Autonomous Mower Vision Monitoring for Theft Deterrence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous lawn mowers lack effective monitoring and security capabilities beyond navigation, making them vulnerable to theft and unable to detect and respond to unknown objects or changes in their operating environment.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a computer vision-based monitoring and security system that utilizes onboard cameras and image processing to detect and analyze objects, trigger actions, and communicate with remote systems for enhanced security and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous lawn mowers operate unattended within a predefined boundary, then navigation and mowing efficiency are improved, but vulnerability to theft and lack of security monitoring worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the autonomous mower to perform both its primary mowing function and secondary security monitoring functions. The mower equipped with cameras and computing resources can detect objects, recognize faces, and provide security surveillance while mowing, thus improving security capability without sacrificing mowing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The security monitoring system operates autonomously without requiring dedicated human supervision. The mower's onboard sensors and processors automatically detect and analyze objects, triggers alerts when unauthorized objects or persons are detected, and communicates with remote systems, enabling the system to self-monitor and self-protect while performing mowing tasks.
2Measurement precision
If vision sensors are used for machine navigation, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the ability to perform supplemental monitoring tasks worsens due to sensor utilization constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The vision sensors serve dual purposes: they provide precise navigation by detecting boundary wires and guiding the mower's path, simultaneously they capture image data for security monitoring and object detection. This multi-functional use of the same sensors improves both navigation accuracy and monitoring capability without requiring separate dedicated sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the navigation function and security monitoring function into a unified system. The same cameras and image processing resources are combined to perform both navigation guidance and supplemental monitoring, allowing the system to achieve both objectives simultaneously rather than requiring separate independent systems.
3Measurement precision
If the mower stops at observation positions to capture image data, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but operational time and productivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The mower performs monitoring at periodic intervals by stopping at predetermined observation positions along its mowing path. Rather than continuous monitoring that would halt operation entirely, the system captures images at regular intervals, maintaining acceptable monitoring accuracy while minimizing disruption to mowing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial monitoring by capturing images only at specific observation positions rather than continuously throughout the entire mowing operation. This partial action approach provides sufficient security coverage at critical locations without requiring the mower to stop frequently, thus balancing monitoring accuracy with operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A supplemental monitoring and security function and system for use with an autonomous working machine such as a robotic lawn mower. The system may use cameras associated with the machine to capture image data and transmit the data to a remote computer. The system may be utilized as a theft deterrent for the mower itself, as well as provide a mobile sentry mode for surveilling and observing a property.