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;
moving a mechanical manipulator of a maintenance system to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform; and
interacting with a selected payload of the mobile platform at the ascertained location of the mobile platform via the maintenance system,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.
170 Citations
34 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; moving a mechanical manipulator of a maintenance system to the mobile platform based on the ascertained location of the mobile platform; and interacting with a selected payload of the mobile platform at the ascertained location of the mobile platform via the maintenance system, wherein said interacting occurs automatically and without user interaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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3. (canceled)
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4. (canceled)
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11. 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 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 and interacting with at least one of a selected replacement payload and the payload, wherein the mobile platform remains stationary on the landing surface. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23)
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16. (canceled)
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20. (canceled)
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24. 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 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 at least one of a selected replacement payload and the payload, wherein the mobile platform remains stationary on the landing surface. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. 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 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 (29, 30)
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Specification