RC Aircraft Coordinate Mapping for Orientation-Independent 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 users to consider the aircraft's perspective, requiring great skill and complex commands to navigate in three-dimensional space.
Innovation Solution
A remote control system that transforms user-oriented command data into aircraft-oriented control data using coordinate systems, allowing for easier operation by aligning commands with the user's perspective, regardless of the aircraft's orientation, through equations that convert pitch and roll commands into corresponding control axis movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional aircraft-oriented control is used, then precise control of aircraft motion is achieved, but user skill requirement and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordinate transformation system as an intermediary between the user and the aircraft control system. The remote control device transforms user-oriented commands (based on user coordinate system) into aircraft-oriented control signals (based on aircraft coordinate system) through mathematical transformation equations, allowing users to operate without understanding aircraft perspective while maintaining precise control
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the reference frame parameters by detecting aircraft orientation (roll, pitch, yaw angles) and adjusting the coordinate transformation accordingly. This allows the control system to adapt to different aircraft orientations while maintaining consistent user-oriented control responses
2Reliability
If aircraft perspective-based commands are used, then accurate aircraft control is maintained, but command complexity increases for three-dimensional navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional control approach by having the remote control device perform the coordinate transformation that would otherwise need to be done by the pilot's brain. Instead of the user mentally converting their intentions to aircraft perspective, the system automatically converts user commands from user perspective to aircraft perspective through transformation equations
3Ease of operation
If user perspective alignment is implemented, then operational ease is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/cognitive process of perspective transformation with an electronic computational system. The remote control device uses microprocessors and mathematical algorithms to perform coordinate transformations, substituting electronic computation for what would otherwise require complex mechanical linkages or human cognitive processing
Data Source
AI summary
A radio controlled (RC) vehicle includes a receiver configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from a remote control device. The RF signal indicates command data in accordance with a first coordinate system. The command data includes yaw-velocity command data. The RC vehicle includes motion sensors configured to generate motion data. The RC vehicle includes a processor coupled to the motion sensors and to the receiver. The processor is configured to transform the command data into control data based on the motion data and in accordance with a second coordinate system from a perspective of the RC vehicle. The control data includes yaw-velocity control data. The yaw-velocity control data is related to the yaw-velocity command data. The RC vehicle includes control devices coupled to the processor and configured to control motion of the RC vehicle based on the control data.