# US 11,111,015 B2 · Drone with target tracking and signal output > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,111,015 B2 - Document ID: US11111015B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/914,911 - Filed: 2018-03-07 - Published: 2018-09-27 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-24 - Assignees: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH - Applicants: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH - Inventors: Marcus Klettke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11111015B2 ## CPC - G08G 1/0955: transportable - B60Q 7/00: Arrangement or adaptation of portable emergency signal devices on vehicles - B64D 47/02: Arrangements or adaptations of signal or lighting devices - B64U 10/13: Flying platforms - G05D 1/0011: {associated with a remote control arrangement} - G05D 1/0094: {involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target} - G08G 1/04: using optical or ultrasonic detectors - G08G 5/21: located onboard the aircraft - G08G 5/26: Transmission of traffic-related information between aircraft and ground stations - G08G 5/55: for a single aircraft - G08G 5/57: for unmanned aircraft - G08G 5/723: {from the aircraft} - G08G 5/80: Anti-collision systems - H04B 7/18504: {Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform} - B64U 80/86: Land vehicles - B64U 2101/20: for use as communications relays, e.g. high-altitude platforms - B64U 2101/30: for imaging, photography or videography - B64U 2101/56: for locating missing persons or animals - B64U 2101/57: for bringing emergency supplies to persons or animals in danger, e.g. ropes or life vests - B64U 2201/10: autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS] - B64U 2201/104: using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS - B64U 2201/20: Remote controls - G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93}) - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract An unmanned aircraft is described. The unmanned aircraft includes a signal output unit and a control unit. The control unit receives at least one signal to be output by the signal output unit. The control unit transmits at least a first signal to the signal output unit, so that the signal output unit outputs the first signal. The unmanned aircraft may be used stand-alone or autonomous as a movable signal output device, but it may also be coupled with a carrier vehicle to meet the function of a signal output device at the carrier vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An unmanned aircraft that is configured to be coupled with a vehicle, comprising: a signal output unit; a controller comprising a processor and a memory module; wherein the controller is configured to receive at least one signal that is to be output by the signal output unit; wherein the controller is configured to transmit a first signal, of the at least one signal, to the signal output unit, and wherein the signal output unit is configured to output the first signal; and a coupling unit which enables coupling of the unmanned aircraft to a base of the vehicle, the coupling unit configured to couple the unmanned aircraft to the base electrically and mechanically, and wherein the coupling unit is configured to enable data transfer between the base and the unmanned aircraft; wherein while the unmanned aircraft is coupled to the base of the vehicle, the signal output unit is configured to be controlled directly from the vehicle; wherein while the unmanned aircraft is coupled to the base of the vehicle, the signal output unit is configured to act as a signaling device of the vehicle; wherein while the unmanned aircraft is coupled to the base of the vehicle, the signaling device is configured for outputting optical or acoustic signals. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, further comprising: an environment detection unit; wherein the environment detection unit is configured to detect an environment of the unmanned aircraft and to transmit the detected environment to the controller. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The unmanned aircraft of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to select a target object from the detected environment and to change a movement path of the unmanned aircraft in such a way that the unmanned aircraft follows the target object as the target object changes its position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, further comprising: at least one functional module interface which allows the coupling of further functional modules to extend a range of functions of the unmanned aircraft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The unmanned aircraft of claim 4, wherein the functional module interface is configured to receive at least one functional module from the group consisting of the following functional modules: lighting unit, irritant gas unit, infrared camera, gripper arm; wherein the functional module interface is coupled with the controller and wherein the controller is configured to control a function of the at least one received functional module. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, further comprising: a control signal receiver which is configured to receive a wirelessly transmitted control signal and to transmit the control signal to the controller and wherein the controller is configured to change a movement path of the unmanned aircraft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal that is to be output by the signal output unit and to, immediately after receiving, forward this received signal to the signal output unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, wherein the memory module is configured to store a received signal that is to be output by the signal output unit for a later or repeated replay of this signal in the memory module. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, wherein the signal output unit comprises an optical display element that is configured to output or display optical signals or notifications. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, wherein the signal output unit comprises an acoustic output element that is configured to output acoustic signals or notifications. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, further comprising: a position determination unit; wherein the position determination unit is configured to determine or detect a position of the unmanned aircraft and to transmit the determined position to the controller. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The unmanned aircraft of claim 11, wherein the position determination unit is configured to determine the position of the unmanned aircraft based on satellite signals or based on terrestrial position signals. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The unmanned aircraft of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to select the at least one signal to be output by the signal output unit depending on the position determined by the position determination unit and to transmit the signal to the signal output unit. ### Claim 14 A system, comprising: a vehicle, in particular a land vehicle; and an unmanned aircraft, comprising: a signal output unit; a controller comprising a processor and a memory module; wherein the controller is configured to receive at least one signal that is to be output by the signal output unit; wherein the controller is configured to transmit a first signal, of the at least one signal, to the signal output unit, and wherein the signal output unit is configured to output the first signal; and a coupling unit which enables coupling of the unmanned aircraft to a base of the vehicle, so that the unmanned aircraft is coupled electrically and mechanically with the base and furthermore enables a data transfer between the base and the unmanned aircraft; wherein while the unmanned aircraft is coupled to the base of the vehicle, the signal output unit is configured to be controlled directly from the vehicle; wherein while the unmanned aircraft is coupled to the base of the vehicle, the signal output unit is configured to act as a signaling device of the vehicle; wherein while the unmanned aircraft is coupled to the base of the vehicle, the signaling device is configured for outputting optical or acoustic signals. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the unmanned aircraft further comprises: an environment detection unit; wherein the environment detection unit is configured to detect an environment of the unmanned aircraft and to transmit the detected environment to the controller. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the unmanned aircraft further comprises: at least one functional module interface which allows the coupling of further functional modules to extend a range of functions of the unmanned aircraft. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the functional module interface is configured to receive at least one functional module from the group consisting of the following functional modules: lighting unit, irritant gas unit, infrared camera, gripper arm; wherein the functional module interface is coupled with the controller and wherein the controller is configured to control a function of the at least one received functional module. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the unmanned aircraft further comprises: a control signal receiver configured to receive a wirelessly transmitted control signal and to transmit the control signal to the controller and wherein the controller is configured to change a movement path of the unmanned aircraft.