IT201600083211A1 - SYSTEM FOR TERRESTRIAL-AIR SURVEILLANCE OF AN OPEN AREA - Google Patents

Description

SYSTEM FOR TERRESTRIAL-AERIAL SURVEILLANCE OF AN OPEN AREA

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is part of the technical sector of surveillance systems, to keep open areas under control and to signal unauthorized presences and / or situations of potential danger.

Among the known solutions, the most common involves the use of cameras, with fixed or mobile orientation, suitably located in the area to be controlled and referring to a control station in which the images taken by the cameras themselves are displayed on the monitor.

The cameras can be of the normal type, for which it is necessary that the framed area is adequately illuminated at night, or of a more sophisticated type, suitable for night vision or even of the infrared type.

Obviously, for surveillance to be effective, someone must be present in the control station who, having detected a potential danger in progress on the monitors, promptly takes steps to implement the appropriate countermeasures.

Apart from the constant physical presence of one or more surveillance personnel, the installation of cameras has limitations due to the fact that while it is relatively simple to "cover" a small area or a predetermined area, preferably without obstacles or barriers, it is complicated and expensive to prepare an adequate number of them for relatively large areas of land, where elements such as trees, bushes, walls and the like are easily present that generate shaded areas and natural hiding places where an attacker, who has knowledge of where the cameras are located , can find shelter and move with a good chance of not being seen.

As fixed installations, both the cameras and the street lamps are subject to sabotage or maneuvers of various kinds aimed at neutralizing them or evading them, which it is superfluous to try to list.

Other surveillance solutions provide, in addition to or in place of the cameras, sensor organs capable of detecting movements, noises or heat produced by human bodies, or infrared barriers or photocells located in certain passage areas.

The limitations expressed with reference to cameras also apply to the latter systems, in relation to the exponential increase in costs for large areas and the vulnerability due to the fact that they are relatively accessible fixed installations.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to propose a system for the surveillance of an open area capable of overcoming the drawbacks of camera solutions (or equivalent devices) with fixed installation, by means of a simple and effective technical solution.

Another object of the invention consists in proposing a system which allows to control also open areas of large surface, without the relative costs increasing in an exaggerated way as in known systems.

Another object of the invention is to obtain a system that is very flexible and can be easily configured in the optimal way, depending on the size, shape and particularities of the area to be monitored.

A further purpose of the invention is to create a system in which it is much more difficult to evade or neutralize the means intended for control, so as to increase the security offered.

Yet another object of the invention provides to have an "open" system, which allows the introduction of operational variants both of a predefined type, according to predetermined parameters such as weather conditions, ambient light, time and more, and of the type impromptu, linked to sudden events such as the detection of potentially dangerous situations.

Another further purpose of the invention is represented by the possibility of expanding the system with auxiliary devices with respect to a basic structure, to adapt it to particular applications and make it more effective.

A purpose that is added to the previous ones concerns the planned integration in the system of means for the automatic control of the acquired information and of means for the remote signaling of potentially dangerous situations in the controlled area.

These and other purposes are fully achieved by means of a system for the surveillance of an open area including:

- at least one self-propelled land vehicle, equipped with means for remote driving and with energy accumulators to power motor means, designed to move in the aforementioned open area;

- at least one parking station of said self-propelled land vehicle, accessible to the latter and able to accommodate the same self-propelled land vehicle at predefined time intervals, to allow it to stop and recharge said accumulators;

- a remote control station of said at least one self-propelled land vehicle, tuned to said devices for remote driving of the latter, capable of starting the running of said self-propelled land vehicle out of the aforementioned parking station, of driving it in the the aforementioned open area according to reconnaissance itineraries defined by a pre-established mapping, as well as to command their return to the same parking station, within the relative autonomy limit;

- first data detection and transmission means, provided in said self-propelled land vehicle, suitable for monitoring the aforementioned open area during the reconnaissance march, and for transmitting the acquired information to a data collection center;

- data analysis means, provided in said data collection center, able to read and interpret the aforementioned information received from the detection means of the aforementioned self-propelled land vehicle, to ascertain or exclude the presence of intruders and / or non-compliant situations in the aforementioned open area;

- display and signaling means, associated with the aforementioned data collection center, designed to provide an updated response in real time regarding the normal condition or anomalous situation present in the aforementioned open area.

The characteristics of the invention will be evident from the following description of preferred embodiments of the system for the surveillance of an open area in question, in accordance with the claims and with the aid of the attached drawing tables, in which:

- Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a basic configuration of the surveillance system in question, installed in an open area to be controlled;

- Fig. 2 illustrates, in a view similar to Fig. 1, a second configuration of the system, with auxiliary elements.

In the figures listed above, reference 1 indicates the surveillance system in question, as a whole, and reference A indicates a predetermined open area to be kept under control.

The system 1, in a basic configuration (Fig. 1), comprises at least one self-propelled land vehicle 6, for example of the type similar to common robotic lawnmowers, equipped with devices for remote driving and energy accumulators (for example electricity ) to power motor vehicles (not illustrated in detail) and designed to move in the aforementioned open area A according to reconnaissance itineraries defined by a predetermined mapping.

The delimitation of the open area A can be advantageously carried out by means of an underground conductor, for which the vehicle 6 is suitably equipped with sensors, as already known for the delimitation of the work area in the aforementioned robotic lawnmowers, or in other ways. Note.

In the self-propelled land vehicle 6, first data detection and transmission means 60 are provided, suitable for monitoring the aforementioned open area A during travel.

The first data detection and transmission means 60 comprise optical devices, preferably also suitable for night vision, and a radio frequency transmitter tuned to a data collection unit 3.

The self-propelled land vehicle 6 refers to at least one parking station 7, located at a level next to and accessible from the ground of the aforementioned open area A, for example by means of connecting ramps with a slight inclination, which can be overcome by the aforementioned vehicle 6.

In the parking station 7 a garage 70 is defined for the shelter of said at least one self-propelled land vehicle 6 and means for recharging the accumulators of the same vehicle 6, located in the same garage 70.

The parking station 7 can be located inside or outside the open area A, preferably in a relatively protected place, such as for example a shed or a niche of a building, in any case where it is possible to have an entrance / exit that is, at the same time, easily accessible for the vehicle 6 and not very accessible for one person.

The parking station 7 is made with known types of components and technologies, for example in the above-mentioned field of robotic lawnmowers, suitably combined, to allow the vehicle 6 to enter and exit into and from the garage 70 and for the connection between the vehicle 6 itself and the means for recharging the accumulators.

The construction details of the parking station 7 are not illustrated and described in detail as they are not relevant in the context of the invention.

For the purposes of the invention, although not essential, it is advisable to have at least two land vehicles 6, one of which is active and the other is recharging in the parking station 7. The latter, depending on the needs, can be unique o specific for each vehicle 6.

The system 1 also comprises a remote piloting station 5 of said self-propelled land vehicle 6, tuned to the devices for remote driving of the latter and able to start its travel out of the aforementioned parking station 7, to guide it in the said open area A according to reconnaissance itineraries defined by a predetermined mapping, as well as to command their return to the same parking station 7, within the relative autonomy limit.

The driving station 5 is preferably of the automatic type, comprising at least one electronic processor for storing the aforementioned mapping of the itineraries of the self-propelled land vehicle 6 and for the implementation of a program for activating the latter, which governs the relative organs. motors and parts for remote driving.

The mapping of the itineraries is obviously customized according to the extension and shape of the open area A, so that the latter is covered entirely a series of times, within the autonomy limit granted by the accumulators.

The definition and storage of the mapping of the itineraries, to be carried out during the installation of the surveillance system 1, can be done by suitably interfacing a topographic map of area A or by manually driving the vehicle 6 in a self-learning tour, following it on foot.

The data collection center 3 receives the information transmitted by the self-propelled land vehicle 6, and is equipped with suitable data analysis means 30, able to read and interpret the aforementioned information received, to ascertain or exclude the presence of intruders and / or situations non-compliant in the aforementioned open area A.

For example, if the optical devices provided in the first data detection and transmission means 60 are represented by at least one video camera, and therefore the information acquired and transmitted are video images, the data analysis means 30 can compare in real time the shot with a corresponding previous and / or a pre-memorized sample, to verify whether or not new elements appear in the shots that could be intruding people or vehicles.

