UAV Route Planning Using Layered Altitude Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current safety regulations for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are inadequate for autonomous flight in invisible areas, such as those with poor visibility due to night, fog, or military security zones, as they rely on pilot visual inspection and cognitive capabilities, leading to increased accident risks.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that uses scanning data to extract height information and analyze image resolution changes, correcting radio altitude sensor values to establish a safe autonomous flight route by shaping the flight space as layers, identifying objects, and verifying flight paths through surface image data and LiDAR technology.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current safety regulations relying on pilot visual inspection are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but safety and reliability deteriorate in invisible areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of pilot visual inspection with an automated optical measurement system. The imaging device captures images of ground objects, and the processor automatically analyzes image resolution changes to determine altitude, substituting human cognitive capabilities with machine-based optical measurement and data processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The unmanned aerial vehicle performs self-measurement of altitude by using its own imaging device to capture ground object images and processing the resolution changes. The system serves itself by autonomously determining flight parameters without requiring external pilot intervention or additional specialized sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If autonomous flight in invisible areas is enabled, then operational versatility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of visual reference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational rangeVSAvoidaltitude measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from image resolution measurements to determine and maintain accurate altitude. By continuously capturing images of ground objects and analyzing the resolution changes, the system creates a feedback loop that provides precise altitude information even in invisible areas where traditional visual reference is unavailable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging device serves multiple functions: it captures images for visual recording purposes and simultaneously functions as an altitude measurement sensor by analyzing ground object resolution. This multi-functionality enables the same device to support both operational versatility in invisible areas and precise measurement requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If radio altitude sensor values are used directly, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to calibration errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealtitude measurement accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces image resolution analysis as an intermediary measurement method between the radio altitude sensor and the final altitude determination. Instead of directly using radio altitude sensor values, the system uses ground object image resolution as an intermediate reference that can be cross-checked against sensor data, improving precision while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables safe autonomous flight in invisible areas by accurately determining altitude and obstacle positions, minimizing risks of collisions and ensuring compliance with safety regulations, even in challenging environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

collecting surface image data for a flight route from the shaped layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

obtain a point cloud of an object scanned by a surface scanning device loaded into an aircraft which captures the earth's surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection and ranging: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentUS20250021103A1Method and System for Providing Route of Unmanned Air Vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 THINKWARE

AI summary

A method and a system for establishing a route of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The method includes identifying an object from surface scanning data and shaping a space, which facilitates autonomous flight, as a layer, collecting surface image data for a flight path from the shaped layer, and analyzing a change in image resolution according to a distance from the object through the collected surface image data and extracting an altitude value on a flight route.