Method and apparatus for repelling a detectable drone

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to a method for repelling a detectable drone, whose flight control and/or whose drone flight path can be influenced by repulsion measures, wherein a repulsion space is defined as a part of the airspace, and wherein the flight control and/or the drone flight path of a drone located in the repulsion space is influenced.

Claims

1. A method for repelling a detectable drone whose flight control and whose drone flight path is configured to be influenced by repulsion measures, the method comprising: defining a repulsion zone as a part of the airspace in the surroundings of a flying object located in the airspace and which is to be protected from the drone; and influencing the flight control and/or the flight path of a drone located in the repulsion space by at least one repulsion measure.

2. The method according to claim 1, further including: defining the repulsion zone as a partial region of the airspace around the flying object that is to be protected from the drone.

3. The method according to claim 1, further including: defining the repulsion zone as a partial region of the airspace including the flight path of the flying object that is to be protected from the drone.

4. The method according to claim 1, further including: detecting the drone flight path of the drone; and, selecting the repulsion measure depending on the drone flight path.

5. The method according to claim 1, further including: selecting the repulsion measure depending on a position of the drone with respect to the repulsion zone or to the flying object.

6. The method according to claim 1, further including capturing the effect of the repulsion measure on the drone flight path.

7. The method according to claim 1, further including outputting a signal by the flying object on the detection of a drone in the repulsion zone.

8. An apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 1, the apparatus being configured to be arranged in a flying object located in the airspace and which is to be protected from a detectable drone whose flight control and/or whose drone flight path is configured to be influenced by repulsion measures, the apparatus comprising: a module for definition of the repulsion zone, a module for detection of a drone, and a module for carrying out the repulsion measure.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further including: a module for the definition of the flight path.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, further including: a module for the identification of a drone and, if relevant, a database.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, further including: a control module for controlling at least one of the defining and influencing steps.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: the module for carrying out the repulsion measure is suitable for outputting an interfering signal.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8, further including: an interface to the flying object control of the flying object.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, further including: a module for control of the repulsion measure by a user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Here, in greatly simplified, schematic form in each case:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a possible application of the method according to some embodiments and of the apparatus according to some embodiments for securing a helicopter;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a further possible application of the method according to some embodiments for securing a hot-air balloon;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a further possible application of the method according to some embodiments for securing a helicopter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(5) It should first be clarified that in the different forms of embodiment described, the same parts are given the same reference signs or the same component identifiers, while the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to the same parts with the same reference signs or the same component identifiers. The statements of orientation chosen in the description such as, for example, up, down, to the side etc. refer to the figure immediately being described or illustrated, and these orientation statements are to be transferred analogously to the new orientations when there is a change in orientation.

(6) FIG. 1 shows a possible application of the method according to some embodiments. A helicopter 1, as a flying object, is ready to take off from a stationary position 2 on the ground 5. The helicopter 1 will adopt a flight path 3 when taking off, the flight path 3 having an angle of about 30 degrees in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

(7) It is the aim of the application of the method according to some embodiments to ensure a secure take-off of the helicopter 1, wherein the helicopter 1 must or should cross an airspace level 6 with unregulated air traffic. The airspace level 6 with unregulated air traffic is entered on FIG. 1. A first drone 7 and a second drone 8 are flying in this airspace level 6.

(8) The drones 7, 8, can be detected with conventional methods. In the form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the method according to some embodiments are thus characterized in that the drones 7, 8 that are located in the airspace level 6 are detected. The drone flight paths 9, 10 can be influenced through suitable repulsion methods according to the related art.

(9) According to the description of the method according to some embodiments, a repulsion zone 11 is defined, where the repulsion zone 11 is represented in FIG. 1 by two dashed boundary lines 12. The expert, with the aid of his experience, defines the width of the repulsion zone 11 symbolized by the boundary lines 12. The one of ordinary skill in the art here takes into account, for example, the size of the helicopter 1 and the airflows caused by the helicopter 1 as well as other possible further airflows. The width of the repulsion zone 11 is, furthermore, selected in a manner that is scaled by a safety factor.

(10) The repulsion zone 11 is a part of the airspace 4 or of the airspace level 6. The first drone 7 located in the repulsion zone 11, with a first, predicted drone flight path 9, represents a danger for the helicopter 1 taking off. This danger arises in particular in that the flight path 2 of the helicopter 1 and the first drone flight path 9 intersect one another, which is to be evaluated as an indication of a collision.

(11) The repulsion zone 11 is thus defined depending on the flight path 2, in order to avoid a collision between the helicopter that is taking off and a drone.

(12) The first drone flight path 9 of the first drone 7 is influenced by repulsion measures according to the related art. In the exemplary application illustrated in FIG. 1, the radio signal to the first drone 7 is interrupted, whereby the automatic control of the first drone 1 takes over and the first drone 7 changes over to a first landing motion 13.

(13) The second drone 8 is also located in the airspace level 6, but outside the repulsion zone 11. The predicted second drone flight path 10 crosses neither the repulsion zone 11 nor the flight path 2. Even in the case of a second landing motion 14 of the second drone 8, which would be initiated by an interruption of the radio contact to the second drone 8, the second drone 8 would not cross the repulsion zone 11, so that the second drone 8 does not represent a danger, even in this unusual situation.

(14) The method according to some embodiments is thus characterized in that the drone flight paths 9, 10 of the drones 7, 8, as well as the landing motion 14, are detected as a possible drone flight path.

(15) The method according to some embodiments further includes the output of a signal on the detection of the first drone 7 in the repulsion zone 11. The signal is output in the helicopter 1, whereby the pilot of the helicopter 1 receives a warning of the first drone 7, the first drone 7 being located in a danger region defined by the repulsion zone 11. The method according to some embodiments is characterized in that a signal is only output when a drone represents a danger, as is illustrated by the first drone 7 in FIG. 1.

(16) If a signal is also output because a drone such as the second drone 8 is present in the airspace level 6, then it is possible that after a number of false indications of a danger to the helicopter, the pilot would disregard such a signal. The method according to some embodiments is thus characterized in that the user only receives a signal when there is a risk to the helicopter 1. The evaluation of the risk takes place here through a clear definition, namely the presence of the first drone 7 in the repulsion region.

(17) An apparatus according to some embodiments is arranged at the helicopter 1, the apparatus including at least a module for the definition of the repulsion space, a module for the detection of a drone and a module for carrying out the repulsion measure.

(18) With the aid of the module for detecting a drone, the first drone 7 is detected, the first drone being located in the defined repulsion zone 11. In the form of embodiment of the method according to some embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1i, the second drone 8, located outside the repulsion zone 11, is also detected. The module for the detection of the drone here is a radar.

(19) An interfering signal, aimed into the repulsion zone 11, is output by the module for carrying out the repulsion measure.

(20) The definition of the repulsion zone 11 thus makes it possible that the second drone 8 that is located outside the repulsion zone 11 is not detected, and is furthermore not unnecessarily repelled by an interfering signal.

(21) The apparatus according to some embodiments for carrying out the method described above and illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a module for the definition of the repulsion space, a module for the detection of a drone, and a module for carrying out the repulsion measure.

(22) The apparatus 15 according to some embodiments isas illustrated in FIG. 1part of a helicopter. FIG. 1 relates in particular to the special case in which the apparatus according to some embodiments is arranged on the helicopter 15 and thus on the flying object that is to be protected.

(23) The repulsion zone 11 is defined of the module for defining the repulsion zone 11. The definition of the repulsion zone 11 represents a step, internal to the method, which does not necessarily have to be visible to the user of the method. The boundary lines 12 entered in FIG. 1 are only entered in FIG. 1 for reasons of illustration. The method according to some embodiments can include the illustration of the defined repulsion zone 11 on a map or on an operating element of the helicopter as the flying object 15 to be protected. The pilot of the helicopter 15 can adjust the size of the repulsion zone 11.

(24) The apparatus 15 according to some embodiments further includes a module for the detection of drones 7, 8. This module can be restricted to the detection of drones 7 in the repulsion zone 11, or can enable the detection of drones 7, 8 in the airspace 4. The pilot can switch between these functions, even though, in principle, only detection of drones 7 in the repulsion zone 11 is may be necessary for carrying out the method according to some embodiments.

