Drone-hunting drone, and system

Abstract

To provide a drone, an information processing method, and a system capable of effectively capturing a target.SOLUTION: A drone according to an embodiment includes a hunting mechanism, a flying mechanism, and a control unit. The hunting mechanism captures a target. The flying mechanism causes the drone to hover. The control unit causes: the flying mechanism to approach the target up to a predetermined distance; the hunting mechanism to generate a sound; and the hunting mechanism to capture the target.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a drone and a system for drone capture. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a system that uses a capture drone to capture unknown flying objects such as illegal drones. When such a system detects an unknown flying object as a target, the capture drone approaches the target and captures the target with a capture net shot from a net gun.

[0003] In addition, there may be birds flying around the target, and conventional systems may mistakenly recognize birds flying around as targets. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-12477 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7102239 [Patent Document 3] JP 2020-69833 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2022-26749 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, we provide a drone, an information processing method, and a system that can effectively capture a target. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment, a capture drone includes a capture mechanism, a net gun, a flight mechanism, and a control unit. The capture mechanism captures a target. The net gun generates a sound when it shoots out a capture net. When the drone approaches within a predetermined distance of the target, the sound generated when the net gun is shot out serves as an intimidating sound to scare away false targets such as birds and to avoid misidentification of the target, and the drone captures the target using the capture mechanism. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a monitoring system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a monitoring and control device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a drone according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the monitoring system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. A surveillance system according to an embodiment captures an unknown flying object that has entered a predetermined area (surveillance area). The surveillance system detects the unknown flying object as a target using a radar or the like. The surveillance system notifies a capture drone of the target. The capture drone approaches the target and then fires a net gun at the target. The capture drone transports the target captured by the net gun to a predetermined location.

[0009] For example, the unknown flying object may be an illegal drone. Surveillance systems are also used in security locations such as airports.

[0010] Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a monitoring system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the monitoring system 1 includes a radar 2, a camera 3, a monitoring control device (personal computer) 10, and a capture drone 20. The monitoring control device 10 is connected to the radar 2, the camera 3, and the capture drone 20.

[0011] The monitoring system 1 may include components as necessary in addition to the components shown in FIG. 1, and certain components may be excluded from the monitoring system 1.

[0012] Here, it is assumed that the surveillance system 1 captures a target 4. For example, the target 4 is an unknown flying object such as an illegal drone.

[0013] The radar 2 (detection mechanism) detects flying objects in a predetermined area including a monitoring area. The radar 27 detects the direction and distance of the flying object. Here, the radar 2 detects a target 4.

[0014] For example, the radar 2 is one of the detection mechanisms, and is composed of an irradiation mechanism that irradiates radio waves having a predetermined frequency and a receiving mechanism that detects the reflected waves. The radar 2 detects flying objects in a predetermined area based on the reflected waves.

[0015] The camera 3 is one of the detection mechanisms, and captures an image of a predetermined area (image capture area) that at least partially overlaps with the monitoring area. The image capture area may include the monitoring area, or may be included in the monitoring area. The camera 3 captures an image of a flying object in the image capture area. For example, the flying object may be captured by two types of cameras 3, one using visible light and one using infrared light.

[0016] The capture drone 20 captures the target 4 under the control of the monitoring and control device 10. The capture drone can also receive flight control from a pilot and can be flown by the pilot. The capture drone 20 is equipped with a sound generating mechanism 28, a net gun 29, and the like.

[0017] The net gun 29 generates a predetermined sound (threatening sound) when shooting out a net. The threatening sound can scare off birds (hawks, kites, eagles, crows, pigeons, etc.) flying around the target 4. The threatening sound makes the birds flying around the target 4 retreat or remove them.

[0018] Here, the net gun emits a pressurized gas without a capture net attached to it to generate a warning sound. The warning sound may be used in conjunction with a warning sound provided on the capture drone. The configuration of the sound generating mechanism 28 is not limited to a specific configuration.

[0019] The net gun 29 is a capture mechanism that captures the target 4. The net gun 29 fires a net for capturing the target 4. The net gun 29 fires a capture net toward the target 4 by ejecting gas from a pressure cylinder such as nitrogen gas. The net gun 29 is connected to the net by a string or the like. The net gun 29 can hold the target 4 in a captured state. The capture drone 20 will be described in more detail later.

[0020] The monitoring control device 10 (higher-level device, information processing device) detects a target 4 using a radar 2 and a camera 3. When the monitoring control device 10 detects the target 4, it transmits a capture command to the capture drone 20 to capture the target 4.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the monitoring control device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the monitoring control device 10 includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 15, a display unit 16, a radar interface 17, a camera interface 18, and a communication interface 19 with the capture drone.

