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System and method for controlling a remote aerial device for up-close inspection

  • US 9,162,763 B1
  • Filed: 05/20/2015
  • Issued: 10/20/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for remotely controlling a remote aerial device for up-close inspection of an object, the method comprising:

  • receiving spatial position data indicating a spatial position of the remote aerial device, the spatial position data including a geographic location and an altitude of the spatial position of the remote aerial device;

    controlling, using the spatial data, the remote aerial device to move to an initial target location in a transitory mode at a first speed, wherein the initial target location is in proximity to a portion of the object to be inspected; and

    controlling the remote aerial device in proximity to the object to be inspected in an inspection mode by;

    receiving, from one or more sensors of the remote aerial device, proximal sensor data indicating one or more directions toward one or more proximal obstructions, each proximal obstruction being located within a distance threshold of the remote aerial device;

    determining a plurality of incremental movement directions based at least in part upon the proximal sensor data, each incremental movement direction indicating potential non-obstructed movement of the remote aerial device of a fixed distance in a direction;

    receiving, at a remote control module, a selection of one of the plurality of incremental movement directions; and

    controlling the remote aerial device to move at a second speed to a new target location based upon the selected incremental movement direction.

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