UAV Image Geo-Referencing for Boundary-Limited Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) face challenges in processing and retrieving diverse images and sensor data from various unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), due to differences in data formats and transmission methods, necessitating systems and methods to standardize and geo-reference this data for effective retrieval and display.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to determine flight plans for UAVs to capture images within specific geographic boundaries, receive and geo-reference aerial images, and transform non-standard metadata into a standardized format for storage and retrieval, allowing users to select and display relevant images based on geographic coordinates and metadata.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If diverse UAVs with different data formats and transmission methods are used to capture images, then the versatility and adaptability of the system increases, but the complexity of processing and retrieving the data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary component that receives, processes, and standardizes data from multiple diverse UAVs. This server acts as a mediator between the heterogeneous UAVs and the retrieval system, converting various data formats into a unified structure that simplifies processing and retrieval operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the data format parameter from diverse, UAV-specific formats into a standardized format through processing on the server. This parameter change enables consistent retrieval and display of images regardless of their source UAV type, resolving the complexity issue while maintaining versatility.
2Quantity of substance
If images are captured from multiple diverse UAVs with varying formats, then the quantity and variety of aerial images increases, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the data for retrieval increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing and standardization of image data on the server before the retrieval phase. By pre-converting diverse formats into a unified structure and organizing data with proper metadata, the system eliminates the need for complex format detection and conversion during retrieval operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of detecting and measuring diverse data formats, shielding the retrieval system from these complexities. The server detects, measures, and standardizes all incoming data, presenting a uniform interface for subsequent retrieval operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no standardized format is used for storing image data and metadata, then the adaptability to accommodate different UAV formats is maintained, but the efficiency of retrieving and displaying images decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The server serves as an intermediary that maintains adaptability on the input side by accepting diverse UAV formats, while simultaneously providing standardization on the output side for efficient retrieval. This dual role preserves versatility while enabling high-speed, standardized access to images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the data format parameter from diverse source formats to a standardized storage format through server-side processing. This parameter transformation maintains the ability to accept any input format while optimizing retrieval efficiency through consistent, standardized data structures.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for taking, processing, retrieving, and/or displaying images from unmanned aerial vehicles are disclosed, including an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: an image capture device; and a controller configured to: determine a flight plan of the unmanned aerial vehicle, the flight plan configured such that the unmanned aerial vehicle and fields of view of the image capture device are restricted to a geographic area within boundaries of a geographic location identified by coordinates of the geographic location; execute the flight plan; and capture, with the image capture device, one or more aerial images restricted to fields of view within the boundaries of the geographic location while executing the flight plan, such that items outside of the boundaries are not captured in the one or more aerial images.