Utilizing acceleration information for precision landing of unmanned aerial vehicles
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- determining, by at least one processor, that a UAV is landing by determining a loss of information with regard to one or more transmitters associated with a landing station;
controlling an acceleration-based landing feature such that when the UAV is not landing, the acceleration-based landing feature is disabled and when the UAV is landing the acceleration-based landing feature is enabled;
based on the determination that the UAV is landing and the determination of the loss of information with regard to the one or more transmitters associated with the landing station, applying the acceleration-based landing feature by;
identifying an acceleration spike with regard to the UAV while landing;
comparing, by the at least one processor, a magnitude of the acceleration spike to a pre-defined magnitude threshold; and
based on the comparison of the magnitude of the acceleration spike to the pre-defined magnitude threshold, modifying, by the at least one processor, operation of the UAV while landing.
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Abstract
Systems and methods disclosed utilize acceleration information in landing an unmanned aerial vehicle. In particular, one or more embodiments include methods and systems that determine a UAV is landing, identify an acceleration spike relative to the UAV, and modify operation of the UAV while landing based on the acceleration spike. For example, in one or more embodiment, systems and methods identify an acceleration spike, compare the acceleration spike to a pattern indicative of contact with another object, and reduce the rate of rotation of rotors utilized by the UAV for flight based on the comparison of the acceleration spike to the pattern.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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determining, by at least one processor, that a UAV is landing by determining a loss of information with regard to one or more transmitters associated with a landing station; controlling an acceleration-based landing feature such that when the UAV is not landing, the acceleration-based landing feature is disabled and when the UAV is landing the acceleration-based landing feature is enabled; based on the determination that the UAV is landing and the determination of the loss of information with regard to the one or more transmitters associated with the landing station, applying the acceleration-based landing feature by; identifying an acceleration spike with regard to the UAV while landing; comparing, by the at least one processor, a magnitude of the acceleration spike to a pre-defined magnitude threshold; and based on the comparison of the magnitude of the acceleration spike to the pre-defined magnitude threshold, modifying, by the at least one processor, operation of the UAV while landing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system comprising:
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a UAV comprising one or more rotors utilized by the UAV for flight; a landing station comprising one or more transmitters; at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions thereon, that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to; determine, by the at least one processor, that the UAV is landing by determining a loss of information with regard to the one or more transmitters associated with the landing station; control an acceleration-based landing feature such that when the UAV is not landing, the acceleration-based landing feature is disabled and when the UAV is landing the acceleration-based landing feature is enabled; based on the determination that the UAV is landing, apply the acceleration-based landing feature by; identifying an acceleration spike with regard to the UAV; comparing, by the at least one processor, a magnitude of the acceleration spike to a pre-defined magnitude threshold; and based on the comparison of the magnitude of the acceleration spike to the pre-defined magnitude threshold, reducing the rotation speed of at least one of the one or more rotors utilized by the UAV for flight. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a computer system to:
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determine, by at least one processor, that a UAV is landing by determining a loss of information with regard to one or more transmitters associated with a landing station; control an acceleration-based landing feature such that when the UAV is not landing, the acceleration-based landing feature is disabled and when the UAV is landing the acceleration-based landing feature is enabled; based on the determination that the UAV is landing, apply the acceleration-based landing feature by; identifying an acceleration spike with regard to the UAV while landing; comparing, by the at least one processor, a magnitude of the acceleration spike to a pre-defined magnitude threshold; and based on the comparison of the magnitude of the acceleration spike to the pre-defined magnitude threshold, modifying, by the at least one processor, operation of the UAV while landing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification