Flight Control Altitude Measurement Using Vertical Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight control systems for small flying objects face challenges in accurately measuring height and controlling altitude, especially in areas with undulating terrain and architectural structures, due to the limited onboard capability and poor height measurement accuracy of GPS position measuring instruments.
Innovation Solution
A flight control system that includes a GPS device for ground coordinate measurement, a vertical camera for digital image capture, and a main arithmetic control unit that uses image processing to measure altitude and control flight altitude, along with a tilting mechanism for the camera to maintain a vertical optical axis and a foresight camera for obstacle detection, enabling precise altitude control and three-dimensional surface measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional height measuring instrument is mounted to improve height measurement accuracy, then height measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical camera is designed to perform multiple functions including height measurement, three-dimensional mapping, and navigation support. By making the camera multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated height measurement instruments, thereby reducing device complexity and weight while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the flying object's own vertical camera and GPS device to perform height measurement, rather than requiring external or additional specialized instruments. The main arithmetic control unit processes data from existing onboard components, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional hardware complexity.
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
This system allows for accurate autonomous flight and three-dimensional data acquisition of the ground surface, even in areas with changing terrain and obstacles, by continuously tracking feature points and adjusting the flight path to maintain a predetermined altitude and avoid obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
a vertical camera for taking a digital image below the flying object
Implementation Method 2
a GPS device for measuring a ground coordinate of the flying object
Data Source
AI summary
A flight control system for a flying object comprises a flying object, a navigating means provided in the flying object, a position measuring unit 17, a flight control unit 18 for controlling the navigating means, and a main arithmetic control unit 19 for controlling the position measuring unit and the flight control unit, and in the flight control system for a flying object, the position measuring unit has a GPS device 23 for measuring a ground coordinate of the flying object and a vertical camera 13 for taking a digital image below the flying object and measures an altitude of the flying object based on images at two points taken by the vertical camera, on ground coordinates of the two points measured by the GPS device, and on a focal length of the vertical camera, and the main arithmetic control unit controls the navigating means via the flight control unit based on the measured altitude and makes the flying object fly at a predetermined altitude.