Global positioning system (“GPS”) independent navigation system for a self-guided aerial vehicle utilizing multiple optical sensors

A self-guided aerial vehicle (“SAV”) having a navigation system, the SAV comprising:

• a housing having an outer surface, a length, a front-end, and a longitudinal axis along the length of the housing;
• a first optical sensor, wherein the first optical sensor is located along the outer surface of the housing and is directed at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis;
• a second optical sensor, wherein the second optical sensor is located along the outer surface of the housing and is directed at a second angle with respect to the longitudinal axis;
• a storage unit, wherein the storage unit is configured to include a database of a plurality of reference images;
• and
• a comparator, wherein the comparator is in signal communication with the first optical sensor, the second optical sensor, and the storage unit,
• wherein the first optical sensor is configured to acquire a first plurality of images of a first view with respect to the SAV when the SAV is in flight,
• wherein the second optical sensor is configured to acquire a second plurality of images of a second view with respect to the SAV when the SAV is in flight, and
• wherein the comparator is configured to compare the first plurality of acquired images and the second plurality of acquired images to the plurality of reference images in the database, and, in response, produce navigation information utilized by the navigation system to guide the inflight SAV.

A method for guiding an inflight self-guided aerial vehicle (“SAV”) with a navigation system utilizing a first optical sensor, a second optical sensor, a database of a plurality of reference images, and a comparator, the method comprising:

• acquiring, with the first optical sensor, a first plurality of images of a first view with respect to the SAV when the SAV is in flight;
• acquiring, with the second optical sensor, a second plurality of images of a second view with respect to the SAV when the SAV is in flight;
• comparing the first plurality of acquired images and the second plurality of acquired images to the plurality of reference images in the database, and, in response, producing navigation information utilized by the navigation system to guide the inflight SAV;
• and
• providing the navigation information to the navigation system, wherein the navigation system utilizes the navigation information to guide the inflight SAV.