UAV Ground Control Point Marking for Aerial Survey

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Solution Overview

Problem

Establishing ground control points for aerial surveys is labor-intensive, error-prone, and can be dangerous, especially in hard-to-reach locations, due to the need for human intervention with survey-grade GNSS receivers.

Innovation Solution

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used to mark ground control points and collect GNSS data, either by generating a mark on the ground or displaying a visible marker, allowing for precise localization and reducing human involvement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If human beings use survey-grade GNSS receivers to establish ground control points, then precise localization can be achieved, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization precisionVSAvoidestablishment speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses automated drone vehicles to perform ground control point establishment without human intervention. The drones autonomously navigate to target locations, deploy markers, and collect GNSS data, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating manual labor while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of establishing ground control points with an automated aerial system. Drones equipped with GNSS receivers and marker deployment mechanisms automate the entire process, substituting human-operated equipment with autonomous robotic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If human beings manually place marks at ground control points, then localization can be established, but errors are introduced in mark placement and correlation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemark placement accuracyVSAvoidtime for mark placement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drone system autonomously deploys markers at precisely calculated locations based on GNSS data. The automated marker placement eliminates human error in positioning and ensures consistent, accurate mark placement without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses standardized, pre-fabricated markers with known geometric properties that can be reliably detected and correlated. These standardized markers replace variable manual markings, ensuring consistency and reducing errors in image correlation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If ground control points are marked on the ground surface, then localization reference can be provided, but the marks can be lost due to ongoing work at the worksite

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground control point visibilityVSAvoidmark durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static ground markers to dynamic aerial markers. Drones can reposition markers or provide alternative marking locations as needed, and the system can adapt to changing site conditions, ensuring markers remain visible and usable throughout the survey period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces aerial markers that float or hover above the ground surface, moving the marking function from the two-dimensional ground plane to the three-dimensional space above it. This elevates markers above ground-based disturbances while maintaining their localization function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Measurement precision

If human beings access remote or hazardous locations to establish ground control points, then precise localization can be achieved, but safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground control point localizationVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drone acts as an intermediary between the survey system and hazardous locations. The autonomous vehicle can safely access remote, dangerous, or inaccessible areas to deploy markers and collect data, eliminating the need for human presence in harmful environments while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This method significantly reduces the time and errors associated with establishing ground control points, enhances safety by eliminating the need for human access to hazardous locations, and increases the accuracy and efficiency of the process.

Implementation Method 1

The UAV remains at the ground control point and collects GNSS data to localize the point

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System):

Data Source

PatentUS10831199B2Using unmanned aerial vehicles to provide ground control points for aerial survey

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 DEERE & CO

AI summary

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flies to a location of a ground control point, and provides a mark for imaging by an aerial vehicle. The UAV remains at the ground control point and collects GNSS data to localize the point. The ground control point may be marked on the ground by the UAV, or it may be on an upper surface of the UAV that is visible to the aerial vehicle.