Patent · US Active

Method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle to avoid obstacles

US12148206B2 · kind B2 · utility

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0References
20Claims
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Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 31, 2022
Grant dateNov 19, 2024
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 30, 2042

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N2013/0081
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A computer-implemented method comprises receiving, by an image processing system, a depth image captured by a stereo camera on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). One or more pixels of the depth image are associated with corresponding depth values indicative of distances of one or more objects to the stereo camera. The image processing system determines that one or more pixels of the depth image are associated with invalid depth values. The image processing system infers, based on a distribution of the one or more pixels of the depth image that are associated with invalid depth values, a presence of a potential obstacle in an environment of the UAV. The UAV is controlled based on the inferred presence of the potential obstacle.

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