Aerial Scope Deployment for Obstructed Target Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for tracking a target using multiple scopes lack efficient methods for coordinating and aligning multiple scopes to focus on the same target, especially in scenarios where wireless communication is limited or unreliable, such as remote areas.
Innovation Solution
A network of scopes, including lead and follower scopes, that communicate target position data through various wireless technologies, with a network server aggregating data to enhance precision and guide follower scopes to the target using visual and audio indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple ground-based scopes are used to track a target, then the coverage area increases, but the coordination and alignment efficiency deteriorates due to limited wireless communication in remote areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network server as an intermediary that centralizes target position data aggregation and scope coordination. The server receives data from multiple scopes and distributes alignment instructions, enabling efficient coordination even when direct peer-to-peer wireless communication between scopes is limited or unreliable in remote areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple scope position data, target data, and scope capability data into a unified data structure processed by the network server. This merging of information allows the system to compute optimal scope assignments and alignment strategies that maximize coverage area while maintaining coordination efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If more scopes are coordinated to focus on the same target, then the tracking precision improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex coordination task into distinct functional modules: data collection from scopes, data aggregation at the network server, target position calculation, scope assignment determination, and alignment instruction distribution. This segmentation manages system complexity by organizing the coordination process into manageable, independent functional blocks that can operate autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where the network server continuously receives updated position data from scopes, recalculates optimal target positions and scope assignments, and redistributes alignment instructions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise target tracking while automating the complex coordination logic, reducing the perceived complexity for individual scope operators.
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial-mounted scope is used in a surveillance environment to supplement a plurality of ground-based scopes which are also in the surveillance environment, wherein a presumed target is being tracked in the surveillance environment. A first ground-based scope is configured to determine a current target position data of the presumed target in the surveillance environment, the current target position data being identified using a plurality of measurement devices in the first scope. One or more additional ground-based scopes in the surveillance environment are configured to follow the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope and receive the current target position data of the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope, and report their respective position to the network server via the electronic network. An aerial-mounted scope is configured to be deployed in the surveillance environment to supplement the plurality of ground-based scopes. A network server which is in communication with each of the scopes via an electronic network is configured to determine whether it is possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target, and electronically communicate to the aerial-mounted scope the current target position data regarding the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope when it is determined that it is not possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target. The aerial-mounted scope is configured to be deployed to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target when it is determined that it is not possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target. In another embodiment, the aerial-mounted scope is deployed when the time and effort for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target does not meet acceptable conditions.