Navigation controller system and method for retrieving control of a remotely controlled device

A navigation controller system and method for retrieving control of a remotely controlled device includes an onboard primary controller supportable on a remotely controlled device and adapted to control operation thereof, a base controller adapted to communicate with the onboard primary controller by a first mode of communications to provide instructions to control and operate the remotely controlled device, and an auxiliary controller module supportable on the remotely controlled device either separately from or integrated into the onboard primary controller and adapted to communicate with the base controller by a second mode of communications not the same as the first mode of communications so that the auxiliary controller module acts as a backup to disable, disconnect or otherwise take over control from the onboard primary controller when it is rendered non-responsive to communications from the base controller.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems for controlling operation of remotely controlled devices, and, more particularly, is concerned with a navigation controller system and method for retrieving control of a remotely controlled device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As remotely controlled devices, such as flying drones and remotely operated cars become more popular, or frustrating, depending on one's perspective, an influx of gadgets are being utilized to block radio frequency (RF) communication signals and even use methods such as shooting nets and RF jamming guns to obstruct the operations of the remotely controller devices. In some cases, drones are maliciously being hijacked by hijackers impersonating the controller and overwhelming the receiver by sending stronger signals to the device than the original transmitter, so the receiver believes it is still being governed appropriately. Whether the drone is hijacked and or destroyed, many of them are expensive and their loss can be a significant financial strain on their owners, especially, if the drones are used to generate income-related business.

In addition to the foregoing, as the range of modern drones increase, chances are good that at some point, the drones will fly beyond range, run out of power and potentially get lost. With batteries drained, there is often no way to find the crash site. Even if the primary power sources have not drained, the devices may still have traveled out of RF range such that their owners would be unable to recall them.

One prior art approach is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 8,798,922. The patent proposes to supplement the software of the onboard system that normally controls the flight path of the drone so that a preplanned and programmed operation may be carried out in the event of the occurrence of an in-flight contingency. For instance, if a RF receiver of the onboard controller on the drone has failed or its RF signal is garbled by being jammed, and thus cannot regain communication with a remote base controller, a software module or computer program resident in the onboard controller can execute a user-specified preplanned operation to attempt to get the onboard controller back into RF communication with the remote base controller. However, in the case of most hijackings, the onboard controller may be unaware that the system is compromised and is being taken over. If the system doesn't recognize it is compromised or that is original (native) signal is being jammed, it does not proceed with the execution of the user-specified preplanned operation, which results in the loss of the drone.

Accordingly, there is a long felt but, as of yet unmet, need for a navigation controller and system particularly suited for preventing the hijacking of a remotely controlled device and the instant retrieval of said device should the communication between the operator and device be lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an innovation providing a navigation controller system and method for retrieving control of a remotely controlled device that overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by provision of an auxiliary controller module. The system and method provide an alternate way of sending instructions to a remotely controlled device in order to retrieve control of it once its onboard controller has been compromised. The alternate way of communication is generally more difficult to block and in most instances illegal to do so in comparison to the present ways of communication.

In one aspect of the present invention, a navigation controller system for retrieving control of a remotely controlled device includes:an onboard primary controller supportable on a remotely controlled device and adapted to control operation of the remotely controlled device;a base controller adapted to communicate with the onboard primary controller by a first mode of communications to provide instructions by which the onboard primary controller is to control and operate the remotely controlled device; andan auxiliary controller module supportable on the remotely controlled device either separately from or integrated into the onboard primary controller and adapted to communicate with the base controller by a second mode of communications not the same as the first mode of communications between the onboard primary controller and the base controller so that the auxiliary controller module acts as a backup to take over control in place of the onboard primary controller when rendered non-responsive to communications from the base controller.

In another aspect of the present invention, the first mode of communications between the base controller and the onboard primary controller is one of radio frequency signals and cellular signals and the second mode of communications between the base controller and the auxiliary controller module is the other of radio frequency signals and cellular signals.

In another aspect of the present invention, the second mode of communications between the auxiliary controller module and the base controller utilizes a coded short message service messaging embodying a predetermined specific code that activates the auxiliary controller module to disconnect, disable, or take over control from the onboard primary controller in response to receipt of the specific code.

In another aspect of the present invention, an auxiliary controller module includes:a global system for mobile communications (GSM) module;a global positioning system (GPS) receiver;a communications transmitter/receiver; anda processor unit and power supply for enabling operation of the GSM module, GPS receiver and communications transmitter/receiver.

