UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING SAME
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- within a user interface, receiving a selection for a set of interest points on a digital map of a physical area and a selection for a resolution of a geospatial map;
selecting a ground area corresponding to the set of interest points for imaging during a mission;
generating a first flight path over a first portion the ground area for execution by a first unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission;
generating a second flight path over a second portion of the ground area for execution by a second unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission, the second portion of the ground area different from the first portion of the ground area;
based on a flight condition detected during the mission, assigning a segment of the first portion of the ground area to the second unmanned aerial vehicle;
generating a third flight path over a third portion of the ground area for execution by the first unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission, the third portion of the ground area comprising the first portion the ground area less the segment of the first portion of the ground area and less a region of the ground area previously imaged by the first unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission;
generating a fourth flight path over a fourth portion of the ground area for execution by the second unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission, the fourth portion of the ground area comprising a union of the second portion of the ground area and the segment of the first portion of the ground area less a region of the ground area previously imaged by the second unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission;
loading the third flight path to the first unmanned aerial vehicle in replacement of the first flight path prior to completion of the mission by the first unmanned aerial vehicle; and
uploading the fourth flight path to the second unmanned aerial vehicle in replacement of the second flight path prior to completion of the mission by the second unmanned aerial vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One variation of a method for imaging an area of interest includes: within a user interface, receiving a selection for a set of interest points on a digital map of a physical area and receiving a selection for a resolution of a geospatial map; identifying a ground area corresponding to the set of interest points for imaging during a mission; generating a flight path over the ground area for execution by an unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; setting an altitude for the unmanned aerial vehicle along the flight path based on the selection for the resolution of the geospatial map and an optical system arranged within the unmanned aerial vehicle; setting a geospatial accuracy requirement for the mission based on the selection for the mission type; and assembling a set of images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission into the geospatial map.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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within a user interface, receiving a selection for a set of interest points on a digital map of a physical area and a selection for a resolution of a geospatial map; selecting a ground area corresponding to the set of interest points for imaging during a mission; generating a first flight path over a first portion the ground area for execution by a first unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; generating a second flight path over a second portion of the ground area for execution by a second unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission, the second portion of the ground area different from the first portion of the ground area; based on a flight condition detected during the mission, assigning a segment of the first portion of the ground area to the second unmanned aerial vehicle; generating a third flight path over a third portion of the ground area for execution by the first unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission, the third portion of the ground area comprising the first portion the ground area less the segment of the first portion of the ground area and less a region of the ground area previously imaged by the first unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; generating a fourth flight path over a fourth portion of the ground area for execution by the second unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission, the fourth portion of the ground area comprising a union of the second portion of the ground area and the segment of the first portion of the ground area less a region of the ground area previously imaged by the second unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; loading the third flight path to the first unmanned aerial vehicle in replacement of the first flight path prior to completion of the mission by the first unmanned aerial vehicle; and uploading the fourth flight path to the second unmanned aerial vehicle in replacement of the second flight path prior to completion of the mission by the second unmanned aerial vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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within a user interface, receiving a selection for a set of interest points on a digital map of a physical area and a selection for a resolution of a geospatial map; selecting a ground area for imaging during a mission based on the set of interest points; generating a primary flight path for execution by an unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; setting a first target altitude for the unmanned aerial vehicle along the primary flight path based on an imaging system arranged within the unmanned aerial vehicle and a first resolution target corresponding to the selection for the resolution of the geospatial map; during the mission, identifying an area of interest within the ground area based on images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during execution of the primary flight path; generating a secondary flight path over the area of interest for execution by the unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; setting a second target altitude for the unmanned aerial vehicle along the secondary flight path, the second target altitude lower than the first target altitude and corresponding to a second resolution target for the area of interest; and assembling a first set of images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during execution of the primary flight path and a second set of images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during execution of the secondary flight path into the geospatial map. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method, comprising:
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within a user interface, receiving a selection for a set of interest points on a digital map of a physical area and a selection for a geospatial accuracy of a geospatial map; selecting a ground area for imaging during a mission based on the set of interest points; generating a primary flight path for execution by an unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission to capture images of the ground area; assigning a first target image capture density to the primary flight path based on the selection for the geospatial accuracy of the geospatial map; during the mission, identifying an area of interest within the ground area based on images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during execution of the primary flight path; generating a secondary flight path over the area of interest for execution by the unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; assigning a second target image capture density to the secondary flight path; and assembling a first set of images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during execution of the primary flight path and a second set of images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during execution of the secondary flight path into the geospatial map. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification