Abstract: Stabilizing an image capture device includes stabilizing the image capture device as the image capture device captures images; responsive to detecting an exceptional activity, stopping the stabilizing of the image capture device; and after the exceptional activity is completed, stabilizing the image capture device again. An image stabilization device for stabilizing an imaging device includes a processor that is configured to set at least one of a pitch angle or a roll angle of the image stabilization device to respective constant values and allow a yaw angle of the image stabilization device to vary; while the yaw angle is less than a threshold angle, maintain the yaw angle at a constant relative to a reference platform; when the yaw angle reaches the threshold angle, stop keeping the yaw angle relative to a reference platform constant; and set the yaw angle to follow a direction of motion of the reference platform.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for calibrating an image stabilization mechanism. One method includes a control system sending a command to thermally condition one or more sensors to a predetermined temperature. During thermal conditioning to the predetermined temperature, the control system sends a command to drive one or more motors of the image stabilization mechanism to cause movement of an imaging device coupled to the image stabilization mechanism. After thermal conditioning to the predetermined temperature, the control system sends a command to stop driving the one or more motors of the image stabilization mechanism to stop movement of the imaging device coupled to the image stabilization mechanism. After stopping the driving of the one or more motors, the control system sends a command to calibrate the one or more sensors.

Abstract: Stabilizing an image capture device includes stabilizing the image capture device as the image capture device captures images; responsive to detecting an exceptional activity, stopping the stabilizing of the image capture device; and after the exceptional activity is completed, stabilizing the image capture device again. An image stabilization device for stabilizing an imaging device includes a processor that is configured to set at least one of a pitch angle or a roll angle of the image stabilization device to respective constant values and allow a yaw angle of the image stabilization device to vary; while the yaw angle is less than a threshold angle, maintain the yaw angle at a constant relative to a reference platform; when the yaw angle reaches the threshold angle, stop keeping the yaw angle relative to a reference platform constant; and set the yaw angle to follow a direction of motion of the reference platform.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing an imaging device with an image stabilization device includes setting a setpoint of the imaging device to a default setpoint, the setpoint corresponds to an orientation of the imaging device; stabilizing the imaging device with the image stabilization device according to the default setpoint; determining whether a flip condition exists; in response to determining that the flip condition exists, stopping operation of the image stabilization device so that the default setpoint is no longer maintained and the imaging device is not stabilized; and in response to determining that the flip condition does not exist, maintaining the default setpoint to stabilize the imaging device.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle platform includes an aerial vehicle, a gimbal coupled to the aerial vehicle, and a camera mounted to the gimbal. An attitude sensing system includes an inertial measurement unit to sense attitude and an attitude adjustment module to generate an attitude adjustment for adjusting the sensed attitude to compensate for drift error.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing an imaging device with an image stabilization device includes setting a setpoint of the imaging device to a default setpoint, the setpoint corresponds to an orientation of the imaging device; stabilizing the imaging device with the image stabilization device according to the default setpoint; determining whether a flip condition exists; in response to determining that the flip condition exists, stopping operation of the image stabilization device so that the default setpoint is no longer maintained and the imaging device is not stabilized; and in response to determining that the flip condition does not exist, maintaining the default setpoint to stabilize the imaging device.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for calibrating an image stabilization mechanism. One method includes a control system sending a command to thermally condition one or more sensors to a predetermined temperature. During thermal conditioning to the predetermined temperature, the control system sends a command to drive one or more motors of the image stabilization mechanism to cause movement of an imaging device coupled to the image stabilization mechanism. After thermal conditioning to the predetermined temperature, the control system sends a command to stop driving the one or more motors of the image stabilization mechanism to stop movement of the imaging device coupled to the image stabilization mechanism. After stopping the driving of the one or more motors, the control system sends a command to calibrate the one or more sensors.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for stabilizing an imaging device with an image stabilization device. The image stabilization device includes sensors, one or more arms, one or more motors, and a control unit. The sensors provide sensor data including orientation data, angular velocity data, and acceleration data. Each of the motors is associated with a respective arm. The control unit is configured to set a setpoint of the imaging device to a default setpoint, receive sensor data from the sensors, determine whether a flip condition exists, in response to determining that the flip condition exists, fix the setpoint of the imaging device, and in response to determining that the flip condition does not exists, maintain the default setpoint of the imaging device by moving at least one of respective arms with one of the respective motors.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle platform includes an aerial vehicle, a gimbal coupled to the aerial vehicle, and a camera mounted to the gimbal. An attitude sensing system includes an inertial measurement unit to sense attitude and an attitude adjustment module to generate an attitude adjustment for adjusting the sensed attitude to compensate for drift error.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for calibrating an image stabilization mechanism. One method includes a control system sending a command to thermally condition one or more sensors to a predetermined temperature. During thermal conditioning to the predetermined temperature, the control system sends a command to drive one or more motors of the image stabilization mechanism to cause movement of an imaging device coupled to the image stabilization mechanism. After thermal conditioning to the predetermined temperature, the control system sends a command to stop driving the one or more motors of the image stabilization mechanism to stop movement of the imaging device coupled to the image stabilization mechanism. After stopping the driving of the one or more motors, the control system sends a command to calibrate the one or more sensors.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle platform includes an aerial vehicle, a gimbal coupled to the aerial vehicle, and a camera mounted to the gimbal. An attitude sensing system includes an inertial measurement unit to sense attitude and an attitude adjustment module to generate an attitude adjustment for adjusting the sensed attitude to compensate for drift error.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for stabilizing an imaging device with an image stabilization device. The image stabilization device includes sensors, one or more arms, one or more motors, and a control unit. The sensors provide sensor data including orientation data, angular velocity data, and acceleration data. Each of the motors is associated with a respective arm. The control unit is configured to set a setpoint of the imaging device to a default setpoint, receive sensor data from the sensors, determine whether a flip condition exists, in response to determining that the flip condition exists, fix the setpoint of the imaging device, and in response to determining that the flip condition does not exists, maintain the default setpoint of the imaging device by moving at least one of respective arms with one of the respective motors.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for calibrating an image stabilization mechanism. One method includes a control system sending a command to thermally condition one or more sensors to a predetermined temperature. During thermal conditioning to the predetermined temperature, the control system sends a command to drive one or more motors of the image stabilization mechanism to cause movement of an imaging device coupled to the image stabilization mechanism. After thermal conditioning to the predetermined temperature, the control system sends a command to stop driving the one or more motors of the image stabilization mechanism to stop movement of the imaging device coupled to the image stabilization mechanism. After stopping the driving of the one or more motors, the control system sends a command to calibrate the one or more sensors.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for detecting an aerial vehicle landing. One method includes performing at least two of a plurality of landing tests to detect the landing of the aerial vehicle. The plurality of landing tests include a static test, a thrust test, and a shock test. Upon a detection of the landing by one of the at least two landing tests performed, the method further includes performing a free-fall test to detect a free fall of the aerial vehicle. The free fall of the aerial vehicle is a change in altitude of the aerial vehicle above an altitude change threshold. Upon a lack of a detection of the free fall by the free-fall test, the method includes setting a landed state for the aerial vehicle. Upon a detection of the free fall by the free-fall test, the method includes setting an in-air state for the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle platform includes an aerial vehicle, a gimbal coupled to the aerial vehicle, and a camera mounted to the gimbal. An attitude sensing system includes an inertial measurement unit to sense attitude and an attitude adjustment module to generate an attitude adjustment for adjusting the sensed attitude to compensate for drift error.

Abstract: An electronic gimbal is attached to a mounting platform and enables a mounted device such as a camera to rotate about three axes of rotation. The electronic gimbal may be configured with “soft stop” positions, past which the gimbal adjusts the target rotation to slow the rate of rotation as the motor approach mechanical stops.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for detecting an aerial vehicle landing. One method includes performing at least two of a plurality of landing tests to detect the landing of the aerial vehicle. The plurality of landing tests include a static test, a thrust test, and a shock test. Upon a detection of the landing by one of the at least two landing tests performed, the method further includes performing a free-fall test to detect a free fall of the aerial vehicle. The free fall of the aerial vehicle is a change in altitude of the aerial vehicle above an altitude change threshold. Upon a lack of a detection of the free fall by the free-fall test, the method includes setting a landed state for the aerial vehicle. Upon a detection of the free fall by the free-fall test, the method includes setting an in-air state for the aerial vehicle.