Drone Search-Zone Mapping for Faster Engulfed Element Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating engulfed elements, such as avalanche victims or aircraft debris, are time-consuming and inefficient, often exceeding the limited survival time available due to the need for large intervention teams and manual search processes.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a drone-based system that autonomously arrives at the search zone, determines topography, divides the area into sub-zones based on patroller capabilities, and assigns each sub-zone to a patroller for efficient search, with periodic communication to accelerate the location process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large intervention team is used for manual search, then the search coverage is improved, but the search time increases and safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical search operations with an automated drone system equipped with sensors and imaging equipment. The drone autonomously navigates the search zone, captures images, and processes data to locate engulfed elements, eliminating the need for large human teams to physically traverse the area while maintaining comprehensive search coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone system performs self-navigation, self-detection, and self-analysis functions. It autonomously moves through the search zone, captures imagery, processes the data onboard, and identifies targets without requiring continuous human intervention or coordination of multiple personnel, thereby reducing both time and human exposure to danger.
2Productivity
If manual search methods are used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the search efficiency and speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The drone system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: navigation, image capture, onboard processing, and target identification. This multi-functional approach achieves high search efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity, as one autonomous system performs tasks that would otherwise require multiple coordinated human operators with various equipment.
3Reliability
If human patrollers are deployed to the search zone, then the search capability is improved, but the safety of the intervention team deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drone acts as an intermediary between the search mission and the hazardous environment. It enters dangerous zones such as avalanche areas, unstable terrain, or contaminated regions to perform detection tasks, keeping human operators safe while maintaining search capability through the drone's sensors and imaging equipment.
4Loss of time
If automated drone system is used, then the search time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drone system performs preliminary navigation and surveying actions before detailed search operations. It pre-maps the search zone, identifies accessible areas, and plans optimal search paths in advance, which reduces the time required for actual target detection while managing system complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for assisting in the location of an engulfed element in a predetermined search zone, implemented by a location assistance system including at least a plurality of patrollers including at least one drone, the method including at least the following steps: arrival of the drone at the predetermined search zone; determination by the drone, of the topography of the predetermined search zone; division of the predetermined search zone into areas, by the drone, depending on the topography and the capabilities of each patroller, and assigning of each area to at least one patroller; searching for the engulfed element in each search zone by the at least one patroller assigned to the area; and periodic inter-patroller communication at least until the at least one engulfed element is located.