The data collection center 3 is associated with display and signaling means 31, designed to provide, on the basis of what emerged from the analysis means 30, an updated response in real time regarding the normal condition or anomalous situation present in the area. open A.

In a possible embodiment of the system 1, in which at least one operator is present in the data collection center 3, said display and signaling means 31 comprise monitors for the continuous reproduction of images and light and / or sound indicators of alarm for an anomalous situation found in the aforementioned open area A.

In addition or alternatively, the aforementioned display and signaling means 31 further comprise an automatically activated telephone capable of communicating with fixed devices 32 and / or mobile phones 33, of one or more predefined users, in which the strength of 34, to send alarm messages.

As a further addition or alternative, the aforementioned display and signaling means 31 comprise devices with automatic activation capable of transmitting, to one or more predefined users, text messages 35 and / or audio messages and / or still images 36 or in motion 37. , that is, able to connect to the network to send e-mails 38 and / or press releases that can be viewed on social networks, to report alarm situations.

All the possible display and signaling means 31, as well as being automatically activated to remotely send signals in the event of an alarm, can be arranged to emit the information periodically or upon request of one or more authorized users.

The system 1, in a more complete configuration (Fig. 2), provides, in addition to the self-propelled land vehicles 6, at least one unmanned aircraft 2, also known as a drone, equipped with relative devices for remote driving and accumulators of energy (for example electricity) to power motor vehicles, and provided to fly over the aforementioned open area A.

The unmanned aircraft 2 is preferably, but not necessarily, of the rotary wing type, i.e. similar to a helicopter, whose particular flight characteristics can be advantageous in the application of the present invention, since it is possible for such aircraft to take off. and land vertically, stay still and quickly deflect or reverse the trajectory.

The unmanned aircraft 2 is intended to fly over the aforementioned open area A according to a predetermined flight plan and to assist said at least one self-propelled land vehicle 6 for the observation and control of the same open area A.

For this purpose, second detection and data transmission means 20 are provided in said unmanned aircraft 2, suitable for monitoring the aforementioned open area A during flight.

The second data detection and transmission means 20, similarly to the first, comprise optical devices, preferably also suitable for night vision, and a radio frequency transmitter tuned to the ground data collection unit 3.

In both configurations of the system 1, mentioned above, constructional variants are possible whereby said first and second data detection and transmission means 60, 20, respectively provided in said self-propelled land vehicle 6 and unmanned aircraft 2, additionally include or as an alternative to the aforementioned cameras, infrared optical devices for capturing heat sources.

In a further addition or alternative, to the optical devices of the aforementioned first and second data detection and transmission means 60, 20, there are associated motion sensors, of a substantially known type and therefore not illustrated in detail.

The unmanned aircraft 2 refers to a further parking station 4, in which there are: a stand 40 for the take-off and landing of the same unmanned aircraft 2, a garage 41 for the shelter of the latter and means for the recharging of the accumulators of the same aircraft 2, located in the same garage 41 and not illustrated in detail.

The parking station 4 can be located inside or outside the open area A, preferably in a relatively protected place, such as the roof of a building, which being at an elevated height from the ground is at the same time easily accessible for unmanned aircraft 2 and not very accessible for one person.

The construction details of the parking station 4 of the aircraft 2 are not illustrated in detail, for the same reasons already expressed with reference to the parking station 7 of the vehicle 6.

For the purposes of the invention, although not indispensable, it is advisable to have at least two unmanned aircraft 2, one of which is active and the other is recharging in its own parking station 4. The latter, depending on requirements, can be unique or specific to each aircraft 2.

The unmanned aircraft 2 is controlled by the aforementioned pilot station 5, which, by means of the remote control devices of the latter, is able to initiate its take-off, to guide it according to a predetermined flight plan and to command its landing. at predefined time intervals, within the relative autonomy limit.

In the aforementioned electronic computer of the pilot station 5, in addition to the aforementioned flight plan of the aircraft 6, suitable algorithms are stored for the implementation of coordinated actuation programs for the aforementioned vehicle 6 and aircraft 2, in suitable phase relationship.

