UAV Target Tracking With Feedback Control for Single-User Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual tracking of targets by small-sized aerial vehicles is challenging, especially when targets are moving quickly or partially obscured, requiring dedicated operators for navigation and camera control, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system that receives target information from a remote user, allowing it to automatically or semi-automatically track targets by adjusting its flight path and imaging device, maintaining the target's position and size within captured images using processors and receivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracking control is used by dedicated operators, then tracking accuracy is improved, but operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service tracking by implementing automatic target tracking functionality that operates autonomously without requiring dedicated manual operators. The aerial vehicle automatically adjusts its flight path and imaging device orientation to maintain the target within the field of view, eliminating the need for human operators to continuously control tracking while maintaining accurate target acquisition.
2Measurement precision
If manual tracking control is used by dedicated operators, then tracking accuracy is improved, but resource cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for dedicated human operators by implementing autonomous tracking capabilities. The aerial vehicle automatically processes target information, calculates required adjustments, and executes flight path and imaging device control independently, thereby reducing operational costs while maintaining tracking precision.
3Device complexity
If automatic tracking is implemented, then operational complexity is reduced, but tracking precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the aerial vehicle continuously monitors target position within the field of view and automatically calculates corrective adjustments. The processor receives target information, determines deviations from the desired target position, and generates control commands to restore proper targeting, thereby maintaining precision through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical control operations with automated computational processing. Instead of human operators manually adjusting controls, the processor automatically processes target information, calculates flight path adjustments, and controls the imaging device positioning, substituting mechanical human operation with automated electronic control systems.
4Quantity of substance
If single-user control is implemented, then resource efficiency is improved, but control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control functions into distinct autonomous modules: navigation control, target acquisition, and imaging device positioning. Each module operates independently based on processed target information, allowing a single operator to manage the overall mission while the system autonomously handles complex coordination between multiple control functions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices related to target tracking by UAVs. The UAV may be configured to receive target information from a control terminal related to a target to be tracked by an imaging device coupled to the UAV. The target information may be used by the UAV to automatically track the target so as to maintain predetermined position and/or size of the target within one or more images captured by the imaging device. The control terminal may be configured to display images from the imaging device as well as allowing user input related to the target information.