In another aspect of the present invention, the GSM module operates in accordance with a set of GSM standards for receiving a mode of communication utilizing a subscriber identity module (SIM) card and a short message service (SMS) messaging that communicates with and receives a text message.

In another aspect of the present invention, the text message embodies a predetermined specific code, preceded by a predetermined authentication code that activates the auxiliary controller module to take over control from an onboard primary controller in response to receipt of the specific code and authentication code.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for retrieving control of a remotely controlled device includes:determining at a base controller that an onboard primary controller on a remotely controlled device is not responding to a first mode of communication between the base controller and onboard primary controller;sending instructions from the base controller to an auxiliary controller module on the remotely controlled device using a second mode of communications different from the first mode of communications and directing the auxiliary controller module to cut off the onboard primary controller from control of the remotely controlled device and take over control of the remotely controlled device and follow the instructions to take further actions concerning the remotely controlled device; andrestoring full control of the remotely controlled device to the onboard primary controller once the first mode of communications between base controller and onboard primary controller are restored.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, there is illustrated a prior art exemplary embodiment of a remotely controlled device, generally designated100, in the form of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) commonly known as a drone. It should be understood that the remotely controlled device100may be a different form of remotely controlled vehicle, such as an automobile. When in the form of a drone, the remotely controlled device100typically includes an airframe body102having a plurality of outward projecting rotor arms104and a plurality of downward projecting legs106. The legs106support landing the remotely controlled device100in an upright horizontal orientation. At their outer ends, the rotor arms104mount motors108drivingly coupled to rotors110disposed above the motors and outer end of the rotor arms. The airframe body102also may support a camera112.

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is illustrated a navigation controller system114, and the components thereof, for retrieving control of the remotely controlled device100in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The navigation controller system114generally includes a remote unit in the form of an onboard primary controller116that incorporates the components shown inFIG. 3, a base controller118that incorporates the components shown inFIG. 4, and an auxiliary controller module120that incorporates the components shown inFIG. 5.

Referring toFIG. 3, there is illustrated the onboard primary controller116of the navigation controller system114. The onboard primary controller116is supported on the airframe body102of the remotely controlled device100. The onboard primary controller116may include a control computer122, a communications module124, a power supply126, and flight stabilizing sensors128and actuators130. The communications module124may include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver132for determining coordinates of the location of the remotely controlled device and a communications receiver/transmitter134utilizing a predetermined first mode of communications for communicating with the base controller118. The onboard primary controller116is adapted to control, for example, operation of the motors108, and thus the rotors110, and also operation of the camera112, in controlling the operation of the remotely controlled device100.

Referring now toFIG. 4, there is illustrated the base controller118of the navigation controller system114. The base controller118may be portable, typically adapted to be held by or in the possession of a user operator. The base controller118may have a processor unit136, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver138for determining coordinates of the location of the base controller, a memory unit140connected to the processor unit136, a communications transmitter/receiver142utilizing the predetermined first mode of communications for communicating with the onboard primary controller116, a power supply144, and a user interface146. The base controller118may be a portable cellular phone, such as an iPhone® or a Blackberry® mobile device, a laptop computer or other portable electronic device. The predetermined first mode of communications the onboard primary controller116and base controller118use to communicate with each other may be, for example, RF signals, although alternatively may be Bluetooth, cellular etc., signals, to provide instructions by which to control and operate the remotely controlled device100. The control operations performed by the onboard primary controller116and the base controller118are conventionally well-known, such as by way of example presented in the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,294. The disclosure of this patent is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Referring toFIG. 5, there is illustrated the auxiliary controller module120of the navigation controller system114, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The auxiliary controller module120may include a GPS receiver148for determining coordinates of the location of the auxiliary controller module, a global system for mobile communications (GSM) module150, a communications transmitter/receiver152, and a processor unit154and a power supply156for enabling operation of the communications transmitter/receiver, GPS receiver, and GSM module. As an added safety feature, the power supply156equipped on to auxiliary controller module120is able to provide power to the aforementioned equipment even when the primary power supply126to the onboard primary controller116has dwindled. The auxiliary controller module120may be either separately retrofitted on the remotely controlled device100or integrated into its onboard primary controller116. The auxiliary controller module120operates in accordance with GSM standards. It does not communicate with the base controller118using the same mode of communications signals as does the onboard primary controller116, but by an alternate way in the form of a predetermined second mode of communications to send instructions, such cellular signals as coded short message service (SMS) messaging, or mobile phone call using 3G/4G./LTE systems, from the base controller. It is contemplated that the first and second modes of communications may be reversed such that, for example, communications between the onboard primary controller116and base controller118may be by cellular signal mode while communications between the base controller118and auxiliary controller module120may be by RF signal mode.

