UAV Search Pattern and Image Matching for Target Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face limitations in effectively locating targets during search and rescue operations due to device or operator error, often requiring significant pilot intervention.

Innovation Solution

A UAV system equipped with a camera and logic devices for autonomous flight and image processing, capable of calculating flight patterns, capturing images, and analyzing them to identify targets with minimal pilot intervention using template matching algorithms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a UAV is used to cover a large search area, then the search coverage is improved, but the ability to effectively locate a target deteriorates due to device or operator error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch area coverageVSAvoidtarget location accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The UAV system performs self-service through autonomous operation. The flight module automatically calculates and executes search patterns without pilot intervention, and the imagery module autonomously analyzes captured images to identify targets. This eliminates operator error and allows the system to reliably cover large areas while maintaining high target location accuracy through automated image processing and template matching algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a pilot manually locates the target while viewing a video feed, then the target identification can be performed, but the operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget identification capabilityVSAvoidsearch time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual visual inspection by pilots with an automated image processing system. The imagery module uses template matching algorithms and computer vision to automatically analyze captured images and identify targets, substituting human operators with automated computational processes. This significantly reduces search time while maintaining or improving target identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If significant pilot intervention is required for target location, then the search operation can be performed, but the automation level and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch operation efficiencyVSAvoidpilot intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The UAV system achieves high automation through self-service capabilities. The flight module autonomously navigates and captures images along calculated search patterns, while the imagery module automatically processes and analyzes images to identify targets. This eliminates the need for continuous pilot intervention, significantly improving search operation efficiency and productivity while maintaining high extent of automation throughout the entire search process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12417710B2Unmanned aerial vehicle search and rescue systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 AERYON LABS

AI summary

Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) search and rescue operations are provided. A UAV may include a camera configured to capture one or more images of a search area. The UAV may include at least one logic device configured to calculate a flight pattern for searching the search area, receive a target image, and analyze the one or more images of the search area to identify a target matching the target image.