Drone Takeoff Diagnosis Using Configuration and Environment Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous drones used for spraying agricultural chemicals lack sufficient safety measures, particularly in Japan where farmland is small and complex, and there is a risk of accidents due to the weight of the drones and non-expert operators, with existing technologies focusing on human-controlled systems rather than autonomous safety.
Innovation Solution
A drone system with a remote controller connected through a network, featuring a flight control unit, configuration determination, and environmental assessment to ensure safe takeoff and operation, including diagnosis states for drone and environmental checks, emergency stop capabilities, and power management to prevent accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous flight is implemented to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual control requirements, then productivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to lack of expert operator judgment and foolproof mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary safety checks and environmental assessments before autonomous flight operations begin. The system evaluates multiple parameters including GPS signal quality, wind speed, temperature, and drone configuration status in advance, preventing flight unless all conditions are within safe ranges. This preliminary action ensures safety is established before productivity benefits of autonomous flight are realized.
2Reliability
If comprehensive safety checks and environmental assessments are implemented before takeoff, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple determination units and state transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the safety assessment system into distinct functional modules: a drone determination unit that checks drone configuration and status, and an external environment determination unit that assesses environmental conditions. Each unit independently evaluates specific parameters and transitions between defined states (standby, takeoff diagnosis, flight). This segmentation manages complexity by creating modular, independent determination units with clear responsibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic state transition system where the drone operates through defined states (standby state, takeoff diagnosis state, flight state) based on real-time condition evaluation. The system automatically transitions between states as conditions change, providing a structured yet flexible framework that manages complexity through standardized state transitions rather than rigid hardwired logic.
3Reliability
If the drone waits for suitable environmental conditions before taking off, then safety is improved, but loss of time increases due to delayed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback monitoring of environmental parameters (wind speed, temperature, GPS signal quality) and drone status during the standby and takeoff diagnosis states. The system provides real-time feedback to the operator about condition status and automatically proceeds with takeoff when conditions become suitable, minimizing delay while ensuring safety. The feedback mechanism balances safety requirements with operational efficiency by not requiring excessive waiting time.
Data Source
AI summary
A highly safe drone is provided. A remote controller and a drone are connected to each other through a network and cooperate to operate. The drone includes a flight control unit, a flight start command reception unit receiving a flight start command from a user, a drone determination unit determining a configuration of the drone itself, an external environment determination unit determining an external environment of the drone. The drone system has a plurality of states including a takeoff diagnosis state and satisfies a condition transitioning to another state. The takeoff diagnosis state includes a drone determination state where the drone determination unit determines the configuration of the drone itself and an external environment determination state where the external environment determination unit determines the external environment. The drone system makes the drone to takeoff after transitioning to the takeoff diagnosis state upon receiving the flight start command.