LEADING DRONE METHOD

• US 20180321681A1
• Filed: 05/05/2017
• Published: 11/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2017
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tian Yu
• Original Assignee: Pinnacle Vista, LLC
• Inventors: Tu, Haofeng
• Application Number:
  US15/588,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20180321681A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/20 for use as communications relays, e.g. high-altitude platforms
• 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: B64U 70/30 for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/90 Launching from or landing on platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/86 Land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/005 with correlation of navigation data from several sources, e.g. map or contour matching G01C21/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0094 involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/50 using a mobile data collecting device, e.g. walk by or drive by
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for least one leading drone configured to move to a leading drone future location based on a future location of a base station. A set of base station future locations may form a base station path for the base station to traverse. Also, a set of leading drone future locations may form a leading drone path for the leading drone to traverse. The base station'"'"'s future location may be anticipated from a prediction or a predetermination. The leading drone, navigating along the leading drone path, may collect sensor data and/or perform tasks. Accordingly, the leading drone may move ahead of the base station in motion, as opposed to following or remaining with the base station.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying, at a leading drone, a base station configured to move from a current location of the base station;

determining a future location of the base station;

determining a base station path of the base station between the current location and the future location;

determining a drone path relative to the base station path;

moving the leading drone along the drone path prior to the base station traveling along the base station path;

wherein the base station is mobile that travels on either water or on a ground along the base station path, and the base station travels lagging behind in time relative to the drone traveling on the drone path;

wherein the leading drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle;

wherein the drone path and the base station differ in altitude.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

determining the future location based on a difference between a past location of the base station and the current location.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising:

collecting sensor data along the base station path using a sensor at the leading drone and sending the sensor data to the base station.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising:

collecting sensor data along the drone path using a sensor at the leading drone and sending the sensor data to the base station.

6. The method of claim 4, comprising:

identifying a trigger based on the sensor data; and

moving the leading drone to a trigger location based on the trigger.

7. The method of claim 4, comprising:

retrieving geographical data from a data store;

comparing the geographical data with the sensor data; and

producing updated geographical data along the base station path based on comparing the geographical data with the sensor data.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising:

sending the updated geographical data to the base station.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising:

determining the future location as a location along the base station path.

10. The method of claim 1, comprising:

determining the base station path from several possible base station paths stored in a data store.

11. The method of claim 1, comprising:

receiving a control signal from the base station that comprises the base station path.

12. The method of claim 1, comprising:

determining a destination of the base station; and

determining a base station path of the base station that includes the current location and the destination, the future location located along the base station path between the current location and the destination.

13. The method of claim 1, comprising:

receiving a control signal from the base station for control of the leading drone.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising:

receiving an override signal from a command center that overrides the control signal for control of the leading drone.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising:

sending the override command to the base station.

3. (canceled)