公开(公告)号：EP2803149A1

公开(公告)日：2014-11-19

申请号：EP13736223.2

申请日：2013-01-08

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： DEVAUL, Richard, Wayne ,  TELLER, Eric ,  BIFFLE, Clifford ,  WEAVER, Josh

IPC: H04B10/11 ,  H04B10/27 ,  H04B10/40

CPC classification number: H04B10/11 ,  H04B7/18504 ,  H04B10/1129 ,  H04B10/2575 ,  H04W84/005

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may involve hierarchical balloon networks that include both optical and radio frequency links between balloons. An exemplary network system may include: (a) a plurality of super-node balloons, where each super-node balloon comprises a free-space optical communication system for data communications with one or more other super-node balloons and (b) a plurality of sub-node balloons, where each of the sub-node balloons comprises a radio-frequency communication system that is operable for data communications. Further, at least one super-node balloon may further include an RF communication system that is operable to transmit data to at least one sub-node balloon, where the RF communication system of the at least one sub-node balloon is further operable to receive the data transmitted by the at least one super-node balloon and to transmit the received data to at least one ground-based station.

公开(公告)号：EP2803148A1

公开(公告)日：2014-11-19

申请号：EP13735953.5

申请日：2013-01-07

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： DEVAUL, Richard, Wayne ,  TELLER, Eric ,  BIFFLE, Clifford, L. ,  WEAVER, Josh

IPC: H04B10/11 ,  H04B10/40

CPC classification number: H04B7/18504 ,  B64B1/40 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  H04B10/1123 ,  H04B10/1129 ,  H04B10/118

Abstract: A balloon may include an optical-communication component, which may have a pointing axis. A pointing mechanism could be configured to adjust the pointing axis. The optical-communication component could be operable to communicate with a correspondent balloon via a free-space optical link. For example, the optical-communication component could include an optical receiver, transmitter, or transceiver. A controller could be configured to determine a predicted relative location of the correspondent balloon. The controller may control the pointing mechanism to adjust the pointing axis of the optical-communication component based on the predicted relative location so as to maintain the free-space optical link with the correspondent balloon.

公开(公告)号：EP2994958A1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-16

申请号：EP14795373.1

申请日：2014-04-23

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： BEHROOZI, Cyrus ,  TELLER, Eric ,  DEVAUL, Richard, Wayne

IPC: H01Q15/23 ,  H01Q19/00

CPC classification number: H01Q1/28 ,  G01C5/005 ,  H01Q1/1264 ,  H01Q3/16 ,  H01Q19/13 ,  H01Q25/002 ,  H04B7/18504

Abstract: An antenna includes a radiator and a reflector and has a radiation pattern that is based at least in part on a separation distance between the radiator and the reflector. The antenna includes a linkage configured to adjust the separation distance based at least in part on the altitude of the antenna. The resulting radiation pattern can be dynamically adjusted based on altitude of the antenna such that, while the antenna is aloft and the antenna is ground-facing, variations in geographic boundaries and intensity of the radiation received at ground level are at least partially compensated for by the dynamic adjustments to the radiation pattern.

Abstract translation: 天线包括散热器和反射器，并且具有至少部分地基于散热器和反射器之间的间隔距离的辐射图案。 天线包括被配置为至少部分地基于天线的高度来调整分离距离的连杆。 可以基于天线的高度来动态地调整所得到的辐射图，使得当天线是高空的并且天线是面向地面时，在地平面处接收的辐射的地理边界和强度的变化至少部分地由 对辐射图的动态调整。

公开(公告)号：EP2932746A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-21

申请号：EP13862768.2

申请日：2013-11-13

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： TELLER, Eric

IPC: H04W8/16 ,  H04W12/00

CPC classification number: H04W48/04 ,  H04B7/18504 ,  H04B10/118 ,  H04L63/107 ,  H04L67/2847 ,  H04L67/288 ,  H04W4/021 ,  H04W8/183 ,  H04W12/08 ,  H04W40/20 ,  H04W40/24 ,  H04W84/005 ,  H04W84/06 ,  H04W84/18

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method operable in a balloon network. The method can include determining that a balloon is at a location associated with a first legally-defined geographic area, wherein an area profile identifies a list of geographically-prohibited data that is restricted from being cached in the first legally-defined geographic area. The method can also include receiving first data. The method can also include using the list of geographically-prohibited data to determine whether or not the first data is geographically-prohibited data. If the first data is geographically-prohibited data, then the method can further include refraining from storing the first data in data storage at the first balloon.

公开(公告)号：EP2855225A1

公开(公告)日：2015-04-08

申请号：EP13797850.8

申请日：2013-03-11

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： LOMBROZO, Peter ,  TELLER, Eric ,  TEMPLETON, Bradley

IPC: B60W30/14 ,  B60W30/16 ,  B60W30/08 ,  B60W10/00

CPC classification number: G05D1/0088 ,  B60W30/09 ,  B60W30/12 ,  B60W30/16 ,  B60W40/00 ,  B60W2050/0089 ,  B60W2550/10 ,  G01C21/26 ,  G01C21/30 ,  G01S13/88 ,  G01S15/88 ,  G01S17/88 ,  G06K9/00825

Abstract: A vehicle configured to operate in an autonomous mode can obtain sensor data from one or more sensors observing one or more aspects of an environment of the vehicle. At least one aspect of the environment of the vehicle that is not observed by the one or more sensors could be inferred based on the sensor data. The vehicle could be controlled in the autonomous mode based on the at least one inferred aspect of the environment of the vehicle.

公开(公告)号：EP2802512A1

公开(公告)日：2014-11-19

申请号：EP13735722.4

申请日：2013-01-07

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： DEVAUL, Richard, Wayne ,  TELLER, Eric ,  BIFFLE, Clifford, L. ,  WEAVER, Josh

IPC: B64B1/62 ,  B64B1/40 ,  B64B1/64 ,  G05D1/10

CPC classification number: B64B1/62 ,  B64B1/60 ,  G05D1/042

Abstract: A balloon that includes an envelope with a gas contained within the envelope, as well as a payload connected to the envelope wherein the envelope has a first portion that has a first absorptive or reflective property with respect to allowing solar energy to be transferred to the gas within the envelope, and a second portion that has a second absorptive or reflective property with respect to allowing solar energy to be transferred to the gas within the envelope where the second absorptive or reflective property is different than the first absorptive or reflective property, and wherein the envelope is rotatable to allow a preferred ratio of the first and second portions of the envelope to be positioned facing the sun.