Event triggered drone system and method for image collection and transmission

An autonomous aerial imagery system comprising six subsystems and six functional modules configured to work together, comprising:

• a drone comprising a propulsion subsystem, a control subsystem, an electric power subsystem, a sensor subsystem, a video processing subsystem, and a wireless communications subsystem;
• a first functional module configured for event detection by autonomously detecting occurrence of target events without human intervention;
• a second functional module configured for event location using triangulation from multiple spatial positions;
• a third functional module configured for autonomous profile flight based on detected event types;
• a fourth functional module configured for multiplexed data communication across a plurality of wireless communications channels external to the drone;
• a fifth functional module configured for flight endurance despite limited battery charge;
• and
• a sixth functional module configured for modified parameters by remote control,
• wherein the fourth functional module configured for multiplexed data communication comprises:
• a dispatcher and a gatherer linked by a plurality of wireless communications channels;
• wherein the dispatcher packetizes video streams and distributes them across the plurality of communications channels, and the gatherer reassembles the video streams at a destination.

An autonomous aerial imagery system comprising six subsystems and six functional modules configured to work together, comprising:

• a drone comprising a propulsion subsystem, a control subsystem, an electric power subsystem, a sensor subsystem, a video processing subsystem, and a wireless communications subsystem;
• a first functional module configured for event detection by autonomously detecting occurrence of target events without human intervention;
• a second functional module configured for event location using triangulation from multiple spatial positions;
• a third functional module configured for autonomous profile flight based on detected event types;
• a fourth functional module configured for multiplexed data communication across a plurality of wireless communications channels external to the drone;
• a fifth functional module configured for flight endurance despite limited battery charge;
• and
• a sixth functional module configured for modified parameters by remote control,
• wherein the drone comprises at least four sensorpods at least one of which is attached to the distal end of each rotor boom, wherein each sensorpod comprises both an acoustic sensor and an optical sensor configured for directional sensing and triangulation.

A method for obtaining aerial video imagery of a target event upon detection of the target event comprising:

• subscribing to a plurality of communications channels;
• acquiring a drone;
• modifying the drone with a system enabling the drone to:
• detect the occurrence of the target event autonomously;
• determine the location of the target event autonomously;
• flying appropriate flight profiles relative to the target event autonomously;
• transmit video through the plurality of communications channels;
• and
• maintain its source of electrical power;
• installing a gatherer near a transmitter or Internet server;
• defining the target event;
• providing the system with appropriate sound, light, and vibration signatures associated with the target event in the form of templates;
• providing the system with event-determined flight profiles definitions related to types of target events;
• allowing the system to be transported to a location proximate to where the target event is expected to occur;
• activating the plurality of communications channels;
• autonomously detecting occurrence of the target event;
• launching the drone autonomously;
• locating the target event autonomously;
• flying the event-determined flight profiles autonomously;
• sending video through the plurality of communications channels;
• allowing a user to monitor mission performance and video collected and to make adjustments by sending commands.