Disaster Response UAV Mapping and NLP Relief Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in rapidly and accurately assessing disaster damage and coordinating effective relief activities due to delays in manual reporting, lack of real-time communication, and inefficient resource allocation, especially in large-scale disasters.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles to collect image and video data, generate three-dimensional damage assessments, and distribute countermeasure instructions, incorporating natural language processing to receive user inputs and optimize relief routes, leveraging generative AI for real-time decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual reporting and assessment methods are used for disaster damage evaluation, then system complexity is reduced, but response time and accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical reporting systems with an automated digital system comprising UAVs for aerial imaging, satellite imagery acquisition, AI-based image processing, and automated damage assessment algorithms. This substitution eliminates manual field reporting while dramatically reducing response time and improving assessment accuracy through rapid automated analysis of disaster-affected areas.

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

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive real-time data collection from multiple sources is implemented, then information accuracy is improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple data collection sources (UAV aerial imaging, satellite imagery, ground sensor networks, and social media data) into a unified disaster assessment platform. The system integrates these diverse data streams through centralized processing infrastructure, enabling comprehensive real-time monitoring while managing complexity through standardized data interfaces and unified analysis algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary AI-based image processing system that acts as a mediator between raw data collection (from UAVs, satellites, and sensors) and damage assessment outputs. This intermediary layer automatically processes, validates, and standardizes data from multiple sources, improving information accuracy while shielding the overall system from the complexity of handling heterogeneous data formats and processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If automated image analysis and three-dimensional mapping are performed, then damage assessment accuracy is improved, but computational resources and processing time requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage assessment accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary processing of aerial and satellite images during data acquisition phases, pre-identifying potential damage areas and extracting key features before comprehensive analysis. By conducting initial image filtering, segmentation, and feature extraction in advance, the system reduces the computational burden during final damage assessment while maintaining high accuracy in three-dimensional mapping and damage quantification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If real-time communication channels and information distribution systems are established, then coordination efficiency is improved, but infrastructure requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordination efficiencyVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal communication platform that serves multiple functions: real-time damage assessment data distribution, coordination of relief operations, resource allocation management, and stakeholder information sharing. This multi-functional system improves coordination efficiency across diverse users (rescue teams, government agencies, NGOs) while reducing overall infrastructure requirements by consolidating communication needs into a single integrated platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260057468A1System
Publication Date: 2026.02.26 SOFTBANK GROUP CORP
  • US20260057468A1 patent drawing
  • US20260057468A1 patent drawing
  • US20260057468A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system includes a processor that is configured to detect occurrence of a disaster, activate a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles and collect image and video data of a disaster-affected area, analyze the collected image and video data and generate a damage assessment as a three-dimensional map, visualize the generated three-dimensional map and distribute countermeasure instructions, receive information from residents of shelters and rescue workers, and extract important information by natural language analysis, and determine rescue activity instructions and support goods transport routes based on the extracted information.