System, methods and apparatus for coordination of and targeting for mobile robotic vehicles

• US 20040068415A1
• Filed: 04/22/2003
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Solomon Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Solomon Research LLC
• Inventors: Solomon, Neal
• Application Number:
  US10/421,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20040068415A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/00 Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/005 Unmanned ground vehicles, i.e. robotic, remote controlled or autonomous, mobile platforms carrying equipment for performing a military or police role, e.g. weapon systems or reconnaissance sensors F41H11/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0295 by at least one leading vehicle of the fleet

Abstract

In a multirobotic system comprised of automated mobile robotic vehicles (MRVs), a network of MRV drones provides sensor information to a lead MRV, which calculates the distance to objects in the environment. By using a method of optic flow to map coordinates in spatial positions, MRVs establish mission priorities and work as a group to accomplish a mission. Once the operational coordination is made for the group to organize its priorities and tasks, the enemy targets are struck in a sequence according to mission parameters.

Claims

1. A system for managing coordination and targeting of mobile robotic vehicles, comprising:

a plurality of mobile robotic vehicles (MRVs) each having a plurality of sensors for capturing sensor data on a plurality of targets, wherein a squad includes a squad lead MRV and member MRVs;

wherein the plurality of MRVs function as a network to continually track the plurality of targets as the plurality of targets change position;

wherein the sensor data captured by the member MRVs is forwarded to the squad lead MRV;

wherein the squad lead MRV uses the sensor data to establish specific target positions and provide instructions to the member MRVs to attack the specific target positions.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the instructions include instructions to the member MRVs to form specific formations and proceed to the specific target positions.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors include lasers and infrared sensors.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of squads are each given their respective instructions to attack corresponding targets;

wherein when the plurality of squads engage their corresponding targets, corresponding feedback is provided by the plurality of squads; and

wherein each squad attacks its target in order of priority.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the order of priority includes a first MRV arriving at a site, the highest priority target and a specialized target.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein at least two MRVs attack the plurality of targets in an alternating sequence.