Launch-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles, and associated systems and methods
AssigneeNixie Labs, Inc.
InventorChristoph Kohstall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Launch-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A computer-implemented method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle in a representative embodiment includes detecting at least one parameter of a motion of the UAV as a user releases the UAV for flight. Based at least in part on the at least the one detected parameter, the method can further include establishing a flight path for the UAV, and directing the UAV to fly the flight path.
Claims26
A computer-implemented method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
- detecting at least one parameter of a motion of the UAV as a user releases the UAV for flight;
- projecting a vector of the release on a surface based at least on the detected at least one parameter;
- establishing a flight path for the UAV based at least on one of the projected vector or a position on the surface corresponding to the projected vector;
- and
- directing the UAV to fly the flight path.
A propulsion system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes a flyable support structure that caries the propulsion system, the system comprising:
- a power source;
- at least one propeller;
- and
- a sensor carried by the support structure and coupled to the power source, the sensor being configured to detect at least one parameter of a motion of the UAV as a user releases the UAV for flight, wherein the at least one parameter of the motion includes a direction of motion of the UAV as the user releases the UAV;
- and
- a controller operatively coupled to the sensor and programed with instructions that, when executed, perform actions including:
- receive an indication of the at least one parameter;
- based at least in part on the at least one parameter, establish a flight path for the UAV that includes a target location and establish a direction to the target location based at least in part on the direction of motion of the UAV as the user releases the UAV;
- and
- direct the UAV to fly the flight path.
A method for manufacturing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
- programming a controller of the UAV with instructions, that, when executed, perform actions comprising:
- detect at least one parameter of a motion of the UAV as a user releases the UAV for flight, wherein the at least one parameter includes an acceleration of the UAV;
- based at least in part on the detected at least one parameter, establish a flight path for the UAV that includes a target location and establish a distance to the target location that is correlated with the acceleration of the UAV;
- and
- direct the UAV to fly the flight path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.