UAV 3D Scan Volume Control for Complex Surface Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) require human pilots for capturing images of objects, making it tedious to capture images of surfaces at desired distances and resolutions, especially for complex geometries with concavities, irregular surfaces, and asymmetric features.
Innovation Solution
The UAV is configured to autonomously scan three-dimensional targets by dividing them into slices and determining contour paths, using a coordinate system to capture images methodically along virtual contours at a selected distance, allowing for optimal speed and image capture intervals while avoiding obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If human pilots manually control UAVs to capture images, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming for capturing surfaces at desired distances and resolutions
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system performs self-service through autonomous operation. The processor automatically determines contour paths, calculates optimal flight parameters, and controls the UAV to capture images without human intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously navigating complex geometries, adjusting distances, and selecting capture intervals based on the three-dimensional model and desired resolution parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by first generating a three-dimensional model of the target object and determining its contour paths before actual image capture begins. The processor pre-calculates optimal flight distances, capture intervals, and navigation routes based on the geometric complexity of the target, allowing the UAV to execute the pre-planned autonomous capture sequence efficiently.
2Measurement precision
If the UAV captures images at closer distances for higher resolution, then image quality improves, but the risk of collision with obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by varying the capture distance dynamically based on local geometric features. The processor analyzes the three-dimensional model to identify concavities, protrusions, and surface complexity at different locations, then adjusts the UAV's flight distance accordingly - capturing closer to surfaces requiring high resolution while maintaining safer distances in complex or obstructed areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the generated three-dimensional model and contour path data to adjust flight parameters in real-time. The processor evaluates the geometric complexity and surface characteristics of the target, providing feedback that determines optimal capture distances and intervals, thereby balancing image resolution requirements with collision avoidance.
3Manufacturing precision
If the UAV flies slower to capture images at regular intervals, then image capture accuracy improves, but the overall scanning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamics by making the UAV's flight speed variable rather than constant. The processor dynamically adjusts the capture interval and flight speed based on the geometric complexity of different target regions - using slower speeds and shorter intervals for complex areas requiring high precision, and faster speeds with longer intervals for simpler surfaces, thereby optimizing both accuracy and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the target surface into distinct regions based on geometric complexity. The processor segments the three-dimensional model into areas of high and low complexity, then applies different capture strategies to each segment - high-precision slow capture for complex geometries and efficient faster capture for simple surfaces - improving overall scanning productivity while maintaining necessary accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a computing apparatus may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more processors, direct the computing apparatus to perform various steps. For example, the program instructions may continually present a graphical user interface (GUI) at the computing apparatus including a display of a current view of the physical environment from a perspective of an aerial vehicle. The program instructions may detect user interactions with the GUI while the aerial vehicle is in flight. The user interactions may include instructions directing the aerial vehicle to maneuver within the physical environment and configure parameters for scanning a three-dimensional (3D) scan volume. The program instruction may then transmit, to the aerial vehicle, data encoding the instructions for performing a 3D scan of the 3D scan volume.