Programmable surface
First Claim
1. A craft with an external surface comprising an array of programmable cells, wherein each cell in the array comprises at least one processor for performing computations, at least one thrust generator for generating thrust, and wires or wireless transceivers for communicating with adjoining cells.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In exemplary embodiments of this invention, a programmable surface comprises an array of cells. Each of the cells can communicate electronically with adjacent cells in the array, can compute, and can generate either normal thrust or shear thrust. Distributed computing is employed. The programmable surface may cover all or part of the exterior of a craft, such as an aircraft or marine vessel. Or, instead, the programmable surface may comprise the craft itself, which may, for example, take the form of a “flying carpet” or “flying sphere”. The thrust generated by the programmable surface can be employed directly to provide lift. Or it can be used to control the orientation of the craft, by varying the relative amount of thrust outputted by the respective cells. The number of cells employed may be changed on a mission-by-mission basis, to achieve “span on demand”. Each cell may carry its own payload.
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Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A craft with an external surface comprising an array of programmable cells, wherein each cell in the array comprises at least one processor for performing computations, at least one thrust generator for generating thrust, and wires or wireless transceivers for communicating with adjoining cells.
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15. A method of propulsion and control of a craft, which craft has at least one external surface comprising a plurality of units, each of which units comprises at least one processor for performing computations, at least one actuator for generating thrust, and wires or wireless transceivers for communicating with neighboring cells, which method comprises, in combination:
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propelling the craft by causing at least some units in the plurality of units to generate thrust, and controlling the motion and orientation of the craft by varying the amount of thrust generated by the at least some units, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification