Connected Vehicle Airspace Detection via Multi-Camera Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unauthorized flying objects, such as drones, pose a safety risk in restricted airspace due to their small size and lack of registration, making detection challenging for authorities, especially in areas without full radar coverage.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing connected vehicles equipped with cameras to detect and report flying objects, where a server processes data from multiple vehicles to calculate the location and altitude of the object, notifying other vehicles within a defined geofence to aid in detection and reporting to authorities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If civilian aviation radars are used to detect flying objects, then detection coverage can be achieved in areas with radar infrastructure, but small unauthorized flying objects cannot be detected and many restricted airspaces lack full radar coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms ordinary vehicles into multi-functional detection units that serve both their original transportation purpose and aerial object detection. The vehicles are equipped with cameras and sensors that enable them to detect flying objects while maintaining their normal functions, creating a dual-purpose system that expands detection coverage without requiring dedicated detection infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that coordinates between detecting vehicles and authorities. The server receives detection data from multiple vehicles, processes the information, and communicates with restricted airspace databases to determine violations. This intermediary enables the system to function as a unified detection network rather than isolated vehicle sensors.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated detection infrastructure is deployed in restricted airspaces, then detection precision can be improved, but device complexity and deployment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables vehicles to autonomously detect, track, and report flying objects using their own onboard cameras and processors. Each vehicle independently performs detection functions without requiring external control or complex centralized management, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection precision through distributed intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into existing vehicle platforms. Instead of deploying separate detection systems, the invention merges aerial object detection capabilities with conventional vehicles that citizens already possess, consolidating resources and reducing the need for dedicated detection infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If multiple vehicles are coordinated to detect the same object, then location accuracy and altitude calculation improve, but communication overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes communication protocols and coordination mechanisms among vehicles before detection events occur. Vehicles are already connected to the server and to each other through predefined channels, so when a flying object is detected, the coordination and data sharing can begin immediately without setup delays, reducing processing time while maintaining multi-vehicle detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A server includes a processor, programmed to responsive to receiving a first message indicative of detection of a flying object from a first vehicle, notify a second vehicle to detect the flying object, responsive to receiving a second message indicative of detection of the flying object from the second vehicle, calculate a location including a coordinate and an altitude of the flying object using the first message and the second message, and send a report including the location of the flying object to a predefined entity, wherein the first message includes a location of the first vehicle, a first time stamp, and a first angle of the object captured by a first camera against the horizon, and the second message includes a location of the second vehicle, a second time stamp, and a second angle of the object captured by a second camera against the horizon.