Multipoint Cable Cam Flight Paths With Spline Speed Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical UAV cable cam systems are limited to a maximum of ten waypoints, fail to provide smooth, continuous cinematic footage, and cannot dynamically adjust traversal speed, leading to poor and unsafe trajectory tracking.
Innovation Solution
A multipoint cable cam (MPCC) system that generates a spline-based flight path from user input, allowing for unlimited virtual waypoints, dynamic speed adjustment, and 5-axis flight and camera trajectories, enabling smooth camera transitions and safe traversal speed regardless of trajectory geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If typical UAV cable cam systems use a limited number of waypoints (maximum ten), then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability and versatility are worsened as complex cinematic shots cannot be executed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of waypoints and traversal speed based on the complexity of the desired cinematic shot. The waypoint generation algorithm automatically creates the appropriate number of waypoints (not limited to ten) based on the trajectory requirements, and the speed is dynamically adjusted along the path to enable complex maneuvers while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters including the number of waypoints, traversal speed, and camera angles to enable different types of cinematic shots. By allowing the number of waypoints to vary dynamically rather than being fixed at ten, the system can adapt to various shot complexities while maintaining ease of operation through automated generation
2Device complexity
If typical UAV cable cam systems use sequential waypoint-to-waypoint missions with discontinuous linear tweening, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and quality of footage are worsened as smooth continuous cinematic footage cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces discontinuous linear tweening with smooth curved transitions between waypoints. By using spline interpolation or similar curvature-based methods to generate the flight path, the system achieves continuous and smooth camera movements that produce cinematic-quality footage while keeping the underlying control system relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical interpolation methods with computational algorithms that generate smooth trajectories. By using software-based spline generation and automated path planning, the system achieves high-quality smooth transitions without requiring complex mechanical intervention, thereby improving footage quality while maintaining manageable device complexity
3Ease of operation
If typical UAV cable cam systems use a fixed maximum speed for the entire trajectory, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability is worsened as the system cannot dynamically adjust speed resulting in poor and unsafe trajectory tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the traversal speed along the flight path based on the local trajectory characteristics and safety requirements. The speed profile is automatically generated to be slower in tight turns or complex maneuvers and faster in straight sections, ensuring safe and reliable trajectory tracking while maintaining ease of operation through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the trajectory geometry and safety constraints to automatically adjust the speed profile. By monitoring the curvature and complexity of each segment of the flight path, the system dynamically modifies the traversal speed to ensure safe operation, thereby improving reliability while keeping the operation simple for the user
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes systems and methods for a multipoint cable cam (MPCC) of an aerial vehicle. A method includes operations of receiving user input associated with a predetermined path and correlating the received user input with stored global positioning satellite (GPS) data to generate one or more virtual waypoints along the predetermined path. The method includes processing the one or more virtual waypoints to generate a spline-based flight path. The method may include storing the spline-based flight path and transmitting the spline-based flight path to the aerial vehicle.