Dual-Camera UAV Target Tracking for Re-Locking Lost Targets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UAV target tracking methods fail to effectively track objects with rare features, small size, or those that are blocked, leading to loss of target during visual tracking.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a UAV equipped with both visible light and infrared cameras, where the cameras perform real-time tracking and re-locking based on each other's tracking information to maintain target acquisition, ensuring continuous tracking even when the target is lost in one camera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visible light camera is used for visual tracking, then tracking can be performed under normal lighting conditions, but target is easily lost when target has rare features, small size, or is shielded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines visible light camera and infrared camera into a unified tracking system. The visible light camera provides high-resolution visual tracking under normal conditions, while the infrared camera detects thermal radiation to track targets in low-visibility conditions. The system merges the capabilities of both cameras to achieve reliable tracking across diverse target conditions including rare features, small size, and shielded targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both visible light and infrared cameras. The visible light camera handles normal lighting conditions with high detail, while the infrared camera provides universal tracking capability across all lighting conditions by detecting thermal signatures. This universal system can adapt to various target types and environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If single camera is used for tracking, then device complexity is low, but tracking fails when target is lost in one camera
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges visible light camera and infrared camera into a coordinated tracking system. Both cameras operate simultaneously or alternatively to maintain continuous target acquisition. When one camera loses the target, the other camera provides backup tracking capability, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring while managing system complexity through integrated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by having both visible light and infrared cameras ready to provide backup tracking capability. If the primary tracking camera loses the target, the secondary camera with different detection principles is already positioned to immediately take over, preventing tracking failure before it occurs.
3Loss of information
If visible light camera performs visual tracking, then tracking information can be obtained, but target location is lost when target is blocked or has rare features
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared camera serves as an intermediary detection device when the visible light camera fails to detect the target. The infrared camera detects thermal radiation from the target, providing location information through a different physical modality. This intermediary system bridges the gap when direct visual detection fails due to blocking or rare features.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from visible light reflection to infrared thermal radiation detection. When the visible light camera cannot detect the target due to blocking or rare features, the system switches to infrared detection which measures thermal emission, a fundamentally different physical parameter that is not affected by visual occlusion or target appearance.
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
Improves target tracking performance and expands application scope by leveraging the complementary capabilities of visible light and infrared cameras to maintain target lock in various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
controlling the infrared camera to perform infrared tracking on a target object, and recording second tracking information of the target object in real time
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiment is a target tracking method. The method is applicable to a UAV including a visible light camera and an infrared camera, and includes: controlling the visible light camera to perform visual tracking on a target object, and recording first tracking information of the target object in real time; controlling the infrared camera to perform infrared tracking on the target object, and recording second tracking information of the target object in real time; controlling, in a case of determining that the target object is lost in the visible light camera, the visible light camera to re-lock the target object according to the second tracking information and continue to perform visual tracking; or controlling, in a case of determining that the target object is lost in the infrared camera, the infrared camera to re-lock the target object according to the first tracking information and continue to perform infrared tracking.