UAV Flight Route Segmentation for Autonomous Complex Missions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing UAV flight control technologies require real-time user intervention, limiting automation and intelligence, and are constrained by hardware limitations such as memory capacity and battery life, which prevents the execution of complex routes.

Innovation Solution

A flight control method and device that splits complex routes into sub-routes based on preset conditions, such as the number of waypoints or route length, to accommodate hardware limitations, allowing for autonomous execution and efficient task completion by multiple aircraft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If real-time user control is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but extent of automation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidextent of automation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the flight control process into autonomous route execution and user intervention phases. The flight control device automatically executes pre-set routes, performing flight tasks without real-time user control. Users can define routes in advance, and the system autonomously manages way 点 navigation, altitude control, and flight path execution, thereby reducing the need for continuous user input while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If complex routes are executed, then productivity is improved, but device complexity worsens due to hardware limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides complex routes into multiple sub-routes with manageable numbers of way 点. Each sub-route is executed sequentially, allowing the flight control device to handle intricate flight paths without overwhelming its memory or processing capabilities. This segmentation enables the execution of complex missions while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary route planning and decomposition before flight execution. The flight control device pre-processes complex routes into executable sub-routes, storing them in memory before the actual flight. This preliminary action allows the device to handle complex missions without requiring real-time computational complexity, as the route structure is prepared in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If route data is split into sub-routes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements route segmentation that enhances adaptability by allowing the flight control device to handle various route configurations. By dividing routes into sub-routes with configurable way 点 thresholds, the system can adapt to different mission requirements, aircraft types, and operational conditions. The segmentation logic itself remains relatively simple, managing complexity through structured decomposition rather than complex real-time processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11119506B2Flight control method and apparatus, and control device
Publication Date: 2021.09.14 SZ DJI TECH CO LTD
  • US11119506B2 patent drawing
  • US11119506B2 patent drawing
  • US11119506B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A flight control method includes obtaining route data for instructing an aircraft to fly on a route represented by the route data, analyzing the route data according to a preset splitting condition, splitting the route into multiple sub-routes in response to the route data satisfying the preset splitting condition, and determining a to-be-executed sub-route from the multiple sub-routes and transmitting the to-be-executed sub-route to the aircraft.