Systems and methods for target tracking
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of tracking a target using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having an on-board imaging device, the method comprising:
- a) receiving at one or more receivers, target information of the target to be tracked by the UAV, wherein the imaging device is configured to rotate around at least one axis relative to the UAV;
with aid of one or more processors,b) tracking the target according to the target information while the UAV is in motion, wherein said tracking the target involves;
i. assessing whether to adjust
1) the UAV,
2) the imaging device, or
3) both the UAV and the imaging device to track the target, wherein said assessing is based on a) maximum linear speed or maximum angular speed allowable for the UAV, or b) maximum angular speed allowable for the imaging device, wherein the maximum angular speed of the UAV or the maximum angular speed of the imaging device is configurable by a user of the UAV; and
ii. adjusting, based on said assessing of (i),
1) the UAV,
2) the imaging device, or
3) both the UAV and the imaging device as the target is moving, such that the target stays within an image captured by the imaging device.
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Abstract
The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices related to target tracking by UAVs. The UAV may be configured to receive target information from a control terminal related to a target to be tracked by an imaging device coupled to the UAV. The target information may be used by the UAV to automatically track the target so as to maintain predetermined position and/or size of the target within one or more images captured by the imaging device. The control terminal may be configured to display images from the imaging device as well as allowing user input related to the target information.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of tracking a target using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having an on-board imaging device, the method comprising:
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a) receiving at one or more receivers, target information of the target to be tracked by the UAV, wherein the imaging device is configured to rotate around at least one axis relative to the UAV; with aid of one or more processors, b) tracking the target according to the target information while the UAV is in motion, wherein said tracking the target involves; i. assessing whether to adjust
1) the UAV,
2) the imaging device, or
3) both the UAV and the imaging device to track the target, wherein said assessing is based on a) maximum linear speed or maximum angular speed allowable for the UAV, or b) maximum angular speed allowable for the imaging device, wherein the maximum angular speed of the UAV or the maximum angular speed of the imaging device is configurable by a user of the UAV; andii. adjusting, based on said assessing of (i),
1) the UAV,
2) the imaging device, or
3) both the UAV and the imaging device as the target is moving, such that the target stays within an image captured by the imaging device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to track a target, the UAV comprising:
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a) one or more receivers configured to receive, (1) one or more navigation commands to move the UAV, and (2) target information of the target to be tracked by the UAV; b) an imaging device configured to capture an image of the target, wherein the imaging device is configured to rotate around at least two axes relative to the UAV; c) one or more processors configured to; detect a deviation in the target information, wherein the deviation comprises a change in the position of the target; and track the target according to the target information while the UAV moves according to the one or more navigation commands, wherein said tracking the target involves; i. assessing whether to adjust
1) the UAV,
2) the imaging device, or
3) both the UAV and the imaging device to track the target, wherein said assessing is based on a) maximum linear speed or maximum angular speed allowable for the UAV, or b) maximum angular speed allowable for the imaging device, wherein the maximum angular speed of the UAV or the maximum angular speed of the imaging device is configurable by a user of the UAV; andii. adjusting, based on said assessing of (i),
1) the UAV,
2) the imaging device, or
3) both the UAV and the imaging device as the target moves, such that the target stays within an image captured by the imaging device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification