Integrated system for supporting area protection

The integrated system with LoRaWAN, edge processing, and encryption ensures real-time, secure, and resilient UAV-based security by integrating sensor data for dynamic flight planning and continuous operation.

WO2026125895A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-06-18SZECHENYI ISTVAN EGYETEM

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
SZECHENYI ISTVAN EGYETEM
Filing Date
2025-11-22
Publication Date
2026-06-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Current UAV-based security systems lack a unified, energy-efficient, and secure communication architecture that enables real-time data processing and transmission from ground sensors to drones, leading to unreliable and vulnerable operation during network disruptions.

Method used

An integrated system comprising sensor modules, processing units, a central control unit, and UAVs with LoRaWAN communication, edge processing, and end-to-end encryption, ensuring timely and redundant data transfer and predictive algorithms for dynamic flight planning.

Benefits of technology

Ensures reliable, real-time intrusion detection and tracking with continuous operation even in network failures, providing secure, low-latency data transmission and resilient UAV control.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure HU2025050089_18062026_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure HU2025050089_18062026_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The invention relates to an integrated system for area protection, particularly for industrial, agricultural and transport safety areas. The system consists of at least one sensor module, at least one processing unit, a central control module and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle. The sensor module comprises at least one sensor detecting movement or other events, whose signal is sent to a central control module after pre-processing. The central control module generates flight commands based on the incoming data, which are executed by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle monitors the target area and transmits the data in real time via a wireless connection. The system uses secure, time-synchronised communication, which ensures operational continuity with redundant data transmission options. The invention thus enables quick detection of intrusions, real-time monitoring of the area and reliable identification of targets.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[0001] INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING AREA PROTECTION

[0002] The invention relates to an integrated system based on unmanned aerial vehicles, especially to support industrial, agricultural and transport safety areas.

[0003] Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become a key technology in many industrial fields over the past decade, particularly in the fields of security technology, agriculture and industrial surveillance. Traditional security systems rely primarily on fixed cameras or motion detectors, which have limited capabilities in terms of coverage area, the reliability of detection and the possibility of dynamic tracking. Although a number of UAV-based solutions have entered the market, these systems are typically capable of flying only pre-programmed routes and are unable to respond in real time to alerts from multiple sensors or, for example, to changes in the movement of intruders. The shortcoming of the state of the art technology is that there is no delay-optimised, reliable and energy-efficient infrastructure available for data transfer between sensor networks and UAVs that would enable real-time intervention. As a result, there is a growing demand for integrated solutions that can instantly transmit events from ground sensors to drones via a secure communication channel, enabling the rapid localisation and tracking of potential intruders and continuous surveillance of the area.

[0004] FR 3067473 A1 (D1) describes a security and area protection system in which multiple on-site sensors and one or more UAVs operate in coordination with a central control unit, with the aim of detecting and tracking intruders and automating surveillance. The system described in document D1 comprises one or more UAVs, a landing unit, multiple on-site sensors (e.g. motion detectors, intrusion sensors, IR detectors), a central control system, and an external computer with a user interface and an emergency switch that allows human intervention. The typical drone equipment includes a camera (optical or infrared), an onboard computer, and an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) for flight stability. According to document D1, based on the operating principle of the system, if one of the on-site sensors detects movement or suspicious activity, it sends a signal to the central controller. Based on this information, the central controller prepares a flight plan and instructs the drone to take off and fly to the affected area. If further movement signals are received, the central controller generates a new flight plan and modifies the drone's trajectory accordingly. When the drone reaches the target area, it takes and transmits images with its camera. Certain elements of document D1 are similar to the present invention, for example, in both systems, movement is detected by multiple on-site sensors, both systems use a central controller that gives commands to the UAV, and in both cases, the drone is equipped with cameras and performs autonomous flight and the system is capable of modifying the flight plan when new movement is detected. However, the system is mainly based on the traditional sensor-central controller-UAV connection, and it does not include an suitable event-driven protocol chain, a predictive algorithm calculated from the fusion of multiple sensor timestamps, event-priority handling, and the gateway function of the UAV.

[0005] These differences result in new technical effects (determined delay, faster response, energy-efficient sensor network, secure communication, network resilience) that cannot be derived from document D1.

[0006] US 2023 / 0071981 A1 (D2) describes a security system that combines one or more UAVs, multiple on-site sensors, an on-site control unit and an external server. The aim of the invention is to automate area protection and security surveillance by using drones that respond to alarms and perform real-time surveillance. In the system described in document D2 the UAV is equipped with a GPS tracker, various types of cameras (analogue, digital, CCD, CMOS, night vision), and sensors such as IMU, MonoCam SLAM and StereoCam SLAM modules. The UAV is able to execute the received flight plan, record images and data, and provide real-time surveillance. The on-site control system consists of multiple processors, is locally installed and maintains contact with the UAVs, sensors and external server. The system also includes an external server performing additional processing, database management and network coordination, and at least two on-site sensors, such as IR sensors and cameras, transmitting data to the controller when motion or intrusion is detected. Communication protocols include LAN, WAN, intranet, HTTP, TCP / IP, and WAP. The system is thus able to operate flexibly across different network infrastructures. Document D2 describes the use of UAVs for security and area protection based on data from multiple sensors and allows the user to monitor in real time, however, the system does not comprise the suitable event-driven protocol chain, the predictive algorithm calculated from the timestamps of multiple sensors, priority event handling, or the UAVs function as a temporary gateway.

[0007] US 2017 / 0115667 A1 (D3) describes a defence system in which multiple on-site sensor units work together with one or more UAVs and a central control infrastructure to enhance area security. The system described in document D3 includes a UAV with an on-board camera, GPS tracker, battery, IMU, control units and communication modules (e.g. Wi-Fi, Mavlink, Bluetooth), an on-site central control system, and multiple on-site monitoring units. Although document D3 contains several elements that are similar to the present invention, it does not include the event-driven protocol architecture, the predictive algorithm calculated from the timestamps of multiple PI Rs, priority event management, and the function of the UAV as a gateway.

[0008] US 10,706,696 B1 describes a security system in which a distributed ground sensor network and one or more autonomous UAVs work together to perform area protection tasks. The main purpose disclosed in the document is to enable the automatic deployment of UAVs if an anomaly is detected by the sensor network. When a ground sensor detects abnormal activity, the data is sent to the central controller. The central controller instructs the UAV to take off and fly to the location of the signal. The UAV takes images of the location and sends them back to the controller. US 10,706,696 B1 does not include event-driven protocol architecture, the predictive algorithm calculated from multiple PIR timestamps, priority event handling, and the UAV's function as a gateway.

[0009] US 2018 / 0233007 A1 describes a surveillance system in which the coordinated operation of UAVs and multiple sensor units ensures the real-time monitoring of areas and rapid response to intrusions. The system comprises UAVs, sensors, a central control system, data processing and database management systems, and a user interface. According to its operation, if any member of the sensor network detects movement or intrusion, the data is processed by the central controller and an alarm is triggered. The UAV takes off in response to the alarm and flies to the target coordinates, takes pictures with its camera and transmits them to the central system. The user can follow events in real time and manually control the UAV if necessary. US 2018 / 0233007 A1 does not include the event-driven protocol architecture, the predictive algorithm calculated from multiple PIR timestamps, or priority event handling.

[0010] The Solar-Powered Edge Processing LoRaWAN Perimeter System (MDPI 15 Drones, 2025) document discloses a perimeter protection system in which distributed sensors apply LoRaWAN communication, and the system operates autonomously by using solar-powered edge processors. The document is particularly relevant to the present invention, as it discloses specifically LoRaWAN-based data transmission and edge-level processing. The main components of the solution presented in the article are sensor units, LoRaWAN communication, the gateway and the edge processor. According to its operation, when the sensor detects an event (e.g. movement, noise, change in magnetic field), the data is sent to the edge processor via the LoRaWAN connection, and the edge computer performs preprocessing (e.g. event filtering, noise reduction). Although the publication mentions LoRaWAN communication and the use of PIR sensors, the system does not include UAVs, dynamic tracking, event handling, or predictive algorithms.

[0011] Currently known UAV-based security solutions often have limited functionality and are typically tied to a specific manufacturer's platform, thus have limited expandability and integration with other systems. Data transfer between sensor networks and drones is usually based on general-purpose network protocols that consume a lot of energy, do not guarantee deterministic response times, and are not suitable for several years of operation without maintenance. In addition, there are no solutions capable of combining and processing signals from different types of edge sensors, then generating predictive points and real-time tracking routes for UAVs. The current state of the art does not provide a complex architecture in which the secure transmission of sensor data, quick UAV response, and visual and thermal target identification is provided in a unified, delay-optimised system.

[0012] Currently available UAV- and loT-based security systems often lack an architecture that would guarantee data protection and service continuity in the event of network disruptions. Most solutions use open or manufacturer-specific communication protocols that do not provide end-to-end encryption, key rotation, or authentication mechanisms. This poses a significant security risk concerning data collected by both sensors and UAVs. In addition, traditional systems are vulnerable to network infrastructure failures as they are unable to establish alternative transmission routes. According to the state of the art, there is no resilient solution that would ensure continuous communication between sensors and UAVs even in the event of a network failure. The aim of the present invention is to eliminate these shortcomings by providing a high level of data security and network resilience that is not available in existing solutions.

[0013] The aim of the present invention is to bridge these gaps through an integrated solution that combines a low-energy sensor network, appropriate event management, secure communication and real-time control, thereby providing a new level in the field of area security and intrusion tracking.

[0014] Therefore, the objective of the invention is to provide an unmanned aerial vehicle-based area security system that is capable of transmitting data provided by ground sensors to unmanned aerial vehicles in real time via a secure communication channel, thereby ensuring, for example, the quick localisation and continuous tracking of potential intruders. The system also aims to enable the flight plan of the unmanned aerial vehicle to be modified dynamically based on the detected direction of movement and speed, as well as to ensure reliable target identification through immediate visual and thermal scanning after take-off.

[0015] We recognised that in the current state of art, security systems based on unmanned aerial vehicles generally do not have a complex architecture that would uniformly integrate the entire sensor network, real-time event management, encrypted communication and autonomous control of one or more pilotless aircraft. Existing solutions therefore often operate in isolation and do not provide sufficiently reliable, energy-efficient and continuous operation. To overcome this shortcoming, the present invention provides a system that implements all these functions in a single, coordinated architecture. We recognised that if the system processes the signals from the edge sensors in real time and in a context-dependent manner, and calculates predictive points accordingly, it ensures active and continuous monitoring of the area.

[0016] We also recognised that the communication architectures of current unmanned aerial vehicle-based systems often do not provide sufficiently low-delay, secure and scalable data transmission, which is essential for reliable event processing and real-time control of unmanned aerial vehicles. Most solutions so far have not employed loT protocols and message handling mechanisms that consider bandwidth, delay and buffering optimisation requirements, therefore their response times are uncertain and their operation is not continuous. To overcome this, the present invention uses an edge sensor network, priority management, encryption and redundant data connections, which enable accurate, real-time mapping of live events and continuous, safe control of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0017] One of the significant advantages of the system according to the invention is that the ground sensors, the central controller and the unmanned aerial vehicles operate in a common, coordinated time coordinate system, thus enabling a new type of real-time safety interaction. Thus the remote operator's experience is not only visually authentic, but also dynamically reactive, as the movement detection, its predictive point and the flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle are synchronised in time and space.

[0018] One of the significant advantages of the system according to the invention is that the communication among the sensors, the central controller and the unmanned aerial vehicles is established in an end-to-end encrypted, multi-channel architecture, thus ensuring the reliability and data integrity that are essential requirements in security systems. Unmanned aerial vehicles not only perform surveillance tasks, but also have a temporary gateway function in the event of a network failure, thus guaranteeing the continuity of data flow between the sensors and the server.

[0019] Based on the above, it is clear that the present invention offers new, clearly distinguishable and significant technical advantages over the state of the art, as the components of the system work together in a timely and coordinated manner and their data content is consistent. This enables the system to process and transmit time-stamped data from one or more sensors, location information from the unmanned aerial vehicle, and realtime telemetry in an integrated way. This ensures the accurate and predictively logical response of the unmanned aerial vehicle to the given movement, while for the operator, the visual and thermal monitoring is available in real time. Furthermore, it provides a redundant communication and security layer that handles delay optimisation, protection against network failure and real-time unmanned aerial vehicle control. As a result, the system is able to operate resiliently, with a high level of data security, ensuring that area monitoring and intrusion detection are available continuously and in real time.

[0020] The core of the invention is that the integrated system comprises the following:

[0021] - at least one sensor module,

[0022] - at least one processing unit,

[0023] - a central control unit, and

[0024] - at least one unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein at least one sensor module is in wireless communication with at least one processing unit, the central control unit is in wireless communication with the unmanned aerial vehicle, and the system units are capable of time-synchronised data exchange.

[0025] Certain preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the claims. Further details of the invention are shown with examples and drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a possible embodiment of the integrated system based on unmanned aerial vehicles.

[0027] Figure 1 shows an example embodiment of the integrated system according to the invention, wherein the general configuration of the integrated system 1 comprises at least one sensor module 10, which has wireless data communication with processing unit 20, which has wireless data communication with central control unit 30, and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle 40, which also has wireless data communication with central control unit 30.

[0028] The technical problem to be solved by the invention lies in that the currently known safety systems based on unmanned aerial vehicles do not provide a real-time, two-direction and context-dependent data processing and transmission architecture that would convert sensor data (e.g. motion detection, position information) into dynamic, time-synchronised flight commands resulting in immediate reactions. The communication background of current solutions typically does not guarantee sufficiently low delay, stability and redundancy, so the connection between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the sensors or sensor network does not ensure reliable and continuous operation.

[0029] Another technical problem the invention aims to solve is that the communication architectures of currently available unmanned aerial vehicles and loT-based security systems do not provide sufficient level of data protection and network resilience during data transmission between ground sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles. The already known solutions may involve encrypted data transmission, but typically do not cover end-to-end transmission, do not include regular key rotation or strong authentication mechanisms, and do not provide alternative data transmission routes in the event of network failure. As a result, sensor data and telemetry collected by unmanned aerial vehicles may be vulnerable to external attacks, and system operation may be interrupted during network outages. Thus, according to the state of the art, there is no low-delay, stable and secure communication background that would ensure the continuous, real-time transmission of sensor data and reliable control of unmanned aerial vehicles even under adverse network conditions. In the present invention, resilience refers to the ability of the system to maintain continuous operation even in the event of network disruptions through redundant communication channels and automatic redirection.

[0030] At least one sensor module 10 comprises at least one motion detection unit, which may be a PIR sensor, an acoustic sensor, a magnetic field detector, or a combination thereof. At least one passive infrared (PIR) sensor used in sensor module 10 is capable of detecting temperature changes based on infrared radiation emitted by the human body or other living organism. The PIR sensor consists of two main parts: (i) a pyroelectric element, which converts radiation into an electrical signal, and (ii) a Fresnel lens, which increases the field of view and enhances sensitivity. The advantages of PIR sensors include their simple composition, low energy consumption and that they can reliably distinguish between environmental noise and human movement. Its use in the system ensures fast and accurate intrusion detection. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor(s) used in the sensor module operate in an energy-optimised mode. If the sensor does not detect any movement, it switches to sleep mode and is only activated at specific intervals for a brief check.

[0031] This mode of operation enables a service life of several years without battery replacement, which is of key importance in large areas. The system according to the invention has a modular structure, which allows different types of sensors to be integrated into the network. In addition to PIR sensors, radar-based motion detectors, acoustic noise detectors, multispectral cameras or even lidar sensors. This open architecture ensures the flexible applicability of the system in different environments: for example, to detect foreign objects on airport runways, to monitor gas leaks in industrial plants, or to track wild animals in agricultural areas.

[0032] The telecommunications infrastructure ensures that the sensor modules 10 signals are transmitted without delay to processing units 20 and then to central control modules 30. In one advantageous embodiment, the sensor modules 10 use the LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) protocol. LoRaWAN is a wireless communication technology developed specifically for the Internet of Things (loT) environment, enabling long-range communication between low-power devices. Its advantage is that, due to its extremely low energy consumption, the sensors can operate even for years without battery replacement. This feature is particularly advantageous for monitoring large, extensive areas (such as airports, industrial parks, agricultural plantations), where hundreds of sensors need to be installed and the power supply cannot be ensured in the traditional way.

[0033] An essential component of the system according to the invention is a processing unit 20, preferably a server with high computing capacity, a cloud-based computing centre, or, in an alternative embodiment, a computer located in an edge computing architecture. The primary task of the processing unit 20 is to receive raw signals from sensor modules 10 and pre- process them according to multiple criteria. During pre-processing, the processing unit 20 is capable of filtering out faulty, noisy or redundant data, which significantly reduces the number of false alarms and increases the reliability of the system. In addition, the unit timestamps all incoming data packets, which is essential for synchronising sensor data and a prerequisite for the reliable operation of predictive algorithms in the central controller 30. Another important task of the processing unit 20 is data fusion, i.e. the context-dependent merging of data from several different types of sensors. This enables, for example, for a movement detected by a PIR sensor to be confirmed by sound data recorded by an acoustic sensor or a field change detected by a magnetic sensor. The weighting and prioritisation of events also takes place in processing unit 20, enabling the system to preferably distinguish between a high-probability intrusion and a low-priority, noise-like event. As a result, only relevant, pre-filtered, time-synchronised and contextually interpreted data is transmitted to the central control unit 30, where the predictive algorithms actually run.

[0034] The task of the central control unit 30 is to make decisions and the direct control of the unmanned aerial vehicle 40. The central control unit 30 perform higher-level event management based on the pre-filtered and prioritised data received from the processing unit 20. Within this framework, it is capable of managing the chronological order of individual events, coordinating multiple simultaneous intrusion events, and running predictive algorithms. The predictive algorithms, such as Kalman filtering or motion model-based prediction, enable the prediction of the intruder's movements, allowing the central controller to not only respond to past positions, but also to calculate predictive points for the unmanned aerial vehicles 40. As a security feature, central controller unit 30 use a key rotation mechanism that regularly generates new encryption keys for communication, reducing the chance of unauthorised interception. User access is granted by multi-factor authentication, so only authorised persons can access the control interface for the unmanned aerial vehicle 40. Data transfer between the processing unit 20 and the central control unit 30 is ensured by preferably using the MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) protocol. The advantage of MQTT is that it uses small data packets with low bandwidth requirements and ensures stable operation even in unreliable network environments. This allows data from thousands of sensors to be transmitted in real time without delay to the central control unit 30.

[0035] The unmanned aerial vehicle 40 comprises at least one on-board computer, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) module, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to ensure flight stability, and at least one optical sensor, preferably a high-resolution RGB camera or thermal camera. The system preferably uses redundant data connections, with the unmanned aerial vehicle 40 using 4G / 5G connections by default, but automatically switching to Wi-Fi or satellite communication in case of network problems, thus uninterrupted transmission of control commands and sensor data is guaranteed, ensuring a continuous, low-delay data connection with the central control unit 30. To increase flight time, the unmanned aerial vehicle can also be equipped with a dual battery power supply. The energy efficiency of the unmanned aerial vehicle is increased by the dual battery system, which not only ensures longer flight times but also provides redundancy during flight: if one battery runs out or fails, the other ensures safe return. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the unmanned aerial vehicle not only performs surveillance tasks, but also functions as a temporary network gateway. This means that if the LoRaWAN network between the ground sensors and the central controller fails or is interrupted, the unmanned aerial vehicle can directly receive the sensor data and transmit it to the central control unit 30. This feature significantly increases the reliability and resilience of the system. This solution ensures that area surveillance continues to function even in the event of a network failure.

[0036] The system's communication security is ensured by a multi-layer protection. In one advantageous embodiment, the system's communication channels are encrypted using VPN (Virtual Private Network) technology. VPN provides end-to-end encryption, prevents interception and manipulation of data packets, and protects the network from external attacks. This is particularly important for security applications, wherein the data collected by sensor module 10 and unmanned aerial vehicle 40 (e.g. movement, image information) contain sensitive information. The VPN also enables units of the system installed in different geographical locations to communicate securely with a central server. User authentication in the system is performed using multi-factor identification, so only authorised operators can access the control interface of unmanned aerial vehicle 40.

[0037] The operating principle of the integrated system 1 is the following:

[0038] When any sensor of sensor module 10 detects movement, the data is sent to the processing unit 20 via a LoRaWAN connection. Processing unit 20 pre-filters, time-stamps the signals, if necessary, merges them in a context-dependent manner, and sorts them according to priority, then forwards the cleaned data in the form of MQTT messages to the central control unit 30. Based on this information, central control unit 30 determines the control commands for the unmanned aerial vehicle and transmits them to the unmanned aerial vehicle 40 via secure communication channels encrypted by VPN technology. As a result, the unmanned aerial vehicle 40 takes off and flies to the coordinates supplemented with the processed and predictive algorithms (e.g. Kalman filtering, motion model-based interpolation). In a further advantageous embodiment, the system is capable of mixed mode operation: at any time, the operator can interrupt the autonomous flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 40 and take control of the device manually. This is particularly advantageous in situations where conditions change (e.g. sudden weather effects, unexpected obstacles) or when security personnel wish to handle the event through human decision-making. The dual mode advantageously combines the fast response time of autonomous operation with the flexibility of human intervention. When the unmanned aerial vehicle 40 reaches the target area, it performs visual and / or thermal surveillance and transmits the live image in real time to the central control unit, which displays it to the operator. The system preferably uses time- stamped data packets for communication between sensors, processing unit 20, central control unit 30, and unmanned aerial vehicle 40. The on-board modules of the unmanned aerial vehicle 40 use a synchronised global time base (GNSS time), which enables the processing of the exact sequence and temporal correlation of signals. This allows the unmanned aerial vehicle 40 not only to fly to the detected location, but also to the expected position of the intruder, which is calculated by central control unit 30 using time-organised data received from processing unit 20 and predictive algorithms. This significantly speeds up tracking and increases the efficiency of the system.

