Mobile Device Orientation Detection for UAV Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fail to accurately specify the orientation of observed mobile devices in imaging data, and do not effectively utilize orientation information for collision avoidance, especially at high speeds.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device and method that acquires and analyzes imaging data to specify the orientation of mobile devices, using features or markers, and controls movement to avoid collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If imaging data is acquired and analyzed to specify orientation of mobile devices, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but processing time and computational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidance capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying and tracking potential collision objects, continuously analyzing imaging data to detect mobile devices before collision becomes imminent. This allows the UAV to maintain awareness of surrounding environment and prepare avoidance maneuvers in advance, improving reliability without proportionally increasing processing time during critical moments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical collision avoidance systems with information processing-based orientation specification. By analyzing imaging data to determine orientation of detected objects, the system substitutes physical sensors and mechanical response systems with computational image analysis, reducing mechanical complexity while improving detection accuracy and response time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If orientation specification is performed using detailed imaging data analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation specification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential orientation information from imaging data required for collision avoidance, rather than processing all image details. By selectively extracting orientation parameters of detected mobile devices, the system achieves measurement precision sufficient for safety-critical applications while avoiding the computational burden of complete image analysis, thus managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses image processing to create a simplified representation (copy) of the physical environment, specifically extracting orientation data of mobile devices from imaging data. This virtual model allows the system to work with processed information rather than raw sensor data, reducing the complexity of real-time processing while maintaining accurate orientation specification for collision avoidance decisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12354483B2Information processing device, information processing method, program, and mobile device

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

It is intended to allow an orientation of a mobile device observed in imaging data to be more appropriately specified. There is provided an information processing device including an acquisition unit that acquires the imaging data and a direction specification unit that analyzes the imaging data to specify the orientation of the mobile device observed in the imaging data.