SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UAV DOCKING

• US 20160332748A1
• Filed: 05/20/2015
• Published: 11/17/2016
• 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 10,059,467 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 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) housing apparatus comprising:

a mounting component configured to attach to a vehicle;

a landing connection component configured to form a connection with the UAV that prevents detachment of the UAV and the UAV housing apparatus; and

a cover configured to at least partially enclose the UAV when the UAV is connected to the landing connection component.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting component is configured to removably attach to the vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing connection component provides a magnetic connection.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing connection component is configured to prevent detachment of the UAV and the vehicle when the vehicle is traveling between 30 mph and 100 mph.

5. 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.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing connection component permits interchange of data between the UAV and the vehicle via the landing connection component while the UAV is connected to the landing connection component.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to completely enclose the UAV when the UAV is connected to the landing connection component.

8. 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 while the vehicle is in motion.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cover is capable of functioning as a communication device when the cover is in an open position.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the communication device is a satellite dish and used to communicate with the UAV.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to (1) generate a signal to close the cover when a UAV has landed and connected to the landing connection component, or (2) generate a signal to open the cover when the UAV is about to take off from the vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is powered by solar power.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover stores energy used to charge and/or power the UAV when the UAV is connected to the landing connection component.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing connection component is configured to form a connection with multiple UAVs simultaneously, and wherein the cover is configured to at least partially enclose multiple UAVs simultaneously.

15. A vehicle forming a platform from which an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may take off or land, said vehicle comprising:

the UAV housing apparatus of claim 1; and

one or more propulsion unit configured to propel the vehicle.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the cover is a roof of the vehicle that is capable of opening and closing.

17. A method of housing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), said method comprising:

providing the UAV housing apparatus of claim 1;

detecting a UAV status; and

varying or maintaining cover position based on the UAV status.

18. A controller for controlling operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), said controller comprising:

one or more user input components, wherein the one or more user input components are configured to be part of a vehicle; and

a processor configured to receive a signal from the user input components and generate a command to be transmitted to the UAV to control operation of the UAV.

19. The controller of claim 18, wherein the one or more user input components are at least part of a steering wheel of the vehicle.

20. The controller of claim 18, wherein the one or more user input components are at least part of a shift control of the vehicle.

21. The controller of claim 18, wherein the one or more user input components are at least part of a dashboard or display of the vehicle.

22. The controller of claim 18, wherein the one or more user input components includes a button, touchscreen, joystick, microphone or camera.

23. The controller of claim 18, wherein controlling operation of the UAV includes controlling flight of the UAV.

24. The controller of claim 18, wherein controlling operation of the UAV includes controlling positioning or operation of a sensor of the UAV.

25. A vehicle for controlling operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), said vehicle comprising the controller of claim 18;

and one or more propulsion units configured to propel the vehicle.

26. A method for controlling operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), said method comprising:

receiving, at one or more user input components of a vehicle, UAV control input from a user, wherein the one or more user input components are part of the vehicle; and

generating, with aid of a processor, a command to be transmitted to the UAV to control operation of the UAV based on a signal from the user input components.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the one or more input components are built into a steering wheel, shift control, dashboard, or display of the vehicle.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the user input is provided while the vehicle is in motion or while the user is operating the vehicle.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the command controls flight of the UAV or a sensor on-board the UAV.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the command initiates a take-off sequence for the UAV from the vehicle or a landing sequence for the UAV on the vehicle.