Objective-based control of an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle
US11048277B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 2, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2013/0081
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A technique is described for controlling an autonomous vehicle such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using objective-based inputs. In an embodiment, the underlying functionality of an autonomous navigation system is via an application programming interface (API). In such an embodiment, the UAV can be controlled trough specifying a behavioral objective, for example, using a call to the API to set parameters for the behavioral objective. The autonomous navigation system can then incorporate perception inputs such as sensor data from sensors mounted to the UAV and the set parameters using a multi-objective motion planning process to generate a proposed trajectory that most closely satisfies the behavioral objective in view of certain constraints. In some embodiments, developers can utilize the API to build customized applications for utilizing the UAV to capture images. Such applications, also referred to as “skills,” can be developed, shared, and executed to control the behavior of an autonomous UAV and to aid in overall system improvement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.