BACKGROUND

Aerial vehicles have a wide range of real-world applications including surveillance, reconnaissance, exploration, logistics transport, disaster relief, aerial photography, large-scale agriculture automation, live video broadcasting, etc. Increasingly, an aerial vehicle carrying a payload (e.g., a camera) may be required to be able to complete a broad variety of operations, both simple and complex. In addition, with the advancement of sensors and navigation technologies, autonomy of the aerial vehicles may increase. The usefulness of aerial vehicles may be improved with appropriate distribution and/or utilization of processors for given operations of the aerial vehicles.

SUMMARY

Presently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) may utilize a flight control module to control flight of UAVs. The flight control module may comprise a plurality of micro-controllers and various sensors may be coupled to the flight control module. In some instances, the flight control module may inefficiently process input data (e.g., from various sensors) and functionalities of UAVs that may be achieved by existing flight control modules may be limited. The ability to implement advanced features for UAVs requiring heavy processing loads may be desired. In some instances, processing data may have different requirements and/or needs. For example, in some instances, real-time processing of input data may be required (e.g., for passive autonomous flight) while in some instances non-real time but extensive processing of input data may be required (e.g., for directed autonomous flight).

Accordingly, a need exists for a UAV hardware architecture that provides for a number of different processing modules. The different processing modules may be coupled to different types of sensors and/or devices. The differing processing modules may receive data from the different sensors and/or devices and be responsible for different processing requirements. The different processing modules may be responsible for implementing different features for the UAV. An appropriate distribution of processing modules and ability for a subset or combination of the modules to work together to implement features may enable new and improved UAV functionality.

Thus, in one aspect, a system for managing flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The system comprises: an application processing module configured to run an operating system; a real-time sensing module in communication with the application processing module, the real-time sensing module configured to process data in real time; and a flight control module in direct communication with the application processing module and the real-time sensing module, the flight control module further configured to control one or more propulsion units that effect flight of the UAV.

In another aspect, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The UAV comprises: one or more propulsion units that effect flight of the UAV; an application module configured to run an operating system; a real-time sensing module in communication with the application processing module, the real-time sensing module configured to process data in real time; and a flight control module in direct communication with the application processing module and the real-time sensing module, the flight control module further configured to control the one or more propulsion units.

In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium for managing flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The non-transitory computer readable medium comprises code, logic, or instructions to: run an operating system with aid of an application module; process data in real time with aid of a real-time sensing module in communication with the application processing module; and effect flight of the UAV with aid of one or more propulsion units, the one or more propulsion units controlled by a flight control module in direct communication with the application processing module and the real-time sensing module.

In another aspect, a method for managing flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The method comprises: running an operating system with aid of an application module; processing data in real time with aid of a real-time sensing module in communication with the application processing module; and effecting flight of the UAV with aid of one or more propulsion units, the one or more propulsion units controlled by a flight control module in direct communication with the application processing module and the real-time sensing module.

In another aspect, a system for managing flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The system comprises: an application processing module configured to receive data from a first imaging sensor, wherein the first imaging sensor captures data according to instructions from a user; and a real-time sensing module configured to receive data from one or more other imaging sensors, wherein the one or more other imaging sensors captures data autonomously, and wherein data processed by the application processing module or the real-time sensing module is used to aid flight of the UAV.

In another aspect, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The UAV comprises: one or more propulsion units that effect flight of the UAV; an application processing module configured to receive data from a first imaging sensor, wherein the first imaging sensor captures data according to instructions from a user; and a real-time sensing module configured to receive data from one or more other imaging sensors, wherein the one or more other imaging sensor is configured to capture data autonomously, and wherein data processed by the application processing module or the real-time sensing module is used to aid flight of the UAV.

In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium for managing flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The non-transitory computer readable medium comprises code, logic, or instructions to: receive data, at an application processing module, from a first imaging sensor, wherein the first imaging sensor captures data according to instructions from a user; and receive data, at a real-time sensing module, from one or more other imaging sensors, wherein the one or more other imaging sensors are configured to capture data autonomously, and wherein data processed by the application processing module or the real-time sensing module is used to aid flight of the UAV.

In another aspect, a method for managing flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The method comprises: receiving data, at an application processing module, from a first imaging sensor, wherein the first imaging sensor captures data according to instructions from a user; and receiving data, at a real-time sensing module, from one or more other imaging sensors, wherein the one or more other imaging sensors are configured to capture data autonomously, and wherein data processed by the application processing module or the real-time sensing module is used to aid flight of the UAV.

In another aspect, a system for managing flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The system comprises: an application processing module configured to verify a validity of a system image of the system in a secure environment; and a flight control module operably coupled to the application processing module, wherein generation and/or transmission of control signals from the flight control module to one or more ESC controllers is prevented prior to verification of the validity of the system image.

In another aspect, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The UAV comprises: one or more propulsion units that effect flight of the UAV; an application processing module configured to verify a validity of a system image of the system in a secure environment; and a flight control module operably coupled to the application processing module, wherein generation and/or transmission of control signals from the flight control module to one or more ESC controllers is prevented prior to verification of the validity of the system image.

In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium for managing flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The non-transitory computer readable medium comprises code, logic, or instructions to: verify, at an application processing module, a validity of a system image of the system in a secure environment; and prevent, at a flight control module operably coupled to the application processing module, generation and/or transmission of control signals from the flight control module to one or more ESC controllers prior to verification of the validity of the system image.

In another aspect, a method for managing flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The method comprises: verifying, at an application processing module, a validity of a system image of the system in a secure environment; and preventing, at a flight control module operably coupled to the application processing module, generation and/or transmission of control signals from the flight control module to one or more ESC controllers prior to verification of the validity of the system image.

It shall be understood that different aspects of the disclosure can be appreciated individually, collectively, or in combination with each other. Various aspects of the disclosure described herein may be applied to any of the particular applications set forth below or for any other types of movable objects. Any description herein of an aerial vehicle may apply to and be used for any movable object, such as any vehicle. Additionally, the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein in the context of aerial motion (e.g., flight) may also be applied in the context of other types of motion, such as movement on the ground or on water, underwater motion, or motion in space.

Other objects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent by a review of the specification, claims, and appended figures.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

