RC Aircraft Coordinate Transformation for Intuitive Flight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio controlled toys such as airplanes and helicopters are difficult to control due to the need for complex three-dimensional spatial orientation skills, making them challenging for users with less training or experience.
Innovation Solution
A remote control system that transforms user commands into aircraft-specific control signals using coordinate transformations, allowing easier operation by aligning commands with the user's perspective rather than the aircraft's orientation, and providing mode selection for traditional or transformed control modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional radio control systems are used that send commands directly corresponding to aircraft orientation, then the control system remains simple, but the device becomes difficult to operate for users without extensive training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordinate transformation system that converts user-friendly commands (based on user perspective) into aircraft-specific control signals. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of coordinate transformations between user coordinate system and aircraft coordinate system, making the control easier without requiring users to understand aircraft orientation mechanics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes control parameters by detecting aircraft orientation (roll, pitch, yaw angles) and transforming control commands accordingly. When the aircraft orientation changes, the control system automatically adjusts the mapping between user inputs and aircraft responses, maintaining intuitive control throughout the flight.
2Ease of operation
If the control system accounts for aircraft orientation to provide intuitive control, then ease of operation improves, but the computational complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the coordinate transformation relationships and orientation detection frameworks before flight operations begin. The aircraft continuously monitors its orientation state and pre-computes transformation matrices, so that when control commands are received, the system can quickly apply the appropriate transformations without real-time computational delays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mode selection functionality is added to switch between traditional and transformed control modes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is made dynamic by allowing users to switch between different control modes (traditional mode and transformed mode) during flight operations. The system adapts its control transformation behavior based on the selected mode, providing flexibility for users to choose the most comfortable control approach while the aircraft adjusts its response characteristics accordingly.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio controlled (RC) vehicle includes a receiver that is coupled to receive an RF signal from a remote control device, the RF signal containing command data in accordance with a first coordinate system, wherein the first coordinate system is from a perspective of the remote control device. A motion sensing module generates motion data based on the motion of the RC vehicle. A processing module transforms the command data into control data in accordance with a second coordinate system, wherein the second coordinate system is from a perspective of the RC vehicle. A plurality of control devices control the motion of the RC vehicle based on the control data.