Path-based flight maneuvering system
First Claim
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1. A method for maneuvering an aircraft using an autopilot, a camera coupled to the aircraft, and a display configured to display an image captured by the camera, the method comprising:
- detecting a first position of the camera;
determining a first direction from the first position of the camera directed towards a first target point, wherein the first target point corresponds to an image point within the image displayed by the display;
if a flight mode of the aircraft comprises a locked path flight mode;
maneuvering the aircraft according to a speed control signal and substantially along a locked flight path, wherein the locked flight path is defined, at least in part, by the detected first position and the determined first direction, andallowing the camera to tilt and/or pan freely substantially without disrupting the maneuvering of the aircraft along the locked flight path; and
if the flight mode of the aircraft comprises a camera tracking flight mode;
maneuvering the aircraft according to the speed control signal and substantially along a dynamic flight path starting substantially at the first position and defined, at least in part, by subsequent detected positions of the camera and/or corresponding determined directions and/or target points.
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Abstract
The presented embodiments relates to a path-based flight maneuvering system and a method for providing easier operation control and enhanced operation capability of unmanned aerial vehicles and their associated features. The embodiments further entails a method for maneuvering an aircraft by means of a positioning device, a camera and a display displaying an image captured by the camera including a cursor projected on the image in the display.
9 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for maneuvering an aircraft using an autopilot, a camera coupled to the aircraft, and a display configured to display an image captured by the camera, the method comprising:
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detecting a first position of the camera; determining a first direction from the first position of the camera directed towards a first target point, wherein the first target point corresponds to an image point within the image displayed by the display; if a flight mode of the aircraft comprises a locked path flight mode; maneuvering the aircraft according to a speed control signal and substantially along a locked flight path, wherein the locked flight path is defined, at least in part, by the detected first position and the determined first direction, and allowing the camera to tilt and/or pan freely substantially without disrupting the maneuvering of the aircraft along the locked flight path; and if the flight mode of the aircraft comprises a camera tracking flight mode; maneuvering the aircraft according to the speed control signal and substantially along a dynamic flight path starting substantially at the first position and defined, at least in part, by subsequent detected positions of the camera and/or corresponding determined directions and/or target points. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system configured to maneuver an aircraft, the system comprising:
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a camera coupled to the aircraft and configured to communicate with a display, wherein the display is configured to display an image captured by the camera; and an autopilot coupled to the aircraft, wherein the autopilot is configured to; detect a first position of the camera; determine a first direction from the first position of the camera directed towards a first target point, wherein the first target point corresponds to an image point within the image displayed by the display; if a flight mode of the aircraft comprises a locked path flight mode; maneuver the aircraft according to a speed control signal and substantially along a locked flight path, wherein the locked flight path is defined, at least in part, by the detected first position and the determined first direction, and allow the camera to tilt and/or pan freely substantially without disrupting the maneuvering of the aircraft along the locked flight path; and if the flight mode of the aircraft comprises a camera tracking flight mode; maneuver the aircraft according to the speed control signal and substantially along a dynamic flight path starting substantially at the first position and defined, at least in part, by subsequent detected positions of the camera and/or corresponding determined directions and/or target points. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification