Pre-flight self test for unmanned aerial vehicles (uavs)

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017190423-A1
Application number	US-201715467463-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 23, 2017
Priority date	Feb 25, 2015
Publication date	Jul 6, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

In one embodiment, a controller instructs an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) docked to a landing perch to perform a pre-flight test operation of a pre-flight test routine. The controller receives sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation from one or more force sensors of the landing perch, in response to the UAV performing the pre-flight test operation. The controller determines whether the sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation is within an acceptable range. The controller causes the UAV to launch from the landing perch based in part on a determination that UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system comprising:
a package delivery vehicle including:
a package storage area configured for storing packages for delivery;
a roost compartment having a retractable roof and one or more landing perches for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); and
one or more UAVs on the landing perch;
a controller system configured to provide centralized coordination of UAV operations; and an operator console configured for user input to manage UAV operations.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one landing perch comprises an aperture to facilitate loading the UAV with a particular package.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the aperture opens to the package storage area from the roost compartment.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the operator console is positioned near a front seat of the package delivery vehicle.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller system comprises a communication subsystem to manage communication with the UAV.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller system is configured to retract the retractable roof based on user input at the operator console.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the package delivery vehicle further comprises a movable elevator.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the controller system is configured to raise or lower the movable elevator based on user input at the operator console.

9 . A method comprising:
providing a system comprising:
a package delivery vehicle including:
a package storage area configured for storing packages for delivery;
a roost compartment having a retractable roof and one or more landing perches for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); and
one or more UAVs docked on the landing perch;

a controller system configured to provide centralized coordination of UAV operations; and
an operator console configured for user input to manage UAV operations;
driving the package delivery vehicle to a location within UAV range of a delivery address; loading the UAV with a particular package to be delivered to the delivery address; and launching the UAV to deliver the particular package to the delivery address.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
retrieving the UAV at the landing perch.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one landing perch comprises an aperture to facilitate loading the UAV with the particular package.

12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein loading the UAV with a particular package and launching the UAV to deliver the particular package is managed at the operator console positioned near a front seat of the package delivery vehicle.

13 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
retracting the retractable roof based on user input at the operator console after loading the UAV with the particular package.

14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the package delivery vehicle further comprises a movable elevator.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
raising the movable elevator based on user input at the operator console after loading the UAV with the particular package.

16 . A package delivery vehicle comprising:
a package storage area configured for storing packages for delivery; a roost compartment having a retractable roof and one or more landing perches for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); and one or more UAVs docked on the landing perch.

17 . The package delivery vehicle of claim 16 , wherein at least one landing perch comprises an aperture to facilitate loading the UAV with the particular package.

18 . The package delivery vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the aperture opens to the package storage area from the roost compartment.

19 . The package delivery vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the operator console is positioned near a front seat of the package delivery vehicle.

20 . The package delivery vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the package delivery vehicle is further comprises a movable elevator.

Assignees

• Cisco Tech Inc

Inventors

• Salgueiro Gonzalo
• Byers Charles Calvin

Classifications

• G06Q10/0832

  Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods · CPC title

• B64F5/60 Primary

  Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems · CPC title

• B64U50/14

  ducted or shrouded · CPC title

• A47G29/14

  Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk {, or large parcels}; Similar receptacles for {food or} large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles {, i.e. food or large parcels} · CPC title

• B64F1/12

  for anchoring aircraft · CPC title