Embodiment includes of a method and a system of network based operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle is disclosed. One system includes a drone user machine, a drone control machine, and a drone control console. The drone control machine is interfaced with the drone user machine through a network. The drone control machine is interfaced with a drone through the drone control console. The drone control machine operates to receive user commands from the drone user machine through the network, and generate drone control commands which are provided to the drone control console for controlling the drone, wherein the drone control commands are generated based on the user commands, and based on virtual flight assistance constraints.

Embodiment includes of a method and a system of network based operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle is disclosed. One system includes a drone user machine, a drone control machine, and a drone control console. The drone control machine is interfaced with the drone user machine through a network, and the drone control machine is interfaced with a drone through the drone control console. The drone control machine operates to receive user commands from the drone user machine through the network, generate drone control commands which are provided to the drone control console for controlling the drone, wherein the drone control commands are generated based on the user commands, receive video from the drone control console that was generated by a camera located on the drone, and communicate the video to the drone user machine over the network, wherein the video is displayed on a display associated with the drone user machine.

Systems, apparatuses and methods for landing an unmanned aircraft on a mobile structure are presented. Sensors on the aircraft identify a predetermined landing area on a mobile structure. The aircraft monitors the sensor data to maintain its position hovering over the landing area. The aircraft estimates a future attitude of the surface of the landing area and determines a landing time that corresponds to a desired attitude of the surface of the landing area. The unmanned aircraft executes a landing maneuver to bring the aircraft into contact with the surface of the landing area at the determined landing time.

A gimbal mechanism includes a first actuator configured to provide rotation about a central actuator axis at a first actuator speed, a second actuator co-axial with the first actuator and configured to provide rotation about the central actuator axis at a second actuator speed, and a differential member including a differential gear operatively coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator and a shaft extending between the first actuator and the second actuator. The shaft has an input end coupled to the differential gear and an output end coupled to the payload. The differential member is configured to rotate freely about a differential member axis extending along a length of the shaft. The first actuator and the second actuator are configured to cause the payload to rotate about the central actuator axis, the differential member axis, or both, based on the first actuator speed and the second actuator speed.

Embodiment includes of a method and a system of network based operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle is disclosed. One system includes a drone user machine, a drone control machine, and a drone control console. The drone control machine is interfaced with the drone user machine through a network, and the drone control machine is interfaced with a drone through the drone control console. The drone control machine operates to receive user commands from the drone user machine through the network, generate drone control commands which are provided to the drone control console for controlling the drone, wherein the drone control commands are generated based on the user commands, receive video from the drone control console that was generated by a camera located on the drone, and communicate the video to the drone user machine over the network, wherein the video is displayed on a display associated with the drone user machine.

A method and system provide the ability to autonomously operate an unmanned aerial system (UAS) over long durations of time. The UAS vehicle autonomously takes off from a take-off landing-charging station and autonomously executes a mission. The mission includes data acquisition instructions in a defined observation area. Upon mission completion, the UAS autonomously travels to a target landing-charging station and performs an autonomous precision landing on the target landing-charging station. The UAS autonomously re-charges via the target landing-charging station. Once re-charged, the UAS is ready to execute a next sortie. When landed, the UAS autonomously transmits mission data to the landing-charging station for in situ or cloud-based data processing.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can automatically guide itself to the vicinity of a charging station of an automated landing, charging and takeoff system, which then assists with the close-range laser guidance of the UAV in order for it to dock, without the need for landing gear. The dock has locating valleys that help the booms of the UAV to self-align under the force of gravity. Electrical connections are automatically made for data download and charging. A cover may be closed over the UAV during charging.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ground station, comprising: a landing surface having a perimeter and a center; a plurality of pushers held above the landing surface by a plurality of linear actuators; at least one electro-mechanical connector attached to one of the plurality of pushers, mechanically adapted to be electrically connected to a compatible electro-mechanical connector of a UAV; and a landing detection controller adapted to instruct the plurality of linear actuators to move the plurality of pushers simultaneously from the perimeter toward the center when a landing event related to the UAV is detected.

A docking station for an aircraft includes a base portion and an alignment system disposed on the base portion configured to orient the aircraft relative to the base portion. The alignment system can include a plurality of outer protrusions extending away from the base portion in a vertical direction.

The disclosed embodiments include methods, apparatuses and systems for network based operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle. One apparatus includes a controller. The controller is operative to receive a request for change in a camera view of a camera of a drone from a tele-operator, generate positioning of a reticle of a display of the tele-operator based on the received request for change in the camera view, and generate a camera attitude control based on the received request for change in the camera view, wherein the camera attitude control provides orientation control of the camera of the drone, wherein the positioning control of the reticle is more responsive than the orientation control of the camera.