IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,726,482
Granted Patent B2
US 11,726,482 · App. 16/745,885 · Granted Aug 15, 2023

Systems and methods for multi-factor pathfinding

Inventors: Rupal Nigam (Ann Arbor, MI); James Mullen (Dulles, VA)
Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
G05D1/0212G01C21/3676G05D1/0274G06F16/29
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,726,482
App. No.
16/745,885
Granted
Aug 15, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Techniques for multi-factor pathfinding are disclosed. A system receives multiple data sets that represent multiple physical properties associated with multiple three-dimensional coordinates of a physical environment. The system generates multiple weighted data layers corresponding to the physical properties, at least by applying weights to the data sets. The system generates a multi-factor costmap for the three-dimensional environment, based at least on the weighted data layers. The system determines a path through the three-dimensional environment, based at least on the multi-factor costmap.

Claims (70)

1. One or more non-transitory machine-readable media storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause:

receiving a plurality of data sets that represent a plurality of physical properties associated with a plurality of three-dimensional coordinates of a physical environment,

generating a plurality of weighted data layers corresponding to the plurality of physical properties, at least by applying a plurality of weights to the plurality of data sets, respectively, wherein each weighted data layer in the plurality of weighted data layers comprises, respectively, a mapping of the plurality of three-dimensional coordinates to a plurality of weighted numerical representations of a physical property in the plurality of physical properties;

generating a multi-factor costmap for the three-dimensional environment, based at least on the plurality of weighted data layers, wherein generating the multi-factor costmap comprises, for each three-dimensional coordinate in the plurality of three-dimensional coordinates, computing a sum of the corresponding weighted numerical representations across the plurality of weighted data layers;

determining a path through the three-dimensional environment, based at least on the multi-factor costmap;

displaying the path through the three-dimensional environment over a display device; and

deploying an autonomous vehicle along the displayed path.

2. The one or more media of claim 1 , further storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause:

receiving user input that designates weights, in the plurality of weights, for at least two data sets in the plurality of data sets.

3. The one or more media of claim 1 , further storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause:

subsequent to determining the path through the three-dimensional environment, receiving an updated data set that represents a physical property in the plurality of physical properties;

generating an updated multi-factor costmap, based at least on the updated data set; and

determining an updated path through the three-dimensional environment, based at least on the updated multi-factor costmap.

4. The one or more media of claim 1 ,

wherein each data set in the plurality of data sets comprises, respectively, a mapping of the plurality of three-dimensional coordinates to a plurality of numerical representations of a physical property in the plurality of physical properties, and

wherein applying the plurality of weights to the plurality of data sets comprises, for each data set in the plurality of data sets, multiplying the plurality of numerical representations of the physical property by a corresponding weight in the plurality of weights.

5. The one or more media of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of data sets comprises:

a first data set indicating classifications of physical materials in the physical environment;

a second data set indicating radio frequency propagation from a first source defined as a home base; and

a third data set indicating radio frequency propagation from a second source defined as a jammer.

6. The one or more media of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of data sets further comprises:

a fourth data set indicating at least one location of at least one hostile force; and

a fifth data set indicating at least one location of at least one friendly force.

7. A system comprising:

at least one device including a hardware processor;

the system being configured to perform operations comprising:

receiving a plurality of data sets that represent a plurality of physical properties associated with a plurality of three-dimensional coordinates of a physical environment,

generating a plurality of weighted data layers corresponding to the plurality of physical properties, at least by applying a plurality of weights to the plurality of data sets, respectively wherein each weighted data layer in the plurality of weighted data layers comprises, respectively, a mapping of the plurality of three-dimensional coordinates to a plurality of weighted numerical representations of a physical property in the plurality of physical properties;

generating a multi-factor costmap for the three-dimensional environment, based at least on the plurality of weighted data layers, wherein generating the multi-factor costmap comprises, for each three-dimensional coordinate in the plurality of three-dimensional coordinates, computing a sum of the corresponding weighted numerical representations across the plurality of weighted data layers;

determining a path through the three-dimensional environment, based at least on the multi-factor costmap;

displaying the path through the three-dimensional environment over a display device; and

deploying an autonomous vehicle along the displayed path.

8. The system of claim 7 , the operations further comprising:

receiving user input that designates weights, in the plurality of weights, for at least two data sets in the plurality of data sets.

9. The system of claim 7 , the operations further comprising:

subsequent to determining the path through the three-dimensional environment, receiving an updated data set that represents a physical property in the plurality of physical properties;

generating an updated multi-factor costmap, based at least on the updated data set; and

determining an updated path through the three-dimensional environment, based at least on the updated multi-factor costmap.

10. The system of claim 7 ,

wherein each data set in the plurality of data sets comprises, respectively, a mapping of the plurality of three-dimensional coordinates to a plurality of numerical representations of a physical property in the plurality of physical properties, and

wherein applying the plurality of weights to the plurality of data sets comprises, for each data set in the plurality of data sets, multiplying the plurality of numerical representations of the physical property by a corresponding weight in the plurality of weights.

11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of data sets comprises:

a first data set indicating classifications of physical materials in the physical environment;

a second data set indicating radio frequency propagation from a first source defined as a home base; and

a third data set indicating radio frequency propagation from a second source defined as a jammer.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of data sets further comprises:

a fourth data set indicating at least one location of at least one hostile force; and

a fifth data set indicating at least one location of at least one friendly force.

13. A method comprising:

receiving a plurality of data sets that represent a plurality of physical properties associated with a plurality of three-dimensional coordinates of a physical environment,

generating a plurality of weighted data layers corresponding to the plurality of physical properties, at least by applying a plurality of weights to the plurality of data sets, respectively, wherein each weighted data layer in the plurality of weighted data layers comprises, respectively, a mapping of the plurality of three-dimensional coordinates to a plurality of weighted numerical representations of a physical property in the plurality of physical properties;

generating a multi-factor costmap for the three-dimensional environment, based at least on the plurality of weighted data layers, wherein generating the multi-factor costmap comprises, for each three-dimensional coordinate in the plurality of three-dimensional coordinates, computing a sum of the corresponding weighted numerical representations across the plurality of weighted data layers;

determining a path through the three-dimensional environment, based at least on the multi-factor costmap;

displaying the path through the three-dimensional environment over a display device; and

deploying an autonomous vehicle along the displayed path.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

receiving user input that designates weights, in the plurality of weights, for at least two data sets in the plurality of data sets.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

subsequent to determining the path through the three-dimensional environment, receiving an updated data set that represents a physical property in the plurality of physical properties;

generating an updated multi-factor costmap, based at least on the updated data set; and

determining an updated path through the three-dimensional environment, based at least on the updated multi-factor costmap.

16. The method of claim 13 ,

wherein each data set in the plurality of data sets comprises, respectively, a mapping of the plurality of three-dimensional coordinates to a plurality of numerical representations of a physical property in the plurality of physical properties, and

wherein applying the plurality of weights to the plurality of data sets comprises, for each data set in the plurality of data sets, multiplying the plurality of numerical representations of the physical property by a corresponding weight in the plurality of weights.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of data sets comprises:

a first data set indicating classifications of physical materials in the physical environment;

a second data set indicating radio frequency propagation from a first source defined as a home base;

a third data set indicating radio frequency propagation from a second source defined as a jammer;

a fourth data set indicating at least one location of at least one hostile force; and

a fifth data set indicating at least one location of at least one friendly force.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2021
From: NIGAM, RUPAL; MULLEN, JAMES
To: RAYTHEON COMPANY
Reel/Frame 054933/0459 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210223777A1 · Jul 22, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,656,124