Abstract: A method for supporting target tracking includes acquiring a target from one or more images captured by an imaging device carried by a movable object, obtaining a relative distance between the movable object and the target, and generating one or more control signals based on the relative distance to direct the movable object to track the target.

Abstract: A method for determining an external state of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes obtaining historical external state information of the UAV, obtaining a current image and a historical image captured before the current image, predicting a matching feature point in the current image that corresponds to a target feature point in the historical image according the historical external state information, and determining the external state of the UAV based on the matching feature point.

Abstract: A data processing device and an aerial vehicle are provided. The device comprises a sensor, a processor, and a clock converter. A data signal output pin of the sensor is connected with a data signal input pin of the processor. The sensor comprises at least two clock output pins, each of which is connected with one of two input pins of the clock convert. An output pin of the clock converter is connected with a clock input pin of the processor. The dock converter is configured to convert clock signals input from various input pins into a single-ended clock signal, and output the single-ended clock signal to the processor through the output pin.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within an environment are provided. In one aspect, a system comprises one or more sensors carried on the unmanned aerial vehicle and configured to receive sensor data of the environment and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be individually or collectively configured to: determine, based on the sensor data, an environmental complexity factor representative of an obstacle density for the environment; determine, based on the environmental complexity factor, one or more operating rules for the unmanned aerial vehicle; receive a signal indicating a desired movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to move in accordance with the signal while complying with the one or more operating rules.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems related to determine a state of the UAV by updating a determined state of UAV with a relative proportional relationship. The UAV may be provided with a monocular camera, a proximity sensor and a processor. The processor may determine external state information of the UAV based on image data captured by the monocular camera, and calculate a relative proportional relationship to be applied to the determined external state information. The updated external state information of the UAV may be more precise or even equal to the actual state information of the UAV, thus enabling more accurate control and navigation for the autonomous flight.

Abstract: A system for operating a mobile platform using distance and speed information and methods for making and using same. The system includes a time-of-flight sensor and an ultrasound sensor for measuring a distance between the mobile platform and an obstacle and a processor for integrating the sensed measurements and controlling the mobile platform. The distance measured by the time-of-flight sensor can be determined via a phase shift method. The time-of-flight sensor can also be used to measure a speed of the mobile platform by imaging a reference point at different times and using stereopsis to ascertain the displacement. Distances and speeds measured using the time-of-flight and ultrasound sensors can be integrated to improve measurement accuracy. The systems and methods are suitable for use in controlling any type of mobile platform, including unmanned aerial vehicles and advantageously can be applied for avoiding collisions between the mobile platform and the obstacle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within an environment are provided. In one aspect, a system comprises one or more sensors carried by the unmanned aerial vehicle and configured to provide sensor data and one or more processors. The one or more processors can be individually or collectively configured to: determine, based on the sensor data, an environment type for the environment; select a flight mode from a plurality of different flight modes based on the environment type, wherein each of the plurality of different flight mode is associated with a different set of operating rules for the unmanned aerial vehicle; and cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to operate within the environment while conforming to the set of operating rules of the selected flight mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for providing information based on artificial intelligence. The method includes: determining a characteristic of interest of the user according to historical access records of the user; and displaying an information card matched with the characteristic of interest in an information displaying interface, the information card including core contents of news matched with the characteristic of interest determined by analyzing news in a database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within an environment are provided. In one aspect, a system comprises one or more sensors carried on the unmanned aerial vehicle and configured to receive sensor data of the environment and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be individually or collectively configured to: determine, based on the sensor data, an environmental complexity factor representative of an obstacle density for the environment; determine, based on the environmental complexity factor, one or more operating rules for the unmanned aerial vehicle; receive a signal indicating a desired movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to move in accordance with the signal while complying with the one or more operating rules.

Abstract: A detection apparatus includes an emission component, a receiver, and a controller electrically connected with the emission component and the receiver. The emission component includes an emitter configured to emit a signal, a reflector disposed in proximity to the emitter and configured to reflect the signal emitted by the emitter, and a driver connected to the reflector. The controller is configured to control the driver to drive the reflector to rotate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for guiding a target object with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in an environment. The UAV may be able to recognize and locate the target object. The UAV can be configured to communicate the actions and behavior of the target object to a user through a user device in communication with the UAV. The UAV can provide positive and negative stimuli to the target object to encourage an action or behavior. The UAV can be configured to recognize and manage waste generated by the target object.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for guiding a target object with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in an environment. The UAV may be able to recognize and locate the target object. The UAV can be configured to communicate the actions and behavior of the target object to a user through a user device in communication with the UAV. The UAV can provide positive and negative stimuli to the target object to encourage an action or behavior. The UAV can be configured to recognize and manage waste generated by the target object.

Abstract: A system for detecting objects using ultrasonic waves and methods for making and using the same are provided. The object detection system uniquely encodes each of a plurality of ultrasonic waves and transmit each of the uniquely-encoded ultrasonic waves in a respective direction. The object detection system then receives any of the emitted uniquely-encoded ultrasonic waves that are reflected from an object. By decoding the reflected ultrasonic waves, the object detection system distinguishes among the uniquely-encoded ultrasonic waves and detect the existence and location of the object.

Abstract: RGB-D imaging system having an ultrasonic array fin generating images that include depth data, and methods fin manufacturing and using same. The RGB-D imaging system includes an ultrasonic sensor array positioned on a housing that includes an ultrasonic emitter and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. The RGB-D imaging system also includes an RGB camera assembly positioned on the housing in a parallel plane with, and operably connected to, the ultrasonic sensor. The RGB-D imaging system thereby provides/enables improved imaging in a wide variety of lighting conditions compared to conventional systems.

Abstract: An image processing method includes correcting a target image based on an initial distortion coefficient to obtain a first corrected target image, performing straight-line fitting on a first border line in the first corrected target image to calculate a first distortion metric value and a correction distortion coefficient, correcting the target image based on the correction distortion coefficient to obtain a second corrected target image, performing straight-line fitting on a second border line in the second corrected target image to calculate a second distortion metric value, detecting whether a preset correction condition is satisfied based on at least one of the first distortion metric value or the second distortion metric value, and configuring the correction distortion coefficient as the initial distortion coefficient if the preset correction condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: A system for automatically adjusting a baseline of an imaging system for stereoscopic imaging and methods for making and using same. The imaging system includes a plurality of imaging devices that cooperate via a baseline adjustment mechanism. The imaging devices can acquire images of an object of interest and ascertain an object distance between the stereoscopic imaging system and the object of interest using triangulation. Based on the object distance, the baseline adjustment mechanism automatically adjusts a baseline between any pair of imaging devices. The baseline can be reduced when the object of interest is proximate to the imaging system and can be increased when the object of interest is distal. Once the baseline has been adjusted, one or more extrinsic parameters of the imaging devices are calibrated using a two-step optimization method. The imaging system is suitable for use aboard a mobile platform such as an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for guiding a target object with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in an environment. The UAV may be able to recognize and locate the target object. The UAV can be configured to communicate the actions and behavior of the target object to a user through a user device in communication with the UAV. The UAV can provide positive and negative stimuli to the target object to encourage an action or behavior. The UAV can be configured to recognize and manage waste generated by the target object.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for calibrating one or more imaging devices are provided. In one aspect, a method comprises: receiving, from each of the one or more imaging devices, a plurality of images of a calibration target comprising a plurality of features and one or more reference markers; determining a spatial relationship between the one or more reference markers in each image of the plurality of images and the one or more reference markers on the calibration target; formulating, based on the spatial relationship, a correspondence between image coordinates of features in each image of the plurality of images and global coordinates for corresponding features on the calibration target; and determining, based on the correspondence, calibration parameters for the one or more imaging devices.

Abstract: An optical-flow imaging system having an ultrasonic array for generating images that include depth data, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The optical-flow imaging system includes an ultrasonic sensor array positioned on a housing that includes an ultrasonic emitter and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. The optical-flow imaging system also includes a Red, Green Blue (RGB) camera assembly positioned on the housing in a parallel plane with, and operably connected to, the ultrasonic sensor. Thereby, the optical-flow imaging system advantageously enables improved imaging in a wide variety of lighting conditions compared to conventional systems.

Abstract: RGB-D imaging system having an ultrasonic array fin generating images that include depth data, and methods fin manufacturing and using same. The RGB-D imaging system includes an ultrasonic sensor array positioned on a housing that includes an ultrasonic emitter and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. The RGB-D imaging system also includes an RGB camera assembly positioned on the housing in a parallel plane with, and operably connected to, the ultrasonic sensor. The RGB-D imaging system thereby provides/enables improved imaging in a wide variety of lighting conditions compared to conventional systems.