Drone Illumination Control for Vibration-Resistant Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flight vehicles equipped with cameras face challenges in obtaining highly precise images due to difficulties in standing still and vibrations caused by wind and propeller rotation, making it hard to detect structural defects like cracks in infrastructure such as bridges and roads.

Innovation Solution

A control device and method that adjusts the light amount of an illuminating device based on the inclination of the flight vehicle's fuselage to maintain uniform illuminance and compensate for vibrations, ensuring precise image capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a flight vehicle with a camera mounted thereon is used to photograph targets, then the photographable range is extended and access to difficult-to-reach places is enabled, but the image precision is reduced due to vibrations from wind and propeller rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotographable rangeVSAvoidimage precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the illuminating device adjustable in its light emission characteristics. Specifically, the control unit dynamically adjusts the light amount of the illuminating device based on real-time detection of fuselage inclination angles, enabling the system to adapt to changing flight conditions and maintain consistent illumination despite vehicle movement and vibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of light amount emitted by the illuminating device based on fuselage inclination. The control unit modifies illumination parameters (light intensity) in response to detected inclination angles, compensating for the effects of vibration and movement to maintain consistent image quality across different flight conditions and positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the light amount of the illuminating device is increased to compensate for vibration blur, then image brightness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage brightnessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by adjusting the light amount of the illuminating device based on actual need rather than using maximum illumination continuously. The control unit provides supplemental illumination only when and where required, based on detected fuselage inclination and resulting shadow conditions, rather than uniformly illuminating the entire photographable area at maximum intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes the light amount parameter of the illuminating device based on fuselage inclination detection. The control unit adjusts illumination intensity to match actual lighting requirements, increasing light output only when inclination causes insufficient illumination, thereby optimizing the balance between image brightness and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a high-magnification zoom lens is used with a tripod to achieve high precision images, then image precision is improved, but the photographable range and mobility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage precisionVSAvoidphotographable range

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by integrating multiple functions into the flight vehicle system: it combines mobility (ability to reach difficult locations) with illumination control (ability to compensate for vibration effects). The control unit enables the same flight vehicle to perform both reconnaissance (wide-area photographing) and detailed inspection (high-precision photographing) by dynamically adjusting illuminating device parameters based on flight conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical stabilization system (tripod) with an active control system. Instead of using a physical stabilization mechanism, the patent uses a control unit that detects fuselage inclination and adjusts illuminating device parameters to compensate for vibration and movement effects, achieving image precision without the mobility limitations of a tripod-based system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11884418B2Control device, control method, and flight vehicle device

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

[Object] To provide a control device which enables a flight vehicle device to obtain a highly precise image.[Solution] Provided is the control device including an illuminating control unit configured to adjust a light amount of an illuminating device according to an inclination of a fuselage of a flight vehicle device that has an imaging device configured to photograph a photographing target and the illuminating device configured to illuminate the photographing target.