Gamepad Interface for UAV Flight Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UAV control systems are inefficient for creating, modifying, and selecting future flight paths, particularly lacking intuitive and efficient interfaces for operators.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a gamepad with analog thumb-sticks and buttons to create and select future flight paths, displayed in a graphical user interface with a 3D geographic view, allowing users to define branch points and commands for UAV navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional control stations with joystick and mouse/keyboard are used for UAV control, then direct control and waypoint control can be achieved, but the efficiency of creating, modifying, and selecting future flight paths is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by using a gamepad interface that replicates the familiar controls from video games. The gamepad creates a simplified copy of flight path control functionality, allowing operators to intuitively create, modify, and select future flight paths through familiar directional controls and buttons, thereby improving operational efficiency without sacrificing ease of use
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by transforming the complex multi-parameter flight path control into simplified gamepad inputs. The system changes the control parameters from traditional joystick coordinates and keyboard commands to gamepad-specific controls (analog sticks for direction, buttons for commands), making the interface more intuitive while maintaining full flight path control capability
2Speed
If joystick and mouse/keyboard combination is used for direct control, then real-time flight control is achieved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a gamepad interface that consolidates multiple control functions into a single device. The gamepad integrates directional control, flight path selection, and command issuance that were previously distributed across joystick and mouse/keyboard, reducing system complexity while maintaining real-time control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the separate joystick and mouse/keyboard control systems into a unified gamepad interface. By combining directional control and command functions into one device, the system reduces the number of components and simplifies the control configuration while preserving real-time flight control responsiveness
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with particular embodiments, a system includes a path creation module configured to create future flight paths for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Each future flight path comprises one or more branch points marking changes in the UAV's flight path. The system also includes a display that is configured to present a graphical user interface that may include a 3D view of a geographic area; flight paths; and a menu of commands. The system also includes a gamepad that may include two thumb-sticks to adjust the displayed geographic area and the perspective of the displayed geographic area. The gamepad also includes time buttons configured to scroll through a flight time that begins with a current actual time and ends with the end of the UAV's flight. The gamepad further includes buttons configured to select a command from the menu and to select a first future flight path of the one or more future flight paths to be sent to the UAV.