Network Drone Control Console for Remote Video-Guided Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The military relies on proprietary networks for remote drone control, which is costly and not suitable for commercially available drones, necessitating a cost-effective and safe method for remote manipulation of such drones without elaborate infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A network-based system comprising a drone user machine, a drone control machine, and a drone control console that enables remote location control of drones through user commands and video communication over a network, allowing for real-time control and video feed display, with enforced limits and autopilot features for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary secure high-speed networks are used for remote drone control, then control reliability and security are improved, but system cost and infrastructure complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control server as an intermediary component that mediates between the user terminal and the drone. This server handles command processing, video stream management, and coordination tasks, allowing the system to achieve reliable control through a simplified network infrastructure compared to military-grade proprietary networks. The server acts as a centralized coordinator that enables safe remote operation without requiring elaborate infrastructure.
2Reliability
If proprietary secure high-speed networks are used for remote drone control, then control security is improved, but deployment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service security mechanisms through the control server that autonomously manages command validation, video stream authentication, and coordination protocols. The server handles security-related processing centrally, eliminating the need for expensive proprietary secure networks while maintaining adequate security for commercial drone operations. This self-managed approach reduces deployment costs significantly compared to military-grade secure infrastructure.
3Ease of manufacture
If remote control infrastructure is simplified for commercial drones, then deployment cost decreases, but control capability and safety may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into distinct functional modules: user terminal for interaction, control server for processing and coordination, and drone for execution. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together through standard network communication. The control server specifically handles complex tasks like command processing and video stream management, enabling simplified infrastructure to maintain adequate control capability for commercial applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The control server serves as an intermediary that enhances control capability despite simplified infrastructure. It processes commands from the user terminal, manages video streams from the drone, and coordinates operation safely. This intermediary layer compensates for the lack of elaborate infrastructure by providing centralized intelligent control, enabling reliable remote operation of commercial drones over standard networks.
4Measurement precision
If real-time video communication is implemented over network for remote drone operation, then user awareness and control precision are improved, but network bandwidth requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control server acts as an intermediary that manages video stream transmission between the drone and user terminal. It handles video data processing, transmission coordination, and synchronization, enabling real-time video communication over standard networks without requiring excessive bandwidth or complexity. The server optimizes video stream delivery and coordinates with command control, providing enhanced control precision through network-based video feedback while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiment includes of a method and a system of network based operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle is disclosed. One system includes a drone user machine, a drone control machine, and a drone control console. The drone control machine is interfaced with the drone user machine through a network, and the drone control machine is interfaced with a drone through the drone control console. The drone control machine operates to receive user commands from the drone user machine through the network, generate drone control commands which are provided to the drone control console for controlling the drone, wherein the drone control commands are generated based on the user commands, receive video from the drone control console that was generated by a camera located on the drone, and communicate the video to the drone user machine over the network, wherein the video is displayed on a display associated with the drone user machine.