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  • Patent number: 10151588
    Abstract: On-board, computer-based systems and methods compute continuously updated, real-time state estimates for an aerial vehicle by appropriately combining, by a suitable Kalman filter, local, relative, continuous state estimates with global, absolute, noncontinuous state estimates. The local, relative, continuous state estimates can be provided by visual odometry (VO) and/or an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The global, absolute, noncontinuous state estimates can be provided by terrain-referenced navigation, such as map-matching, and GNSS. The systems and methods can provide the real-time, continuous estimates even when reliable GNSS coordinate data is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: NEAR EARTH AUTONOMY, INC.
    Inventors: Sanjiv Singh, Jeffrey Mishler, Michael Kaess, Garrett Hemann