Pre-flight self test for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

• US 10,131,451 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2017
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Salgueiro, Gonzalo, Byers, Charles Calvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Paige, Tyler D
• Application Number:
  US15/467,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20170190423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 701 15
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/14 Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk , or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles , i.e. food or large parcels
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/00 Dropping, ejecting, releasing, or receiving articles, liquids, or the like, in flight with respect to weapon sights devices F41G takes precedence, parachutes per se B64D17/00; ejectable seats B64D25/10; ejectable capsules B64D25/12; refuelling during flight B64D39/00; launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles F41F1/00, F41F7/00; rocket or torpedo launchers F41F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/00 Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/04 for launching aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/12 for anchoring aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/60 Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/00 Type of UAV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/96 using air
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/64 for parcel delivery or retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/14 ducted or shrouded
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/34 In-flight charging photovoltaics B64U50/31
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/37 Charging when not in flight
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/00 Launching, take-off or landing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/95 Means for guiding the landing UAV towards the platform, e.g. lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/99 : Means for retaining the UAV on the platform, e.g. dogs or magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/20 : with arrangements for servicing the UAV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/25 : for recharging batteries; for refuelling
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/40 : for two or more UAVs
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/86 : Land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 : Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods

Abstract

In one embodiment, a controller instructs an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) docked to a landing perch to perform a pre-flight test operation of a pre-flight test routine. The controller receives sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation from one or more force sensors of the landing perch, in response to the UAV performing the pre-flight test operation. The controller determines whether the sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation is within an acceptable range. The controller causes the UAV to launch from the landing perch based in part on a determination that UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a drivable package delivery vehicle including;

a package storage area configured for storing packages for delivery;

a roost compartment having a retractable roof and one or more landing perches for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); and

one or more UAVs on the landing perch;

a controller system configured to provide centralized coordination of UAV operations; and

an operator console configured for user input to manage UAV operations.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one landing perch comprises an aperture to facilitate loading the UAV with a particular package.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the aperture opens to the package storage area from the roost compartment.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the operator console is positioned near a front seat of the package delivery vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller system comprises a communication subsystem to manage communication with the UAV.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller system is configured to retract the retractable roof based on user input at the operator console.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the package delivery vehicle further comprises a movable elevator.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller system is configured to raise or lower the movable elevator based on user input at the operator console.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein loading the UAV with a particular package and launching the UAV to deliver the particular package is managed at the operator console positioned near a front seat of the package delivery vehicle.

9. A method comprising:

storing, in a package storage area of a package delivery vehicle, a plurality of packages, wherein the package delivery vehicle includes a roost compartment having a retractable roof and one or more landing perches for one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV);

managing, by a centralized controller system installed on the package delivery vehicle, operations of the one or more UAVs;

driving the package delivery vehicle to a location within UAV range of a delivery address;

loading at least one of the UAVs with a particular package of the plurality of packages to be delivered to the delivery address; and

launching, by the controller system from the package delivery vehicle, the UAV to deliver the particular package to the delivery address.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

retrieving the UAV at the landing perch.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one landing perch comprises an aperture to facilitate loading the UAV with the particular package.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

retracting the retractable roof based on user input at the operator console after loading the UAV with the particular package.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the package delivery vehicle further comprises a movable elevator.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

raising the movable elevator based on user input at the operator console after loading the UAV with the particular package.

16. A drivable package delivery vehicle comprising:

a package storage area configured for storing packages for delivery;

a roost compartment having a retractable roof and one or more landing perches for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); and

one or more UAVs docked on the landing perch.

17. The package delivery vehicle of claim 16, wherein at least one landing perch comprises an aperture to facilitate loading the UAV with the particular package.

18. The package delivery vehicle of claim 17, wherein the aperture opens to the package storage area from the roost compartment.

19. The package delivery vehicle of claim 16, wherein the operator console is positioned near a front seat of the package delivery vehicle.

20. The package delivery vehicle of claim 16, wherein the package delivery vehicle further comprises a movable elevator.