AR Goggles for UAV Target Acquisition Without Direct Visual Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current target acquisition systems for unmanned aircraft require direct visual contact and manual control, exposing operators to risk and limiting their ability to quickly observe and respond to targets.
Innovation Solution
A target acquisition system utilizing augmented reality goggles that receive location data from an unmanned aircraft, allowing operators to control the aircraft through eye, hand, or thought movements, providing a safe and efficient means to identify, surveil, and destroy targets without direct visual contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct visual contact and manual control are used for target acquisition, then the operator can directly observe and control the unmanned aircraft, but the operator is exposed to potential threats and cannot quickly respond to targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an augmented reality interface as an intermediary between the operator and the target environment. The AR display shows processed target information and guidance overlays without requiring the operator to directly view the actual target through a video feed, thereby maintaining safety while enabling quick target acquisition through natural head movements and gaze direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional manual control mechanisms with automated systems that interpret operator intent through head movements and eye tracking. The unmanned aircraft automatically adjusts its position and orientation based on where the operator looks, eliminating the need for complex manual control inputs while maintaining high response speed.
2Ease of operation
If the operator views video feed from the drone camera to identify targets, then the operator can observe the target, but the operator requires direct visual contact which exposes them to risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an augmented reality interface as an intermediary that processes and displays target information without requiring the operator to directly view the video feed from the drone camera. The AR display overlays target data, identification results, and guidance information on the operator's field of view, enabling target identification while maintaining physical separation from potential threats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the target environment through augmented reality overlays that replicate essential visual information without requiring direct viewing of the actual scene. The AR interface presents a simplified, processed representation of the target area that contains all necessary identification information while eliminating the need for direct visual contact with the real-world target.
3Productivity
If manual control methods are used for the unmanned aircraft, then the operator can control the aircraft, but the operator cannot make quick decisions and has limited time to observe the target and surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual control mechanisms with automated systems that interpret operator intent through head movements and eye tracking. The unmanned aircraft automatically adjusts its position, orientation, and camera direction based on where the operator looks, eliminating the time delay associated with manual control inputs and enabling instant response to observed targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the unmanned aircraft to autonomously execute commands based on operator gaze direction and head movements. The aircraft self-adjusts its flight path, camera orientation, and positioning without requiring explicit manual control inputs, allowing the operator to make quick decisions while the system handles the complex coordination of control actions.
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to a target acquisition system (100) for an unmanned aircraft (106) according to an embodiment. The system comprises goggles (110) and the unmanned aircraft. The unmanned aircraft equipped with a camera (124) and a measuring unit (230) is configured to transmit location data (DS, KA, DE) related to a location (MS) of a target (102) to the goggles. The goggles are configured to form an augmented reality user interface (LK) by means of at least one goggle lens (212) for controlling the unmanned aircraft. The goggles equipped with an orientation detector (213) are configured to present to a wearer (108) of the goggles the location of the target as an augmented reality target object (MB) in the user interface based on the received target location data and an orientation (SA) of the goggles as detected by the orientation detector.