Retroreflective UAV Landing Marker with Sequenced Lights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in accurately navigating to delivery locations due to GPS inaccuracies, especially in close proximity, and existing landing markers are visually unattractive, occupy space, and are not visible in all weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A location marker system using sequenced lights to create time domain signal sequences and light patterns that can be read by UAVs, providing identification, obstacle information, and navigation guidance, and incorporating retroreflectors for directionality and information conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for UAV navigation, then the UAV can navigate autonomously to a destination, but the navigation accuracy is insufficient to discriminate correct delivery locations from incorrect delivery locations when they are very close together
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the navigation function into two parts: GPS provides general location guidance to the vicinity of the delivery location, while retroreflective markers provide precise location identification and discrimination at the specific delivery point. This segmentation allows the system to overcome GPS accuracy limitations by adding a secondary, more precise location identification mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If permanent landing markers are painted on landing pads, then the markers provide visual guidance to the landing zone, but they take up physical space, are visually unattractive in residential areas, and are not always visible at night or in inclement weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/paint-based marker system with an optical system using retroreflective materials. These markers can be applied as thin stickers or decals that occupy minimal space, are aesthetically pleasing, and provide enhanced visibility through retroreflective properties that return light to its source, making them visible at night or in poor weather when illuminated by UAV-mounted lights.
3Illumination intensity
If permanent landing markers are painted on landing pads, then the markers provide visual guidance to the landing zone, but they are not always visible at night or in inclement weather
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic illumination from the UAV-mounted light source to activate the retroreflective markers. The markers are designed to reflect light back to the source during the UAV's approach and hovering phases, providing active visibility only when needed during the delivery operation, rather than requiring continuous illumination or being permanently visible in all conditions.
4Loss of information
If lights are used to create time domain signal sequences for UAV identification, then clear readable information can be provided in various weather conditions, but additional energy consumption and system complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The retroreflective markers passively return light from the UAV's illumination source back to the UAV's sensors without requiring their own power supply. The light-emitting components are mounted on the moving UAV rather than the stationary marker, allowing the marker system to serve itself by utilizing the UAV's own illumination to create the visible signal sequence, thereby eliminating the need for external power at the marker location.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances UAV navigation accuracy and safety by providing clear, readable information in various weather conditions and reduces the need for physical markers, improving delivery efficiency and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
The location marker may include at least one surface that includes retroreflectors that reflect light from a light source
Data Source
AI summary
A location marker that may be used to provide information to a vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The location marker may include a plurality of retroreflectors that may form a pattern readable by a vehicle or other device. The pattern may be read to extract an identifier of a location, such as an address or an identifier of a person. A global positioning system (GPS) device may transmit a general location of the location marker to the vehicle, while the location marker may provide a unique visual location identifier to a device within visual range of the location marker. In some embodiments, the location marker may also include lights that may be individually sequenced on and off at different times to create a time domain signal sequence that is readable by the vehicle.