Blinking Light Marker Tracking for Precise UAV Docking Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for robust and highly accurate tracking techniques capable of achieving sub-millimeter precision for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to accurately land and align with target locations for docking, charging, or storage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize light emitting devices with unique blinking patterns at a target location. The system captures images of these devices, detects their blinking patterns, classifies them, and aligns a mobile platform, such as a UAV, with the target location based on these classifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional positioning methods are used for UAV landing, then the system complexity is low, but the positioning precision is insufficient to achieve sub-millimeter accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light emitting devices as intermediary objects between the UAV and the ground positioning system. These devices emit light with unique blinking patterns that serve as identifiable markers, enabling the UAV to detect and locate precise positions through optical signals rather than relying on complex satellite or ground-based radar systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes blinking patterns of light emitting devices as visual indicators to encode position information. Each light emitting device has a unique blinking pattern that the UAV can detect and interpret, allowing for precise identification and positioning without requiring complex communication protocols or high-bandwidth data transmission.
2Measurement precision
If high-precision positioning systems are implemented, then sub-millimeter accuracy is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic blinking patterns of light emitting devices to encode position and identification information. The rhythmic on-off cycles of the lights create easily detectable temporal signatures that the UAV can track and interpret, simplifying the detection algorithm compared to continuous optical field analysis while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic blinking patterns rather than static light positions. The temporal variation in light emission creates a dynamic signature that enables the UAV to distinguish between multiple light emitting devices and track their positions over time, improving alignment accuracy through temporal differentiation rather than spatial complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables precise alignment and positioning of UAVs with sub-millimeter accuracy, ensuring safe and efficient landing and docking operations.
Implementation Method 1
receiving images captured of a target location that has associated therewith a plurality of light emitting devices. Each of the light emitting devices may have an associated blinking pattern. The method may further include detecting the blinking pattern for each of the light emitting devices in the images.
Data Source
AI summary
Light emitting device positional tracking systems and methods are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving images captured of a target location comprising a plurality of light emitting devices, where each of the light emitting devices has an associated blinking pattern. The method may further include detecting the blinking pattern for each of the light emitting devices in the images. The method may further include determining a classification for each of the light emitting devices based on its detected blinking pattern. The method may further include aligning a mobile platform with the target location based on the classifications of the light emitting devices. Related devices and systems are also provided.