Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of this invention is disaster response technologies with a focus on unmanned aerial systems (UAVs), search and rescue operations, and the integration of machine learning for improving rescue effectiveness in disaster management contexts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Catastrophic events severely limit the ability to perform effective search and rescue efforts, which also causes many responses to be late in coming and dangers to continue being posed to individuals affected. Due to the dangerous and unpredictable nature of disaster-affected situations, traditional search and rescue methods often are hampered by considerations including limited view, restricted access, and a need for immediate situational evaluation. These problems can be addressed by an advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system designed for effective search and rescue operations, equipping acoustic sensors to detect distress sounds, GPS for accurate geolocation, and machine learning-enabled cameras with detection capabilities for human presence. It is also equipped to analyze signals from wearables and mobile devices. It is equipped with dual cameras and telemetry to monitor the surroundings and send data in real time. Another system of announcements should also be in place so that people can obtain the information. This UAV is capable of carrying large payloads that contain supplies required for disaster relief, besides making both manual and autonomous operations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
In the present Invention, we have proposed an advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system that is capable of locating, assisting, and rescuing individuals trapped in disaster zones, such as areas affected by earthquakes, floods, or other natural or man-made calamities. The system integrates a variety of advanced sensors, cameras, communication modules, and machine-learning algorithms, to improve search efficiency and ensure immediate responses during emergencies. The Search and Rescue UAV System for Disaster Management is composed of four main units: The Drone Unit, the Human Presence Detection Unit, the Announcement Unit, and the Payload Dropping Unit. Each unit is designed and integrated into a single, highly functional system to locate, assist, and rescue individuals trapped in disaster-affected zones such as earthquake-stricken areas, flood zones, or regions impacted by other natural or man-made disasters.
The Drone Unit serves as the foundational platform for the entire system, operating as a quadcopter drone equipped with an advanced flight controller. The flight controller acts as the main computing hub, controlling the drone’s four ESCs (Electronic Speed Controllers) and four motors to achieve stable flight. The unit is also integrated with a GPS module for accurate geolocation and a camera module for visual surveillance of the affected area. This unit is designed to provide continuous data transmission through telemetry, enabling real-time updates to be sent back to the control centre. The telemetry unit relays vital data such as the drone’s position, camera feed, and other sensor readings. The drone unit can be operated in either manual or autonomous mode, with the autonomous mode utilizing pre-programmed flight paths or dynamic decision-making based on incoming sensor data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
FIGURE 1: ANATOMY OF THE HUMAN DETECTION UNIT
FIGURE 2: SEARCH AND RESCUE UAV SYSTEM
FIGURE 3: ALL FOUR VIEWS OF DRONE
FIGURE 4: LAYOUT DIAGRAM OF THE DRONE
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The present invention is related to the advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system that is capable of locating, assisting, and rescuing individuals trapped in disaster zones, such as areas affected by earthquakes, floods, or other natural or man-made calamities. The system integrates a variety of advanced sensors, cameras, communication modules, and machine-learning algorithms, to improve search efficiency and ensure immediate responses during emergencies. The Search and Rescue UAV System for Disaster Management is composed of four main units: The Drone Unit, the Human Presence Detection Unit, the Announcement Unit, and the Payload Dropping Unit. Each unit is designed and integrated into a single, highly functional system to locate, assist, and rescue individuals trapped in disaster-affected zones such as earthquake-stricken areas, flood zones, or regions impacted by other natural or man-made disasters.
The Drone Unit serves as the foundational platform for the entire system, operating as a quadcopter drone equipped with an advanced flight controller. The flight controller acts as the main computing hub, controlling the drone’s four ESCs (Electronic Speed Controllers) and four motors to achieve stable flight. The unit is also integrated with a GPS module for accurate geolocation and a camera module for visual surveillance of the affected area. This unit is designed to provide continuous data transmission through telemetry, enabling real-time updates to be sent back to the control centre. The telemetry unit relays vital data such as the drone’s position, camera feed, and other sensor readings. The drone unit can be operated in either manual or autonomous mode, with the autonomous mode utilizing pre-programmed flight paths or dynamic decision-making based on incoming sensor data.
The Human Presence Detection Unit is mounted onto the drone and is designed to autonomously detect survivors using a variety of advanced sensors and machine learning algorithms. At its core is a Raspberry Pi, which acts as the processing unit, coordinating and analyzing data from several key components such as a Machine Learning-based Camera Module that detects human presence by recognizing body parts, movement patterns, clothing, and accessories, an SDR (Software-Defined Radio) module capable of detecting signals from survivors' smart devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, or fitness bands, ultrasonic and LIDAR sensors to analyze the surrounding environment, detect obstacles, and measure terrain features. The Acoustic sensors listen for sounds made by survivors, such as voices, movements, or knocks, and a GPS module for accurate location tracking of any detected individuals. This continuous relay of information allows rescue teams to take swift, data-driven action. The combination of multiple sensors ensures that the unit can detect survivors in various challenging conditions, such as those trapped under rubble, in low visibility situations, or in locations where other signals, such as wireless devices, are present.
The Announcement Unit is responsible for delivering messages and instructions to individuals in the disaster zone. This unit includes an on-board speaker for broadcasting announcements, instructions, or reassurances to survivors, a VHF (Very High Frequency)/UHF (Ultra High Frequency) radio system that can transmit voice messages across longer distances, ensuring that people in remote areas can hear the announcements, an amplifier to enhance the volume and clarity of the messages, making sure they can be heard even in noisy environments or from a distance. The Announcement Unit plays a crucial role during search operations, helping to calm survivors and guide them toward safer areas or specific rescue locations. It also provides the rescue team with a direct communication link to those on the ground.
The Payload Dropping Unit is designed to deliver essential supplies to survivors in hard-to-reach locations. This unit is a servo motor-controlled system, integrated with the drone’s flight controller. The flight controller activates the servo motors at pre-determined locations or based on real-time instructions from the control center. The payload, which can include items like food, water, medical supplies, or emergency tools, is securely mounted and can be released accurately.
All sensor data, including images, GPS coordinates, sound recordings, and detected wireless signals, is continuously sent to the cloud via the control center which receives the data via the telemetry unit. This data is accessible by the rescue team in real-time, enabling them to monitor the situation closely, adjust search strategies, and send aid accordingly.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION:
• By using the UAV to locate and assess disaster zones, human rescuers can avoid entering hazardous areas unnecessarily, reducing risk and ensuring safer and more efficient rescue missions.
• The system's machine learning-based human presence detection, using camera inputs and advanced algorithms, allows for fast and accurate identification of survivors by detecting body parts, movement, and even clothing accessories.
• Equipped with acoustic sensors, GPS, ultrasonic, and LIDAR, the UAV can gather and analyze a broad range of environmental data, allowing it to detect survivors in various conditions, including visual obstructions like fog, smoke, or debris.
• The integration of a Software-Defined Radio (SDR) module enables the UAV to detect wireless signals from survivors’ mobile devices or other smart gadgets. This technology enhances rescue missions by increasing the chances of locating survivors who may be out of the visual or auditory range.
• The system can operate autonomously, following pre-programmed search patterns, or manually, offering flexibility for different disaster scenarios. This ensures quick responses without heavy reliance on human operators.
• The UAV’s ability to carry and deliver essential supplies such as food, water, or medical kits directly to survivors in hard-to-reach areas significantly improves disaster relief efforts by providing immediate aid before rescuers arrive.
• Using ultrasonic and LIDAR sensors, the UAV can effectively analyze and navigate complex environments, avoiding obstacles and mapping terrain, thus ensuring operational safety and efficiency even in challenging disaster landscapes.
, Claims:1. A search and rescue UAV system, comprising: a camera module, Raspberry Pi, an acoustic sensor array and machine learning algorithms.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system including an acoustic sensor array that detects human sounds, such as calls for help or tapping, and relays the audio signals to a control center for analysis.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system configured to detect radio signals emitted from smart devices such as mobile phones, smart bands, or similar personal electronic devices via a Software-Defined Radio (SDR) module, assisting in locating survivors when visual or acoustic detection is not feasible.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is operable in manual mode, controlled by an operator using a ground control system, and autonomous mode, following pre-programmed flight paths based on machine learning detection and GPS coordinates.