公开(公告)号：US20170313332A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-02

申请号：US15651630

申请日：2017-07-17

Applicant: General Electric Company

Inventor： Martin Paget ,  Daniel Rush

IPC: B61L25/02 ,  H04L29/08 ,  B61L27/00 ,  B61L15/00 ,  H04N7/18

CPC classification number: B61L25/021 ,  B61L15/0027 ,  B61L15/0072 ,  B61L15/0081 ,  B61L15/009 ,  B61L23/04 ,  B61L25/023 ,  B61L25/025 ,  B61L25/026 ,  B61L27/0077 ,  B61L27/0088 ,  B61L27/0094 ,  B61L2205/04 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/123 ,  B64C2201/14 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  B64D47/08 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  G06K9/00651 ,  G06K9/00771 ,  G06K9/00798 ,  H04L67/12 ,  H04N5/23203 ,  H04N5/23206 ,  H04N5/23241 ,  H04N5/332 ,  H04N7/183 ,  H04N7/185

Abstract: A system includes a mobile platform that moves under remote and/or autonomous control, a sensor package supported by the mobile platform that obtains information relating to a component of a transportation network, and one or more processors that receive the sensor information and analyze the information in combination with other information that is not obtained from the sensor package. The processors also generate an output that displays information relating to one or more of a status, a condition, and/or a state of health of the component of the transportation network; initiates an action to change an operational state of the component; identifies a hazard to one or more vehicles traveling within the transportation network; and/or collects the information relating to the component. Optionally, the component is not communicatively coupled to an information network and the mobile platform provides the information obtained by the sensor package to the information network.

公开(公告)号：US20170225782A1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-10

申请号：US15268225

申请日：2016-09-16

Applicant: Nixie Labs, Inc.

Inventor： Christoph Kohstall ,  Jelena Jovanovic ,  Dylan Owens ,  Nathan Leefer ,  Ben Sampson

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B64C1/06 ,  B64F5/10 ,  B64D47/08

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C1/063 ,  B64C1/30 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/127 ,  B64C2201/20 ,  B64C2201/203 ,  B64C2201/205 ,  B64C2201/206 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  B64D47/08 ,  B64F5/10

Abstract: Stowable and deployable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A UAV in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a main body, frames carried by the main body, and motors carried by the frames. At least two frames are positioned to move relative to each other between a stowed configuration in which the frames are generally aligned proximate to each other and a deployed configuration different from the stowed configuration. The main body can include a first body portion pivotably connected to a second body portion. In a stowed configuration, the body portions can generally overlap each other. A UAV in accordance with particular embodiments includes a modular electronics unit carried by the UAV and including a camera, a battery, and a vehicle controller. Modular electronics units can be configured to be removably connected to and disconnected from the UAV and other vehicles.

公开(公告)号：US20170179871A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-22

申请号：US14971651

申请日：2015-12-16

Applicant: Skycom Corporation

Inventor： Max G. Michaelis, IV ,  John H. H. Bennett

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  H02S10/40 ,  B64B1/12 ,  B64B1/30

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  B64B1/58 ,  B64B1/62 ,  B64C2201/022 ,  B64C2201/122 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  H02S10/40 ,  H02S30/20

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating lighter-than-air aircraft. Such aircraft may be used for various purposes, such as providing network connectivity to areas that would otherwise lack such connectivity. For example, in some embodiments, a lighter-than-air aircraft according to this disclosure may include various types of antennas (directional or non-directional) for communicating with ground-based electronics or with other lighter-than-air aircraft.

公开(公告)号：US20170132562A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-11

申请号：US15344095

申请日：2016-11-04

Applicant: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Inventor： Donald R. High ,  John P. Thompson ,  Michael D. Atchley ,  Chandrashekar Natarajan

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: G06Q10/0833 ,  B64B1/40 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/127 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  B64F1/007

Abstract: A control circuit dispatches towards a delivery zone a terrestrial vehicle that carries at least one airborne drone and at least one item to be delivered to a customer. When the terrestrial vehicle is in the delivery zone, the drone is dispatched to carry the item to the customer. By one approach the drone exits the terrestrial vehicle without bearing the item. The item can be automatically moved from within the terrestrial vehicle to a position such that the item is at least partially exposed external to the terrestrial vehicle. The airborne drone, subsequent to exiting the terrestrial vehicle, can engage the item in order to then deliver that item to the customer. By one approach the terrestrial vehicle includes one or more platforms that support one or more airborne drones and that can be moved from within the terrestrial vehicle to a deployed position external to the terrestrial vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US20170129603A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-11

申请号：US15347442

申请日：2016-11-09

Applicant: MATTERNET, INC.

