System and method for managing unmanned aerial vehicles
First Claim
1. A method of managing a payload of a mobile platform positioned on a landing surface, comprising:
- ascertaining a location of the mobile platform after landing on the landing surface;
moving a mechanical manipulator of a maintenance system to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform;
interacting with a selected replacement payload for the mobile platform at the ascertained location of the mobile platform via the mechanical manipulator of the maintenance system; and
actuating a power switch of the mobile platform using the mechanical manipulator,wherein said interacting occurs automatically and without user interaction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A base station for automated battery pack or payload exchange and methods for using the same. The base station provides a landing surface for receiving a mobile platform and includes a manipulator controlled by a manipulator compartment for accessing resource storage. The base station is operable to ascertain a location of the mobile platform on the landing surface and move the manipulator to the mobile platform. Thereby, the base station system advantageously accommodates low-accuracy landing of the mobile platform and further enables extended and autonomous operation of the mobile platform without the need for user intervention for exchanging battery packs and payloads.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of managing a payload of a mobile platform positioned on a landing surface, comprising:
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ascertaining a location of the mobile platform after landing on the landing surface; moving a mechanical manipulator of a maintenance system to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform; interacting with a selected replacement payload for the mobile platform at the ascertained location of the mobile platform via the mechanical manipulator of the maintenance system; and actuating a power switch of the mobile platform using the mechanical manipulator, wherein said interacting occurs automatically and without user interaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 26, 27, 29)
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8. A base station for a mobile platform having a payload, comprising:
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a landing surface configured for the mobile platform to land thereon; and a maintenance system comprising; a sensor apparatus for ascertaining a location of the mobile platform after landing on the landing surface; a resource supply for defining a plurality of resource-slots each configured to removably hold a replacement payload; and one or more mechanical manipulators for moving to the ascertained location of the mobile platform, interacting with a selected replacement payload, the payload, or a combination thereof, and actuating a power switch of the mobile platform, wherein the mobile platform remains stationary on the landing surface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A maintenance system of a base station for a mobile platform having a payload, comprising:
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a sensor apparatus for ascertaining a location of the mobile platform after landing on a landing surface; a resource supply for defining a plurality of resource-slots each configured to removably hold a replacement payload; and one or more mechanical manipulators for moving to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform on the landing surface and interacting with a selected replacement payload, the payload, or a combination thereof, wherein the mobile platform remains stationary on the landing surface, and wherein said mechanical manipulators are operable to actuate a power switch of the mobile platform. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of managing a payload of a mobile platform, comprising:
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determining a first distance between the mobile platform and a first base station; determining a second distance between the mobile platform and a second base station; signaling to the mobile platform to land on a selected the first or second base station based on the determined first and second distances; landing the mobile platform on a landing surface of the selected base station; ascertaining a location of the mobile platform on the landing surface; and moving a mechanical manipulator of a maintenance system to the ascertained location of the mobile platform. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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28. A method of managing a payload of a mobile platform positioned on a landing surface, comprising:
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ascertaining a location of the mobile platform after landing on the landing surface; moving a mechanical manipulator of a maintenance system to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform; identifying a service marker on the mobile platform indicative of the position of the payload; and interacting with a selected payload based on a location of the service marker.
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Specification