PRECISE AND RAPID DELIVERY OF AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL KIT FROM AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

• US 20170369167A1
• Filed: 06/23/2017
• Published: 12/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 1st Rescue, Inc.
• Original Assignee: 1st Rescue, Inc.
• Inventors: Meadow, William D.
• Application Number:
  US15/631,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20170369167A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39 Heart defibrillators
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• 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 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0676 specially adapted for landing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/28 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/30 Transportation; Communications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

Embodiments relate to methods and apparatus to swiftly and accurately deliver a medical treatment kit via an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and mechanisms and systems for monitoring a medical emergency via an Emergency Control Center and providing live remote support to on location care givers.

Claims

1. A system to control placement of a payload carried by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at a delivery zone, the system comprising:

a payload coupled to the UAV;

a location determination device to determine a location of the UAV;

a drop line comprising a proximate end coupled to the UAV and a distal end for locating in a delivery zone;

a descent regulator to control a rate of descent of the payload from the UAV to the distal end of the drop line at the delivery zone via descent of the payload along the drop line; and

a release mechanism to release the payload from the drop line.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a position control unit to control a position of the UAV in a horizontal plane.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the position control unit further controls one or both of:

an altitude of the UAV and a height of the UAV.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising an altitude control unit to control one or both of an altitude of the UAV and a height of the UAV.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising an operator interface to control navigation of the UAV based upon instructions transmitted to the position control unit.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a thruster coupled to the payload, the thruster to provide more accurate positioning of the payload in a lateral direction as compared to accuracy of lateral positioning enabled by the position control unit.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising an operator interface to control positioning of the thruster.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery zone is described by image data and is recognized by the UAV by use of image recognition.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery zone comprises a mobile target.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery zone comprises a temporary target described by image data, and the temporary target is recognized by the UAV by use of image recognition.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery zone is marked by a radio transmitter.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the payload comprises a medical treatment kit.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the medical treatment kit comprises a heart defibrillator.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the medical treatment kit comprises a voice communication link with an emergency command center.

15. A system providing precise placement of a payload carried by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to a delivery zone, the system comprising:

a mechanism to fixedly attach a payload to the UAV;

a location determination device to determine a location of the UAV;

a drop line comprising a proximate end coupled to the UAV and a distal end for positioning in a delivery zone;

a coupling device for slidingly attaching the payload to the drop line;

a descent regulator to control a rate of descent of the payload from the UAV to the delivery zone via the drop line;

a release mechanism to release the payload at the delivery zone;

an electronic control unit for controlling a location of the UAV;

a height controller for controlling a height of the UAV;

a thruster unit for controlling X and Y movement of the payload while the payload is suspended from the drop line;

a delivery zone determination unit for determining a location for delivery within a one meter accuracy; and

a delivery zone coupler for coupling the thruster unit to the delivery zone during delivery.

16. A method to control placement of an item carried by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at a delivery zone, the method comprising:

coupling a payload to the UAV;

determining a location of the UAV by use of a location determination device;

lowering the payload at the delivery zone, at a controlled rate of descent, by use of a drop line; and

releasing the payload at the delivery zone.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising a step of, prior to releasing the payload, controlling a position of the payload separately from control of a position of the UAV.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising a step of providing a voice communication link from the payload to an emergency command center.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising a step of identifying the delivery zone by recognition of visible features.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising a step of identifying the delivery zone by identification of non-visible features.