Patent ID: 9321517
Filing Date: 2016-04-26
CPC Classification: B64B,G01W

Claim Text:
1. A method comprising: analyzing, by a computing device, a wind model to identify one or more locations in a coverage area of a balloon network where updated wind data is desirable, wherein the balloon network comprises a plurality of balloons that are configured to provide data service, and wherein the one or more locations where updated wind data is desirable comprises one or more locations where existing wind data is incomplete, inaccurate, or out of date; determining, by the computing device, a flight plan for each of one or more balloons in the balloon network, wherein each flight plan comprises a planned altitude, and wherein at least one flight plan is determined based at least in part on both: (a) the one or more locations where updated wind data is desirable and (b) data-service requirements in the coverage area of the balloon network; and sending each determined flight plan for implementation by the corresponding balloon, wherein sending each determined flight plan comprises sending one or more instructions to the corresponding balloon that indicate to: (a) navigate to the corresponding planned altitude and (b) receive wind data at the corresponding planned altitude, and wherein the wind data indicates an actual wind condition at the corresponding planned altitude.