System and Method for Controlling an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle over a Cellular Network
First Claim
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1. A system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle over a cellular network comprises:
- an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
a command and control (CAS) station;
the UAV comprises a navigation system, at least one processing unit, a plurality of sensors, at least one wireless communication device, and at least one power source;
the plurality of sensors comprises an optical sensor, an accelerometer, a compass sensor, a gyroscope sensor, and a global positioning system (GPS) sensor;
at least one of the processing units being electronically connected to the plurality of sensors;
at least one of the processing units being electronically connected to each wireless communication device;
at least one of the processing units being electronically connected to the navigation system;
at least one of the power sources being electrically connected to at least one of the processing units;
at least one of the power sources being electrically connected to the navigation system; and
the CAC station being communicatively coupled with at least one of the at least one processing units through a cellular network.
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Abstract
A system and method of operating a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle over a cellular network provides capability for UAV operators to control the UAV without requiring the operator to be within a limited range of the UAV, enabling non-line-of-sight control. A command and control station is communicatively coupled to the cellular network, which is in turn communicatively coupled to the UAV. Video streaming capability is provided, in addition to a modular circuitry unit capable of accepting a wide variety of customizable circuitry units designed for various specific purposes and capabilities.
50 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle over a cellular network comprises:
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an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); a command and control (CAS) station; the UAV comprises a navigation system, at least one processing unit, a plurality of sensors, at least one wireless communication device, and at least one power source; the plurality of sensors comprises an optical sensor, an accelerometer, a compass sensor, a gyroscope sensor, and a global positioning system (GPS) sensor; at least one of the processing units being electronically connected to the plurality of sensors; at least one of the processing units being electronically connected to each wireless communication device; at least one of the processing units being electronically connected to the navigation system; at least one of the power sources being electrically connected to at least one of the processing units; at least one of the power sources being electrically connected to the navigation system; and the CAC station being communicatively coupled with at least one of the at least one processing units through a cellular network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle over a cellular network by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises the steps of:
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providing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a CAC station, and a cellular network, wherein the UAV comprises a plurality of sensors, a modular circuitry unit, and a navigation system, and wherein the plurality of sensors comprises an optical sensor and a plurality of navigation sensors; providing at least one circuitry component, wherein each of the at least one circuitry component is configured to execute an operational algorithm for a specific operational capability; establishing a local communications link between the modular circuitry unit and the at least one circuitry component; establishing a remote communications link between the UAV and the CAC station through the cellular network; receiving navigation input through the CAC station; activating the navigation system according to the navigation input; continually recording visual data through the optical sensor; continually transmitting the visual data through the remote communications link to the CAC station; continually recording flight data through the plurality of navigation sensors; transmitting the flight data through the remote communications link to the CAC station; and executing the operational algorithm for a selected circuitry component from the at least one circuitry component, if a prerequisite condition for the operational algorithm of the selected circuitry component is met. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification