UAV Image Capture Control for Pre-Registered Subject Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image capturing systems using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) struggle to efficiently capture images of pre-registered subjects, particularly in scenarios involving multiple vehicles or pedestrians, due to limitations in determining subject presence and controlling image capture timing.

Innovation Solution

An image capturing system that includes an UAV equipped with an image capturing unit and a control device capable of communicating with the UAV and pre-registered subject terminals. The control device registers subject information, determines subject presence using location data and map information, and generates control signals to instruct the UAV on when to capture images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an autonomous flight robot captures images of unspecified intruders or moving objects, then crime prevention capability is improved, but the ability to capture specific pre-registered subjects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrime prevention capabilityVSAvoidsubject identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the image capture function into two modes: autonomous capture of unspecified objects and controlled capture of pre-registered subjects. The control device separates subject management (registration, location tracking) from image capture execution, allowing precise targeting of specific subjects while maintaining the ability to capture intruders independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary registration of target subjects with their location information before actual image capture. This advance preparation enables the control device to quickly determine subject presence and trigger precise image capture when subjects enter predetermined areas, without compromising the autonomous robot's ability to detect unspecified objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the unmanned aerial vehicle continuously captures images to ensure capturing pre-registered subjects, then image capture reliability is improved, but energy consumption and loss of time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage capture reliabilityVSAvoidimage capture time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors location information of pre-registered subjects and provides feedback to determine when subjects enter predetermined image capture areas. This feedback mechanism triggers image capture only when necessary, ensuring reliable capture of subjects while avoiding continuous operation that would waste time and energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous image capture, the system uses periodic location information updates from terminals to determine subject presence. Image capture is triggered periodically only when location data indicates subjects are within the predetermined area, reducing overall capture time and energy consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If the system uses location information from terminals to determine subject presence, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubject presence detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device acts as an intermediary between terminal devices (which provide location information) and the unmanned aerial vehicle (which performs image capture). This intermediary manages the complexity by centralizing subject registration, location monitoring, and capture decision-making, while terminals and UAV maintain relatively simple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12307705B2Image capturing system, control device, control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An image capturing system comprises: an unmanned aerial vehicle including an image capturing unit capable of capturing an image of a subject in a flight state; and a control device capable of communicating with a terminal of the subject and the unmanned aerial vehicle. The control device includes: a storage unit configured to register subject information in which the subject is set as a target to be captured; a determination unit configured to determine whether the subject is present in a predetermined image capturing area; a signal generation unit configured to generate a control signal that controls the image capturing unit; and a communication control unit configured to transmit the subject information and the control signal to the unmanned aerial vehicle.