Flying Toy Height Control Using Reflected Signal Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flying toy control systems are limited by bi-state control mechanisms relying on signal reception or absence, lacking error detection and being susceptible to environmental conditions, which restricts their control precision and robustness.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that determines the distance between the flying toy and a surface by analyzing the duration or time-of-flight of a reflected signal, or by calculating the bit error rate of a digital signal, to send control signals to the motor for precise flight control, enabling more robust and efficient control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a bi-state control system is used that relies on signal reception or absence, then the control mechanism is simple, but the control precision and robustness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the reflected signal characteristics (duration, time-of-flight, bit error rate) and adjusts motor speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables precise height control by constantly comparing actual position with desired position and making real-time corrections, overcoming the limitations of simple bi-state control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in signal parameters (duration, time-of-flight, bit error rate) to determine height and control flight. By measuring these varying parameters of the reflected signal rather than simply detecting signal presence, the system achieves precise control while maintaining relatively simple hardware architecture.
2Ease of manufacture
If Infrared (IR) signals are used for control, then the system is simple to implement, but the system is susceptible to environmental conditions and surface reflectivity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the reflected signal characteristics to compensate for environmental variations. By continuously monitoring signal duration, time-of-flight, and bit error rate, the controller can adjust for changes in surface reflectivity and environmental conditions, maintaining reliable operation across different environments while using simple IR signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on a single signal characteristic, the patent monitors multiple parameters of the reflected IR signal (duration, time-of-flight, bit error rate). This multi-parameter approach allows the system to distinguish between legitimate height information and variations caused by environmental factors or surface properties, improving reliability while maintaining implementation simplicity.
3Device complexity
If a reflected signal system is used without error detection, then the system is simple, but error detection capability and control robustness are extremely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements feedback that includes error detection through bit error rate calculation. By comparing transmitted and received digital signals, the system detects errors and uses this information to adjust control decisions, enhancing robustness against signal degradation while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces bit error rate as an additional measured parameter alongside signal duration and time-of-flight. This parameter provides error detection capability that enhances control robustness, allowing the system to identify and compensate for signal quality issues without significantly increasing overall system 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 approach allows for more precise and robust control of flying toys by determining their height or distance based on signal analysis, overcoming the limitations of bi-state systems and environmental susceptibility, resulting in improved flight stability and control.
Implementation Method 1
A first signal is transmitted from a transmitter at the flying toy. The signal is received at a receiver of the flying toy after the signal has reflected off of the surface
Implementation Method 2
A distance of the toy above a surface may be determined from a duration of a return signal compared to the duration of the transmitted signal or a time-of-flight of the transmitted signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling a flying toy is shown and described herein. The flying toy may transmit a signal and receive a return signal after the signal reflects off of a surface. The return signal may be compared to the transmitted signal to determine information indicative of an error between the transmitted signal and the return signal. A control signal may be sent to a motor to control the speed of the motor based on the information indicative of the error. The motor may operate a propeller to control the distance between the flying toy and the surface.