System and method for cooperative operation of piloted and optionally piloted aircraft
US10558209B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 2017 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2201/20
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for controlling the flight of aircraft includes an aircraft operated by a human pilot, one or more optionally piloted aircraft controlled by a processor, and a communication link between the aircraft. The optionally piloted aircraft receives data indicative of the position and flight path of the piloted aircraft, and is automatically controlled to maintain a predetermined range of separation distances from the piloted aircraft. Control of the optionally piloted aircraft may include machine reasoning computing functions based on a classification of data received by the communication link, data indicative of the current positions and three-dimensional flight paths of the aircraft, stored data from previously calculated positions and three-dimensional flight paths of the aircraft, and stored data from previously executed flight plans associated with the optionally piloted aircraft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.