Landing Target Instrument with Patterned LED Arrays for Autonomous Drone Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic taking-off and landing of small flying objects is challenging due to difficulties in controlling precise landings at predetermined positions, especially with multiple targets, which can lead to erroneous recognition and landing operations.
Innovation Solution
A taking-off and landing target instrument with light emitting elements that display patterns to indicate position, direction, and address, combined with a target control unit and a flying object control unit using image pickup devices for navigation, allowing the flying object to calculate its position and control operations autonomously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a small flying object is operated to land automatically at a predetermined position, then autonomous flight capability is improved, but control precision and reliability of landing at the correct position deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a target instrument as an intermediary between the flying object and the landing position. The target instrument displays visual patterns (circles, crosses, squares) that serve as a mediator for the flying object to recognize and locate the correct landing position, thereby improving measurement precision without reducing automation extent
Solution Approach 2:
The target instrument provides visual feedback through different display patterns indicating the flying object's position relative to the landing point. When the flying object is at the correct position, a specific pattern (all lights on) is displayed, providing feedback that confirms accurate positioning and enables reliable automatic landing
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple target instruments are used to enable flight planning across multiple locations, then versatility and productivity are improved, but the risk of erroneous recognition and wrong landing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the target recognition system into segmented visual patterns (circles, crosses, squares) that can be uniquely assigned to different target instruments. Each target instrument displays a specific pattern combination, allowing the flying object to distinguish between multiple targets and recognize the correct one, thereby maintaining high reliability across multiple locations
Solution Approach 2:
Each target instrument has a unique local quality in terms of its display pattern configuration. The patterns displayed at each location are specifically designed to be distinguishable from others, enabling the flying object to identify the correct target among multiple options and preventing erroneous recognition
3Loss of information
If the target displays detailed information patterns, then the amount of information transmitted is improved, but the time required for the flying object to recognize the target and complete landing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target instrument displays information in periodic cycles, first showing the basic pattern (circle, cross, or square) and then sequentially displaying additional information patterns. This periodic display allows the flying object to quickly recognize the target type first, then optionally acquire additional information at its own pace, balancing information completeness with recognition speed
Solution Approach 2:
The target instrument performs preliminary action by displaying the most important recognition information (basic geometric pattern) first, before displaying additional detailed information. This allows the flying object to quickly identify the target and begin landing procedures without waiting for all information to be displayed, reducing overall recognition time while still providing complete information when needed
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
Ensures reliable and safe autonomous taking-off and landing operations by preventing erroneous recognition and guiding the flying object to the correct target, enabling efficient and accurate flight planning and execution across multiple targets.
Implementation Method 1
a target having as many light emitting elements as required for displaying patterns and a target control unit for controlling light emission of the light emitting elements
Data Source
AI summary
The taking-off and landing target instrument 2 to be used in an automatic taking-off and landing system, comprising a target 37 having as many light emitting elements 44 as required for displaying patterns and a target control unit 38 for controlling light emission of the light emitting elements, wherein the light emitting elements are provided on a taking-off and landing surface of the target and are arranged so that a target mark 43 having the center of pattern under all turned-on status is formed, and wherein the target control unit controls a light emission so as to display firstly all turned-on patterns where all of the light emitting elements are turned on, and next, so as to display the light emitting elements in a predetermined pattern.