Drone Reflection Detection for Specular Obstacle Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned flight control systems struggle to accurately control drones when the target object's position is not recognized, making it difficult to avoid obstacles such as specular objects like glass surfaces or water.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus equipped with a light-emitting unit and an imaging unit that emits specific light patterns and captures reflected light to determine if a target object is a specular object, and if so, calculates the distance to avoid it, using a combination of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and image processing to identify patterns and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flight control systems are used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the system cannot detect specular objects and avoid collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light-emitting unit and imaging unit into an integrated obstacle detection system. The light-emitting unit emits light patterns that are reflected by specular objects, and the imaging unit captures these reflected patterns. By merging these functions into a unified detection apparatus, the system achieves reliable specular object detection without requiring separate complex subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light patterns as an intermediary medium to detect specular objects. Instead of directly imaging specular objects which may not reflect enough light for conventional cameras, the system uses emitted light patterns as a mediator that reflects off the specular objects and carries information back to the imaging unit, enabling indirect detection of otherwise invisible obstacles.
2Measurement precision
If the imaging unit captures reflected light patterns, then the detection precision for specular objects is improved, but the use of energy increases due to continuous light emission and image processing
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting unit emits light in periodic patterns rather than continuously. The imaging unit captures images at specific intervals synchronized with these light emission cycles. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain high detection precision for specular objects while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses light emission and image processing to detect specular objects, then the detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging unit serves multiple functions: it captures reflected light patterns from specular objects, identifies specific patterns through image processing, and determines object positions. By making the imaging unit universal and multi-functional, the system achieves versatile obstacle detection capability without adding separate specialized components for each function.
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
Effectively determines the presence of specular objects and calculates their distance to enable the drone to avoid collisions, ensuring safe navigation even when the target object's position is not initially recognized.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging unit that captures an object around the moving object
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires captured data in which an object around a moving object is captured by an imaging unit, where the moving object is one of a moving object that is irradiated with spontaneous emission light and a moving object that moves with a predetermined pattern, and a determination unit that determines that the object is an obstacle if the captured data acquired by the acquisition unit includes a specific pattern.