Load equipment control method, switching device, drone, and control terminal

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention provides a load device control method, a switching device, a drone, and a control terminal. The method includes: the switching device receives a control instruction for controlling the load device sent by the drone; converts a first communication protocol between the drone and the switching device into a second communication protocol between the switching device and the load device; and uses the second communication protocol to send the control instruction to the load device. The load device of the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the drone through the switching device. When the switching device receives a control instruction for controlling the load device sent by the drone, the internal protocol between the drone and the switching device is converted into an external protocol between the switching device and the load device, and the control instruction is sent to the load device using the external protocol, so that the third-party device produced by the third-party manufacturer can communicate normally with the drone through the external protocol, so that the drone can support the third-party device, thereby improving the application range of the drone.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, and in particular to a load equipment control method, a switching device, an unmanned aerial vehicle, and a control terminal. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, the gimbal of a drone may be equipped with a photographing device, and when the drone is in flight, the photographing device may perform aerial photography.

[0003] However, the shooting equipment carried by drones may not meet the needs of some third-party manufacturers. Some third-party manufacturers require the drone to be able to carry third-party equipment developed by themselves, but most drones currently cannot support third-party equipment, resulting in the application of the drone being relatively limited. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present invention provide a load device control method, a switching device, a drone, and a control terminal, so that the drone can support third-party devices and improve the application range of the drone.

[0005] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for controlling a load device, wherein the load device is connected to a switching device, and the switching device is connected to a fuselage of a drone; the method comprises:

[0006] The switching device receives a control instruction sent by the drone for controlling the load device;

[0007] The switching device converts a first communication protocol between the drone and the switching device into a second communication protocol between the switching device and the load device;

[0008] The switching device uses the second communication protocol to send the control instruction to the load device.

[0009] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a load device, wherein the load device is connected to a switching device, and the switching device is connected to a fuselage of a drone; the method comprises:

[0010] The UAV receives a control instruction sent by a control terminal for controlling the load device;

[0011] The UAV sends the control instruction to the load equipment through the switching device.

[0012] A third aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a load device control method, wherein the load device is connected to a switching device, and the switching device is connected to a fuselage of a drone; the method comprises:

[0013] The control terminal detects the user's load device control operation;

[0014] When the control terminal detects the operation, a control instruction for controlling the payload device is sent to the drone.

[0015] A fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a switching device, comprising: a first communication interface, a second communication interface and a processor; wherein the switching device is connected to a drone through the first communication interface, and the switching device is connected to a load device through the second communication interface;

[0016] The processor is used to:

[0017] Receiving a control instruction for controlling the payload device sent by the drone through the first communication interface;

[0018] Converting a first communication protocol between the drone and the switching device into a second communication protocol between the switching device and the load device;

[0019] The control instruction is sent to the load device via the second communication interface using the second communication protocol.

[0020] A fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a drone, including:

[0021] body;

[0022] A power system, installed on the fuselage, for providing flight power;

[0023] A flight controller, which is in communication with the power system and is used to control the flight of the UAV;

[0024] The switching device according to the fourth aspect; and

[0025] A communication system, communicatively connected to the flight controller, the communication system comprising: a first communication interface and a second communication interface;

[0026] The first communication interface is used to receive a control instruction sent by a control terminal for controlling the load device;

[0027] The second communication interface is used to send the control instruction to the switching device, so that the switching device sends the control instruction to the load device.

[0028] A sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a control terminal, a processor and a communication interface;

[0029] The processor is used to:

[0030] Detect the user's load device control operation;

[0031] When the control terminal detects the operation, a control instruction for controlling the load device is sent to the drone through the communication interface.

[0032] The load device control method, adapter, drone, and control terminal provided in this embodiment are connected by connecting the load device to the adapter, and the adapter is connected to the body of the drone, so that the load device can be carried on the drone through the adapter. When the adapter receives a control instruction sent by the drone for controlling the load device, the internal protocol between the drone and the adapter is converted into an external protocol between the adapter and the load device, and the control instruction is sent to the load device using the external protocol, so that a third-party device produced by a third-party manufacturer can communicate normally with the drone through the external protocol, thereby allowing the drone to support third-party devices and improving the application scope of the drone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a drone provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 A flow chart of a load device control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a drone provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the system structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5 A flow chart of a load device control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a switching device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 7 A flow chart of a load device control method provided by another embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 8 A flow chart of a load device control method provided by another embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Fig. 9A flow chart of a load device control method provided by another embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Fig.10 A flow chart of a load device control method provided by another embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Fig.11 A structural diagram of a switching device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Fig.12 A structural diagram of a drone provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Fig.13 A structural diagram of a control terminal provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Reference numerals:

[0048] 10: drone; 11: gimbal; 12: filming equipment;

[0049] 30: UAV; 31: fuselage; 32: adapter;

[0050] 33: PTZ; 34: third-party equipment; 61: adapter;

[0051] 62: PTZ; 110: switching device; 111: first communication interface;

[0052] 112: second communication interface; 113: processor; 114: encryption chip;

[0053] 115: power interface; 116: USB to network card chip; 120: drone;

[0054] 121: flight controller; 122: motor; 123: propeller;

[0055] 124: electronic speed regulator; 125: switching device; 126: communication system;

[0056] 1261: first communication interface; 1262: second communication interface; 127: PTZ;

[0057] 128: third-party equipment; 130: control terminal; 131: processor;

[0058] 132: Communication interface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0060] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there can be a central component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there can be a central component at the same time.

