Autonomous Robot Surveillance for Facility Blind Spot Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security systems at facilities often fail to provide comprehensive coverage, as security cameras may not cover all areas of interest or may become temporarily or permanently non-functional, leading to blind spots in surveillance.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous mobile machine system that uses a security controller to determine security coverage areas and non-coverage areas based on facility maps, deploying autonomous robots or drones to areas of interest for surveillance tasks, ensuring comprehensive coverage and addressing blind spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If fixed camera devices are used throughout the facility, then surveillance coverage is provided in covered areas, but blind spots remain in areas not covered by fixed cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces autonomous mobile machines (robots) that dynamically move throughout the facility to provide surveillance coverage in blind spots where fixed cameras cannot reach. The mobile robot transitions from static to dynamic surveillance, allowing coverage of areas that are physically inaccessible to fixed mounting locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a central server as an intermediary that coordinates between fixed camera devices and autonomous mobile machines. The server receives data from both sources, processes coverage gaps, and dispatches mobile robots to appropriate blind spots, effectively mediating between stationary and mobile surveillance resources.
2Area of stationary object
If more fixed camera devices are installed to cover all areas, then surveillance coverage increases, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous mobile machine serves multiple functions: it acts as a moving surveillance camera, navigates autonomously using sensor data, communicates with the central server, and adapts its patrol routes based on detected events or scheduled patterns. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized fixed cameras in various locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of surveillance by transitioning from fixed positional parameters to dynamic positional parameters. The mobile robot's position, speed, and surveillance direction are continuously variable parameters that allow flexible coverage adjustment without installing additional fixed devices.
3Ease of operation
If fixed camera devices are used, then initial deployment is straightforward, but the system cannot adapt to changing security needs or camera failures
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous mobile machine provides dynamic adaptability by changing its surveillance behavior in real-time based on server instructions, detected events, or scheduled patterns. It can respond to security incidents, adjust patrol frequencies, and navigate to areas of interest, making the system adaptable without requiring physical reconfiguration of fixed cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot performs self-navigation, self-surveillance, and self-reporting functions autonomously. It uses its own sensors to navigate, captures surveillance data independently, and communicates findings to the server without requiring manual intervention, providing adaptive security coverage while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for use of autonomous mobile machine for blind spot coverage may include a security controller that determines a security coverage area based on data from a facility map indicating physical and functional representations of a facility and objects within the facility. The security controller may also determine a surveillance area based on the security coverage area. The security controller may also transmit, to an autonomous mobile machine, instructions for the autonomous mobile machine to deploy to the surveillance area and perform a surveillance task at the surveillance area.