Abstract: An autonomous mobile device (AMD) moves through a physical space without human intervention. Data from sensors on the AMD is used to determine if the AMD has collided with an obstacle. In one implementation the sensors may include a microphone. A collision may produce in the structure of the AMD a characteristic sound that is detected by the microphone and recognized as indicative of a collision. In another implementation information about velocity of the AMD and output from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) may be used to determine a characteristic change in motion that is indicative of a collision. Data from the microphone and the IMU may be combined to improve the reliability of collision detection.

Abstract: An aircraft flight control apparatus includes a flight track acquiring unit and a determining unit. The flight track acquiring unit is configured to measure a position of an aircraft to acquire a flight track of the aircraft. The determining unit is configured to determine, when an own-aircraft deviation amount gradually increases, whether the aircraft receives a spoofed signal as a satellite positioning system signal, on the basis of the own-aircraft deviation amount. The own-aircraft deviation amount is an amount of deviation of the flight track acquired by the flight track acquiring unit from a scheduled flight route of the aircraft.

Abstract: Flight control information systems, flight guidance display, and aircraft are provided. A navigational information system includes an input configured to receive a flight plan wherein the flight plan includes a first waypoint, a second waypoint, a third waypoint, and future waypoints, a user interface operative to generate a control signal in response to a user input, a display configured to display a graphical user interface, a processor operative to receive the flight plan from the input, to generate the graphical user interface to include to the first waypoint and the second waypoint and to couple the graphical user interface to the display, the processor being further operative to generate the graphical user interface in to include the first waypoint and the third waypoint in response to the control signal and to couple the graphical user interface to the display.

Abstract: An aircraft emergency control system comprises at least one sensor configured to output an electronic signal relating to detection of incapacitation of at least one aircraft crew member. A processor is configured to receive and process the electronic signal to determine whether emergency action is to be taken. A control unit is configured to communicate, in use, a control signal to an avionics system of the aircraft in relation to the emergency action if the processor determines that emergency action is to be taken.

Abstract: An antitheft system of a user terminal module and a mobile robot capable of being used as a shopping cart are disclosed. The antitheft system includes: a user terminal module generating terminal location data comprising location coordinates; a mobile robot assisting in driving through conversion of a drive mode into a preset drive mode depending upon a location of the user terminal module and a distance from the mobile robot to the user terminal module while generating and outputting robot location data comprising location data thereof in real time; and a monitoring device monitoring locations of the user terminal module and the mobile robot in real time and controlling the terminal module and the mobile robot to perform an antitheft operation depending upon a region in which the terminal module and the mobile robot are placed, thereby improving reliability by preventing theft and loss of the user terminal module and the mobile robot.

Abstract: The present invention is provided with an information acquisition unit for acquiring at least one piece of physical information regarding an object including a target built therein, a status of the target being unable to be directly checked from outside, the at least one piece of physical information being manifested outside the object, and a status determination unit for determining the status of the target based on the acquired at least one piece of physical information.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle navigation map construction system based on three-dimensional image reconstruction technology comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle, a data acquiring component and a three-dimensional navigation map construction system, wherein the three-dimensional navigation map construction system comprises an image set input system, a feature point extraction system, a sparse three-dimensional point cloud reconstruction system, a dense three-dimensional point cloud reconstruction system, a point cloud model optimization system and a three-dimensional navigation map reconstruction system. A scene image set is input into the three-dimensional navigation map construction system, feature point detection is carried out on all images, a sparse point cloud model of the scene and a dense point cloud model of the scene are reconstructed, the model is optimized by removing a miscellaneous point and reconstructing the surface, and a three-dimensional navigation map of the scene is reconstructed.

Abstract: A method of assisted takeoff of a movable object includes increasing output to an actuator that drives a propulsion unit of the movable object under a first feedback control scheme, determining whether the movable object has met a takeoff threshold, and controlling the output to the actuator using a second feedback control scheme different from the first feedback control scheme in response to the movable object having met the takeoff threshold.

Abstract: A fact checking system utilizes social networking information and analyzes and determines the factual accuracy of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with source information. The social networking fact checking system automatically monitors information, processes the information, fact checks the information and/or provides a status of the information, including automatically modifying a web page to include the fact check results. The fact checking system is able to be implemented utilizing a drone device.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may perform a surveillance action at a property of an authorized party. The property may be defined by a geo-fence, which may be a virtual perimeter or boundary around a real-world geographic area. The UAV may image the property to generate surveillance images, and the surveillance images may include image data of objects inside the geo-fence and image data of objects outside the geo-fence. While gathering surveillance images, or after the surveillance images have been gathered, the geo-fence information may be used to obscure or remove image data referring to objects outside the geo-fence. Geo-clipped surveillance images may be generated by physically constraining a sensor of the UAV, by performing pre-image capture processing, or post-image capture processing. Geo-clipped surveillance images may be limited to authorized property, so privacy is ensured for private persons and property.

Abstract: Techniques for allowing a vehicle to detect and avoid obstacles comprises at least one radar and a navigation system including a three-dimensional map database. The at least one radar generates radar return image(s) which can be compared by the navigation system to the three-dimensional map to determine a three-dimensional position of the vehicle. Based upon position determination, the navigation system can guide the vehicle to a destination whilst avoiding obstacles. If the vehicle also includes a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, such techniques are desirable when the GNSS receiver is unable to provide accurate position data, which can occur in urban environments where obstacles are numerous.

Abstract: Methods and associated systems for autonomous package delivery utilize a UAS/UAV, an infrared positioning senor, and a docking station integrated with a package delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV accepts a package for delivery from the docking station on the delivery vehicle and uploads the delivery destination. The UAS/UAV autonomously launches from its docked position on the delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV autonomously flies to the delivery destination by means of GPS navigation. The UAS/UAV is guided in final delivery by means of a human supervised live video feed from the UAS/UAV. The UAS/UAV is assisted in the descent and delivery of the parcel by precision sensors and if necessary by means of remote human control. The UAS/UAV autonomously returns to the delivery vehicle by means of GPS navigation and precision sensors. The UAS/UAV autonomously docks with the delivery vehicle for recharging and preparation for the next delivery sequence.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a user and phase of flight dependent cockpit display. The methods and systems generate a display for a display device using display settings included in a user profile and a current phase of flight. The display settings include preferences defining a range of a map to be displayed that are different for different phases of flight, and preferences defining a level of declutter of a map to be displayed that are different for different phases of flight.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing aircraft is shown. The VTOL aircraft has a main wing having a left wing and a right wing configured as folding wings, and one or more of a foreplane, having a left canard and a right canard configured as folding wings, and/or a tailplane, having a left stabiliser and a right stabiliser configured as folding wings. Each one of the folding wings has a fixed inboard section and a folding outboard section. The folding outboard section is downwardly foldable to a landing condition to support the aircraft on a surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to stopping a vehicle. For instance, a vehicle is controlled in an autonomous driving mode by generating first commands for acceleration control and sending the first commands to an acceleration and/or steering actuator of an acceleration system of the vehicle in order to cause the vehicle to accelerate. Acceleration and/or orientation of the vehicle is monitored while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode. The monitored acceleration and/or orientation is compared with the first commands. An error with the acceleration and/or steering system is determined based on the comparison. When the error is determined, the vehicle is controlled in the autonomous driving mode by generating second commands which do not require any acceleration and/or steering.

Abstract: Embodiments of an escort drone device, system and method provide one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous escort drones capable of being summoned by an individual to a first location, wherein the escort drone(s) includes a payload with threat deterring components and wherein the threat deterring components can be engaged by a remote operator at a different location from the first location. In embodiments, the system can employ intelligent mesh networking to allocate one or more escort drones to one or more specific locations.

Abstract: A set of commands for each of a plurality of actuators to alter an aircraft's state responsive to one or more inputs is produced. The set of commands is provided to fewer than all actuators comprising the plurality of actuators.

