UAV Control Authority Switching for Multi-Terminal Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current UAV control systems restrict monitoring and control to a single terminal, preventing multi-terminal monitoring and control capabilities, which limits operational flexibility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A UAV control system and method that enables multiple terminals to control the same UAV by prioritizing control authority based on terminal priority, allowing seamless transfer of control authority between terminals through a base station, ensuring only one terminal has control authority at a time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single ground station controls one UAV through paired data transmission modules, then control authority is clear and simple, but multi-terminal monitoring and control capabilities are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-terminal monitoring capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station serves as an intermediary between multiple terminals and the UAV. It receives control requests from multiple terminals, determines control priority, and forwards commands to the UAV. This mediator approach enables multi-terminal control without requiring direct paired connections between each terminal and UAV, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The base station is designed with multi-functional capabilities: it acts as a communication relay, a priority arbitration system, and a control command router. By consolidating these functions in a single base station, the system supports multiple terminals controlling one UAV without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the base station handles multiple roles simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple terminals can monitor the UAV simultaneously, then operational flexibility improves, but control authority management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol authority management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses priority levels as a parameter to manage control authority. Each terminal is assigned a priority value, and the base station compares these parameters to determine which terminal gains control. This parameter-based approach simplifies authority management compared to complex negotiation protocols, as the base station can automatically resolve control conflicts by comparing priority values without intricate decision-making logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If control authority can be transferred between terminals, then operational efficiency increases, but the risk of conflicting control signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol signal consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station implements a feedback mechanism where it continuously monitors control requests from multiple terminals, determines the current control authority holder based on priority levels, and only forwards commands from the authorized terminal to the UAV. This feedback loop ensures that control signals are consistent and prevents conflicting commands from reaching the UAV, as the base station acts as a gatekeeper that validates each control request against the current authority status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3575896B1Unmanned aerial vehicle control system and unmanned aerial vehicle control method
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 DRALONG
  • EP3575896B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3575896B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3575896B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a UAV control system and a UAV control method, to realize multi-terminal monitoring of the UAVs and to make any terminal in the monitoring terminals as a control terminal. The UAV control system includes a base station, a first terminal, and a second terminal; the first terminal and the second terminal are respectively in communication with the base station; the first terminal is configured to generate a UAV control request and send the UAV control request to the base station; the base station is configured to receive the UAV control request sent by the first terminal, determine, in accordance with the UAV control request and the current state of the second terminal saved in the base station, whether the first terminal has the priority control authority to control the UAV, and enables, when it is determined that the first terminal has the priority control authority to control the UAV, the accessibility of the first terminal to the control authority on the UAV.