[0061] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0062] Some embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0063] like Figure 1 As shown, the drone 10 is equipped with a shooting device 12 through a gimbal 11, and the image data or video data shot by the shooting device 12 can be transmitted to a ground control terminal such as a remote controller, a user terminal, etc. through the communication system of the drone 10. As the application field of drones becomes wider and wider, some third-party manufacturers hope that drones can carry third-party devices, but most drones currently cannot support third-party devices, resulting in limited application of drones. In order to solve this problem, this embodiment provides a load device control method, which is introduced below in conjunction with a specific embodiment.

[0064] An embodiment of the present invention provides a load device control method. Figure 2 Flow chart of the load device control method provided by the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the method in this embodiment may include:

[0065] Step S201: The switching device receives a control instruction sent by the drone for controlling the payload device.

[0066] In order to enable the drone to support third-party devices, a switching device is provided in this embodiment, which can be a payload software development kit (SDK) adapter board, adapter ring, etc. The payload device is connected to the switching device, and the switching device is connected to the drone body. Figure 3 As shown, the fuselage 31 of the drone 30 is connected to the adapter 32, and the adapter 32 is connected to the payload, which may include both the gimbal 33 and the third-party device 34; or, the payload may only include the third-party device 34. Optionally, the fuselage 31 of the drone 30 and the adapter 32 may be connected via a quick-release joint, for example, one end of the quick-release joint is connected to the fuselage 31 of the drone 30, and the other end of the quick-release joint is connected to the adapter 32, and the payload is connected to the adapter 32, and the adapter 32 and the payload may be detached from the drone 30 as a whole, or the adapter 32 and the payload may be carried on the drone 30 as a whole.

[0067] When the payload is mounted on the drone through the adapter, the payload can also be controlled by a ground control terminal, which can be a remote controller, user terminal, or other device. Figure 4 As shown, the remote controller can send a control instruction through the command channel between the remote controller and the communication system of the drone. The control instruction can specifically be a control instruction for controlling the load device. For example, the control instruction is used to control Figure 3 The pan / tilt 33 and / or third-party device 34 are shown. In addition, the control instruction may be generated by a user terminal.

[0068] like Figure 4 As shown, after the communication system of the drone receives the control instruction, it sends the control instruction to the switching device. Optionally, the communication protocol between the communication system of the drone and the switching device is an internal protocol, and the communication protocol between the switching device and the load device is an external protocol. In this embodiment, the internal protocol between the communication system of the drone and the switching device is recorded as the first communication protocol, and the external protocol between the switching device and the load device is recorded as the second communication protocol. After the communication system of the drone receives the control instruction, it uses the first communication protocol to send the control instruction to the switching device through the command channel between the communication system and the switching device.

[0069] Step S202: The switching device converts the first communication protocol between the UAV and the switching device into a second communication protocol between the switching device and the load device.

[0070] When the switching device receives the control instruction sent by the drone using the first communication protocol, the internal protocol between the communication system of the drone and the switching device is converted into an external protocol between the switching device and the load device. One possible implementation method for the switching device to convert the internal protocol into the external protocol is: the switching device adds a header that conforms to the external protocol to the outer layer of the internal protocol message, so that the internal protocol message is converted into the external protocol message.

[0071] Step S203: The switching device sends the control instruction to the load device using the second communication protocol.

[0072] like Figure 4 As shown, the communication interface between the adapter and the load device includes a Controller Area Network (CAN) interface or a Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) interface. After the adapter converts the internal protocol between the communication system of the drone and the adapter into the external protocol between the adapter and the load device, the external protocol is used to send the control command to the load device through the CAN interface or the UART interface.

[0073] Based on this embodiment, the load device control method further includes: Figure 5 The following steps are shown:

[0074] Step S501: The switching device receives data sent by the load device.

[0075] For example Figure 3 The third-party device 34 shown is a gas sensor. When the gas sensor senses the gas components in the air, it needs to send the sensing data to the control terminal on the ground. Figure 4 The load equipment shown includes Figure 3 The pan / tilt 33 and third-party equipment 34 are shown. Figure 4 As shown, the load device can send the sensing data of the third-party device 34 to the adapter through the network port between the load device and the adapter, and the adapter receives the sensing data of the third-party device 34 sent by the load device through the network port; or, the load device can also send the sensing data of the third-party device 34 through the CAN interface or UART interface between the load device and the adapter, and the adapter receives the sensing data of the third-party device 34 sent by the load device through the CAN interface or UART interface. Optionally, the communication protocol used when the load device sends the sensing data of the third-party device 34 to the adapter through the network port, CAN interface or UART interface is the second communication protocol, i.e., the external protocol.

