Authentication systems and methods for generating flight regulations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016288905-A1
Application number	US-201514942936-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 16, 2015
Priority date	Mar 31, 2015
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods for UAV safety are provided. An authentication system may be used to confirm UAV and/or user identity and provide secured communications between users and UAVs. The UAVs may operate in accordance with a set of flight regulations. The set of flight regulations may be associated with a geo-fencing device in the vicinity of the UAV.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for supporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) regulation, comprising:
transmitting user information and/or UAV information to a registration system; receiving, from the registration system in response to said transmission, a user identifier that uniquely identifies the user and/or a UAV identifier that uniquely identifies the UAV; and permitting the user to operate the UAV based on the user identifier and/or the UAV identifier.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the user identifier and/or the UAV identifier comprise one or more alphanumeric strings.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UAV identifier is stored in an identification module on-board the UAV.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UAV identifier is issued prior to or concurrently with the manufacture of the UAV.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UAV identifier is issued prior to sale or distribution of the UAV.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the user is registered as an owner and/or operator of the UAV utilizing the user identifier and/or the UAV identifier when the user purchases or receives the UAV.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the user identifier permits the user to operate only the UAV.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the user identifier permits the user to operate one or more other UAVs.

9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the UAV is permitted to be operated by only the user.

10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the UAV is permitted to be operated by one or more other permitted users.

11 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the identification module is issued by a control entity, and wherein said control entity provides identification of the user and/or the UAV and/or exercises a level of authority over the user and/or the UAV utilizing the user identifier and/or the UAV identifier.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the control entity is a government agency or an operator authorized by a government agency.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the control entity is a manufacturer of the UAV or a distributor of the UAV.

14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining whether to permit another user to operate the UAV based on an identifier of the another user.

15 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the user information and/or the UAV information are transmitted to the registration system via a process implemented with aid of one or more processors.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the process is performed on the UAV and/or a device configured to operably communicate with the UAV.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the process is performed on a server remote from the UAV and/or the device.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the process is performed by an application, and wherein said application is a smart phone application and/or a web-based application.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the application comprises a software version of the identification module.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the UAV identifier is based on a user input provided to the application.

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the application is used to obtain a UAV key that is stored in the identification module.

22 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the identification module is implemented as a Universal Subscriber Identification Module (USIM), and wherein the user is authorized to operate the UAV based on the USIM.

23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UAV information is indicative of physical characteristics of the UAV.

24 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UAV information comprises one or more of the following parameters: UAV type, configuration, model, shape, size, engine or motor power, flight range, battery life, type of sensors, performance capabilities, type of payload, payload ratings, capacity level, security level, missions, and mass or weight of the UAV.

25 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UAV information includes information pertaining to a manufacturer of the UAV and/or a distributor of the UAV.

26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein said information comprises a name of the manufacturer or distributor of the UAV, and/or a place of manufacture, distribution, or sale of the UAV.

27 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the user information comprises a name and an address of the user.

28 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the registration system is located off-board the UAV.

29 . A system for supporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) regulation, said system comprising an application that is configured to, with aid of one or more processors:
transmit user information and/or UAV information to a registration system; receive, from the registration system in response to said transmission, a user identifier that uniquely identifies the user and/or a UAV identifier that uniquely identifies the UAV; and permit the user to operate the UAV based on the user identifier and/or the UAV identifier.

30 . A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method for supporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) regulation, said method comprising:
transmitting user information and/or UAV information to a registration system; receiving, from the registration system in response to said transmission, a user identifier that uniquely identifies the user and/or a UAV identifier that uniquely identifies the UAV; and permitting the user to operate the UAV based on the user identifier and/or the UAV identifier.

Assignees

• Sz Dji Technology Co Ltd

Inventors

• Gong Ming
• Dai Jin
• Cui Hao
• Wang Xiaodong
• Huang Han
• Wu Jun
• Fan Wei
• Ma Ning
• Rong Xinhua
• Lin Xingsen

Classifications

• B64U2201/102

  adapted for flying in formations · CPC title

• B64U2201/20

  Remote controls · CPC title

• G08G5/58

  for emergency situations, e.g. hijacking or bird strikes · CPC title

• G08G5/727

  from a ground station · CPC title

• G08G5/723

  from the aircraft · CPC title