IP Library Granted Patent US 11,720,840
Granted Patent B2
US 11,720,840 · App. 17/693,497 · Granted Aug 8, 2023

Hierarchical satellite task scheduling system

Inventors: T. Charles Clancy (Arlington, VA); Robert W. McGwier (Elliston, VA); Timothy James O'Shea (Arlington, VA); Nicholas Aaron McCarthy (Arlington, VA)
Assignee: HawkEye 360, Inc.
G06Q10/06316G06F9/4881G06Q10/06311G06Q10/06313H04B7/18502H04B7/18519
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,720,840
App. No.
17/693,497
Granted
Aug 8, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A task scheduling system that can be used to improve task assignment for multiple satellites, and thereby improve resource allocation in the execution of a task. In some implementations, configuration data for one or more satellites is obtained. Multiple objectives corresponding to a task to be performed using the satellites, and resource parameters associated with executing the task to be performed using the satellites are identified. A score for each objective included in the multiple objectives is computed by the terrestrial scheduler based on the resource parameters and the configuration data for the one or more satellites. The multiple objectives are assigned to one or more of the satellites. Instructions are provided to the one or more satellites that cause the one or more satellites to execute the task according to the assignment of the objectives to the one or more satellites.

Claims (9)

1. A method comprising:

identifying, by the server system, (i) multiple objectives corresponding to a task to be performed using the multiple satellites, (ii) respective classifications of each of the multiple objectives, and (iii) resource parameters associated with execution of the task using the multiple satellites;

computing, by the server system, a score for each objective included in the multiple objectives based on the resource parameters, each score representing a prioritization of a corresponding objective from among the multiple objectives;

based on the scores and the classifications for the multiple objectives:

assigning, by the server system, a first subset of objectives to a first satellite included in the multiple satellites, and

assigning, by the server system, a second subset of objectives to a second satellite included in the multiple satellites,

wherein the first and second subsets of objectives each include at least one objective that is not included in the other subset;

providing, by the server system and to the first satellite, a first instruction that, when received by the first satellite, causes the first satellite to execute the first subset of objectives; and

providing, by the server system and to the second satellite, a second instruction that, when received by the second satellite, causes the second satellite to execute the second subset of objectives.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2025
From: HAWKEYE 360, INC.; HAWKEYE 360 FEDERAL, INC.
To: FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 073286/0540 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2025
From: HAWKEYE 360, INC.; HAWKEYE 360 FEDERAL, INC.
To: FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 073286/0564 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2024
From: HAWKEYE 360, INC.
To: FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 066950/0626 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2022
From: CLANCY, T. CHARLES; MCGWIER, ROBERT W.; O'SHEA, TIMOTHY JAMES; MCCARTHY, NICHOLAS AARON
To: HAWKEYE 360, INC.
Reel/Frame 059253/0424 →