Distance detection based on chromatic aberration

    公开(公告)号:US10573024B1

    公开(公告)日:2020-02-25

    申请号:US15243768

    申请日:2016-08-22

    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods of determining a distance between an object depicted in an image and an imaging device that captured that image. In particular, the disclosure discusses that an image may be separated into multiple derivative images, each of which is associated with a different wavelength of light. In some embodiments, an image may be separated into images associated with wavelengths of primary colors (e.g., red, green, and blue). Once separate images have been created, a sharpness value may be determined for each image. A distance between the object and the imaging device may then be calculated based on sharpness values associated with each of the separate images.

    Unmanned aerial vehicle sensor calibration via sensor channel

    公开(公告)号:US10302452B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-05-28

    申请号:US15789310

    申请日:2017-10-20

    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for automating the verification of aerial vehicle sensors as part of a pre-flight, flight departure, in-transit flight, and/or delivery destination calibration verification process. At different stages, aerial vehicle sensors may obtain sensor measurements about objects within an environment, the obtained measurements may be processed to determine information about the object, as presented in the measurements, and the processed information may be compared with the actual information about the object to determine a variation or difference between the information. If the variation is within a tolerance range, the sensor may be auto adjusted and operation of the aerial vehicle may continue. If the variation exceeds a correction range, flight of the aerial vehicle may be aborted and the aerial vehicle routed for a full sensor calibration.

    Location marker with lights
    4.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10176722B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-01-08

    申请号:US15250806

    申请日:2016-08-29

    Abstract: A location marker that may be used to provide information to a vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The location marker may include a plurality of lights that may be individually sequenced on and off at different times to create a time domain signal sequence that is readable by the vehicle. The lights may provide information in various different ways. The specific lights that are illuminated at a certain time may form a light pattern that includes or is associated with information. Different light patterns may be displayed over time to provide different information to the vehicle. In some embodiments, the amount of time that a light is on or off (or both) may provide information as a time domain signal sequence (e.g., flashing lights) to the vehicle. In various embodiments, the location marker may include retroreflectors arranged in a pattern used to identify the location marker.

    Location marker with retroreflectors

    公开(公告)号:US10032384B1

    公开(公告)日:2018-07-24

    申请号:US15250778

    申请日:2016-08-29

    Abstract: A location marker that may be used to provide information to a vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The location marker may include a plurality of retroreflectors that may form a pattern readable by a vehicle or other device. The pattern may be read to extract an identifier of a location, such as an address or an identifier of a person. A global positioning system (GPS) device may transmit a general location of the location marker to the vehicle, while the location marker may provide a unique visual location identifier to a device within visual range of the location marker. In some embodiments, the location marker may also include lights that may be individually sequenced on and off at different times to create a time domain signal sequence that is readable by the vehicle.

    Delivery drop rate modulation
    6.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11603204B1

    公开(公告)日:2023-03-14

    申请号:US17084991

    申请日:2020-10-30

    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can deliver a package to a delivery destination. Packages delivered by a UAV may be lowered towards the ground while the UAV continues to fly rather than the UAV landing on the ground and releasing the package. Packages may sway during lowering as a result of wind or movement of the UAV. By modulating a rate of descent of a package, a package sway may mitigated. The lowering mechanism includes wrapping a tether in various directions around the package such that the package rotates in a first and second direction as the package descends. Additionally, a rip-strip lowering mechanism that separates under tension to lower the package and a rappel mechanism that slides the package down a tether may be used. Accordingly, the tether can control a descent of the package assembly.

    Delivery drop platforms, tethers, and stabilization

    公开(公告)号:US11407511B1

    公开(公告)日:2022-08-09

    申请号:US15954482

    申请日:2018-04-16

    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can deliver a package to a delivery destination. Packages delivered by a UAV may be lowered towards the ground while the UAV continues to fly rather than the UAV landing on the ground and releasing the package. Packages may sway during lowering as a result of wind or movement of the UAV. A package sway may be monitored and mitigated by rapidly paying out a tether, when using a winch mechanism, to dissipate the energy of the sway as downward energy. Further, the UAV may navigate in the direction of the sway or reduce the altitude of the UAV to dissipate the energy of the sway. Open-loop and/or closed loop drop techniques may be utilized to lower a package from the UAV, and the package may be released in the air or on the ground.

    Location marker with retroreflectors

    公开(公告)号:US10482775B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-11-19

    申请号:US16013639

    申请日:2018-06-20

    Abstract: A location marker that may be used to provide information to a vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The location marker may include a plurality of retroreflectors that may form a pattern readable by a vehicle or other device. The pattern may be read to extract an identifier of a location, such as an address or an identifier of a person. A global positioning system (GPS) device may transmit a general location of the location marker to the vehicle, while the location marker may provide a unique visual location identifier to a device within visual range of the location marker. In some embodiments, the location marker may also include lights that may be individually sequenced on and off at different times to create a time domain signal sequence that is readable by the vehicle.

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