The flight plan is obviously customized according to the extension and shape of open area A, so that the latter is entirely flown over a series of times, within the autonomy limit granted by the accumulators. The definition and storage of the flight plan must be carried out, also in this case, during the installation of the surveillance system 1, for example by suitably interfacing a topographic map of area A or manually guiding the aircraft 2 from the ground in a car flight learning, using the optical devices present in the aforementioned second data detection and transmission means 20.

The data collection center 3 receives the information transmitted to the ground by the unmanned aircraft 2, and by means of said data analysis means 30, combines them with those transmitted by the self-propelled land vehicle 6, to ascertain or exclude the presence of intruders and / or non-compliant situations in the aforementioned open area A.

In the system 1, as a constructive variant, devices for controlling the meteorological conditions (not shown) can be provided, for example associated with said remote piloting station 5, the data of which are provided for possibly correcting the aforementioned drive programs for the land vehicle self-propelled aircraft 6 and the unmanned aircraft 2.

In another embodiment variant not illustrated, for example for open areas A in which there are many trees that obstruct the view from above, a plurality of said self-propelled land vehicles 6 are provided, of which at least one, in turn, operating in movement in the aforementioned open area A.

In a further embodiment variant not illustrated, for example for very large open areas A, a plurality of said unmanned aircraft 2 are provided, of which at least one, in turn, operating in flight on the aforementioned open area A.

In all the embodiments described above it must be considered that the information, such as maps, flight plans of unmanned aircraft 2 or mapping of the itineraries of land vehicles 6, can be indifferently stored in the memories of the aforementioned aircraft 2 or vehicles 6 , or in the memory of the pilot station 5.

From what has been described above, the superior characteristics of the proposed surveillance system with respect to conventional ones with cameras or equivalent devices having fixed installation are evident.

The use of robotic vehicles with a flattened shape such as the aforementioned lawnmowers is a relatively cheap technical solution as these vehicles are industrial products, versatile because they are fast, silent, not very visible if suitably camouflaged and able to move on ground that is not perfectly flat or regular, at a cost that can be cheaper than the numerous fixed cameras that would need to be installed, powered and wired to cover a large surface.

It is also easy to understand that by combining ground surveillance with one from above, the effectiveness of the system is considerably increased, allowing easy customization of the same according to the size, shape and particularities of the area to be monitored.

Even aircraft such as those described are very quiet, almost invisible at night and not easy to evade or neutralize; with the parking station located on the roof of a building, the security offered is even greater.

From the description it is also clear that the proposed surveillance system lends itself to introducing numerous accessory elements, of which a non-exhaustive list has been given, which expand its defense potential, and operational variants, so as to make it optimal for each specific application and able to adapt to foreseeable changes such as weather conditions, ambient light, or sudden changes, such as the detection of potentially dangerous situations.

Of particular interest, for the user who wants to know if everything is regular or if there are problems, are the means for the automatic control of the acquired information and means for the remote signaling of potentially dangerous situations in the controlled area.

Obviously, as in all surveillance systems that can be classified as "active", or equipped with means capable of detecting anomalous situations and potential dangers, even in the one in question false alarms cannot be excluded a priori, but as known to the experts in the sector, it is a question of reaching the best compromise in the calibration of the instruments so that they have an adequate sensitivity not to miss a danger, even if at the cost of some false alarm, which is always better than a missed one if necessary.

