US20260140501
2026-05-21
Physics
G05D1/223
The patent describes innovative methods for user interaction with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), referred to as Flying Digital Assistants (FDAs), through portable multifunction devices (PMDs) like smartphones. These methods include new user interaction paradigms such as a "magic wand" interface, where the FDA follows the motion of the PMD, and a multitouch cinematographer interface, which allows image capture control through gestures on the PMD. Additionally, users can pre-script shots by physically moving the FDA or PMD through a scene.
The patent falls within the technical field of UAV control systems, focusing on capturing images and videos. It aims to provide intuitive control mechanisms for UAVs using PMDs, moving away from traditional piloting methods that require expertise and are prone to errors. This represents a shift towards user-friendly, autonomous UAV operation, enhancing accessibility for non-expert users.
The FDA's localization and navigation system utilizes various technologies to determine the relative position and orientation of the FDA, PMD, and subjects. This system includes GPS, cellular networks, and Wi-Fi for precise positioning. The FDA can autonomously navigate and track subjects for image and video capture by integrating data from these sources, ensuring accurate and reliable operation.
Multiple positioning techniques are employed to enhance localization accuracy. These include GPS for global positioning, signal trilateration and triangulation using cellular and Wi-Fi networks, and advanced techniques like round trip time of arrival (RTT) and received signal strength (RSS). Additionally, Wi-Fi beamforming is used to create directional signal fields, aiding in precise localization without external routers.
The system also supports device-free passive localization for tracking non-emitting objects, such as humans without PMDs. By analyzing changes in RF signal fields caused by object interference, the system can determine the presence, type, orientation, and location of objects. This information can be wirelessly communicated to the FDA, enhancing its capability to track and capture subjects autonomously.