US 11,531,357 B1 · Spatial vector-based drone control

Abstract

A method for controlling movement of a drone is disclosed. A spatial vector between a flight-capable drone and a reference object is computed. The spatial vector defines a direction and a distance by which the drone is spaced from the reference object. Flightpath attributes based on the computed vector are determined. The flightpath attributes include one or more of a flight direction, a flight distance, and a flight speed. The flight direction is variable as a function of the direction of the spatial vector. The flight distance is variable as a function of the distance of the spatial vector. The flight speed is variable as a function of the distance of the spatial vector. In an automated operation, movement of the drone is controlled according to the determined flightpath attributes.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

positioning a flight-capable drone in a pre-launch state;
while the drone is in the pre-launch state, computing a launch vector between a flight-capable drone and a reference object, the launch vector comprising:
a launch vector direction defined by a rectilinear direction from the drone in the pre-launch state to the reference object;
and
a launch vector magnitude defined by a rectilinear spacing along the launch vector direction between the reference object and the drone in the pre-launch state;
determining one or more attributes for a flightpath based at least in part on the computed launch vector, wherein the determined flightpath attributes include a flight speed which is calculated to be variable as a function of the launch vector magnitude between different instances of flight launch;
and
in an automated operation performed using one or more computer processors, controlling launch and flight of the drone according to the determined flightpath attributes.

5 more elements

A flight-capable drone comprising:

an on-board computer having memory and at least one processor, the memory storing instructions which when executed by the at least one processor cause operations comprising:
while the drone is positioned in a pre-launch state, computing a launch vector between a flight-capable drone and a reference object, the launch vector comprising:
a launch vector direction defined by a rectilinear direction from the drone in the pre-launch state to the reference object;
and
a launch vector magnitude defined by a rectilinear spacing along the launch vector direction between the reference object and the drone in the pre-launch state;
determining one or more attributes for a flightpath based at least in part on the computed launch vector, wherein the determined flightpath attributes include a flight speed which is calculated to be variable as a function of the launch vector magnitude between different instances of flight launch;
and
controlling launch and flight of the drone according to the determined flightpath attributes.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Spatial vector-based drone control

Life of this patent

Spatial vector-based drone control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23