Abstract: The drone comprises a camera, an inertial unit measuring the drone angles, and an extractor module delivering data of an image area (ZI) of reduced size defined inside a capture area (ZC) of the sensor. A feedback-control module dynamically modifies the position and the orientation of the image area inside the capture area, in a direction opposite to that of the angle variations measured by the inertial unit. The sensor may operate according to a plurality of different configurations able to be dynamically selected, with a base configuration using a base capture area (ZCB) for low values of roll angle (?), and at least one degraded mode configuration using an extended capture area (ZCE) of greater size than the base capture area (ZCB), for high values of roll angle (?).

Abstract: An electrowetting optical device including a conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid, the liquids being non miscible, and a dielectric enclosure on which both fluids are in contact and form a triple interface. The non-conductive liquid includes from 0.0001 weight percent to 1 about weight percent of a surface adsorbing agent. The surface adsorbing agent is an amphiphilic molecule having a solubility in water lower than 0.1 about weight percent at 25° C.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a camera (10) with a digital sensor read by a mechanism of the rolling shutter type delivering video data (Scam) line by line. An exposure control circuit (22) adjusts dynamically the exposure time (texp) as a function of the level of illumination of the scene that is captured. A gyrometer unit (12) delivers a gyrometer signal (Sgyro) representative of the instantaneous variations of attitude (?, ?, ?) of the camera, and a processing circuit (18) that receives the video data (Scam) and the gyrometer signal (Sgyro) delivers as an output video data processed and corrected for artefacts introduced by vibrations specific to the apparatus. An anti-wobble filter (24) dynamically modifies the gain of the gyrometer signal as a function of the exposure time (texp), so as to reduce the gain of the filter when the exposure time increases, and vice versa.

Abstract: A vertical-view camera (16) delivers an image signal (ScamV) of the ground overflown by the drone. Gyrometric sensors (102) measure the Euler angles (?, ?, ?) characterizing the attitude of the drone and delivering a gyrometric signal (Sgyro) representative of the instantaneous rotations. Rotation compensation means (136) receive the image signal and the gyrometric signal and deliver retimed image data, compensated for the rotations, then used to estimate the horizontal speeds of the drone. The camera and the inertial unit are piloted by a common clock (160), and it is provided a circuit (170) for determining the value of the phase-shift between the gyrometric signal and the image signal, and to apply this phase-shift value at the input of the rotation compensation means (136) to resynchronize the image signal onto the gyrometric signal before computation of the retimed image data.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a drone with a flattened tubular part protrudingly mounted on a module located on the fuselage of the drone, where the free distal end of the drone may also include a Pitot tube dynamic pressure front air intake. An internal duct may further connect the air intake to a pressure sensor mounted on the module. The tubular part may be mobile with respect to the module and may further include a means or mechanism for the mechanical coupling to a contractor mounted on the module. The tubular part may further include a light guide in light communication with a luminescent element mounted in the vicinity or at the level of the proximal end thereof. The tubular part may also include two sectionalized portions that are nested and in continuation of each other, where the base portion may be permanently linked to the module and a removable protruding portion may be located at the top base portion, which may include a front air intake and an internal duct.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include a rotary-wing drone that includes a drone body and linking arms, such that a propulsion unit is located at the distal ends of the linking arms. The rotary-wing drone may also include a stiff battery pack with at least one fixation means and a guiding profile. The drone body may also include a platform with at least one guiding rail configured to cooperate and receive the complementary guiding profile of the battery pack and at least one fixation means complementary to the fixation means of the battery pack so that the battery pack attaches onto and stiffens the drone body.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a rotary-wing drone that includes a drone body, linking arms that extend from the drone body with a propulsion unit located on a distal end of the linking arms, and at least two drone supports extending from the drone body. The drone supports may include a lifting means so that the drone supports are able to be lifted when the drone flies, where the drone supports come into alignment with the linking arms. The drone supports may form the leading edge of the rear linking arms and/or the trailing edge of the front linking arms of the drone.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a rotary-wing drone that includes a drone body with two front linking arms and two rear linking arms extending from the drone body with a propulsion unit located on a distal end of the linking arms. The points of fixation of the front linking arms and the points of fixation of the rear linking arms are located at different respective heights with respect to the horizontal median plane of the drone body. The two front linking arms of the drone may form a first angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal median plane of the drone body and the two rear linking arms may form a second angle of inclination. Additionally, the linking arms of the drone may further be adapted to be folded over along the drone body.

Abstract: This system comprises a drone and a remote station with virtual reality glasses rendering images transmitted from the drone, and provided with means for detecting changes of orientation of the user's head. The drone generates a “viewpoint” image (P?1) and a “bird's eye” image (P?2) whose field is wider and whose definition is lower. When the sight axis of the “viewpoint” image is modified in response to changes of position of the user's head, the station generates locally during the movement of the user's head a combination of the current “viewpoint” and “bird's eye” images, with outlines (CO?) adjusted as a function of the changes of position detected by the detection means.

Abstract: The system comprises a drone and a ground station with a console adapted to be directed towards the drone, and virtual reality glasses rendering images taken by a camera of the drone. The system further comprises means for modifying the framing of the images taken by the camera as a function of framing instructions received from the ground station. It further comprises relative heading determination means (302-324) for periodically elaborating an angular difference between the orientation of the glasses and the orientation of the console, and means (316) for elaborating framing instructions for the drone as a function said angular difference. The sudden changes of framing when the user simply turns the console and his whole body, head included, towards the drone to follow it in its displacements, are hence avoided.

Abstract: A drone propulsion unit includes a propeller with a hub and a plurality of blades, an electric motor with a motor support, and a motor control device, wherein the electric motor includes a fixed part with a stator connected to the motor support and a mobile part with a rotor mobile about an axis of rotation for driving the propeller, the propeller includes a blade with a plurality of electroluminescent diodes and a diode control device, the motor includes a hollow central shaft, and the motor support includes a communication device adapted to communicate with a communication device integrated in the propeller, with the communication devices being positioned on either side of the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a wooden perch which is affordable, has a reduced chance of infection or infestation, and provides increased comfort for animals. The method of fabricating a wooden perch generally includes the steps of providing a piece of wood and using a wood crafting assembly to create natural, randomized contours along the exterior of the piece of wood to complete the wooden perch. The piece of wood is rotated along its length across a wood crafting assembly in two opposite directions to create an interwoven sine-wave pattern along its length. Random parts of the wood are then applied to the wood crafting assembly at random angles with random pressure levels to create a natural contour along the length of the perch. Mounting hardware may be included to aid in securing the perch to various surfaces, such as an indoor bird cage or an outdoor bird feeder.

Abstract: A drone including a barometric sensor adapted to deliver a drone altitude signal; a sensor for measuring the attitude of said drone, adapted to estimate at least one angle of attitude of the drone, and altitude determination means adapted to deliver a drone altitude value, expressed in an absolute terrestrial reference system. The drone includes a relative wind speed sensor adapted to measure the relative wind speed and the altitude determination means includes a device for memorizing predetermined altitude compensation data, an altitude estimator receiving as an input the signals delivered by the attitude measurement sensor and by the relative wind speed sensor and by the barometric sensor and combining these signals with the altitude compensation data memorized in the memorized device to output the estimated drone altitude value.

Abstract: This unit implements a remote-control console (20) supporting a tablet (18). The console comprises a TX/RX module (48) interfaced with a TX/RX module (50) of the tablet to form a first Wi-Fi local network, which is a short-range standard network. The console comprises another specific TX/RX module (54), interfaced with an TX/RX module (58) of the drone (10) to form a second Wi-Fi local network, which is an optimized long-range network, both being networks operating on non-shared channels. A bidirectional routing module (78) ensures the interfacing between the two Wi-Fi networks, to allow the transparent exchange of data between the drone (10) and the tablet (18), as well as with levers and buttons of the console (64, 66) or with a peripheral (80) connected thereto.

Abstract: A new method of dynamic control of a rotary-wing drone in throw start includes the steps of: a) initializing a predictive-filter altitude estimator; b) the user throwing the drone in the air with the motors turned off; c) detecting the free fall state; d) upon detecting the free fall state, fast start with turn-on of the motors, open-loop activation of the altitude control means, and closed-loop activation of the attitude control means; e) after a motor response time, stabilizing the drone by closed-loop activation of the altitude control means, and closed-loop activation of the attitude control means; f) detecting a stabilization state such that the total angular speed of the drone is lower than a predetermined threshold; and g) upon detecting the stabilization state, switching to a final state in which the drone is in a stable lift condition and pilotable by the user.