UAV Trajectory Adjustment via Dual User Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerial vehicles lack intuitive and easy-to-use systems for users to modify autonomous flight paths, especially in situations requiring quick intervention or deviation from predefined trajectories without disrupting the autonomous operation.
Innovation Solution
A system with dual user interfaces allows users to control and modify autonomous flight paths using a first interface for general operation and a second interface for real-time adjustments, enabling seamless transitions between autonomous and user-directed flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous flight control is implemented with preset trajectories, then the aerial vehicle can perform autonomous navigation and return flights, but the user cannot quickly intervene or modify the flight path to avoid obstacles or deviate from the planned route
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into two distinct interfaces: a first user interface for initiating autonomous flight missions and a second user interface for real-time modification of flight paths. This segmentation allows each interface to be optimized for its specific function, enabling user intervention without complicating the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The flight controller acts as an intermediary that receives commands from both user interfaces and autonomously executes flight maneuvers. This mediator coordinates between autonomous navigation commands and user modification requests, resolving conflicts and integrating multiple control sources without increasing perceived system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If manual piloting control is provided for user intervention, then the user can control the aerial vehicle to avoid obstacles, but the burden of manual piloting significantly increases user workload
Solution Approach 1:
The second user interface provides partial manual control capability, allowing users to make targeted modifications to flight paths (such as avoiding specific obstacles or deviating to points of interest) without requiring full manual piloting. This partial action approach gives users exactly the level of control needed while minimizing workload.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous flight system continues to handle navigation and control automatically, serving itself for routine operations. User intervention is only required when modification is desired, and even then the system assists by interpreting simple user inputs into appropriate flight control commands, reducing the user's time and effort investment.
3Reliability
If obstacle avoidance sensors are added to the aerial vehicle, then the vehicle can autonomously avoid obstacles, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight controller serves as an intermediary that processes user inputs and translates them into flight control commands for obstacle avoidance and path modification. This approach replaces expensive sensor systems with a mediator that interprets user intent and executes appropriate maneuvers based on pilot input rather than autonomous sensor detection.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices are provided herein for effecting autonomous flight of one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and modifying the autonomous flight. In some instances, the autonomous flight may be effected via a first user input. The autonomous flight may modified by a second user input while maintaining the autonomous flight. The first and second inputs may be input at different user interfaces. Various parameters of the UAV, including a flight path, may be modified while maintaining the autonomous flight such that user is assisted and maintains a degree of control of the UAV during the autonomous flight.