Inventor： Andreas RAPTOPOULOS ,  Ido BARUCHIN ,  Christopher Winson HINKLE ,  Derek X. MA ,  James Standish O'SULLIVAN

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B64F1/32 ,  G08G5/02

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  G05D1/0676 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  G08G5/025

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for transporting a payload is provided. The UAV comprises a body and one or more propellers rotatably connected to the body. The UAV further comprises a battery mounted to the body. The battery is releasable from the bottom of the UAV. The UAV further comprises a payload container mounted to the body. The payload container is releasable from the bottom of the UAV to a landing platform associated with a UAV station.

公开(公告)号：US09619776B1

公开(公告)日：2017-04-11

申请号：US14615845

申请日：2015-02-06

Applicant: Dell Software Inc.

Inventor： Daniel A. Ford ,  Rajesh Narayanan ,  Gabriel Mauricio Silberman

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/02 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: G06Q10/08355 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C39/026 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  G05D1/0088 ,  G05D1/02

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining real-time location information for a transportation item. The method further includes determining real-time route information for a plurality of vehicles, the plurality of vehicles comprising a vehicle-in-transit actively transporting the transportation item. In addition, the method includes analyzing, via the real-time location information and the real-time route information, a route efficiency of the plurality of vehicles relative to an intended destination of the transportation item. Further, the method includes selecting a replacement vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles based, at least in part, on a result of the analyzing. Additionally, the method includes initiating physical transfer of the transportation item from the vehicle-in-transit to the replacement vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US20170038779A1

公开(公告)日：2017-02-09

申请号：US15227574

申请日：2016-08-03

Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI

Inventor： Hiroyuki FUJIMORI

IPC: G05D1/10 ,  B64D47/08 ,  G05D1/00 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: G05D1/102 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/123 ,  B64C2201/127 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  B64D47/08 ,  B66F9/07504 ,  B66F9/0755 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  G05D1/101 ,  G05D2201/0216

Abstract: A forklift operation assist system includes a forklift truck having a load-handling device with a lifting portion, a small unmanned aerial vehicle that is mountable on the forklift truck and has an image capture device, and a display device that presents images captured by the image capture device. The forklift truck includes a vehicle controller that is electrically connected to the display device. The small unmanned aerial vehicle includes an aircraft controller that communicates with the vehicle controller. The small unmanned aerial vehicle takes off the forklift truck when a lifting operation of the lifting portion is detected. The display device presents the images captured by the image capture device while the aerial vehicle is flying.

Abstract translation: 叉车操作辅助系统包括具有装载操纵装置和升降部分的叉车，可安装在叉车上的小型无人驾驶飞行器，并具有图像捕获装置，以及显示装置，其显示由图像拍摄的图像 捕获设备。 叉车包括电连接到显示装置的车辆控制器。 小型无人机包括与车辆控制器通信的飞行器控制器。 当检测到提升部分的提升操作时，小型无人机在起重叉车上起飞。 显示装置呈现由飞行器飞行时由图像捕获装置拍摄的图像。

公开(公告)号：US20160375981A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-29

申请号：US15111133

申请日：2015-01-13

Applicant: ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC

Inventor： William Randall McDonnell

IPC: B64C3/10 ,  B64F1/04 ,  B64F1/22 ,  B64F1/02

CPC classification number: B64C3/10 ,  B63H9/0685 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/028 ,  B64C2201/082 ,  B64C2201/182 ,  B64C2201/205 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  B64F1/02 ,  B64F1/04 ,  B64F1/222 ,  Y02T50/12 ,  Y02T50/826

Abstract: An asymmetric aircraft (1) and an aircraft (1) that can operate from small ships (8) and be stored in high density with three aircraft or more in one helicopter hangar (107) without needing a landing gear or wing fold. These aircraft slide into and out of the hangar on dollies (90) like circuit boards in a computer and are launched and recovered using a large towed parafoil (6).

