Drone Display Coordination for Launch and Landing on Moving Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display technologies are limited by fixed physical screens, which restrict size and location, and there is a need for dynamic, customizable, and adaptable displays, especially in environments without permanent installations.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a fleet of choreographed, light-emitting drones to create dynamic drone displays that can move, change shape, and adapt to audience location and platform movement, enabling 2D or 3D visual presentations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed physical screens are used for displays, then the display structure is simple and stable, but the display size and location are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into multiple independent drones, each capable of autonomous flight and light emission. Instead of a single fixed screen, the display is divided across numerous movable units that can be distributed and repositioned independently to create flexible visual presentations in various locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The display transitions from a static fixed screen to a dynamic system where individual drone units can move independently in three-dimensional space. The drones can adjust their positions, altitudes, and orientations dynamically to adapt to different display requirements and audience locations, providing versatile positioning without permanent installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed physical screens are used for displays, then the installation is simple, but the display cannot move or adapt to different environments
Solution Approach 1:
Each drone unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a flying platform, a light source for display, a positionable node, and an independently controllable element. This multi-functionality allows the same system to adapt to various environments and display configurations without requiring different specialized equipment for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time monitoring and control mechanisms where the central controller receives feedback on drone positions, orientations, and environmental conditions. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of the display configuration to adapt to changing environments, audience locations, and platform movements, enhancing environmental versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drones are used to create dynamic displays, then the display flexibility and customization are improved, but the control and coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and plans drone trajectories, positions, and display patterns before execution. By performing preliminary actions such as pre-positioning drones and pre-coordinating their movements, the system reduces the complexity of real-time control while maintaining high display flexibility and customization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A central controller acts as an intermediary between the user interface and the individual drone units. This intermediary coordinates the complex interactions among multiple drones, translating high-level display requirements into specific flight paths and light patterns for each unit, thereby managing control complexity while enabling sophisticated customized displays.
4Adaptability or versatility
If drones launch and land on a moving platform, then the system versatility is improved, but the precision of drone positioning and platform synchronization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs real-time feedback from sensors on both the moving platform and the drones to continuously monitor relative positions and movements. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of drone flight paths and timing to maintain precise positioning during launch and landing operations on the moving platform, overcoming the challenges of platform motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system compensates for the moving platform's motion by calculating counter-movements and adjustments in drone trajectories. By applying counter-actions to offset platform movement, the system maintains positioning precision during launch and landing operations despite the dynamic environment created by the moving platform.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to create and perform drone displays are disclosed. An example drone display may include one or more drones that launch from a movable platform, land on a movable platform, or both. The drone display may follow the movable platform to provide a display to an audience that is moving with the movable platform, or that is stationary and watching as one or more movable platforms travel through an area.