Off-Road Route Generation Using Threat Analysis and Terrain Cost
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems for the battlefield fail to account for enemy attacks and obstructions, leading to increased risk and inefficiency for soldiers, as they do not integrate enemy position data, detect battlefield obstacles, route around threats, minimize energy expenditure, or provide real-time guidance.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method combining Threat Analyzer, Graph Builder, and Route Presenter to generate and present off-road travel routes that avoid enemy attacks and obstacles by analyzing enemy positions, terrain difficulties, and overlaying routes on heads-up displays for real-time guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If general-purpose navigation systems are used to generate routes, then the shortest path between source and destination can be found efficiently, but the routes do not avoid threats to soldiers in transit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges general-purpose navigation algorithms with battlefield-specific threat data by integrating a threat analyzer that processes enemy position, weapon type, and range information into the route generation process. The graph builder incorporates threat data into edge weights, allowing the shortest path algorithm to automatically avoid routes that would expose soldiers to enemy fire while maintaining computational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The threat analyzer acts as an intermediary component between the navigation system and battlefield conditions. It continuously monitors enemy positions and weapon capabilities, transforming raw threat data into processed information that can be integrated into the route generation algorithm without disrupting the overall system architecture.
2Ease of operation
If commanders issue turn-by-turn directions to soldiers, then real-time guidance can be provided, but the process is tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system performs self-service by automatically generating optimal routes based on real-time threat data and terrain information. The graph builder and route generator work autonomously to compute safe paths without requiring manual intervention from commanders, eliminating the tedious process of manual route planning and turn-by-turn direction issuance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary route generation before soldiers need to move. By pre-computing optimal routes based on current threat assessments and terrain data, the system eliminates the need for real-time manual direction issuance, saving time while maintaining guidance accuracy.
3Productivity
If routes are generated without considering enemy attacks and obstructions, then route planning is simple and fast, but soldiers face increased risk and encounter impassable terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters used in route generation by incorporating threat data, terrain difficulty, and obstruction information into the edge weight calculations. The graph builder adjusts path costs based on real-time conditions, allowing the algorithm to automatically select routes that minimize exposure to enemy attacks and avoid impassable terrain while maintaining computational speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The route generation system is dynamic, continuously updating route recommendations based on changing battlefield conditions. As enemy positions and terrain conditions change, the graph builder re-evaluates paths and generates updated routes that adapt to current threats and obstacles, ensuring soldiers are always directed through the safest available paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for generating and presenting off-road travel routes based on terrain and obstruction analysis. The method includes a Threat Analyzer (100) for assessing threats that may impede progress, a Graph Builder (102) for constructing a graph representing an individual's environment, a Route Generator (104) for generating a route that avoids the threats, and a Route Presenter (106) for guiding the individual along the route. The Threat Analyzer (100) includes an Obstruction Analyzer (202) for detecting obstructions in aerial imagery. The Graph Builder (102) includes a Cost Evaluator (712) that takes into account traversal speeds for individuals across various types of terrain. The Route Presenter (106) overlays the route on aerial imagery and provides real-time guidance as the individual traverses the route.