Distributed Drone Image Analysis for Low-Cost Resource Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional technologies for monitoring user behavior using drones or robots incur high data communication costs and weight penalties due to reliance on central analysis servers or incorporating all functions within a single device, leading to privacy concerns.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device controls a second drone near the first drone to analyze images via short-range communication, reducing costs and weight by offloading image analysis to a nearby device, and transmitting analysis results to the server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a central analysis server is used to analyze images acquired by drones, then analysis capability is improved, but data communication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the image analysis function from the drone and assigns it to a separate analysis device (which can be another drone or ground station). The drone captures images and transmits only image data, while the analysis device performs the computationally intensive analysis. This segmentation allows the drone to remain lightweight without analysis hardware while still achieving sophisticated image analysis through the distributed architecture.
2Measurement precision
If all analysis functions are incorporated within a single drone, then analysis capability is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image analysis function is extracted from the drone system and implemented as a separate analysis device. This extraction allows the drone to operate without heavy analysis hardware, maintaining lightweight design and extended flight time. The analysis capability exists in the system but is physically separated from the mobile platform, enabling the drone to focus solely on data collection while another device handles processing.
3Measurement precision
If a central analysis server is used to monitor user behavior, then monitoring capability is improved, but privacy infringement risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis device processes images locally at or near the location where they were captured, rather than transmitting raw images to a centralized server. This local processing approach allows behavior monitoring to occur while minimizing the transmission and storage of sensitive personal data. The system achieves monitoring capability through localized analysis, reducing privacy risks associated with centralized data collection.
Data Source
AI summary
An example electronic device may include a communication module comprising communication circuitry, and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor may be configured to control the communication module to acquire first information related to a suspected event from a first external electronic device, determine a second external electronic device to be dispatched to a location where the suspected event has occurred, control the second external electronic device, acquire second information related to an analysis result of the suspected event from the first external electronic device, and perform a subsequent procedure based on the acquired second information.