[0076] Step S502: the switching device converts the second communication protocol between the switching device and the payload device into the first communication protocol between the drone and the switching device.

[0077] like Figure 4 As shown, after the switching device receives the sensing data of the third-party device 34 sent by the load device, the switching device converts the external protocol between it and the load device into the internal protocol between the communication system of the drone and the switching device.

[0078] Step S503: The switching device uses the first communication protocol to send the data to the drone.

[0079] The switching device uses an internal protocol to send the sensing data of the third-party device 34 to the communication system of the drone through the data channel between the switching device and the drone. The communication system further sends the sensing data of the third-party device 34 to the remote controller through the data channel between the drone and the remote controller, and the remote controller forwards the sensing data of the third-party device 34 to the user terminal. In some embodiments, the ground control terminal may specifically include only the user terminal, that is, the user terminal and the drone communicate without forwarding by the remote controller.

[0080] In other embodiments, before the adapter uses the first communication protocol to send the data to the drone in step S203, it also includes: the adapter encrypts the data to obtain encrypted data; correspondingly, the adapter uses the first communication protocol to send the data to the drone, including: the adapter uses the first communication protocol to send the encrypted data to the drone.

[0081] After the switching device receives the sensing data of the third-party device 34 sent by the load device, it can also encrypt the sensing data to obtain encrypted data to improve the security of the sensing data. Furthermore, the switching device uses an internal protocol to send the encrypted data to the communication system of the drone through the data channel between the switching device and the drone, and the communication system sends the encrypted data to the remote controller through the data channel between the drone and the remote controller, and the remote controller then forwards the encrypted data to the user terminal.

[0082] In this embodiment, the load device is connected to the adapter, and the adapter is connected to the body of the drone, so that the load device can be carried on the drone through the adapter. When the adapter receives the control instruction sent by the drone for controlling the load device, the internal protocol between the drone and the adapter is converted into an external protocol between the adapter and the load device, and the control instruction is sent to the load device using the external protocol, so that the third-party device produced by the third-party manufacturer can communicate normally with the drone through the external protocol, so that the drone can support the third-party device, thereby improving the application scope of the drone.

[0083] The embodiment of the present invention provides a load device control method. Based on the above embodiment, the method in this embodiment may include: the switching device sends a handshake instruction to the load device, and the handshake instruction is used to detect whether the switching device and the load device are in normal communication connection.

[0084] In this embodiment, the switching device can also send handshake instructions to the load device periodically or non-periodically. If the load device does not respond, or the response message of the load device is incorrect, the switching device can disconnect the communication connection with the load device, or the switching device can retain the upgrade function and turn off other functions.

[0085] In addition, the switching device includes a power interface, and the power interface is used to supply power to the load device. Figure 4 As shown, the drone can supply power to the adapter, and the adapter can further supply power to the load device. Optionally, the adapter includes a power interface, and the adapter supplies power to the load device through the power interface.

[0086] Optionally, the communication interface between the drone and the adapter includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface; the method further includes: the adapter converting the USB interface into a network port. Optionally, the load device includes: a gimbal and a third-party device; the third-party device is connected to the adapter through the network port.

[0087] like Figure 4 As shown, the data channel between the communication system of the drone and the adapter can be realized through USB, that is, the communication interface for realizing the data channel between the drone and the adapter is a USB interface, and the adapter can also convert the USB interface into a network port, which can be an Ethernet port. The load device can transmit data with the adapter through the network port, so that the load device can conveniently use the transmission control protocol to communicate with the adapter over the network without downloading the USB simulated network card driver.

[0088] In this embodiment, the interfaces output by the drone through the quick-release connector include: CAN port, USB port, and 12V / 4A power port. The CAN port, USB port, and 12V / 4A power port are respectively connected to the adapter, and the CAN port, USB port, and 12V / 4A power port can generate a set of external interfaces after protocol conversion by the adapter.

