UAV AR Wayfinding and Precision Landing for Inspection Targets

The patent introduces an augmented reality display as an intermediary between the operator and the UAV control system. The AR display provides virtual navigation cues (arrows, paths, landing zones) overlaid on the real-world view, mediating the operator's navigation decisions without requiring complex autonomous systems. This resolves the contradiction by providing precision guidance while keeping the control system relatively simple and operator-in-the-loop.

The patent replaces traditional mechanical navigation aids (physical markers, complex instrument panels) with optical/digital AR overlays. The navigation information is projected virtually into the operator's field of view rather than requiring physical instruments or manual reference to external documents, substituting mechanical/optical systems with digital information presentation.

The patent transitions from two-dimensional isometric drawings to a three-dimensional augmented reality overlay that appears to float in the operator's actual field of view. The AR navigation cues are spatially aligned with the real-world environment, providing depth perception and direct spatial correspondence that eliminates the mental transformation required when interpreting 2D drawings.

The patent creates a virtual copy of the navigation information directly in the operator's visual field. Instead of referencing external drawings separately, the navigation path, landmarks, and target locations are reproduced as virtual overlays that coincide with the physical environment, allowing the operator to perceive navigation data and real-world context simultaneously.