Wearable RPAS Controller with Relative Direction Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) controllers face challenges in accurately indicating the direction of the UAV to the pilot, especially at distances where the UAV becomes too small to discern its orientation, leading to difficulties in aligning and controlling the aircraft without clear visual cues.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a Relative Direction Indicator (RDI) on a graphical interface, combined with Pilot Compass Orientation and RDI-Align Function, utilizes GPS and compass data to provide the pilot with a graphical representation of the UAV's direction relative to their viewpoint, allowing for precise alignment and control through a smartphone interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the UAV is operated at a distance beyond 100m, then the pilot's field of view is not obstructed and the UAV can operate freely, but the UAV becomes too small to discern its orientation and direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (display screen showing RDI) between the pilot's visual observation and the UAV's actual orientation. The RDI acts as a mediator that translates the UAV's heading information into a visual representation on the display, allowing the pilot to discern orientation without needing to visually resolve the small UAV in the sky.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pilot moves or changes position, then the relative position to the UAV changes, but the pilot loses accurate knowledge of the UAV's direction relative to their new viewpoint
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously updating the RDI on the display based on the pilot's current position and orientation (obtained via GPS and compass) and the UAV's position. This closed-loop feedback ensures the RDI always accurately reflects the UAV's direction relative to the pilot's current viewpoint, maintaining orientation information even as the pilot moves.
3Device complexity
If traditional visual cues alone are used to indicate UAV direction, then the system remains simple, but the pilot cannot accurately determine UAV orientation at distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional visual observation of the small UAV in the sky to a different dimensional representation - a graphical display showing the RDI. This dimensional change allows orientation information to be presented in a format that is easily interpretable regardless of the physical distance to the UAV.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the controllability of RPAS by enabling pilots to accurately determine and align the UAV's direction, even at distances where visual cues are insufficient, improving safety and ease of operation by providing a clear graphical representation of the UAV's orientation relative to the pilot's viewpoint.
Implementation Method 1
a first position data from a satellite is received by a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver
Implementation Method 2
an orientation of the controller is determined by a compass
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a controller (700) for a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) (711), wherein the controller (700) is wearable by a pilot of the RPAS (711), the controller (700) comprising: a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver (701), configured to receive first position data (702) from at least one satellite (712), the first position data (702) indicating a position of the controller (700); a communication interface (703) with the RPAS (711), configured to receive second position data (704) from the RPAS (711), the second position data (704) indicating a position of the RPAS (711); a compass (705) configured to provide orientation data (706) indicating an orientation of the controller (700) towards a geographical reference direction; a processor (707) configured to determine a relative direction (708) of the RPAS (711) towards the controller (700) based on the first position data (702), the second position data (704) and the orientation data (706); and a graphical interface (709) configured to provide a relative direction indicator (RDI) (710) providing a graphical indication of the relative direction (708) of the RPAS (711) towards the controller (700).