Patent · US Active

Automatic tracking mode for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle

US9977434B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
1References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 23, 2016
Grant dateMay 22, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 3, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG08G5/57
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Some embodiments include methods performed by a processor associated with a wireless communication device for enabling an unmanned autonomous vehicle (UAV) to operate in an automatic user tracking mode. Such embodiments may include capturing image data of surroundings by a camera while the UAV is operating in the automatic user tracking mode, calculating estimated position information for the wireless communication device based on captured image data, and transmitting estimated position information to the UAV for use in tracking a user of the wireless communication device. Some embodiments include methods performed by a processor of a UAV for enabling the UAV to automatically follow a user. Such embodiments may include calculating a current position of the UAV, receiving from a user's wireless communication device estimated position information derived from image data captured by a camera of the wireless communication device, and determining whether an update to the UAV motion is required.

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