Abstract: In a method of encoding of temporal information for stable video instance segmentation and video object detection, a neural network analyzes an input frame of a video to output a prediction template. The prediction template includes either segmentation masks of objects in the input frame or bounding boxes surrounding objects in the input frame. The prediction template is then colour coded by a template generator. The colour coded template, along with a frame subsequent to the input frame, is supplied to a template encoder such that temporal information from the input frame is encoded into the output of the temporal encoder.

Abstract: A vison-based landing system comprises a processor onboard an aerial vehicle, an onboard vision sensor, onboard aiding sensors, and a data storage unit. The processor hosts an adaptive feature extraction module operative to perform a method that comprises capturing an image of a landing area having a plurality of edge features; calculating an estimated slope of an expected edge feature; calculating an expected gradient direction of the expected edge feature; selecting a horizontal basis kernel for the expected edge feature along an expected horizontal gradient; selecting a vertical basis kernel for the expected edge feature along an expected vertical gradient; calculating a combined convolution kernel for the expected edge feature based on the horizontal and vertical basis kernels, the estimated slope, and the expected gradient direction; and performing a convolution operation on the image using the combined convolution kernel to obtain an edge feature image of the landing area.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for slewing a light beam axis directly between points on the ground. One method involves determining a first position associated with a beam axis of a lighting arrangement in a Cartesian reference frame based on an initial orientation of the lighting arrangement in a spherical reference frame, determining an adjustment for the lighting arrangement in the Cartesian reference frame in response to a user input, determining an updated position for the beam axis in the Cartesian reference frame based on the first position and the adjustment in the Cartesian reference frame, transforming the updated position for the beam axis in the Cartesian reference frame to an updated orientation of the lighting arrangement in the spherical reference frame, and concurrently commanding actuators associated with the lighting arrangement to slew the lighting arrangement from the initial orientation to the updated orientation in the spherical reference frame.

Abstract: A method for controlling an orientation of a searchlight on a vehicle is provided. The method comprises: obtaining a target range to a point of interest (POI) at a target; determining a searchlight position and attitude; calculating a three dimensional position at the POI using searchlight azimuth and tilt actuator angles, the target range, and the searchlight position and attitude, while a searchlight light head continues to point at the 3D target position despite changes in movement or orientation of the vehicle; calculating a desired searchlight orientation including azimuth angle and tilt angle to point the light head at the target through inverting a kinematic relationship between the vehicle and the searchlight; calculating compensatory actuator angles for a plurality of searchlight actuators to achieve the desired searchlight orientation based on error measurements calculated from a current orientation; and commanding the plurality of searchlight actuators to the compensatory actuator angles.

Abstract: A method for segmenting objects in a scene by an electronic device is provided. The method includes inputting at least one input frame of the scene into a pre-trained neural network model, the scene including a plurality of objects; determining a position and a shape of each object of the plurality of objects in the scene using the pre-trained neural network model; determining an array of coefficients for pixels associated with each object of the plurality of objects in the scene using the pre-trained neural network model; and generating a segment mask for each object of the plurality of objects based on the position, the shape, and the array of coefficients for each object of the plurality of objects in the scene.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly is provided that allows for more than a single rotation about a rotational axis in both a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction.

Abstract: Systems and Embodiments for a structured light navigation aid are provided. In certain embodiments, a system includes a structured light emitter that emits structured light towards a surface, wherein the structured light emitter can movably change a direction of emitted structured light. Additionally, the system includes a structured light receiver that receives light from an environment, wherein the structured light receiver identifies reflected structured light from the surface in the received light and calculates navigation information from the reflected structured light. Further, the system includes one or more processors that control the structured light as one of a pre-programmed pattern or a pattern determined during operation of the structured light emitter.

Abstract: A method of tracking an image feature is described. The method comprises acquiring an image with a camera, and determining, using processing circuitry, a bounding area in the image, the bounding area surrounding a feature in the image. The method further comprises determining, using processing circuitry, a rotation axis and a rotation angle based on a first focal length of the camera and a position of the bounding area relative to a center of the image. The method further comprises determining, using processing circuitry, at least one of a pan angle, a roll angle, and a tilt angle for the camera at which the bounding area is centered in the image. The method further comprises adjusting, using a gimbal, an orientation of the camera based on the at least one of the pan angle, the roll angle, and the tilt angle.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for managing energy use in a vehicle. For instance, the method may include receiving forecasted data from a first external source, receiving real-time data corresponding to at least one weather parameter at a first location at a first time, and continuously determining whether to perform an adjustment to a control parameter of the vehicle by using a machine learning model that is based on the forecasted data for the at least one weather parameter, the real-time data for the at least one weather parameter, a battery condition of the vehicle, and/or an estimated amount of energy consumed by traveling along a first navigation path.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly is provided that allows for more than a single rotation about a rotational axis in both a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction.

Abstract: A method of tracking an image feature is described. The method comprises acquiring an image with a camera, and determining, using processing circuitry, a bounding area in the image, the bounding area surrounding a feature in the image. The method further comprises determining, using processing circuitry, a rotation axis and a rotation angle based on a first focal length of the camera and a position of the bounding area relative to a center of the image. The method further comprises determining, using processing circuitry, at least one of a pan angle, a roll angle, and a tilt angle for the camera at which the bounding area is centered in the image. The method further comprises adjusting, using a gimbal, an orientation of the camera based on the at least one of the pan angle, the roll angle, and the tilt angle.

