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US 6,712,312 B1Granted
Reconnaissance using unmanned surface vehicles and unmanned micro-aerial vehicles
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorDaniel Kucik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reconnaissance system and method utilizes an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and at least one micro-aerial vehicle (MAV). The MAV, equipped for unmanned flight after a launch thereof, is mounted on the USV. Each MAV has onboard wireless communications coupled to an onboard video surveillance system. Each MAV launched into the air collects video data using its video surveillance and transmits the video data using its wireless communications.
Claims16
A reconnaissance system, comprising:
- an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) capable of navigated movement on an earth surface;
- at least one micro-aerial vehicle (MAV) equipped for unmanned flight after a launch thereof, each said MAV mounted on said USV, each said MAV having wireless communication means coupled to video surveillance means;
- and
- launching means mounted on said USV for launching each said MAV into the air, wherein each said MAV so-launched into the air collects video data using said video surveillance means and transmits said video data using said wireless communication means.
1 more element
A reconnaissance system, comprising:
- an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) having means for controlling movement thereof on an earth surface;
- a plurality of micro-aerial vehicles (MAVs) onboard said USV, each said plurality of MAVs having flight control means, radio frequency (RF) communication means and video surveillance means mounted thereon;
- launching means mounted on said USV for launching each of said plurality of MAVs into the air;
- and
- launch control means mounted on said USV and coupled to said launching means and each of said plurality of MAVs, wherein said launch control means activates said flight control means, said video surveillance means and said RF communication means for a corresponding one of said plurality of MAVs just prior to the launch thereof, wherein each of said plurality of MAVs so-launched into the air collects video data using said video surveillance means and transmits said video data using said RF communication means.
2 more elements
A method of reconnoitering, comprising the steps of:
- providing an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) capable of navigated movement on an earth surface;
- providing a plurality of micro-aerial vehicles (MAVs) onboard said USV, each said plurality of MAVs having flight control means, radio frequency (RF) communication means and video surveillance means mounted thereon;
- activating said flight control means of a corresponding one of said plurality of MAVs;
- launching said corresponding one into the air;
- activating said RF communication means and said video surveillance means for said corresponding one so-launched into the air;
- collecting video data using said video surveillance means so-activated;
- and
- transmitting said video data using said RF communication means so-activated.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.