Arial based parolee tracking and pursuit
A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to track a monitored person is provided. The method includes directing the UAV toward a target location the target location being based on past or present location information provided by a personal monitoring device attached to a monitored person, the location information representing the location of the personal monitoring device; assuming with the UAV a surveillance position relative to the target location; and determining that the monitored device is proximate to the target location by receiving signals from the personal monitoring device and/or observing the monitored person through a camera on the UAV.
1. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to track a monitored person, comprising:
directing the UAV toward a target location the target location being based on past or present location information provided by a personal monitoring device locked to a monitored person, the location information representing the location of the personal monitoring device;
assuming with the UAV a surveillance position relative to the target location;
determining that the monitored device is proximate to the target location; comprising:
receiving short range signals from the personal monitoring device; and/or
observing the monitored person through a camera on the UAV;
in response to an indication that the location information from the personal monitoring device is no longer available or accurate:
discontinuing tracking the personal monitoring device; and
tracking, with the UAV, a mobile device associated with the monitored person, the mobile device being unattached to the monitored person.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the location information is GPS coordinates sent by the personal monitoring device; and
the target location is the GPS coordinates sent by the personal monitoring device.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the surveillance position and/or camera orientation.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining is further based on the short range signals.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining is further based on whether any obstruction blocks the camera from observing the monitored person.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the assuming comprises applying predetermined rules on where to position the UAV relative to a specific location.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the location information is GPS coordinates determined by a monitoring authority.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining one of: if the monitored person is at the target location, if the monitored person is not at the target location and if the monitored person had lost connection then reconnected with a central monitoring system; and
issuing an alert in response to a result of the determining.
9. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a camera having an adjustable orientation, comprising:
directing the UAV toward a target location, the target location being based on past or present location information provided by a personal monitoring device attached to a monitored person, the location information representing the location of the personal monitoring device;
assuming with the UAV a surveillance position relative to the target location;
aligning the camera of the UAV to observe the monitored person;
determining if an adjustment to the surveillance position and/or camera orientation is needed based on at least a change in the location of the personal monitoring device; and
adjusting, in response to the determining, the surveillance position and/or camera orientation;
in response to an indication that the location information from the personal monitoring device is no longer available or accurate:
discontinuing tracking the personal monitoring device; and
tracking, with the UAV, a mobile device associated with the monitored person, the mobile device being unattached to the monitored person.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein:
the location information is GPS coordinates sent by the personal monitoring device;
the target location is the GPS coordinates sent by a central monitoring system; and
the change in the location of the personal monitoring device determined by updated GPS coordinates sent by the personal monitoring device.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the adjusting is in response to an override command from a monitoring authority.
12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
receiving short range signals from the personal monitoring device; and
the determining is further based on the short range signals.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the determining is further based on whether any obstruction blocks the camera from observing the monitored person.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the assuming comprises applying predetermined rules on where to position the UAV relative to a specific location.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the location information is GPS coordinates determined by a monitoring authority.
16. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
determining one of: if the monitored person is at the target location, if the monitored person is not at the target location and if the monitored person had lost connection then reconnected with a central monitoring system; and
issuing an alert in response to a result of the determining.