Network of distributed drone system and parking pads

A distributed drone system comprising

• a network of parking pads distributed over a geographic area, each of which comprising a parking surface of one or more parking spots on which a drone can land and park securely, a power refill module that replenish the power source of a parked drone, a control module that controls functions of the parking pad, a first communication module through which the control module communicates with one or more drones and connects to a communication network, a protective box that, under the control of the control module, opens to allow a drone to land and park on and closes to prevent access to the parking pad;
• an authentication module that authenticates an approaching drone wherein the control module opens the protective box to allow the approaching drone to land and park after the control module receives a message from the authentication module that the approaching drone's identity is authenticated and the drone is allowed to land and park at the parking pad;
• a plural of drones each comprising a wireless communication module that transmits and receives data via one or more wireless networks, a drone authentication module that communicates with a parking pad through the wireless communication module to establish authentication and authorization or permission for the drone to park and/or refill power source at the parking pad, and a controller that communicates with a parking pad on which it is to be parked or already parked to control the drone's actions on landing, while parked and on takeoff from the parking pad;
• and,
• a master controller comprising a second communication module that communicates with the drones and the distributed parking pads through one or more communication networks, a drone planner module that plans the actions and tasks assignments of the drones in the system including when and on which parking pads to park and refill power, when and where to fly to and actions to take while in flight, a drone controller that communicates commands to and receives status reports from the drones through the second communication module, and parking pad controller that monitors the status and controls the actions of the distributed parking pads through the second communication module.

A drone in a distributed drone system comprising

• a wireless communication module that transmits and receives data via one or more wireless networks and receives from a master controller assignment of a parking pad on which the drone may park and/or refill power wherein the parking pad is in a network of distributed parking pads in a geographic area for drones to park and/or refill power and each parking pad comprises a parking surface of one or more parking spots on which the drone can land and park securely, a parking pad control module that controls functions of the parking pad, and a first communication module through which the parking pad control module is connected to a communication network;
• one or more sensors the collects sensory data and transmit the data via the one or more wireless network while the drone is in flight or download the data via a connection with the parking pad on which it is parked;
• a drone authentication module that communicates with a parking pad through the wireless communication module to establish authentication and authorization or permission for the drone to park and/or refill power source at the parking pad;
• a parking pad landing controller that receives permission from a parking pad and controls the landing on the parking pad with the proper position and orientation as required for the parking pad;
• and,
• a refillable or exchangeable power pack with an interface to mate with a power refill module on a parking pad that replenishes the power park of the drone when it is parked on the parking pad.

A method for providing parking and power refill services to drones comprising

• providing a network of secured parking pads distributed over a geographic area for drones to park and/or refill power;
• communicating with on one or more drones in the geographic area of the network of secured parking pads to receive requests for parking and/or power refill from the one or more drones, wherein communication is through a wireless communication module on each of the drones;
• communicating with the network of secured parking pads through their communication modules to monitor their status;
• based on requests from the one or more drones, sending instructions to the drones and the parking pads to inform them which drone is authorized to park at which parking pad;
• using wireless communication with a drone approaching a parking pad to authenticate the identity of the drone and to verify whether it is authorized to park at the parking pad;
• if the drone is allowed to park at the parking pad, making the parking pad accessible to the drone for it to land and park;
• and,
• replenishing the power pack of the drone parked on the parking pad if the drone needs power refill.