Patent Application
20180155056
The presently described invention relates generally to radio-controlled/remote-controlled flight also described as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”). More specifically it related to a new and heretofore never used sequence and method for landing a remote-controlled drone into the operator's hand.
A radio-controlled aircraft (often called RC aircraft or a UAV) is a small flying machine that is controlled remotely by an operator on the ground using a hand-held radio transmitter, The transmitter communicates with a receiver within the craft that sends signals to servomechanisms (servos) which move the control surfaces based on the position of joysticks on the transmitter. The control surfaces, in turn, affect the orientation of the plane. Flying RC aircraft as a hobby grew substantially from the 2000s with improvements in the cost, weight, performance and capabilities of motors, batteries and electronics. A wide variety of models and styles is available. UAVs or “drones” are a subset of RC aircraft that typically have a cameral or other live or recorded imaging device that allows for the user to “see” from the perspective of the drone through a receiver, including the user's smartphone.
Scientific, government and military organizations are also using RC aircraft, including drones and UAVs, for experiments, gathering weather readings, aerodynamic modeling and testing, and even using them as drones or spy planes.
The presently described invention generally relates to the landing sequence of a UAV. The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of known landing sequences by providing the user with the ability to “catch” the UAV in their hand and not risk landing the UAV in an undesirable location.
Landing after a flight is required for all consumer UAVs below 4 kilograms (including quadcopters, helicopters, and other consumer flying devices). A problem exists where there may not be a suitable landing location for the aircraft. This is often caused by a prevalence of uneven terrain, mud/water, and tall grass/shrubbery. By allowing a UAV to land in the operator's hand, the pilot can safely descent and finish a flight in any location accessible by the operator.
Once a landing sequence has been passed to the UAV, the UAV will begin a slow descent toward the ground near the flight operator. Lift being generated by the UAV will terminate once the UAV has received input that the operator's hand is in contact with the bottom of the UAV.
These and other embodiments, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.
The foregoing aspects and the attendant advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Reference symbols or names are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein. Reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicate like components, aspects or features shown therein.
The presently described invention generally relates to the landing sequence of a UAV. The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of known landing sequences by providing the user with the ability to “catch” the UAV in their hand and not risk landing the UAV in an undesirable location.
Various aspects of specific embodiments are disclosed in the following description, related drawings and table. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the sprit or the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure relevant details. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description, a discussion of several terms used herein follows.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments” is not exhaustive and does not require that all embodiments include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
Landing after a flight is required for all consumer UAVs below 4 kilograms (including quadcopters, helicopters, and other consumer flying devices). A problem exists where there may not be a suitable landing location for the aircraft. This is often caused by a prevalence of uneven terrain, mud/water, and tall grass/shrubbery. By allowing a UAV to land in the operator's hand, the pilot can safely descent and finish a flight in any location accessible by the operator.
Once a landing sequence has been passed to the Lily UAV, the Lily UAV will begin a slow descent toward the ground near the flight operator. Lift being generated by the Lily UAV will terminate once the Lily UAV has received input that the operator's hand is in contact with the bottom of the Lily UAV.
The Lily UAV System is comprised of both a handheld controller device (“Controller”) [100] and a flying camera unit contained in an unmanned aerial vehicle (“Lily UAV”) [200].
The Lily UAV [200] has an operative amount of sensors and controllers to allow for detection of the altitude of the Controller in conjunction with the Lily UAV or the altitude of solely the Lily UAV, wireless communication between the Controller [100] and Lily UAV [200], decoding in processing of commands, detection of an object, detection and control of the rate of assent and descent and lift generating mechanisms.
In order to properly perform the landing sequence in the operator's hand [300], the operator must have a human-like hand and have typical human-like motor control that would allow the operator to raise their hand, form an open, upward facing palm and swing their arm upward to catch the Lily UAV [200] in their open palm [301].
The landing sequence that is the subject of this patent shall include these steps:
In the preferred embodiment, variances in air pressure are measured by the barometer on the Controller [100] and a separate barometer on the Lily UAV [200] which measurements are then used to calculate the altitude variance between the Controller [100] and Lily UAV [200].
In a second embodiment, the Lily UAV [200] uses sonar to calculate the difference in altitude between the Lily UAV [200] and the Controller [100].
In a third embodiment, the Lily UAV [200] uses radar to calculate the difference in altitude between the Lily UAV [200] and the Controller [100].
In another embodiment, the Lily UAV [200] uses LIDAR to calculate the difference in altitude between the Lily UAV [200] and the Controller [100].
In conjunction with the various embodiments above for the altitude detector, the Downward Facing Imaging Sensor [208] in one embodiment will be computer-vision based as described in the sequence above.
In conjunction with the various embodiments for the altitude detector above, in another embodiment the Downward. Facing Imaging Sensor [208] in one embodiment will be radar based.
In conjunction with the various embodiments for the altitude detector above, in another embodiment the Downward Facing Imaging Sensor [208] in one embodiment will be LIDAR based.
In conjunction with the various embodiments for the altitude detector above, in another embodiment the Downward Facing Imaging Sensor [208] in one embodiment will be sonar based.
In conjunction with the various embodiments for the altitude detector and Downward. imaging Sensor above, in the preferred embodiment the Lift Generating Mechanism [206] will be propellers controlled by Motors [205] and a Motor Controller [204].
In conjunction with the various embodiments for the altitude detector and Downward Imaging Sensor above, in another embodiment the Lift Generating Mechanisms [206] will be rockets controlled by a Motor Controller [204].
In conjunction with the various embodiments for the altitude detector, Downward. imaging Sensor and lift generating mechanics above, in the preferred embodiment, the Lily UAV [200] will descend to an operative altitude approximately 4 meters above the Controller [100] and hover before it begins the last stage of its operator hand [300] detection and the remainder of its landing sequence.
In conjunction with the various embodiments for the altitude detector, Downward Imaging Sensor and lift generating mechanics above, in another embodiment, the Lily UAV [200] will descend directly toward the Controller [100] the operator's hand [300] without hovering.
In conjunction with the various embodiments for the altitude detector, Downward Imaging Sensor, lift generating mechanics and hovering option above, in the preferred embodiment, if the Lily UAV [200] does not use their hand to “bump” the bottom of the Lily UAV [200], the Lily UAV [200] shall continue its descent until it comes in contact with the ground or another object and the object exerts an operative amount of pressure to trigger the shut-off sequence for the Lily UAV [200] including termination of power to the Motor Controller [204] and Motors [205] and terminating the lift in the Lift Generating Mechanisms [206].
In conjunction with the various embodiments for the altitude detector, Downward imaging Sensor, lift generating mechanics and hovering option above, in another embodiment, if a “bump” has been detected before the Lily UAV [200] descends to 0.5 meters above ground level, the Lily UAV [200] shall increase lift through the lift generating mechanisms [206] by having the motor controller [204] provide additional power to the motors [205] which elevates the Lily UAV [200] to a static position that is an operative altitude above the Controller [100] until the landing sequence is initiated once again.
Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described, various modifications, alterations, alternative constructions, and equivalents are also encompassed within the scope of the invention.
The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that additions, subtractions, deletions, and other modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority on U.S. provisional patent application U.S. 62/333,417, filed May 9, 2016, and is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62333417 | May 2016 | US |
