IP Library Granted Patent US 10,133,281
Granted Patent B1
US 10,133,281 · App. 15/588,290 · Granted Nov 20, 2018

Leading drone system

Inventor: Haofeng Tu (Shanghai, CN)
Assignee: Pinnacle Vista, LLC
G05D1/12B64C39/024B64C2201/127B64C2201/146
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,133,281
App. No.
15/588,290
Granted
Nov 20, 2018
Kind
B1
Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for least one leading drone configured to move to a leading drone future location based on a future location of a base station. A set of base station future locations may form a base station path for the base station to traverse. Also, a set of leading drone future locations may form a leading drone path for the leading drone to traverse. The base station's future location may be anticipated from a prediction or a predetermination. The leading drone, navigating along the leading drone path, may collect sensor data and/or perform tasks. Accordingly, the leading drone may move ahead of the base station in motion, as opposed to following or remaining with the base station.

Claims (35)

1. A system comprising:

a leading drone configured to:

identify a base station configured to move from a current location, wherein the base station is on a ground or on a water surface;

wherein the base station automatically sends an information of the base station path;

receive a control signal from the base station comprising a future location of the base station;

receive the information of the base station path which is a path that the base station will traverse between the current location and the future location, wherein the base station path is non-linear;

move along a drone path relative to the base station path such that the leading drone and the base station are deliberately spaced apart in a relative position along the base station path in real time;

wherein the drone path is non-linear.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drone location is at the future location while the base station is deliberately lagging behind in time and space.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the leading drone is configured to determine the future location along a base station path that includes the current location.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the leading drone is configured to determine a drone path relative to the base station path.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the drone path is parallel to the base station path and is not directly attitudinally above the base station path.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the drone path crisscrosses the base station path.

7. The system of claim 4 , wherein the drone path circles the base station as the base station traverses the base station path.

8. The system of claim 4 , wherein the leading drone comprises a sensor, the leading drone configured to:

collect sensor data along the base station path using the sensor;

identify a trigger based on the sensor data; and

move to a trigger location based on the trigger.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the leading drone is configured to return to the drone path.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the sensor is a directional radar.

11. The system of claim 4 , wherein the leading drone is configured to scan for sensory data across the base station path.

12. The system of claim 4 , wherein the leading drone is configured to travel along the drone path ahead of the base station.

13. The system of claim 4 , wherein the leading drone is configured to travel along the drone path alongside the base station.

14. The system of claim 4 , wherein the leading drone is configured to travel along the drone path behind the base station.

15. The system of claim 4 , wherein the leading drone comprises a sensor, the leading drone configured to:

collect sensor data along the drone path using the sensor;

retrieve geographical data from a data store; and

cross reference the sensor data with the geographical data to produce updated geographical data.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the leading drone is configured to send the updated geographical data to the base station.

17. The system of claim 3 , wherein the leading drone is configured to receive a control signal from the base station that comprises the base station path.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base station is a land vehicle and the leading drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the leading drone is configured to determine the future location relative to received geographical data.

20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the leading drone is configured to receive a control signal from the base station for control of the leading drone.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the leading drone is configured to receive a first override signal that overrides the control signal and controls the leading drone.

22. The system of claim 21 , comprising a second leading drone, the second leading drone configured to receive a second override signal that controls the second leading drone.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2020
From: AUTOFLIGHTX INTERNATIONAL LIMITED CORP.
To: SHANDONG DINGFENG AVIATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 054058/0356 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2020
From: TIAN, YU
To: AUTOFLIGHTX INTERNATIONAL LIMITED CORP.
Reel/Frame 052631/0911 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2020
From: TIAN, YU
To: AUTOFLIGHTX INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 052631/0960 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2019
From: PINNACLE VISTA, LLC
To: TIAN, YU
Reel/Frame 049963/0359 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2017
From: TU, HAOFENG
To: PINNACLE VISTA, LLC
Reel/Frame 042926/0355 →