UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) ROBOTIC-PLATFORM (DRONE) MANAGEMENT

Abstract

An Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), automated management method is invented for civilian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) safe, controlled and accountable deployments. The method includes an attachable electronic module, use of a computerized networked enterprise (CLOUD), biometric operator authentication, all of which provides automated identification, GPS tracking location data and recording of all relevant information. The method's two separate hard-wired electronic modules are invented to provide many security and commercial entities, these include; flight platform electronic marking and identification, authorized operator authentication, operator documented training qualifications, systems setup and initialization.

Claims

1. A method of computerized automatic Drone System Management comprising: Information received by said system, for registration, setup and initialization methodology (see FIG. 1); the invention is for a Programmer Assembly (see FIG. 1), that provides a UAS with authorized and programmed information required for eventual flight operation; after the Programmer Assembly's input information is complete, the system is invented for said Programmer Assembly to record into the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform's attachable computerized electronic module initialization information such as, but not limited to, Authority Having Jurisdiction's registration and licensing, the respective operator's identification and qualifications for operating this particular platform (See FIG. 1).

2. A method of computerized automatic Drone System Management as claimed in claim 1. further comprising: A setup and initialization methodology is invented where a UAS's Flight Platform's Attachable-Module receives, from the Programmer Assembly, digitized information required for eventual flight operation including, but not limited to, a unique Identification number or code password from said Programmer Assembly (see FIG. 1); this information is retained into the platform's Attachable Module's permanent memory and is then transmitted or transferred to the Network Enterprise (CLOUD), using cell phone type data and communication, thus enabling the CLOUD to, affirm registration, authorization, track and record the position and performance of said UAV; if and when necessary, it will address the UAV through the Flight Platform's Attachable-Module; the CLOUD's computer could then, if necessary, take over operation by (if and as required), removing the operator's link which would automatically transfer UAS control to the Flight Platform's Attachable Module; thus, the methodology would implement total non-operator command and control of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform as necessary.

3. A method of computerized automatic Drone System Management as claimed in claim 2. further comprising: A setup and initialization methodology is invented that uses a temporary USB direct electrical communication to the UAS's Flight Platform's Attachable-Module, to receive and store in its memory, a Biometric Operator Authentication Fingerprint imprint from a Biometric Operator Authentication Fingerprint Scan-Assembly; the Scan Assembly or device will be permanently attached to the UAV platform operator's hand-controlled assembly; this scanned and received imprint will simultaneously be recorded permanently in both the ground operator's hand-controlled assembly and said UAV's flight platform's attachable-module; this subpart of the invention is for periodically obtaining an affirmation, (only the affirmation and not the actual fingerprint scan), that the authorized UAS's operator is actuating the said hand-controlled assembly; the affirmation indication, not the actual fingerprint scan, will be transmitted to and recorded in the CLOUD for later use during actual UAV flight; this subpart of the invention being setup during the initialization phase will verify and maintain that only the appropriate authorized operator is using the UAS's respective hand-control assembly during actual and entire UAV flight.

4. A method of computerized automatic Drone System Management as claimed in claim 3. further comprising: A Pre-Flight Operation methodology (see FIG. 2) is invented wherein, a UAS is electrically energized and prepared for flight operations; this invention proposes to coordinate all of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platform's necessary information; this platform information includes but is not limited to, (1) the respective operator's identification, (2) fingerprint biometric authentication, and (3) current qualifications for operation of the platform; this information will be transmitted to the network enterprise (CLOUD), using cell phone type data and communication for the purpose of receiving a go or no-go indication for the pending launch and continuous flight operation of the platform or Drone.

5. A method of computerized automatic Drone System Management as claimed in claim 4. further comprising: A Flight Operation methodology as claimed in Claim's 1., 2., 3. and 4. and shown in FIG. 3, further comprising a method for which a UAS is controlled, during flight operations phase, to operate, track, monitor and manage the platform's performance and its respective information; this performance includes but is not limited to, (1) the respective operator's periodic fingerprint biometric authentication while controlling the platform and (2) Certain information that is periodically transmitted to the network enterprise (CLOUD), using cell phone type data and communication for the purpose of receiving a continuing go or no-go indication for the flight operation of the platform; this makes the platform only operational by a secured identifiable operator; (3) also a Flight Operation Methodology (see FIG. 3) is invented, wherein while a UAS is in flight operations affirmation that only the authorized operator is actuating the ground command and control console; this is done by receiving and comparing periodic scans of the respective operator's fingerprint for biometric authentication from the hand-control console's biometric operator authentication fingerprint scan-assembly; this action affirms proper operator involvement of the platform with certain information periodically transmitted to said network enterprise (CLOUD), using cell phone type data and communication for the purpose of receiving a continuous go or no-go indication for the flight operation of the platform; (4) also a Flight Operation Methodology (see FIG. 3.), of a UAS that is in flight operations, is invented to affirm that only the UAV's flight path and GPS data is acceptable; this affirmation is accomplished through coordination of information with its respective CLOUD system and with certain information periodically transmitted to said network enterprise (CLOUD) using cell phone type data and communication; this specifically makes the platform operational only within prescribed GPS coordinates.

