Patent Publication Number: US-2021171198-A1

Title: Systems and methods for modular unmanned vehicles

Description:
FIELD 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/945,461 filed Dec. 9, 2019 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODULAR UNMANNED VEHICLES,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     This disclosure generally relates to the fields of unmanned vehicles, and in particular to a system and method for modular unmanned vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) does not have a human operator located at the UAV. A UAV may include various components such as sensors and measurement and navigation instruments. A UAV may carry a payload (e.g., a camera) which may be configured to perform specific duties such as taking aerial photographs and videos. Advances to functionality of the various components and/or software in a UAV requires replacement or upgrading of the main aircraft components and/or software of the UAV. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with some embodiments, there is provided an unmanned vehicle (UV). The UV comprises an aircraft component, an interposer component communicatively and mechanically coupled to the aircraft component, and a payload component communicatively and mechanically coupled to the interposer component. The interposer component comprising a processor and a memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor configured the processor to receive a communication from one of the aircraft component or the payload component, and sent the communication to the other of the aircraft component or the payload component. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, there is provided a method of controlling a payload of a UV. The UV comprises an aircraft component, an interposer component, and the payload. The method comprises receiving at the interposer component from the aircraft component instructions for controlling the payload, and sending the instructions from the first interposer component to the payload. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, there is provided a method of processing data from a UV. The UV comprises an aircraft component, an interposer component, and the payload. The method comprises receiving data at the interposer component from the payload, and sending the data from the interposer component to the aircraft component. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, there is provided a method of controlling a UV. The UV comprises an aircraft component, a first interposer component, and optionally a payload. The method comprises receiving at the first interposer component instructions for controlling the UV, and sending the instructions from the first interposer component to the aircraft component. The instruction received from one of a remote device communicatively connected to the first interposer component, the aircraft component coupled to the first interposer component, or a second interposer component coupled to the first interposer component. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, there is provided a method of processing data from a UV. The UV comprises an aircraft component, a first interposer component, and the payload. The method comprises receiving the data at the first interposer component, and sending the data from the first interposer component to a ground station. The data may be received from at least one of the payload coupled to the first interposer component, a sensor on the first interposer component, or another interposer component. The data is sent to one of a ground device communicatively connected to the first interposer component, an aircraft component coupled to the first interposer component, or a second interposer component coupled to the first interposer component. The second interposer component may subsequently send the data to one of a subsequent interposer component coupled to the second interposer component or the aircraft component. The subsequent interposer device may subsequently send the data to one of the aircraft device, or the ground device communicatively connected to the subsequent interposer component. The aircraft device may subsequently send the data to the ground device communicatively connected to the aircraft device. 
     In various further aspects, the disclosure provides corresponding systems and devices, and logic structures such as machine-executable coded instruction sets for implementing such systems, devices, and methods. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Many further features and combinations thereof concerning embodiments described herein will appear to those skilled in the art following a reading of the instant disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Embodiments will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein in the figures: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of an unmanned system (US) comprising an unmanned vehicle (UV) and its associated system elements; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates an example of a modular UV, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates another view of modular UV, in accordance with some embodiments 
         FIGS. 3A to 3E  illustrated, in component diagrams, examples of data flows for an interposer, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate different perspectives of a bottom/connector partial view of an example of an aircraft, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate different perspectives of a top/aircraft connector view of an example of an interposer, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5C  illustrates a bottom/payload connector view of the interposer, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate example of a toy/connector view of a payload, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a partial internal view of a connected modular UV, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates, in a flowchart, an example of a method of controlling a payload of a UV, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates, in a flowchart, an example of a method of processing data of a UV, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 8C  illustrates, in a flowchart, another example of a method of controlling a payload of a UV, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 8D  illustrates, in a flowchart, another example of a method of processing data of a UV, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates, in a component diagram, an example of a US, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates, in a component diagram, an example of a ground station, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates, in a component diagram, an example of an interposer, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates, in a component diagram, an example of a control station, in accordance with some embodiments; and 
         FIG. 13  illustrates, in a component diagram, an example of the logical components of an interposer, in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     It is understood that throughout the description and figures, like features are identified by like reference numerals. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated that numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way, but rather as merely describing implementation of the various example embodiments described herein. 
     The term unmanned vehicle (UV) is used herein and may include an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), an unmanned aircraft (UA), an unmanned aquatic vessel, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), and any other vehicle or structure which maybe unmanned, operate autonomously or semi-autonomously, and/or controlled remotely. The UGV may be a remotely controlled, autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle system which is comprised of a main body and a drive system supported by the main body. In some examples, the drive system is comprised of a propulsion system, such as a motor or engine, and one or more tracks or wheels. Other arrangements, such as a rail or fixed-track ground vehicle, a tether or rope-pulled ground vehicle without a motor or engine, a ground vehicle using balls, sleds or rails, and a ground vehicle which hovers but navigates in proximity to terrain, are also contemplated herein. 
     Some of the features taught herein are described with reference to embodiments of a UAV having a payload by way of example only. However, the description and features may also apply generally to any UV having central components, an external peripheral connection and a payload. 
     In some embodiments, an interposer module is mounted to an aircraft&#39;s external peripheral connection, and another payload or module can then be mounted to the interposer. The interposer module can be mounted to an existing aircraft as a modular accessory, rather than having to purchase an entirely new aircraft with the integrated solution. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of an unmanned system (US)  100  (such as an unmanned aircraft system) comprising an unmanned vehicle (UV)  110  (such as an unmanned aerial vehicle) and its associated system elements, in accordance with some embodiments. The UV  110  may be designed to operate with no operator (or pilot) onboard. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the unmanned system  100  includes a remote operator (or pilot) station  102  and command and control links  104  between the UV  110  and the remote operator (or pilot) station  102 . The command and control links  104  may include any data link for the purposes of managing the movement (e.g., flight) of the UV  110 . The UV  110  may operate autonomously without operator (or pilot) intervention in the management of the movement (e.g., flight) during the entire movement (e.g., flight) operation or a portion thereof. The unmanned system  100  may also include other system elements as may be required at any point during movement (e.g., flight) operation. 
     In some embodiments, UV  110  may be an unmanned aircraft (UA) or UAV as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The example UV  110  shown in  FIG. 1  may include a body  112 , arms  114  extending away from the body  112  to support components such as propellers  116 , and legs  118  to support the body  112  when UV  110  is positioned on a surface. When not in use, a propeller may be in a folded position. It is understood that propellers  116  may be in the folded position during storage of the UV  110 , while the open position is used during flight operation of the UV  110 . Although four arms  114  and four legs  118  are illustrated in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , it is understood that UV  110  may include any other number of arms  114  and legs  118 . As noted above, the example of  FIG. 1  pertains to a UAV by way of example only. Other types of UVs may also employ the teachings described herein. The body  112 , arms  114 , propellers  116  and legs  118 , together with other non-payload components of the UV  110 , are sometimes referred to herein as “components” or “elements” of the UV  110 , and the term “aircraft” is sometimes used herein to refer to the UV  110 . 
     In some embodiments, remote pilot (or operator) station  102  may comprise a ground station. In other embodiments, remote pilot (or operator) station  102  may comprise a client device acting as a control station. In still other embodiments, remote pilot (or operator) station  102  may comprise both a ground station and a client device. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates an example of a modular UV  200 , in accordance with some embodiments. The UV  200  comprises the unmanned vehicle (UV)  110 , an interposer component  250 , and a payload  260 , in accordance with some embodiments. The UV  110  may be designed to operate with no operator (or pilot) onboard. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , the modular UV system  200  is shown with the interposer  250  communicatively and/or mechanically coupled/connected to the UV  110 , and the payload  260  communicatively and/or mechanically coupled/connected to the interposer  250 . 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates another view of modular UV  200 , in accordance with some embodiments. In  FIG. 2B , the UV  110 , interposer  250  and payload  260  are shown separated. 
     The interposer component/module  250  may comprise one or more payload and/or aircraft items such as sensors, radios, memory, instructions, etc. In one implementation, the interposer  250  could be utilized for holding different communications radios in addition to the aircraft onboard radios. In another implementation, the interposer  250  could be utilized to mount cameras for increased vision capability on the aircraft. In each case, the interposer  250  adds functionality in addition to a standard payload  260  and aircraft  110  since it lives between the payload  260  and aircraft  110 . In another implementation, the interposer  250  may include sensors (such as cameras, chemical sensors, sense/avoid sensors, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, an interposer  250  (i.e., interposer component) includes communication modems and antennas. Communications modems and antennas may be built into the interposer module  250  providing flexible communication devices support to the user in addition to the onboard communication hardware built into the aircraft  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the interposer component/module  250  may comprise a type of payload having exterior housings, electronics and/or mechanical components to increase the capability of the base aircraft (i.e., UV  110 ). As noted above, the interposer  250  assembles between a payload  260  and the aircraft  110  and utilizes the existing payload attachment mechanisms on the aircraft  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the aircraft  110 , interposer  250  or payload  260  may be tethered to a system on the ground where the system is the operator station  102 , a base station, or in communication with the operator or base station. 
     In some embodiments, a tether wire may be used as a communication conduit/connection between the system and the aircraft  110 , interposer  250  and/or payload  260 . 
     In some embodiments, the interposer  250  may comprise additional, replacement and/or augmented sensors, radios and other communication interfaces, and operating logic and memory of an aircraft  110  and/or a payload  260 . In some embodiments, the interposer  250  may be modularly added to a UV  200  without the need to replace the entire aircraft  110  and/or payload  260 . In some embodiments, sensitive data may be collected and/or stored by the interposer  250  separate from the aircraft  110  as a security measure. In some embodiments, expensive components may be placed on an interposer  250  and shared by a plurality of UVs  200  on a need bases rather than each UV  200  having its own set of such expensive components separately installed on each aircraft  110 . 
       FIGS. 3A to 3E  illustrated, in component diagrams, examples of data flows  300 ,  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  for an interposer  250 , in accordance with some embodiments. It is understood that many other combinations could exist. Data gathered could be (but not limited to): camera video or images, measurements from various types of sensors (gas, thermal, etc.), position and sense/avoid data (radar, lidar, etc.). In all scenarios of  FIGS. 3A to 3E , the interposer  250  could be stacked to use multiple interposers  250  for various tasks and so data could flow between them, sent out or stored from a specific one or multiples. Examples of what could be in an interposer  250  (but not limited to): communications modems, cameras, chemical sensors, thermal sensors, sense and avoid sensors such as radar and/or lidar, and mapping sensors. 
       FIG. 3A  shows data is gathered  302  by the payload  260 , and the payload  260  feeds  304  the data into the interposer  250 . Next, the interposer  250  feeds  306  the data into the aircraft  110 . The aircraft  110  then processes and outputs  308  the data. In some embodiments, there may be multiple stacked interposers  250 . 
       FIG. 3B  shows data is gathered  302  by the payload  260 , and the payload  260  feeds  304  the data into the interposer  250 . Next, the interposer  250  processes and outputs  316  the data. The interposer  250  may also store the data in a repository to be retrieved later. In some embodiments, there may be multiple stacked interposers  250 . 
       FIG. 3C  shows data is gathered  302  by the interposer  250 , and the interposer  250  feeds  306  the data into the aircraft  110 . The aircraft  110  then processes and outputs  308  the data. In some embodiments, there may be multiple stacked interposers. 
       FIG. 3D  shows data is gathered  322  by the interposer  250 , and the interposer  250  feeds  306  the data into the aircraft  110 . Next, the interposer  250  processes and outputs  316  the data. The interposer  250  may also store the data in a repository to be retrieved later. In some embodiments, there may be multiple stacked interposers. 
       FIG. 3E  shows data may be gathered  302  by the payload  260 , and the payload  260  may feed  304  the data into a first interposer  250 - 1 . The first interposer  250 - 1  may also gather  342  data. In some embodiments, there may be multiple stacked interposers  250 , where each interposer  250  may exchange  344 ,  346  data between them. Each interposer  250  may process and output  316  the data. Each interposer  250  may also store the data in a repository to be retrieved later. The final interposer  250 -N connected to the aircraft  110  may feed  306  data from the stacked interposer system into the aircraft  110 . The aircraft  110  then processes and outputs  308  the data. 
