Novel tracking system using unmanned aerial vehicles

• US 20150134143A1
• Filed: 10/06/2014
• Published: 05/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jim Willenborg
• Original Assignee: Jim Willenborg
• Inventors: Willenborg, Jim
• Application Number:
  US14/121,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20150134143A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/20 for use as communications relays, e.g. high-altitude platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/102 adapted for flying in formations
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0094 involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of tracking persons and objects and capturing video, still images and other data in real time of the same. The present disclosure includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (e.g., UAV) which follows a trackable system coupled to an object or on individual'"'"'s person. The UAV may have a camera component which may record video, still images and other data (position, speed, acceleration, cadence, etc.) of the trackable system and items in close proximity thereto. Advantageously, the UAV may transmit video feeds and still images to a monitoring station or device such that security personnel and other persons of interest can respond timely to unplanned incidents and emergencies. In one or more implementations, a network of UAVs may fly alongside each other to capture video of multiple targets without causing collisions.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an unmanned aerial vehicle, the unmanned aerial vehicle including a receiver to receive signals; and

a trackable system, the trackable system to transmit the signals to the unmanned aerial vehicle;

wherein the signals include location data which is to be used by the unmanned aerial vehicle to follow the trackable system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the trackable system includes a smartphone device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the trackable system is coupled to sporting equipment.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a monitoring station, the monitoring station is to be communicatively coupled to the unmanned aerial vehicle and the trackable system.

5. A method, comprising:

syncing an unmanned aerial vehicle to a trackable system such that the unmanned aerial vehicle receives location data from the trackable system;

transmitting the location data from the trackable system to the unmanned aerial vehicle;

utilizing the location data to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to follow the trackable system; and

sending the location data to a monitoring station.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising maintaining a predetermined vertical distance between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the trackable system.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein syncing the unmanned aerial vehicle to the trackable system includes configuring the unmanned aerial vehicle to receive wireless communications from the trackable system.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein a transmitter component of the trackable device transmits the location data to a receive component of the unmanned aerial vehicle.