(25) The module for the detection of drones 7, 8 is a radar.

(26) The apparatus according to some embodiments further includes a module for carrying out repulsion measures according to the related art. The module shown in FIG. 1 outputs an interfering signal to interrupt the radio control of the drone 7, so that the drone 7, in the absence of a control signal, changes over to the landing motion 13. The module for carrying out repulsion measures only transmits this interfering signal into the repulsion zone 11 in order to repel the first drone 7 that is present there.

(27) The apparatus 15 according to some embodiments includes a module for the definition of the flight path, the module essentially being coupled to the apparatuses for position determination and/or for control of the helicopter 15. The apparatus 15 according to some embodiments thus includes an interface to the flying object control of the helicopter 15.

(28) The apparatus 15 according to some embodiments further includes a module for the identification of a detected drone 7, 8, wherein drone data are detected and these drone data are compared with a database.

(29) The apparatus 15 according to some embodiments further includes a control module for control of the method according to some embodiments by a user. This control module can include the alignment, mentioned above, of the repulsion space 11 or of the boundary lines 12 of the repulsion space 11, or the input of an air level with an unregulated airspace 11 (to be expected).

(30) The apparatus 15 according to some embodiments in particular includes a module for control of the repulsion measure by a user. With this, the user can stop a repulsion measure against a drone or activate one.

(31) FIG. 2 illustrates the application of the method according to some embodiments for securing a flight of a hot-air balloon 16 as the flying object. FIG. 2 shows the hot-air balloon 16 immediately before taking off.

(32) According to the conventional understanding, the flight path 2 is determined by the effect of the heated gases trapped in the hot-air balloon 16 and by the wind, the wind blowing in a wind direction 17. Since the wind direction 17 cannot be determined, and is only predictable to a certain extent, the flight path 2 cannot be predicted exactly. The flight path 2 to be assumed is entered on FIG. 2.

(33) In the light of the not exactly predictable flight path 2, the repulsion zone 11 is to be chosen correspondingly large. The boundary lines 12 are spaced significantly further apart than is shown in FIG. 1.

(34) The method according to some embodiments is again based on the detection of drones, where, in the form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, only the first drone 7 located in the repulsion space 11 is detected, and not the second drone 8 located outside the repulsion space 11. The method according to some embodiments in the form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is thus limited to the detection of drones in the repulsion space, whereby the effectiveness is increased.

(35) The first drone 7 is subjected to an interfering signal, so that the first drone 7, instead of following a first drone flight path, switches over to a first landing motion 13, wherein the first landing motion 13 is controlled by the interfering signal in such a way that the first drone 7 leaves the repulsion zone 11 by the shortest route.

(36) An apparatus 15, preferably or advantageously portable, according to some embodiments is arranged according to the above description in the hot-air balloon 16.

(37) FIG. 3 illustrates a further form of embodiment of the method according to some embodiments for securing a helicopter 1 that is taking off. The helicopter 1 starts from a stationary position 2 with a flight path 3 having a shallow gradient. A repulsion zone 11 is in turn defined depending on the flight path 2, the repulsion zone 11 being bounded by the boundary lines 12 entered on FIG. 3.

(38) The drones 7, 8 are, furthermore detected. The first drone flight path 9 of the first drone 7 located in the repulsion zone 11 is modified by an interfering signal to a landing motion 13, so that the first drone 7 leaves the repulsion zone 11 as quickly as possible.

(39) The second drone 8, which has also been detected, cannot be further considered when applying the method according to some embodiments, although the second drone 8 is flying immediately above the helicopter. The second drone 8 does not represent a risk to the helicopter, since the second drone 8 is not located in the repulsion zone 11.

(40) The second drone 8 is a drone that is being employed in the context of an operation. The second drone 8 is a reconnaissance drone. Since the method according to some embodiments allow the second drone flight path 10 not to be interfered with by an interfering signal without presenting a danger to the helicopter 1, the use of the second drone 8 is not hindered.