Selection of networks for communicating with unmanned aerial vehicles

• US 9,881,022 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2014
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Ubhi, Gurpreet, Srivastava, Ashok N., Pasko, Douglas M., Batla, Hani, Kantor, Igor
• Primary Examiner(s): Khatib, Rami
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOOMER, JEFFREY C
• Application Number:
  US14/282,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20160300493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/00 UAVs characterised by their flight controls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0034 Assembly of a flight plan
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0039 Modification of a flight plan
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0043 Traffic management of multiple aircrafts from the ground G08G5/003 takes precedence; data processing specially designed for resource management, e.g. scheduling or allocating time, human or machine resources G06Q10/06
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0056 in an emergency situation, e.g. hijacking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/006 in accordance with predefined flight zones, e.g. to avoid prohibited zones
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0082 for monitoring traffic from a ground station radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0086 for monitoring terrain radar or analogous systems specially adapted for terrain avoidance G01S13/935
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0091 for monitoring atmospheric conditions radar or analogous systems specially adapted for meteorological use G01S13/95; meteorology G01W
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18504 Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/1446 wherein at least one of the networks is unlicensed

Abstract

A device receives a request for a flight path, for a UAV, from a first location to a second location, and calculates the flight path based on the request for the flight path. The device determines network requirements for the flight path based on the request, and determines scores for multiple networks with coverage areas covering a portion of the flight path. The device selects a particular network, from the multiple networks, based on the network requirements for the flight path and based on the scores for the multiple networks. The device causes a connection with the UAV and the particular network to be established, and generates flight path instructions for the flight path. The device provides, via the connection with the particular network, the flight path instructions to the UAV to permit the UAV to travel from the first location to the second location via the flight path.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a device, a request for a flight path, for an unmanned aerial vehicle, from a first geographical location to a second geographical location;

determining, by the device, aviation information,

the aviation information indicating whether the unmanned aerial vehicle can complete the flight path without stopping;

determining, by the device, a waypoint based on the aviation information indicating that the unmanned aerial vehicle cannot complete the flight path without stopping,

the waypoint being a location along the flight path for recharging or refueling;

calculating, by the device, the flight path based on the request for the flight path and based on the aviation information;

determining, by the device, network requirements for the flight path based on the request for the flight path;

determining, by the device, scores for a plurality of networks with coverage areas covering at least a portion of the flight path,

the scores for the plurality of networks being based on information associated with the plurality of networks including at least one of;

availability information,

security information,

cost information, or

bandwidth information;

selecting, by the device, a first particular network, of the plurality of networks, based on the network requirements for the flight path and based on the scores for the plurality of networks;

causing, by the device, a connection with the unmanned aerial vehicle and the first particular network to be established;

generating, by the device, flight path instructions for the flight path,

the flight path instructions including information associated with the waypoint, and

the flight path instructions instructing the unmanned aerial vehicle to;

maintain the connection with the first particular network until the unmanned aerial vehicle reaches a particular location, and

connect to a second particular network when the unmanned aerial vehicle reaches the particular location;

providing, by the device and via the connection with the first particular network, the flight path instructions to the unmanned aerial vehicle causing the unmanned aerial vehicle to travel from the first geographical location toward the second geographical location via the flight path based on the flight path instructions;

receiving, by the device, network connectivity information,

the network connectivity information including information associated with a strength of a signal between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the first particular network or the second particular network;

selecting, by the device, a third particular network, of the plurality of networks, based on the network connectivity information; and

causing, by the device, a connection between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the third particular network to be established.

