System and method for controlling a remote aerial device for up-close inspection
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The method and system may be used to control the movement of a remote aerial device in an incremental step manner during a close inspection of an object or other subject matter. At the inspection location, a control module “stabilizes” the remote aerial device in a maintained, consistent hover while maintaining a close distance to the desired object. The control module may retrieve proximal sensor data that indicates possible nearby obstructions to the remote aerial device and may transmit the data to a remote control client. The remote control module may determine and display the possible one or more non-obstructed directions that the remote aerial device is capable of moving by an incremental distance. In response to receiving a selection of one of the directions, the remote control module may transmit the selection to the remote aerial device to indicate the next movement for the remote aerial device.
135 Citations
20 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for remotely controlling a remote aerial device for up-close subject inspection that, when executed by one or more processors of a computer system, cause the computer system to:
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receive 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; control the remote aerial device to move to an initial target location in a transitory mode at a first speed using the spatial data, wherein the initial target location is in proximity to a portion of the object to be inspected; and control 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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer system for remotely controlling a remote aerial device for up-close subject inspection, comprising:
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a remote aerial device having one or more sensors; a remote control module having one or more processors; and a program memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the computer system to; receive 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; control the remote aerial device to move to an initial target location in a transitory mode at a first speed using the spatial data, wherein the initial target location is in proximity to a portion of the object to be inspected; and control 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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification