# US 2018/0025650 A1 · Systems and Methods for Managing Drone Access > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0025650 A1 - Document ID: US20180025650A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/693,701 - Filed: 2017-09-01 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-29 - Assignees: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Applicants: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Inventors: Michael Franco Taveira - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180025650A1 ## CPC - G08G 5/55: for a single aircraft - G01C 21/20: Instruments for performing navigational calculations (G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence) - G05D 1/102: {specially adapted for vertical take-off of aircraft} - G05D 1/106: {Change initiated in response to external conditions, e.g. avoidance of elevated terrain or of no-fly zones} - G06Q 20/102: {Bill distribution or payments} - G07B 15/00: Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points (handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00) - G08G 5/26: Transmission of traffic-related information between aircraft and ground stations - G08G 5/265: for managing air traffic control [ATC] clearance - G08G 5/34: for flight plan modification - G08G 5/57: for unmanned aircraft - G08G 5/59: in accordance with predefined flight zones, e.g. to avoid prohibited zones - H04W 12/08: Access security - B64U 10/14: with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters - B64U 50/11: using internal combustion piston engines - B64U 50/19: using electrically powered motors - B64U 60/50: with landing legs - B64U 80/25: for recharging batteries; for refuelling - B64U 80/30: with arrangements for data transmission - B64U 2201/104: using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS - G06Q 2240/00: Transportation facility access, e.g. fares, tolls or parking - H04B 1/3827: Portable transceivers - H04K 3/22: {including jamming detection and monitoring} - H04K 3/25: {based on characteristics of target signal or of transmission (as countermeasure against surveillance H04K3/827), e.g. using direct sequence spread spectrum or fast frequency hopping (spread spectrum techniques H04B1/69)} - H04K 3/90: {related to allowing or preventing navigation or positioning, e.g. GPS} - H04K 3/92: {related to allowing or preventing remote control} - H04K 2203/18: for wireless local area networks or WLAN - H04K 2203/22: for communication related to vehicles - 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}) - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G07B: TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04K: SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION ## Abstract Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for operating a drone consistent with an access level of the drone and/or an operator of the drone. Various embodiments may include determining, by a processor of the drone, whether the drone is registered with an agency or the operator of the drone is registered to operate the drone. In response to determining that the drone and/or the operator is registered, the drone processor may operate the drone consistent with an access level of the drone and/or operator. In response to determining that the drone and/or the operator is registered, the drone processor may restrict operations of the drone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for controlling a drone, comprising: determining, by a processor of the drone, whether an operator controlling the drone is registered to operate the drone; operating the drone, by the processor, in response to determining that the operator controlling the drone is registered to operate the drone; and restricting, by the processor, operations of the drone in response to determining that the operator controlling the drone is not registered to operate the drone. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein restricting operations of the drone in response to determining that the operator controlling the drone is not registered to operate the drone comprises preventing takeoff or limiting operations of the drone to within one or more of a minimum altitude restriction, a maximum altitude restriction, a time duration-based restriction, a speed restriction, or a drone-functionality restriction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein restricting operations of the drone in response to determining that the operator controlling the drone is not registered to operate the drone comprises disabling a camera or preventing image or video recording. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein operating the drone in response to determining that the operator controlling the drone is registered to operate the drone comprises operating the drone, by the processor, consistent with an access level of the operator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising determining, by the processor, a location of the drone, wherein operating the drone consistent with the access level of the operator comprises operating the drone consistent with the access level of the operator and access restrictions pertinent for the location of the drone. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising determining, by the processor, whether the drone is approaching or within a restricted area, wherein operating the drone, by the processor, consistent with the access level of the operator comprises: accessing the restricted area in response to determining that the drone is approaching the restricted area and that the access level of the operator permits operating within the restricted area; and not accessing the restricted area in response to determining that the drone is approaching the restricted area and that the access level of the operator does not permits operating within the restricted area. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising determining, by the processor, whether the drone is approaching or within a restricted area, wherein operating the drone, by the processor, consistent with the access level of the operator comprises taking a corrective action, by the processor, in response to determining that the drone is within the restricted area and that the access level of the operator does not permits operating within the restricted area. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein taking the corrective action comprises at least one of: preventing takeoff; landing in or moving to a designated area; returning to a designated location; reverting control of the drone to a third party; or restricting usage of the drone while in the restricted area. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein operating the drone consistent with the access level of the operator comprises operating the drone consistent with a combination of an access level of the drone and the access level of the operator of the drone. ### Claim 10 A method for controlling a drone, comprising: determining, by a processor of the drone, whether the drone is registered with an agency; operating the drone, by the processor, in response to determining that the drone is registered; and restricting, by the processor, operations of the drone in response to determining that the drone is not registered. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the agency comprises a government agency. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein restricting operations of the drone in response to determining that the drone is not registered comprises preventing takeoff or limiting operations of the drone to within one or more of a minimum altitude restriction, a maximum altitude restriction, a time duration-based restriction, a speed restriction, or a drone-functionality restriction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining an access level of the drone; and determining, by the processor, whether the drone is approaching a restricted area, wherein operating the drone, by the processor, in response to determining that the drone is registered comprises: accessing the restricted area in response to determining that the drone is approaching the restricted area and that the access level of the drone permits operating within the restricted area; and not accessing the restricted area in response to determining that the drone is approaching the restricted area and that the access level of the drone does not permits operating within the restricted area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining an access level of the drone; determining, by the processor, whether the drone is within a restricted area; and taking a corrective action in response to determining that the drone is within a restricted area and the access level of the drone does not satisfy access restrictions of the restricted area, wherein taking the corrective action comprises at least one of: preventing takeoff; landing in or moving to a designated area; returning to a designated location; reverting control of the drone to a third party; or restricting usage of the drone while in the restricted area. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein determining whether the drone is registered with an agency comprises obtaining an access level stored in memory of the drone. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein determining whether the drone is registered with the agency comprises: transmitting, to a server via a wireless communication link, an identifier of the drone; and receiving an access level of the drone from the server. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining, by the processor, an access level of an operator of the drone; determining, by the processor, an access level of the drone based upon the access level of the operator of the drone in response to determining that the drone is registered; and operating the drone, by the processor, consistent with the access level of the drone. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein determining, by the processor, the access level of the operator of the drone comprises determining the access level of the operator of the drone based at least in part upon one or more of an experience level of the operator, a certification of the operator, authentication of the operator, an operating history of the operator, or a level of insurance carried by the operator. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein determining, by the processor, the access level of the drone based upon the access level of the operator of the drone comprises determining the access level of the drone based upon a combination of the access level of the drone and the access level of the operator of the drone. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein operating the drone, by the processor, consistent with the access level of the drone comprises planning and following a path that avoids restricted areas in which the drone is not permitted to operate based upon the access level of the drone and travels through restricted areas in which the drone is permitted to operate based upon the access level of the drone. ### Claim 21 A drone, comprising a processor configured with processor-executable instructions to: determine whether an operator controlling the drone is registered to operate the drone; operate the drone in response to determining that the operator controlling the drone is registered to operate the drone; and restricting operations of the drone in response to determine that the operator controlling the drone is not registered to operate the drone. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The drone of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to restrict operations of the drone in response to determine that the operator controlling the drone is not registered to operate the drone by preventing takeoff or limiting operations of the drone to within one or more of a minimum altitude restriction, a maximum altitude restriction, a time duration-based restriction, a speed restriction, or a drone-functionality restriction. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The drone of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to restrict operations of the drone in response to determine that the operator controlling the drone is not registered to operate the drone by disabling a camera or preventing image or video recording. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The drone of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to operate the drone consistent with an access level of the operator. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The drone of claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to: determine a location of the drone; and operate the drone consistent with the access level of the operator and access restrictions pertinent for the location of the drone. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The drone of claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to determine whether the drone is approaching or within a restricted area, and wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to operate the drone consistent with the access level of the operator by: accessing the restricted area in response to determine that the drone is approaching the restricted area and that the access level of the operator permits operating within the restricted area; and not accessing the restricted area in response to determine that the drone is approaching the restricted area and that the access level of the operator does not permits operating within the restricted area. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The drone of claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to determine whether the drone is approaching or within a restricted area, and wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to operate the drone consistent with the access level of the operator by taking a corrective action in response to determine that the drone is within the restricted area and that the access level of the operator does not permits operating within the restricted area. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The drone of claim 27, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions such that taking the corrective action comprises at least one of: preventing takeoff; landing in or moving to a designated area; returning to a designated location; reverting control of the drone to a third party; or restricting usage of the drone while in the restricted area. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The drone of claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to operate the drone consistent with a combination of an access level of the drone and the access level of the operator of the drone. ### Claim 30 A drone, comprising a processor configured with processor-executable instructions to: determine whether the drone is registered with an agency; operate the drone in response to determine that the drone is registered; and restricting operations of the drone in response to determine that the drone is not registered. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The drone of claim 30, wherein the agency comprises a government agency. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The drone of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to restrict operations of the drone in response to determine that the drone is not registered by preventing takeoff or limiting operations of the drone to within one or more of a minimum altitude restriction, a maximum altitude restriction, a time duration-based restriction, a speed restriction, or a drone-functionality restriction. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The drone of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to: determine an access level of the drone; and determine whether the drone is approaching a restricted area, and wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to operate the drone in response to determine that the drone is registered by: accessing the restricted area in response to determine that the drone is approaching the restricted area and that the access level of the drone permits operating within the restricted area; and not accessing the restricted area in response to determine that the drone is approaching the restricted area and that the access level of the drone does not permits operating within the restricted area. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) The drone of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to: determine an access level of the drone; determine whether the drone is within a restricted area; and taking a corrective action in response to determine that the drone is within a restricted area and an access level of the drone does not satisfy access restrictions of the restricted area, wherein taking the corrective action comprises at least one of: preventing takeoff; landing in or moving to a designated area; returning to a designated location; reverting control of the drone to a third party; or restricting usage of the drone while in the restricted area. ### Claim 35 (depends on 30) The drone of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to determine whether the drone is registered with an agency by obtaining an access level stored in memory of the drone. ### Claim 36 (depends on 30) The drone of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to determine whether the drone is registered with the agency by: transmitting, to a server via a wireless communication link, an identifier of the drone; and receiving an access level of the drone from the server. ### Claim 37 (depends on 30) The drone of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to: determine an access level of an operator of the drone; determine an access level of the drone based upon the access level of the operator of the drone in response to determine that the drone is registered; and operate the drone consistent with the access level of the drone. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The drone of claim 37, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to determine the access level of the operator of the drone based at least in part upon one or more of an experience level of the operator, a certification of the operator, authentication of the operator, an operating history of the operator, or a level of insurance carried by the operator. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The drone of claim 37, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to determine the access level of the drone based upon a combination of the access level of the drone and the access level of the operator of the drone. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The drone of claim 37, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instructions to operate the drone consistent with the access level of the drone by planning and following a path that avoids restricted areas in which the drone is not permitted to operate based upon the access level of the drone and travels through restricted areas in which the drone is permitted to operate based upon the access level of the drone.