IP Library Granted Patent US 10,301,022
Granted Patent B1
US 10,301,022 · App. 15/425,456 · Granted May 28, 2019

Self-charging unmanned vehicle

Inventor: Kade Scott (The Colony, TX)
Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
B64C39/024B60L11/1809G01C21/00B60L8/003B60L2200/10B60L2200/32B63B2035/006B63B2035/007B64C2201/042B64C2201/066B64D2211/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,301,022
App. No.
15/425,456
Granted
May 28, 2019
Kind
B1
Abstract

Unmanned vehicles can be terrestrial, aerial, nautical, or multi-mode. Unmanned vehicles may efficiently accomplish tasks by autonomously charging or replacing its power source.

Claims (38)

1. An unmanned vehicle comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled with the processor, the memory storing executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:

receiving a flight plan for a mission based on an energy consumption related condition; and

operating based on the flight plan, wherein the flight plan comprises:

docking the unmanned vehicle with an autonomous self-propelled power supply device for charging a power source of the unmanned vehicle, or

docking the unmanned vehicle with an autonomous self-propelled power supply device for replacing a power source of the unmanned vehicle.

2. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the energy consumption related condition comprises capacity of power source of the unmanned vehicle.

3. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the energy consumption related condition comprises a number of unmanned vehicles associated with the mission.

4. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the energy consumption related condition comprises indoor airflow.

5. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the energy consumption related condition comprises rain.

6. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the energy consumption related condition comprises temperature.

7. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the energy consumption related condition comprises wind.

8. The unmanned vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the flight plan comprises nesting the unmanned vehicle with another unmanned vehicle.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled with the processor, the memory storing executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:

determining a flight plan of a mission for an unmanned aerial vehicle based on an energy consumption related condition; and

providing instructions to deploy the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the flight plan,

wherein the flight plan of the mission comprises a flight path associated with flying near windows for solar energy or flying close to internal lights to recharge.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the energy consumption related condition comprises rain.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the energy consumption related condition comprises temperature.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the energy consumption related condition comprises date.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the energy consumption related condition comprises wind.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the flight plan of the mission comprises docking the unmanned aerial vehicle with an autonomous self-propelled power supply device for charging or replacing a power source of the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the autonomous self-propelled power supply device broadcasts a beacon to the unmanned aerial vehicle.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the flight plan of the mission comprises nesting the unmanned aerial vehicle with another unmanned aerial vehicle.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is a server.

17. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the energy consumption related condition comprises smoke.

18. An unmanned vehicle comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled with the processor, the memory storing executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:

receiving a flight plan for a mission based on an energy consumption related condition; and

operating based on the flight plan,

wherein the flight plan comprises nesting the unmanned vehicle with another unmanned vehicle.

19. The unmanned vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the flight plan of the mission comprises a flight path associated with flying near windows for solar energy or flying close to internal lights to recharge.

20. The unmanned vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the flight plan comprises:

docking the unmanned vehicle with an autonomous self-propelled power supply device for charging a power source of the unmanned vehicle, or

docking the unmanned vehicle with an autonomous self-propelled power supply device for replacing a power source of the unmanned vehicle.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2019
From: UIPCO, LLC
To: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
Reel/Frame 048264/0708 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2017
From: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
To: UIPCO, LLC
Reel/Frame 041815/0048 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2017
From: SCOTT, KADE
To: UIPCO, LLC
Reel/Frame 041189/0865 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 62293400 · Feb 10, 2016
Cited By (3)
US 12,280,822 US 12,600,261 US 12,691,778