Drone Camera USB Mode Switching for Fast Image Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging devices on reconnaissance drones face inefficiencies in image transfer, as they require changing the drone controller's specification to switch between image photographing and transfer modes, leading to obstructed photographing control and increased time and cost due to slow image transfer using the PTP communication protocol.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device that autonomously switches between image photographing and transfer modes using a single USB interface, employing the PTP protocol for control commands and the Mass Storage Class (MSC) protocol for high-speed image transfer, allowing efficient data transfer without modifying the drone controller's specification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PTP communication protocol is used for image transfer between the camera and drone controller, then the image transfer can be performed, but the image transfer time increases and photographing control is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the communication protocol parameter from PTP to MSC (Mass Storage Class) when image transfer is required. This parameter change enables high-speed data transfer by treating the camera as a mass storage device, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable image transfer and excessive transfer time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drone controller's specification is changed to support mode switching between photographing and transfer, then protocol flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the camera to autonomously switch between PTP and MSC modes based on operational requirements, without requiring the drone controller to initiate or manage the protocol switching. This transfers the control burden from the controller to the camera, maintaining adaptability while simplifying the controller's functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB interface is designed to support multiple communication protocols (both PTP and MSC) through a single connection. This universal interface approach allows the system to adapt to different operational modes without requiring separate hardware interfaces or complex controller modifications.
3Reliability
If image transfer is performed using PTP protocol during photographing control, then communication is maintained, but photographing control commands cannot be issued during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic protocol switching where the communication mode changes from PTP to MSC based on real-time operational needs. During photographing control, PTP is used for bidirectional communication; when image transfer is required, MSC is activated for high-speed unidirectional data transfer. This dynamic adaptation ensures both communication continuity and control efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging device, such as a camera or the like, for use on-board a reconnaissance vehicle comprises an image capturing unit configured when activated to capture photographic or video images of a photographic area, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to communicate via a serial communications interface with a control body unit of the reconnaissance vehicle, and to operate in an image photographing mode in which the control unit receives control information from the control body unit of the reconnaissance vehicle via the serial communications interface and in an image transfer mode in which the control unit transfers the photographic or video images to the control body unit of the reconnaissance vehicle via the serial communications interface in accordance with a data transfer protocol. The control unit is configured in response to detecting mode switching conditions to switch autonomously from the image photographing mode to the image transfer mode to transfer one or more photographic or video images to the control body unit of the reconnaissance vehicle. Accordingly only a single serial communications interface, such as a USB, need by provided both to control the imaging device and to transfer the captured images from the imaging device in the image transfer mode using a data transfer protocol, such as a mass storage class, MTC, compatible type data communications protocol.