SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UAV DOCKING

• US 20150353206A1
• Filed: 08/17/2015
• Published: 12/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (d/b/a DJI) (iFlight Technology Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (d/b/a DJI) (iFlight Technology Company Limited)
• Inventors: Wang, Mingyu
• Granted Patent: US 9,302,783 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/10 Air crafts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/00 Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/00 Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/007 Helicopter portable landing pads
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/22 for handling aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/222 for storing aircraft, e.g. in hangars
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/37 Charging when not in flight
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/00 Launching, take-off or landing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/92 Portable platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/93 for use on a land or nautical vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/20 with arrangements for servicing the UAV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/25 for recharging batteries; for refuelling
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/86 Land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3691 Retrieval, searching and output of information related to real-time traffic, weather, or environmental conditions arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions G08G1/09
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 : Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0684 : on a moving platform, e.g. aircraft carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/6542 : on a moving platform, e.g. aircraft carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for docking an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a vehicle. The UAV may be able to distinguish a companion vehicle from other vehicles in the area and vice versa. The UAV may take off and/or land on the vehicle. The UAV may be used to capture images and stream the images live to a display within the vehicle. The vehicle may control the UAV. The UAV may be in communication with the companion vehicle while in flight.

Claims

1. An apparatus for housing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in or on a vehicle, wherein the apparatus comprises:

(a) a landing connection component configured to form a connection with the UAV when the UAV is landed in or on the vehicle; and

(b) a cover to at least partially enclose the UAV when the UAV is connected to the landing connection component;

wherein the vehicle is configured to permit the UAV to take off from the vehicle and/or land on the vehicle while the vehicle is in operation or in motion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting component configured to attach to the vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to:

(a) generate a signal to open the cover when the UAV is about to take off from the vehicle;

(b) generate a signal to open the cover when the UAV is about to land on the vehicle;

(c) generate a signal to close the cover after the UAV has taken off from the vehicle;

or

(d) generate a signal to close the cover after the UAV has landed on the vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is coupled to an actuator configured to drive the cover between an open position and a closed position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover further functions as a communication device when the cover is in an open position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the communication device is a satellite dish.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover functions as an antenna.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover functions as a directional antenna.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to be controlled while the UAV is in flight.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to track the position of the UAV when the UAV is not connected to the landing connection component.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is capable of completely enclosing the UAV when the UAV is housed in the vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is powered by a renewable energy source.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the renewable energy source generates electricity from solar power.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover stores energy configured to charge or power the UAV when the UAV is connected to the landing connection component.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises at least one door that folds out, at least one sliding door, at least one door that folds in or at least two doors.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is waterproof.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is a part of a surface of the vehicle.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover protrudes from the vehicle when the cover is in a closed position.

19. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mounting component is configured to removably attach to the vehicle.

20. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mounting component is configured to be permanently attached to the vehicle.

21. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mounting component is configured to attach to a roof of the vehicle.

22. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mounting component is configured to attach to a trunk of the vehicle, a door of the vehicle, or a hood of the vehicle.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing connection component provides for magnetic connection with the UAV.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing connection component permits charging of the UAV while the UAV is connected to the landing connection component.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing connection component is configured to simultaneously form a connection with a plurality of UAVs.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the cover is configured to simultaneously at least partially enclose the plurality of UAVs.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is designed to provide reduced drag on the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion.

28. A method of housing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in or on a vehicle, wherein the method comprises:

(a) detecting a status of the UAV of claim 1; and

(b) varying a position of the cover of claim 1 depending on the status of the UAV.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the method comprises opening the cover when the UAV is about to take off from the vehicle, or closing the cover when the UAV has formed the connection with the landing connection component.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein detecting the status of the UAV comprises receiving or processing data received from the UAV.