UAV Release Place Setting Using User-Side Optical Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In disaster scenarios, it is challenging to secure a safe landing and release location for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to deliver articles, as existing methods may fail to identify suitable ground locations efficiently.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system involving a UAV, user terminal, and management server collaborate to efficiently set a release place by sensing the environment, identifying suitable areas using optical sensors, and setting release criteria to ensure safe landing and delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a predetermined information processing device selects a candidate area from map information and causes an unmanned aerial vehicle to fly over and sense the area, then the search for a release place can be conducted, but the search may be futile if no suitable place exists in the candidate area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of release place identificationVSAvoidtime for futile search
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the information processing device analyze map information and identify candidate areas before the unmanned aerial vehicle conducts sensing. This pre-screening process filters out unsuitable areas in advance, ensuring that the vehicle only searches regions with potential release locations, thereby preventing futile searches and saving time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If an unmanned aerial vehicle performs sensing from the sky while flying at a predetermined speed, then the search can be conducted, but there is a possibility that a suitable release place may not be found due to limitations in the sensing method

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch efficiencyVSAvoiddetection accuracy of release place
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the search process into two distinct phases: a preliminary analysis phase where map information is processed to identify candidate areas, and a sensing phase where the unmanned aerial vehicle flies over these pre-identified areas to confirm suitable release places. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both search efficiency through targeted sensing and detection accuracy by focusing resources on promising locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a take-off/landing facility is secured in advance, then safety is ensured, but it is difficult to secure such a facility in disaster evacuation areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of article releaseVSAvoidadaptability to disaster scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an information processing device as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the need for safe release places and the lack of pre-established facilities in disaster areas. This device analyzes map information to identify suitable candidate areas and guides the unmanned aerial vehicle to conduct sensing only in these areas, thereby ensuring safety through systematic evaluation while adapting to the unique constraints of disaster scenarios where traditional facilities cannot be secured in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4201820B1Information processing system, method for setting release place, and program
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 RAKUTEN GROUP INC
  • EP4201820B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4201820B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4201820B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The article transportation system S acquires first sensing information obtained by sensing a peripheral area around a user including a release candidate place with an optical sensor 23 of a user terminal 2 and the position information of the user terminal 2. Then, the article transportation system S determines whether the release candidate place satisfies one or more application conditions on the basis of the first sensing information, and in a case where it is determined that the release candidate place satisfies the one or more application conditions, sets a release place suitable for releasing an article from an UAV 1 on the basis of the release candidate place and the position information of the user terminal 2.