Omnidirectional Video and Sensor Data Collection and Distribution System on Challenged Communication Environment

Japan is prone to natural disasters occurring including earthquakes, tsunami, typhoon, heavy rain and snow. A wide range and quick information gathering systems are needed after a disaster has occurred. In addition, wireless networks are very useful at a disaster has occurred. By using wireless networks, we can build a network quickly using moving vehicles. But there is a challenging communication environment in hilly and mountainous areas and after a disaster has occurred where communication is completely disabled. In this paper, we introduce SODiCS (Spatial and Temporal Omni directional Video Distribution and Collection System) for challenged communication environment. Data gathered using Omni directional camera and sensor is transmitted to all of the users through a web application. The user can see the data gathered on GIS map as a web service. We equipped the system with two modes of video distribution functions, Live View mode and Storage View mode. The system configuration and architecture are explained and a prototype system is constructed to evaluate the performance of our system.