Drone Remote Controller Height Sensing for Adaptive Flight Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drone control systems lack the ability to adjust the flying height of drones based on the height of the remote controller and have limited gimbal rotation angles, restricting their operational flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A control system that includes a controlling terminal with a height measuring device and processing unit, allowing the drone to adjust its height and gimbal movements based on user input, using components like barometers, GPS, and attitude sensors, and communication units for data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the remote controller does not include a height measuring device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability of the drone control system deteriorates because flying height cannot be adjusted based on remote controller height

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of drone control systemVSAvoiddevice complexity of remote controller
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote controller is equipped with a height measuring device that enables it to not only control basic flight operations but also automatically adjust the drone's flying height based on the remote controller's own height measurements. This multi-functional capability allows the same device to perform both traditional control functions and autonomous height adjustment, thereby improving adaptability without requiring separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote controller measures its own height using an integrated height measuring device and uses this information to automatically adjust the drone's flying height. The system serves itself by using the remote controller's own positional data to make autonomous control decisions, eliminating the need for external height measurement equipment or manual height input from the operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the gimbal rotation angle is limited, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability of the drone system deteriorates because the camera cannot capture a wider range of views

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of drone systemVSAvoiddevice complexity of gimbal system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the gimbal's rotational movement with the drone body's pitch movement to achieve extended viewing angles. Instead of relying solely on the gimbal's limited rotation range, the system merges the gimbal's angular adjustment capability with the drone body's pitch articulation, allowing the camera to capture a wider field of view by coordinating both movement mechanisms work together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the relationship between gimbal rotation and drone body pitch based on operational requirements. The control system continuously coordinates the gimbal's rotational angle with the drone body's pitch angle, allowing the camera to achieve extended viewing ranges by dynamically combining both degrees of freedom rather than relying on a fixed, limited gimbal rotation range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 dynamic height adjustment and expanded gimbal movement capabilities, enhancing the operational flexibility and user control of drones in various applications.

Implementation Method 1

the height measuring device is one or more of a barometer, a GPS device, an infrared altimeter, a laser altimeter, an image altimeter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBarometric pressure measurement: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the height measuring device is one or more of a barometer, a GPS device, an infrared altimeter, a laser altimeter, an image altimeter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGPS satellite positioning:

Implementation Method 3

the communication unit comprises one or any combination of a WiFi module, a Bluetooth module or an infrared ray emission module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

the communication unit comprises one or any combination of a WiFi module, a Bluetooth module or an infrared ray emission module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 5

the somatosensory remote controller comprises a attitude sensor configured to detect and generate an attitude information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAttitude detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11275390B2Control system and method for drone with remote controller
Publication Date: 2022.03.15 POWERVISION ROBOT INC
  • US11275390B2 patent drawing
  • US11275390B2 patent drawing
  • US11275390B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A control system is disclosed. The control system comprises a controlling terminal and a controlled device; the controlling terminal comprises a height measuring device and a processing unit; the height measuring device is configured to measure and obtain a height information of the controlling terminal, and send the height information to the processing unit; the processing unit is configured to receive the height information and generate an operation command; the controlled device is configured to receive the operation command and perform a corresponding motion according to the operation command.