INCREASING AWARENESS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION FOR AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for increasing awareness of an environmental condition for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for a UAV includes an environmental awareness controller utilizing data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV. In this embodiment, the environmental awareness controller also updates environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location and provides the updated environmental condition information to a device associated with second UAV.

BACKGROUND

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a term used to describe an aircraft with no pilot on-board the aircraft. The use of UAVs is growing in an unprecedented rate, and it is envisioned that UAVs will become commonly used for package delivery and passenger air taxis. However, as UAVs become more prevalent in the airspace, there is a need to regulate air traffic and ensure the safe navigation of the UAVs.

The Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) is an initiative sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enable multiple beyond visual line-of-sight drone operations at low altitudes (under (400) feet above ground level (AGL) in airspace where FAA air traffic services are not provided. However, a framework that extends beyond the (400) feet AGL limit is needed. For example, unmanned aircraft that would be used by package delivery services and air taxis may need to travel at altitudes above (400) feet. Such a framework requires technology that will allow the FAA to safely regulate unmanned aircraft.

SUMMARY

Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for increasing awareness of an environmental condition for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for a UAV includes an environmental awareness controller utilizing data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV. In this embodiment, the environmental awareness controller also updates environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location and provides the updated environmental condition information to a device associated with a second UAV.

In another embodiment, a method of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for a UAV includes an environmental awareness controller receiving from a device associated with a first UAV, a request for environmental condition information for a location. In this embodiment, the environmental awareness controller retrieves the environmental condition information from a repository of environmental condition information that indicates environmental conditions detected based on data associated with one or more other UAVs. According to this embodiment, the environmental awareness controller also provides the environmental condition information to the device associated with the first UAV.

As will be explained below, understanding the environmental conditions that a UAV may experience during a mission is important and, in some cases, may be pivotal in determining the success or failure of the mission. While land and space-based systems may provide useful information in this regard, the sensor data from UAVs operating in an area may be more accurate, precise, and relevant in preparing environmental condition information for another UAV operator or controller. By using this sensor data from one UAV to inform another operator, user, or device controlling another UAV, the environmental awareness of that second UAV operator, user, or device is improved and thus the chances of that second UAV successfully completing a mission is improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. In the description, common features are designated by common reference numbers throughout the drawings. As used herein, various terminology is used for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It may be further understood that the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” may be used interchangeably with “include,” “includes,” or “including.” Additionally, it will be understood that the term “wherein” may be used interchangeably with “where.” As used herein, “exemplary” may indicate an example, an implementation, and/or an aspect, and should not be construed as limiting or as indicating a preference or a preferred implementation. As used herein, an ordinal term (e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.) used to modify an element, such as a structure, a component, an operation, etc., does not by itself indicate any priority or order of the element with respect to another element, but rather merely distinguishes the element from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term). As used herein, the term “set” refers to a grouping of one or more elements, and the term “plurality” refers to multiple elements.

In the present disclosure, terms such as “determining,” “calculating,” “estimating,” “shifting,” “adjusting,” etc. may be used to describe how one or more operations are performed. It should be noted that such terms are not to be construed as limiting and other techniques may be utilized to perform similar operations. Additionally, as referred to herein, “generating,” “calculating,” “estimating,” “using,” “selecting,” “accessing,” and “determining” may be used interchangeably. For example, “generating,” “calculating,” “estimating,” or “determining” a parameter (or a signal) may refer to actively generating, estimating, calculating, or determining the parameter (or the signal) or may refer to using, selecting, or accessing the parameter (or signal) that is already generated, such as by another component or device.

As used herein, “coupled” may include “communicatively coupled,” “electrically coupled,” or “physically coupled,” and may also (or alternatively) include any combinations thereof. Two devices (or components) may be coupled (e.g., communicatively coupled, electrically coupled, or physically coupled) directly or indirectly via one or more other devices, components, wires, buses, networks (e.g., a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination thereof), etc. Two devices (or components) that are electrically coupled may be included in the same device or in different devices and may be connected via electronics, one or more connectors, or inductive coupling, as illustrative, non-limiting examples. In some implementations, two devices (or components) that are communicatively coupled, such as in electrical communication, may send and receive electrical signals (digital signals or analog signals) directly or indirectly, such as via one or more wires, buses, networks, etc. As used herein, “directly coupled” may include two devices that are coupled (e.g., communicatively coupled, electrically coupled, or physically coupled) without intervening components.

Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and computer program products of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for a UAV in accordance with the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, beginning withFIG.1.FIG.1sets forth a diagram of a system100configured of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for a UAV according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The system100ofFIG.1includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)102, a user device120, a server140, a distributed computing network151, an air traffic data server160, a weather data server170, a regulatory data server180, and a topographic data server190.

A UAV, commonly known as a drone, is a type of powered aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator and uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which typically include at least a UAV, a control device, and a system of communications between the two. The flight of a UAV may operate with various levels of autonomy including under remote control by a human operator or autonomously by onboard or ground computers. Although a UAV may not include a human operator pilot, some UAVs, such as passenger drones (drone taxi, flying taxi, or pilotless helicopter) carry human passengers.

For ease of illustration, the UAV102is illustrated as one type of drone. However, any type of UAV may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure and unless otherwise noted, any reference to a UAV in this application is meant to encompass all types of UAVs. Readers of skill in the art will realize that the type of drone that is selected for a particular mission or excursion may depend on many factors, including but not limited to the type of payload that the UAV is required to carry, the distance that the UAV must travel to complete its assignment, and the types of terrain and obstacles that are anticipated during the assignment.

InFIG.1, the UAV102includes a processor104coupled to a memory106, a camera112, positioning circuitry114, and communication circuitry116. The communication circuitry116includes a transmitter and a receiver or a combination thereof (e.g., a transceiver). In a particular implementation, the communication circuitry116(or the processor104) is configured to encrypt outgoing message(s) using a private key associated with the UAV102and to decrypt incoming message(s) using a public key of a device (e.g., the user device120or the server140that sent the incoming message(s). As will be explained further below, the outgoing and incoming messages may be transaction messages that include information associated with the UAV. Thus, in this implementation, communications between the UAV102, the user device120, and the server140are secure and trustworthy (e.g., authenticated).

The camera112is configured to capture image(s), video, or both, and can be used as part of a computer vision system. For example, the camera112may capture images or video and provide the video or images to a pilot of the UAV102to aid with navigation. Additionally, or alternatively, the camera112may be configured to capture images or video to be used by the processor104during performance of one or more operations, such as a landing operation, a takeoff operation, or object/collision avoidance, as non-limiting examples. Although a single camera112is shown inFIG.1, in alternative implementations more and/or different sensors may be used (e.g., infrared, LIDAR, SONAR, etc.).

The positioning circuitry114is configured to determine a position of the UAV102before, during, and/or after flight. For example, the positioning circuitry114may include a global positioning system (GPS) interface or sensor that determines GPS coordinates of the UAV102. The positioning circuitry114may also include gyroscope(s), accelerometer(s), pressure sensor(s), other sensors, or a combination thereof, that may be used to determine the position of the UAV102.

The processor104is configured to execute instructions stored in and retrieved from the memory106to perform various operations. For example, the instructions include operation instructions108that include instructions or code that cause the UAV102to perform flight control operations. The flight control operations may include any operations associated with causing the UAV to fly from an origin to a destination. For example, the flight control operations may include operations to cause the UAV to fly along a designated route (e.g., based on route information110, as further described herein), to perform operations based on control data received from one or more control devices, to take off, land, hover, change altitude, change pitch/yaw/roll angles, or any other flight-related operations. The UAV102may include one or more actuators, such as one or more flight control actuators, one or more thrust actuators, etc., and execution of the operation instructions108may cause the processor104to control the one or more actuators to perform the flight control operations. The one or more actuators may include one or more electrical actuators, one or more magnetic actuators, one or more hydraulic actuators, one or more pneumatic actuators, one or more other actuators, or a combination thereof.

The route information110may indicate a flight path for the UAV102to follow. For example, the route information110may specify a starting point (e.g., an origin) and an ending point (e.g., a destination) for the UAV102. Additionally, the route information may also indicate a plurality of waypoints, zones, areas, regions between the starting point and the ending point.

The route information110may also indicate a corresponding set of control devices for various points, zones, regions, areas of the flight path. The indicated sets of control devices may be associated with a pilot (and optionally one or more backup pilots) assigned to have control over the UAV102while the UAV102is in each zone. The route information110may also indicate time periods during which the UAV is scheduled to be in each of the zones (and thus time periods assigned to each pilot or set of pilots).

The memory106of the UAV102may also include communication instructions111that when executed by the processor104cause the processor104to transmit to the distributed computing network151, transaction messages that include telemetry data107. Telemetry data may include any information that could be useful to identifying the location of the UAV, the operating parameters of the UAV, or the status of the UAV. Examples of telemetry data include but are not limited to GPS coordinates, instrument readings (e.g., airspeed, altitude, altimeter, turn, heading, vertical speed, attitude, turn and slip), and operational readings (e.g., pressure gauge, fuel gauge, battery level).

In the example ofFIG.1, the memory106of the UAV102further includes at least one UAV software module103. The UAV software module103is defined as a group of computer executable code that, when executed by a processor, enables at least one specialized functionality of a UAV that may not normally be present on the UAV. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG.1, the camera112may normally be configured to take pictures. The UAV software module103may be executed by processor104to enable additional functionality of the camera112, such as object detection or tracking. The UAV software module103may work in conjunction with the existing hardware of the UAV102, such as shown inFIG.1, or in other examples, the UAV software module103may work in conjunction with optional hardware. For example, a UAV software module103may work in combination with a sensor not normally present on the UAV102. In such examples, adding the sensor to the UAV102may only be enabled once the appropriate software module is enabled. Likewise, the UAV software module103may not be functional unless the additional sensor is present on the UAV103. Examples of functionality that may be enabled by a software module include, but are not limited to, object detection, automated flight patterns, object tracking, object counting, or responses to object detection.

The user device120includes a processor122coupled to a memory124, a display device132, and communication circuitry134. The display device132may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a touch screen, another type of display device, or a combination thereof. The communication circuitry134includes a transmitter and a receiver or a combination thereof (e.g., a transceiver). In a particular implementation, the communication circuitry134(or the processor122is configured to encrypt outgoing message(s) using a private key associated with the user device120and to decrypt incoming message(s) using a public key of a device (e.g., the UAV102or the server140that sent the incoming message(s). Thus, in this implementation, communication between the UAV102, the user device120, and the server140are secure and trustworthy (e.g., authenticated).

The processor122is configured to execute instructions from the memory124to perform various operations. The instructions include control instructions130that include instructions or code that cause the user device120to generate control data to transmit to the UAV102to enable the user device120to control one or more operations of the UAV102during a particular time period, as further described herein.

In the example ofFIG.1, the memory124of the user device120also includes communication instructions131that when executed by the processor122cause the processor122to transmit to the distributed computing network151, messages that include control instructions130that are directed to the UAV102. In a particular embodiment, the transaction messages are also transmitted to the UAV and the UAV takes action (e.g., adjusting flight operations), based on the information (e.g., control data) in the message.

In addition, the memory124of the user device120may also include an environmental awareness controller139. In a particular embodiment, the environmental awareness controller139includes computer program instructions that when executed by the processor122cause the processor122to carry out the operations of utilizing data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV; updating environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location; and providing the updated environmental condition information to a second UAV. In another embodiment, the environmental awareness controller139includes computer program instructions that when executed by the processor122cause the processor122to carry out the operations of receiving from a first UAV, a request for environmental condition information for a location; retrieving the environmental condition information from a repository of environmental condition information that indicates environmental conditions detected based on data associated with one or more other UAVs; and providing the environmental condition information to a device associated with the first UAV.

The server140includes a processor142coupled to a memory146, and communication circuitry144. The communication circuitry144includes a transmitter and a receiver or a combination thereof (e.g., a transceiver). In a particular implementation, the communication circuitry144(or the processor142is configured to encrypt outgoing message(s) using a private key associated with the server140and to decrypt incoming message(s) using a public key of a device (e.g., the UAV102or the user device120that sent the incoming message(s). As will be explained further below, the outgoing and incoming messages may be transaction messages that include information associated with the UAV. Thus, in this implementation, communication between the UAV102, the user device120, and the server140are secure and trustworthy (e.g., authenticated).

The processor142is configured to execute instructions from the memory146to perform various operations. The instructions include route instructions148comprising computer program instructions for aggregating data from disparate data servers, virtualizing the data in a map, generating a cost model for paths traversed in the map, and autonomously selecting the optimal route for the UAV based on the cost model. For example, the route instructions148are configured to partition a map of a region into geographic cells, calculate a cost for each geographic cell, wherein the cost is a sum of a plurality of weighted factors, determine a plurality of flight paths for the UAV from a first location on the map to a second location on the map, wherein each flight path traverses a set of geographic cells, determine a cost for each flight path based on the total cost of the set of geographic cells traversed, and select, in dependence upon the total cost of each flight path, an optimal flight path from the plurality of flight paths. The route instructions148are further configured to obtain data from one or more data servers regarding one or more geographic cells, calculate, in dependence upon the received data, an updated cost for each geographic cell traversed by a current flight path, calculate a cost for each geographic cell traversed by at least one alternative flight path from the first location to the second location, determine that at least one alternative flight path has a total cost that is less than the total cost of the current flight path, and select a new optimal flight path from the at least one alternative flight paths. The route instructions148may also include instructions for storing the parameters of the selected optimal flight path as route information110. For example, the route information may include waypoints marked by GPS coordinates, arrival times for waypoints, pilot assignments.

The instructions may also include control instructions150that include instructions or code that cause the server140to generate control data to transmit to the UAV102to enable the server140to control one or more operations of the UAV102during a particular time period, as further described herein.

In addition, the memory146of the server140may also include an environmental awareness controller145. In a particular embodiment, the environmental awareness controller145includes computer program instructions that when executed by the processor142cause the processor142to carry out the operations of utilizing data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV; updating environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location; and providing the updated environmental condition information to a second UAV. In another embodiment, the environmental awareness controller145includes computer program instructions that when executed by the processor122cause the processor142to carry out the operations of receiving from a first UAV, a request for environmental condition information for a location; retrieving the environmental condition information from a repository of environmental condition information that indicates environmental conditions detected based on data associated with one or more other UAVs; and providing the environmental condition information to a device associated with the first UAV.

In the example ofFIG.1, the memory146of the server140also includes communication instructions147that when executed by the processor142cause the processor142to transmit to the distributed computing network151, transaction messages that include control instructions150that are directed to the UAV102.

The distributed computing network151ofFIG.1includes a plurality of computers. An example computer158of the plurality of computers is shown and includes a processor152coupled to a memory154, and communication circuitry153. The communication circuitry153includes a transmitter and a receiver or a combination thereof (e.g., a transceiver). In a particular implementation, the communication circuitry153(or the processor152is configured to encrypt outgoing message(s) using a private key associated with the computer158and to decrypt incoming message(s) using a public key of a device (e.g., the UAV102, the user device120, or the server140that sent the incoming message(s). As will be explained further below, the outgoing and incoming messages may be transaction messages that include information associated with the UAV102. Thus, in this implementation, communication between the UAV102, the user device120, the server140, and the distributed computing network151are secure and trustworthy (e.g., authenticated).

The processor152is configured to execute instructions from the memory154to perform various operations. The memory154includes a blockchain manager155that includes computer program instructions for utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle for emergency response. Specifically, the blockchain manager155includes computer program instructions that when executed by the processor152cause the processor152to receive a transaction message associated with a UAV. For example, the blockchain manager may receive transaction messages from the UAV102, the user device120, or the server140. The blockchain manager155also includes computer program instructions that when executed by the processor152cause the processor152to use the information within the transaction message to create a block of data; and store the created block of data in a blockchain data structure156associated with the UAV102.

The blockchain manager may also include instructions for accessing information regarding an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the blockchain manager155also includes computer program instructions that when executed by the processor152cause the processor to receive from a device, a request for information regarding the UAV; in response to receiving the request, retrieve from a blockchain data structure associated with the UAV, data associated with the information requested; and based on the retrieved data, respond to the device.

The UAV102, the user device120, and the server140are communicatively coupled via a network118. For example, the network118may include a satellite network or another type of network that enables wireless communication between the UAV102, the user device120, the server140, and the distributed computing network151. In an alternative implementation, the user device120and the server140communicate with the UAV102via separate networks (e.g., separate short-range networks.

In some situations, minimal (or no) manual control of the UAV102may be performed, and the UAV102may travel from the origin to the destination without incident. In some examples, a UAV software module may enable the minimal (or no) manual control operation of the UAV102. However, in some situations, one or more pilots may control the UAV102during a time period, such as to perform object avoidance or to compensate for an improper UAV operation. In some situations, the UAV102may be temporarily stopped, such as during an emergency condition, for recharging, for refueling, to avoid adverse weather conditions, responsive to one or more status indicators from the UAV102, etc. In some implementations, due to the unscheduled stop, the route information110may be updated (e.g., via a subsequent blockchain entry, as further described herein) by route instructions148executing on the UAV102, the user device120, or the server140). The updated route information may include updated waypoints, updated time periods, and updated pilot assignments.

In a particular implementation, the route information is exchanged using a blockchain data structure. The blockchain data structure may be shared in a distributed manner across a plurality of devices of the system100, such as the UAV102, the user device120, the server140, and any other control devices or UAVs in the system100. In a particular implementation, each of the devices of the system100stores an instance of the blockchain data structure in a local memory of the respective device. In other implementations, each of the devices of the system100stores a portion of the shared blockchain data structure and each portion is replicated across multiple devices of the system100in a manner that maintains security of the shared blockchain data structure as a public (i.e., available to other devices) and incorruptible (or tamper evident) ledger. Alternatively, as inFIG.1, the blockchain data structure156is stored in a distributed manner in the distributed computing network151.

The blockchain data structure156may include, among other things, route information associated with the UAV102, the telemetry data107, the control instructions130, and the route instructions148. For example, the route information110may be used to generate blocks of the blockchain data structure156. A sample blockchain data structure300is illustrated inFIGS.3A-3C. Each block of the blockchain data structure300includes block data and other data, such as availability data, route data, telemetry data, service information, incident reports, etc.

The block data of each block includes information that identifies the block (e.g., a block ID) and enables the devices of the system100to confirm the integrity of the blockchain data structure300. For example, the block data also includes a timestamp and a previous block hash. The timestamp indicates a time that the block was created. The block ID may include or correspond to a result of a hash function (e.g., a SHA(256) hash function, a RIPEMD hash function, etc.) based on the other information (e.g., the availability data or the route data) in the block and the previous block hash (e.g., the block ID of the previous block). For example, inFIG.3A, the blockchain data structure300includes an initial block (Bk_0)302and several subsequent blocks, including a block Bk_1304, a block Bk_2306, a block BK_3307, a block BK_4308, a block BK_5309, and a block Bk_n310. The initial block Bk_0302includes an initial set of availability data or route data, a timestamp, and a hash value (e.g., a block ID) based on the initial set of availability data or route data. As shown inFIG.1, the block Bk_1304also may include a hash value based on the other data of the block Bk_1304and the previous hash value from the initial block Bk_0302. Similarly, the block Bk_2306other data and a hash value based on the other data of the block Bk_2306and the previous hash value from the block Bk_1304. The block Bk_n310includes other data and a hash value based on the other data of the block Bk_n310and the hash value from the immediately prior block (e.g., a block Bk_n−1). This chained arrangement of hash values enables each block to be validated with respect to the entire blockchain; thus, tampering with or modifying values in any block of the blockchain is evident by calculating and verifying the hash value of the final block in the block chain. Accordingly, the blockchain acts as a tamper-evident public ledger of availability data and route data for the system100.

In addition to the block data, each block of the blockchain data structure300includes some information associated with a UAV (e.g., availability data, route information, telemetry data, incident reports, updated route information, maintenance records, UAV software modules in use, etc.). For example, the block Bk_1304includes availability data that includes a user ID (e.g., an identifier of the mobile device, or the pilot, that generated the availability data), a zone (e.g., a zone at which the pilot will be available), and an availability time (e.g., a time period the pilot is available at the zone to pilot a UAV). As another example, the block Bk_2306includes route information that includes a UAV ID, a start point, an end point, waypoints, GPS coordinates, zone markings, time periods, primary pilot assignments, and backup pilot assignments for each zone associated with the route.

In the example ofFIG.3B, the block BK_3307includes telemetry data, such as a user ID (e.g., an identifier of the UAV that generated the telemetry data), a battery level of the UAV; a GPS position of the UAV; and an altimeter reading. As explained inFIG.1, a UAV may include many types of information within the telemetry data that is transmitted to the blockchain managers of the computers within the distributed computing network151. In a particular embodiment, the UAV is configured to periodically broadcast to the network118, a transaction message that includes the UAV's current telemetry data. The blockchain managers of the distributed computing network receive the transaction message containing the telemetry data and store the telemetry data within the blockchain data structure156.

FIG.3Balso depicts the block BK_4308as including updated route information having a start point, an endpoint, and a plurality of zone times and backups, along with a UAV ID. In a particular embodiment, the user device120or the server140may determine that the route of the UAV should be changed. For example, the control device or the server may detect that the route of the UAV conflicts with a route of another UAV or a developing weather pattern. As another example, the control device or the server many determine that the priority level or concerns of the user have changed and thus the route needs to be changed. In such instances, the control device or the server may transmit to the UAV, updated route information, control data, or navigation information. Transmitting the updated route information, control data, or navigation information to the UAV may include broadcasting a transaction message that includes the updated route information, control data, or navigation information to the network118. The blockchain manager155in the distributed computing network151, retrieves the transaction message from the network118and stores the information within the transaction message in the blockchain data structure156.

FIG.3Cdepicts the block BK_5309as including data describing an incident report. In the example ofFIG.3C, the incident report includes a user ID; a warning message; a GPS position; and an altimeter reading. In a particular embodiment, a UAV may transmit a transaction message that includes an incident report in response to the UAV experiencing an incident. For example, if during a flight mission, one of the UAV's propellers failed, a warning message describing the problem may be generated and transmitted as a transaction message.

FIG.3Calso depicts the block BK_n310that includes a maintenance record having a user ID of the service provider that serviced the UAV; flight hours that the UAV had flown when the service was performed; the service ID that indicates the type of service that was performed; and the location that the service was performed. UAV must be serviced periodically. When the UAV is serviced, the service provider may broadcast to the blockchain managers in the distributed computing network, a transaction message that includes service information, such as a maintenance record. Blockchain managers may receive the messages that include the maintenance record and store the information in the blockchain data structure. By storing the maintenance record in the blockchain data structure, a digital and immutable record or logbook of the UAV may be created. This type of record or logbook may be particularly useful to a regulatory agency and an owner/operator of the UAV.

Referring back toFIG.1, in a particular embodiment, the server140may include a UAV software module that is configured to receive telemetry information from an airborne UAV and track the UAV's progress and status. The server140is also configured to transmit in-flight commands to the UAV102. Operation of the user device120and the server140may be carried out by some combination of a human operator and autonomous software (e.g., artificial intelligence (AI) software that is able to perform some or all of the operational functions of a typical human operator pilot).

In a particular embodiment, the route instructions148cause the server140to plan a flight path, generate route information, dynamically reroute the flight path and update the route information based on data aggregated from a plurality of data servers. For example, the server140may receive air traffic data167over the network119from the air traffic data server160, weather data177from the weather data server170, regulatory data187from the regulatory data server180, and topographical data197from the topographic data server190. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that other data servers useful in-flight path planning of a UAV may also provide data to the server140over the network118or through direct communication with the server140. Additionally, communication with each data server may be enabled through the use of a UAV software module as described herein.

The air traffic data server160may include a processor162, memory164, and communication circuitry168. The memory164of the air traffic data server160may include operating instructions166that when executed by the processor162cause the processor to provide the air traffic data167about the flight paths of other aircraft in a region, including those of other UAVs. The air traffic data may also include real-time radar data indicating the positions of other aircraft, including other UAVs, in the immediate vicinity or in the flight path of a particular UAV. Air traffic data servers may be, for example, radar stations, airport air traffic control systems, the FAA, UAV control systems, and so on.

The weather data server170may include a processor172, memory174, and communication circuitry178. The memory174of the weather data server170may include operating instructions176that when executed by the processor172cause the processor to provide the weather data177that indicates information about atmospheric conditions along the UAV's flight path, such as temperature, wind, precipitation, lightening, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and so on. Weather data servers may be, for example, the National Weather Service (NWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), local meteorologists, radar stations, other aircraft, and so on.

The regulatory data server180may include a processor182, memory184, and communication circuitry188. The memory184of the weather data server170may include operating instructions186that when executed by the processor182cause the processor to provide the regulatory data187that indicates information about laws and regulations governing a particular region of airspace, such as airspace restrictions, municipal and state laws and regulations, permanent and temporary no-fly zones, and so on. Regulatory data servers may include, for example, the FAA, state and local governments, the Department of Defense, and so on.

The topographic data server190may include a processor192, memory194, and communication circuitry198. The memory194of the topographic data server190may include operating instructions196that when executed by the processor192cause the processor to provide the topographical data that indicates information about terrain, places, structures, transportation, boundaries, hydrography, ortho-imagery, land cover, elevation, and so on. Topographic data may be embodied in, for example, digital elevation model data, digital line graphs, and digital raster graphics. Topographic data servers may include, for example, the United States Geological Survey or other geographic information systems (GISs).

In some embodiments, the server140may aggregate data from the data servers160,170,180,190using application program interfaces (APIs), syndicated feeds and eXtensible Markup Language (XML), natural language processing, JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) servers, or combinations thereof. Updated data may be pushed to the server140or may be pulled on-demand by the server140. Notably, the FAA may be an important data server for both airspace data concerning flight paths and congestion as well as an important data server for regulatory data such as permanent and temporary airspace restrictions. For example, the FAA provides the Aeronautical Data Delivery Service (ADDS), the Aeronautical Product Release API (APRA), System Wide Information Management (SWIM), Special Use Airspace information, and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) information, among other data. The National Weather Service (NWS) API allows access to forecasts, alerts, and observations, along with other weather data. The USGS Seamless Server provides geospatial data layers regarding places, structures, transportation, boundaries, hydrography, ortho-imagery, land cover, and elevation. Readers of skill in the art will appreciate that various governmental and non-governmental entities may act as data servers and provide access to that data using APIs, JSON, XML, and other data formats.

Readers of skill in the art will realize that the server140can communicate with a UAV102using a variety of methods. For example, the UAV102may transmit and receive data using Cellular, 5G, Sub1 GHz, SigFox, WiFi networks, or any other communication means that would occur to one of skill in the art.

The network119may comprise one or more Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), cellular networks, satellite networks, internets, intranets, or other networks and combinations thereof. The network119may comprise one or more wired connections, wireless connections, or combinations thereof.

The arrangement of servers and other devices making up the exemplary system illustrated inFIG.1are for explanation, not for limitation. Data processing systems useful according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include additional servers, routers, other devices, and peer-to-peer architectures, not shown inFIG.1, as will occur to those of skill in the art. Networks in such data processing systems may support many data communications protocols, including for example TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), IP (Internet Protocol), HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), and others as will occur to those of skill in the art. Various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented on a variety of hardware platforms in addition to those illustrated inFIG.1.

For further explanation,FIG.2sets forth a block diagram illustrating another implementation of a system200of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Specifically, the system200ofFIG.2shows an alternative configuration in which one or both of the UAV102and the server140may include route instructions148for generating route information. In this example, instead of relying on a server140to generate the route information, the UAV102and the user device120may retrieve and aggregate the information from the various data sources (e.g., the air traffic data server160, the weather data server170, the regulatory data server180, and the topographical data server190). As explained inFIG.1, the route instructions may be configured to use the aggregated information from the various source to plan and select a flight path for the UAV102.

For further explanation,FIG.4sets forth a block diagram illustrating a particular implementation of a system400for updating airspace awareness for unmanned aerial vehicles according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The system400includes the first UAV402, a second UAV403, a third UAV405, which may be similarly configured to the UAV102ofFIG.1andFIG.2. The system400also includes a control device420may be similarly configured to the user device120ofFIG.1andFIG.2. The system400also includes a map server440that may be implemented by the server140ofFIG.1or by another computing device communicating with the UAVs402,403,405and/or the control device420. When the map server440is another computing device not depicted inFIG.1orFIG.2, the map server may also include a processor442coupled to communication circuitry444and a memory446. The memory446may include operating instructions448that are configured to transmit map data449via the communication circuitry444to the UAVs402,403,405and/or the control device420. In some examples, the map data449includes data related to an environmental awareness map. The memory may also include control instructions450that include instructions or code that cause the server440to generate control data to transmit to one or more UAVs402,403,405to enable the server440to control one or more operations of the UAV during a particular time period. The memory446may also include an environmental awareness controller480implemented by computer executable instructions that cause processor442to carry out the operations: utilizing data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV; updating environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location; and providing the updated environmental condition information to a second UAV. In another embodiment, the environmental awareness controller includes computer program instructions that when executed by the processor442cause the processor442to carry out the operations of receiving from a device associated with a first UAV, a request for environmental condition information for a location; retrieving the environmental condition information from a repository of environmental condition information that indicates environmental conditions detected based on data associated with one or more other UAVs; and providing the environmental condition information to the device associated with the first UAV.

The map server440maintains an environmental awareness map database490. In some examples, the environmental awareness map database490includes indications of particular locations that should be avoided by a UAV because they are locations where UAV flight would, for example, pose a risk to the UAV. While in some examples the map database490identifies the location with a tag indicating the location that should be avoided in a UAV flight path, in other examples the map database490may also include a tag of an environmental condition at the location that is to be avoided. For example, the tag may include the type of environmental condition or other details about the environmental condition.

In some implementations, the map server440acts as a central repository for the environmental awareness map database490and modifications to it. In these implementations, the server440provides environmental awareness map data449to the UAVs402,403,405and the control device420for route planning, navigation, and UAV missions. Accordingly, the memory the UAVs402,403,405or the memory of the control device420may include a local copy of an environmental awareness map generated from airspace awareness map data449. The UAVs402,403,405or the control device420may load an environmental awareness map relevant to the intended flight path of the UAV from the map server440during prior to initiating a mission. The UAVs402,403,405or the control device420may also load an environmental awareness map relevant to the current flight path of the UAV from the map server440on-demand while the UAV is in flight. In addition to route planning and navigation, the UAVs402,403,405and the control device420may load an environmental awareness map from the map sever440that includes tags and locations of environmental conditions that are relevant to the UAV's mission. The UAVs402,403,405or the control device420may also generate updates to the environmental awareness map database490that are provided to the map server440based on in-flight observations, and the server440may propagate updates received from one UAV to other UAVs.

In a particular embodiment, the UAVs402,403,405, the map server440, the control device420are coupled for communication to a network418. The network418may include a cellular network, a satellite network or another type of network that enables wireless communication between the UAVs402,403,405, the server440, the control device420. In an alternative implementation, the UAVs402,403,405, the server440, the control device420communicate with each other via separate networks (e.g., separate short range networks). While only one control device420is illustrated, it will be appreciated that each UAV402,403,405may be operated by a distinct control device or the same control device.

For further explanation,FIG.5sets forth a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. An environmental awareness controller501may include a set of computer program instructions that are executed by a processor. For example, the environmental awareness controller501ofFIG.5may be the environmental awareness controller139ofFIGS.1and2or the environmental awareness controller145ofFIG.1. The method ofFIG.5includes utilizing502, by the environmental awareness controller501, data550associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV. In a particular embodiment, the data550associated with a first UAV may be based on sensor data generated by the first UAV or based on sensor data generated by one or more other UAVs.

A UAV may be equipped with any number of sensors that are configured to each capture data regarding the location or environmental condition of the area in proximity to the UAV. Examples of sensors that may be equipped on a UAV include by are not limited to: gyroscopes; accelerometers; thermometers; inertial measurement sensors (magnetometer); barometers; GPS sensors; distance sensors (e.g., sensors based on radio detection and ranging; magnetic-field change sensing; sonar-pulse distance sensing (ultrasonic); time of flight (ToF) sensors (range imaging); light-pulse distance sensing (laser); SONAR, RADAR, and LIDAR); cameras; anemometers to measure wind speed and direction; heat detection devices (e.g., infrared sensors, thermal imaging vision cameras, etc.); and chemical sensors for the detection of chemicals present in the environment.

An environmental condition is an indication of a condition of the environment. An environment condition may include detections, measurements, and indications of conditions, occurrences, events, actions, and operations that are external to the one or more components of the UAV and may impact the operation of the UAV. Examples of environmental conditions include but are not limited to measurements, detections, or indications of weather conditions (e.g., measurements of pressure, wind speed, wind direction; detection and measurement of precipitation and moisture; detection of fog; detection of lightning strike); electromagnetic interferences, disruptions, or miscommunication (e.g., topography blocking signal; signal-jamming devices); detections of gases and chemicals; and detected disruptions to expected behavior of UAVs.

In a particular embodiment, utilizing502, by the environmental awareness controller501, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV may be carried out by the environmental awareness controller501collecting the data from one or more sensors of a UAV; utilizing sensor data from other instruments, sensors, devices, other UAVs, and data content servers (e.g., weather data server170ofFIG.1; topographical data server190ofFIG.1); generating one or more values to indicate, represent, and identify the environment condition (e.g., a wind speed value; a wind direction value; lightning strike value; chemical detected value); associating the measurements with a location (e.g., fog detected at this location; chemical gas detected at this location; precipitation detected at this location); and applying data analytics to identify, predict, and estimate the scope, size, extent, duration, other parameters associated with the environmental condition and additional environmental conditions.

The method ofFIG.5also includes updating504, by the environmental awareness controller501, environmental condition information552associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location. Environmental condition information is information that indicates information about an environmental condition at a particular location. In a particular embodiment, the environmental condition information is a data structure that indicates locations and for every location, any associated detected, indicated, or measured environmental conditions at the location. In some examples, the environmental condition information includes the location where the environmental condition was measured, detected, or identified and a tag associated with the location. For example, the tag may designate that the location is an area to avoid based on the type or identification of the environmental condition. In other examples, the tag may designate a level or rating for the environmental condition. The tag may also specify a requirement or recommendation of the type of hardware, software, or components of a UAV to fly through the location experiencing the environmental condition. As another example, the tag may specify a minimum level or rating of a UAV that is recommended for traveling through the location associated with the environmental condition.

Updating504, by the environmental awareness controller501, environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location may be carried out by determining whether the environmental condition information already includes data indicating the environmental condition; determining that the environmental condition information does not include the data indicating the environmental condition; and adding, changing, rewriting, overwriting or otherwise updating the environmental information to include the data indicating the environmental condition.

In addition, the method ofFIG.5also includes providing506, by the environmental awareness controller501, the updated environmental condition information554to a device590(e.g., a UAV; a user device; a control device, a server; a distributed computing network) associated with second UAV. Providing506, by the environmental awareness controller501, the updated environmental condition information to a device associated with second UAV may be carried out by transmitting an update to one or more UAV system components such as a UAV, a UAV control device, a UAV user device, a distributed computing network, a server, or a user device coupled to the UAV system (e.g., the UAV system100ofFIG.1). For example, the update may be transmitted in a transaction message. In some examples, providing506, by the environmental awareness controller501, the updated environmental condition information to a device associated with second UAV includes generating an alert containing an update to a UAV operator or other user, for example, via a device's user interface.

For further explanation,FIG.6sets forth a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method ofFIG.6is similar to the method ofFIG.5in that the method ofFIG.6also includes utilizing502, by the environmental awareness controller501, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV; updating504, by the environmental awareness controller501, environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location; and providing506, by the environmental awareness controller501, the updated environmental condition information to a device associated with second UAV.

In the method ofFIG.6, utilizing502, by the environmental awareness controller501, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV includes detecting602a deviation in an expected behavior of the first UAV.

A UAV may be configured to perform operations or may receive instructions or commands to perform operations. The result of the UAV performing those operations in accordance with the instructions, commands, or configuration is the expected behavior of the UAV. That is, the expected behavior of the UAV is the result of the UAV correctly performing operations in accordance with a command, instruction, or configuration. Examples of operations and the associated expected behavior include but are not limited to instructing the UAV to change directions (e.g., instructing the UAV to change the speed and angle of propellers) and the UAV changing directions; instructing the UAV to open or close payload doors and the UAV opening or closing the payload doors; instructing the UAV to lower hooks or landing gear and the UAV lowering the hooks or landing gear; instructing the UAV to turn navigation or running lights on/off and the navigation or running lights turning on/off; instructing the UAV to operate software and hardware components and sensors, such as cameras, GPS receivers, wireless transceivers, infrared scanners, and others as will occur to those of skill in the art, and the software and hardware components and sensors operating properly.

For example, a UAV may receive from a user device, a command to turn right. In this example, if the UAV performs the command, the expected behavior of the UAV is that the flight path of the UAV would turn right. Continuing with this example, after receiving the command to turn right, if the flight path of the UAV does not turn right and instead the UAV exhibits other behavior (e.g., the flight path continues straight; turns up, left, or down; or does not turn right to the degree expected), this other behavior represents a deviation in the expected behavior of the UAV. That is, a deviation in the expected behavior of the UAV is a behavior outcome that is different than the expected behavior outcome of the UAV executing or performing an operation or action in accordance with the instructions, commands, or configuration of the UAV.

As explained above, the expected behavior of the UAV may also include the correct operation of the hardware and software components of the UAV. For example, a UAV may be configured to perform the operation of turning on a GPS receiver to receive a GPS signal. In this example, if the UAV performs the operation, the expected behavior of the UAV is that the UAV receives a GPS signal at the receiver. Continuing with this example, if the UAV does not receive a GPS signal, the behavior outcome of ‘not receiving a signal’ is a deviation in the expected behavior of the UAV.

The environmental awareness controller may detect a deviation in an expected behavior of a UAV by receiving feedback or data from the UAV that indicates the deviation. For example, the UAV may provide to the environmental awareness controller, location information (e.g., GPS data, tracking data, coordinates, etc.) that indicates the UAV has turned to the right instead of the expected behavior of turning left. In another example, the UAV may provide to the environmental awareness controller an error message indicating that the payload door is open instead of the expected behavior of being closed. As another example, the UAV may provide to the environmental awareness controller a message or data indicating that the GPS receiver is not receiving a GPS signal.

Alternatively, the environmental awareness controller may also detect the deviation by receiving feedback or data from other UAVs, servers, devices, or sensors that may provide evidence or examples of the deviation. For example, a radar system may show the UAV turning right instead of the expected behavior of turning left. In another example, another UAV may provide a camera feed that shows the UAV with navigation lights turned off instead of the expected behavior of having the navigation lights turned on.

