US 11,145,212 B2 · Unmanned aerial vehicle systems

Abstract

Various systems, methods, for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are disclosed. In one aspect, UAVs operation in an area may be managed and organized by UAV corridors, which can be defined ways for the operation and movement of UAVs. UAV corridors may be supported by infrastructures and/or systems supported UAVs operations. Support infrastructures may include support systems such as resupply stations and landing pads. Support systems may include communication UAVs and/or stations for providing communications and/or other services, such as aerial traffic services, to UAV with limited communication capabilities. Further support systems may include flight management services for guiding UAVs with limited navigation capabilities as well as tracking and/or supporting unknown or malfunctioning UAVs.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An unmanned aerial vehicle system for providing communication service to a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating within a predetermined operational area of an airspace for the unmanned aerial vehicle system, comprising:

a communication unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the communication UAV including (A) through (C) following:
(A) a first communication component for communicating with the plurality of UAVs;
(B) a second communication component for communicating with a communication point, the communication point being one of (a) a terrestrial communication station, (b) a communication satellite, and (c) another of the communication UAVs;
and
(C) a third communication component for communicating with another communication point including at least a wireless receiver,
wherein the communication UAV is active for providing the communication service within the predetermined operational area of the unmanned aerial vehicle system;
and
a processor for performing a channel bonding operation of (i) communication with the communication point through the second communication component, and (ii) communication with the another communication point through the third communication component;
wherein the communication UAV provides the plurality of UAVs with communication with the communication point and the another communication point.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Unmanned aerial vehicle systems

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Unmanned aerial vehicle systems

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Abstract

Claims17