System and method for managing unmanned aerial vehicles
First Claim
1. A base station for a mobile platform having a payload, comprising:
- a landing surface;
a sensor configured to ascertain a location of the mobile platform on the landing surface;
a resource storage storing a replacement payload; and
a mechanical manipulator configured to;
connect a physical cable assembly to the mobile platform,interact with the replacement payload and the payload of the mobile platform automatically and without user interaction,grasp the replacement payload from the resource storage,move the replacement payload to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform,insert the replacement payload into a payload-slot positioned on the mobile platform, anddecouple from the replacement payload.
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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 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.
59 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A base station for a mobile platform having a payload, comprising:
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a landing surface; a sensor configured to ascertain a location of the mobile platform on the landing surface; a resource storage storing a replacement payload; and a mechanical manipulator configured to; connect a physical cable assembly to the mobile platform, interact with the replacement payload and the payload of the mobile platform automatically and without user interaction, grasp the replacement payload from the resource storage, move the replacement payload to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform, insert the replacement payload into a payload-slot positioned on the mobile platform, and decouple from the replacement payload. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of inserting a replacement payload into a mobile platform, comprising:
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ascertaining, by a sensor, a location of the mobile platform on a landing surface of a base station; connecting, by a mechanical manipulator, a physical cable assembly to the mobile platform; interacting, by the mechanical manipulator, with the replacement payload and a payload of the mobile platform automatically and without user interaction; grasping, by the mechanical manipulator, the replacement payload positioned in a resource storage of the base station; moving, by the mechanical manipulator, the replacement payload to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform; inserting, by the mechanical manipulator, the replacement payload into a payload-slot positioned on the mobile platform; and decoupling the mechanical manipulator from the replacement payload. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A base station comprising:
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a sensor for ascertaining a location of a mobile platform on a landing surface; and a mechanical manipulator configured to; connect a physical cable assembly to the mobile platform, interact with a replacement payload and a payload of the mobile platform automatically and without user interaction, grasp the replacement payload positioned in a resource storage of the base station, move the replacement payload to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform, insert the replacement payload into a payload-slot positioned on the mobile platform, and decouple from the replacement payload. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification