Pixel based image tracking system for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) action camera system
First Claim
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
- at least one rotor fixed to an airframe, the at least one rotor coupled to one or more motors configured to drive the at least one rotor at at least one rotor speed;
an attitude control system fixed to the airframe and configured to;
determine at least one first orientation of the UAV;
adjust the first orientation by adjusting the at least one rotor speed via the one or more motors;
at least one camera attached to the airframe, the camera configured to;
capture at least one reference image, the reference image corresponding to at least one of a subject and a reference orientation of the UAV to the subject; and
capture at least one current image;
a visual recognition system operatively coupled to the camera and configured to;
generate at least one reference pixel set based on the reference image, the reference pixel set including at least one reference pixel subset (RPS) corresponding to at least one aspect of the subject;
generate at least one current pixel set based on the current image, the current pixel set including at least one of
1) a subject pixel subset (SPS) corresponding to the subject;
2) a non-subject pixel subset (NSPS), and
3) a potential subject pixel subset (PSPS);
classify the at least one PSPS as a SPS or a NSPS by comparing the PSPS to one or more of the at least one RPS and the at least one SPS; and
determine a current orientation of the UAV to the subject based on the at least one SPS;
at least one non-transitory memory coupled to the visual recognition system and configured to store one or more of the reference pixel set and the current pixel set; and
a subject tracking system operatively coupled to the visual recognition system and the memory and configured to;
define a target orientation of the UAV to the subject;
maintain the target orientation by directing the attitude control system to adjust the at least one rotor speed;
determine at least one position change of the UAV by comparing one or more of the target orientation and the current orientation; and
direct the attitude control system to adjust the at least one rotor speed based on the at least one position change.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may select a subject to track or follow and capture images including the subject. A visual recognition system of the UAV may generate a profile of reference images portraying the subject breaking the reference images down into pixel sets corresponding to the subject and his/her components and distinguishing characteristics (body parts, clothing, facial features, accessories). The visual recognition system may break the incoming stream of incoming images into pixel sets, analyzing the pixel sets to distinguish the subject from his/her surroundings (i.e., in a crowd) and determine movement of the subject and the current orientation of the UAV to the subject. The UAV may then change its heading, velocity, or position based on any difference between the current orientation and the desired or predetermined orientation between the UAV and the subject.
10 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
-
at least one rotor fixed to an airframe, the at least one rotor coupled to one or more motors configured to drive the at least one rotor at at least one rotor speed; an attitude control system fixed to the airframe and configured to; determine at least one first orientation of the UAV; adjust the first orientation by adjusting the at least one rotor speed via the one or more motors; at least one camera attached to the airframe, the camera configured to; capture at least one reference image, the reference image corresponding to at least one of a subject and a reference orientation of the UAV to the subject; and capture at least one current image; a visual recognition system operatively coupled to the camera and configured to; generate at least one reference pixel set based on the reference image, the reference pixel set including at least one reference pixel subset (RPS) corresponding to at least one aspect of the subject; generate at least one current pixel set based on the current image, the current pixel set including at least one of
1) a subject pixel subset (SPS) corresponding to the subject;
2) a non-subject pixel subset (NSPS), and
3) a potential subject pixel subset (PSPS);classify the at least one PSPS as a SPS or a NSPS by comparing the PSPS to one or more of the at least one RPS and the at least one SPS; and determine a current orientation of the UAV to the subject based on the at least one SPS; at least one non-transitory memory coupled to the visual recognition system and configured to store one or more of the reference pixel set and the current pixel set; and a subject tracking system operatively coupled to the visual recognition system and the memory and configured to; define a target orientation of the UAV to the subject; maintain the target orientation by directing the attitude control system to adjust the at least one rotor speed; determine at least one position change of the UAV by comparing one or more of the target orientation and the current orientation; and direct the attitude control system to adjust the at least one rotor speed based on the at least one position change. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for tracking a subject via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
-
capturing at least one reference image of a subject via a camera attached to a UAV, the reference image corresponding to a reference orientation of the UAV to the subject; generating at least one reference pixel set based on the reference image, the reference pixel set including at least one reference pixel subset (RPS) corresponding to an aspect of the subject; determining at least one target orientation of the UAV to the subject; maintaining the target orientation by adjusting at least one of a position of the UAV, a heading of the UAV, and a rotational orientation of the UAV; capturing at least one current image via the camera; generating at least one current pixel set based on the current image, the current pixel set including at least one of; a subject pixel subset (SPS) corresponding to at least one of the subject and a current orientation of the UAV to the subject; a non-subject pixel subset (NSPS) not corresponding to the subject; and a potential subject pixel subset (PSPS); classifying the at least one PSPS as a SPS or a NSPS by comparing the PSPS to one or more of the at least one RPS and the at least one SPS; determining the current orientation based on the at least one SPS; determining at least one position change of the UAV by comparing one or more of the target orientation and the current orientation; and adjusting at least one of the position, the heading, and the rotational orientation based on the at least one position change. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification