Unmanned Multi-Purpose Ground Vehicle with Different Levels of Control

• US 20110144828A1
• Filed: 12/11/2009
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Chengalva, Mahesh K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,163,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/005 Unmanned ground vehicles, i.e. robotic, remote controlled or autonomous, mobile platforms carrying equipment for performing a military or police role, e.g. weapon systems or reconnaissance sensors F41H11/16 takes precedence
• 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 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• 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

Abstract

A vehicle comprises a platform, a propulsion system, a communications system, a sensor system, and a computer system. The propulsion system, communications system, sensor system, and computer system are associated with the platform. The propulsion system is configured to move the platform on a ground. The communications system is configured to establish a wireless communications link to a remote location. The sensor system is configured to generate sensor data. The computer system is configured to run a number of control processes to perform a mission and configured to perform operations in response to a number of commands from the number of operators if the number of requests is valid.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a platform;

a propulsion system associated with the platform and configured to move the platform on a ground;

a sensor system associated with the platform and configured to generate sensor data; and

a computer system associated with the platform, wherein the computer system is configured to run a number of control processes to perform a mission and configured to perform a number of operations in response to a number of commands from a number of operators.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the computer system is further configured to receive a number of requests to change control of the vehicle from the number of control processes to the number of operators, determine whether the number of requests is valid, and perform the number of operations in response to the number of commands from the number of operators if the number of requests is valid.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a communications system associated with the platform and configured to establish a wireless communications link to a remote location, wherein the computer system is configured to send information over the wireless communications link to the remote location.

4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the number of control processes is configured to return to performing the mission when there is an absence of the number of commands for longer than a selected period of time to return the control to the number of control processes.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the number of control processes comprises at least one of a surveillance control process, a navigation control process, a weapons control process, and an operator control process.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the number of operations comprises at least one of directing movement of the vehicle, changing waypoints for the vehicle, changing a number of targets for surveillance by the vehicle, causing the vehicle to self destruct, firing a weapons system, and changing the sensor data generated by the sensor system.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein each of the number of operators controls a different control process in the number of control processes.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the number of operators comprises at least one of an onboard operator and a remote operator.

9. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the number of requests comprises at least one of an access code, a password, a certificate, and a user identifier.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the number of commands have a number of levels of control.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises:

a camera system configured to generate image data.

12. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises:

a global positioning system unit configured to generate location information.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the sensor system is configured to generate image data and location information.

14. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the computer system is configured to send video data and status information over the wireless communications link to the remote location.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the status information comprises at least one of a status of the vehicle and location information for the vehicle.

16. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises at least one of a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, and an electrical engine.

17. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

an energy harvesting system configured to generate power for the vehicle.

18. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the navigation control process avoids obstacles and adjusts routes independent of a human operator.

19. An autonomous ground vehicle comprising:

a platform;

a propulsion system associated with the platform and configured to move the platform on a ground, wherein the propulsion system has two types of engines;

a communications system associated with the platform and configured to establish a wireless communications link to a remote location;

a sensor system associated with the platform and configured to generate sensor data;

a power system having a number of batteries and an energy harvesting system; and

a computer system associated with the platform, wherein the computer system is configured to run a number of control processes to perform a mission, send information over the wireless communications link to the remote location, receive a request to change control of the autonomous ground vehicle from the number of control processes to a number of operators, determine whether the request is valid, and perform a number of operations in response to a number of commands from the number of operators if the request is valid.

20. A method for operating a vehicle, the method comprising:

loading a mission onto the vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a platform;

a propulsion system associated with the platform and configured to move the platform on a ground;

a sensor system associated with the platform and configured to generate sensor data;

a power system having a number of batteries and an energy harvesting system; and

a computer system associated with the platform, wherein the computer system is configured to run a number of control processes to perform the mission; and

running the number of control processes to perform the mission.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

responsive to receiving a request to change control of the vehicle from the number of control processes to a number of operators, determining whether the request is valid; and

responsive to a determination that the request is valid, performing a number of operations in response to a number of commands from the number of operators.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the vehicle further comprises a communications system associated with the platform and configured to establish a wireless communications link to a remote location and further comprising:

sending the sensor data from the sensor system over the wireless communications link to the remote location.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

responsive to an absence of a command from the number of operators within a selected amount of time, returning the control of the vehicle to the number of control processes to perform the mission.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein each of the number of operators controls a different control process in the number of control processes.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the number of operators comprises at least one of an onboard operator and a remote operator.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the number of commands have a number of levels of control.