公开(公告)号：US20180065759A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-08

申请号：US15804609

申请日：2017-11-06

Applicant: Airogistic, L.L.C.

Inventor： Jeff MICHALSKI ,  Michael FOLEY

IPC: B64F1/36 ,  G08G5/02 ,  G05D1/06 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G08G5/00 ,  B64D45/04

CPC classification number: B64D45/04 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/00 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/08 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/20 ,  G05D1/0669 ,  G05D1/0676 ,  G08G5/0013 ,  G08G5/0026 ,  G08G5/0065 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  G08G5/025

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a stand for launching, landing, testing, refueling and recharging a UAV, and methods for testing, landing and launching the UAV are disclosed. Further, embodiments may include transferring a payload onto or off of the UAV, and loading flight planning and diagnostic maintenance information to the UAV.

公开(公告)号：US09911059B1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-06

申请号：US15239857

申请日：2016-08-18

Applicant: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Inventor： Michael L. Anderson ,  Charles B. Wilson ,  Michael A. Hyde

IPC: G06K9/00 ,  G06K9/46 ,  G06F3/0484 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D47/08 ,  G05D1/00 ,  H04N5/225

CPC classification number: G05D1/0094 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/127 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64D47/08 ,  G05D1/12 ,  G06F3/0484 ,  G06K9/0063 ,  H04N5/225 ,  H04N5/2252

Abstract: A process for recovering a vehicle includes obtaining a red green blue (RGB) image comprising a target on a recovery device. An input received from a user designates a target hue value and a target luminance value. The RGB image is converted to a hue value saturation (HSV) color model. The HSV color model is split into a hue value plane and a luminance value plane. A hue band pass filter and a luminance band pass filter are configured with appropriate thresholds. The configured hue band pass filter and the luminance band pass filter are applied to the hue value plane and the luminance value plane, respectively. The filtered hue value plane and the filtered luminance value planes are combined to yield a plurality of potential target pixel groupings. The most probable target is determined from the plurality of potential target pixels. The vehicle is directed to the target.

公开(公告)号：US20180002017A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-04

申请号：US15229099

申请日：2016-08-04

Applicant: Zipline International Inc.

Inventor： Peter Abeles ,  Keenan Wyrobek

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B64F5/60

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/20 ,  B64F5/60 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T2207/30204 ,  G06T2207/30252

Abstract: An unmanned aircraft system includes a testing and calibration system that enables automated testing of movable parts of an unmanned aircraft. The testing and calibration system uses a camera-based technique to determine the position and angle of movable parts, in order to establish whether or not those parts are moving in a manner consistent with correct function.

公开(公告)号：US20170313439A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-02

申请号：US15142956

申请日：2016-04-29

Applicant: Jordan Holt ,  Steve Olson ,  Alex Barchet ,  Amit Dagan

Inventor： Jordan Holt ,  Steve Olson ,  Alex Barchet ,  Amit Dagan

IPC: B64D45/08 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D47/08 ,  G06K9/00

CPC classification number: B64D45/08 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/162 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64D47/08 ,  G06K9/0063 ,  G06K9/00711

Abstract: Systems and methods for obstruction detection during autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle landings, including unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with at least one video camera, an image processor that analyzes a feed from the video camera to detect possible obstructions, and an autopilot programmed to abort an autonomous landing if it receives a signal indicating an obstruction was detected. In some examples, the systems and methods are in communication with a ground station to perform obstruction detection analysis instead of performing such processing on board the UAV. In some further examples, the landing area includes a ground-based visual target that the UAV can locate and home in upon from the air.

公开(公告)号：US09764836B1

公开(公告)日：2017-09-19

申请号：US14735070

申请日：2015-06-09

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Michael John Elzinga ,  Nathan Michael Paczan

IPC: B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/08 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/201

Abstract: This disclosure provides egress and ingress for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from a fulfillment center (FC) to perform deliveries of products and return to the FC from such deliveries while providing minimal exposure of an interior of the FC. The UAV may be used to deliver the cargo from the FC to a destination, and then return to the FC to retrieve other cargo for another transport to another destination. In some embodiments, departing UAVs may be launched from the FC through a launch bay and returning UAVs may land upon a conveyance system to await being transported back into the FC. A flight coordinator may also provide assignments to the UAV based upon a current state of the UAV and other nearby UAVs and also based on a current order backlog of the FC and/or other considerations.

公开(公告)号：US09738399B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-22

申请号：US14812246

申请日：2015-07-29

Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.

