) for power supply and external communication.
  5. 5) “ONBOARD SECURITY SYSTEM FOR METEOCEANOGRAPHIC BUOYS OR SIMILAR”, according to claim 1, characterized by providing a computer program (PC’) on the server (SV) for reassembling hexadecimal strings, sorting by tag identifiers and reverse conversion into an original .jpeg image.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] This invention patent relates to a safety system mounted on offshore or coastal meteoceanographic buoys for verifying meteorological data, gravity waves, currents, physical-chemical parameters of seawater, among other data that enable the analysis of meteorological and oceanographic information. [002] Said security system comprises a set of cameras positioned 120 degrees apart from each other, which are connected to a low-cost minicomputer, all housed in a watertight protective box along with a DC/DC converter operated by a computer program that autonomously records and processes images at a time interval pre-programmed by the user, in addition to providing a remote web access server for viewing the information. All system communication is carried out via satellite antenna for data transmission. [003] The security system makes it possible to capture photos at different angles simultaneously within a time interval between camera activation and positioning, thus enabling the capture of images of offenders in real time, in order to identify vessels docked or near the buoy, thereby generating material evidence to take legal action against possible offenders. HISTORY OF THE INVENTION [004] It is known that offshore buoys are widely used to act as real-time meteorological and oceanographic monitoring stations with data captured by different integrated sensors installed on the buoy's structure, and whose information is sent via satellite or GSM. These buoys have a robust structure formed by a hull made of polyethylene, equipped with compartments designed to accommodate power supply batteries for the devices, as well as instruments for verifying relative air humidity, barometric pressure, temperature, solar panels and other instruments for capturing specific or general parameters, in addition to solar panels for powering said batteries. [005] Currently, vandalism of buoys is very common, especially in remote areas of the ocean, mainly for the theft of the devices that make up the structure, generating several inconveniences such as, for example, the loss of observations, often essential for the management of maritime traffic and the safety of aquatic activities. [006] Another drawback resulting from vandalism perpetrated on meteoceanographic buoys lies in the fact that the improper removal of devices/components often leads to the total loss of the equipment and, consequently, losses for the company. STATE OF THE ART [007] On the other hand, the market is already familiar with security systems installed on meteoceanographic buoys designed to reduce vandalism, as presented in document no. US2013093625, which deals with correlating data from a variety of sources for the purpose of tracking and identifying aircraft, vehicles, and maritime vessels in real time in a variety of different areas, including oceans and mountainous terrain. Passive broadband tracking of aircraft emitters and electronic fingerprinting of emitters, correlated with audio, video, infrared, primary radar, and other information, are employed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the position, tracking, and identification of an aircraft for a variety of applications, including homeland security and search and rescue. [008] Other systems are known, but they are not efficient, especially in identifying offenders, and they also have a high implementation and development cost. [009] Another drawback related to the topic is that, since the buoys are installed far from the coast, and sometimes do not have a GSM signal, it is impossible to install security systems with remote data access and, consequently, the solution to the problem is unfeasible. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION [010] It is therefore the objective of this invention to present a safety system mounted on offshore or coastal meteoceanographic buoys comprising a set of cameras positioned 120 degrees apart from each other, which are connected to a low-cost minicomputer housed in a watertight protective box together with a DC/DC converter operated by a computer program that autonomously records and processes images at a time interval pre-programmed by the user. All system communication is via satellite antenna for data transmission, and a remote web access server is provided for viewing the information. [011] Another objective of this invention is to present a safety system embedded in meteoceanographic buoys whose hardware is protected by a compact and hermetic capsule, enabling the safety of the components that make up the system. [012] It is also an objective of this invention to present a security system embedded in meteoceanographic buoys whose camera firing time interval and positioning allows photos to be captured at different angles simultaneously, thus enabling the capture of images of offenders in real time, in order to identify vessels that dock or approach the buoy, thus generating material evidence to act legally against possible offenders. [013