Bordered flying tool

• US 6,789,768 B1
• Filed: 03/20/2002
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steadicopter Limited
• Original Assignee: Steadicopter Limited
• Inventors: Kalisch, Gad
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sukman, Gabriel S.
• Application Number:
  US09/979,680
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 244/175, 244/189, 244/190, 244/194, 244/184
• US Class Current: 244/190
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/004 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/00 Methods of fertilising , sowing or planting
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/106 Change initiated in response to external conditions, e.g. avoidance of elevated terrain or of no-fly zones

Abstract

Differential Global Positioning System receivers (60) are located at the corners of a confined zone and receive signals from Global Positioning System satellites (62). The Differential Global Positioning System receivers (60) aid an aircraft (16) to fly and flight path or combing patten (20) over the confined zone. A vehicle (12) with a trailer (14) may be used to transport the aircraft (16) for use over the confined zone.

Claims

1. A system of automatically controlled motion of unmanned aircraft confined within predetermined boundaries, operating in conjunction with a satellite-based tracking system, the system comprising:

reference points located at predetermined positions relative to the boundaries of a predefined zone, wherein the reference points location is determined by said tracking system;

an unmanned aircraft comprising a body of an aircraft suitable for flying, the body provided with controls for controlling its flight, and control unit, the control unit communicating with the tracking system, determining the aircraft position with respect to the reference points, said control unit further capable of actuating the controls so as to allow the aircraft to fly only within preset boundaries of the predetermined zone.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said satellite based tracking system is GPS.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said reference points comprise a plurality of beacons adapted to transmit signals of predetermined frequencies traceable by said control unit, and wherein said control unit is adapted to determine the location of the aircraft relative to said beacons, by comparing the frequencies, detecting changes in them and determining the aircraft location with respect to said beacons by comparing the time that takes each signal to reach the control unit.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said aircraft is made to fly in a predetermined pattern within the predetermined zone.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said aircraft is a helicopter.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said aircraft is adapted to be controlled with a remote control unit operated on the ground, and when the system detects that aircraft approaches the confined zone boundary the control unit overrides the remote control unit and forces the aircraft to remain within the confined zone.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the reference points comprise each a portable beacon adapted to be positioned at a reference position and transmit signals traceable by the tracking system, and wherein said control unit determines the location of the aircraft relative to the reference points.

8. A system of automatically controlled motion of unmanned aircraft confined within predetermined boundaries, operating in conjunction with a GPS tracking system, the system comprising:

reference points located at predetermined positions relative to the boundaries of a predefined zone in GPS coordinates, wherein the location of said reference points is determined by said GPS tracking system;

an unmanned aircraft comprising a body of an aircraft suitable for flying, the body provided with controls for controlling its flight, and control unit adapted to determine the aircraft position with respect to the reference points, said control unit further capable of actuating the controls so as to allow the aircraft to fly only within the boundaries of the predetermined zone.

9. A method of automatically controlled motion of unmanned aircraft confined within predetermined boundaries, the method comprising

providing reference points located at predetermined positions relative to the boundaries of a predefined zone, whose location may be determined by a tracking system;

providing an unmanned aircraft comprising a body of an aircraft adapted for flying, the body provided with controls for controlling its flight, and control unit, the control unit communicating registration means, and determining the aircraft position with respect to the reference points, said control unit further capable of actuating the controls so as to allow the aircraft to fly only within the boundaries of the predetermined zone;

registering the location reference points located at corners of the confined zone by the tracking system;

flying the aircraft within the confined zone; and

comparing the aircraft'"'"'s location with respect to at least a subset of the reference points and diverting the aircraft in a predetermined pattern when it approaches the boundary of the confined zone.