Visual localization of unmanned aerial vehicles based on marker detection and processing
First Claim
1. A localization marker adapted for identification with a single scan direction, comprising:
- a body with an exposed surface; and
a marker pattern provided on the exposed surface, the marker pattern including;
a fixed pattern; and
a data area comprising a variable pattern, wherein the fixed pattern comprises a pair of parallel, linear features that are spaced apart a predefined distance, wherein the data area is sandwiched between the pair of linear features, wherein components of the variable pattern are positioned at predefined offsets from inner edges of the pair of the linear features, and wherein each of the linear features has a length greater than a maximum length of the components of the variable pattern.
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Abstract
A method for locating markers in an image captured by a mobile device moving about an operating space. The method includes preprocessing an image to generate a set of image data, locating fixed features of markers by tracing edges of the fixed features, and extracting variable data payloads of each of the markers associated with the located fixed features. The fixed features of each of the markers may include a pair of parallel lines extending along opposite sides of a data area containing the variable data payload, and each of the lines extends a distance beyond each exposed end of the data area to avoid missing data when markers are not arranged orthogonally to the scan direction. The preprocessing involves rotating or skewing the image to provide rotated or skewed versions of the image to facilitate locating markers regardless of their angular orientation in the image.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A localization marker adapted for identification with a single scan direction, comprising:
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a body with an exposed surface; and a marker pattern provided on the exposed surface, the marker pattern including; a fixed pattern; and a data area comprising a variable pattern, wherein the fixed pattern comprises a pair of parallel, linear features that are spaced apart a predefined distance, wherein the data area is sandwiched between the pair of linear features, wherein components of the variable pattern are positioned at predefined offsets from inner edges of the pair of the linear features, and wherein each of the linear features has a length greater than a maximum length of the components of the variable pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for facilitating determination of positions of mobile devices such as unmanned aerial vehicles within an operating space containing a number of objects, comprising:
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at least three markers placed on exposed surfaces of the objects, wherein each of the markers includes a pattern of linear bars adjacent a data area, wherein the pattern of linear bars is identical on each of the markers and the data area has a pattern that varies between the markers and wherein the pattern of linear bars comprises at least a pair of spaced apart and parallel bars disposed on either side of the data area; a mobile device operable to move about the operating space in response to control signals; and a controller on the mobile device generating the control signals based on a determination of a position of the mobile device within the operating space relative to locations of the markers, wherein the controller executes a localization module to locate each of the markers, to extract data from the pattern of the data areas, and to estimate the position of the mobile device based on the extracted data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for locating markers in an image of an operating space for a mobile device, comprising:
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with a processor on the mobile device, preprocessing an image to generate a set of image data; with the processor, locating fixed features of markers by tracing edges of the fixed features; and with the processor, extracting variable data payloads of each of the markers associated with the located fixed features, wherein the fixed features of each of the markers comprise a pair of parallel lines extending along opposite sides of a data area containing the variable data payload. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification