Patents Assigned to SENSEFLY S.A.
  • Patent number: 10999517
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SENSEFLY S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Charlaix, Baptiste Mazin, Alexandre Bontemps, Sébastien Courroux, Raphael Zaugg, François Gervaix
  • Patent number: 9641810
    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
  • Publication number: 20140192193
    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