Methods for locating targets and simmulating mine detection via a cognitive, swarm intelligence-based approach

• US 20060161405A1
• Filed: 06/04/2004
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sytex, Inc. (Leidos Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sytex, Inc. (Leidos Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Munirajan, Vignesh Kumar
• Application Number:
  US10/862,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20060161405A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/008 based on physical entities controlled by simulated intelligence so as to replicate intelligent life forms, e.g. based on robots replicating pets or humans in their appearance or behaviour

Abstract

A method is provided for locating targets dispersed within a target field, whereby a plurality of like robotic scouts are provided for transmitting and receiving target detection signals, and for following a received signal'"'"'s intensity gradient. The target field is foraged by the scouts according to a navigation scheme which entails stochastically navigating the terrain prior to receipt of a target detection signal, and deterministically navigating the terrain following receipt of the target detection signal, whereby an intensity gradient is followed until the selected target is located. Once located, a scout remains at the selected target until either a selected time duration elapses or a requisite number of other scouts arrive. A method is also provided for emulating detection and diffusion of mines within a mine field, with the same being simulated on a computer system'"'"'s display device.

Claims

1. A method of locating targets dispersed within a target field, comprising:

a. providing a plurality of like robotic scouts each designed to;

i. traverse the target field'"'"'s terrain;

ii. detect existence of each target when in a vicinity thereof;

iii. transmit a target detection signal upon detecting existence of a target; and

iv. receive said target detection signal when transmitted by another one of said robotic scouts, and follow the signal'"'"'s associated intensity gradient;

b. foraging the target field with said robotic scouts until each of the targets is located, whereby each of the robotic scouts forages according to a navigation scheme that entails;

i. stochastically navigating the terrain prior to receipt of said target detection signal;

ii. deterministically navigating the terrain following receipt of said target detection signal, whereby an intensity gradient of the received target detection signal is followed until detecting an existence of a selected target associated with the received target detection signal, whereupon the selected target is deemed located;

iii. remaining at the selected target until either;

1. a selected time duration elapses, or

2. a requisite number of other robotic scouts arrives at the selected target; and

iv. thereafter resuming foraging of the target field according to said navigation scheme.

2. The method according to claim 1 whereby the requisite number of other robotic scouts is three.

3. A method of emulating detection and diffusion of mines within a minefield, said method comprising:

a. simulating on a display device of a computer system a plurality of randomly dispersed mines within a boundary corresponding to a periphery of said minefield;

b. simulating on said display device a plurality of like robotic scouts each designed to;

i. traverse the minefield;

ii. detect existence of each mine when in a vicinity thereof;

iii. transmit a radially attenuating mine detection signal upon detecting existence of a mine; and

iv. receive said mine detection signal when transmitted by another one of said robotic scouts, and follow the signal'"'"'s associated intensity gradient;

c. simulating foraging of the minefield with said robotic scouts until each of the mines is detected and defused, whereby each of the robotic scouts forages according to a navigation scheme that entails;

i. stochastically navigating the minefield prior to encountering said mine detection signal;

ii. deterministically navigating the minefield after encountering said mine detection signal, whereby an intensity gradient of the received mine detection signal is followed until detecting an existence of a selected mine associated with the received mine detection signal;

iii. remaining at the selected mine until either;

1. a selected time duration elapses, or

2. a requisite number of other robotic scouts arrives at the selected mine, corresponding to the selected mine being deemed defused; and

iv. thereafter resuming foraging of the minefield according to said navigation scheme.

4. The method according to claim 3 whereby the requisite number of other robotic scouts is three.