Patent · US Active

Autonomous aircraft navigation

US10401874B1 · kind B1 · utility

3Cited by
1References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 10, 2018
Grant dateSep 3, 2019
Priority date—
Expiry dateNov 10, 2038

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06T2207/30252
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Systems and methods for autonomous aircraft navigation are disclosed. Embodiments relate to autonomously navigating an aircraft to a payload by locating a payload target attached to the payload. In some embodiments, the payload target is comprised of a plurality of concentric shapes of retroreflective material. These retroreflective shapes may be quickly identified in images to locate the payload. The retroreflective shapes may be illuminated by a light source on the aircraft so that the payload and the payload target do not requires a power source of their own. Some embodiments use band-filtered light and image acquisition techniques to facilitate locating of the payload target.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.