UAV Control System for Intuitive Mission Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling hovering UAVs require significant skill and training, making it difficult for users with little or no experience to effectively operate them, especially when dealing with multiple UAVs or complex missions.

Innovation Solution

A simplified control method and system that allows for intuitive mission planning, execution, and review, enabling users to control single or multiple UAVs with varying autonomy levels, using a flexible interface that supports various input methods and devices, including smartphones and tablets, with features like boundary setting, route designation, and automatic avoidance of restricted areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual control of hovering UAV is used, then precise control and stabilization are achieved, but it requires great skill and training and constant undivided attention from the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiduser skill requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The UAV system performs self-stabilization and self-maintenance of flight through automated control algorithms. The flight control system continuously adjusts rotor thrusts to maintain stable hovering and navigation without requiring constant manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in maintaining flight stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct manual mechanical control with automated electronic control systems. The flight control computer processes sensor data and generates control commands electronically, substituting the need for manual mechanical manipulation of controls by the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If automated flight control is used, then user skill requirement is reduced, but directing the course of the UAV remains challenging and requires skill and training

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser skill requirementVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface is designed to be universal and adaptable to users with varying levels of expertise. It provides multiple operational modes and control methods that can be selected based on the mission requirements and user preference, making the system accessible to both novice and experienced operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows pre-planning of flight paths, waypoints, and mission parameters before actual flight execution. This preliminary configuration reduces the complexity of real-time control decisions during flight, as the basic flight plan is already established and the system can execute it with minimal intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If control of multiple UAVs is implemented, then operational versatility is improved, but control interface complexity and difficulty of management increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-UAV operational capabilityVSAvoidcontrol interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system divides the management of multiple UAVs into separate, independently controllable modules. Each UAV can be controlled individually through the same interface, and the system allows switching between different UAVs and their respective control modes without requiring a completely different interface for each vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple control functions and UAV management capabilities into a single integrated control interface. This unified interface consolidates the control of multiple UAVs, mission planning, and system configuration into one system, reducing the overall complexity compared to having separate control systems for each UAV.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If complex mission planning features are added, then operational capability is improved, but ease of use and quick modification ability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemission planning capabilityVSAvoidmission setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mission planning system is designed to be dynamic and flexible, allowing users to modify mission parameters, waypoints, and constraints in real-time both before and during flight execution. The interface adapts to user inputs and provides immediate feedback, enabling quick adjustments without requiring complex reconfiguration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8521339B2Method and system for directing unmanned vehicles

Publication Date: 2013.08.27 AERYON LABS

AI summary

A method of remotely controlling an aerial vehicle within an environment, including providing a control station in communication with the aerial vehicle, providing a map of the environment, receiving target world coordinates for the aerial vehicle within the environment, determining a desired velocity vector to direct the aerial vehicle to the target world coordinates at a speed proportional to the distance between the aerial vehicle and the target world coordinates, and directing the aerial vehicle along the desired velocity vector until the aerial vehicle reaches the target world coordinates.