Drone Landing Guidance Using Dual Light Markers and Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic drone landing systems for recharging are complex, costly, and inefficient, often requiring mechanical guides that increase the drone's size and complexity, and can be inaccurate, especially for small drones, and may interfere with on-board cameras due to external frames for light pattern recognition.
Innovation Solution
A method using distinguishable light sources on the drone and a camera-equipped docking platform with a computer that analyzes images to determine the drone's position and orientation, generating piloting instructions for precise landing without mechanical aids, ensuring correct electrical connector alignment for recharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical guides or funnels are used to guide drone landing, then landing guidance is provided, but device complexity and overall size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical guidance systems (funnels, guides) with an optical vision-based guidance system. A camera captures images of the drone's light pattern, and image processing algorithms determine drone position and orientation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical structures while providing accurate landing guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary light pattern (composed of multiple LEDs in a specific geometric arrangement) that mediates between the drone and the vision system. This light pattern serves as a visual marker that enables the camera to accurately track and determine the drone's position and orientation without requiring mechanical guidance structures.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical guides or funnels are used to guide drone landing, then landing guidance is provided, but the docking platform requires a large volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical funnels and guides with a compact vision-based system consisting of a camera and image processing unit. This substitution dramatically reduces the docking platform's volume while maintaining effective landing guidance capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If external frames with light patterns are used for guidance, then landing accuracy is improved, but on-board cameras are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by placing the light pattern on the drone (moving object) rather than on the docking platform (stationary object). The camera on the docking platform detects the light pattern emitted by the drone, enabling accurate position and orientation measurement without requiring any external frames that could interfere with the drone's own cameras.
4Measurement precision
If distinguishable light sources are used on the drone, then position and orientation can be determined accurately, but additional components are added to the drone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple LEDs emitting different colors or intensities arranged in a specific geometric pattern on the drone. This allows the vision system to determine the drone's position, orientation, and altitude by analyzing the spatial arrangement and characteristics of the light sources, achieving high measurement precision with simple components.
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 precise and efficient automatic landing of drones on recharging platforms without modifying the drone's structure or software, reducing mechanical complexity and size, and improving accuracy over existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first light means emitting a first light signal and a second light means emitting a second light signal different from the first light signal
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for automatically guiding a drone with a computer, with a view to landing the drone on a docking and recharging platform, the drone comprising a first luminous means that emits a first light signal and a second luminous means that emits a second light signal different from the first light signal, the first luminous means and the second luminous means being fastened at two separate points to the drone, the station receiving images captured by a camera, said method comprising: —analyzing the images captured by the camera so as to locate the first and second luminous means, —determining the position and orientation of the drone depending on the determined position of the first and second luminous means, —generating, with the computer, piloting instructions intended for the drone, said instructions being configured to guide the drone towards the docking and recharging platform, —transmitting said instructions to the drone, —the drone receiving and implementing said instructions.