Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Advanced Autonomous Drone for Property Monitoring

Publication ID: 24-11856938_0001_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Autonomous Drone for Property Monitoring,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856938_0001_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856938_0001_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,938.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent relates to autonomous drones used for property monitoring. However, the existing design has limitations in terms of navigation, sensor accuracy, and deterrent effectiveness. This new invention addresses these limitations by introducing advanced navigation, machine learning-based sensor modules, and non-lethal deterrent systems.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel features such as terrain-adaptive navigation, machine learning-based animal detection, and advanced deterrent systems, which are not present in the original patent. These innovations provide a significant improvement in unwanted animal detection and deterrent capabilities, making the invention non-obvious and novel compared to the prior art.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include variations in the navigation module, such as using lidar or radar sensors, or alternative deterrent methods like strobe lights or ultrasonic sounds. The system could also be adapted for use in different environments, such as agricultural or wildlife monitoring.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced robotic rover system has significant commercial potential in the property monitoring and protection industry, particularly for homeowners, farmers, and wildlife conservation organizations. The system's advanced capabilities and adaptability make it an attractive solution for a wide range of applications, from residential security to environmental monitoring.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01M29/00
A A01 A01M7/0042
A A01 A01M7/0085
A A01 A01M7/0089
G G05 G05D1/0088
G G05 G05D1/0094
G G06 G06V20/52
G G05 G05D2201/0207

Field of Art

Autonomous robotic systems for environmental monitoring and animal detection, involving robotics, computer vision, sensor integration, and autonomous navigation technologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled practitioner with expertise in robotics engineering, machine learning, sensor systems, and autonomous drone technologies, typically holding a master's or PhD in robotics, computer engineering, or related field with 3-5 years of practical experience in autonomous system design

Obviousness Rationale

A person of ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core drone monitoring technology by applying known machine learning techniques, sensor integration strategies, and modular design principles common in robotic system development. The PTD's claims introduce incremental improvements that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to enhance autonomous monitoring capabilities through standard engineering approaches.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Drone with sensor for generating sensor data and analyzing image content to detect objects
PTD Variation
Machine learning-based animal detection using trained image recognition models
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying machine learning to image analysis is a known technique for improving object detection accuracy, representing a predictable technological progression for a skilled practitioner
Source Patent Element
Drone with navigation motor and property monitoring capabilities
PTD Variation
Terrain-adaptive navigation module that adjusts rover speed based on environmental conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Adaptive navigation is a standard design optimization in robotic systems, representing an obvious improvement to basic mobility technologies
Source Patent Element
Drone with water tank and deterrent mechanism for discouraging unwanted animals
PTD Variation
Alternative deterrent module using high-decibel sound instead of water spray
Obviousness Reasoning
Substituting one non-lethal animal deterrent method for another represents a straightforward design choice within a finite set of known techniques
Source Patent Element
Drone with signal receiver and processor for identifying known transmitters
PTD Variation
Network of rovers communicating with central server for coordinated monitoring
Obviousness Reasoning
Expanding single-device communication to a networked system is an obvious scaling approach using standard distributed computing principles
Source Patent Element
Drone with sensor and processor for analyzing environmental data
PTD Variation
Self-diagnostic module and remote software update capabilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing self-monitoring and remote update features represents a predictable technological enhancement in autonomous robotic systems
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856938 and the disclosed technological variations, a person of ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed robotic monitoring system innovations obvious and therefore unpatentable, as the PTD demonstrates that the claimed improvements represent predictable combinations of known techniques within the autonomous robotics domain.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,938
TitleRobotic rover
Assignee(s)Alarm.com Incorporated