Secure unmanned vehicle operation and monitoring

• US 10,102,757 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2016
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Just Innovation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Just Innovation, Inc.
• Inventors: Manley, Justin Evan
• Primary Examiner(s): Badii, Behrang
• Assistant Examiner(s): Greene, Daniel L
• Application Number:
  US15/170,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20170053537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0077 using redundant signals or controls
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/106 Change initiated in response to external conditions, e.g. avoidance of elevated terrain or of no-fly zones
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0039 Modification of a flight plan
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0056 in an emergency situation, e.g. hijacking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/006 in accordance with predefined flight zones, e.g. to avoid prohibited zones
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0091 for monitoring atmospheric conditions radar or analogous systems specially adapted for meteorological use G01S13/95; meteorology G01W

Abstract

Systems and methods for unmanned vehicle security and monitoring are provided herein. In exemplary embodiments, a redundant sensor and control system is used for monitoring and controlling the unmanned vehicle. The redundant sensor and control system is operable to override the control station and take over control of the unmanned vehicle when at least one operational condition of the unmanned vehicle exceeds an approved parameter.

Claims

1. A system for unmanned vehicle monitoring and oversight, the system comprising:

a first control station operable by a human operator for controlling an unmanned vehicle;

wherein the unmanned vehicle is in communication with the first control station via a network, and the unmanned vehicle comprises;

a first plurality of sensors in communication with the first control station, to monitor and control operating conditions of the unmanned vehicle; and

a second hardware-based sensor and control system physically attached to the unmanned vehicle, the second hardware-based sensor and control system being a standalone device that is operable to monitor and control at least one of the operating conditions of the unmanned vehicle independently of the first plurality of sensors and independently of the first control station,

the second hardware-based sensor and control system being further operable to;

communicate with a third party regarding the at least one operating condition of the unmanned vehicle; and

direct, via pre-programming, the unmanned vehicle to take certain action without further communication to any other control station, in accordance with the at least one operating condition.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the unmanned vehicle is at least one of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), an unmanned surface vehicle (USV), and an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second sensor and control system is communicably coupled, via a network, with a third party that is a private sector subscription entity providing real-time communication of at least one condition of approved operational data.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second sensor and control system monitors environmental data around the unmanned vehicle, the environmental data including at least satellite positioning data.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second sensor and control system analyzes, using a processor and memory, the environmental data and approved operational data, the approved operational data including the at least one operating condition for approved operation of the unmanned vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the approved operational data is stored before launch of the unmanned vehicle in the memory of the second sensor and control system, the approved operational data including at least one of a no entry zone, an operator generated condition, and other operational data from the third-party.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the approved operational data is dynamically updated in the memory of the second sensor and control system by real-time communication, the approved operational data including at least one of a no entry zone, an operator generated condition, and other operational data from the third-party.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the second sensor and control system, using the processor and the memory, initiates autopilot control of the unmanned vehicle when the environmental data violates at least one of the approved operating conditions of the unmanned vehicle, the autopilot control superseding operation of the unmanned vehicle by the first control station.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the autopilot control initiates activation of a kill switch for operation of the unmanned vehicle, the kill switch being an emergency command resulting in the unmanned vehicle returning to a launch or other safe landing location under approved conditions.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the third party is communicably coupled with the second sensor and control system via a network, and the third party is a government regulatory entity providing real-time communication, the third party providing at least one condition of approved operational data.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the government regulatory entity is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

12. A method for unmanned vehicle monitoring, the method comprising:

monitoring, by a first control system, operating conditions of the unmanned vehicle;

receiving, by a stand-alone hardware-based second sensor and control system that is physically attached to the unmanned vehicle, at least one approved operating parameter regarding operation of the unmanned vehicle, wherein the second sensor and control system is operable to monitor and control at least one operating parameter of the unmanned vehicle, independent of the first control system of the unmanned vehicle, and independent of sensors relied on by the first control system of the unmanned vehicle; and

overriding, by the second sensor and control system, control of the unmanned vehicle by the first control system, based on a violation of the at least one approved operating parameter;

the overriding directing the unmanned vehicle to;

communicate with a third party regarding the violation of the at least one approved operating parameter, or

take certain pre-programmed action without further communication to any other control station.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing approved operational data before launch of the unmanned vehicle in memory of the second sensor and control system, the approved operational data including at least one of a no entry zone, an operator generated condition, and an operating condition from a third-party service.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising monitoring, by the second sensor and control system, environmental data around the unmanned vehicle, the environmental data including at least satellite positioning data.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the overriding further comprises initiating autopilot control of the unmanned vehicle when the environmental data violates at least one condition for approved operation of the unmanned vehicle, the autopilot control superseding operation of the unmanned vehicle by the first control system.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the overriding further comprises initiating a kill switch for operation of the unmanned vehicle when the environmental data violates at least one condition for approved operation of the unmanned vehicle, the kill switch being an emergency command resulting in the unmanned vehicle returning to a launch location or other safe location under approved conditions.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising analyzing, using a processor and memory, the environmental data and approved operational data, the approved operational data including at least one condition for approved operation of the unmanned vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising dynamically updating the approved operational data, the approved operational data including at least one of a no entry zone, an operator generated condition, and an operating condition from a third-party service.

19. A system for unmanned vehicle monitoring and oversight, the system comprising:

a first control station operable by a human operator for controlling an unmanned vehicle;

wherein the unmanned vehicle is communicably coupled, using a network, with the first control station, and the unmanned vehicle comprises a first plurality of sensors in communication with the first control station, to monitor and control operating conditions of the unmanned vehicle; and

a second hardware-based sensor and control system physically attached to the unmanned vehicle, the second hardware-based sensor and control system being a standalone hardware-based device that is operable to monitor environmental data around the unmanned vehicle, the environmental data including at least satellite positioning data, independently of the first plurality of sensors and independently of the first control station,

the second hardware-based sensor and control system being further operable to;

communicate with a third party regarding the environmental data around the unmanned vehicle, or

direct, via pre-programming the unmanned vehicle to take certain action without further communication to any other control station based on the environmental data around the unmanned vehicle.

20. The system of claim 19,

wherein the second sensor and control system analyzes, using a processor and memory, the environmental data and approved operational data, the approved operational data including at least one condition for approved operation of the unmanned vehicle, the at least one condition for approved operation of the unmanned vehicle including at least one of a no entry zone, an operator generated condition, and a third-party regulation;

and

wherein the second sensor and control system, using the processor and the memory, initiates autopilot control of the unmanned vehicle when the environmental data violates the at least one condition for approved operation of the unmanned vehicle, the autopilot control superseding operation of the unmanned vehicle by the first control station, and initiating activation of a kill switch for operation of the unmanned vehicle, the kill switch being an emergency command resulting in the unmanned vehicle returning to a launch location under approved conditions.