Virtual sensor mast
First Claim
1. A virtual sensor mast for a ground vehicle, comprising:
- an unmanned airborne vehicle capable of lifting itself from the ground vehicle upon deployment therefrom;
a sensor suite mounted to the unmanned airborne vehicle; and
a tether between the unmanned airborne vehicle and the ground vehicle over which the sensor suite is capable of communicating sensed data upon deployment.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A virtual sensor mast for a ground vehicle and a method for operating a ground vehicle using a virtual sensor mast are disclosed. The virtual sensor mast includes an unmanned airborne vehicle capable of lifting itself from the ground vehicle upon deployment therefrom; a sensor suite mounted to the unmanned airborne vehicle; and a tether between the unmanned airborne vehicle and the ground vehicle over which the sensor suite is capable of communicating sensed data upon deployment. The method includes elevating a tethered unmanned airborne vehicle from the ground vehicle to a predetermined height; sensing environmental conditions surrounding the ground vehicle; and terminating the deployment.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A virtual sensor mast for a ground vehicle, comprising:
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an unmanned airborne vehicle capable of lifting itself from the ground vehicle upon deployment therefrom;
a sensor suite mounted to the unmanned airborne vehicle; and
a tether between the unmanned airborne vehicle and the ground vehicle over which the sensor suite is capable of communicating sensed data upon deployment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A ground vehicle, comprising:
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a chassis;
a virtual sensor mast, including;
an unmanned airborne vehicle capable of lifting itself from the chassis upon deployment therefrom;
a sensor suite mounted to the unmanned airborne vehicle;
a tether between the unmanned airborne vehicle and the chassis over which the sensor suite is capable of communicating sensed data upon deployment, a processing system for controlling the operation of the ground vehicle, including the virtual sensor mast. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A vehicle, comprising:
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a chassis; and
an unmanned airborne vehicle tethered to the chassis, the unmanned airborne vehicle housing at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for use in operating a ground vehicle, comprising:
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elevating a tethered unmanned airborne vehicle from the ground vehicle to a predetermined height;
sensing environmental conditions surrounding the ground vehicle; and
terminating the deployment. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification