Systems and methods for multi-orientation flight

Abstract

A method of operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes generating, with aid of one or more processors, a signal that causes the UAV to flip from a first orientation to a second orientation opposite to the first orientation, and effecting, with aid of one or more propulsion units, flip of the UAV from the first orientation to the second orientation in response to the signal.

1 . A method of operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:
 generating, with aid of one or more processors, a signal that causes the UAV to flip from a first orientation to a second orientation opposite to the first orientation; and   effecting, with aid of one or more propulsion units, flip of the UAV from the first orientation to the second orientation in response to the signal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the UAV is flipped from the first orientation to the second orientation opposite to the first orientation while the UAV is on an underlying surface. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 obtaining data indicative of a user input to initiate the flip of the UAV from the first orientation to the second orientation, the user input being received at a terminal remote to the UAV via a wireless connection.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 obtaining data from one or more sensors to initiate the flip of the UAV from the first orientation to the second orientation, the one or more sensors being on-board the UAV and configured to detect an orientation of the UAV.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first orientation of the UAV is upside down; or   the second orientation of the UAV is right side up.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the UAV includes:
 one or more protectors that prevent the one or more propulsion units from directly contacting the underlying surface.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the UAV is on the underlying surface for at least a moment in time after flipping to the second orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 effecting, with aid of the one or more propulsion units, takeoff of the UAV from the underlying surface subsequent to the flip of the UAV from the first orientation to the second orientation.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 effecting flight of the UAV in the second orientation.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 generating the signal includes generating the signal in response to one or more sensors detecting that the UAV has reached a threshold condition.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the threshold condition includes at least one of:
 an altitude of the UAV with respect to an underlying surface,   a velocity or acceleration of the UAV with respect to the underlying surface,   power provided to the one or more propulsion units,   power consumed by the one or more propulsion units, or   an amount of time that has elapsed since the UAV has taken off from the underlying surface.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is indicative of:
 a user input to initiate the flip of the UAV, the user input only initiating the flip and no other actions by the UAV, or   a single action that effects the flip of the UAV from the first orientation to the second orientation.   
     
     
         13 . An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
 one or more processors, individually or collectively configured to generate a signal that causes the UAV to flip from a first orientation to a second orientation opposite to the first orientation; and   one or more propulsion units configured to effect flip of the UAV from the first orientation to the second orientation in response to the signal.   
     
     
         14 . The UAV of  claim 13 , wherein the UAV is flipped from the first orientation to the second orientation opposite to the first orientation while the UAV is on an underlying surface. 
     
     
         15 . The UAV of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
 obtain data indicative of a user input to initiate the flip of the UAV from the first orientation to the second orientation, the user input being received at a terminal remote to the UAV via a wireless connection.   
     
     
         16 . The UAV of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
 obtain data from one or more sensors to initiate the flip of the UAV from the first orientation to the second orientation, the one or more sensors being on-board the UAV and configured to detect an orientation of the UAV.   
     
     
         17 . The UAV of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more propulsion units are further configured to:
 effect takeoff of the UAV from the underlying surface subsequent to the flip of the UAV from the first orientation to the second orientation.   
     
     
         18 . The UAV of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more propulsion units are further configured to:
 effect flight of the UAV in the second orientation.   
     
     
         19 . The UAV of  claim 13 , wherein the UAV is flipped from the first orientation to the second orientation opposite to the first orientation in response to one or more sensors detecting that the UAV has reached a threshold condition. 
     
     
         20 . The UAV of  claim 19 , wherein the threshold condition includes at least one of:
 an altitude of the UAV with respect to the underlying surface,   a velocity or acceleration of the UAV with respect to the underlying surface,   a vertical velocity or acceleration of the UAV with respect to the underlying surface,   power provided to the one or more propulsion units,   power consumed by the one or more propulsion units, or   an amount of time that has elapsed since the UAV has taken off from the underlying surface.