Abstract: Inertial measurement method and apparatus for a mobile entity perform a filtering process for an angular velocity signal, an alignment process where an approximate initial attitude angle is calculated from acceleration and angular velocity signals and then precisely adjusted, an angular velocity/acceleration bias calculation process where angular velocity bias is calculated by subtracting Earth's angular velocity from the angular velocity signal and an acceleration bias is calculated by subtracting gravitational acceleration from the acceleration signal, an attitude angle calculation process where an angular velocity is calculated by subtracting Earth's angular velocity and the angular velocity bias from the angular velocity signal, and an attitude angle is calculated by integrating the angular velocity, a location movement amount calculation process where acceleration is calculated by subtracting the gravitational acceleration and the acceleration bias from the acceleration signal, and calculate a location m

Abstract: A mapping system, computer program product and method provide visualization of the dynamic range of an aircraft. A method may include: receiving map data, where the map data includes a three-dimensional terrain map of a geographic region; determining a location of an aerial vehicle; calculating a plurality of points in a plurality of different direction that can be reached by the aerial vehicle within at least two predetermined increments of energy consumption; and providing for display of a map of the geographic region including an isoline through the plurality of points for each of the at least two predetermined increments of energy consumption representing a dynamic range of the aerial vehicle for the at least two predetermined increments of energy consumption.

Abstract: An aircraft emergency control system comprises at least one sensor (104A, 104B, 104C) configured to output an electronic signal relating to detection of incapacitation of at least one aircraft crew member. A processor (108) is configured to receive and process the electronic signal to determine whether emergency action is to be taken. A control unit (114) is configured to communicate, in use, a control signal to an avionics system (116) of the aircraft (100) in relation to the emergency action if the processor determines that emergency action is to be taken.

Abstract: A method and a system for establishing a route of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The method includes identifying an object from surface scanning data and shaping a space, which facilitates autonomous flight, as a layer, collecting surface image data for a flight path from the shaped layer, and analyzing a change in image resolution according to a distance from the object through the collected surface image data and extracting an altitude value on a flight route.

Abstract: A method and a system for establishing a route of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The method includes identifying an object from surface scanning data and shaping a space, which facilitates autonomous flight, as a layer, collecting surface image data for a flight path from the shaped layer, and analyzing a change in image resolution according to a distance from the object through the collected surface image data and extracting an altitude value on a flight route.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided an onboard integrated computational system for an unmanned aircraft system (“Stabilis” autopilot). This is an integrated suite of hardware, software, and data-to-decisions services that are designed to meet the needs of business and research developers of UAS. Stabilis is designed to accelerate the development of any UAS platform and avionics system; it does so with hardware modularity and software adaptation. The Stabilis offers multiple technological advantages technological advantages including: Plug-and-adapt functionality; Data-to-decisions capability; and, On board parallelization capability.

Abstract: A device for releasably mounting an autopilot control circuit to a flight control component of an aircraft, includes a frame that holds a component of an autopilot control circuit; a first coupler releasably fastened to the frame and operable to releasably mount the frame to the airframe of an aircraft; and a second coupler releasably fastened to the frame and operable to releasably mount the frame to a flight control component of the aircraft. When the device is releasably mounted in an aircraft's cabin and the autopilot control circuit is engaged, the autopilot control circuit controls an aspect of the aircraft's flight by moving the second coupler relative to the first coupler. With the device one can releasably mount an autopilot control circuit to an aircraft that does not have one and use the autopilot control circuit and device to control one or more aspects of the aircraft's flight.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed an unmanned aerial vehicle alignment system comprising one or more image sensors, configured to obtain an image of a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles and provide to one or more processors image data corresponding to the obtained image; one or more processors, configured to detect from the image data image positions of the plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles; derive a target position based on a relationship between an image position and a target alignment; and determine an adjustment instruction to direct an unmanned aerial vehicle toward the target position.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control. A system for UAV control comprises a flight control system of a UAV, an image sensor on the UAV, an aircraft marshaling signal database, and a control circuit coupled to the flight control system, the image sensor, and the aircraft marshaling signal database. The control circuit being configured to: detect, with the image sensor, a gesture from a ground crew member, verify that the ground crew member is an authorized controller of the UAV, compare the gesture with marshaling signals in the aircraft marshaling signal database to determine a corresponding marshaling signal, determine a flight command based on the corresponding marshaling signal, and execute the flight command with the flight control system of the UAV.

Abstract: A device for assisting the piloting of a rotorcraft in order to pilot a rotorcraft during an approach stage preceding a stage of landing on a rotorcraft landing area. Such a device includes in particular a camera for taking a plurality of images of the environment of the rotorcraft along a line of sight, looking at least along a forward direction Dx of the rotorcraft, and processor for identifying in at least one image from among said plurality of images at least one looked-for landing area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for guiding an aircraft along a reference path, said method comprising: a) when the altitude of the aircraft is greater than a threshold, estimating (E1) a relative location of the aircraft in relation to a taxiing starting point using a map of the platform and reference points on the ground, b) when the altitude of the aircraft is less than said threshold and before the aircraft is located at the taxiing starting point, estimating (E2) a relative location of the aircraft in relation to the taxiing starting point using data relating to the absolute location of the aircraft and the last relative location estimated at step a), c) when the aircraft is located at the taxiing starting point, guiding (E3) the aircraft on the basis of a location of the aircraft relative to the reference path as estimated using data relating to a set of indicators on the ground.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to inventory management, and more particularly to system and method for airborne shelf inspection and inventor management. When a UAV has to be navigated based on navigation information embedded in visual markers on different items in the inventory, and if one or more of the visual markers are not completely visible due to occlusion, then the UAV automatically recovers data that is missing due to the occlusion, and accordingly navigates the UAV.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for implementation of variable references frames in unmanned vehicles is provided, which includes an unmanned vehicle comprising: a chassis; a propulsion system configured to move the chassis; sensor(s) configured to sense features around the chassis; a memory storing a global reference frame associated with an environment within which the chassis is to move; a communication interface; and a processor configured to: receive, using the interface, a command to move to a given coordinate in the global reference frame; control the propulsion system to move the chassis to the given coordinate; when the chassis is at the given coordinate, determine, using the sensor(s), that a given feature is detected; and, when so: automatically cease controlling the propulsion system according to the global reference frame; automatically move the chassis according to a local reference frame defined with reference to a point associated with the given feature.

Abstract: The invention describes devices and methods for controlling positioning of a payload on an unmanned aerial vehicle. A carrier as described herein may provide movement of a payload relative to a central body or one or more propulsion units of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The payload may move above and below the central body or the one or more propulsion units. The carrier may comprise one or more guides, a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator may permit the payload to translate with respect to the one or more guides and the second actuator may permit the payload to rotate about one or more axes of rotation with respect to the one or more guides. Therefore, the positioning of the payload may be well controlled, and movability and maneuverability of the payload may be increased.

Abstract: A combined controller with a panel that has a face and a back, a case attached to the back of the panel. The face of the panel includes a plurality of first primary flight display inputs configured to receive physical inputs for the control of a first primary flight display; a plurality of second primary flight display inputs configured to receive physical inputs for the control of a second primary flight display; and a plurality of flight control inputs configured to receive physical inputs for the control of automated flight behavior.

Abstract: A self-stabilizing spherical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) camera assembly, including: a stabilizer assembly; a plurality of motors coupled to the stabilizer assembly; a spherical camera mounting cage assembly disposed about and coupled to the stabilizer assembly; and a plurality of cameras coupled to the spherical camera mounting cage assembly. Preferably, the plurality of cameras include a plurality of stereoscopic cameras coupled to an exterior of the spherical camera mounting cage assembly. The self-stabilizing spherical UAV camera assembly is capable of taking/recording 360 degree×180 degree stereoscopic photo/video content. The self-stabilizing spherical UAV camera assembly can also be used with various real-time visualization and control technologies.

Abstract: A method for determining a minimum-thrust descent and rejoining profile in respect of a target point by an aircraft comprises a first step of computing an energy differential of the aircraft in the air ?Ea between a first initial state of the aircraft at an initial geodesic point Qi and a second final state of the aircraft at the final arrival target point Qf. The method comprises a second step of adjusting an adjustable modelled profile of altitude hm(t) and of air speed Vam(t) of the aircraft with the aid of parameters so the adjusted modelled profile of altitude h(t) and of air speed Va(t) of the aircraft ensures the consumption of the variation of energy of the aircraft in the air ?Ea in a fixed required timespan ?trequired and a fixed required altitude variation tf?ti in the required time timespan, the aircraft operating permanently in an engine regime with constant and minimum thrust.

Abstract: A method and a system for establishing a route of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The method includes identifying an object from surface scanning data and shaping a space, which facilitates autonomous flight, as a layer, collecting surface image data for a flight path from the shaped layer, and analyzing a change in image resolution according to a distance from the object through the collected surface image data and extracting an altitude value on a flight route.

Abstract: A passenger in an automated vehicle may relinquish control of the vehicle to a control computer when the control computer has determined that it may maneuver the vehicle safely to a destination. The passenger may relinquish or regain control of the vehicle by applying different degrees of pressure, for example, on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The control computer may convey status information to a passenger in a variety of ways including by illuminating elements of the vehicle. The color and location of the illumination may indicate the status of the control computer, for example, whether the control computer has been armed, is ready to take control of the vehicle, or is currently controlling the vehicle.

Abstract: A system method for providing aircraft lateral navigation system capability feedback to a pilot includes determining, in a processor, when a flight plan has been received that includes a flight leg that needs to be captured by the aircraft. A determination is made, in the processor, when an armed signal has been received, where the armed signal indicating that an aircraft autopilot navigation mode (NAV) has been armed. The processor is used to command a display device to render the flight leg using a first display paradigm when the armed signal has not been received, and to render the flight leg using a second display paradigm when the armed signal has been received.

Abstract: A profiling approach for determining a path for an aircraft, using a method comprising the steps of determining at least two waypoints between a starting position and a desired terminal position for the aircraft, determining a path for the aircraft between the starting position and the terminal position, by performing a linear approximation of the heights of the waypoints such that the average height change between waypoints is minimized, and constrained by a maximum climb angle of said aircraft, and performing a linear approximation of arrival times for each of the waypoints and aircraft speeds between the waypoints, constrained by permissible velocity of said aircraft on the slope between the waypoints. In this way, the non-linear relationship between climb rate and speed is approximated with linear equations, because determination of the path between each set of two waypoints is broken into two linear problems.

Abstract: A system for drone coordination includes logic to detect an adverse weather condition and detect a plurality of drones operating in a region to be affected by the adverse weather condition. The logic can also transmit a request to the plurality of drones, wherein the request indicates that each of the plurality of drones is to return to an emergency landing site to be selected from a set of predetermined emergency landing sites. The emergency landing site for each drone can be based in part on the location of the drone at the time of transmittal of the request.

Abstract: A flight control method of an unmanned flying object includes acquiring first positional information indicating a position of the unmanned flying object using a position sensor, receiving a position reset command and second positional information that indicates a position of an operation device from the operation device used to operate the unmanned flying object, determining a rotation angle needed to orient a movement direction of the unmanned flying object in a predetermined direction in accordance with the first positional information and the second positional information, and performing control to orient the movement direction of the unmanned flying object in the predetermined direction in accordance with the rotation angle.

