UAV Flight Path Control for Dynamic Object Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flight control systems for aerial vehicles require significant manual input and aviation experience, struggle with tracking objects that dynamically change shape, size, or orientation, and are inadequate in environments with obstacles or poor GPS signal reception.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses intuitive human-system interfaces to control aerial vehicles, allowing automatic flight paths defined by object parameters and obstacle avoidance, using imaging devices and GPS for precise tracking and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual flight control is used, then the aerial vehicle can be operated with existing control systems, but the operator requires aviation experience and significant manual input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that translates simple user inputs (dragging a cursor on a display screen) into complex flight control commands. This intermediary layer handles the computational complexity of trajectory generation, obstacle avoidance, and real-time path adjustment, while the user interacts with an intuitive graphical interface, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and control complexity.
2Extent of automation
If automatic tracking is used, then the aerial vehicle can automatically follow the target object, but it struggles when the target object changes position, shape, size, or orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic trajectory generation that continuously adapts to changes in the target object's position, shape, size, and orientation. The system recalculates flight paths in real-time based on updated target parameters, allowing the aerial vehicle to maintain accurate tracking despite dynamic changes. This dynamic adaptation capability enables high automation while maintaining versatility across varying target conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs continuous feedback loops where the aerial vehicle's position, the target object's characteristics, and the current trajectory are constantly monitored and adjusted. This feedback mechanism allows the automatic tracking system to respond to dynamic changes by regenerating appropriate flight paths, thereby maintaining both high automation levels and adaptability to changing conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex flight trajectories are used, then the aerial vehicle can fly around dynamically changing objects, but significant manual input is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the aerial vehicle to autonomously generate and adjust its own flight trajectories based on target object characteristics and environmental conditions. The system performs self-service by automatically calculating complex paths, adjusting for dynamic changes, and executing maneuvers without requiring significant manual input from the operator. This autonomy maintains high trajectory flexibility while dramatically reducing operational complexity.
4Reliability
If GPS-based control is used, then navigation can be implemented, but it is inadequate in environments with poor GPS signal reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional navigation system that can operate using multiple methods depending on environmental conditions. When GPS signals are available, the system uses GPS-based navigation; when GPS signals are poor or unavailable, it transitions to alternative methods such as visual tracking of the target object, inertial navigation, or terrain-relative navigation. This universal approach ensures reliable navigation across diverse environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between navigation reliability and environmental adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an image analyzer and a motion controller in communication with the image analyzer. The image analyzer is configured to receive an image captured by an imaging device coupled to a movable object and analyze the image to determine one or more parameters of a target object in the image. The motion controller is configured to receive input signals indicating one or more motion characteristics of the movable object and one or more motion path parameters, determine a motion path for the movable object to travel based on the one or more parameters of the target object and the one or more motion path parameters, and generate control signals to adjust at least one of a velocity, an acceleration, an altitude, an attitude, or an orientation of the movable object while the movable object is traveling along the motion path based on the one or more motion characteristics.