In the method ofFIG.6, utilizing502, by the environmental awareness controller501, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV includes determining604to attribute the deviation in the expected behavior to an environmental condition. A deviation in the expected behavior is generally the result of some combination of a malfunction with one or more components of the UAV and one or more environmental conditions that affect the behavior of the UAV.

For example, in response to receiving a command to turn left, the UAV may adjust the speed and angle of the propellers according to a predefined set of instructions that are designed to make the UAV turn left. Continuing with this example, the environmental awareness controller may detect that the UAV turned right instead of turning left. As explained above, any number of issues may have occurred that resulted in the UAV experiencing the deviation (i.e., turning right) from the expected behavior of turning left. For example, the UAV may have experienced a mechanical issue, such as a propeller engine malfunction or actuator failure, which caused the UAV to turn right. Another reason for the deviation might be the UAV wireless receiver experienced a malfunction that caused the receiver of the UAV to fail to receive from the user device, the instruction to turn. Still another reason for the deviation might be an environmental condition, such as a wind gust causing the UAV to turn right despite the UAV properly changing the speed and angle of the propellers to execute a change in direction to the left.

According to embodiments, the environmental awareness controller may use information and data from the UAV and other sources to determine whether to attribute the deviation to any environmental conditions. Determining604to attribute the deviation in the expected behavior to an environmental condition may be carried out by retrieving information and data from the UAV; retrieving information and data from sources external to the UAV; and using the retrieved information and data to determine whether to attribute the deviation to any environmental conditions.

For further explanation,FIG.7sets forth a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method ofFIG.7is similar to the method ofFIG.5in that the method ofFIG.7also includes utilizing502, by the environmental awareness controller501, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV; updating504, by the environmental awareness controller501, environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location; and providing506, by the environmental awareness controller501, the updated environmental condition information to a device associated with second UAV.

In the method ofFIG.7, utilizing502, by the environmental awareness controller501, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV includes modifying702an environmental awareness map750. In some examples, one or more components of a UAV system (e.g., the system100ofFIG.1), such as a UAV, a control device, a server, a distributed computing network, or other components, includes an environmental awareness map (e.g., the environmental awareness map database490ofFIG.4), while in other examples an external environmental awareness map database may be coupled to one or more components of the UAV system. The environmental awareness map database includes, for example, a database of environmental condition tags indexed by location. An environmental awareness map may be generated from the environmental awareness map database by correlating the locations associated with the tags to locations on a navigational map and overlaying the tags on the navigational map. A modification to the environmental awareness map may add an entry to the environmental awareness map that includes a location and a tag (e.g., a classification, a rating, a magnitude of a value, or other parameters useful for describing the environmental condition and the implications for a UAV flying in proximity). In some implementations, an update or modification to the environmental awareness map is made in the form of an API call to a map server that maintains the environmental awareness map database, where the API call includes the location and tag for the environmental condition to be added.

For further explanation,FIG.8sets forth a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method ofFIG.8is similar to the method ofFIG.5in that the method ofFIG.8also includes utilizing502, by the environmental awareness controller501, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV; updating504, by the environmental awareness controller501, environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location; and providing506, by the environmental awareness controller501, the updated environmental condition information to a device associated with second UAV.

In the method ofFIG.8, utilizing502, by the environmental awareness controller501, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV includes determining802whether an environmental awareness map850indicates the detection of the environmental condition at the location. Determining802whether an environmental awareness map indicates the detection of the environmental condition at the location may be carried out by looking up the identified location of the environmental condition in an environmental awareness map database (e.g., the environmental awareness map database490ofFIG.4) to determine whether an entry for the location includes a tag for an environmental condition that matches the detected environmental condition. For example, for a particular location, if a classification of the detected environmental condition matches a condition classification in a tag in the environmental awareness map database, it may be determined that the environmental awareness map includes the environmental condition. However, if the classification of the detected environmental condition does not match a condition classification in a tag in the environmental awareness map database for the particular location, or if there is no entry in the environmental awareness map data base that includes the particular location, it may be determined that the environmental awareness map does not include the environmental condition.

In the method ofFIG.8, utilizing502, by the environmental awareness controller501, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV includes after determining that the environmental awareness map does not indicate a detection of the environmental condition at the location, updating804the environmental information to indicate the detection of the environmental condition at the location. Updating804the environmental information to indicate the detection of the environmental condition at the location may be carried out by determining, for a particular location, that the information does not match classification or value in a tag in the map database, or that there is no tag for the particular location and generating the environmental awareness update. Updating the environmental awareness map with redundant information may be avoided by only generating the environmental awareness update in response to determining that the environmental awareness map omits information about the environmental condition, thereby minimizing communication and conserving system resources. For example, the environmental awareness map database may include a tag indicating a precipitation value of 1 (e.g., indicating no or little rain) for location X. In this example, the environmental awareness controller may update the precipitation value to 10 after receiving sensor data that indicates a UAV is flying through rain at location X.

For further explanation,FIG.9sets forth a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. An environmental awareness controller901may include a set of computer program instructions that are executed by a processor. For example, the environmental awareness controller901ofFIG.9may be the environmental awareness controller139ofFIGS.1and2or the environmental awareness controller145ofFIG.1. The method ofFIG.9includes receiving902from a device990(e.g., a UAV; a user device; a control device, a server; a distributed computing network) associated with a first UAV, by an environmental awareness controller901, a request950for environmental condition information for a location. Receiving902from the device associated with the first UAV, by an environmental awareness controller901, a request for environmental condition information for a location may be carried out by receiving a transaction message, an API call, a database query, a message, an email, or other form of communication from a UAV, a control device, a server, a distributed computing network.

The method ofFIG.9also includes retrieving904, by the environmental awareness controller901, the environmental condition information from a repository970of environmental condition information that indicates environmental conditions detected based on data954associated with one or more other UAVs. A repository of environmental condition information may include data structures, databases (e.g., the environmental awareness map database490ofFIG.4), storage locations, servers. Retrieving904, by the environmental awareness controller901, the environmental condition information from a repository of environmental condition information that indicates environmental conditions detected based on data associated with one or more other UAVs may be carried out by querying a database with a location; and receiving the environmental condition information associated with the location.

In addition, the method ofFIG.9also includes providing906, by the environmental awareness controller901, the environmental condition information952to the device990associated with the first UAV. Providing906, by the environmental awareness controller901, the environmental condition information to a device associated with the first UAV may be carried out by transmitting an update to the UAV; transmitting an update to one or more UAV system components such as a UAV control device, a distributed computing network, a server, or a user device coupled to the UAV system (e.g., the UAV system100ofFIG.1), which in turn provide an update to the UAV. For example, the update may be transmitted in a transaction message. In some examples, providing906the updated environmental condition information includes generating an alert containing an update to a UAV operator or other user, for example, via a device's user interface.

