Drone Base Station Detection via Image Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drone systems lack an efficient method to autonomously detect and localize themselves relative to a base station, which is crucial for servicing and navigation.
Innovation Solution
The drone utilizes onboard image capture devices to capture image data, identifying at least four objects within the data. By calculating distances between these objects, the drone determines its location, either independently or through communication with a connected system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional localization methods are used, then the drone can determine its location, but the system complexity and cost increase due to requiring additional sensors or complex systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the drone's existing image capture device to serve dual purposes: both capturing visual data for monitoring tasks and simultaneously providing localization information. The base station markers are detected using the same camera that would otherwise only be used for surveillance, eliminating the need for separate localization sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by using the drone's own onboard image capture device to perform localization without requiring external assistance or additional hardware. The drone autonomously detects base station markers and calculates its position using only its existing sensors, making the system self-sufficient.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are added to the drone, then location detection capability is improved, but the device weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for additional sensors by making the image capture device universal - it performs both surveillance monitoring and localization functions. This multi-functionality approach ensures no extra weight is added while maintaining full localization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone serves its own localization needs using its existing image capture device, rather than requiring supplemental sensors. The system is self-sufficient, using the drone's own resources to achieve localization without adding mass.
3Measurement precision
If complex localization systems are implemented, then location determination accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The localization system operates autonomously without requiring manual intervention or complex user configuration. The drone automatically detects markers, calculates position, and determines orientation using its image capture device, making the process as simple as flying the drone while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based localization systems with an optical/electronic solution using image capture and computational algorithms. This substitution simplifies the overall system while maintaining or improving accuracy through software-based processing rather than hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for drone base station detection. In some implementations, a drone including a camera that is configured to generate image data and one or more processors and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable. The instructions include receiving the image data from the camera, identifying at least four objects in the image data, determining a first distance between a first object and a second object, determining a second distance between a third object and a fourth object, determining a third distance between the second object and the third object, and based on the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance, determining a location of the drone.