Infrared Weapon Detection and UAV Tracking Beyond Camera Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to identify the type of threat posed by individuals within a building and cannot track individuals who pose a threat beyond a certain distance after they flee the location, leading to increased casualties in mass shootings or knife attacks.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising image capturing units with infrared sensors and cameras installed at structures to detect weapons, record images, and notify law enforcement, with the option to deploy UAVs for tracking individuals carrying weapons beyond the camera's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional emergency response systems are used to notify law enforcement after an incident occurs, then law enforcement can be alerted to the location and type of incident, but considerable time is lost for personnel to reach the location, resulting in increased casualties
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and identification of weapons and threats before incidents occur. The multi-sensor system continuously monitors for weapons, suspicious objects, and anomalous behaviors, enabling early warning and prevention of mass shootings and knife attacks before they can cause casualties
2Loss of information
If existing threat detection systems are deployed to monitor individuals and groups, then varying levels of response can be provided to users, but the systems cannot determine the type of threat posed by individuals or track them beyond a certain distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple detection technologies including acoustic sensors, infrared sensors, video analytics, and RFID readers into a unified threat detection platform. This integration enables comprehensive threat type identification and continuous tracking of suspicious individuals across multiple zones and distances
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediate tracking devices such as RFID tags and portable sensors that can be attached to or carried by suspicious individuals. These intermediaries enable continuous tracking beyond the range of fixed cameras and sensors, maintaining reliability over extended distances
3Measurement precision
If acoustic sensors and video analytics are used to detect gunshots and track shooters, then indoor gunshot detection can be performed, but the systems cannot identify the type of weapon or provide comprehensive threat assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection process into multiple specialized sensor modules: acoustic sensors for gunshot detection, infrared sensors for weapon identification, video analytics for shooter tracking, and RFID readers for individual identification. Each segment handles a specific aspect of threat detection, collectively providing comprehensive weapon type identification and threat assessment
4Productivity
If threat sensing devices are distributed throughout a school or facility to detect threats, then sensor data can be processed and communicated to first responders, but the systems cannot identify individuals posing threats or track them after they flee
Solution Approach 1:
The threat sensing devices are designed with multi-functionality, incorporating not only acoustic and infrared sensors for threat detection but also RFID readers, facial recognition cameras, and GPS tracking capabilities. This universal design enables simultaneous threat detection, individual identification, and continuous tracking across the entire facility
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively identifies and tracks individuals carrying weapons, preventing potential threats by notifying law enforcement and providing real-time alerts, enhancing safety in structures such as schools and large gatherings.
Implementation Method 1
The image capturing unit includes an image sensor and an infrared sensor. The infrared sensor identifies weapons carried by persons or placed in vehicles in its field of view.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for identifying a weapon, and tracking and generating an alert in response to the weapon identification are disclosed. The system includes an image capturing unit installed at a structure. The image capturing unit includes an image sensor and an infrared sensor. The infrared sensor identifies weapons being carried by persons or vehicles in its field of view. Concurrently, the image sensor captures and records the images of the person and/or the vehicle. The image capturing unit notifies law enforcement officers of the person and/or the vehicle having the weapons. In one implementation, the image capturing unit connects to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV deploys and tracks the location after the person and/or the vehicle moves away from the field of view of the image capturing unit. The UAV tracks the person and/or the vehicle until the law enforcement officers capture the person and/or the vehicle.