6. A method of computerized automatic Drone System Management as claimed in claim 5. further comprising: A Flight Operation Methodology to monitor and manage the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform's performance information (see FIG. 4), wherein when said UAS is in Problematic Flight Operation mode, is invented to operate, control, track said UAS; this management includes, but is not limited to, Problematic Flight Operations of the platform; if certain information indicating problems are transmitted to the network enterprise (CLOUD), using cell phone type data and communication, then the continuing go will be changed to a no-go indication, and the flight operation status of the platform will not be maintained; this allows a said designated authority or owner, the ability to abort a flight under certain circumstances should that become necessary; a problematic flight operation methodology is invented (see FIG. 4) to assure safety and continuing control of the platform; for example, two, but not limited to only these two, problematic UAV flight operations would be to prevent an unauthorized operator assuming command, or for prevention of the platform's entry into incorrect or restricted air space; hypothetical condition resulting, when certain adverse information being transmitted to the CLOUD's computer system, would result in a no-go indication for the flight operation of the platform; wherein, using this invention's preprogrammed adverse conditions, the operator's ground based hand-actuated controls would be immediately Locked Out and the UAV's flight platform's attached module would assume complete command and control and initiate a return to launch location or other suitable termination of flight operations.

7. A method of computerized automatic Drone System Management as claimed in claims 1., 2., 3., 4. and 5. further comprising the attachable pre-programmed computerized electronic module wherein recorded platform identification information such as operator biometric identification, registration and licensing from the Authority Having Jurisdiction, Etc.; this information when communicated to the associated hosted computing and data storage system (CLOUD) for confirmation or denial for operational authorized activation and deployment of said platform; this received and recorded information after communicated to the CLOUD will confirm identity of the DRONE along with its authorized operator or lack thereof; this part of the invention is a prerequisite for initial launch and also a requirement for continued flight operations.

8. A method of computerized automatic Drone System Management as claimed in claim 7. further comprising: the method of claim 3. wherein the attachable pre-programmed computerized electronic module has the respective operator's scanned fingerprint biometric identification for affirmation of associated operator's legal and proper registration and licensing from the Authority Having Jurisdiction; this information, affirmation only and not actual fingerprint scan, when communicated to the associated hosted computing and data storage system (CLOUD) for comparison to affirmations of correct periodic fingerprint scans from the UAS's hand-operated control assembly, will allow or deny continued operational authorized activation and deployment of said platform; in other words, this received and recorded information, when communicated to the CLOUD, will confirm the identity of the respective DRONE along with affirmation of its control by an authorized operator or lack of either or both thereof.

9. A method of computerized automatic Drone System Management as claimed in claim 8. further comprising: The method of claims 1., 2., 3., 4., 5. and 8. wherein the invented attachable pre-programmed computerized electronic module receives platform and operator identities and authorized activation and deployment information from the associated hosted computing and data storage system; if the above information is acceptable, the module will change a normally-open electrical contact switch to a closed condition thus allowing the respective robotic platform to be activated for actual flight mobility and use; during actual flight operation, the said electrical switch will remain in a closed state as long as acceptable conditions for authorized activation and deployment exist.

10. A method of computerized automatic Drone System Management as claimed in claim 9. further comprising: The method of claims 4. and 5. wherein said platform is active and operational, the attachable preprogrammed computerized electronic module will provide periodic performance and location checks, using GPS and other instrumentation of the respective platform's position and performance; this information will be transmitted to the hosted computing and data storage system (CLOUD), for processing and examination; if the platform is experiencing adverse circumstances such as communication and or control problems or entering, or soon to enter, restricted space, or not performing properly, or not receiving periodic proper operator biometric identification, the hosting computing system and or the attached electronic module by itself, will initiate a controlled and safe deactivation routine such as return to point-of-origin, or other appropriate fail-safe command and/or proceed to an alternative predetermined flight terminating location.

11. A method of computerized automatic Drone System Management as claimed in claim 5. further comprising: This invented computerized electronic management methodology, with its hardware and complementary hosting CLOUD computer and software, is suitable for application for identifying, tracking and supporting the interception of any unidentifiable UAV platforms.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES (BLOCK DIAGRAM SHEETS)

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a Registration, Setup and Initialization flowchart of all the invented system's components.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a Pre-Flight operation flowchart of the remaining systems used to affirm authorized operation in accordance with the proposed invention's configuration.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a normal Flight operations of the systems in the proposed invention.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a Problematic-Flight operation of the systems for response to conditions in accordance with the proposed invention.

INDEX OF CLAIMS

[0020] 1. Programmer Assembly, Registration, Authorization, Operator Identification, Initialization, Setup, Programming. [0021] 2. UAS Setup and Initialization, Programming, UAS Attachable Computerized Electronic Module, Cloud Communication. [0022] 3. UAS Setup and Initialization, Attachable Pre-Programmable Module, Biometric Operator Authentication, Programming, Cloud Communication. [0023] 4. UAS Pre-Flight Methodology, Operator Identification and Authentication, CLOUD Communication. [0024] 5. UAS Flight Operation Methodology, Periodic Operator Authentication, CLOUD Communication. [0025] 6. UAS Problematic Flight Management. [0026] 7. UAS Attachable Pre-Programmed Computerized Electronic Module Flight Details. [0027] 8. UAS Authorized Operator Authentication Continuity Affirmation during Flight. [0028] 9. UAS Attachable Pre-Programmed Computerized Electronic Module Flight Authorization Switch. [0029] 10. UAS Active Flight Termination and Fail-Safe. [0030] 11. UAS Computerized Automatic Drone System Management Invention Suitable for Supporting Interception of Unidentifiable UAV Platforms.