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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9540121-B2
Application number	US-201514631137-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 25, 2015
Priority date	Feb 25, 2015
Publication date	Jan 10, 2017
Grant date	Jan 10, 2017

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 method, comprising:
instructing, by a controller, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) docked to a landing perch to perform a pre-flight test operation of a pre-flight test routine;
receiving, at the controller, 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;
receiving, at the controller, data indicative of an acceptable range for the sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation;
determining, by the controller, whether the sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation is within the acceptable range; and
causing, by the controller, the UAV to launch from the landing perch based in part on a determination that UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein causing the UAV to launch from the landing perch comprises:
causing, by the controller, one or more electromagnets of the landing perch to provide a repulsive force to the UAV.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-flight test operation comprises at least one of: testing vertical lift of the UAV or simulating a flight maneuver of the UAV while the UAV is coupled to the landing perch.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing, by the controller, a request to a remote server for the data indicative of the acceptable range for the pre-flight test operation.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, by the controller, a weight of the UAV based on a sensor measurement from at least one of the force sensors of the landing perch, wherein the determination that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine is based in part on the weight of the UAV being within an acceptable weight range.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
instructing, by the controller, the UAV to perform an internal systems test of the UAV; and
receiving, at the controller, data indicative of results of the internal systems test of the UAV, wherein the determination that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine is based in part on the data indicative of the results of the internal systems test of the UAV.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein causing the UAV to launch from the landing perch comprises:
providing, by the controller, a takeoff request to a remote server indicating that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine; and
receiving, at the controller, authorization to cause the UAV to launch from the landing perch.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the authorization comprises an authorization certificate issued by an air traffic control service, and wherein the method further comprises:
providing, by the controller, the authorization certificate to the UAV prior to launch.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, by the controller, that the UAV has failed the pre-flight test routine; and
providing, by the controller, a notification to a remote device, in response to determining that the UAV has failed the pre-flight test routine.

10. A landing perch for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
a base having a plurality of posts that extend from the base and are configured to couple with apertures of the UAV;
one or more force sensors located on one or more of the plurality of posts; and
a controller that includes:
one or more network interfaces to communicate with a computer network;
a processor coupled to the one or more network interfaces and configured to execute a process; and
a memory configured to store the process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to:
instruct the UAV to perform a pre-flight test operation of a pre-flight test routine prior to being launched from the landing perch;
receive sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation from the one or more force sensors, in response to the UAV performing the pre-flight test operation;
determine whether the sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation is within an acceptable range; and
cause the UAV to launch from the landing perch based in part on a determination that UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine.

11. The landing perch of claim 10 , wherein a particular one of the plurality of posts comprises an electromagnet configured to couple with a magnet of the UAV to retain the UAV when the UAV is docked at the landing perch.

12. The landing perch of claim 11 , wherein the controller causes the UAV to launch by:
causing the electromagnet to provide a repulsive force to the UAV.

13. The landing perch of claim 10 , wherein each post of the plurality of posts comprises an electromagnet configured to couple with a corresponding magnet of the UAV.

14. The landing perch of claim 10 , wherein one or more of the posts comprise an electrical contact configured to provide an electrical charge to the UAV when the UAV is docked at the landing perch.

15. The landing perch of claim 14 , wherein one or more of the posts define an aperture through which a cooling or heating medium is provided to the UAV when the UAV is docked at the landing perch.

16. The landing perch of claim 10 , further comprising:
an optical transceiver via which the controller communicates with the UAV.

17. The landing perch of claim 10 , wherein the pre-flight test operation comprises at least one of: testing vertical lift of the UAV or simulating a flight maneuver of the UAV while the UAV is coupled to the landing perch.

18. The landing perch of claim 10 , wherein the process when executed is further operable to:
determine a weight of the UAV based on a sensor measurement from at least one of the force sensors, wherein the determination that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine is based in part on the weight of the UAV being within an acceptable weight range.

19. The landing perch of claim 10 , wherein the process when executed is further operable to:
instruct the UAV to perform an internal systems test of the UAV; and
receive data indicative of results of the internal systems test of the UAV, wherein the determination that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine is based in part on the data indicative of the results of the internal systems test of the UAV.

20. The landing perch of claim 10 , wherein the process when executed is further operable to:
determine that the UAV has failed the pre-flight test routine; and
provide a notification to a remote device, in response to determining that the UAV has failed the pre-flight test routine.

21. The landing perch of claim 10 , wherein the process when executed is further operable to:
provide a takeoff request to a remote server indicating that the UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine;
receive an authorization certificate indicating that the UAV is authorized to launch from the landing perch; and
provide the authorization certificate to the UAV.

Assignees

• Cisco Tech Inc

Inventors

• Byers Charles Calvin
• Salgueiro Gonzalo

Classifications

• B64F1/12

  for anchoring aircraft · CPC title

• B64U50/14

  ducted or shrouded · CPC title

• B64D1/00

  Dropping, ejecting, releasing or receiving articles, liquids, or the like, in flight (refuelling during flight B64D39/00; launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles F41F1/00, F41F7/00; rocket or torpedo launchers F41F3/00; weapon sights or aiming F41G) · CPC title

• B64F5/60 Primary

  Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems · 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