System, methods and apparatus for managing external computation and sensor resources applied to mobile robotic network

• US 20040030448A1
• Filed: 04/22/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Neal Solomon
• Original Assignee: Neal Solomon
• Inventors: Solomon, Neal
• Application Number:
  US10/421,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20040030448A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/00 Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0236 in combination with a laser lasers per se H01S
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0257 using a radar radar systems designed for anti-collision purposes between land vehicles or between land vehicle and fixed obstacles G01S13/931
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0295 by at least one leading vehicle of the fleet
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/104 involving a plurality of aircrafts, e.g. formation flying traffic control systems for aircraft G08G5/00

Abstract

In a swarm weapon system including mobile robotic vehicles (MRVs), a system, methods and apparatus are described for the use of external resources, including computation and sensor capabilities, to guide groups of MRVs from position to position in real time. Methods are shown whereby external computation resources provide massive supplementary computing capability to a remote computing network to solve complex problems on the fly that preserves limited intra-systemic power and computation resources. Methods are shown for external sensors, such as satellite sensors, to provide supplemental sensor data to a multi robotic system with resource constraints.

Claims

1. A system for applying external computation and sensor resources to a mobile robotic network, comprising:

a plurality of mobile robotic vehicles (MRVs);

a ground relay station configured to communicate with the plurality of MRVs;

a satellite configured to communicate with the ground relay station or the plurality of MRVs; and

a central command computer configured to communicate with the satellite;

wherein information from the plurality of MRVs is relayed to the central command computer via the satellite;

wherein the central command computer analyzes the information received from the plurality of MRVs and generates instructions for the plurality of MRVs;

wherein the instructions are relayed to the plurality of MRVs via the satellite; and

wherein the plurality of MRVs carry out their instructions.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the central command computer cooperates with the Future Combat System to coordinate activities of the plurality of MRVs.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of MRVs include unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, unmanned hovercraft vehicles and unmanned underwater vehicles.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the satellite is further configured to optically map a terrain and generate a plurality of maps;

and

wherein the satellite transmits the plurality of maps to the plurality of MRVs.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the plurality of maps are transmitted to the central command by either the plurality of MRVs or the satellite or both;

and

wherein the central command analyzes the plurality of maps thereby allowing the plurality of MRVs to be tracked via a global positioning system.