     Connections between the aircraft  110 , interposer  250  and payload  260  will now be discussed. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate different perspectives of a bottom/connector partial view of an example of an aircraft  110 , in accordance with some embodiments. The aircraft  110  includes an aircraft-payload connector  405 , aircraft rotating latches  410 , and aircraft hook undercuts  420 , each to electrically and/or mechanically connect to an interposer  250  or directly to a payload  260 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate different perspectives of a top/aircraft connector view of an example of an interposer  250 , in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 5C  illustrates a bottom/payload connector view of the interposer  250 , in accordance with some embodiments. The interposer  250  includes an interposer-aircraft connector  505  to connect to one of: the aircraft-payload connector  405 , or to an interposer-payload connector  565  on another (stacked) interposer  250 . The interposer  250  also includes interposer hooks  525  to connect to one of: the aircraft hook undercuts  420  on an aircraft  110 , or interposer hook undercuts  520  of another (stacked) interposer  250 . The interposer  250  also includes rotating latch mating geometry  515  to connect to the aircraft rotating latches  410  on an aircraft  110  or to interposer hooks  525  on another (stacked) interposer  250 . The interposer  250  includes interposer-payload connectors  565  to connect to one of: a payload  260 , or to an interposer-aircraft connector  505  of another (stacked) interposer  250 . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate example of a top/connector view of a payload  260 , in accordance with some embodiments. The payload  260  includes a payload-aircraft connector  605  to connect to one of: an interposer-payload connector  505  of an interposer  250 , or to the aircraft-payload connector  405  of an aircraft  110 ). The payload  260  also includes an interposer rotating latch mating geometry  615  to connect to a interposer rotating latches  510  on an interposer  250 , or to an aircraft rotating latches  410  of an aircraft  110 . The payload  260  also includes payload hooks  625  to connect to one of: aircraft hook undercuts  420 , or to the interposer hook undercuts  520 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a partial internal view of another example of a connected modular UV  700 , in accordance with some embodiments. The module US  700  includes another example of an interposer  750 . The aircraft connector  405  mechanically and electrically connects with interposer-aircraft connector  565  to connect the aircraft  110  with the interposer  750 . A first interposer internal connector  720  mechanically and electrically connects with a second interposer internal connector  725  to connect a first interposer  250 - 1  with a second interposer  250 -N. The interposer-payload connector  505  mechanically and communicatively (e.g., via electrical means such as electrical contacts or a tethered wire, or via wireless means such as a radio) with the payload connector  605  to connect the interposer  250 -N with a payload  260 . In some embodiments, the internal connectors  720 ,  725  are optional and in some implementations there are no internal connectors, or a flexible printed circuit (FPC) connection that is bonded to the printed circuit board (PCB). In some embodiments, the function of the first interposer internal connector  720  may be performed by the interposer-payload connector  505  and the function of the second interposer internal connector  725  may be performed by the interposer-aircraft connector  565 . 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates, in a flowchart, an example of a method  800  of controlling a payload  260  of a UV  200 ,  700 , in accordance with some embodiments. The method  800  comprises receiving  802  at an aircraft component  110  payload instructions from a ground station. Next, the interposer component  250 ,  750  receives  804  the payload instructions from the aircraft component  110 , and sending  806  the instructions to the payload component  260 . If there are more than one interposer components  250 ,  750 , then a previous interposer component  250  sends the payload instructions to a subsequent interposer component  250 ,  750 . In some embodiments, the instructions from the ground station may be received directly at the interposer  250 ,  750 , i.e., replacing steps  802  and  804 . 
     It should be understood that the method  800  can also be modified to control the UV  200 ,  700  itself. For example, payload instructions may be replaced and/or augmented with UV instructions in the method. In this way, the interposer  250 ,  750  may replace, supplement and/or augment the radio capabilities of the aircraft  110 . For example, an aircraft  110  radio or other communication capabilities may become obsolete or damaged. The interposer  250 ,  750  may provide replacement, additional and/or different communication capabilities that currently provided on the aircraft  110 . The interposer  250 ,  750  may be used to replace, add and/or supplement sensors and other capabilities on the aircraft  110 . 
       FIG. 8B  illustrates, in a flowchart, an example of a method  820  of processing data of a UV  200 ,  700 , in accordance with some embodiments. The method  820  comprises receiving  822  data at the interposer component  250 ,  750  from the payload  260 , and sending  824  the data from the interposer component  250 ,  750  to the aircraft component  110 . The aircraft component  110  may then send  826  the data to a ground station. If there are more than one interposer components  250 ,  750 , then a previous interposer component  250 ,  750  sends the data to a subsequent interposer component  250 ,  750 . In some embodiments, the instructions to the ground station may be sent directly from the interposer  250 ,  750 , i.e., replacing steps  824  and  826 . 
       FIG. 8C  illustrates, in a flowchart, another example of a method  830  of controlling a payload  260  of a UV  200 ,  700 , in accordance with some embodiments. The method  830  comprises receiving  832   a,    832   b,    832   c  at a first interposer component  250 - 1 ,  750 - 1  instructions for controlling the payload  260 , and sending  834  the instructions from the first interposer component  250 ,  750  to the payload  260 . The instructions may be received from one of a remote device communicatively connected to the first interposer component  250 - 1 ,  750 - 1  ( 832   a ), the aircraft component  110  coupled to the first interposer component  250 - 1 ,  750 - 1  ( 832   b ), or another interposer component  250 -N,  750 -N coupled to the first interposer component  250 - 1 ,  750 - 1  ( 832   c ). 
       FIG. 8D  illustrates, in a flowchart, another example of a method  850  of processing data of a UV  200 ,  700 , in accordance with some embodiments. The method  850  comprises receiving  852   a,    852   b,    852   c  the data at the first interposer component  250 - 1 ,  750 - 1 . The data may be received from at least one of the payload  260  coupled to the first interposer component  250 - 1 ,  750 - 1  ( 852   a ), a sensor on the first interposer component  250 - 1 ,  750 - 1  ( 852   b ), or another interposer component  250 ,  750  ( 852   c ). The data is sent to one of a ground device communicatively connected to the first interposer component  250 - 1 ,  750 - 1  ( 858 ), an aircraft component  110  coupled to the first interposer component  250 - 1 ,  750 - 1  ( 856 ), or a second interposer component  250 -N,  750 -N coupled to the first interposer component  250 - 1 ,  750 - 1  ( 854 ). The second interposer component  250 -N,  750 -N may subsequently send the data to the ground station ( 858 ) or the aircraft component  110  ( 856 ). The subsequent interposer component  250 -N,  750 -N may subsequently send the data to one of the aircraft device  110  ( 856 ), or the ground device communicatively connected to the subsequent interposer component  250 -N,  750 -N ( 858 ). The aircraft device  110  may subsequently send the data to the ground device communicatively connected to the aircraft device  110  ( 858 ). 
       FIG. 9  illustrates, in a component diagram, an example of a US  900 , in accordance with some embodiments. The US  900  may include one or more modular vehicles  200 ,  700 , a ground station  1040 , and one or more client devices  1050 . The US  900  may include more than one ground station  940 . A loaded vehicle  200 ,  700  may include a UV  110 , an interposer  250  and a payload  260 . The ground station  940  may communicate with one or more loaded vehicles  200 ,  700  via air interface  930  which may include satellite communication or other types of radio frequency communication between station  940  and loaded vehicles  200 ,  700 . The communication between the ground station  940  and the US  900  may be directly with the UV  110 , or an interposer  250 ,  750 . The ground station  940  may communicate with one or more client devices  950  through a number of communication links and network interfaces, such as a wired or wireless local area network, a cellular network (such as global system for mobile (GSM) communication, long-term evolution (LTE), fifth generation (5G), or other cellular networks) or a proprietary or private radio link. 
     A loaded vehicle  200 ,  700  may include a UV  110 , and an interposer  250  a payload  260 . The interposer  250 ,  750  may be as described above. payload  260  may include one or more of: a freight package, a camera, a measuring device, one or more sensors, and a storage device (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) drive). A payload  260  can also include, for example, flame retardant for use in a forest fire. Generally speaking, a payload  260  may be any cargo or equipment a UV  110  carries that is not necessarily required for flight, control, movement, transportation and/or navigation of the UV  110  itself. A payload  260  may be attached or coupled to an interposer  250 ,  750  in a number of ways. For example, a payload  260  may be connected to the interposer  250 ,  750  by one or more interfaces such as an Ethernet connection, a controller area network (CAN) bus connection, a serial connection, an inter-integrated circuit (I 2 C) connection, a printed circuit board (PCB) interface, a USB connection, a proprietary physical link, and so on. 
     The ground station  940  may be configured to communicate with one or more loaded vehicles  200 ,  700  (or simply “vehicles  200 ,  700 ” hereinafter). The ground station  940  may also communicate with UVs  110  not carrying any payload. The ground station  940  may control one or more modular vehicles  200 ,  700 , one or more UVs  110 , one or more interposers  250 ,  750 , one or more payloads  260  concurrently in real-time or near real-time. The ground station  940  may also receive commands and/or data from one or more client devices  950 , process the commands or data, and transmit the processed commands or data to one or more vehicles  200 ,  700 , UVs  110 , interposers  250 ,  750  or payloads  260 . In some embodiments, the ground station  940  may receive user input directly at a user console (not shown) without client devices  950 . In some embodiments, a client device  950  may be the user console for the ground station  940 . 
