Multirotor Flight Interface for Stable Aerial Imaging Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remotely controlled multirotor aircrafts face issues with image quality due to pilot skill-dependent vibrations and oscillations, which cause microblur and rolling shutter effects, especially when trying to acquire images from difficult-to-reach positions, as conventional solutions like servo-assisted cardan supports are too heavy for small aircraft and violate weight regulations.

Innovation Solution

A remotely controlled multirotor aircraft system that uses a direction and orientation signal generated by an interface device, such as an earphone/microphone or wand, to control the aircraft's movement and orientation independently of pilot skills, reducing vibrations and oscillations by translating voice commands or movement instructions into control signals for the flight control unit, thereby maintaining image quality regardless of piloting expertise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a servo-assisted cardan support is used to correct aircraft orientation during oscillations, then image quality is improved, but the device becomes excessively heavy for small aircraft and violates weight regulations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidaircraft weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical servo-assisted cardan support system with an electronic/image-processing solution. The flight control unit receives image data from the video acquisition means and determines whether the aircraft is oscillating by analyzing changes in the image data over time. When oscillation is detected, the system controls the video acquisition means to acquire images only during stable periods, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical stabilization components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If conventional remote control actuation is used, then the aircraft is easy to operate, but pilot skill deficiencies cause oscillations and vibrations that degrade image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the flight control unit continuously monitors image data to detect aircraft oscillations. The system analyzes changes in image data between different time points to determine the oscillation state. Based on this feedback, the system intelligently controls when to acquire images, selecting only those captured during stable flight periods, thereby compensating for pilot control imperfections without adding operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3668788B1Improved multirotor aircraft and interface device
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 SARONIKOS TRADING & SERVICES UNIPESSOAL LDA
  • EP3668788B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3668788B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3668788B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a remotely controlled multirotor aircraft (0) for acquiring images and an interface device (3, 4) for controlling said aircraft, wherein said aircraft comprises receiving means adapted to receive a direction and/or orientation signal which can be transmitted by an interface device (3, 4), wherein said direction and/or orientation signal defines a direction in which said aircraft must move and/or be oriented, and flight control means adapted to control the attitude of said aircraft and configured for reading said direction and/or orientation signal, determining, on the basis of said direction and/or orientation signal, the direction in which the aircraft must move and/ or be oriented, and generating a control signal adapted to make said aircraft take an attitude such as to make it move and/or be oriented in the predetermined direction.