UAV Command Interface Using Slider Confirmation for Flight Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unintentional or accidental start and termination of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flights pose risks of injury or damage due to the use of single-button controllers, which can lead to unsafe operations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system requiring dual or multiple actions, including the use of sliders, to initiate or terminate UAV flights, incorporating a controller with a processor and addressable memory to send commands to the UAV, and a UAV processor to determine flight status and execute commands based on sensor data, ensuring safe operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single button is used to control UAV operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to accidental commands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface is segmented into multiple independent activators (first activator and second activator) instead of using a single button. Each activator performs a distinct function in the command execution sequence, requiring multiple separate actions to complete a single operation. This segmentation prevents accidental activation while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive graphical interface design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple activators are required to send a command, then the reliability is improved by preventing accidental commands, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires preliminary selection of the first activator before the second activator can be activated. This staged approach ensures intentional command execution while providing visual feedback and confirmation at each step. The graphical user interface presents clear visual cues and requires deliberate sequential actions, making accidental activation unlikely while maintaining user-friendly operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3538965B1Safety system for operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 AEROVIRONMENT INC
  • EP3538965B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3538965B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3538965B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Systems, devices, and methods for a safety system including: selecting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) command (602, 604, 606) on a controller (104), the controller comprising a first processor (1324) with addressable memory (1327); presenting a first activator (430) and a second activator (420) on a display (400) of the controller for the selected UAV command, wherein the second activator is a slider (410); and sending the UAV command to a UAV (100) if the first activator and the second activator are selected, the UAV comprising a second processor (1324) with addressable memory (1327).