Body-Motion Drone Control for Hands-Free Maneuvering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drone maneuvering systems are difficult to operate, requiring significant practice to maneuver safely and effectively, especially for drones with additional functions like camera operation or baggage handling.

Innovation Solution

A drone maneuvering system that includes a maneuvering signal transmitter set with a first transmitter for controlling forward, left, and right movement, and a second transmitter for controlling vertical and rotational movement, using auxiliary tools on the pilot's foot and head to acquire tilt and rotation information and transmit corresponding signals to the drone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a proportional maneuvering device with two sticks is used to control drone motors, then the drone can be maneuvered, but the operation becomes very difficult and requires extensive practice

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of drone maneuveringVSAvoidcomplexity of maneuvering operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical stick-based control system with a body movement-based control system using sensors that detect the pilot's body orientation and movements. This substitution eliminates the need for manual manipulation of control sticks, making the system more intuitive and easier to operate while maintaining full control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system utilizes the pilot's own body movements and orientation as the control input mechanism. The pilot's natural body movements directly translate to drone control commands, eliminating the need to learn and adapt to an external control interface, thereby significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If drones are equipped with additional functions such as camera operation or baggage handling, then the drone's capability is enhanced, but the maneuvering complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrone functional capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of maneuvering operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The body movement-based control system serves as a universal control interface that can manage multiple drone functions simultaneously. The same sensors and control algorithms that maneuver the drone also control cameras, baggage handling, and other auxiliary functions, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If manual control of the drone is used, then the pilot can operate the drone, but the hands are occupied and cannot operate additional functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrone control capabilityVSAvoidability to operate additional functions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hand-based mechanical control with a body movement-based control system using sensors on the pilot's body. This substitution frees the pilot's hands from control operations, allowing them to simultaneously operate cameras, baggage handling, or other auxiliary functions while maintaining full drone control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables easier and more intuitive drone maneuvering without the need for hand control, allowing for the use of free hands to operate additional functions, simplifying the process and improving safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a tilt information acquisition unit that acquires tilt information on a tilt of the first auxiliary tool with respect to the reference surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTilt detection:

Implementation Method 2

a rotation information acquisition unit that acquires rotation information on a rotational displacement of the second auxiliary tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational displacement detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11209835B2Drone maneuvering system, maneuvering signal transmitter set, and drone maneuvering method

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 NEC SOLUTION INNOVATORS LTD

AI summary

A drone maneuvering system includes a drone and a maneuvering signal transmitter set. The maneuvering signal transmitter set includes a first transmitter that controls at least forward, reverse, left, and right movement of the drone, and a second transmitter that controls vertical movement and rotational movement of the drone. The first transmitter includes a first auxiliary tool and transmits to the drone a maneuvering signal including tilt information of the first auxiliary tool that accompanies the actions of a pilot, in which the forward, reverse, left, and right movements of the drone are imaged. The second transmitter includes a second auxiliary tool and transmits to the drone a maneuvering signal including rotation information of the second auxiliary tool that accompanies the actions of the pilot, in which the vertical movements and rotational movements of the drone are imaged. The drone operates in accordance with the received maneuvering signals.