IP Library Granted Patent US 11,649,068
Granted Patent B2
US 11,649,068 · App. 17/329,476 · Granted May 16, 2023

Landing zone indicators

Inventors: Timothy Robert Huntzinger (Valencia, CA); Dennis Young Kwon (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
B64F1/20G08G5/0026G08G5/025
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,649,068
App. No.
17/329,476
Granted
May 16, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A landing zone indicator system which includes a battery that is configured to power a controller and a human vision output device, a controller that is configured to control human-visible light that is output by the human vision output device, and a human vision output device where the human-visible light output by the human vision output device generates an illuminated landing zone for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle.

Claims (25)

1. A landing zone indicator system, comprising:

a battery, wherein the battery powers a controller and a human vision output device;

the controller, wherein the controller controls human-visible light that is output by the human vision output device; and

the human vision output device, wherein the human vision output device generates an illuminated landing zone, wherein the human vision output device includes a top portion, a side portion, and a bottom portion, wherein a plurality of human vision output components are located on the side portion, wherein each of the plurality of human vision output components are configured to generate a corresponding human-visible light output that is directed towards a ground, wherein a computer vision output component is located at the top portion of the human vision output device.

2. The landing zone indictor system of claim 1 , wherein the human vision output device is located on the ground.

3. The landing zone indicator system of claim 1 , wherein a combination of the corresponding human-visible light output generated by each of the plurality of human vision output components generates a circular landing zone.

4. The landing zone indicator system of claim 1 , wherein a combination of the corresponding human-visible light output generated by each of the plurality of human vision output components generates part of a polygon-shaped landing zone.

5. The landing zone indicator system of claim 1 , wherein the computer vision output component is configured to output computer vision signals.

6. The landing zone indicator system of claim 5 , wherein the computer vision signals are infrared signals.

7. The landing zone indicator system of claim 5 , wherein the computer vision signals include a unique pattern and/or frequency.

8. The landing zone indicator system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more controls configured to adjust a size of the illuminated landing zone.

9. The landing zone indicator system of claim 1 , further comprising an audible output device.

10. The landing zone indicator system of claim 1 , wherein the audible output device is configured to output an alert in response to a vehicle approaching the landing zone indicator system.

11. The landing zone indicator system of claim 1 , wherein the human vision output device is configured to toggle between different colors to generate the corresponding human-visible light output.

12. The landing zone indicator system of claim 1 , wherein the controller receives state information associated with a vehicle.

13. The landing zone indicator system of claim 12 , wherein the state information associated with the vehicle includes at least one of a flight speed, a flight controller state, an altitude of the vehicle, and/or a distance of the vehicle from the landing zone indicator system.

14. The landing zone indicator system of claim 12 , wherein the controller determines a state associated with the landing zone indicator system based on the state information associated with the vehicle.

15. The landing zone indicator system of claim 14 , wherein the state associated with the landing zone indicator system includes at least one of an angle to which a computer vision output device is to be oriented, and/or a state associated with a characteristic of the human-visible light output, a state associated with a characteristic of a computer vision signal.

16. The landing zone indicator system of claim 14 , wherein the controller configures at least one of the human vision output device or a computer vision output device to be in the state associated with the landing zone indicator system.

17. A method, comprising:

using a battery to power a controller and a human vision output device;

controlling, by the controller, human-visible light that is output by the human vision output device; and

generating, by the human vision output device an illuminated landing zone, wherein the human vision output device includes a top portion, a side portion, and a bottom portion, wherein a plurality of human vision output components are located on the side portion, wherein each of the plurality of human vision output components are configured to generate a corresponding human-visible light output that is directed towards a ground, wherein a computer vision output component is located at the top portion of the human vision output device.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein a combination of the corresponding human-visible light output generated by each of the plurality of human vision output components generates a circular landing zone.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein a combination of the corresponding human-visible light output generated by each of the plurality of human vision output components generates part of a polygon-shaped landing zone.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 22, 2023
From: ONE AERO, LLC
To: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063713/0367 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2022
From: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
To: ONE AERO, LLC
Reel/Frame 059503/0382 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2021
From: KITTY HAWK CORPORATION
To: ONE AERO, LLC
Reel/Frame 058029/0610 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 16942487 · Jul 29, 2020
Related Publication 20220033104A1 · Feb 3, 2022