Drone Escort Mapping for Fresh Location Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting location-related data, such as using dedicated vehicles and mobile devices, are expensive and often provide incomplete or outdated information due to limited accessibility and proprietary data restrictions, leading to gaps in maintaining accurate and fresh digital maps and navigation services.
Innovation Solution
Deploying drones to accompany entities in motion, such as vehicles and pedestrians, to collect location-related data while maintaining privacy protocols, allowing for the collection of additional data in various environments and reducing the reliance on proprietary sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated vehicles with sensors are deployed to collect location-related data, then the quality and robustness of collected data is improved, but the cost of data collection increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) that consumers already possess to collect location-related data. Instead of deploying expensive dedicated vehicles with specialized sensors, the system creates a network of distributed data collection points using readily available devices with built-in sensors like GPS, accelerometers, and cameras. This copying approach allows the system to achieve comprehensive data collection without the high costs associated with dedicated data collection infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables mobile devices to serve multiple functions: they act as both consumer navigation tools and data collection instruments for mapping services. The same device that a consumer uses for personal navigation also contributes location data, road condition information, and traffic data to the mapping system, eliminating the need for separate dedicated data collection vehicles.
2Ease of manufacture
If mobile devices are used to collect location-related data, then the cost is reduced, but the data availability decreases due to devices being stationary or inaccessible for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively identifies when mobile devices are stationary or inaccessible by monitoring movement patterns and data contribution status. When a device is detected to be stationary for extended periods, the system pre-arranges for other mobile devices in the network to compensate by increasing their data collection activities in those geographic areas, ensuring continuous data availability without requiring the stationary device to move.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the central server continuously monitors data contribution from each mobile device and adjusts data collection strategies accordingly. When feedback indicates that certain areas have insufficient data coverage due to devices being stationary, the system sends notifications to nearby mobile devices to increase surveillance and data collection in those under-served areas, dynamically balancing data availability across the network.
3Ease of manufacture
If location-related data is collected from proprietary sources, then data collection cost is reduced, but data accessibility to other entities is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data collection network into independent but interconnected mobile devices, each operating autonomously yet contributing to a shared data pool. This segmentation allows multiple entities to independently operate their own mobile device networks while accessing the aggregated data through standardized interfaces, breaking down proprietary silos and enabling broad data accessibility without compromising individual system independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central server as an intermediary that receives data from multiple mobile devices and various entities, standardizes the data formats, and distributes data to authorized users. This intermediary layer enables different entities with their own mobile device networks to share data seamlessly, transforming proprietary data into accessible information while maintaining cost-effective collection through the distributed mobile device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to collect additional location-related data. In the context of a method, for example, an entity in motion is identified and a drone is caused to accompany the entity that has been identified and to collect the location-related data while accompanying the entity. After having collected at least some location-related data, the method includes causing the drone to discontinue accompanying of the entity and to travel toward a destination.