Geographic area monitoring systems and methods that balance power usage between multiple unmanned vehicles

US10520953B2 · 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: Dec 31, 2019
• Expiry date: Jan 20, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T90/16
• 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 coupled with the motor and configured to enable the respective UAVs to move themselves; and wherein a first UAV control circuit of a first UAV of the multiple UAVs is configured to access power level data corresponding to each of the multiple UAVs, and select a second UAV of the multiple UAVs based at least in part on a power level of the second UAV relative to a threshold power level corresponding to a first task to be performed and a predicted power usage by the second UAV while utilizing a first tool system temporarily cooperated with the second UAV in performing the first task.