However, it is understood that what has been described above has an exemplary and non-limiting value, therefore any detailed variations that may be necessary for technical and / or functional reasons, are considered from now on to fall within the same protective scope defined by the claims reported below.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS 1. System for the surveillance of an open area, characterized by the fact of including: - at least one self-propelled land vehicle (6), equipped with devices for remote driving and with energy accumulators to power motor means, designed to move in the aforementioned open area (A); - at least one parking station (7) of said self-propelled land vehicle (6), accessible to the latter and able to accommodate the same self-propelled land vehicle (6) at predefined time intervals, to allow it to stop and recharge said accumulators; - a remote piloting station (5) of said at least one self-propelled land vehicle (6), tuned with said devices for remote driving of the latter, capable of starting the running of said self-propelled land vehicle (6) to exit from the aforementioned parking station (7), to guide it in the aforementioned open area (A) according to reconnaissance itineraries defined by a pre-established mapping, as well as to command its return to the same parking station (7), within the relative autonomy limit; - first data detection and transmission means (60), provided in said self-propelled land vehicle (6), adapted to monitor the aforementioned open area (A) during the reconnaissance march, and to transmit to a data collection center (3) the information acquired; - data analysis means (30), provided in said data collection center (3), suitable for reading and interpreting the aforementioned information received from the detection means (60) of the aforementioned self-propelled land vehicle (6), to ascertain or exclude the presence of intruders and / or non-compliant situations in the aforementioned open area (A); - display and signaling means (31), associated with the aforementioned data collection center (3), designed to provide an updated response in real time regarding the normal condition or anomalous situation present in the aforementioned open area (A). 2. System according to rev. 1, characterized in that it also provides at least one unmanned aircraft (2), equipped with relative devices for remote driving and with second data detection and transmission means (20), with said unmanned aircraft (2) intended to be guided by the aforementioned pilot station (5) to fly over the aforementioned open area (A) according to a predetermined flight plan and to assist said at least one self-propelled land vehicle (6) for the observation and control of the same open area (A) . 3. System according to rev. 1 or 2, characterized in that said first and second data detection and transmission means (60, 20), respectively provided in said self-propelled land vehicle (6) and unmanned aircraft (2), comprise optical devices also suitable for night vision and a radio frequency transmitter tuned to the aforementioned data collection center (3). 4. System according to rev. 1 or 2, characterized in that said first and second data detection and transmission means (60, 20), respectively provided in said self-propelled land vehicle (6) and unmanned aircraft (2), comprise infrared optical devices for picking up sources of heat and a radio frequency transmitter tuned to the aforementioned data collection center (3). 5. System according to rev. 3 or 4, characterized in that motion sensors are associated with said optical devices, provided in the aforementioned first and second data detection and transmission means (60, 20). 6. System according to rev. 1 or 2, characterized in that said remote piloting station (5) comprises at least one electronic processor for storing said mapping of the itineraries of the aforementioned self-propelled land vehicle (6) and the aforementioned flight plan of the unmanned aircraft (2) , and for the implementation of related coordinated actuation programs for the same vehicle (6) and aircraft (2), in a suitable phase relationship. 7. System according to rev. 1 or 6, characterized by the fact of providing devices for controlling the meteorological conditions at least in the aforementioned open area (A), provided to assist the aforementioned remote piloting station (5) of the aforementioned self-propelled land vehicle (6) and unmanned aircraft (2 ). 8. System according to rev. 1 or 2, characterized in that said display and signaling means comprise monitors for reproducing images and light and / or sound alarms for an anomalous situation found in the aforementioned open area. 9. System according to rev. 1 or 8, characterized in that said display and signaling means (31) comprise an automatically activated telephone capable of communicating with fixed (32) and / or mobile (33) devices, of one or more predefined users and / or law enforcement agencies (34), to send alarm messages. 10. System according to rev. 1 or 8, characterized by the fact that said display and signaling means (31) comprise automatically activated devices capable of transmitting text messages (35) to one or more predefined users and / or law enforcement agencies (34). and / or audio messages and / or still images (36) or moving images (37), or able to connect to the network to send e-mails (38) and / or press releases that can be viewed on social networks, to report alarm situations. 11. System according to rev. 1, characterized by the fact that said parking station (7) is located at a level next to and accessible from the ground of the aforementioned open area (A), in said station (7) being defined: a garage (70) for the shelter of said at least one self-propelled land vehicle (6) and means for recharging the accumulators of the same vehicle (6), located in the shed (70) itself. 12. System according to rev. 2, characterized by the fact of providing a further parking station (4), located at a height above the ground, in which are defined: a stand (40) for the take-off and landing of said at least one unmanned aircraft (2 ), a shed (41) for the shelter of the latter and means for recharging the accumulators of the same aircraft (2), located in the shed (41) itself. 13. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it provides a plurality of said self-propelled land vehicles (6), of which at least one, in turn, operating in reconnaissance in the aforementioned open area (A). System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it provides a plurality of said unmanned aerial vehicles (2), of which at least one, in turn, operates in flight over the aforementioned open area (A).