     A client device  950  may serve to control the operation of one or more vehicles  200 ,  700 , UVs  110 , interposers  250 ,  750  or payloads  260  remotely. In some embodiments, a client device  950  may also be referred to as a control station. The client device  950  may be implemented as a computing device. 
     A user, such as an owner or operator of a UV  110 , may use a client device  950  to communicate with, and to control, one or more vehicles  200 ,  700 , UAVs  110 , interposers  250 ,  750  or payloads  260 . A client device  950  may have an application implemented for communicating with or controlling vehicles  200 ,  700 , UVs  110 , interposers  250 ,  750  or payloads  260 . Such an application may be launched as a stand-alone process in an operation system, or within an Internet browser. The user may enter information through a user interface provided by the application. In addition, information relating to, or from, the vehicle  200 ,  700 , UV  110 , interposer  250 ,  750  or payload  220  may be displayed by the application on a display of client device  950 . Client device  950  may communicate with, or control, vehicle  200 ,  700 , UV  110 , interposer  250 ,  750  or payload  260  through the ground station  940 , or in some embodiments, client device  950  may communicate with, or control, vehicle  200 ,  700 , UV  110 , interposer  250 ,  750  or payload  260  directly without the ground station  940 . 
     In some embodiments, the client device  950  is operable to register and authenticate users (using a login, unique identifier, biometric information or password for example) prior to providing access to loaded vehicles, payloads, UVs, applications, a local network, network resources, other networks and network security devices. The client device  950  may serve one user or multiple users. 
     In some embodiments, communication hardware and communication links may include a network interface to enable computing device to communicate with other components, to exchange data with other components, to access and connect to network resources, to serve applications, and perform other computing applications by connecting to a network (or multiple networks) capable of carrying data including the Internet, Ethernet, plain old telephone service (POTS) line, public switch telephone network (PSTN), integrated services digital network (ISDN), digital subscriber line (DSL), coaxial cable, fiber optics, satellite, mobile, wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMAX), SS7 signaling network, fixed line, local area network, wide area network, and others, including any combination of these. 
     Either or both of the ground station  940  and the client device  950  may be configured to control vehicle  200 ,  700 , UV  110 , interposer  250 ,  750  or payload  260 . Flight control, navigation control, movement control, and other types of command signals may be transmitted to the UV  110  for controlling or navigating one or more of vehicle  200 ,  700 , UV  110 , interposer  250 ,  750  or payload  260 . Movement control, and other types of command signals may be transmitted to the interposer  250 ,  750  for controlling one or more of interposers  250 ,  750  or payload  260 . Command signals may include command data (e.g., coordinate information) required to execute flight control, movement control or navigation control of one or more of vehicle  200 ,  700 , UV  110 , interposer  250 ,  750  or payload  260 . 
     Either or both of the ground station  940  and the client device  950  may be configured to receive data from one or more of vehicle  200 ,  700 , UV  110 , interposer  250 ,  750  or payload  260 . For example, payload  260  may transmit audio, video or photographs to the ground station  940  or the client device  950 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates, in a component diagram, an example of a ground station  940 , in accordance with some embodiments. The ground station  940  may include a sensor subsystem  1002  (which may include a global positioning system (GPS) subsystem), a communications module  1004  configured to process received data packets, and to prepare data packets for transmission through an external radio frequency (RF) interface  1006 , an external RF interface configured to communicate with an external RF interface on a UV  110  or interposer  250 ,  750 , a processor or controller  1008 , a payload control module  1010 , a UV control module  1012 , and an interposer control module  1014 . The sensor subsystem  1002  may be used to acquire environmental data if the ground station  240  is proximate or near the UV  110 , where the environmental data may be used for controlling the UV  110 , the interposer  250 ,  750 , the payload  260 , or the loaded vehicle  200 ,  700 , such as location data, weather data, and so on. The payload control module  1010  may generate command signals for controlling the payload  260 , the UV control module  1012  may general command signals for controlling the UV  110 , and the interposer control module  1014  may generate command signals for controlling the interposer  250 ,  750 . Both types of control commands may be processed by the communications module  1004  and transmitted to the UV  110 , interposer  250 ,  750  and the payload  260  via external RF interface  1006 . The ground station  940  may also include an operator console (not shown). 
