Geographic area monitoring systems and methods utilizing computational sharing across multiple unmanned vehicles

US10423169B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Walmart Apollo, LLC · US

Inventors

• Robert L. Cantrell · Herndon, US
• John P. Thompson · Bentonville, US
• David C. Winkle · Berryville, US
• Michael D. Atchley · Springdale, US
• Donald R. High · Noel, US
• Todd D. Mattingly · Bentonville, US
• Brian G. McHale · Chadderton, GB
• John J. O'Brien · Farmington, US
• John F. Simon · Pembroke Pines, US
• Nathan G. Jones · Bentonville, US
• Robert C. Taylor · Mount Olive, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 8, 2017
• Grant date: Sep 24, 2019
• Expiry date: Sep 8, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64U2101/45
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In some embodiments, unmanned aerial task systems are provided that comprise: multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) each comprising: a UAV control circuit; a motor; and a propulsion system; and wherein data acquired through a first set of at least one of the multiple UAVs while performing a first set of at least one task is caused to be distributed to a second set of at least two of the multiple UAVs, and cause cooperative computational processing of the data through the UAV control circuits of the second set of UAVs and cooperatively identify based on the cooperative computational processing a second set of at least one task to be performed, and identify a set of at least two tool systems to be utilized by a third set of at least two of the multiple UAVs in cooperatively performing the second set of at least one task.