Industrial Plant Object Detection With Targeted Defense Signals

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for protecting industrial facilities from objects like birds, drones, and animals are complex, costly, and inefficient due to the need for numerous high-resolution cameras and varied deterrent signals, often causing environmental disturbances.

Innovation Solution

A defense system comprising distributed camera units and signal transmission units, a computing unit, and applications for object recognition, classification, and signal assignment, allowing precise detection and targeted deterrents based on object type and position, reducing the number of high-resolution cameras and optimizing signal intensity and type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a large number of high-resolution cameras are used to accurately detect objects, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surveillance area is divided into multiple zones, each monitored by a single standard-resolution camera. Objects in different zones are detected independently, allowing the use of multiple lower-resolution cameras instead of fewer high-resolution ones, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from using spatial resolution (camera megapixels) as the primary dimension for detection accuracy to using temporal processing (frame rate analysis) and zonal segmentation as additional dimensions. This allows standard-resolution cameras to achieve effective detection precision through intelligent image processing and multi-zone monitoring

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

2Reliability

If varied deterrent signals are used to effectively repel different objects, then defense effectiveness is improved, but environmental disturbance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefense effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental disturbance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different types of objects detected in different surveillance zones are responded to with specifically tailored deterrent signals appropriate to each zone and object type. This localized approach ensures effective defense against each object while minimizing unnecessary environmental disturbance in areas where deterrents are not required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the parameters of deterrent signals (type, intensity, frequency) based on the detected object's characteristics and location. By changing signal parameters rather than using fixed high-intensity signals, the system achieves effective repulsion while reducing overall environmental impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple cameras are used to determine object position and flight path, then measurement precision is improved, but the number of required cameras increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidnumber of cameras
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The surveillance area is segmented into multiple zones, each monitored by a single camera. Object position and flight path within each zone are determined using algorithms that analyze sequential frames from that one camera, eliminating the need for multiple cameras per zone while maintaining measurement precision through temporal analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4635295A1System and method for detecting and defending against objects in an industrial plant
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 PROTECBIRD GMBH
  • EP4635295A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4635295A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4635295A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a defense system for detecting and defending against objects (3) in a surveillance area (13) of an industrial plant, comprising: - a plurality of camera units (1) that cover the surveillance area (13) and generate respective image data; - a plurality of defense signal transmission units (2) that receive control signals and convert them into higher-energy defense signals; - a computing unit (5) that receives the image data and outputs the respective control signals, comprising: - a recognition application that recognizes the respective object (3) and associated object features, such as a position, a shape, a size, and a direction of flight, from the image data; - a classification application that determines a respective object type from a plurality of object types for the respective object (3) from the associated object features, and classifies the respective object (3) as relevant or irrelevant depending on the object type;- a defense application which assigns at least one defense signal transmission unit (2) to the relevant objects (3) depending on the respective object type and generates respective control signals;