Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Advanced Robotic Rover for Environmental Monitoring

Publication ID: 24-11856938_0002_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Robotic Rover for Environmental Monitoring,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856938_0002_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856938_0002_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 for a robotic rover focused on monitoring properties. However, there is a growing need for environmental monitoring and management in various industries and settings. The current invention addresses this limitation by applying the core technology to new applications and use cases, providing a more comprehensive and adaptable solution.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for the robotic rover technology, including environmental monitoring and management in diverse settings. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the core technology to address specific environmental challenges, providing a more comprehensive and adaptable solution.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include varying sensor configurations, different propulsion systems, or integration with other technologies such as drones or satellite imaging. Variations may include adapting the system for specific industries, such as agriculture or conservation, or developing specialized rovers for particular environmental aspects, such as wildlife tracking or disease surveillance.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The robotic rover system has significant commercial potential in various industries, including agriculture, conservation, environmental consulting, and government agencies. The market for environmental monitoring and management solutions is growing, driven by increasing concerns about climate change, biodiversity, and public health. The system's adaptability and customization options make it an attractive solution for a wide range of applications.

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 control, with expertise in drone/rover technologies, sensor integration, and autonomous navigation across agricultural, marine, and urban environments

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with advanced robotics training, experience in sensor design, machine learning for data analysis, and expertise in developing autonomous systems for environmental monitoring and pest/wildlife management

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the source patent's drone technology provides a fundamental framework for autonomous environmental monitoring that can be readily adapted to specific use cases. The core technological elements of sensor integration, autonomous navigation, and data-driven decision making are directly transferable across different environmental contexts. The variations in the PTD represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core technological principles, applying the same robotic sensing and response mechanisms to different domain-specific challenges.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Drone with sensor for generating sensor data and processors for analyzing that data
PTD Variation
Applying the drone sensor and analysis system to agricultural pest monitoring
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize that the sensor and data analysis techniques are directly applicable to identifying and tracking agricultural pests, representing a predictable adaptation of the existing technological framework
Source Patent Element
Water nozzle system for deterring unwanted animals
PTD Variation
Extending deterrent mechanisms to invasive species control in aquatic ecosystems
Obviousness Reasoning
The source patent's deterrent mechanism using water spray is a known technique that can be trivially adapted to broader environmental management scenarios with predictable results
Source Patent Element
Drone configured to receive and analyze signals from transmitters (e.g., pet collars)
PTD Variation
Expanding signal tracking to wildlife population monitoring in national parks
Obviousness Reasoning
The signal tracking and analysis methodology is a known technique that can be easily generalized to broader wildlife tracking applications, representing an obvious design variation
Source Patent Element
Autonomous navigation and sensor data analysis system
PTD Variation
Applying the rover system to detect and respond to environmental hazards like oil spills
Obviousness Reasoning
The fundamental autonomous navigation and sensing capabilities are directly transferable to environmental monitoring scenarios, with the specific application representing a routine engineering adaptation
Source Patent Element
Drone with data collection and analysis processors
PTD Variation
Using rovers for vector-borne disease monitoring in urban environments
Obviousness Reasoning
The data collection and analysis framework is sufficiently generalized that applying it to disease vector tracking represents an obvious technological extension with predictable results
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11856938, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the proposed variations in environmental monitoring and control technologies to be obvious extensions of the existing autonomous robotic system. The fundamental technological approach of sensor-driven autonomous navigation and data analysis can be readily adapted across multiple domains, rendering subsequent claims involving such adaptations unpatentable as obvious variations of the prior art.

Original Patent Information

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