UAV Image-Guided Landing on Dynamic Targets Without GPS

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies require external measurement apparatuses and pre-input image information to land on dynamic targets, limiting their ability to adapt to changing targets and environments without sufficient energy or proper motion form.

Innovation Solution

A method for an aerial vehicle to autonomously track and land on dynamic targets using real-time image data from an on-board device, determining energy sufficiency and adjusting flight parameters to maintain target centering within a secure vision angle, allowing for precise landing without pre-measured motion or external devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If external measurement apparatus (GPS) and pre-input image information are used to land on dynamic targets, then landing precision is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelanding precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the external measurement apparatus (GPS) and pre-input image information requirements from the landing system. The aerial vehicle achieves precise landing on dynamic targets using only its own onboard imaging device and processing capabilities, eliminating the need for external aids and reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The aerial vehicle serves itself by using its own onboard image device to capture, process, and track the dynamic target. The system performs self-navigation and self-landing through onboard image processing algorithms that calculate position, velocity, and landing parameters without external measurement devices or pre-input data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If external measurement apparatus and pre-input image information are used, then landing precision is improved, but adaptability to changing targets and environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelanding precisionVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic tracking system where the aerial vehicle continuously captures real-time images of the dynamic target and updates its position and velocity calculations throughout the flight. The image processing algorithms dynamically adjust to the target's motion, allowing the system to adapt to changing targets and environments while maintaining landing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the dynamic target's position through onboard imaging and adjusting the flight path in real-time. The image processing results provide continuous feedback on target location and motion, enabling the aerial vehicle to adapt its navigation and landing approach based on current conditions rather than relying on pre-input information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the aerial vehicle continuously tracks and adjusts flight parameters to maintain target centering, then landing precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelanding precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by implementing continuous image processing and tracking only during the critical landing phase rather than throughout the entire flight. The system captures images at specific intervals and processes them to calculate landing parameters, performing sufficient tracking to achieve precision landing while avoiding excessive energy consumption from continuous full-scale processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3480118B1Aerial vehicle landing method
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 AUTEL ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP3480118B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3480118B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3480118B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to an aerial vehicle landing method, an aerial vehicle, and a computer readable storage medium. The present invention has no requirement on a motion form of a dynamic target and whether a measurement device is equipped, and does not require that a feature image of a target is obtained in advance either. Instead, motion information of a target is obtained by means of desirable tracking real-timeness of an on-board image device. Therefore, it is ensured that the aerial vehicle can reach a location near the target, and this process allows the dynamic target to have a complex motion form. Desirable tracking real-timeness allows an aerial vehicle to change a target at any flight time point, and continuous tracking and precise landing can be achieved.