The portable cellular phone of the base controller118, via its own GSM module, using a subscriber identity module (SIM) card and employing the short message service (SMS), may communicate with and send a text message embodying a predetermined specific (such as an alphanumeric) code to the GSM module150of the auxiliary controller module120. The auxiliary controller module120remains dormant till the authentication code and specific code, known only by the operator of the base controller118and by the auxiliary controller module120on the remotely controlled device100, is sent by the base controller to the auxiliary controller module. In the event the operator notices that the ability of the onboard primary controller116to communicate via RF signals, for example, with the base controller118fails for whatever reason, the auxiliary controller module120may be activated by receipt of the specific code communicated via non-RF signals from the operator of the base controller118to the auxiliary controller module. The authentication and specific code may be sent merely by a simple push of a button by the operator of the base controller. Thus the auxiliary controller module120thus acts as a backup and disconnects, disables or otherwise takes over control in place of the onboard primary controller116in response to receipt of the authentication and specific code. Even if the onboard primary controller116does not fail, such as when the operator realizes the remotely controlled device100is hijacked, lost or otherwise not responding to the primary RF controls, the auxiliary controller module120responds to receipt of the authentication and specific code by cutting off further control from the onboard primary controller and forces the remotely controlled device to comply with a new set of pre-programmed, on-the-fly instructions (or commands) in order to safely retrieve the remotely controlled device, or at the very least, send out the location of the device to the operator of the base controller118.

Referring toFIG. 6, there is illustrated a flow diagram, generally designated160, of an exemplary embodiment of a method of retrieving control of a remotely controlled device100in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As per initial step162, the operator of the base controller118determines that the onboard primary controller116is not responding. As per next step164, the operator directs the base controller118to send alternate instructions (or commands) via coded SMS messages that includes an authentication code to the auxiliary controller module120on the remotely controlled device100to cut off the onboard primary controller116and disconnect, disable or otherwise take over control of the remotely controlled device from the onboard primary controller116. As per next step166, the instructions (or commands) via the coded SMS messages also indicate one or more of several possible alternative actions that the auxiliary controller module120is to take, as follows: (A1) the remotely controlled device100is to return to base; (A2) the remotely controlled device100is to go to a specific location specified in the coded SMS; (A3) the auxiliary controller module120is to send current coordinates of the remotely controlled device100to the base controller118(and/or to other specified recipients); (A4) the auxiliary controller module120is to track the path of the remotely controlled device100and send the path information to the base controller118(and/or to other specified recipients); (A5) the auxiliary controller module120is to provide the coordinates of the current location and/or location history of the remotely controlled device100to the base controller118; and/or (A6) any other command from the base controller (such as in an extreme case, an instruction, or command, that the remotely controlled device100self-destruct). As per final step168, the onboard primary controller116may be restored to full control of the remotely controlled device100should the operator determine that the onboard primary controller116is out of jamming range and now capable of responding and resuming such control. The auxiliary controller module120is not intended to be used to control the remotely controlled device100full-time; instead, it is specifically designed to be used as a failsafe device when normal control has failed.

The auxiliary controller module120may be implemented as a standalone device or an integrated device according to different shapes, sizes and styles desired by users. It is perceived that the dimensions may be as small within the range of about 2.5 cm-5 cm×2.5 cm-4 cm×1 cm. With regard to either standalone or integrated options, end users, either companies or individuals, who are currently or planning to use remotely controlled devices100may wish to protect their investment by being able to have an alternative means of communicating with their remotely controlled devices (e.g. a phone app). Also, law enforcement may also find use for the auxiliary controller module120to provide the failsafe option as illegal in most jurisdictions to jam or block communication signals. If the remotely controlled device100is stolen, or lost, the user who has deployed the auxiliary controller module120, as heretofore described, may access it via SMS and receive a real-time location or set off a buzzer to alert local authorities. In another implementation, the contingency auxiliary controller module120may also be outfitted with an audio output component, such as a auditory device (e.g. a speaker), which can send out various noises like ones that mimic an eagle, etc., to protect the remotely controlled device100against an attack by another bird of prey.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.