[0089] like Figure 6 As shown, the adapter 61 is connected to the drone via a quick-release connector, and the payload is connected to the adapter 61, which includes a gimbal 62 and a third-party device. The adapter 61 includes: a processor 1, an encryption chip, and a USB to network card chip. The processor 1 can be a microcontroller unit (MCU). The command channel between the drone and the adapter 61 can be as follows: Figure 6 The CAN link shown in the figure, the data channel between the drone and the adapter 61 can be specifically as follows Figure 6 The USB shown. The communication link between the adapter 61 and the gimbal 62 can be a CAN link or a UART link. The processor 1 can convert the internal protocol on the CAN link between the drone and the processor 1 into an external protocol on the communication link between the processor 1 and the processor 2, and the processor 2 can communicate with the inertial measurement unit. In addition, the processor 1 can communicate with the encryption chip, and the processor 1 can encrypt the control instructions for controlling the load device, and can also encrypt the data returned by the third-party device. The USB to network card chip can convert the USB interface between the drone and the adapter 61 into a network port, so that the third-party device can communicate with the adapter 61 through the network port. For example, the third-party device can send the data it detects to the adapter 61 through the network port, and the adapter 61 forwards it to the drone, and then the drone forwards it to the control terminal on the ground. As shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the adapter 61 can provide the 12V voltage provided by the drone to a third-party device for use. In addition, the adapter 61 also has a DC voltage conversion function. For example, the adapter 61 can convert the 12V voltage provided by the drone into a 3.3V voltage, and the 3.3V voltage can power the processor 1, the USB to network card chip, and the processor 2. In addition, the drone can also send a control instruction for controlling the gimbal 62 to the load device through the adapter 61, and the control instruction can control at least one of the pitch axis motor, yaw axis motor, and roll axis motor of the gimbal 62.

[0090] In other embodiments, the method further includes: the adapter receives a control sent by the load device, wherein the control is used to control the load device; the adapter sends the control to the drone, so that the drone sends the control to a control terminal.

[0091] A third-party manufacturer can develop a control for controlling a third-party device based on the Payload SDK. The control can be a small program, which can be loaded into the application (Application, APP) in the control terminal for controlling the drone, so that the third-party manufacturer does not need to develop an APP specifically for controlling the third-party device. The third-party manufacturer can upload the control to the server. When the user needs to control the third-party device, the control is downloaded from the server through the control terminal and loaded into the APP for controlling the drone in the control terminal, so that the user can control the drone and the third-party device at the same time through one APP. Alternatively, the third-party manufacturer can store the control in the third-party device. When the third-party device is in working state, the third-party device sends the control to the switching device. The switching device receives the control sent by the third-party device and sends the control to the drone. The drone forwards the control to the control terminal. When the control terminal receives the control, it loads the control into the APP for controlling the drone, so that the user can control the drone and the third-party device at the same time through one APP.

[0092] In this embodiment, a handshake instruction is sent to the load device through the adapter, and the communication connection between the load device and the adapter can be detected to ensure the normal communication connection between the load device and the adapter; in addition, the USB interface is converted into a network port through the adapter, so that the load device can conveniently use the transmission control protocol to communicate with the adapter over the network without downloading a USB simulated network card driver; in addition, a control sent by a third-party device is received through the adapter, and the control is sent to the drone, and the drone forwards the control to the control terminal. When the control terminal receives the control, the control is loaded into the APP for controlling the drone, so that the user can control the drone and the third-party device at the same time through one APP, thereby improving the development efficiency of third-party manufacturers and enhancing the user experience.

[0093] An embodiment of the present invention provides a load device control method. Figure 7 This is a flow chart of a load device control method provided by another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, the method in this embodiment may include:

[0094] Step S701: The UAV receives a control instruction sent by a control terminal for controlling the payload device.

[0095] In this embodiment, the control terminal includes a remote controller and a user terminal.

[0096] like Figure 4As shown, the communication system of the drone receives the control instruction through the command channel between the remote controller and the drone. The control instruction may be a control instruction for controlling the load device. For example, the control instruction is used to control Figure 3 The pan / tilt 33 and / or third-party device 34 are shown. In addition, the control instruction may be generated by a user terminal.

[0097] Optionally, the load device is connected to a switching device, and the switching device is connected to the fuselage of the drone. Figure 3 As shown, the fuselage 31 of the drone 30 is connected to the adapter 32 , and the adapter 32 is connected to the payload device, which may include a gimbal 33 and a third-party device 34 .

[0098] Step S702: The UAV sends the control instruction to the load device through the switching device.

[0099] like Figure 4 As shown, after the communication system of the UAV receives the control instruction, the control instruction is sent to the switching device. Optionally, the communication protocol between the communication system of the UAV and the switching device is an internal protocol, and the communication protocol between the switching device and the load device is an external protocol. In this embodiment, the internal protocol between the communication system of the UAV and the switching device is recorded as the first communication protocol, and the external protocol between the switching device and the load device is recorded as the second communication protocol. After the communication system of the UAV receives the control instruction, the control instruction is sent to the switching device through the command channel between the communication system and the switching device using the first communication protocol. When the switching device receives the control instruction sent by the UAV using the first communication protocol, it converts the internal protocol between the communication system of the UAV and the switching device into an external protocol between the switching device and the load device, and uses the external protocol to send the control instruction to the load device through the CAN interface or the UART interface.

[0100] Based on this embodiment, the load device control method further includes: Figure 8 The following steps are shown:

[0101] Step S801: The drone receives data sent by the switching device, where the data is generated by the payload device.

