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

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.