| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090219393 | TRAFFIC AND SECURITY MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for monitoring a geographic area that using a plurality of unmanned mobile vehicles. Each unmanned mobile vehicle may be programmed with an operational plan to cover a specific subregion of said geographic area. Each unmanned mobile vehicle may be used to obtain visual images of its associated said subregion during operation. A surveillance system is also disclosed for monitoring a geographic area. The system includes a plurality of autonomously operated unmanned mobile vehicles. Each vehicle includes an onboard system that executes an operational plan to enable the vehicle to traverse a specific subregion of the geographic area. Each onboard system further includes a monitoring system to obtain visual images of its associated subregion. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20100036540 | OPTIMIZING USAGE OF POWERED SYSTEMS - An apparatus comprised of a power source, a set of primary loads, a set of life extension loads, and a controller. The power source is capable of supplying power and the set of primary loads is capable of being operated using the power. The set of life extension loads is capable of being operated using the power and capable of extending life of the set of primary loads. The controller is capable of controlling an operation of the set of primary loads and the set of life extension loads to optimize a total systems operating metric consisting of performance, energy use, and life to reduce a total cost. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100207487 | SENSOR NETWORK INCORPORATING STRETCHABLE SILICON - A sensor network is described which includes a stretchable silicon substrate, and a plurality of nodes fabricated on the stretchable silicon substrate. The nodes include at least one of an energy harvesting and storage element, a communication device, a sensing device, and a processor. The nodes are interconnected via interconnecting conductors formed in the substrate. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100211358 | AUTOMATED POSTFLIGHT TROUBLESHOOTING - The advantageous embodiments provide a method for identifying anomalies on an object. The advantageous embodiments detect a presence of the object in a control area using a sensor system. In response to detecting the presence of the object in the control area, the object is identified using the sensor system. Scan priorities are identified for the object using the sensor system. The object is scanned while the object is within the control area to form scan results. The scan results are analyzed and a determination is made as to whether a number of maintenance anomalies are detected on the object using the scan results. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100235037 | Autonomous Inspection and Maintenance - The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus that may comprise a number of mobile robotic machines, a wireless communications system and a computer system. The number of mobile robotic machines may be capable of moving to a number of locations in a maintenance area and may be capable of performing a number of maintenance operations on a structure in the maintenance area. The wireless communications system may be capable of providing communication with the number of mobile robotic machines within the maintenance area. The computer system may be capable of exchanging information with the number of mobile robotic machines using the wireless communications system. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100268409 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSPECTION OF STRUCTURES AND OBJECTS BY SWARM OF REMOTE UNMANNED VEHICLES - A method for inspecting structures that includes using a plurality of independent unmanned mobile vehicles. The unmanned mobile vehicles are equipped with a control and guidance system for enabling each unmanned mobile vehicle to operate autonomously. Each unmanned mobile vehicle may be programmed with an operating program that defines a path of travel for it, relative to a structure to be inspected. The unmanned mobile vehicles are deployed so that they cooperatively form a swarm that travels about the structure. At least one of said unmanned mobile vehicles is used to obtain inspection data of a portion of the structure as it executes its respective operating program. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100312387 | Supervision and Control of Heterogeneous Autonomous Operations - The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus that may include a number of robotic machine groups, a mission planner, and a mission control. The mission planner may be capable of generating a mission for the number of robotic machine groups. The mission control may be capable of executing the mission using the number of robotic machine groups. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100312388 | Supervision and Control of Heterogeneous Autonomous Operations - The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus that may include a number of robotic machine groups, a mission planner, and a mission control. The mission planner may be capable of generating a mission for the number of robotic machine groups. The mission control may be capable of executing the mission using the number of robotic machine groups. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110082717 | HIERARCHICAL MISSION MANAGEMENT - The different advantageous embodiments further provide a system for hierarchical mission management comprising a number of mission planners, a data processing system, and a communication system. The number of mission planners are associated with a number of agent groups. The data processing system is configured to execute the number of mission planners. The communication system is configured to provide communication between the number of mission planners. | 04-07-2011 |
