UAV 3D Shape Estimation With Multi-Altitude Loss Area Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems struggle to accurately capture three-dimensional shape data, particularly for objects with vertical components, as they often miss lateral surfaces or parts obscured by other objects, leading to reduced image quality and estimation accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for three-dimensional shape estimation that involves generating first and second three-dimensional shape data based on images captured by a UAV, detecting loss areas, and adjusting flight routes to overlap imaging ranges in both horizontal and vertical directions at different altitudes to acquire comprehensive image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If images are taken while passing through a fixed route, then the imaging process is simple and automated, but the lateral surfaces and hidden parts of objects cannot be sufficiently captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional horizontal flight routing to three-dimensional flight routing by incorporating vertical altitude changes. The flight route includes flying at multiple altitudes (first altitude for overview, second lower altitude for detailed imaging) to capture objects from different vertical perspectives, enabling acquisition of lateral surfaces and hidden parts that are invisible from a single horizontal pass
2Loss of information
If a user manually moves to the periphery of an object to image lateral surfaces, then complete object coverage is achieved, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the flying object to perform self-service by autonomously executing the flight route and imaging process without requiring user physical movement. The automated system navigates to multiple positions and altitudes, captures images from all necessary angles, and processes the data to generate three-dimensional shape information, completely eliminating the need for manual user intervention
3Measurement precision
If each imaging position is decided by user input, then precise imaging control is achieved, but user convenience and operational complexity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-programming the flight route with all necessary imaging positions, altitudes, and orientations before the imaging mission begins. The system automatically calculates and stores the sequence of positions (including first and second altitudes) needed to capture complete object data, eliminating the need for real-time user input while maintaining precise imaging control throughout the automated flight
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional shape estimation method includes generating a set of three-dimensional shape data for a flight range of a movable object based on a plurality of first images captured by a movable object, detecting a loss area based on the set of three-dimensional shape data for the flight range, generating a flight route for imaging the loss area, acquiring a plurality of second images that are captured in a horizontal direction toward the loss area with imaging ranges partially overlapped while the movable object moves along the flight route, and generating three-dimensional shape data for the loss area based on the plurality of second images.