Barrier Shape Estimation From Height-Layered Drone Sensor Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for collecting barrier data for flying mobile bodies, such as drones, require sensing at multiple heights, leading to low collection efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A barrier data collection device and method that estimate barrier states and shapes using sensor data with position information, allowing for efficient data collection by reducing the need for sensing at multiple heights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensing is performed at respective heights in the entire range in the air, then barrier detection coverage is improved, but data collection efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebarrier detection coverageVSAvoiddata collection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the air space into multiple height layers and processes barrier detection data separately for each layer. By dividing the sensing data into height-based segments, the system can efficiently collect and process barrier information at different altitudes without requiring simultaneous sensing across the entire vertical range, thus improving data collection efficiency while maintaining comprehensive barrier detection coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary classification and filtering of sensor data by height layers before full barrier analysis. By pre-organizing sensing data according to height segments and identifying potential barrier regions in advance, the system reduces the computational burden and sensing frequency required, thereby improving data collection efficiency while ensuring reliable barrier detection across all heights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If sensing frequency around obstacles is increased, then barrier detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption and time loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebarrier detection accuracyVSAvoidsensing time frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different sensing frequencies and processing intensities to different spatial regions based on barrier probability. Areas with higher likelihood of barriers receive more frequent and detailed sensing, while clear areas use reduced sensing frequency. This localized quality adjustment maintains high barrier detection accuracy in critical regions while reducing overall time loss and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial sensing by focusing computational resources and sensing frequency only on regions where barriers are detected or suspected, rather than performing exhaustive sensing across the entire air space. This partial action approach maintains adequate barrier detection accuracy while significantly reducing the time and energy required for comprehensive sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12283098B2Barrier data collection device, barrier data collection method, and barrier data collection program
Publication Date: 2025.04.22 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP
  • US12283098B2 patent drawing
  • US12283098B2 patent drawing
  • US12283098B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A barrier data collection device includes a unit estimation unit that estimates, based on sensor data with position information including height at a time when a mobile body including a flying mobile body moving in the air moves, the sensor data being collected in advance about each of geographical ranges, with an estimator, about each of sets of the geographical ranges and heights included in the sensor data in a predetermined time unit, a barrier state obtained by estimating a state of which of barrier types the set is, a shape estimation unit that estimates, about a set satisfying a condition among the sets, a barrier shape based on the sensor data and an estimation result of the barrier state estimated about each of the sets in the time unit.