Patent Application
20190221092
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for detecting an unknown drone device. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for identifying a presence of an unidentified drone device within or proximate to a protected area based on sensor data received from at least one sensor device, comparing the sensor data to stored data for known drone devices to determine whether the unidentified drone device is known or unknown, and initiating specific security responses when the unidentified drone is unknown.
Known systems and methods for detecting drone devices compare sensor data with standard profile data for known drone devices. However, such systems and methods do not determine whether a particular drone identified by the sensor data is known or unknown or initiate security responses when the particular drone device is unknown.
In view of the above, there is a continuing, ongoing need for improved systems and methods.
While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments.
Embodiments disclosed herein may include systems and methods for identifying and responding to an unknown drone device. For example, systems and methods disclosed herein may include detecting an unidentified drone device, determining whether the unidentified drone device is known or unknown, and when the unidentified drone device is unknown, automatically initiating and executing preprogramed security actions.
Systems and methods as disclosed herein may include individual devices operating together or may be a part of security systems. It is to be understood that such systems can include, but are not limited to systems that include a control panel in communication with one or more sensor devices.
In accordance with disclosed embodiments, at least one sensor device may monitor a secured area, and the control panel or a similar electronic device may identify a presence of the unidentified drone device within or proximate to the secured area based on sensor data received from the at least one sensor device and may compare the sensor data received from the at least one sensor device with stored data for known drone devices associated with the secured area to determine whether the unidentified drone device is known or unknown. Determining whether the unidentified drone device is known or unknown may eliminate false positive determinations where security actions are activated in response to the known drone devices associated with the secured area. Furthermore, responsive to determining that the unidentified drone device is unknown, the control panel may initiate security responses or procedures, such as transmitting a notification signal indicative of the presence of the unidentified drone device, automatically initiating security actions, and monitoring movement of the unidentified drone device.
In some embodiments, the at least one sensor device may include one or both of visual detector devices (e.g. motion sensors, still image cameras, video cameras, IR sensors, etc.) and audio detector devices (e.g. tape recorders, digital recorders, microphones, etc.). In such embodiments, the control panel may identify the presence of the unidentified drone device by comparing the sensor data received from the visual detector devices with standard drone images or movement patterns or by comparing the sensor data received from the audio detector devices with standard drone audio clips or flight sounds.
In some embodiments, the security actions initiated by the control panel may include broadcasting a simulation signal into the secured area to simulate a presence of a user, jamming wireless communications of the unidentified drone device, automatically closing open windows, doors, or blinds in the secured area, attacking the unidentified drone device with at least one of the known drone devices, and following the unidentified drone device with the at least one of the known drone devices to identify an owner of the unidentified drone device. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the control panel may transmit the notification signal to a central monitoring station to alert local authorities about the unidentified drone device or to a portable user device associated with the secured area to alert a resident or an owner of the secured area about the unidentified drone device. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the control panel may receive an acknowledgment signal from the central monitoring station or the portable user device and, responsive thereto, may cease monitoring the movement of the unidentified drone device.
In some embodiments, the control panel may identify a type of the unidentified drone device using the sensor data received from the at least one sensor device. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the control panel may use the type of the unidentified drone device to identify or assist in tracking the unidentified drone device, and in some embodiments, the control panel may include the type of the unidentified drone device in the notification signal.
Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the steps described above do not require the particular order described or sequential order to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, steps may be eliminated from the described flows, and other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the invention.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific system or method described herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
