Self-propelled monitoring device

{
  "publication_number": "US10930129B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Self-propelled monitoring device",
  "abstract": "A self-propelled monitoring device for autonomously patrolling a region includes a drive unit, a power supply system, at least one sensor for detecting a surrounding area, a control unit for evaluating data supplied by the sensor and for ascertaining an action to be carried out next, and a signal generating device. An image of the surrounding area is captured by the at least one sensor, and the sensor image is analyzed by the control unit. The position of a person present in the surrounding area is ascertained, and a signal which is directed towards the ascertained position is output by the signal generating device.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A self-propelled monitoring device for autonomous patrolling of an area, comprising: a drive unit; an energy supply; at least one sensor for detecting a surrounding area and capturing a sensor image; a control unit for evaluating data supplied by the sensor including the sensor image, and for ascertaining an action to be carried out next; and a signal generating device; wherein: the control unit analyses the sensor image and, if a person is present in the sensor image, determines a position of the person in the surrounding area, the signal generating device emits a signal directed to the determined position, and the control unit assigns a degree of threat to a detected, unauthorized person with the aid of at least one of: an observed behavior, and a detection of a dangerous object or a weapon.",
    "2. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is prepared for identifying/classifying detected persons into authorized and unauthorized persons.",
    "3. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the signal comprises: an acoustic signal; a speech warning; a light signal; or a light signal having a dazzling effect.",
    "4. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein the signal comprises the speech warning, which comprises at least one of: a recorded human voice, and a computer-generated voice.",
    "5. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of: an optical sensor, a camera, an infrared camera, an infrared motion detector, an acoustic sensor, a microphone, a radar sensor, and a lidar sensor.",
    "6. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of: at least three wheels, caterpillar tracks, vertically and horizontally pivotable wheels, and legs.",
    "7. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the energy supply comprises at least on of: a rechargeable battery, and a fuel cell.",
    "8. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises at least one of: commercially available CPUs, and freely programmable FPGAs.",
    "9. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit uses a neural network for at least one of detecting obstructions, detecting humans, and classifying humans.",
    "10. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitter and receiver unit for radio signals configured for at least one of: receiving remote control signals, and establishing a wireless communication link.",
    "11. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 10, wherein the device is configured to exchange sensor data or coordinate actions with another self-propelled monitoring device.",
    "12. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the identification/classification of persons takes place based on one of: facial recognition, voice recognition, and a transponder signal.",
    "13. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein, on identification of an unauthorized person, a message is transmitted to at least one of: a selected person, a security service, and the police.",
    "14. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines an action to be carried out next depending on the degree of threat of the identified unauthorized person.",
    "15. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 14, wherein, at a relatively high threat level, the signal generating device emits a signal serving for deterrence in the form of a loud acoustic signal or a light signal with a dazzling effect.",
    "16. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising a smoke detector.",
    "17. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising a fire extinguisher.",
    "18. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising a manipulator arm.",
    "19. A self-propelled monitoring device for autonomous patrolling of an area, comprising: a drive unit; an energy supply; at least one sensor for detecting a surrounding area and capturing a sensor image; a control unit for evaluating data supplied by the sensor including the sensor image, and for ascertaining an action to be carried out next; a signal generating device; and at least one non-lethal weapon selected from the group consisting of a water cannon and a tear gas cannon, wherein: the control unit analyses the sensor image and, if a person is present in the sensor image, determines a position of the person in the surrounding area, and the signal generating device emits a signal directed to the determined position.",
    "20. The self-propelled monitoring device according to claim 19, further comprising a smoke detector and/or a fire extinguisher."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates to a self-propelled monitoring device for autonomously patrolling a region, comprising a drive unit, a power supply system, at least one sensor for detecting a surrounding area, a control unit for evaluating data supplied by the sensor and for ascertaining an action to be carried out next based on the results of this evaluation, and a signal generating means.\n\nAlarm systems serve for securing buildings, rooms or objects within a room against intrusion of, or the intervention of, unauthorized persons. They generally comprise a wide variety of sensor means, which can be connected to a central evaluation unit. However, it is also possible to dispense with such a unit and to build up an alarm system from decentralized sensor means, which are prepared such that, when the sensor is triggered, an alarm is sounded. An alarm can either consist in the transmission of acoustic or light signals that are clearly audible or visible to the intruder and the environment, for example, sirens or a flashing light, or else a silent alarm, which is not detectable for the intruder, is emitted, for example in the form of a message or a signal to a particular person or guard position.\n\nThe sensors used in alarm systems comprise, in particular, optical cameras, infrared motion detectors or infrared cameras, acoustic sensors (that is to say microphones), contact switches (for example, reed contacts) that are triggered on the opening or closing of doors or windows, pressure and/or weight sensors, trip wires, vibration sensors or glass breakage sensors (based on ultrasound).",
  "cpc": [
    "G08B 15/00",
    "A62C 27/00",
    "B60L 50/60",
    "B60L 50/70",
    "B62D 55/08",
    "B62D 57/02",
    "G05D 1/0022",
    "G05D 1/0242",
    "G05D 1/0246",
    "G05D 1/0255",
    "G05D 1/0257",
    "G05D 1/0276",
    "G05D 2201/0209",
    "G05D 2201/0217",
    "G08B 15/02",
    "G08B 19/005",
    "Y02T 10/70",
    "Y02T 90/40"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A62C 27/00",
    "G05D 1/00",
    "G05D 1/02",
    "G08B 15/00",
    "G08B 15/02",
    "B60L 50/60"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Hubert Noras"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-05-08",
  "publication_date": "2021-02-23",
  "grant_date": "2021-02-23",
  "priority_date": "2016-05-10",
  "application_number": "US-201716300160-A",
  "family_id": "58992573",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
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  ]
}