[0022] The control unit 11, the operation unit 15, the display unit 16, the radar interface 17, the camera interface 18, and the communication interface 19 with the capture drone are connected to each other via a data bus or the like. Note that the monitoring control device 10 may include components as necessary in addition to the components shown in FIG. 2, and certain components may be excluded from the monitoring control device 10.

[0023] The control unit 11 has a function of controlling the operation of the entire monitoring and controlling device 10 .

[0024] The operation unit 15 receives various operation inputs from an operator. The operation unit 15 transmits a signal indicating the input operation to the control unit. For example, the operation unit 15 is configured with a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like.

[0025] Display unit 16 displays image data from control unit 11. For example, display unit 16 is configured with a liquid crystal monitor. In addition, when operation unit 15 is configured with a touch panel, display unit 16 may be formed integrally with the touch panel as operation unit 15.

[0026] The radar interface 17 (detection mechanism interface) is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the radar 2. The radar interface 17 acquires the detection results of the radar 2 (such as the direction and distance of the flying object) from the radar 2 and supplies them to the control unit 11. The radar interface 17 may also supply power to the radar 2.

[0027] Camera interface 18 (detection mechanism interface) is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from camera 3. Camera interface 18 acquires images captured by camera 3 and supplies them to control unit 11. Camera interface 18 may also supply power to camera 3.

[0028] The capture drone communication interface 19 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the capture drone 20. The capture drone communication interface 19 wirelessly connects to the capture drone 20. The capture drone communication interface 19 supplies capture commands and the like from the control unit 11 to the capture drone 20.

[0029] The radar interface 17 and the camera interface 18 may be integrally configured.

[0030] Next, a configuration example of the capture drone 20 will be described. Fig. 3 shows a configuration example of the capture drone 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the capture drone 20 includes a control unit 21, a communication interface 25, a flight mechanism 26, a net gun 29, and the like.

[0031] The control unit 21, the communication interface 25, the flight mechanism 26, and the net gun 29 are communicatively connected via a data bus or a predetermined interface.

[0032] In addition, the capture drone 20 may be equipped with further components as necessary in addition to the components shown in FIG. 3, or certain components may be excluded from the capture drone 20. The Net Gun 29 is as described above.

[0033] The communication interface 25 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the monitoring control device 10, etc. For example, the communication interface 25 supports wireless LAN (Local Area Network) connection.

[0034] The flight mechanism 26 is a mechanism that flies the capture drone 20 according to the control from the control unit 21. The flight mechanism 26 causes the capture drone 20 to hover, turn, move forward, move backward, rise, and descend. For example, the flight mechanism 26 is composed of a motor, a propeller driven by the motor, and the like.

[0035] The radar 27 is a sensor for detecting an object in a predetermined area. For example, the radar 27 detects an obstacle, a target 4, etc. The radar 27 detects the direction and distance of the object. The radar 27 notifies the control unit 21 of the direction and distance of the object.

[0036] For example, the radar 27 includes an emitting mechanism that emits radio waves having a predetermined frequency and a receiving mechanism that detects the reflected waves of the radio waves. The radar 27 detects objects in a predetermined area based on the reflected waves.

[0037] Next, functions realized by the monitoring and control device 10 will be described.

[0038] First, the control unit 11 has a function of detecting the target 4. For example, the control unit 11 inputs an operation to start monitoring an unknown flying object through the operation unit 15. When the operation is input, the control unit 11 monitors the unknown flying object using the radar 2, the camera 3, etc.

[0039] For example, the control unit 11 determines whether an unknown flying object exists in the monitoring area based on a detection signal from the radar 2. The control unit 11 also determines whether an unknown flying object exists in the monitoring area by analyzing the image captured by the camera 3 according to a predetermined image processing algorithm. The control unit 11 may also determine whether an unknown flying object exists in the monitoring area by combining the detection signal from the radar 2 and the image captured by the camera 3.

[0040] When the control unit 11 determines that an unknown flying object is present, it detects the unknown flying object as a target 4. For example, the control unit 11 calculates the coordinates of the target 4 based on the detection signal of the radar 2, the captured image from the camera 3, and the like.

[0041] The control unit 11 also has a function of causing the capture drone 20 to capture the target 4.

[0042] When the target 4 is detected, the control unit 11 transmits a capture command to the capture drone 20 via the communication interface 19 to instruct the capture drone 20 to capture the target 4. For example, the capture command includes the coordinates of the target 4.

[0043] Even after sending a capture command to the capture drone 20, the control unit 11 continues to detect the target 4 in the monitoring area.

[0044] When the target 4 leaves the monitoring area, the control unit 11 determines whether another target 4 is present in the monitoring area. When it is determined that another target 4 is present, the control unit 11 transmits a capture command to the capture drone 20 to instruct the capture drone 20 to capture the other target 4.

[0045] In addition, if the control unit 11 determines that there are no other targets 4, it may send a return command to the capture drone 20 via the communication interface 19, instructing it to return to a specified position.

[0046] Next, a description will be given of functions realized by the capture drone 20. The functions realized by the capture drone 20 are realized by the control unit 21 executing a program stored in the internal memory.

[0047] First, the control unit 21 has a function of bringing the capture drone 20 close to the target 4 at a predetermined distance. Here, the capture drone 20 approaches the target 4 and flies or stands still at a predetermined distance to track the target 4. It may also land at a predetermined position and wait.

[0048] The control unit 21 receives a capture command from the monitoring control device 10 through the communication interface 25. Upon receiving the capture command, the control unit 21 uses the flight mechanism 26 to cause the capture drone 20 to approach the target 4. For example, the control unit 21 uses the flight mechanism 26 to cause the capture drone 20 to fly to the coordinates of the target 4 based on the capture command.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit 21 has a function of generating an intimidating sound. When the distance between the capture drone 20 and the target 4 reaches a predetermined distance, the control unit 21 generates a threatening sound using the net gun 29 or the sound generating mechanism 28. Here, the control unit 21 fires a blank shot of the net gun using the net gun 29 or the sound generating mechanism 28. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may shoot a capture net from the net gun 29 to generate a threatening sound.

[0050] For example, the control unit 21 uses the flight mechanism 26 to move the capture drone 20 to a position where the target 4 indicated by the new capture command can be captured. For example, the control unit 21 moves the capture drone 20 so that the target 4 is included in the range of the net gun 29.

[0051] When the capture drone 20 is moved, the control unit 21 fires the net gun 29. When the target 4 is captured by the net from the net gun 29, the control unit 21 returns the capture drone 20 to a predetermined position using the flight mechanism 26 with the target 4 captured.

[0052] In addition, if the capture of the target 4 fails, the control unit 21 may use the flight mechanism 26 to return the capture drone 20 to a predetermined position.

[0053] Furthermore, if no new capture command is received within the specified period, the control unit 21 uses the flight mechanism 26 to move the capture drone 20 to a position where the current target 4 can be captured.

[0054] An example of the operation of the control unit 21 to capture the current target 4 is similar to the example of the operation of capturing the target 4 indicated by the new capture command, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] Next, an example of the operation of the monitoring system 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the monitoring system 1. Here, it is assumed that the capture drone 20 has landed at a predetermined location and is waiting.

[0056] First, the control unit 11 of the monitoring control device 10 starts monitoring an unknown flying object in a monitoring area using the radar 2, the camera 3, etc. (S11). Here, when the monitoring of the unknown flying object starts, the control unit 11 detects the unknown flying object as a target 4 (S12).

[0057] When the target 4 is detected, the control unit 11 transmits a capture command to the capture drone 20 via the communication interface 19, instructing the capture drone 20 to capture the detected target 4 (S13).

[0058] The control unit 21 of the capture drone 20 receives the capture command through the communication interface 25. Upon receiving the capture command, the control unit 21 uses the flight mechanism 26 to move the capture drone 20 close to the target 4 indicated by the capture command (S14).

[0059] When the distance between the capture drone 20 and the target 4 reaches a predetermined distance, the control unit 21 uses the net gun 29 to spray pressurized gas to generate a threatening sound (S15), or the monitoring and control device 10 generates a threatening sound using the sound generating mechanism 28. The timing at which the control unit 21 or the monitoring and control device 10 issues an instruction to generate a threatening sound may be the same as S13 or may be the same as S15.

[0060] Here, when the control unit 11 of the monitoring control device 10 detects a bird as the target 4, the bird detected as the target 4 retreats due to the threatening sound. When the bird retreats from the monitoring area due to the threatening sound, the control unit 11 determines whether or not another target 4 exists in the monitoring area.

[0061] Here, it is assumed that the control unit 11 has determined that another target 4 exists in the monitoring area. When it has determined that another target 4 exists in the monitoring area, the control unit 11 transmits a capture command to the capture drone 20 via the communication interface 19 to instruct the capture drone 20 to capture the target 4 (S16).

[0062] The control unit 21 of the capture drone 20 receives the capture command through the communication interface 25.

[0063] The control unit 21 of the capture drone 20 uses the net gun 29 to capture the target 4 based on the capture command transmitted in S13 or S16 (S17). When the target 4 is captured, the control unit 21 returns the capture drone 20 to a predetermined position using the flight mechanism 26 (S18). When the capture drone 20 returns, the monitoring system 1 ends its operation.

[0064] If it is determined that no other targets 4 exist in the monitoring area, the control unit 11 of the monitoring control device 10 may transmit a return command to the capture drone 20 through the communication interface 19. The control unit 21 of the capture drone 20 may return the capture drone 20 to a predetermined position using the flight mechanism 26 in accordance with the return command.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the monitoring control device 10 may transmit a command to the capture drone 20 to generate a threatening sound when the capture drone 20 and the target 4 approach within a predetermined distance. The control unit 21 of the capture drone 20 may generate a threatening sound using the net gun 29 or the sound generating mechanism 28 in accordance with the command.

[0066] In addition, after generating the threatening sound, the control unit 11 of the capture drone 20 may send a notification indicating that the threatening sound has been generated to the monitoring control device 10 via the communication interface 25.

[0067] In addition, the capture drone 20 may be one that flies to a predetermined location and waits.

[0068] The capture drone 20 may also be equipped with multiple net guns 29. In this case, the capture drone 20 may fire a net from the next net gun 29 if it fails to capture the target 4.

[0069] In addition, the capture mechanism of the capture drone 20 may be other than the net gun 29. The configuration of the capture mechanism is not limited to a specific configuration.

[0070] The monitoring system 1 may also include a plurality of capture drones 20. The monitoring system 1 may also include a drone for detecting an unknown flying object.

[0071] The surveillance system configured as described above detects a target in a surveillance area. The surveillance system brings a capture drone close to the detected target. The surveillance system generates a warning sound from a net gun 29 or a sound generating mechanism 28 equipped in the capture drone. As a result, when the surveillance system detects a bird as a target, it can make the bird retreat or remove it from the surveillance area. Therefore, even if the surveillance system erroneously recognizes a bird as a target, it can appropriately change the target.

[0072] Even if the surveillance system properly detects a target, there may be birds flying around the target. In this case, the surveillance system can use a warning sound to make the birds around the target retreat or remove them. As a result, the surveillance system can prevent the birds around the target from getting caught in the net.

[0073] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1...surveillance system, 2...radar, 3...camera, 4...target, 10...surveillance control device, 11...control unit, 15...operation unit, 16...display unit, 17...radar interface, 18...camera interface, 19...drone interface, 20...capture drone, 21...control unit, 25...communications interface, 26...flight mechanism, 27...radar, 28...sound generation mechanism, 29...net gun.

Claims

1. A capture mechanism for capturing the target; A flight mechanism for flying the aircraft; Using the flight mechanism to approach the target at a predetermined distance; generating a sound using the capture mechanism; capturing the target using the capture mechanism; A control unit; A drone equipped with

2. a radar for measuring a distance to the target, When the distance measured by the radar reaches the predetermined distance, the control unit uses the capture mechanism to launch a capture net from the net gun and generate the sound. The drone of claim 1 .

3. A communication interface is provided for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host device. The control unit is receiving a capture command from the host device via the communication interface, the capture command instructing the host device to capture the target; Using the flight mechanism to approach the target to within the predetermined distance in accordance with the capture command; The drone of claim 1 .

4. The capture mechanism is a net gun that fires a net. The drone of claim 1 .

5. The capture mechanism generates a warning sound by firing blanks. A drone as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. An information processing method executed by a control unit, Detect the target, Bringing a drone equipped with a capture mechanism for capturing the target close to the target at a predetermined distance; generating a sound using the capture mechanism; capturing the target using the capture mechanism; Information processing methods.

7. A system including an information processing device and a drone, The information processing device includes: a detection mechanism interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a detection mechanism for detecting a target; A drone interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the drone; A first control unit that transmits a capture command to the drone through the drone interface, the capture command instructing the drone to capture the target; Equipped with The drone is A communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the information processing device; A capture mechanism for capturing the target; A flight mechanism for flying the drone; Using the flight mechanism, the drone approaches the target to a predetermined distance in accordance with the capture command; generating a sound using the capture mechanism; The bird will be driven away or removed by a threatening sound. capturing the target using the capture mechanism; A second control unit; Equipped with system.

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