Dynamic Search Route Calculation Using Threat and Environment Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to calculate a search route to an object position based on the surrounding environment and threat detection, as they do not effectively utilize sensor data to adapt routes in dynamic environments while minimizing detection by hostile targets.

Innovation Solution

A search support apparatus and method that includes a search sensor, environment sensor, threat effective range estimation, and route calculation units to determine optimal search routes by estimating search and threat sensor ranges and probability distributions, using environment and performance data to calculate routes that balance object detection and threat avoidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sensor that is easily affected by the surrounding environment is used to search for an object, then the search capability is improved, but the reliability of the sensor measurements deteriorates due to environmental interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor measurement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the search effective range based on environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed, wave height) to compensate for sensor performance degradation. By changing the effective range parameter according to environmental conditions, the system maintains reliable object detection despite environmental interference affecting the sensor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors environmental information and uses this feedback to adjust the search effective range and route calculation. The environment sensor provides real-time data about surrounding conditions, which feeds back into the route calculation unit to optimize the search strategy and maintain measurement reliability under varying environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the vehicle moves toward the object position while searching, then the search efficiency is improved, but the risk of detection by hostile targets increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch efficiencyVSAvoiddetection by hostile targets
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the route parameters by adjusting the weight coefficients in the route evaluation function. When threat level is high, the system increases the weight of threat avoidance factors and decreases the weight of direct path factors, resulting in a modified route that reduces detection risk while still progressing toward the object position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The search route is not fixed but dynamically adjusted based on real-time environmental conditions and threat assessments. The route calculation unit continuously recomputes the optimal path by evaluating multiple factors including search effectiveness, threat detection probability, and environmental conditions, allowing the vehicle to adapt its movement strategy dynamically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If manual input of waypoints is used to decide movement route, then the system complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to dynamic environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute decision system complexityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically calculating and adjusting the search route based on environmental sensor data and object detection information. The route calculation unit autonomously evaluates multiple routes and selects the optimal one without requiring manual operator input, enabling the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions while maintaining reasonable complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates multiple candidate routes before execution and evaluates them based on current environmental conditions. By preparing multiple route options in advance and having the route calculation unit select the best one based on real-time data, the system achieves adaptability without requiring complex real-time decision-making mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3779923B1Search support for calculating a route for searching an object
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 NEC CORP
  • EP3779923B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3779923B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3779923B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A search support apparatus includes: a search sensor unit 2 configured to search for an object; an environment sensor unit 3 configured to measure a surrounding environment and generate environment information based on measurement results; a search effective range estimation unit 4 configured to estimate the search effective range of the search sensor unit 2 using the environment information and performance information that indicates the performance of the search sensor unit; a threat effective range estimation unit 5 configured to estimate the search effective range of a sensor possessed by a target that is a threat using the environment information and performance information that indicates the performance of the sensor possessed by the target; and a route calculation unit 6 configured to calculate a search route to the object, based on the search effective range of the search sensor unit 2, the search effective range of the sensor possessed by the target, and a distribution of existence probabilities of the target that is a threat.