Abstract: A method for capturing aerial images is carried out using a geographical area using a self-piloted aircraft according to a predetermined flight plan and an image capture apparatus mounted on the aircraft while being movable relative to the aircraft around a rotation axis. The method includes capturing a first series of images during a single flyover of the geographical area by the aircraft by positioning the image capture apparatus iteratively according to a first sequence of angular position(s), and then capturing a second series of images by positioning the image capture apparatus iteratively according to a second sequence of angular position(s) including at least one angular position distinct from each angular position of the first sequence.
Abstract: A method for acquiring images of a photographic target from arbitrary perspectives with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with at least one image acquisition device having a fixed acquisition direction with respect to the vehicle, said UAV having automatic navigation means allowing to reach an arbitrary location and automatic attitude control means allowing to transiently reach an arbitrary orientation in space, said photographic target being outside the current field of view of the acquisition device while the UAV flies along a predefined flying path, this method comprising: computing a target UAV position and an orientation in space required to acquire a desired image from a set of parameters, navigating to said target UAV position, modifying an attitude of the UAV in order to modify the acquisition direction to point toward the photographic target, acquiring images, and starting a recovery phase by controlling the UAV back to cruise attitude and navigate back along the predefined flying path.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 21, 2012
Date of Patent:
May 2, 2017
Assignee:
SENSEFLY S.A.
Inventors:
Jean-Christophe Zufferey, Antoine Beyeler
Abstract: A method for acquiring images of a photographic target from arbitrary perspectives with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with at least one image acquisition device having a fixed acquisition direction with respect to the vehicle, said UAV having automatic navigation means allowing to reach an arbitrary location and automatic attitude control means allowing to transiently reach an arbitrary orientation in space, said photographic target being outside the current field of view of the acquisition device while the UAV flies along a predefined flying path, this method comprising: computing a target UAV position and an orientation in space required to acquire a desired image from a set of parameters, navigating to said target UAV position, modifying an attitude of the UAV in order to modify the acquisition direction to point toward the photographic target, acquiring images, and starting a recovery phase by controlling the UAV back to cruise attitude and navigate back along the predefined flying path.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 21, 2012
Publication date:
July 10, 2014
Applicant:
SENSEFLY S.A.
Inventors:
Jean-Christophe Zufferey, Antoine Beyeler