Feb 10, 2026

US12546566 - Methods and systems for tracking a presumed target in a surveillance environment using an aerial-mounted scope to supplement a plurality of ground-based scopes

An aerial-mounted scope is used in a surveillance environment to supplement a plurality of ground-based scopes which are also in the surveillance environment, wherein a presumed target is being tracked in the surveillance environment. A first ground-based scope is configured to determine a current target position data of the presumed target in the surveillance environment, the current target position data being identified using a plurality of measurement devices in the first scope. One or more additional ground-based scopes in the surveillance environment are configured to follow the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope and receive the current target position data of the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope, and report their respective position to the network server via the electronic network. An aerial-mounted scope is configured to be deployed in the surveillance environment to supplement the plurality of ground-based scopes. A network server which is in communication with each of the scopes via an electronic network is configured to determine whether it is possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target, and electronically communicate to the aerial-mounted scope the current target position data regarding the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope when it is determined that it is not possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target. The aerial-mounted scope is configured to be deployed to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target when it is determined that it is not possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target. In another embodiment, the aerial-mounted scope is deployed when the time and effort for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target does not meet acceptable conditions.

Assignee: Douglas Robert Larry Fougnies Pressman Day
Inventors: Douglas Fougnies, Robert A. Pressman, Larry L. Day, Taylor J. Carpenter, Mark J. Howell
Filing date: 2024-07-26

This patent outlines a method for deploying an aerial-mounted scope to enhance surveillance by supplementing multiple ground-based scopes tracking a presumed target. The system involves electronic communication between the scopes and a network server to determine the optimal deployment of the aerial scope when ground-based options are obstructed.

Claim 1

1 . A method for deploying an aerial-mounted scope in a surveillance environment to supplement a plurality of ground-based scopes which are also in the surveillance environment, wherein a presumed target is being tracked in the surveillance environment, and wherein the ground-based scopes are in electronic communication, via an electronic network, with a network server, the method comprising: (a) determining, by a first ground-based scope, a current target position data of the presumed target in the surveillance environment, the current target position data being identified using a plurality of measurement devices in the first scope; (b) following the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope using one or more additional ground-based scopes in the surveillance environment, each of the additional ground-based scopes being in electronic communication with the network server, via the electronic network, for receiving the current target position data of the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope, and reporting their respective position to the network server via the electronic network, (c) determining by the network server whether it is possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target; (d) electronically communicating by the network server through the electronic network to an aerial-mounted scope the current target position data regarding the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope when it is determined that it is not possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target; and (e) deploying the aerial-mounted scope to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target when it is determined that it is not possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target. (a) determining, by a first ground-based scope, a current target position data of the presumed target in the surveillance environment, the current target position data being identified using a plurality of measurement devices in the first scope; (b) following the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope using one or more additional ground-based scopes in the surveillance environment, each of the additional ground-based scopes being in electronic communication with the network server, via the electronic network, for receiving the current target position data of the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope, and reporting their respective position to the network server via the electronic network, (c) determining by the network server whether it is possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target; (d) electronically communicating by the network server through the electronic network to an aerial-mounted scope the current target position data regarding the presumed target identified by the first ground-based scope when it is determined that it is not possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target; and (e) deploying the aerial-mounted scope to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target when it is determined that it is not possible for any of the additional ground-based scopes to reach a suitable, unobstructed position to view the presumed target.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12546566

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12546566