Sonar Drowning Detection via 3D Grid Movement Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drowning monitoring systems, including CCTV camera-based and wristband tag systems, fail to differentiate between swimming and drowning individuals, and have limitations such as glare issues, cultural restrictions, and reliability in saltwater environments, leading to ineffective detection and potential for severe injuries or fatalities.
Innovation Solution
A sonar-based system that forms a three-dimensional grid of sonar waves within a water body, using monostatic or bistatic sonar sensors to trace movement paths and detect indicative drowning patterns, issuing alarms when specific movement patterns are recognized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CCTV camera-based monitoring systems are used to detect objects in water, then detection coverage is improved, but the system cannot differentiate between swimming and drowning individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical CCTV camera-based detection with acoustic sonar wave-based detection. Sonar sensors emit acoustic waves that interact with objects in water, and the reflected waves provide information about object movement patterns. This acoustic field substitution enables differentiation between swimming and drowning behaviors through movement analysis without relying on visual cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sonar waves as an intermediary medium between the detection system and the individuals in water. Instead of directly observing with cameras, the system uses acoustic waves to indirectly detect and analyze movement patterns. The sonar waves act as a mediator that carries information about object position and movement, enabling precise differentiation of drowning versus swimming behaviors.
2Measurement precision
If wristband tag systems are used for monitoring, then individual tracking is improved, but reliability in saltwater environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic wristband tag systems with acoustic sonar-based detection. Instead of relying on electronic devices worn by individuals that may fail in saltwater, the system uses acoustic waves that naturally propagate through water including saltwater environments. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues associated with electronic components in corrosive saltwater while maintaining individual tracking capability through movement pattern analysis.
3Extent of automation
If CCTV cameras with computer monitoring are used, then automatic detection capability is improved, but cultural and religious restrictions limit deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual CCTV camera systems with acoustic sonar systems. Sonar sensors emit and detect acoustic waves, which are imperceptible to humans and do not involve visual surveillance. This substitution maintains full automatic detection capability through computer processing of acoustic signals while eliminating cultural and religious objections associated with camera surveillance in certain communities.
4Ease of operation
If passive CCTV underwater viewing systems are used, then lifeguard support is improved, but detection capability without active sensing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements active sonar sensing that continuously emits acoustic waves before any drowning event occurs. This preliminary action of continuous wave emission enables the system to detect and analyze movement patterns in real-time, providing automatic detection capability rather than passive viewing. The system proactively senses the water environment, enabling precise detection and automatic alarm generation to support lifeguards.
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
The system effectively differentiates between swimming and drowning individuals, providing accurate and reliable detection in various water environments, including saltwater, reducing the risk of fatalities and long-term disabilities associated with drowning.
Implementation Method 1
sonar sensors for forming a three dimensional grid of sonar waves within the water body
Implementation Method 2
detected propagation delays of the sonar waves forming the grid
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system for detecting a drowning person within a water body, the system comprising (i) sonar sensors for forming a three dimensional grid of sonar waves within the water body, the grid having three dimensional grid cells; (ii) a movement path tracing unit adapted to be connected to the sonar sensors for tracing a movement path of a person within the water body by determining a sequence of successive grid cells crossed by the person within the grid in the course of said movement path, the determination of the successive grid cells being made based on detected propagation delays of the sonar waves forming the grid; and (iii) a drowning detection unit adapted to be connected to the movement path tracing unit for analyzing the movement path of the person and issuing an alarm when the movement path of the person is indicative of a drowning person movement path. There is also provided a kit and method for detecting a drowning person within a water body.