Apparatus and method for unmanned flight task optimization

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018074518-A1
Application number	US-201715698467-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 7, 2017
Priority date	Sep 9, 2016
Publication date	Mar 15, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein for unmanned flight optimization. A system for unmanned flight optimization comprises a flight system configured to provide locomotion to an unmanned aerial vehicle, a sensor system on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a control circuit coupled to the flight system and the sensor system. The control circuit being configured to: retrieve a task profile for a task assigned to the unmanned aerial vehicle, detect condition parameters of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the sensor system, determine whether to station the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the task profile and the condition parameters, and deactivate the flight system of the unmanned aerial vehicle while the unmanned aerial vehicle performs the task.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for managing unmanned flight task performance and flight comprising:
a flight system configured to provide locomotion to an unmanned aerial vehicle; a sensor system on the unmanned aerial vehicle; and a control circuit coupled to the flight system and the sensor system, the control circuit being configured to:
retrieve a task profile for a task assigned to the unmanned aerial vehicle;
detect condition parameters of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the sensor system;
determine whether, under the condition parameters, the task can be performed while the unmanned aerial vehicle is stationed based on the task profile; and
in the event that the task can be performed while the unmanned aerial vehicle is stationed, station the unmanned aerial vehicle and deactivate the flight system of the unmanned aerial vehicle while the unmanned aerial vehicle performs the task.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to:
cause the flight system to land the unmanned aerial vehicle in an event that the unmanned aerial vehicle is currently in flight.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to:
determine a landing location for the unmanned aerial vehicle; and cause the flight system to fly the unmanned aerial vehicle to the landing location for landing.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the landing location comprises one or more of a docking station, a charging station, a ground location, an elevated observation location, and a motored vehicle.

5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a docking mechanism configured to couple the unmanned aerial vehicle with one or more of a docking station, a charging station, and a motored vehicle.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to:
detect updated condition parameters while the unmanned aerial vehicle is stationed; and select a new landing location based on the updated condition parameters.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein whether to station the unmanned aerial vehicle is determined based on satisfying requirements of the task profile while minimizing power consumption of and risk to the unmanned aerial vehicle.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the condition parameters comprises one or more of: wind speed, visibility, lighting condition, precipitation, weather condition, ground condition, landing site availability, animal presence, human presence, and distance to a charging station.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the task profile comprises one or more requirements for task accuracy, acceptable risk, distance to a task location, data to be collected, action to be performed, and required modular attachments.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein whether to station the unmanned aerial vehicle is determined further based on one or more of a fuel level, attached equipment type, flight capability, other assigned tasks of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and tasks assigned to a system of manned or unmanned vehicles.

11 . A method for managing unmanned flight task performance and flight comprising:
retrieving, at a control circuit, a task profile for a task assigned to an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a flight system and a sensor system; detecting condition parameters of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the sensor system; determining, with the control circuit, whether under the condition parameters, the task can be performed while the unmanned aerial vehicle is stationed based on the task profile; and in the event that the task can be performed while the unmanned aerial vehicle is stationed, stationing the unmanned aerial vehicle and deactivating the flight system of the unmanned aerial vehicle while the unmanned aerial vehicle performs the task.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
causing the flight system to land the unmanned aerial vehicle in an event that the unmanned aerial vehicle is currently in flight.

13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
determining a landing location for the unmanned aerial vehicle; and causing the flight system to fly the unmanned aerial vehicle to the landing location for landing.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the landing location comprises one or more of a docking station, a charging station, a ground location, an elevated observation location, and a motored vehicle.

15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
coupling the unmanned aerial vehicle with one or more of a docking station, a charging station, and a motored vehicle via a docking mechanism.

16 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
detecting updated condition parameters while the unmanned aerial vehicle is stationed; and selecting a new landing location based on the updated condition parameters.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein whether to station the unmanned aerial vehicle is determined based on satisfying requirements of the task profile while minimizing power consumption of and risk to the unmanned aerial vehicle.

18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the condition parameters comprises one or more of: wind speed, visibility, lighting condition, precipitation, weather condition, ground condition, landing site availability, animal presence, human presence, and distance to a charging station.

19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the task profile comprises one or more requirements for task accuracy, acceptable risk, distance to a task location, data to be collected, action to be performed, and required modular attachments.

20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein whether to station the unmanned aerial vehicle is determined further based on one or more of a fuel level, attached equipment type, flight capability, other assigned tasks of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and tasks assigned to a system of manned or unmanned vehicles.

21 . An apparatus for managing unmanned flight task performance and flight, comprising:
a non-transitory storage medium storing a set of computer readable instructions; and a control circuit configured to execute the set of computer readable instructions which causes to the control circuit to:
retrieve a task profile for a task assigned to an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a flight system and a sensor system;
detect condition parameters of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the sensor system;
determine whether, under the condition parameters, the task can be performed while the unmanned aerial vehicle is stationed based on the task profile; and
in the event that the task can be performed while the unmanned aerial vehicle is stationed, station the unmanned aerial vehicle and deactivate the flight system of the unmanned aerial vehicle while the unmanned aerial vehicle performs the task.

Assignees

• Wal Mart Stores Inc

Inventors

• Cantrell Robert L
• Thompson John P
• Winkle David C
• Atchley Michael D
• High Donald R
• Mattingly Todd D
• O'Brien John J
• Simon John F

Classifications

• B64U2201/104

  using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS · CPC title

• G06Q10/0833

  Tracking · CPC title

• G06Q10/06311

  Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group · CPC title

• G05D1/0676 Primary

  specially adapted for landing · CPC title

• G05D1/101 Primary

  specially adapted for aircraft · CPC title