Inventor： Hou-Hsien Lee ,  Chang-Jung Lee ,  Chih-Ping Lo

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  G05D3/00 ,  B64D45/04 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D47/08 ,  G05D1/06

CPC classification number: B64D45/04 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/123 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64D47/08 ,  G05D1/0676

Abstract: A control method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The method includes: obtaining, from a depth-sensing camera, images of a surface below the unmanned aerial vehicle; obtaining, from a gyroscope, current pitch angle of the unmanned aerial vehicle; determining, at the unmanned aerial vehicle, a current altitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the images and the current pitch angle; determining, at the unmanned aerial vehicle, whether the current altitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle is less than a predefined value; and controlling, at the unmanned aerial vehicle, a drive unit to rotate so as to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to slow down in a balanced condition if the current altitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle is less than a predefined value.

公开(公告)号：US20170217323A1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-03

申请号：US15500291

申请日：2014-08-05

Applicant: TELECOM ITALIA S.p.A.

Inventor： Roberto ANTONINI ,  Gian Piero FICI ,  Marco GASPARDONE

IPC: B60L11/18 ,  B64F1/00 ,  B64C25/52 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B60L11/1816 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/18 ,  B60L53/30 ,  B60L53/60 ,  B60L2200/10 ,  B64C25/32 ,  B64C25/52 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/182 ,  B64F1/007 ,  Y02T10/7005 ,  Y02T10/7088 ,  Y02T90/121 ,  Y02T90/128 ,  Y02T90/14 ,  Y02T90/163

Abstract: A landing platform for an unmanned aerial vehicle, including a plurality of substantially funnel-shaped centering housings configured to cooperate with a corresponding plurality of projections of the aerial vehicle for reaching a predetermined landing position. The platform can include a mechanism for recharging the battery of the aerial vehicle and/or with an arrangement for serial data transfer.

公开(公告)号：US20170212528A1

公开(公告)日：2017-07-27

申请号：US15006460

申请日：2016-01-26

Applicant: Patrick A. Henderson

Inventor： Patrick A. Henderson

IPC: G05D1/06 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64F1/00 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: G05D1/0676 ,  B64C27/46 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/145 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64F1/00

Abstract: An apparatus and method of autonomously landing an aerial vehicle is disclosed herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus is a landing pad controller that includes a plurality of receiving antennae, each of which is configured to receive an instance/version of a localization signal from the aerial vehicle. A localization calculation processor determines a precise position of the aerial vehicle based upon a comparison of the localization signal received by each of the plurality of receiving antennae. The landing pad controller also includes a transmitter that sends at least one course direction adjustment to the aerial vehicle, which can be used to direct the aerial vehicle from the precise position to a target landing area.

公开(公告)号：US20170183106A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-29

申请号：US15372287

申请日：2016-12-07

Applicant: POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION

Inventor： Son Cheol YU ,  Ju Hyun PYO ,  Han Gil JOE ,  Hyeon Woo CHO ,  Byeong Jin KIM

IPC: B64F1/02 ,  B63G8/00 ,  B64F1/04 ,  B64D45/08 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F1/00

CPC classification number: B64F1/025 ,  B63B2702/12 ,  B63G8/001 ,  B63G2008/002 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/182 ,  B64C2201/201 ,  B64C2201/205 ,  B64D45/08 ,  B64F1/007 ,  B64F1/04

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for recovering and launching an unmanned aerial vehicle. The apparatus for recovering and launching the unmanned aerial vehicle includes a main body that includes a storage space in which the unmanned aerial vehicle is stored, an inclined platform that forms an inclined surface which is connected between a fixed bar fixed in the main body and a moving bar moved to an opened upper portion of the main body and collides with the unmanned aerial vehicle induced to approach a side of the main body, a band member of which one end is connected to the moving bar and the other end is rolled up in a roll shape and stored in the storage space of the main body, and a driving motor that rotationally drives a rotor circumscribed with the band member in a normal direction or reverse direction, so that the moving bar is moved with respect to the fixed bar, wherein the inclined surface is formed by unfolding the inclined platform, the unmanned aerial vehicle colliding with the inclined surface is recovered to the storage space, and then the inclined platform is folded.

公开(公告)号：US09656749B1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-23

申请号：US14734894

申请日：2015-06-09

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Jon T. Hanlon

IPC: G01C23/00 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D3/00 ,  G06F7/00 ,  G06F17/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G01M1/10 ,  G01M1/12

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/14 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  G01M1/10 ,  G01M1/125

Abstract: A weight distribution associated with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be determined prior to dispatch of the UAV and/or after the UAV returns from operation (e.g., a flight). In some embodiments, one or more UAVs may be placed on or proximate to a physical metrics acquisition (PMA) device. The PMA device may include a grid or array of load cells may be used to determine a distribution of weight of the UAV at three or more points associated with the UAV. The distribution of weight may be used generate analytics, which may include a total weight of a vehicle, a center of mass of the vehicle (in two or more dimensions), power requirements of the UAV for a given flight task (e.g., how much battery power the UAV requires, etc.), and/or other analytics. In various embodiments, the PMA device may perform moment of inertia tests for the UAV.