US Patent 10002342 Bin content determination using automated aerial vehicles

This disclosure describes a system and method for utilizing an automated aerial vehicle for determining the content of items included in bins within a materials handling facility. In some implementations, the automated aerial vehicle may fly along a flight path past one or more bins and capture images of those bins. The images may be processed to determine the content of the bins, and other images of areas outside of the bins may also be processed (e.g., for detecting items on floors, security issues, etc.). The flight path for the automated aerial vehicle may be determined and/or modified based on various parameters (e.g., to most efficiently capture the images of the bins, to temporarily avoid areas with obstacles, etc.).