Mobile Autonomous Surveillance Network Blind Spot Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surveillance systems in public areas often have blind spots due to fixed camera locations, and areas without security systems rely on personnel or public enforcement, which can lead to missed security threats.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle surveillance network utilizing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, combined with onboard cameras and sensors, to create a dynamic surveillance system that captures and shares images of environments outside vehicles, forming a composite scene and alerting event responders to potential security threats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed cameras are installed in or around buildings, then security monitoring is provided at specific locations, but blind spots are created in areas outside the fixed camera coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity monitoring coverageVSAvoidcoverage area flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static surveillance system into a dynamic one by utilizing mobile vehicles equipped with cameras. The surveillance coverage area continuously changes as vehicles move through different locations, eliminating blind spots while maintaining reliable monitoring. The system adapts its coverage dynamically based on vehicle positions and movement patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds the spatial dimension of vehicle movement to the traditional two-dimensional fixed camera coverage. By deploying cameras on mobile platforms that traverse three-dimensional space, the system achieves comprehensive area coverage that fixed cameras cannot provide, transforming the surveillance geometry from static points to dynamic volumetric coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a large number of fixed cameras are deployed to cover all areas, then complete surveillance coverage is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurveillance coverage completenessVSAvoidnumber of cameras and infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes vehicles serve multiple functions: they remain transportation tools while simultaneously acting as mobile surveillance platforms. The vehicles' existing movement patterns and routes are leveraged for surveillance purposes, eliminating the need for dedicated surveillance infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining complete coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the natural, existing movement of vehicles through the area to provide surveillance coverage. Rather than requiring vehicles to follow predetermined surveillance routes or requiring additional dedicated surveillance vehicles, the system captures data during normal vehicle operation, making the surveillance function self-sustaining without additional operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If personnel are deployed to monitor security in areas without security systems, then real-time monitoring is possible, but response time and resource availability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehuman monitoring capabilityVSAvoidresponse time to threats
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces human personnel monitoring with automated camera-based surveillance systems mounted on vehicles. The automated system continuously captures and transmits video data in real-time, eliminating the limitations of human response time, fatigue, and availability while maintaining continuous monitoring capability across all deployed areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary that receives, processes, and distributes surveillance data from multiple vehicles. This intermediary system enables real-time coordination and rapid response by aggregating data from all vehicles and alerting appropriate personnel or systems when threats are detected, significantly reducing overall response time compared to individual human monitors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3543979B1Mobile autonomous surveillance
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP3543979B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3543979B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3543979B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system that utilizes a vehicle surveillance network. The system comprises at least one vehicle computer which is configured to receive a first message indicative of a location of a dwelling from a roadside unit that is positioned on the dwelling, transmit instructions to at least one vehicle camera in a first vehicle to capture one or more images corresponding to a security threat at the dwelling, and to transmit the one or more captured images corresponding to the security threat at the dwelling to one or more event responders.