Vehicle control system

• US 10,571,931 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2016
• Issued: 02/25/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ares Aerosystems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ares Aerosystems Corporation
• Inventors: Malay, Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Cass, Jean Paul
• Application Number:
  US15/371,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20170248968A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 701 4
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/02 Model aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/18 using automatic pilot
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/20 using radiated signals
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/80 Arrangement of on-board electronics, e.g. avionics systems or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• 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 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/005 specially adapted for use in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0094 involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target
• 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: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A vehicle control system may include a vehicle frame, a mount secured to the vehicle frame and configured for rigidly securing a smartphone therein such that motions experienced by the vehicle frame are correspondingly experienced by the smartphone, and system electronics arranged on the frame and in communication with the smartphone and vehicle controllers, the system electronics configured to receive signals from the smartphone and control directional devices of the vehicle based on the signals via the vehicle controllers. A system for preparing signals for transmission to the vehicle to control navigation may also be provided.

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:

an airframe configured for aerial flight, comprising;

a propulsion system; and

a control device coupled to and configured to control the propulsion system;

a mount for securing a smartphone therein;

a smartphone secured in the mount and programmed with computer-executable instructions for controlled aerial flight of the vehicle, wherein the mount comprises a first member and a second member coupled to the airframe such that the first and the second member secure the smartphone to the airframe, and wherein the first member has an aperture to permit viewing a screen of the smartphone through the first member; and

system electronics arranged on the vehicle and configured to facilitate communication between the smartphone and the control device for controlled aerial flight of the vehicle, wherein the system electronics include a host connection configured to electrically communicate with the smartphone such that the smartphone controls the propulsion system through the host connection using one or more sensors of the smartphone, and wherein when the smartphone is rigidly secured by the first and the second member, and the one or more sensors associated with the smartphone experience one or more same motions as the unmanned aerial vehicle.

2. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, further comprising vibration dampening material for reducing transference of airframe vibrations to the smartphone.

3. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the airframe comprises a cutout configured to accommodate a camera of the smartphone.

4. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 3, further comprising a turret device configured to allow the camera of the smartphone to receive imagery from a plurality of directions.

5. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 4, wherein the turret device comprises a mirror.

6. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 4, wherein the turret device comprises a servo.

7. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a holding device configured to hold the smartphone securely in the mount.

8. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the system electronics are incorporated into the mount.

9. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 8, wherein the system electronics comprises a serial bus, a controller bus, and an electrical power bus.

10. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 9, wherein the serial bus comprises a host connection for placing the mount and peripheral devices in communication with a smartphone.

11. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the system electronics comprises a wireless connection for placing the smartphone in wireless communication with the control device.

12. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a sensor providing information to the smartphone.

13. An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:

an airframe configured for aerial flight, comprising;

a propulsion system; and

a control device coupled to and configured to control the propulsion system;

a mount for securing a smartphone therein, the mount comprising a cutout configured to accommodate a camera of the smartphone, wherein the mount further comprises a first member and a second member such that the first and the second member secure the smartphone to the airframe;

a smartphone arranged in the mount and programmed with computer-executable instructions for controlled aerial flight of the vehicle;

system electronics arranged on the vehicle, the system electronics including a host connection configured to electrically communicate with the smartphone such that the smartphone controls the propulsion system through the host connection using one or more sensors of the smartphone, and wherein when the smartphone is rigidly secured by the first and the second member, and the one or more sensors associated with the smartphone experience one or more same motions as the unmanned aerial vehicle; and

a turret device configured to allow the camera of the smartphone to receive imagery from a plurality of directions.

14. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein the turret device comprises a mirror.

15. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein the turret device comprises a servo.

16. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, further comprising vibration dampening material for reducing transference of airframe vibrations to the smartphone.

17. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, further comprising a sensor providing information to the smartphone.

18. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein the system electronics comprises a wireless connection for placing the smartphone in wireless communication with the control device.

19. A method for using an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:

programming a smartphone to control an unmanned aerial vehicle;

positioning the smartphone in a mount arranged on the vehicle, the mount configured to secure the smartphone therein, the mount comprising a first member and a second member coupled to the airframe such that the first and the second member secure the smartphone to the airframe, and wherein the first member has an aperture to permit viewing a screen of the smartphone through the first member;

electrically coupling the smartphone to system electronics arranged on the vehicle, the system electronics configured to facilitate communication between the smartphone and a control device to control aerial flight of the vehicle, wherein the system electronics include a host connection configured to electrically communicate with the smartphone such that the smartphone controls the unmanned aerial vehicle through the host connection using one or more sensors of the smartphone, and wherein when the smartphone is rigidly secured by the first and the second member, and the one or more sensors associated with the smart phone experience one or more same motions as the unmanned aerial vehicle; and

launching the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the system electronics comprises a wireless connection for placing the smartphone in wireless communication with the control device.