Vehicle altitude restrictions and control

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are provided for providing flight response to flight-restricted altitudes. The altitude of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be compared with an altitude restriction. If needed a flight-response measure may be taken by the UAV to prevent the UAV from flying in a restricted altitude. The altitude measurement of the UAV and / or altitude restriction of the UAV may be modified for improved performance. Different flight-response measures may be taken depending on preference and the rules of a jurisdiction within which the UAV falls.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE[0001]This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT / CN2014 / 096056, filed on Dec. 31, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Aerial vehicles such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used for performing surveillance, reconnaissance, and exploration tasks for military and civilian applications. Such vehicles may carry a payload configured to perform a specific function.[0003]The air traffic control of every country (for example in the US, this is the FAA) has various regulations for airspace. For example, UAVs may be prohibited from flying above certain altitudes in certain jurisdictions. When a certain altitude is exceeded, a UAV's flight and safety / stability may be affected. If a remote controller fails, a UAV could continue to fly upwards, which may be dangerous.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0004]In some instances, it may be desirable to impose height restrictions or contr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a system and method for controlling the movement of a UAV by using altitude restrictions and elevation information. The system can detect and respond to flight-restricted altitudes, and can modify the altitude restrictions based on the elevation information. This allows the UAV to comply with the altitude restrictions while flying over different terrains. The technical effect of this system is improved and dynamic height control for UAVs, which can enhance user experience, improve safety, and ensure legal compliance.

Problems solved by technology

Height restrictions that disregard the ground level may further fail to take into account complex terrain or large altitude gradients in a flight location.

As a result of the failure to account for high altitude ground levels, complex terrains, and large altitude gradients, the UAV may encroach upon controlled airspace or fail to reach an allowed height needed for activities such as surveillance, reconnaissance, exploration, or aerial photography.

Images