A computer-implemented method of communicating with an unmanned aerial vehicle includes transmitting a first message via a communications transmitter of a lighting assembly for receipt by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The first message includes an identifier associated with the lighting assembly, and the lighting assembly is located within a proximity of a roadway. The method also includes receiving a second message from the unmanned aerial vehicle via a communications receiver of the lighting assembly. The second message includes an identifier associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle. The method further includes transmitting a third message via the communications transmitter of the lighting assembly for receipt by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The third message includes an indication of an altitude at which the unmanned aerial vehicle should fly.

A system and method for participating in a multi-USV performance in three-dimensional space. The USV can include: a location identification system operable to provide location coordinates, a guidance system operable to guide the USV toward target waypoints, a propulsion system operable to propel the USV, a power supply operable to provide power to components of the USV, and an exoskeleton surrounding the location identification system, the guidance system, the propulsion system, and the power supply, the exoskeleton including a set of sensory devices, and at least one latching mechanism operable to facilitate a docking operation with a proximate USV.

On-board vehicular monitoring system in a movable vehicle including a frame defining a compartment in which an occupant is able to sit and a drive system for enabling movement of the vehicle. The monitoring system includes at least one sound-receiving/vibration-detecting component that receives sounds from an environment in or around the vehicle and/or detects vibration, a processor coupled to each sound-receiving/vibration-detecting component and that analyzes the sounds and/or vibrations to identify non-speech sounds or vibrations, and a communications device coupled to the processor that transmits a signal, data or information about analysis by the processor of the identified non-speech sounds to a remote location separate and apart from the vehicle.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an aircraft for vertical take-off and landing. In various embodiments, an aircraft assembly includes at least one first wing portion providing a lift force during a horizontal flight, at least one wing opening disposed on a vertical axis of the at least one first wing portion and at least one thruster positioned inside the at least one wing opening to provide vertical thrust during a vertical flight. The aircraft assembly can further include air vents positioned inside at least one of the wing openings. The air vents can further include louvres positioned over or under the air vents to open and close the wing openings. The thruster can further be used to provide flight control for the aircraft.

A method, system, and/or computer program product pre-positions an aerial drone for a user. A model of a user is used as a basis for predicting a future task to be performed by the user at a future time and at a particular location. One or more processors identify sensor data that will be required by the user in order to perform the future task at the future time and at the particular location, where the sensor data is generated by one or more sensors on the aerial drone. A transmitter then transmits a signal to the aerial drone to pre-position the aerial drone at the particular location before the future time.

A common operating environment (COE) display system for vehicle operations, such as for air transport provides coordination of logistics information with dispatch or a controller. An operational plan, such as a flight plan or other operational plan describing vehicle deployment is stored, and a map visualization system displays a map region. An in-vehicle display depicts the operational plan, providing displays of current and projected operational conditions of the vehicle within different time phases of the operational plan. Communication as either text or other data allows transmission can be performed as text, attachments or a combination of text and attachments. Messages (text) and attachments (files) are exchanged only through the server, and the items exchanged are recorded for analysis and forensic purposes.

A system and method for providing landing guidance to an aircraft may include an aviation headset having one or more sensors and one or more antennas, a position module configured to determine a position of the headset, and an encoder module for encoding the position information as an audible subchannel. The encoded audible subchannel may be included with voice transmissions via the aircraft radio. A guidance portion may receive the transmission and analyze the encoded audible subchannel to determine the position of the aircraft. Landing guidance may be communicated based on a comparison of the position with a desired glide path.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for ground control point assignment and determination. One of the methods includes receiving information describing a flight plan for the UAV to implement, the flight plan identifying one or more waypoints associated with geographic locations assigned as ground control points. A first waypoint identified in the flight plan is traveled to, and an action to designate a surface at the associated geographic location is designated as a ground control point. Location information associated with the designated surface is stored. The stored location information is provided to an outside system for storage.

A loss of communications system for an aircraft includes a fault module configured to detect a fault condition of the aircraft, and an emergency communication module configured to connect to a network, and to transmit condition data of the aircraft over the network when the fault condition is detected. The fault condition can include at least one of a loss of communication between the aircraft and a remote user or a forced landing of the aircraft. The condition data can include at least one of current location data, aircraft system health data, landing site location data, or landing site characteristics data.

Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with reverse DRM geo-fencing are disclosed. In embodiments, an UAV may comprise sensors to provide sensor data for aerial operation over or near a geographic area, and collect sensor data of a target within the geographic area, and a reverse DRM geo-fence policy enforcement manager to enforce reverse DRM geo-fence policies on operation of the sensors while the UAV operates over/near the geographic area. In other embodiments, a base station may include a reverse DRM geo-fence policy generator to instruct an UAV to enforce reverse DRM geo-fence policies on operation of sensors of the UAV on collecting sensor data of the target within the geographic area while the UAV operates over or near the geographic area. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.