System and method for localization of safe zones in dense depth and landing quality heatmaps
US11932394B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 2021 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08G5/58
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for localization of a safe landing zone comprises at least one image-capture device onboard an aerial vehicle, and an onboard processor coupled to the image-capture device. The processor is operative to execute instructions to perform a method that comprises: receive, from the image-capture device, two or more overlapping images of a landscape underneath the aerial vehicle; generate, based on the overlapping images, a landing zone heatmap of the landscape; identify, based on the landing zone heatmap, one or more regions of the landscape having potential landing zones and obstacles; and determine a location of a safe landing zone using a distance transform of the one or more regions of the landscape. The location of the safe landing zone is in an area within one of the potential landing zones that is farthest from the obstacles. The location of the safe landing zone is then stored in a database.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.