UAV Image Validation Using Thumbnail Transmission Over Cellular

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transmission of high-resolution images from drones via cellular networks faces challenges due to bandwidth limitations, leading to congestion, delayed or lost data, and high costs, especially when multiple drones are transmitting simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

Drones transmit a subset of lower resolution images, such as thumbnail images, over the cellular network during flight, while storing high-resolution images for later retrieval, allowing for periodic or on-demand transmission of these lower resolution images to the controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-resolution images are transmitted over cellular network, then image quality is improved, but bandwidth usage increases and congestion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidbandwidth usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments image transmission into two distinct streams: high-resolution images stored locally on the drone for later retrieval, and low-resolution thumbnail images transmitted in real-time over cellular network. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high image quality locally while reducing bandwidth consumption during transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the image data at different resolution levels. The full-resolution images are preserved on the drone's storage, while compressed thumbnail copies are transmitted over the cellular network for real-time monitoring. This copying approach maintains the original high-quality data while enabling efficient communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If multiple drones transmit images simultaneously, then data collection capability is improved, but network congestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection capabilityVSAvoidnetwork congestion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of transmitting all captured images, the patent applies partial action by sending only a subset of images (thumbnails) over the cellular network. This partial transmission approach allows multiple drones to operate simultaneously without overwhelming the network, while still providing sufficient data for monitoring and validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of time

If high-resolution images are transmitted in real-time, then monitoring capability is improved, but transmission cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidtransmission cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the resolution parameter of transmitted images from high to low for real-time communication. By transmitting thumbnails instead of full-resolution images, the system maintains real-time monitoring capability while dramatically reducing data transmission costs and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11785185B2Systems and methods for validating imagery collected via unmanned aerial vehicles

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A user device may include a memory and a processor. The user device may send, via a cellular network, instructions to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The instructions may include instructions to capture a plurality of first images while the UAV is in flight. The user device may receive, while the UAV is in flight, one or more second images via a wireless wide area network. The one or more second images may be lower resolution versions of a subset of the first plurality of images. The user device may store the one or more second images at the user device.