SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
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Abstract
A base station for automated battery pack or payload exchange and methods for using the same. The base station provides a landing surface for receiving a mobile platform and includes a manipulator controlled by a manipulator compartment for accessing resource storage. The base station is operable to ascertain a location of the platform on the landing surface and move the manipulator to the mobile platform. Thereby, the base station system advantageously accommodates low-accuracy landing of the mobile platform and further enables extended and autonomous operation of the mobile platform without the need for user intervention for exchanging battery packs and payloads.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1-30. -30. (canceled)
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31. A base station for a mobile platform having a payload, comprising:
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a landing surface; and a maintenance system configured to; ascertain a location of the mobile platform on the landing surface, move to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform, and actuate a power switch of the mobile platform. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method of inserting a replacement payload into a mobile platform, comprising:
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ascertaining a location of the mobile platform on a landing surface; grasping the replacement payload positioned in a selected resource-slot; moving the replacement payload to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform; inserting the replacement payload into a payload-slot positioned on the mobile platform; and decoupling from the replacement payload. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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48. A maintenance system comprising:
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a sensor for ascertaining a location of a mobile platform on a landing surface; and a mechanical manipulator configured to; grasp a replacement payload positioned in a selected resource-slot, move the replacement payload to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform, insert the replacement payload into a payload-slot positioned on the mobile platform, and decouple from the replacement payload. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50)
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Specification