UAV Aerial Display System with Floating Pixels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerial display technologies are limited in their ability to create reusable, dynamic, and interactive large-scale displays, as they often rely on complex fountain systems, fireworks, or aircraft-based methods that are difficult to modify and have safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with display payloads and a ground control station that choreographs their movement and operation to create a synchronized aerial display, using each UAV as a 'flixel' to form a dynamic and interactive display screen in three-dimensional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If complex fountain systems are used to provide aerial displays with water sprays, then light can be projected onto the water to create visual effects, but the system becomes difficult to modify and is limited in the amount of air space that can be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The aerial display system segments the display medium into multiple independent UAV units, each capable of independent positioning and light emission. This allows the display to utilize large three-dimensional air space while maintaining flexibility in configuration and content modification through software control of individual units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional water spray surfaces to three-dimensional spatial arrangement of UAVs. Each UAV operates as an independent display element in 3D space, enabling volumetric displays that can be dynamically reconfigured in height, width, and depth dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fireworks are used for aerial displays, then exciting visual shows can be provided, but the implementation becomes dangerous and the show result varies with each use
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces explosive chemical mechanisms (fireworks) with controllable electronic systems. UAVs equipped with LED lighting assemblies and programmable flight controllers provide repeatable, safe aerial displays without the safety hazards of pyrotechnics, while maintaining visual impact through controlled light emission and precise positioning.
3Area of stationary object
If aircraft such as blimps dragging banners or large display screens are used, then aerial displays can be provided, but the display size is limited and only a small number of aircraft can be used
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the aerial display into numerous small, independent UAV units rather than using a few large aircraft. Each UAV serves as an individual display pixel or module, allowing the creation of large-scale displays through coordinated swarms of multiple units, thereby increasing display area without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple small UAVs into a unified aerial display formation that functions as a single large display system. Through synchronized flight control and coordinated lighting, individual UAVs combine their display capabilities to create large-scale visual presentations that exceed the capacity of single aircraft.
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
Enables the creation of large, reusable, and dynamic aerial displays that can change shape, size, and imagery over time, providing a safe and engaging visual experience by using UAVs with propulsion devices and display payloads, such as lighting assemblies, controlled through a fleet manager module.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the UAVs may be equipped with a propulsion device such as a multicopter that enables the UAV to hover in place or move about within a display space
Implementation Method 2
Each of the UAVs may include a propulsion device and display payload or may otherwise be equipped to serve as a floating pixel in an aerial display
Implementation Method 3
the display payloads each includes a lighting assembly and a light controller. In such embodiments, the operating of the display payloads includes using the light controller to selectively operate the lighting assembly to provide an output light
Implementation Method 4
each of the display payloads further may include a light diffuser with the output light being directed onto a surface of the light diffuser. Further, the light diffuser may include a light diffusing screen extending about the lighting assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A system for performing an aerial display. The system includes a plurality of UAVs each including a propulsion device and a display payload, and the system includes a ground station system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and memory storing a different flight plan and a set of display controls for the UAVs. Then, wherein, during a display time period, the UAVs concurrently execute the flight plans through operation of the propulsion devices and operate the display payloads based on the display controls. The display payloads each include a lighting assembly and a light controller. The output light is one of a two or more colored light streams, and each of the display payloads further may include a light diffuser with the output light being directed onto a surface of the light diffuser. The light diffuser may include a light diffusing screen extending about the lighting assembly.