Abstract translation: 一架不​​对称的飞机（1）和一架可从小型船只运行的飞机（1），并在一架直升机机库（107）内以三个或更多的飞机高密度存储，无需起落架或机翼折叠。 这些飞机在计算机上像电路板一样滑入和移出机库（90）的机库，并使用大型拖缆机（6）发射和恢复。

公开(公告)号：US20160364989A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-15

申请号：US15183653

申请日：2016-06-15

Applicant: ImageKeeper LLC

Inventor： Jerry Speasl ,  Mike Patterson ,  Mark Roberts

IPC: G08G5/00 ,  B64F1/22 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: G08G5/0034 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/066 ,  B64C2201/08 ,  B64C2201/082 ,  B64C2201/121 ,  B64C2201/126 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/145 ,  B64C2201/20 ,  B64C2201/201 ,  B64C2201/205 ,  B64C2201/206 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  B64F1/222 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  G08G5/0082 ,  G08G5/0091

Abstract: A base module may be used to receive and house one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) via one or more cavities. The base module receives commands from a manager device and identifies a flight plan that allows a UAV to execute the received commands. The base module transfers the flight plan to the UAV and frees the UAV. Once the UAV returns, the base module once again receives it. The base module then receives sensor data from the UAV from one or more sensors onboard the UAV, and optionally receives additional information describing its flight and identifying success or failure of the flight plan. The base module transmits the sensor data and optionally the additional information to a storage medium locally or remotely accessible by the manager device.

Abstract translation: 基座模块可以用于经由一个或多个空腔接收和容纳一个或多个无人机（UAV）。 基本模块从管理器设备接收命令，并识别允许UAV执行接收到的命令的飞行计划。 基地模块将飞行计划转移到无人机，并释放无人机。 一旦UAV返回，基本模块再次接收它。 然后，基本模块从UAV上的一个或多个传感器接收来自UAV的传感器数据，并且可选地接收描述其飞行并识别飞行计划的成功或失败的附加信息。 基本模块将传感器数据和可选的附加信息传输到本地或由管理器设备远程访问的存储介质。

公开(公告)号：US20160257401A1

公开(公告)日：2016-09-08

申请号：US14635743

申请日：2015-03-02

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Daniel Buchmueller ,  Scott A. Green ,  Atishkumar Kalyan ,  Gur Kimchi

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  G08G5/00

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/14 ,  B64C2201/145 ,  B64C2201/165 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/20 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  G01C21/3423 ,  G01C21/343 ,  G06Q10/047 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q50/28 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G08G5/0013 ,  G08G5/0039 ,  G08G5/0056 ,  G08G5/0065 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  G08G5/025

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”) which fly to destinations (e.g., for delivering items) may land on transportation vehicles (e.g., delivery trucks, etc.) for temporary transport. An agreement with the owner of the transportation vehicles (e.g., a shipping carrier) may be made for obtaining consent and determining compensation for landings, and the associated transportation vehicles that are available for landings may be identified by markers on the roof or other identification techniques. The routes of the transportation vehicles may be known and utilized to determine locations where UAVs will land on and take off from the transportation vehicles, and in cases of emergencies (e.g., due to low batteries, mechanical issues, etc.) the UAVs may land on the transportation vehicles for later retrieval.

Abstract translation: 飞往目的地（例如交付物品）的无人机（“UAV”）可以登陆运输车辆（例如运送卡车等）进行临时运输。 可以与运输工具的所有者（例如航运承运人）达成协议，以获得同意并确定着陆的赔偿，可用于着陆的相关运输车辆可以通过屋顶上的标记或其他识别技术来识别 。 运输车辆的路线可能是已知的，用于确定无人机将从运输车辆着陆和起飞的地点，并且在紧急情况下（例如，由于电池电量低，机械问题等），UAV可能会着陆 在运输车辆上进行后续检索。