[0039] Another advantageous embodiment of the system enables the central control unit to simultaneously control more unmanned aerial vehicles performing surveillance in different sectors of the sensor module 10. This configuration is particularly suitable for securing large areas (e.g. airports, industrial facilities, agricultural areas).

[0040] Another advantageous embodiment of the system includes the integration of GPS tracker units. GPS trackers are preferably small and low-power, and provide position data in every 3 to 5 seconds. This allows not only the monitoring of fixed areas, but also the real-time, unnoticed tracking of people or vehicles. The trackers can be put into sleep mode when there is no movement, thus ensuring energy-efficient operation.

[0041] In a further advantageous embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle 40 is equipped with a camera system supported by machine vision algorithms. Machine vision is capable of determining the direction and speed of the movement of the target person and of automatically adjusting the flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle accordingly. The algorithms preferably use methods suitable for image processing and pattern recognition, such as optical flow estimation or neural network-based classification. This enables the unmanned aerial vehicle 40s to perform continuous tracking autonomously, without human intervention.

[0042] The unmanned aerial vehicle 40 can preferably be equipped with multiple cameras and sensors. In addition to optical cameras, the use of thermal cameras enables night-time observation, while multispectral cameras offer advantages in the surveillance of agricultural or industrial areas. Alternatively, the unmanned aerial vehicle can also be equipped with a lidar-based distance sensor, which enables accurate 3D mapping and helps to determine the location of intruders.

[0043] The system according to the invention is particularly advantageous in airport applications, where the continuous monitoring of runways is crucial for accident prevention. The system is capable of quickly detecting foreign object debris (FOD) on the runway and identifying them by deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle. Another advantageous use is the protection of industrial parks and solar farms, where the unmanned aerial vehicle can immediately fly to the site when the sensor module triggers an alarm. In agricultural areas, the system can be used to detect wildlife damage and for night-time observation, especially in case of unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with thermal cameras. In rescue and search tasks, the system, combined with GPS tracking devices, enables the quick localization of missing persons.

[0044] It is clear that a person skilled in the art can find a number of other alternative solutions, which may partly differ from the above disclosed embodiments, however, these remain within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

[0045] List of references

[0046] 1 - integrated system

[0047] 10 - sensor module

[0048] 20 - processing unit

[0049] 30 - central control unit

[0050] 40 - unmanned aerial vehicle

Claims

Claims1. Integrated system (1), which comprises the following:- at least one sensor module (10),- at least one processing unit (20),- a central control unit (30), and- at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (40), wherein at least one sensor module (10) has wireless data communication with the at least one processing unit (20), the central control unit (30) has wireless communication with the unmanned aerial vehicle (40), and the system units are capable of time-synchronised data exchange, characterised in that- the sensor module (10) uses a low-power, long-range communication protocol,- the processing unit (20) pre-processes, filters, time-stamps and contextually merges the sensor data,- the central control unit (30) receives the processed data and runs predictive algorithms.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterised in that the data transfer between the sensor module (10) and the processing unit (20) is preferably LoRaWAN protocol.

3. The system according to any of claims 1-2, characterised in that the data transfer between the processing unit (20) and the central control unit (30) is preferably MQTT message handling.

4. The system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sensor data is preferably processed using Kalman filtering, more preferably using motion model-based interpolation.

5. The system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the at least one sensor module (10) is a motion detection unit, preferably a PIR sensor.

6. The system according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the unmanned aerial vehicle (40) is equipped with a dual power source, preferably a dual battery system, more preferably an automatic switching mechanism.

7. The system according to claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the communication module of the unmanned aerial vehicle (40) is multi-channeled, preferably 4G / 5G, even more preferably supplemented with Wi-Fi or satellite redundancy.

8. The system according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the central control unit (30) uses encrypted communication, supplemented preferably with VPN technology, even more preferably with a key rotation mechanism.

9. The system according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the unmanned aerial vehicle (40) operates as a temporary communication gateway, preferably with LoRaWAN gateway function, even more preferably with automatic network recovery.

10. The system according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the unmanned aerial vehicle (40) comprises an image processing system, preferably a machine vision module, even more preferably with neural network-based target identification.