Abstract: An active human-machine interface feedback system includes a user interface, a pitch angle sensor, a roll angle sensor, a spherical motor, and a control circuit. The user interface adapted to receive user input and is configured, upon receipt of the user input, to move, about one or both of a pitch axis and a roll axis, to a user interface position. The pitch angle sensor is configured to sense the pitch angle component of the user interface position. The roll angle sensor is configured to sense the roll angle component of the user interface position. The spherical motor is coupled to the user interface and is symmetrically disposed about the origin. The control circuit determines a polar angle (?) of the user interface relative to the origin, determine an azimuthal angle (?) of the user interface relative to the origin, and supply current to the first, second, and third coils.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for controlling a search and rescue (SAR) light on a rotorcraft. The system includes a processor programmed to: for each cartesian input point in a sequence defining a cartesian pattern, determine an initial light head orientation as a function of the real-time rotorcraft state; generate and transmit a pan command and a tilt command as a function of the initial light head orientation and the cartesian input point; and identify a delta-range. A pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera is configured to continuously slave and have a field of view centered on a beam axis of the SAR light. The PTZ camera captures a video stream and transmits it; zooms in on the field of view of the PTZ camera when the delta-range is positive; and zooms out on the field of view of the PTZ camera when the delta-range is negative.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an auto-land system for a rotorcraft are provided. The system includes, a search light (SL) assembly configured to receive user input directing the SL to a point of interest (POI) and determine an actual SL orientation and an actual SL range to the POI; and, a searchlight controller operationally coupled to the search light assembly, and configured to: responsive to receiving a command to auto-land at the POI, begin (i) generating a desired trajectory from the rotorcraft actual orientation and rotorcraft actual range to the POI; (ii) generating guidance commands for navigating the rotorcraft in accordance with the desired trajectory; (iii) monitoring an actual SL range and an actual SL orientation; and (iv) generating controlling commands for the searchlight assembly in accordance with the coordinates of the POI.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for controlling a search and rescue (SAR) light on a rotorcraft. The system includes a processor programmed to: for each cartesian input point in a sequence defining a cartesian pattern, determine an initial light head orientation as a function of the real-time rotorcraft state; generate and transmit a pan command and a tilt command as a function of the initial light head orientation and the cartesian input point; and identify a delta-range. A pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera is configured to continuously slave and have a field of view centered on a beam axis of the SAR light. The PTZ camera captures a video stream and transmits it; zooms in on the field of view of the PTZ camera when the delta-range is positive; and zooms out on the field of view of the PTZ camera when the delta-range is negative.

Abstract: A spherical resolver system includes a spherical body, an outer body, a first sensor coil, a second sensor coil, a third sensor coil, a first primary coil, and a circuit. The spherical body has a first axis of symmetry, a second axis of symmetry, and a third axis of symmetry, and the first, second, and third axes of symmetry are disposed perpendicular to each other. The circuit is coupled to the first primary coil and is operable to supply a first alternating current (AC) reference signal (Vr1) to the first primary coil, whereby a first sensor signal (Vx) is selectively induced in the first sensor coil, second sensor signal (Vy) is selectively induced in the second sensor coil, and a third sensor signal (Vz) is selectively induced in the third sensor coil, and supplies one or more signals representative of the sensor position.

Abstract: A spherical resolver system includes a spherical body, an outer body, a first sensor coil, a second sensor coil, a third sensor coil, a first primary coil, and a circuit. The spherical body has a first axis of symmetry, a second axis of symmetry, and a third axis of symmetry, and the first, second, and third axes of symmetry are disposed perpendicular to each other. The circuit is coupled to the first primary coil and is operable to supply a first alternating current (AC) reference signal (Vr1) to the first primary coil, whereby a first sensor signal (Vx) is selectively induced in the first sensor coil, second sensor signal (Vy) is selectively induced in the second sensor coil, and a third sensor signal (Vz) is selectively induced in the third sensor coil, and supplies one or more signals representative of the sensor position.

Abstract: An active human-machine interface feedback system includes a user interface, a pitch angle sensor, a roll angle sensor, a spherical motor, and a control circuit. The user interface adapted to receive user input and is configured, upon receipt of the user input, to move, about one or both of a pitch axis and a roll axis, to a user interface position. The pitch angle sensor is configured to sense the pitch angle component of the user interface position. The roll angle sensor is configured to sense the roll angle component of the user interface position. The spherical motor is coupled to the user interface and is symmetrically disposed about the origin. The control circuit determines a polar angle (?) of the user interface relative to the origin, determine an azimuthal angle (?) of the user interface relative to the origin, and supply current to the first, second, and third coils.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an auto-land system for a rotorcraft are provided. The system includes, a search light (SL) assembly configured to receive user input directing the SL to a point of interest (POI) and determine an actual SL orientation and an actual SL range to the POI; and, a searchlight controller operationally coupled to the search light assembly, and configured to: responsive to receiving a command to auto-land at the POI, begin (i) generating a desired trajectory from the rotorcraft actual orientation and rotorcraft actual range to the POI; (ii) generating guidance commands for navigating the rotorcraft in accordance with the desired trajectory; (iii) monitoring an actual SL range and an actual SL orientation; and (iv) generating controlling commands for the searchlight assembly in accordance with the coordinates of the POI.