Cooperative Perimeter Patrol System and Method

Abstract

A method of patrolling a perimeter of a geographic area, using two or more unmanned vehicles having means for locomotion along a perimeter path. Each vehicle is equipped with at least the following systems: a navigation system operable to autonomously navigate the unmanned vehicle, an anomaly detection system, a communications system, an anomaly tracking system, operable to track, visually or by following, a detected anomaly, and an alert evaluation system. Each vehicle travels the path on a predetermined route, and is operable to broadcast an alert message to all other vehicles if that vehicle detects an anomaly, to perform an evaluation of any received alert message to determine if it will travel to an anomaly based on stored evaluation rules, and to respond to an alert message based on the evaluation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to patrolling the perimeter of a secured (protected) region, and more particularly, to patrolling with unmanned ground vehicles under decentralized control.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]For various reasons, it is often desired to patrol the geographic perimeter of an area. Examples of perimeter patrol applications are prisons, airports, schools, sea ports, and military installations. Larger-scale applications include patrol of geographic borders.[0003]A common application is for an area where there is a particular need for security and protection against “anomalies”. Examples of perimeter anomalies are objects blocking a perimeter path, fence or wall breaches, or unauthorized persons crossing the perimeter.[0004]Conventional methods for perimeter patrol use human operators of small to mid-sized vehicles. This approach places the human operators in a dull environment, where repetition can lead to complacency and where de...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The system described in this patent allows multiple unmanned ground vehicles to share information about their environment and work together to respond to detected anomalies without needing a central controller. The system uses algorithms that work well with different types of vehicles and sensors, and can be easily scaled and extended for use with more vehicles.

Problems solved by technology

This approach places the human operators in a dull environment, where repetition can lead to complacency and where detection of anomalies requires human perception and attention.

Funding is often a limiting factor as to how many vehicles and personnel can be devoted to the patrol system.

The technology for an automated perimeter patrol system can be expensive, but such a system can significantly improve overall reliability in detecting anomalies.

Images