UAV Dual-Path Image Processing for Video and Photo Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing methods for UAVs prioritize good image quality for video files over picture files, compromising the quality of picture files.

Innovation Solution

The digital image signal is split into two paths, with separate image processing performed on each path to obtain high-quality video and picture files, utilizing different compression methods for each path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If image data is transmitted in original resolution, then image quality is maintained, but power consumption increases and transmission time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of image data by performing selective thinning in the frequency domain (transform domain). Instead of transmitting all frequency components, high-frequency components are selectively removed or reduced, thereby reducing data volume and power consumption while maintaining the essential visual quality of the image through intelligent frequency selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If image data is transmitted in original resolution, then image quality is maintained, but transmission time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms image data from spatial domain to frequency domain and selectively reduces high-frequency components. This parameter transformation allows significant data thinning (reducing transmission time) while preserving the low-frequency components that contain the most visually important information, thus maintaining perceived image quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If image data is thinned in spatial domain, then data volume is reduced, but image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata volumeVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces spatial domain thinning (mechanical/cut-based approach) with frequency domain processing. By transforming to the frequency domain, the system can selectively remove high-frequency components that contribute less to perceived image quality, achieving data volume reduction without the quality loss that would result from simple spatial domain subsampling or cropping

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If comprehensive image data is transmitted, then processing accuracy is improved, but communication bandwidth requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing accuracyVSAvoidcommunication bandwidth requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the representation parameters of image data by working in the frequency domain rather than spatial domain. This allows selective transmission of frequency components based on their importance, reducing the total data volume and bandwidth requirements while maintaining processing accuracy for the most critical image features contained in the low-frequency components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3893489B1Image processing method, controller, image acquisition apparatus, unmanned aerial vehicle and readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 AUTEL ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP3893489B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3893489B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3893489B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image processing method, apparatus and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The image processing method includes: converting an original image signal obtained by a camera apparatus to a digital image signal; splitting the digital image signal into two paths; performing image processing on one of the two paths of the digital image signal to obtain first image data and then performing compression processing on the first image data to obtain a video file; and performing image processing on the other of the two paths of the digital image signal to obtain second image data and then performing compression processing on the second image data to obtain a picture file. By means of the embodiments of the present invention, the digital image signal is split into two paths, on which image processing is performed separately to obtain the video file and the picture file. Performing image processing separately on the two paths of the digital image signal can satisfy quality requirements for both the video file and the picture file and ensure image quality of the video file and the picture file.