Multi-part navigation process by an unmanned aerial vehicle for navigation

A method comprising:

• determining, by a computing system of a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising at least one processor, an approximate target location associated with a target;
• using, by the computing system, a first navigation process to navigate the UAV from a dispatch location to the approximate target location of the target, wherein the first navigation process generates first flight-control signals based on the approximate target location of a target;
• making, by the computing system, a determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location of the target;
• and
• in response to the determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location of the target, using, by the computing system, a second navigation process to navigate the UAV to the target, wherein the second navigation process generates second flight-control signals based on autonomous real-time localization of the target,
• wherein using the second navigation process comprises:
• (a) using the autonomous real-time localization process in an effort to locate the target, (b) when a predetermined period of time has elapsed without locating the target, then determining that the autonomous real-time localization is unsuccessful and responsively implementing a fallback process to locate and navigate to the target, and otherwise, when the predetermined period of time has not elapsed, then continuing to use the autonomous real-time localization process in an effort to locate the target, and
• wherein the fallback process comprises:
• (a) sending, from the UAV to a remote operator system, a request assistance comprising sensor data captured at the UAV, (b) receiving, at the UAV, a response to the request for assistance comprising additional location determined by the remote operator system based on the sensor data provided by the request for assistance, and (c) using the additional location information to locate the target and to navigate the UAV to the target.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored therein instructions that are executable to cause a computing device comprising at least one processor to perform functions comprising:

• determining an approximate target location associated with a target;
• using a first navigation process to navigate an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a dispatch location to the approximate target location of the target, wherein the first navigation process generates first flight-control signals based on the approximate target location of the target;
• making a determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location of the target;
• and
• in response to the determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location of the target, using a second navigation process to navigate the UAV to the target, wherein the second navigation process generates second flight-control signals based on autonomous real-time localization of the target,
• wherein using the second navigation process comprises:
• (a) using the autonomous real-time localization process in an effort to locate the target, (b) when a predetermined period of time has elapsed without locating the target, then determining that the autonomous real-time localization is unsuccessful and responsively implementing a fallback process to locate and navigate to the target, and otherwise, when the predetermined period of time has not elapsed, then continuing to use the autonomous real-time localization process in an effort to locate the target, and
• wherein the fallback process comprises:
• (a) sending, from the UAV to a remote operator system, a request for assistance comprising sensor data captured at the UAV, (b) receiving, at the UAV, a response to the request for assistance comprising additional location information determined by the remote operator system based on the sensor data provided by the request for assistance, and (c) using the additional location information to locate the target and to navigate the UAV to the target.

A method comprising:

• determining, by a computing system of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising at least one processor, an approximate target location associated with a target;
• using, by the computing system, a first navigation process to navigate the UAV from a dispatch location to the approximate target location of the target, wherein the first navigation process generates first flight-control signals based on the approximate target location of a target;
• either:
• (a) making a determination, by the computing system, that the UAV is located at the approximate target location of the target or (b) receiving, by the computing system, local target-location data that is usable to navigate to the target;
• in response to either (a) or (b), using, by the computing system, a second navigation process to navigate the UAV to the target, wherein the second navigation process generates second flight-control signals based on autonomous real-time localization of the target,
• wherein using the second navigation process comprises:
• (a) using the autonomous real-time localization process in an effort to locate the target, (b) when a predetermined period of time has elapsed without locating the target, then determining that the autonomous real-time localization is unsuccessful and responsively implementing a fallback process to locate and navigate to the target, and otherwise, when the predetermined period of time has not elapsed, then continuing to use the autonomous real-time localization process in an effort to locate the target, and
• wherein the fallback process comprises:
• (a) sending, from the UAV to a remote operator system, a request for assistance comprising sensor data captured at the UAV, (b) receiving, at the UAV, a response to the request for assistance comprising additional location information determined by the remote operator system based on the sensor data provided by the request for assistance, and (c) using the additional location information to locate the target and to navigate the UAV to the target.