PRE-FLIGHT SELF TEST FOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVs)

• US 20160244187A1
• Filed: 02/25/2015
• Published: 08/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Byers, Charles Calvin, Salgueiro, Gonzalo
• Granted Patent: US 9,540,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/14 Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk , or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles , i.e. food or large parcels
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/00 Dropping, ejecting, releasing, or receiving articles, liquids, or the like, in flight with respect to weapon sights devices F41G takes precedence, parachutes per se B64D17/00; ejectable seats B64D25/10; ejectable capsules B64D25/12; refuelling during flight B64D39/00; launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles F41F1/00, F41F7/00; rocket or torpedo launchers F41F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/00 Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations specially adapted for captive aircraft B64F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/04 for launching aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/12 for anchoring aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/60 Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/00 Type of UAV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/96 using air
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/64 for parcel delivery or retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/14 ducted or shrouded
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/34 In-flight charging photovoltaics B64U50/31
• 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 70/95 : Means for guiding the landing UAV towards the platform, e.g. lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/99 : Means for retaining the UAV on the platform, e.g. dogs or magnets
• 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 80/40 : for two or more UAVs
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/86 : Land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 : Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 : dummy group

Abstract

In one embodiment, a controller instructs an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) docked to a landing perch to perform a pre-flight test operation of a pre-flight test routine. The controller receives sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation from one or more force sensors of the landing perch, in response to the UAV performing the pre-flight test operation. The controller determines whether the sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation is within an acceptable range. The controller causes the UAV to launch from the landing perch based in part on a determination that UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

instructing, by a controller, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) docked to a landing perch to perform a pre-flight test operation of a pre-flight test routine;

receiving, at the controller, sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation from one or more force sensors of the landing perch, in response to the UAV performing the pre-flight test operation;

determining, by the controller, whether the sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation is within an acceptable range; and

causing, by the controller, the UAV to launch from the landing perch based in part on a determination that UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the UAV to launch from the landing perch comprises:

causing, by the controller, one or more electromagnets of the landing perch to provide a repulsive force to the UAV.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-flight test operation comprises at least one of:

testing vertical lift of the UAV or simulating a flight maneuver of the UAV while the UAV is coupled to the landing perch.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, at the controller, data indicative of the acceptable range for the sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

providing, by the controller, a request to a remote server for the data indicative of the acceptable range for the pre-flight test operation.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the controller, a weight of the UAV based on a sensor measurement from at least one of the force sensors of the landing perch, wherein the determination that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine is based in part on the weight of the UAV being within an acceptable weight range.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

instructing, by the controller, the UAV to perform an internal systems test of the UAV; and

receiving, at the controller, data indicative of results of the internal systems test of the UAV, wherein the determination that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine is based in part on the data indicative of the results of the internal systems test of the UAV.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the UAV to launch from the landing perch comprises:

providing, by the controller, a takeoff request to a remote server indicating that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine; and

receiving, at the controller, authorization to cause the UAV to launch from the landing perch.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the authorization comprises an authorization certificate issued by an air traffic control service, and wherein the method further comprises:

providing, by the controller, the authorization certificate to the UAV prior to launch.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the controller, that the UAV has failed the pre-flight test routine; and

providing, by the controller, a notification to a remote device, in response to determining that the UAV has failed the pre-flight test routine.

11. A landing perch for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:

a base having a plurality of posts that extend from the base and are configured to couple with apertures of the UAV;

one or more force sensors located on one or more of the plurality of posts; and

a controller that includes;

one or more network interfaces to communicate with a computer network;

a processor coupled to the one or more network interfaces and configured to execute a process; and

a memory configured to store the process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to;

instruct the UAV to perform a pre-flight test operation of a pre-flight test routine prior to being launched from the landing perch;

receive sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation from the one or more force sensors, in response to the UAV performing the pre-flight test operation;

determine whether the sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation is within an acceptable range; and

cause the UAV to launch from the landing perch based in part on a determination that UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine.

12. The landing perch of claim 11, wherein a particular one of the plurality of posts comprises an electromagnet configured to couple with a magnet of the UAV to retain the UAV when the UAV is docked at the landing perch.

13. The landing perch of claim 12, wherein the controller causes the UAV to launch by:

causing the electromagnet to provide a repulsive force to the UAV.

14. The landing perch of claim 11, wherein each post of the plurality of posts comprises an electromagnet configured to couple with a corresponding magnet of the UAV.

15. The landing perch of claim 11, wherein one or more of the posts comprise an electrical contact configured to provide an electrical charge to the UAV when the UAV is docked at the landing perch.

16. The landing perch of claim 15, wherein one or more of the posts define an aperture through which a cooling or heating medium is provided to the UAV when the UAV is docked at the landing perch.

17. The landing perch of claim 11, further comprising:

an optical transceiver via which the controller communicates with the UAV.

18. The landing perch of claim 11, wherein the pre-flight test operation comprises at least one of:

testing vertical lift of the UAV or simulating a flight maneuver of the UAV while the UAV is coupled to the landing perch.

19. The landing perch of claim 11, wherein the process when executed is further operable to:

determine a weight of the UAV based on a sensor measurement from at least one of the force sensors, wherein the determination that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine is based in part on the weight of the UAV being within an acceptable weight range.

20. The landing perch of claim 11, wherein the process when executed is further operable to:

instruct the UAV to perform an internal systems test of the UAV; and

receive data indicative of results of the internal systems test of the UAV, wherein the determination that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine is based in part on the data indicative of the results of the internal systems test of the UAV.

21. The landing perch of claim 11, wherein the process when executed is further operable to:

determine that the UAV has failed the pre-flight test routine; and

provide a notification to a remote device, in response to determining that the UAV has failed the pre-flight test routine.

22. The landing perch of claim 11, wherein the process when executed is further operable to:

provide a takeoff request to a remote server indicating that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine;

receive an authorization certificate indicating that the UAV is authorized to launch from the landing perch; and

provide the authorization certificate to the UAV.

23. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:

a frame defining one or more apertures configured to couple with one or more posts of a landing perch; and

a controller that includes;

one or more interfaces to communicate with the landing perch;

a processor coupled to the one or more interfaces and configured to execute a process; and

a memory configured to store the process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to;

receive an instruction from the landing perch to perform a pre-flight test operation;

perform the pre-flight test operation while the UAV is docked at the landing perch;

receive launch authorization from the landing perch; and

launch the UAV from the landing perch.

24. The UAV of claim 23, further comprising:

one or more magnets located within the one or more apertures, wherein the one or more magnets are configured to interface with one or more electromagnets located on the one or more posts of the landing perch.

25. The UAV of claim 24, wherein the one or more electromagnets of the landing perch provide attractive force to the one or more magnets of the UAV when the UAV is docked at the landing perch, and wherein the one or more electromagnets of the landing perch provide repulsive force to the one or more magnets of the UAV when the UAV is launched from the landing perch.

26. The UAV of claim 23, further comprising:

one or more electrical contacts located in the one or more apertures configured to receive an electrical charge from the one or more posts of the landing perch.

27. The UAV of claim 23, wherein the frame further defines an internal cooling or heating duct extending from the one or more apertures, and wherein the one or more posts of the landing perch provide a heating or cooling medium to the internal cooling or heating duct when the UAV is docked at the landing perch.

28. The UAV of claim 23, wherein the pre-flight test operation comprises at least one of:

testing vertical lift of the UAV or simulating a flight maneuver of the UAV while the UAV is coupled to the landing perch.

29. The UAV of claim 23, wherein the process when executed is further operable to:

receive a request from the landing perch to perform an internal systems test of the UAV;

perform the internal systems test; and

provide results of the internal systems test to the landing perch.