System and methods for unobtrusively and relocateably extending communication coverage and supporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) activities

• US 10,091,664 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2017
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Wieneke, Garry V, Miller, Gerry F, Beitvashahi, Ameer
• Primary Examiner(s): Shiue, Dong-Chang
• Application Number:
  US15/721,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20180027422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 367 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02 using radio waves using satellite radio beacon systems for determining position G01S19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/32 specially adapted for solar tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18504 Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2606 Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

Exemplary apparatuses and methods are provided associated with an unobtrusive router/relay system (URRS) configured to communicate with a plurality of radio frequency (RF) systems including a first radio frequency (RF) system (e.g. a cell phone, RF system carried or used by an individual or team, etc.), other URRS systems (which each include a second RF receiver/transmitter), and an RF communication'"'"'s hub (e.g. cell tower, tethered UAV, control center, etc.). Locations are identified for a specific location or number of locations along a transit path where the RF communication'"'"'s hub lacks transmit/receive coverage with the first RF system. URRS are positioned in the locations or transit path lacking RF communication hub transmit/receive coverage. The exemplary URRS are configured to route/relay the first RF system'"'"'s signals to the RF communications'"'"' hub directly or through one or more other URRS systems. URRS are designed to blend with their surroundings.

Claims

1. A communication system including an unobtrusive router / relay system (URRS) configured to communicate with a plurality of radio frequency (RF) systems comprising:

an RF communication hub;

a plurality of URRS each comprising a first radio frequency system (RF) and, each said URRS comprising;

an encasing structure comprising an irregularly shaped structure configured with a first texture;

a second RF receiver/transmitter configured with a message storage and relay system configured to communicate with the plurality of RF systems;

a solar panel positioned on the encasing structure;

a battery adapted to store energy from said solar panel and power said URRS;

a power control system configured to control power from the solar panel to charge or power the battery and said second RF receiver/transmitter;

a wiring system coupling the second RF receiver/transmitter, the solar panel, the battery, and power control system;

wherein the encasing structure is formed from a material selected from the group;

a material comprising foam or plastic, wire with a coating or cover, or a naturally occurring material comprising rock, vegetable or tree matter;

wherein said URRS further comprises a control panel that is accessible under a cover formed into an enclosure which enables or permits input of data inputs or manual messages or activation of predetermined messages comprising a request for assistance comprising one or more of a request for rescue, requesting specific action such as providing supplies to a location where the URRS is located, or a text input message;

wherein said control panel is further configured to provide access through the enclosing structure directly to the second RF system which can also receive an interface from another external control system such as a keyboard and display combination operable by an operator of the first RF receiver/transmitter.

2. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a self-righting mechanism comprising a sensor comprising either a light sensing sensor or a gravity sensing sensor powered by the battery, an orientation control system configured to receive signals from the gravity sensing sensor or light sensing sensor to determine orientation of the solar panel with respect to gravity or a solar energy source, and either a plurality of jack extensions that selectively extend and roll said URRS to self-right and orient said solar panels sky ward or a plurality of biased wire or petal structures configured to extend away from said URRS from hinge sections to self-right said URRS and orient said solar panel skywards.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said URRS is configured to be activated by the first RF system to communication with at least one said URRS system which in turn relays signals from the first RF system to the RF communication hub.

4. A system as claim 1, wherein the URRS is configured to be dormant in a receive-only mode until the first RF system activates the URRS system with an activation code.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said control panel further comprises a plurality of action buttons or stored messages selected through the control panel that are configured to automate selection of said predetermined message generation.

6. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a location finding system comprising an optical, sound, or RF signal emitter configured to generate an optical, sound, RF, or infrared signal to enable location of a selected URRS location by a person in proximity to the selected URRS based on receipt by the second RF receiver/transmitter of an location finding system activation signal.

7. A portable and relocatable router and relay system configured to blend with one or more environments and communicate with a plurality of radio frequency (RF) systems comprising:

an RF communication hub configured to communicate with at least one first portable RF or optical communication system and one or more of a plurality of unobtrusive router / relay system (URRS), each said URRS comprising;

an encasing structure comprising an irregularly shaped structure configured with a first texture;

a second RF receiver/transmitter configured with a message storage and relay system configured to communicate with the plurality of RF systems including said first portable RF or optical communication system and other said plurality of URRS systems;

a solar panel positioned on the encasing structure;

a battery adapted to store energy from said solar panel and power said URRS;

a power control system configured to control power from the solar panel to charge or power the battery and second RF receiver/transmitter;

a wiring system coupling the second RF receiver/transmitter, the solar panel, the battery, and power control system;

a self-righting mechanism comprising a sensor comprising either a light sensing sensor or a gravity sensing sensor powered by the battery, an orientation control system configured to receive signals from the gravity sensing sensor or light sensing sensor to determine orientation of the solar panel with respect to gravity or a solar energy source, and either a plurality of jack extensions that selectively extend and roll said URRS to self-right and orient said solar panels sky ward or a plurality of biased wire or petal structures configured to extend away from said URRS from hinge sections to self-right each said URRS and orient said solar panel skywards;

a location finding system comprising an optical, sound, or RF signal emitter configured to generate an optical, sound, RF, or infrared signal to enable location of a selected URRS location by a person in proximity to the selected URRS based on receipt by the second RF receiver/transmitter of an location finding system activation signal;

wherein the encasing structure is formed from a material selected from the group;

a material comprising foam or plastic, wire with a coating or cover, or a naturally occurring material comprising rock, vegetable or tree matter;

wherein each said URRS is configured to be activated by the first portable RF or optical communication system to communication with at least one other said URRS which in turn relays signals from the first RF system to the RF communication hub;

wherein each said URRS is configured to be dormant in a receive-only mode until the second RF system receives an activation code and thereby activates a selected said URRS with said activation code;

wherein each said URRS further comprises a control panel that is accessible under a cover formed into said enclosure which enables or permits input of data inputs or manual messages or activation of predetermined messages comprising a request for assistance comprising one or more of a request for rescue, requesting specific action such as providing supplies to a location where the URRS is located, or a text input message;

wherein each said control panel further comprises a plurality of action buttons or stored messages selected through the control panel that are configured to automate selection of said predetermined message generation;

wherein each said URRS control panel is further configured to provide access through the enclosing structure directly to the second RF system which can also receive an interface from another and external control system such as a keyboard and display combination operable by an operator of the first RF receiver/transmitter.