[0102] like Figure 4As shown, the load device can send data to the switching device through the network port between the load device and the switching device, and the data can be specifically generated by a third-party device. After the switching device receives the data sent by the load device, the switching device converts the external protocol between it and the load device into the internal protocol between the communication system of the drone and the switching device, and uses the internal protocol to send the data to the drone, and the drone receives the data sent by the switching device.

[0103] Step S802: The drone sends the data to the control terminal.

[0104] The drone sends the data to the remote controller through the data channel between the drone and the remote controller via the communication system, and the remote controller forwards the data to the user terminal. Optionally, the data is encrypted data. For example, when the adapter receives the data sent by the load device, it encrypts the data to obtain encrypted data. The adapter uses an internal protocol to send the encrypted data to the drone through the data channel between the adapter and the drone. The communication system of the drone sends the encrypted data to the remote controller through the data channel between the drone and the remote controller, and the remote controller forwards the encrypted data to the user terminal.

[0105] In this embodiment, the load device is connected to the adapter, and the adapter is connected to the body of the drone, so that the load device can be carried on the drone through the adapter. When the adapter receives the control instruction sent by the drone for controlling the load device, the internal protocol between the drone and the adapter is converted into an external protocol between the adapter and the load device, and the control instruction is sent to the load device using the external protocol, so that the third-party device produced by the third-party manufacturer can communicate normally with the drone through the external protocol, so that the drone can support the third-party device, thereby improving the application scope of the drone.

[0106] An embodiment of the present invention provides a load device control method. Fig. 9 This is a flow chart of a load device control method provided by another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 As shown, the method in this embodiment may include:

[0107] Step S901: The control terminal detects the user's load device control operation.

[0108] In order to enable the drone to support third-party devices, a switching device is provided in this embodiment, which can be a payload software development kit (SDK) adapter board, adapter ring, etc. The payload device is connected to the switching device, and the switching device is connected to the drone body. Figure 3 As shown, the fuselage 31 of the drone 30 is connected to the adapter 32, and the adapter 32 is connected to the payload device, which may include a gimbal 33 and a third-party device 34 at the same time; or, the payload device may only include the third-party device 34.

[0109] In this embodiment, the control terminal includes a remote controller and a user terminal. Figure 4 As shown, an APP is installed in the user terminal, and the APP can be used to control the load device. The user terminal can detect the user's load device control operation.

[0110] Step S902: When the control terminal detects the operation, a control instruction for controlling the payload device is sent to the drone.

[0111] When the user terminal detects the user's load device control operation, it generates a control instruction and sends the control instruction to the remote controller, which then sends the control instruction to the drone through the command channel.

[0112] In other embodiments, Fig. 9 On the basis of, the method further comprises:

[0113] Step S903: The control terminal receives data sent by the drone, where the data is generated by the load device and sent by the load device to the drone through the switching device.

[0114] When the load device generates data, the load device sends the data to the adapter through the network port, and the adapter further sends the data to the drone through the data channel. The drone sends the data to the remote controller through the data channel, and the user terminal receives the data generated by the load device from the remote controller.

[0115] In some embodiments, before step S901, the control terminal detects the user's load device control operation, the method further includes: Fig.10 The following steps are shown:

[0116] Step S1001: The control terminal obtains a control for controlling the load device.

[0117] In this embodiment, the control terminal acquires the control for controlling the load device in the following feasible implementations:

[0118] A feasible implementation manner is: the control terminal downloads a control for controlling the load device from a server.

[0119] Third-party manufacturers can develop controls for controlling third-party devices based on the Payload SDK. The control can specifically be a mini-program. After the third-party manufacturer develops the control, the control can be uploaded to the server. When the user needs to control the third-party device, the control can be downloaded from the server through the control terminal.

[0120] Another feasible implementation manner is: the control terminal receives a control sent by the drone for controlling the load device.

[0121] The third-party manufacturer can store the control in a third-party device. When the third-party device is in working state, the third-party device sends the control to the switching device. The switching device receives the control sent by the third-party device and sends the control to the drone. The drone forwards the control to the control terminal.

[0122] Step S1002: The control terminal loads the control into an application for controlling the drone.

[0123] After the control terminal downloads the control from the server, or after the control terminal receives the control from the drone, the control is loaded into the APP in the control terminal for controlling the drone, so that the user can control the drone and the third-party device at the same time through one APP.

[0124] Accordingly, the control terminal detects the user's load device control operation, including: the control terminal detects the user's operation on the control. For example, the control terminal loads the control into an APP in the control terminal for controlling the drone, and the APP can display a pop-up window, icon, or window, through which the user can control a third-party device, or the pop-up window, icon, or window can also display data collected by the third-party device.