For further explanation,FIG.10sets forth a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of increasing awareness of an environmental condition for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method ofFIG.10is similar to the method ofFIG.9in that the method ofFIG.10also includes receiving902from a device associated with a first UAV, by an environmental awareness controller901, a request for environmental condition information for a location; retrieving904, by the environmental awareness controller901, the environmental condition information from a repository of environmental condition information that indicates environmental conditions detected based on data associated with one or more other UAVs; and providing906, by the environmental awareness controller901, the environmental condition information to the device associated with the first UAV.

However, the method ofFIG.10also includes utilizing1002, by the environmental awareness controller901, data1050associated with a second UAV to detect an environmental condition at the location. Utilizing1002, by the environmental awareness controller901, data associated with a second UAV to detect an environmental condition at the location may be carried out by collecting the data from one or more sensors of a UAV; utilize sensor data from other instruments, sensors, devices, other UAVs, and data content servers (e.g., weather data server170ofFIG.1; topographical data server190ofFIG.1); generating one or more values to indicate, represent, and identify the environment condition (e.g., a wind speed value; a wind direction value; lightning strike value; chemical detected value); associating the measurements with a location (e.g., fog detected at this location; chemical gas detected at this location; precipitation detected at this location); and apply data analytics to identify, predict, and estimate the scope, size, extent, duration, other parameters associated with the environmental condition and additional environmental conditions.

The method ofFIG.10also includes updating1004, by the environmental awareness controller901, the environmental condition information within the repository970to indicate a presence of the environmental condition at the location. Updating1004, by the environmental awareness controller901, the environmental condition information to indicate a presence of the environmental condition at the location may be carried out by determining whether the environmental condition information already includes data indicating the environmental condition; determining that the environmental condition information does not include the data indicating the environmental condition; and adding, changing, rewriting, overwriting or otherwise updating the environmental information to include the data indicating the environmental condition.

Hardware logic, including programmable logic for use with a programmable logic device (PLD) implementing all or part of the functionality previously described herein, may be designed using traditional manual methods or may be designed, captured, simulated, or documented electronically using various tools, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs, a hardware description language (e.g., VHDL or Verilog), or a PLD programming language. Hardware logic may also be generated by a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, manage parameters of a semiconductor component, a cell, a library of components, or a library of cells in electronic design automation (EDA) software to generate a manufacturable design for an integrated circuit. In implementation, the various components described herein might be implemented as discrete components or the functions and features described can be shared in part or in total among one or more components. Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

Advantages and features of the present disclosure can be further described by the following statements:

1. A method for increasing awareness of an environmental condition for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising: utilizing, by an environmental awareness controller, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV; updating, by the environmental awareness controller, environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location; and providing, by the environmental awareness controller, the updated environmental condition information to a device associated with a second UAV.

2. The method of statement 1, wherein the data associated with the first UAV is based on sensor data generated by the first UAV.

3. The method of any of the statements 1-2, wherein the data associated with the first UAV is based on sensor data generated by one or more other UAVs.

4. The method of any of the statements 1-3, wherein utilizing, by an environmental awareness controller, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV includes: detecting a deviation in an expected behavior of the first UAV; and determining to attribute the deviation in the expected behavior to an environmental condition.

5. The method of any of the statements 1-4 wherein updating, by the environmental awareness controller, environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate a detection of the environmental condition at the location includes modifying an environmental awareness map.

6. The method of any of the statements 1-5 wherein updating, by the environmental awareness controller, environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate a detection of the environmental condition at the location includes determining whether an environmental awareness map indicates the detection of the environmental condition at the location; and after determining that the environmental awareness map does not indicate a detection of the environmental condition at the location, updating the environmental information to indicate the detection of the environmental condition at the location.

7. A method of increasing awareness of environmental conditions for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method of none or any of the statements 1-6 and the method comprising: receiving from a device associated with a first UAV, by an environmental awareness controller, a request for environmental condition information for a location; retrieving, by the environmental awareness controller, the environmental condition information from a repository of environmental condition information that indicates environmental conditions detected based on data associated with one or more other UAVs; and providing, by the environmental awareness controller, the environmental condition information to the device associated with the first UAV.

8. The method of any of the statements 1-7 further comprising: utilizing, by the environmental awareness controller, data associated with a second UAV to detect an environmental condition at the location; and updating, by the environmental awareness controller, the environmental condition information within the repository to indicate a presence of the environmental condition at the location.

9. The method of any of the statements 1-8, wherein the data associated with the second UAV is based on sensor data generated by the first UAV.

10. The method of any of the statements 1-9, wherein the data associated with the second UAV is based on sensor data generated by one or more other UAVs.

11. An apparatus for increasing awareness of environmental conditions for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the apparatus comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to carry out operations including: utilizing, by an environmental awareness controller, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV; updating, by the environmental awareness controller, environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location; and providing, by the environmental awareness controller, the updated environmental condition information to device associated with a second UAV.

12. The apparatus of statement 11, wherein the data associated with the first UAV is based on sensor data generated by the first UAV.

13. The apparatus of any of the statements 11-12, wherein the data associated with the first UAV is based on sensor data generated by one or more other UAVs.

14. The apparatus of any of the statements 11-13, wherein utilizing, by an environmental awareness controller, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV includes: detecting a deviation in an expected behavior of the first UAV; and determining to attribute the deviation in the expected behavior to an environmental condition.

15. The apparatus of any of the statements 11-14 wherein updating, by the environmental awareness controller, environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate a detection of the environmental condition at the location includes modifying an environmental awareness map.

16. A computer program product of increasing awareness of environmental conditions for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the computer program product disposed upon a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising computer program instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to carry out the operations of: utilizing, by an environmental awareness controller, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV; updating, by the environmental awareness controller, environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate detection of the environmental condition at the location; and providing, by the environmental awareness controller, the updated environmental condition information to a device associated with a second UAV.

17. The computer program product of statement 16, wherein the data associated with the first UAV is based on sensor data generated by the first UAV.

18. The computer program product of any of the statements 16-17, wherein the data associated with the first UAV is based on sensor data generated by one or more other UAVs.

19. The computer program product of any of the statements 16-18, wherein utilizing, by an environmental awareness controller, data associated with a first UAV to detect an environmental condition at a location associated with the first UAV includes: detecting a deviation in an expected behavior of the first UAV; and determining to attribute the deviation in the expected behavior to an environmental condition.

20. The computer program product of any of the statements 16-19, wherein updating, by the environmental awareness controller, environmental condition information associated with the location to indicate a detection of the environmental condition at the location includes modifying an environmental awareness map.