Drone Imaging Mode Switching for USB Control and Image Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems on drones face challenges in efficiently transferring high-resolution images without disrupting photographing control, and require re-photographing if desired images are not captured upon landing, leading to increased time and cost.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device on a drone that autonomously switches between image photographing and transfer modes using a single USB interface, employing Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) for control and Mass Storage Class (MSC) for data transfer, allowing efficient image transfer without altering the drone's main body controller specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If image transfer is executed using PTP communication protocol during photographing control, then image transfer can be performed, but image transfer time increases and photographing control is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication protocol usage by time and function: PTP protocol is used during photographing control phase, while MSC protocol is used during image transfer phase. This temporal and functional segmentation allows each protocol to be optimized for its specific purpose without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between image transfer capability and photographing control efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between PTP and MSC protocols based on the operational state. During photographing control, PTP is active; during image transfer, MSC is activated. This dynamic protocol switching enables the system to adapt its communication method to current needs, maintaining high photographing control efficiency while enabling efficient image transfer
2Use of energy by moving object
If images are transferred after drone returns to ground, then power consumption is reduced, but time loss increases due to re-photographing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary image transfer action during the flight when the drone is still in the air. Images are transferred to the ground station in real-time or near-real-time during the mission, so that when the drone returns to ground, the images are already available for immediate review. This preliminary transfer action eliminates the need for re-photographing and reduces time loss while managing power consumption through efficient transfer timing
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging device, such as a camera or the like, for use on-board a reconnaissance vehicle comprises an image capturing unit configured when activated to capture photographic or video images of a photographic area, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to communicate via a serial communications interface with a control body unit of the reconnaissance vehicle, and to operate in an image photographing mode in which the control unit receives control information from the control body unit of the reconnaissance vehicle via the serial communications interface and in an image transfer mode in which the control unit transfers the photographic or video images to the control body unit of the reconnaissance vehicle via the serial communications interface in accordance with a data transfer protocol. The control unit is configured in response to detecting mode switching conditions to switch autonomously from the image photographing mode to the image transfer mode to transfer one or more photographic or video images to the control body unit of the reconnaissance vehicle. Accordingly only a single serial communications interface, such as a USB, need by provided both to control the imaging device and to transfer the captured images from the imaging device in the image transfer mode using a data transfer protocol, such as a mass storage class, MTC, compatible type data communications protocol.