UAV Control Stick with GUI Feedback for Robust Portability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional joysticks for controlling UAVs are bulky and have a weak joint, making them unsuitable for portable use in the field, and lack feedback on current control signals, posing a risk during tactical operations where stealth and surprise are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A remote control system featuring a control stick with opposite effecting buttons and a graphical user interface (GUI) displaying aircraft symbols and directional speed symbols, allowing for stepwise shifting of aircraft speeds without requiring spatial positioning, providing intuitive feedback on current steering control status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional joystick with a joint is used for UAV control, then the operator receives spatial position feedback of the control signal, but the device becomes bulky and the joint becomes a weak point exposed to damages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mechanical joint from the joystick structure, extracting the problematic component that caused reliability issues. The control stick is redesigned without a joint, eliminating the weak point while maintaining control functionality through alternative feedback mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control stick is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides direct control input, displays directional information through its orientation, and eliminates the need for separate mechanical feedback components. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while improving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional joystick is used for UAV control, then the operator receives feedback of the current control signal impact on the aircraft, but the device requires horizontal stationary placement which limits portability
Solution Approach 1:
The joystick is transformed from a static device requiring horizontal placement to a dynamic device that can be held and oriented in various positions. The control stick can now be manipulated freely in three-dimensional space while maintaining operational capability and providing feedback through its spatial orientation rather than fixed positional references.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a one-hand joystick with buttons is used for UAV control, then the device becomes more portable and easier to operate, but the spatial position of the joystick no longer gives feedback to the operator about current commanded speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a visual feedback system where directional speed symbols are displayed on the screen to indicate the current commanded speed and direction. This compensates for the loss of spatial feedback from the traditional joystick position, allowing operators to monitor control signals without relying on the physical orientation of the control device.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen acts as an intermediary between the control stick and the operator's perception. Instead of relying on direct spatial feedback from the joystick, the system uses visual symbols on the display to convey information about commanded speed and direction, bridging the gap between control input and operator awareness.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention discloses a control interface for controlling an UAV formed by a bar with buttons on the bar head and a GUI displaying airplane like icons providing feedback of current steering control status of the UAV.