SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REAL-TIME DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND MESSAGING WITH OPERATORS OF SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (sUAS)
First Claim
1. A system for communicating regarding small unmanned aircraft flight operations, comprising:
- an information extraction module associated with a control station for the small unmanned aircraft that extracts and forwards information regarding a geographic position for the small unmanned aircraft substantially in real time from the control station;
a control station messaging module associated with the control station by which an operator controlling the flight operations of the small unmanned aircraft sends and receives formatted messages to and from interested parties concerned with flight operations of the small unmanned aircraft, the formatted messages being displayed on a display screen of the control station;
an aircraft information server that is programmed to receive the information regarding the geographic position for the small unmanned aircraft, to translate the received information to a format that is used by the interested parties, and to transmit the translated information to the interested parties for display; and
an aircraft information server messaging module that transfers the formatted messages between the control station for the small unmanned aircraft and the interested parties.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided to support safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. Substantially real-time data communication provides interested parties with an ability to communicate directly with an operator of the sUAS during system operations. Individual interactive user interfaces are used to implement two way text-like messaging directly with the sUAS control console to enhance safety and reduce conflicts with operations of the sUAS. When an instance arises in which an air traffic controller needs to advise an sUAS operator regarding an unauthorized sUAS mission or a requirement to keep an sUAS clear of a specific block of airspace or specific geographic location due to an immediate, emergent and/or unforeseen event, a means is provided by which to more effectively and more quickly communicate directly with the sUAS operator.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for communicating regarding small unmanned aircraft flight operations, comprising:
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an information extraction module associated with a control station for the small unmanned aircraft that extracts and forwards information regarding a geographic position for the small unmanned aircraft substantially in real time from the control station; a control station messaging module associated with the control station by which an operator controlling the flight operations of the small unmanned aircraft sends and receives formatted messages to and from interested parties concerned with flight operations of the small unmanned aircraft, the formatted messages being displayed on a display screen of the control station; an aircraft information server that is programmed to receive the information regarding the geographic position for the small unmanned aircraft, to translate the received information to a format that is used by the interested parties, and to transmit the translated information to the interested parties for display; and an aircraft information server messaging module that transfers the formatted messages between the control station for the small unmanned aircraft and the interested parties. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for communicating regarding small unmanned aircraft flight operations, comprising:
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providing information regarding a geographic position for the small unmanned aircraft substantially in real time from a control station; sending formatted text content messages via a control station messaging module in the control station to interested parties concerned with flight operations of the small unmanned aircraft as a supplement to the information regarding the geographic position for the small unmanned aircraft, the sent formatted messages being displayed on a display screen of the control station; and receiving formatted text content messages from remote messaging modules of the interested parties, the received formatted messages being displayed on the display screen of the control station. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A non-transitory computer readable medium on which is stored operating instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to execute the steps of method for communicating regarding small unmanned aircraft flight operations, the method comprising:
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providing information regarding a geographic position for the small unmanned aircraft substantially in real time from a control station; sending formatted text content messages via a control station messaging module in the control station to interested parties concerned with flight operations of the small unmanned aircraft as a supplement to the information regarding the geographic position for the small unmanned aircraft, the sent formatted messages being displayed on a display screen of the control station; and receiving formatted text content messages from remote messaging modules of the interested parties, the received formatted messages being displayed on the display screen of the control station.
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Specification