Operating a drone device based on capture instructions determined from a collection of images

1 . A computer-implemented method of operating a drone device comprising:

receiving capture instructions identifying one or more subject faces found in a collection of images stored at a user device;

positioning the drone device based on priorities assigned to the one or more subject faces; and

capturing an image including the one or more subject faces identified in the capture instructions.

2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

coupling the drone device to a server device and the user device over a wireless network using a network interface associated with the drone device; and

receiving the capture instructions from the server device based on information received at the server device from the user device identifying the one or more subject faces.

3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 2 further comprising:

enabling the image to be delivered to the user device.

4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

coupling the drone device to the user device over a wireless network using a network interface associated with the drone device;

receiving the capture instructions from the user device; and

causing the image to be delivered to the user device.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the wireless network is a cellular communications network, and the user device is a smartphone.

6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein capturing the image comprises:

matching the one or more subject faces identified in the capture instructions to one or more subject faces detected by a capture module of the drone device; and

capturing the image including the one or more subject faces based on the match.

7 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a drone device, cause the drone device to perform the steps of:

receiving capture instructions identifying one or more subject faces found in a collection of images stored at a user device;

positioning the drone device based on priorities assigned to the one or more subject faces; and

capturing an image including the one or more subject faces identified in the capture instructions.

8 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7 further comprising:

receiving the capture instructions from the user device; and

causing the image to be delivered to the user device.

9 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8 , comprising

receiving the capture instructions from the user device over a cellular communications network; and

causing the image to be delivered to the user device over the cellular communications network, wherein the user device is a smartphone.

10 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7 , wherein capturing the image comprises:

matching the one or more subject faces identified in the capture instructions to one or more subject faces detected by a capture module of the drone device; and

capturing the image including the one or more subject faces based on the match.

11 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7 , wherein receiving the capture instructions comprises:

receiving geographic location information identifying a geographic location of a subject corresponding to a subject face of the one or more subject faces found in the collection of images.

12 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the geographic location of the subject is determined based on the geographic location of the user device associated with the subject.

13 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 12 , wherein capturing the image comprises:

positioning the drone device based on the geographic location information.

14 . A drone device comprising:

one or more memories storing instructions; and

one or more processors that are coupled to the one or more memories and, when executing the instructions, are operable to perform the steps of:

receiving capture instructions identifying one or more subject faces found in a collection of images stored at a user device;

positioning the drone device based on priorities assigned to the one or more subject faces; and

capturing an image including the one or more subject faces identified in the capture instructions.

15 . The drone device of claim 14 further comprising:

a network interface coupled to the one or more memories and the one or more processors further operable to perform the steps of:

coupling the drone device to the user device over a wireless network using the network interface associated with the drone device;

receiving the capture instructions from the user device; and

causing the image to be delivered to the user device.

16 . The drone device of claim 15 , wherein the wireless network is a cellular communications network, and the user device is a smartphone.

17 . The drone device of claim 14 , wherein capturing the image comprises:

matching the one or more subject faces identified in the capture instructions to one or more subject faces detected by a capture module of the drone device; and

capturing the image including the one or more subject faces based on the match.

18 . The drone device of claim 14 , wherein receiving the capture instructions comprises:

receiving geographic location information identifying a geographic location of a subject corresponding to a subject face of the one or more subject faces found in the collection of images.

19 . The drone device of claim 18 , wherein the geographic location of the subject is determined based on the geographic location of the user device associated with the subject.

20 . The drone device of claim 19 , wherein capturing the image comprises:

positioning the drone device based on the geographic location information.