Collision Avoidance Using Modulated Light Beacons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current collision avoidance systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) rely on external infrastructure and connectivity, which are prone to interference and failures, and also face limitations in bandwidth and accuracy due to the use of radio frequency transmissions and passive sensing systems.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves using modulated light beacons emitted by objects, which carry information about their position and type, and are detected by event-based vision sensors on UAVs. These sensors output event signals in response to changes in luminance, allowing the UAVs to estimate distances and navigate safely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If radio frequency transmissions are used for collision avoidance, then communication can be established, but the system is prone to interference and infrastructure failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidinterference and infrastructure failure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces radio frequency electromagnetic transmission with optical transmission using light beacons. The modulator circuit modulates the light beacon to encode position information, and the event-based vision sensor detects these optical signals. This substitution eliminates the harmful factors of RF interference and infrastructure dependency, achieving more reliable operation in diverse environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If passive sensing systems using cameras are used, then environment detection is possible, but high processing power is required and light conditions are crucial

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironment detection capabilityVSAvoidprocessing power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by actively emitting modulated light beacons that encode position information before the UAV needs to process complex visual data. The light beacons continuously transmit position data, so when the event-based vision sensor detects changes in luminance, the position information is already prepared and encoded in the optical signal, eliminating the need for high-power post-processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces passive camera-based sensing with active optical transmission using modulated light beacons. Instead of requiring high-processing-power cameras to analyze complex scenes, the system uses light beacons that directly encode position information in the optical domain, which the event-based vision sensor can process with minimal computational effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If mm-wave Radar is used for active sensing, then detection is possible, but lateral resolution is low and interference is present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidlateral resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mm-wave Radar with optical sensing using light beacons and event-based vision sensors. The optical system provides superior lateral resolution because light wavelengths are much shorter than mm-wave wavelengths, enabling precise detection of UAV positions and movements. The modulated light beacons also avoid the interference problems inherent in radar systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a reliable and robust collision avoidance system that is independent of external infrastructure, capable of precise localization, and can operate in various light conditions, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of UAV operations.

Implementation Method 1

a light source configured to emit a light beacon, a modulator circuit coupled to the light source and configured to modulate a luminance of the light beacon based on a modulating useful signal carrying information about the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission and modulation: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

an event-based vision sensor configured to output an event signal in response to a detected change in luminance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12322293B2Apparatuses and methods for collision avoidance

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a collision avoidance concept comprising emitting a modulated light beacon from an object, wherein a luminance of the light beacon is modulated based on a useful signal carrying information on a position of the object, detecting, by an event-based vision sensor of a vehicle, the modulated light beacon of the object and outputting an event signal in response to a detected change in luminance of the modulated light beacon, and estimating a distance between the object and the vehicle based on the event signal.