Drone Landing Station Recognition for Low-Visibility Precision Landing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in safe and accurate landing due to insufficient regulations and the difficulty for users to recognize potential dangers, leading to increased collision accidents and privacy invasions, particularly in civilian and commercial use.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial robot equipped with a camera sensor for station identification, a transceiver for radio signal transmission and reception, and a processor to determine the landing station based on captured patterns, control propeller speed, and request the opening of the landing station cover, utilizing 5G communication technology for precise landing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If visual recognition methods are used for station identification, then the landing process becomes automated, but the system fails to operate under poor visibility conditions such as night or fog
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an illumination device as an intermediary element that emits light to enable the camera sensor to capture station identification patterns under poor visibility conditions. The illumination device acts as a mediator between the light-deficient environment and the visual recognition system, allowing automated landing to proceed reliably during night or fog by actively creating the necessary light conditions for pattern recognition
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the illumination intensity based on detected visibility conditions. When poor visibility is detected, the illumination device increases its light output to compensate, thereby maintaining the reliability of visual pattern recognition across varying environmental conditions while enabling automated operation
2Measurement precision
If the unmanned aerial robot hovers to recognize the landing pattern, then accurate station identification is achieved, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is activated in advance before the unmanned aerial robot reaches the station, pre-illuminating the station patterns. This preliminary action ensures that when the robot arrives, the patterns are immediately visible, eliminating the need for extended hovering to accumulate sufficient light information, thereby reducing operation time while maintaining identification accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the illumination timing and intensity based on the robot's approach trajectory and distance. As the robot approaches, the illumination device increases intensity and adjusts timing to ensure optimal pattern visibility at the critical recognition moment, enabling fast and accurate identification without prolonged hovering
3Productivity
If the unmanned aerial robot lands without recognizing the internal station pattern, then the landing process continues, but the precision of landing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the camera sensor continuously monitors for the internal station pattern after initial approach. If the pattern is not recognized within a threshold time or at a critical distance, the system generates feedback to trigger alternative actions such as increased illumination, adjusted approach trajectory, or activation of backup positioning methods, thereby maintaining both landing continuity and precision through adaptive response
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 safe and accurate landing of drones even in conditions like night or fog, enhancing operational safety and compliance with regulations through precise station recognition and communication technology.
Implementation Method 1
a camera sensor configured to capture a first pattern that is marked on a station cover and is used for a station identification and a second pattern that is marked inside a station
Implementation Method 2
a transceiver configured to transmit and receive a radio signal
Implementation Method 3
control a motor included in the unmanned aerial robot to increase a rotational speed of a propeller of the unmanned aerial robot
Data Source
AI summary
A station recognition and a landing method are disclosed. More specifically, an unmanned aerial robot includes a camera sensor configured to capture a first pattern that is marked on a station cover and is used for a station identification and a second pattern that is marked inside a station and is used for a precision landing; a transceiver configured to transmit and receive a radio signal; and a processor functionally connected to the camera sensor and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to determine a landing station for landing based on the first pattern captured by the camera sensor, control the transceiver to transmit a radio signal that indicates the landing station to open the station cover, and perform the precision landing at the landing station based on the second pattern of the landing station.