Determination of Flight Path for Unmanned Aircraft in Event of In-Flight Contingency
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle in response to an in-flight contingency, comprising:
- performing operations by a computer system onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, including;
(a) determining whether a current flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle should be changed;
(b) determining a different flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle which satisfies signal reception constraints in response to a determination that the current flight path should be changed; and
(c) controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly said different flight path.
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Abstract
An enhanced control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle adds constraints to the process of choosing a flight path in the event of an in-flight contingency, such as engine out or an encounter with jamming, which forces a diversion or unplanned landing. The constraints are: (1) ensure communications are available when needed during contingency operations; and (2) ensure signals from a global positioning system (or other navigation system) are available when needed during contingency operations.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle in response to an in-flight contingency, comprising:
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performing operations by a computer system onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, including; (a) determining whether a current flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle should be changed; (b) determining a different flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle which satisfies signal reception constraints in response to a determination that the current flight path should be changed; and (c) controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly said different flight path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle in response to an in-flight contingency, the method comprising:
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performing operations by a computer system onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, including; (a) determining whether signal reception conditions dictate that a current orientation of the unmanned aerial vehicle should be changed; (b) determining a different orientation of the unmanned aerial vehicle which satisfies signal reception constraints in response to a determination that the current orientation should be changed; and (c) controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle to reorient to a selected different orientation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle in response to an in-flight contingency, the method comprising:
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performing operations by a computer system onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, including; (a) determining whether a flight-critical component of the unmanned aerial vehicle is operating well enough to continue flight; (b) creating a list of reachable landing sites in response to a determination that the flight-critical component is not operating well enough to continue flight; (c) determining whether at least one path to at least one of the reachable landing sites satisfies signal reception constraints; and (d) controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle to follow said at least one path. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle in response to an in-flight contingency, comprising:
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a computer system and computer memory storing an RF environment model; a geometric engine; and RF constraint logic, wherein the computer system is configured to perform operations in accordance with a first routine of said RF constraint logic, including; determining whether a current flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle should be changed; determining a different flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle which satisfies signal reception constraints using said RF environment model and said geometry engine in response to a determination that the current flight path should be changed; and controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly a selected different flight path. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle in response to an in-flight contingency, comprising:
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a computer system and computer memory storing an RF environment model; a geometric engine; and RF constraint logic, said computer system being capable of performing operations in accordance with said RF constraint logic, including; determining whether a flight-critical component of the unmanned aerial vehicle is operating well enough to continue flight; creating a list of reachable landing sites in response to a determination that the flight-critical component is not operating well enough to continue flight; determining whether at least one path to at least one of the reachable landing sites satisfies signal reception constraints using said RF environment model and said geometry engine; and controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle to follow said at least one path.
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Specification