VIRTUAL FORCE SYSTEM FOR A DRONE

• US 20190317529A1
• Filed: 04/10/2019
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Uavpatent Corporation
• Original Assignee: Teal Drones, Inc. (Red Cat Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Matus, George Michael, Scothern, Braden Stuart, Stoker, Matthew Lund
• Application Number:
  US16/380,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20190317529A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/87 Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/102 adapted for flying in formations
• 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: G05D 1/0016 characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/005 by providing the operator with signals other than visual, e.g. acoustic, haptic
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/104 involving a plurality of aircrafts, e.g. formation flying traffic control systems for aircraft G08G5/00

Abstract

A computer system for receiving and responding to virtual forces enacted on a drone receives, at a first drone, a second virtual object location. The computer system then determines a first drone operating characteristic associated with the first drone. Further, the computer system calculates a virtual impact strength and virtual impact direction exerted on the first drone based upon the first drone operating. The computer system then communicates one or more control signals to the motors of the first drone to integrate the virtual impact strength and virtual impact direction into a movement of the drone.

Claims

1. A computer system for receiving and responding to virtual forces enacted on a drone, comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more computer-readable media having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors configure the computer system to perform at least the following;

receive, at a first drone, a second virtual object location, wherein the second virtual object location comprises an indication of a spatial location of a second virtual object;

determine that a location of the first drone is a threshold distance from the second virtual object location;

determine a first drone operating characteristic associated with the first drone;

identify a second virtual object operating characteristic associated with the second virtual object;

calculate a virtual impact strength and virtual impact direction exerted on the first drone based upon the first drone operating characteristic and the second virtual object operating characteristic; and

communicate one or more control signals to motors of the first drone to integrate the virtual impact strength and virtual impact direction into a movement of the first drone.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein at least one processor selected from the one or more processors is integrated within the first drone.

3. The computer system of claim 2, wherein at least another processor selected from the one or more processors is integrated within a second drone.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein at least one processor selected from the one or more processors is integrated within a purpose-built control unit that is not attached to a drone.

5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the location of the first drone is calculated based upon data received from a global positioning system radio integrated within the first drone.

6. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the location of the first drone comprises a location relative to one or more other objects and the location of the first drone is calculated based upon data received from a camera integrated within the first drone.

7. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the threshold distance is user defined.

8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the threshold distance is associated with the second virtual object operating characteristic.

9. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the second virtual object location is received in the same communication as the second virtual object operating characteristic.

10. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the second virtual object comprises a second drone.

11. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the second virtual object comprises a second rendered object within an augmented reality environment that includes a first rendered object representing the first drone.

12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the second rendered object within the augmented reality environment comprises a rendering of a projectile traveling towards the first rendered object.

13. The computer system of claim 1, wherein no rendered object is associated with the first drone.

14. A computer-implemented method for receiving and responding to virtual forces enacted on a drone, comprising:

receiving, at a first drone, a second virtual object location, wherein the second virtual object location comprises an indication of a spatial location of a second virtual object;

determining that a location of the first drone is a threshold distance from the second virtual object location;

determining a first drone operating characteristic associated with the first drone;

identifying a second virtual object operating characteristic associated with the second virtual object;

calculating a virtual impact strength and virtual impact direction exerted on the first drone based upon the first drone operating characteristic and the second virtual object operating characteristic; and

communicating one or more control signals to motors of the first drone to integrate the virtual impact strength and virtual impact direction into a movement of the first drone.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the threshold distance is associated with the second virtual object operating characteristic.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the second virtual object comprises a second drone.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the second virtual object comprises a second rendered object within an augmented reality environment that includes a first rendered object representing the first drone.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second rendered object within the augmented reality environment comprises a rendering of a projectile traveling towards the first rendered object.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein no rendered object is associated with the first drone.

20. A computer implemented method for receiving and responding to virtual forces enacted on a drone, comprising:

receiving, at a first drone, a second drone location, wherein the second drone location comprises an indication of a spatial location of a second drone;

determining a first drone operating characteristic associated with the first drone;

calculating a virtual impact strength and virtual impact direction exerted on the first drone based upon the first drone operating characteristic; and

communicating one or more control signals to motors of the first drone to integrate the virtual impact strength and virtual impact direction into a movement of the first drone.