Systems and methods for adaptive property analysis via autonomous vehicles

• US 9,965,965 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2017
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Loveland Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Loveland Incorporated
• Inventors: Loveland, Jim, Larson, Leif, Christiansen, Dan, Christiansen, Tad, Christiansen, Cam
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nolan, Peter D
• Application Number:
  US15/480,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20180130361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 398 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/02 Picture taking arrangements specially adapted for photogrammetry or photographic surveying, e.g. controlling overlapping of pictures
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0094 involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/225 based on a marking or identifier characterising the area
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/235 based on user input or interaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/176 Urban or other man-made structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/64 Three-dimensional objects
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assessment and reporting system may conduct micro scans of a wide variety of property types. A risk zone within which the UAV may navigate during the micro scan may include a plurality of virtual tags that identify navigational hazards relevant to the navigation of the UAV at a specific location or specify scan actions to be implemented while the UAV is at the specific location. Scan data from any of a wide variety of sensor types may be compared with profile data using computer vision techniques to identify characteristics, defects, damage, construction materials, and the like. A rule set evaluator may evaluate tags and/or matched profile data to determine adaptive actions to modify the navigation or scanning process of the UAV.

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assessment system for adaptive imaging of a structure, comprising:

at least one sensor on a UAV for capturing scan data during a detailed micro scan of a property;

a tag reading module to receive a location-based virtual tag, wherein the virtual tag comprises;

(i) a geographic location associated with the virtual tag;

(ii) object information identifying a characteristic of at least one object, and

(iii) object relevant scan instructions identifying a scan action to be executed by the UAV relative to the at least one object;

a tag implementation module to cause the UAV to implement the object relevant scan instructions of the location-based virtual tag proximate the geographic location associated with the virtual tag; and

a rule set evaluator to evaluate the object relevant scan instructions and determine at least one real-time adaptive scan action to be taken by the UAV that includes modifications to both a navigation path and a scan process of the UAV.

2. The UAV system of claim 1, wherein the property comprises at least a portion of at least one of a residence, an office building, an industrial facility, a tower, a bridge, a road, a light assembly, a vehicle, industrial equipment, and land.

3. The UAV system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one optical imaging sensor and at least one non-optical imaging sensor.

4. The UAV system of claim 3, wherein the at least one non-optical imaging sensor comprises an ultrasonic imaging sensor.

5. The UAV system of claim 1, wherein the tag reading module receives the location-based virtual tag from an onboard storage medium at a timing based on the location of the UAV relative to the property on which a micro scan is being performed.

6. The UAV system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one optical imaging sensor.

7. The UAV system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an infrared imaging sensor.