2. The method of claim 1, where determining the network requirements for the flight path comprises at least one of:

determining the network requirements for the flight path based on the first geographical location and the second geographical location;

determining the network requirements for the flight path based on component information associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle;

determining the network requirements for the flight path based on costs associated with the plurality of networks;

determining the network requirements for the flight path based on security associated with the plurality of networks;

determining the network requirements for the flight path based on bandwidths associated with the plurality of networks;

determining the network requirements for the flight path based on availability associated with the plurality of networks;

or

determining the network requirements, for the flight path, that maximize connectivity with the plurality of networks.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

assigning weights to the information associated with the plurality of networks; and

where determining the scores for the plurality of networks comprises;

determining the scores for the plurality of networks based on the assigned weights.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a ranking of the plurality of networks based on the scores; and

where selecting the first particular network comprises;

selecting the first particular network, from the plurality of networks, based on the ranking of the plurality of networks.

5. The method of claim 1, where receiving the network connectivity information comprises:

receiving, from the unmanned aerial vehicle, the network connectivity information during traversal of the flight path by the unmanned aerial vehicle; and

where the method further comprises;

determining whether to select another particular network, from the plurality of networks, based on the network connectivity information.

6. The method of claim 1, where selecting the third particular network comprises:

selecting the third particular network based on the network connectivity information indicating that the signal will be lost.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining the connection with the first particular network based on the network connectivity information indicating that communication between the first particular network and the unmanned aerial vehicle will continue.

8. A device, comprising:

one or more processors to;

receive a request for a flight path, for an unmanned aerial vehicle, from a first geographical location to a second geographical location;

determine aviation information,

the aviation information indicating whether the unmanned aerial vehicle can complete the flight path without stopping;

determine a waypoint based on the aviation information indicating that the unmanned aerial vehicle cannot complete the flight path without stopping,

the waypoint being a location along the flight path for recharging or refueling;

calculate the flight path based on the request for the flight path and based on the aviation information;

determine network requirements for the flight path based on the request for the flight path;

determine scores for a plurality of networks with coverage areas covering at least a portion of the flight path,

the scores for the plurality of networks being based on information associated with the plurality of networks including at least one of;

availability information,

security information,

cost information, or

bandwidth information;

select a first particular network, of the plurality of networks, based on the network requirements for the flight path and based on the scores for the plurality of networks;

cause a connection with the unmanned aerial vehicle and the first particular network to be established;

generate flight path instructions for the flight path,

the flight path instructions including information associated with the waypoint, and

the flight path instructions instructing the unmanned aerial vehicle to;

maintain the connection with the first particular network until the unmanned aerial vehicle reaches a particular location; and

connect to a second particular network when the unmanned aerial vehicle reaches the particular location;

provide, via the connection with the first particular network, the flight path instructions to the unmanned aerial vehicle causing the unmanned aerial vehicle to travel from the first geographical location toward the second geographical location via the flight path based on the flight path instructions;

receive network connectivity information,

the network connectivity information including information associated with a strength of a signal between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the first particular network or the second particular network;

select the first particular network, the second particular network, or a third particular network, of the plurality of networks, based on the network connectivity information and the flight path instructions; and

cause a connection between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the first particular network, the second particular network, or the third particular network to be established.

9. The device of claim 8, where, when determining the network requirements for the flight path, the one or more processors are to:

determine the network requirements for the flight path based on at least one of;

the first geographical location and the second geographical location;

component information associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle;

costs associated with the plurality of networks;

security associated with the plurality of networks;

bandwidths associated with the plurality of networks;

availability associated with the plurality of networks;

or

maximizing connectivity with the plurality of networks.

10. The device of claim 8, where the one or more processors are further to:

assign weights to the information associated with the plurality of networks; and

where, when determining the scores for the plurality of networks, the one or more processors are to;

determine the scores for the plurality of networks based on the assigned weights.

11. The device of claim 8, where the one or more processors are further to:

determine a ranking of the plurality of networks based on the scores; and

where, when selecting the first particular network based on the network requirements for the flight path and based on the scores for the plurality of networks, the one or more processors are to;

select the first particular network, from the plurality of networks, based on the ranking of the plurality of networks.

12. The device of claim 8, where, when receiving the network connectivity information, the one or more processors are to:

receive, from the unmanned aerial vehicle, the network connectivity information during traversal of the flight path by the unmanned aerial vehicle; and

where the one or more processors are further to;

determine whether to select another particular network, from the plurality of networks, based on the network connectivity information.

13. The device of claim 8, where, when selecting the first particular network, the second particular network, or the third particular network, the one or more processors are to:

select the second particular network or the third particular network based on the network connectivity information indicating that the signal is being lost.

14. The device of claim 8, where the one or more processors are further to:

maintain the connection with the first particular network based on the network connectivity information indicating that communication between the first particular network and the unmanned aerial vehicle will continue.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing instructions, the instructions comprising:

one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the one or more processors to;

receive a request for a flight path, for an unmanned aerial vehicle, from a first geographical location to a second geographical location;

determine aviation information,

the aviation information indicating whether the unmanned aerial vehicle can complete the flight path without stopping;

determine a waypoint based on the aviation information indicating that the unmanned aerial vehicle cannot complete the flight path without stopping,

the waypoint being a location along the flight path for recharging or refueling;

calculate the flight path based on the request for the flight path and based on the aviation information;

determine network requirements for the flight path based on the request for the flight path;

determine scores for a plurality of networks with coverage areas covering at least a portion of the flight path,

the scores for the plurality of networks being based on information associated with the plurality of networks;

select a first particular network, of the plurality of networks, based on the network requirements for the flight path and based on the scores for the plurality of networks;

cause a connection with the unmanned aerial vehicle and the first particular network to be established;

generate flight path instructions for the flight path,

the flight path instructions including information associated with the waypoint, and

the flight path instructions instructing the unmanned aerial vehicle to;

maintain the connection with the first particular network until the unmanned aerial vehicle reaches a particular location, and

connect to a second particular network when the unmanned aerial vehicle reaches the particular location;

provide, via the connection with the first particular network, the flight path instructions to the unmanned aerial vehicle causing the unmanned aerial vehicle to travel from the first geographical location toward the second geographical location via the flight path;

receive network connectivity information,

the network connectivity information including information associated with a strength of a signal between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the first particular network or the second particular network;

select the first particular network, the second particular network, or a third particular network, of the plurality of networks, based on the network connectivity information; and

cause a connection between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the first particular network, the second particular network, or the third particular network to be established.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to determine the network requirements for the flight path, cause the one or more processors to at least one of:

determine the network requirements for the flight path based on the first geographical location and the second geographical location;

determine the network requirements for the flight path based on component information associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle;

determine the network requirements for the flight path based on costs associated with the plurality of networks;

determine the network requirements for the flight path based on security associated with the plurality of networks;

determine the network requirements for the flight path based on bandwidths associated with the plurality of networks;

determine the network requirements for the flight path based on availability associated with the plurality of networks;

or

determine the network requirements, for the flight path, that maximize connectivity with the plurality of networks.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, where the one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:

assign weights to the information associated with the plurality of networks; and

where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to determine the scores for the plurality of networks, cause the one or more processors to;

determine the scores for the plurality of networks based on the assigned weights.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, where the

one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, that cause the one or more processors to:

determine a ranking of the plurality of networks based on the scores; and

where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to select the first particular network based on the network requirements for the flight path and based on the scores for the plurality of networks, cause the one or more processors to;

select the first particular network, from the plurality of networks, based on the ranking of the plurality of networks.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to receive the network connectivity information, cause the one or more processors to:

receive, from the unmanned aerial vehicle, the network connectivity information during traversal of the flight path by the unmanned aerial vehicle; and

where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to select the first particular network, the second particular network, or the third particular network, cause the one or more processors to;

select the second particular network or the third particular network based on the network connectivity information indicating that the signal lost or will be lost.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, where the connection is a first connection;

and

where the one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to;

cause the first connection to be established until the unmanned aerial vehicle reaches the particular location;

cause a second connection with the unmanned aerial vehicle and the second particular network to be established when the unmanned aerial vehicle reaches the particular location; and

cause the first connection to be terminated after the second connection is established.