Threat Source Mapping via Sensor Fusion and Heat Maps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring systems for public areas struggle to detect and localize radiological, chemical, and biological threats in real-time, as they often require expert operators and fail to provide easily interpretable results for non-expert users.
Innovation Solution
A threat source mapping system comprising a network of threat detectors with orientation and position sensors, combined with imaging systems, generates a heat map and image map to intuitively display the source of threats, allowing for real-time localization and mitigation strategies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threat detectors are used to monitor for radiological, chemical, and biological threats, then threat detection capability is improved, but the ability to localize the threat source and interpret results is worsened due to requiring expert operators and lacking spatial precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple threat detectors with cameras and orientation sensors into an integrated monitoring system. The threat detectors, cameras, and sensors are merged into a unified system that processes data together to generate both threat detection and precise spatial localization, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and localization precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds spatial dimensions to threat detection by incorporating camera imagery and orientation sensor data. This transforms the detection process from simple presence/absence detection to multi-dimensional spatial mapping, enabling precise threat source localization while maintaining detection reliability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple threat detectors with orientation sensors are deployed to improve localization, then threat source localization capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each detector unit multi-functional by equipping it with both threat detection capabilities and orientation sensing capabilities. This allows a single device to perform multiple functions (detection + localization), reducing the need for separate specialized devices and thereby lowering overall system complexity while maintaining high localization precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the monitoring system into independent detector units, each capable of autonomous detection and orientation measurement. This segmentation allows for modular deployment and simplified individual unit design, reducing the complexity burden while achieving precise localization through the coordinated network of segmented units.
3Measurement precision
If expert operators are used to interpret threat detector output, then detection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation and response time are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that automatically interprets threat detector output and generates intuitive visual displays. This intermediary layer translates complex detector data into easily interpretable graphical representations, eliminating the need for expert operators while maintaining high detection accuracy and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic feedback processing where the system continuously monitors threat detector output and immediately processes it through algorithms that generate real-time visual feedback. This automated feedback loop maintains high detection accuracy while making the system easy to operate and interpret for non-expert users through intuitive displays.
4Productivity
If threat detection data is processed in real-time to improve response time, then productivity is improved, but the complexity of data processing and integration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of orientation sensor and camera data at the source, preparing spatial reference information in advance. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden during real-time threat detection, enabling fast response times while managing data processing complexity through pre-computation of spatial relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are threat source mapping systems and related techniques. A threat source mapping system includes a threat sensor network and a logic device. The threat sensor network includes one or more threat detectors each configured to monitor at least a portion of a scene for at least one threat detection event. The logic device is configured to receive the at least one threat detection event from the threat sensor network, generate a threat source location heat map based, at least in part, on the at least one threat detection event, and generate a threat source image map based, at least in part, on the threat source location heat map and at least one image of the scene that at least partially overlaps the portions of the scene monitored by the one or more threat detectors. The threat source image map may then be displayed to a user.