US 9,387,928 B1 · Multi-use UAV docking station systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing a series of multiuse UAV docking stations are disclosed. The docking stations can be networked with a central control and a plurality of UAVs. The docking stations can include a number of services to facilitate both UAV guidance and maintenance and community acceptance and benefits. The docking stations can include package handling facilities and can act as a final destination or as a delivery hub. The docking stations can extend the range of UAVs by providing recharging/refueling stations for the UAVs. The docking stations can also include navigational aid to guide the UAVs to the docking stations and to provide routing information from the central control. The docking stations can be incorporated into existing structures such as cell towers, light and power poles, and buildings. The docking stations can also comprise standalone structures to provide additional services to underserved areas.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method to deliver packages via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:

receiving a package at a central facility;
mapping, via a central control, a first flight path of a first UAV from the central facility to a final destination of the package, the first flight path comprising two or more segments and one or more stops at one or more docking stations between the central facility and the final destination;
instructing the first UAV to follow the first flight path;
receiving at the central control, weather data from one or more weather stations;
receiving at the central control, a current position of the first UAV;
identifying a closest docking station from the current position of the first UAV;
mapping a second flight path from the current position of the first UAV to the identified closest docking station in response to the weather data;
instructing the first UAV to follow the second flight path in response to the weather data;
instructing the first UAV to drop the package at the identified closest docking station;
receiving a current position from a second UAV;
mapping a third flight path from the current position of the second UAV to the identified closest docking station;
and
instructing the second UAV to follow the third flight path.

10 more elements

A method to deliver packages via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:

receiving a package at a central facility;
mapping, via a central control, a first flight path of a first UAV from the central facility to a final destination of the package, the first flight path comprising two or more segments and one or more stops at one or more docking stations between the central facility and the final destination;
instructing the first UAV to follow the first flight path;
receiving an error code from the first UAV;
receiving a current position from the first UAV;
identifying a closest docking station to the current position of the first UAV;
mapping a second flight path from the current position of the first UAV to the identified closest docking station;
instructing the first UAV to follow the second flight path in response to receiving the error code;
instructing the first UAV to drop the package at the identified closest docking station;
receiving a current position from a second UAV;
mapping a third flight path from the current position of the second UAV to the identified closest docking station;
and
instructing the second UAV to follow the third flight.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-use UAV docking station systems and methods

Life of this patent

Multi-use UAV docking station systems and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22