Still image optimized flight paths for fixed camera UAVs
AssigneeSnap Inc.
InventorSimon Nielsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A UAV having a fixed camera (e.g., without a gimbal or having a manually adjustable gimbal), and a control system configured to establish a still camera position at an image capture point for an extended time at a predetermined pitch angle. This implementation allows a camera fixed to the UAV to capture a photo(s) at a pitch angle for a predetermined image capture time, given that there is enough space to obstacles/ground to avoid a crash. The control system plans the optimum flight path for achieving minimal movement for a given position and camera angle.
Claims17
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
- a body;
- at least one propeller coupled to the body;
- a camera coupled to the body at a fixed pitch angle with respect to the body;
- memory containing a flight path including an image capture point;
- and
- a control system configured to automatically control the UAV along the flight path, the control system further configured to automatically control the UAV to establish a predetermined pitch angle of the camera with respect to horizontal proximate the image capture point, and to establish a predetermined image capture time for the camera to capture images of a target at the predetermined pitch angle, wherein the control system is configured to automatically determine a velocity and braking force of the UAV as it approaches the image capture point to establish the predetermined pitch angle.
A method of operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising a body, at least one propeller coupled to the body, a camera coupled to the body at a fixed pitch angle with respect to the body, memory containing a flight path including an image capture point, and a control system configured to automatically control the UAV along the flight path, comprising:
- the control system automatically controlling the UAV to establish a predetermined pitch angle of the camera with respect to horizontal proximate the image capture point;
- and
- the control system establishing a predetermined image capture time for the camera to capture images of a target at the predetermined pitch angle, wherein the control system automatically determines a velocity and braking force of the UAV as it approaches the image capture point to establish the predetermined pitch angle.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code which, when executed, is operative to cause a computing device of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a body, at least one propeller coupled to the body, a camera coupled to the body at a fixed pitch angle with respect to the body, memory containing a flight path including an image capture point, and a control system configured to automatically control the UAV along the flight path, to perform the steps of:
- automatically controlling, by the computing device, the UAV to establish a predetermined pitch angle of the camera with respect to horizontal proximate the image capture point;
- and
- establishing, by the computing device, a predetermined image capture time for the camera to capture images of a target at the predetermined pitch angle;
- wherein the program code, when executed, is operative to cause the control system to automatically determine a velocity and braking force of the UAV as it approaches the image capture point to establish the predetermined pitch angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.