[0125] In this embodiment, a third-party manufacturer develops a control for controlling a third-party device based on the Payload SDK. The control terminal downloads the control from the server, or the third-party device sends the control to the control terminal through a switching device or a drone. The control terminal loads the control into an APP for controlling the drone, so that the user can control the drone and the third-party device at the same time through one APP, thereby improving the development efficiency of the third-party manufacturer and enhancing the user experience.

[0126] An embodiment of the present invention provides a switching device. Fig.11 The structural diagram of the switching device provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as follows: Fig.11As shown, the adapter 110 includes: a first communication interface 111, a second communication interface 112 and a processor 113; wherein the adapter 110 is connected to the UAV through the first communication interface 111 for communication, and the adapter 110 is connected to the load device through the second communication interface 112 for communication; the processor 113 is used to: receive a control instruction for controlling the load device sent by the UAV through the first communication interface 111; convert the first communication protocol between the UAV and the adapter 110 into a second communication protocol between the adapter 110 and the load device; and send the control instruction to the load device using the second communication protocol through the second communication interface 112.

[0127] Optionally, the processor 113 is also used to: receive data sent by the load device through the second communication interface 112; convert the second communication protocol between the adapter 110 and the load device into the first communication protocol between the drone and the adapter 110; and send the data to the drone using the first communication protocol through the first communication interface 111.

[0128] Optionally, the adapter 110 also includes: an encryption chip 114, which is communicatively connected to the processor 113; before the processor 113 sends the data to the drone via the first communication interface 111 using the first communication protocol, it is also used to: encrypt the data via the encryption chip 114 to obtain encrypted data; when the processor 113 sends the data to the drone via the first communication interface 111 using the first communication protocol, it is specifically used to: send the encrypted data to the drone via the first communication interface 111 using the first communication protocol.

[0129] Optionally, the processor 113 is further used to: send a handshake instruction to the load device through the second communication interface 112, and the handshake instruction is used to detect whether the switching device 110 and the load device are in normal communication connection.

[0130] Optionally, the adapter 110 further includes: a power interface 115, and the power interface 115 is used to supply power to the load device.

[0131] Optionally, the first communication interface 111 includes: a USB interface; the adapter 110 also includes: a USB to network card chip 116, and the USB to network card chip 116 is used to convert the USB interface into a network port; the second communication interface 112 includes: the network port.

[0132] Optionally, the load device includes: a pan-tilt head and a third-party device; the third-party device is communicatively connected to the switching device 110 via the network port.

[0133] Optionally, the processor 113 is also used to: receive a control sent by the load device through the second communication interface 112, wherein the control is used to control the load device; and send the control to the drone through the first communication interface 111, so that the drone sends the control to the control terminal.

[0134] The specific principles and implementation methods of the switching device provided in the embodiment of the present invention are similar to those Figure 6 The embodiments shown are similar and will not be described again here.

[0135] In this embodiment, the load device is connected to the adapter, and the adapter is connected to the body of the drone, so that the load device can be carried on the drone through the adapter. When the adapter receives the control instruction sent by the drone for controlling the load device, the internal protocol between the drone and the adapter is converted into an external protocol between the adapter and the load device, and the control instruction is sent to the load device using the external protocol, so that the third-party device produced by the third-party manufacturer can communicate normally with the drone through the external protocol, so that the drone can support the third-party device, thereby improving the application scope of the drone.

[0136] An embodiment of the present invention provides a drone. Fig.12 The structure diagram of the drone provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as follows: Fig.12 As shown, the drone 120 includes: a fuselage, a power system and a flight controller 121. The power system includes at least one of the following: a motor 122, a propeller 123 and an electronic speed regulator 124. The power system is installed on the fuselage to provide flight power; the flight controller 121 is connected to the power system in communication to control the flight of the drone. Fig.12 As shown, the drone 120 also includes: a switching device 125 and a communication system 126; the specific principle and implementation method of the switching device 125 are similar to those of the above embodiment and will not be repeated here. The communication system 126 is connected to the flight controller 121, and the communication system 126 includes: a first communication interface 1261 and a second communication interface 1262; the first communication interface 1261 is used to receive a control instruction sent by the control terminal for controlling the load device; the second communication interface 1262 is used to send the control instruction to the switching device 125, so that the switching device 125 sends the control instruction to the load device. The load device includes a gimbal 127 and a third-party device 128.

[0137] In addition, the second communication interface 1262 is also used to receive data sent by the switching device 125, the data being generated by the load device; and the first communication interface 1261 is also used to send the data to the control terminal. Optionally, the data is encrypted data.

[0138] In this embodiment, the load device is connected to the adapter, and the adapter is connected to the body of the drone, so that the load device can be carried on the drone through the adapter. When the adapter receives the control instruction sent by the drone for controlling the load device, the internal protocol between the drone and the adapter is converted into an external protocol between the adapter and the load device, and the control instruction is sent to the load device using the external protocol, so that the third-party device produced by the third-party manufacturer can communicate normally with the drone through the external protocol, so that the drone can support the third-party device, thereby improving the application scope of the drone.

[0139] An embodiment of the present invention provides a control terminal. Fig.13 A structural diagram of a control terminal provided by an embodiment of the present invention, such as Fig.13 As shown, the control terminal 130 includes: a processor 131 and a communication interface 132. The processor 131 is used to: detect the user's load device control operation; when the control terminal detects the operation, it sends a control instruction for controlling the load device to the drone through the communication interface 132.

[0140] Optionally, the processor 131 is further used to: receive data sent by the drone through the communication interface 132, where the data is generated by the load device and sent by the load device to the drone through the switching device.

[0141] Optionally, before detecting the user's load device control operation, the processor 131 is also used to: obtain a control for controlling the load device; load the control into an application for controlling the drone; when detecting the user's load device control operation, the processor 131 is specifically used to: detect the user's operation on the control.

[0142] Optionally, when the processor 131 obtains the control for controlling the load device, it is specifically used to: download the control for controlling the load device from a server.

[0143] Optionally, when the processor 131 obtains the control for controlling the payload device, it is specifically used to: receive the control for controlling the payload device sent by the drone through the communication interface 132.

[0144] In this embodiment, the load device is connected to the adapter, and the adapter is connected to the body of the drone, so that the load device can be carried on the drone through the adapter. When the adapter receives the control instruction sent by the drone for controlling the load device, the internal protocol between the drone and the adapter is converted into an external protocol between the adapter and the load device, and the control instruction is sent to the load device using the external protocol, so that the third-party device produced by the third-party manufacturer can communicate normally with the drone through the external protocol, so that the drone can support the third-party device, thereby improving the application scope of the drone.

[0145] In the several embodiments provided by the present invention, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0146] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0147] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of hardware plus software functional units.

[0148] The above-mentioned integrated unit implemented in the form of a software functional unit can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The above-mentioned software functional unit is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to perform some steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes.

[0149] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example for illustration. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. The specific working process of the device described above can refer to the corresponding process in the aforementioned method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0150] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A load device control method, characterized in that: The payload device is connected to a switching device, and the switching device is connected to a fuselage of the drone, so that the drone can support the payload device of a third party through the switching device; the method includes: The switching device receives a control instruction sent by the drone for controlling the load device; The switching device converts the internal communication protocol between the drone and the switching device into an external communication protocol between the switching device and the load device; The switching device uses the external communication protocol to send the control instruction to the load device; The switching device receives data sent by the load device; The switching device converts the external communication protocol between the switching device and the payload device into the internal communication protocol between the drone and the switching device; The switching device uses the internal communication protocol to send the data to the drone.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Before the control terminal detects the user's load device control operation, the switching device receives the control sent by the load device, and the control is used to control the load device; The switching device sends the control to the drone, so that the drone sends the control to the control terminal, and the control terminal loads the control on an application of the control terminal so that the application can control the drone and the load device.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Before the switching device uses the internal communication protocol to send the data to the drone, the switching device further includes: The switching device encrypts the data to obtain encrypted data; The switching device uses the internal communication protocol to send the data to the drone, including: The switching device uses the internal communication protocol to send the encrypted data to the drone.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The switching device sends a handshake instruction to the load device, and the handshake instruction is used to detect whether the switching device and the load device are in normal communication connection.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The switching device includes a power interface, and the power interface is used to supply power to the load device.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The communication interface between the drone and the adapter includes a USB interface; The method further comprises: The switching device converts the USB interface into a network port.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The load equipment includes: a pan / tilt head and third-party equipment; The third-party device is connected to the switching device through the network port.

8. A load device control method, characterized in that: The payload device is connected to a switching device, and the switching device is connected to a fuselage of the drone, so that the drone can support the payload device of a third party through the switching device; the method includes: The UAV receives a control instruction sent by a control terminal for controlling the load device; The UAV sends the control instruction to the load device through the switching device, including: The UAV converts the internal communication protocol between the UAV and the switching device into the external communication protocol between the switching device and the load device through the switching device; The UAV sends the control instruction to the load device through the switching device using the external communication protocol; Before the control terminal detects the user's load device control operation, the drone receives the control sent by the switching device, wherein the control is sent from the load device to the switching device, and the control is used to control the load device; The drone sends the control to the control terminal, so that the control terminal loads the control on an application of the control terminal so that the application can control the drone and the payload.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The drone receives data sent by the switching device, where the data is generated by the payload device; The drone sends the data to the control terminal.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The data is encrypted data.

11. A load device control method, characterized in that: The payload device is connected to a switching device, and the switching device is connected to a fuselage of the drone, so that the drone can support the payload device of a third party through the switching device; the method includes: The control terminal detects the user's load device control operation, wherein the control terminal includes a communication interface; When the control terminal detects the operation, a control instruction for controlling the load device is sent to the drone through the communication interface. The control instruction is converted by the switching device from an internal communication protocol between the drone and the switching device to an external communication protocol between the switching device and the load device, and then sent to the load device by the switching device using the external communication protocol. Before the control terminal detects the user's load device control operation, the method further includes: The control terminal acquires a control for controlling the load device, wherein the control is sent by the load device to the switching device, sent by the switching device to the drone, and sent by the drone to the control terminal; The control terminal loads the control into an application for controlling the drone.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The control terminal receives data sent by the drone, where the data is generated by the load device and sent by the load device to the drone through the switching device.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The control terminal detects the user's load device control operation, including: The control terminal detects the user's operation on the control.

14. A switching device, characterized in that: include: An internal communication interface, an external communication interface and a processor; wherein the adapter is connected to the drone through the internal communication interface, and the adapter is connected to the payload through the external communication interface, so that the drone can support the payload of a third party; The processor is used to: Receiving a control instruction for controlling the payload device sent by the drone through the internal communication interface; Converting the internal communication protocol between the UAV and the switching device into the external communication protocol between the switching device and the load device; Sending the control instruction to the load device via the external communication interface using the external communication protocol; Receiving data sent by the load device through the external communication interface; Converting the external communication protocol between the switching device and the load device into the internal communication protocol between the drone and the switching device; The data is sent to the drone via the internal communication interface using the internal communication protocol.

15. The switching device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The processor is further configured to: Before the control terminal detects the user's load device control operation, receiving a control sent by the load device through the external communication interface, the control being used to control the load device; The control is sent to the drone through the internal communication interface, so that the drone sends the control to the control terminal, so that the control terminal loads the control on the application of the control terminal.

16. The switching device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The switching device further includes: an encryption chip, the encryption chip being communicatively connected to the processor; Before the processor sends the data to the drone via the internal communication interface using the internal communication protocol, the processor is further configured to: Encrypting the data by the encryption chip to obtain encrypted data; When the processor sends the data to the drone via the internal communication interface using the internal communication protocol, it is specifically used to: The encrypted data is sent to the drone via the internal communication interface using the internal communication protocol.

17. The switching device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The processor is further configured to: A handshake instruction is sent to the load device through the external communication interface, and the handshake instruction is used to detect whether the switching device and the load device are in normal communication connection.

18. The switching device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The switching device further comprises: a power interface, and the power interface is used to supply power to the load device.

19. The switching device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The internal communication interface includes: a USB interface; The switching device further includes: a USB to network card chip, wherein the USB to network card chip is used to convert the USB interface into a network port; The external communication interface includes: the network port.

20. The switching device according to claim 19, characterized in that: The load equipment includes: a pan / tilt head and third-party equipment; The third-party device is connected to the switching device through the network port.

21. A drone, characterized in that: include: body; A power system, installed on the fuselage, for providing flight power; A flight controller, which is in communication with the power system and is used to control the flight of the UAV; The switching device according to any one of claims 14 to 20; as well as A communication system, the communication system comprising: a first communication interface and a second communication interface; The first communication interface is used to receive a control instruction sent by a control terminal for controlling the load device; The second communication interface is used to send the control instruction to the switching device, so that the switching device sends the control instruction to the load device.

22. The drone according to claim 21, characterized in that: The second communication interface is also used to: receive data sent by the switching device, where the data is generated by the load device; The first communication interface is further used to send the data to the control terminal.

23. The drone according to claim 22, characterized in that: The data is encrypted data.

24. A control terminal, characterized in that: include: Processor and communication interface; The processor is used to: Detecting a user's load device control operation, wherein the load device is connected to a switching device, and the switching device is connected to a fuselage of the drone, so that the drone can support the third-party load device through the switching device; When the control terminal detects the operation, a control instruction for controlling the load device is sent to the drone through the communication interface. The control instruction is converted by the switching device from an internal communication protocol between the drone and the switching device to an external communication protocol between the switching device and the load device, and then sent to the load device by the switching device using the external communication protocol. Before the control terminal detects the user's load device control operation, obtain a control sent by the drone for controlling the load device, wherein the control is sent by the load device to the switching device, and then sent by the switching device to the drone; The control is loaded into an application for controlling the drone so that the application can control the drone and the payload.

25. The control terminal according to claim 24, characterized in that: The load device can also receive a handshake instruction from the communication interface, and the handshake instruction is used to detect whether the switching device and the load device are in normal communication connection.

26. The control terminal according to claim 24, characterized in that: The processor is further configured to: The data sent by the UAV is received through the communication interface, where the data is generated by the load device and sent by the load device to the UAV through the adapter.

27. The control terminal according to claim 24, characterized in that: When detecting the user's load device control operation, the processor is specifically used to: Detecting a user's operation on the control.

28. The control terminal according to claim 27, characterized in that: The acquiring of the control sent by the drone for controlling the load device is specifically used for: A control for controlling the payload device sent by the drone is received through the communication interface.

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