System for autonomous operation of multiple hybrid unmanned aerial vehicles supported by recharging stations to perform services
First Claim
1. An automated system for controlling a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comprising:
- a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs);
a receiver for receiving first telemetric data from said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs);
a transmitter for transmitting control data to said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs);
at least one processor in communication with a memory which has stored therein processor-issuable instructions; and
a planner for substantially simultaneously determining a plurality of plans for each one of said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for a predetermined time period based at least upon said first telemetric data received from said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and for iteratively revising said telemetric data and said plurality of plans into updated telemetric data and plans for each one of said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and for transmitting both navigational and scheduling program data to said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such that said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can not only be controlled navigationally but can also be controlled in accordance with a scheduled program, including periodic movements to at least one recharging station, whereby individual ones of said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles can assist each other in combination in order to accomplish a predetermined task, as well as to relieve each other as necessary in accordance with a continuously controlled unmanned aerial vehicle operational program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated system and method for controlling a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is described. The system can include a receiver, a transmitter, and at least one processor in communication with a memory. The receiver receives first telemetric data from the plurality of UAVs. The transmitter is configured to transmit control data to the plurality of UAVs. The memory stores processor-issuable instructions to: substantially simultaneously determine a plurality of plans for each of the plurality of UAVs and for a predetermined time period based at least on the first telemetric data; and iteratively revise the plurality of plans.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An automated system for controlling a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comprising:
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a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); a receiver for receiving first telemetric data from said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); a transmitter for transmitting control data to said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); at least one processor in communication with a memory which has stored therein processor-issuable instructions; and a planner for substantially simultaneously determining a plurality of plans for each one of said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for a predetermined time period based at least upon said first telemetric data received from said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and for iteratively revising said telemetric data and said plurality of plans into updated telemetric data and plans for each one of said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and for transmitting both navigational and scheduling program data to said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such that said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can not only be controlled navigationally but can also be controlled in accordance with a scheduled program, including periodic movements to at least one recharging station, whereby individual ones of said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles can assist each other in combination in order to accomplish a predetermined task, as well as to relieve each other as necessary in accordance with a continuously controlled unmanned aerial vehicle operational program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of controlling a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comprising the steps of:
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determining a plurality of plans for each one of said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) based at least upon first telemetric data received from said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); subsequently iteratively revising said telemetric data and said plurality of plans; and transmitting both navigational and scheduling program data to said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such that said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can not only be controlled navigationally but can also be controlled in accordance with a scheduled program, including periodic movements to at least one recharging station, whereby individual ones of said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles can assist each other in combination in order to accomplish a predetermined task, as well as to relieve each other as necessary in accordance with a continuously controlled unmanned aerial vehicle operational program. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification