UAV Autonomous Perpendicular Imaging for Structure Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing structures, such as those required for insurance claims or solar panel installations, rely on trained technicians physically visiting sites, which is laborious, dangerous, and lacks uniformity, and semi-autonomous UAVs fail to capture comprehensive images.
Innovation Solution
A UAV assessment and reporting system that uses a site selection interface, boustrophedonic, loop, and micro scans to capture high-resolution images autonomously, eliminating the need for on-site technicians by identifying geographic boundaries, hazards, and adjusting flight patterns to ensure comprehensive and methodical data capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If trained technicians physically visit sites for structure assessment, then comprehensive data can be captured through manual inspection, but the process becomes laborious, dangerous, and lacks uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous operation where the UAV automatically navigates to the structure, performs multi-pattern scanning (boustrophedonic, loop, and micro scans), captures images, and processes data without requiring trained technicians to physically visit the site. The UAV self-manages the entire assessment workflow, eliminating manual inspection while maintaining comprehensive data capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual inspection by technicians with an automated UAV-based imaging system. The UAV uses automated navigation, computer vision, and algorithmic image processing to substitute human technicians' physical assessment activities, thereby eliminating laborious manual work while maintaining or improving data quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If semi-autonomous UAVs are used for structure assessment, then technician safety is improved, but comprehensive image capture is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image capture process into three distinct flight patterns: (1) boustrophedonic scan for broad area coverage, (2) loop scan for perimeter and elevation data, and (3) micro scan for detailed close-up images. This segmentation ensures comprehensive image capture from multiple perspectives and distances, achieving complete structural documentation that semi-autonomous systems miss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between different flight patterns and altitudes during the assessment mission. The UAV adjusts its flight path, height, and scanning parameters in real-time based on the assessment requirements, enabling comprehensive data collection from various perspectives while maintaining autonomous operation and ensuring complete image coverage.
3Loss of information
If multiple flight patterns are used for comprehensive scanning, then data completeness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional UAV system capable of performing three distinct flight patterns (boustrophedonic, loop, and micro scans) using a single integrated platform. The system universally handles different scanning requirements through one versatile UAV that can dynamically switch between modes, avoiding the need for multiple specialized devices while achieving comprehensive data collection.
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assessment and reporting system may utilize one or more scanning techniques to provide useful assessments and/or reports for structures and other objects. The scanning techniques may be performed in sequence and optionally used to further fine tune each subsequent scan. The system may include shadow elimination, annotation, and/or reduction for the UAV itself and/or other objects. A UAV may receive or determine a pitch of roof of a structure. The pitch of the roof may be used to capture perpendicular images of sample regions that have a defined area-squared.