Abstract: Methods and associated systems for autonomous package delivery utilize a UAS/UAV, an infrared positioning senor, and a docking station integrated with a package delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV accepts a package for delivery from the docking station on the delivery vehicle and uploads the delivery destination. The UAS/UAV autonomously launches from its docked position on the delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV autonomously flies to the delivery destination by means of GPS navigation. The UAS/UAV is guided in final delivery by means of a human supervised live video feed from the UAS/UAV. The UAS/UAV is assisted in the descent and delivery of the parcel by precision sensors and if necessary by means of remote human control. The UAS/UAV autonomously returns to the delivery vehicle by means of GPS navigation and precision sensors. The UAS/UAV autonomously docks with the delivery vehicle for recharging and preparation for the next delivery sequence.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising a control station for remotely controlling unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAV”). The control station is configured to display vehicle status data received from each UAV, including displaying a location of each UAV in a single interface. Through the single interface, the control station may receive a control command input associated with one of the UAVs. The control station may transmit the received control command, or a command derived therefrom, to the respective UAV. The single interface may provide for a user to view and control flight operation of each of the UAVs independently through the single interface.

Abstract: One form of a driving test system for a moving object includes: an unmanned aircraft configured to fly at a set distance from the moving object that is configured to drive along a set route in a set zone and has a vision sensor disposed on one side that is configured to detect the moving object's motion; and a controller configured to control the flight of the unmanned aircraft to follow the moving object and to transmit to the vision sensor and to receive from the vision censor, detected motion characteristics of the moving object.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to an Unmanned Aerial Device (UAV) that uses a removable computing device for command and control. The UAV may include an airframe with rotors and an adjustable cradle to attach a computing device. The computing device, such as a smart phone, tablet, MP3 player, or the like, may provide the necessary avionics and computing equipment to control the UAV autonomously. For example, the adjustable cradle may be extended to fit a tablet or other large computing device, or retracted to fit a smart phone or other small computing device. Thus, the adjustable cradle may provide for the attachment and use of a plurality of different computing devices in conjunction with a single airframe. Additionally the UAV may comprise adjustable arms to assist in balancing the load of the different computing devices and/or additional equipment attached to the airframe.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may relate to systems and methods for navigating to a supply request. An alert device may be controlled to issue alerts to draw the attention of bystanders to associated supplies for a situation. An illustrative method involves (a) receiving, by a computing system, a transmission indicating a situation at a designated location; (b) the computing system determining an approximate target area associated with the designated location; (c) the computing system making a determination that an alert device is located within the approximate target area; and (d) in response to the determination that the alert device is located within the approximate target area, the computing system executing instructions to activate at least one alert on the alert device indicating the situation and the designated location of the situation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining via a processor in an avionics system that a personal electronic device is in communication with the avionics system, and establishing a limitation on the functionality of the personal electronic device with respect to the avionics system via the processor.

Abstract: A method for adaptive mission execution by an unmanned aerial vehicle includes receiving a set of pre-calculated mission parameters corresponding to an initial UAV mission; collecting UAV operation data during flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle; calculating a set of modified mission parameters from the set of pre-calculated mission parameters and the UAV operation data, the set of modified mission parameters corresponding to a modified UAV mission; and executing the modified UAV mission on the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A method is provided for unmanned control of at least one vehicle by a central processing unit. The central processing unit controls the at least one vehicle on a route determined by the central processing unit from a first location on the route to at least one second location on the route. The second location on the route is a parking site. The central processing unit further controls the vehicle so that the vehicle, after a parking operation at the second location, is provided automatically to a user for acceptance at a retrieval location as further location on the route. The route is calculated by the central processing unit dynamically depending on information concerning further routes for further vehicles managed by the central processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method can be used with a remote vehicle such as an unmanned aviation system (UAS) or unmanned aviation vehicle (UAV). The system can be an apparatus including a camera, electronics, and a communication unit. The electronics provide a display image on a combiner. The camera is disposed to receive the display image from the combiner and provide a camera image. The communication unit provides data associated with the camera image from the camera to a remote location.

Abstract: A device receives a request for a flight path from a first location to a second location in a region, and calculates the flight path based on the request and based on one or more of weather information, air traffic information, obstacle information, regulatory information, or historical information associated with the region. The device determines required capabilities for the flight path based on the request, and selects, from multiple UAVs, a particular UAV based on the required capabilities for the flight path and based on a ranking of the multiple UAVs. The device generates flight path instructions for the flight path, and provides the flight path instructions to the particular UAV to permit the particular UAV to travel from the first location to the second location via the flight path.