CONTEXT-BASED FLIGHT MODE SELECTION

• US 20190047700A1
• Filed: 07/20/2018
• Published: 02/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (d/b/a DJI) (iFlight Technology Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (d/b/a DJI) (iFlight Technology Company Limited)
• Inventors: LIU, Ang, HU, Xiao, ZHOU, Guyue, PAN, Xuyang
• Granted Patent: US 10,421,543 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 19/00 Aircraft control not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0061 for transition from automatic pilot to manual pilot and vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0202 specially adapted to aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/042 specially adapted for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933

Abstract

A system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes one or more processors configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors carried by the UAV. The sensor data is indicative of at least a state of the UAV. The one or more processors are further configured to select a flight mode from a plurality of different flight modes based at least in part on the sensor data and effect operation of the UAV in accordance with a set of operating rules associated with the selected flight mode.

Claims

1. A system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system comprising:

one or more processors configured to;

receive sensor data from one or more sensors carried by the UAV, the sensor data being indicative of at least a state of the UAV;

select a flight mode from a plurality of different flight modes based at least in part on the sensor data; and

effect operation of the UAV in accordance with a set of operating rules associated with the selected flight mode.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the state of the UAV comprises a spatial disposition or a motion of the UAV.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor data is indicative of an operational state of one or more components of the UAV and the operational state of the one or more components is indicative of:

(i) whether the one or more components are malfunctioning, (ii) a power level of the one or more components, and/or (iii) a strength of signals received by the one or more components.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor data is indicative of a current environment of the UAV.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of operating rules are configured to control one or more components of the UAV.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of operating rules are configured to control a level of autonomy of the UAV.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of operating rules are configured to optimize a safety, a performance, or an application of the UAV.

8. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:

receiving sensor data from one or more sensors carried by the UAV, the sensor data being indicative of at least a state of the UAV;

selecting a flight mode from a plurality of different flight modes based at least in part on the sensor data; and

effecting operation of the UAV in accordance with a set of operating rules associated with the selected flight mode.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the state of the UAV comprises a spatial disposition or a motion of the UAV.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor data is indicative of an operational state of one or more components of the UAV and the operational state of the one or more components is indicative of:

(i) whether the one or more components are malfunctioning, (ii) a power level of the one or more components, and/or (iii) a strength of signals received by the one or more components.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor data is indicative of a current environment of the UAV.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the set of operating rules are configured to control one or more components of the UAV.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the set of operating rules are configured to control a level of autonomy of the UAV.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the set of operating rules are configured to optimize a safety, a performance, or an application of the UAV.

15. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:

one or more sensors; and

one or more processors configured to;

receive sensor data from the one or more sensors, the sensor data being indicative of at least a state of the UAV;

select a flight mode from a plurality of different flight modes based at least in part on the sensor data; and

effect operation of the UAV in accordance with a set of operating rules associated with the selected flight mode.

16. The UAV of claim 15, wherein the state of the UAV comprises a spatial disposition or a motion of the UAV.

17. The UAV of claim 15, wherein the sensor data is indicative of an operational state of one or more components of the UAV and the operational state of the one or more components is indicative of:

(i) whether the one or more components are malfunctioning, (ii) a power level of the one or more components, and/or (iii) a strength of signals received by the one or more components.

18. The UAV of claim 15, wherein the sensor data is indicative of a current environment of the UAV.

19. The UAV of claim 15, wherein the set of operating rules are configured to control (i) one or more components of the UAV, or (ii) a level of autonomy of the UAV.

20. The UAV of claim 15, wherein the set of operating rules are configured to optimize a safety, a performance, or an application of the UAV.