       FIG. 11  illustrates, in a component diagram, an example of an interposer  250 ,  750 , in accordance with some embodiments. The interposer  2500  may include a sensor subsystem  1102  (which may include a global positioning system (GPS) subsystem); a communications module  1104  configured to process received data packets, and to prepare data packets for transmission through an interface  1106 ; an interface  1106  configured to communicate with an interface on a UV  110 , payload  260  or ground station  940 ; a processor or controller  1108 , a payload control module  1110  and a UV control module  1112 . The sensor subsystem  1102  may be used to acquire environmental data, where the environmental data may be used for controlling the UV  110 , the interposer  250 ,  750 , the payload  260 , or the loaded vehicle  200 ,  700 , such as location data, weather data, and so on. The payload control module  1110  may generate command signals for controlling the payload  260 , and the UV control module  1112  may general command signals for controlling the UV  110 . Both types of control commands may be processed by the communications module  1104  and transmitted to the UV  110 , and the payload  260  via interface  1106 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates, in a component diagram, an example of a control station  1200 , in accordance with some embodiments. The control station  1200  may be a client device  950 , and/or a ground station  940  having a display, and/or a remote pilot station  102 . In some embodiments, the control station  1200  may be implemented on a tablet, phone, computer, purpose-built control station or other capable device or system. A processor or controller  1208  can execute instructions in memory  1212  to configure the communications module  1104 , the payload control module  1110 , the UV control module  1112 , and the interposer control module  1114 . A processor  1208  can be, for example, any type of general-purpose microprocessor or microcontroller, a digital signal processing (DSP) processor, an integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a reconfigurable processor, or any combination thereof. 
     Memory  1212  may include a suitable combination of any type of computer memory that is located either internally or externally such as, for example, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), electro-optical memory, magneto-optical memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), Ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) or the like. Storage devices  1210  include memory  1212 , databases  1214 , and persistent storage  1216 . 
     Each I/O unit  1202  enables the control station  1200  to interconnect with one or more input devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, camera, touch screen and a microphone, or with one or more output devices, such as a display screen  1202  and a speaker. 
     Each communication unit or interface  1204  enables the control station  1200  to communicate with other components, to exchange data with other components, to access and connect to network resources, to serve applications, and perform other computing applications by connecting to a network (or multiple networks) capable of carrying data including the Internet, Ethernet, plain old telephone service (POTS) line, public switch telephone network (PSTN), integrated services digital network (ISDN), digital subscriber line (DSL), coaxial cable, fiber optics, satellite, mobile, wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMAX), SS7 signaling network, fixed line, local area network, wide area network, and others, including any combination of these. For example, a communication interface  1206  may include an Ethernet connection to the ground station  940 , or a wireless communication interface operable to communicate with ground station  940 . In some embodiments, the communication interface  1204  may include a RF interface operable to communicate with the UV  110 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates, in a component diagram, an example of the logical components of an interposer  1300 , in accordance with some embodiments. A processor or controller  1308  can execute instructions in memory  1312  to configure the communications module  1304 , the payload control module  1210 , and the UV control module  1212 . A processor  1308  can be, for example, any type of general-purpose microprocessor or microcontroller, a digital signal processing (DSP) processor, an integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a reconfigurable processor, or any combination thereof. 
     Memory  1312  may include a suitable combination of any type of computer memory that is located either internally or externally such as, for example, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), electro-optical memory, magneto-optical memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), Ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) or the like. Storage devices  1310  include memory  1312 , persistent storage  1116 , and optionally, databases  1314 . 
     Each I/O unit  1302  enables the control station  1300  to interconnect with one or more input devices, such as a remote station keypad, touch screen, or with one or more output devices, such as a light source and/or a speaker. 
     Each communication unit or interface  1304  enables the interposer  1300  to communicate with other components, to exchange data with other components, to access and connect to network resources, to serve applications, and perform other computing applications by connecting to a network (or multiple networks) capable of carrying data including the Internet, Ethernet, plain old telephone service (POTS) line, public switch telephone network (PSTN), integrated services digital network (ISDN), digital subscriber line (DSL), coaxial cable, fiber optics, satellite, mobile, wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMAX), SS7 signaling network, fixed line, local area network, wide area network, and others, including any combination of these. For example, a communication interface  1306  may include a wireless communication interface operable to communicate with ground station  940 . In some embodiments, the communication interface  1304  may include a wired or RF interface operable to communicate with the UV  110  and/or payload  260 . 
     The embodiments of the devices, systems and processes described herein may be implemented in a combination of both hardware and software. These embodiments may be implemented on programmable computers, each computer including at least one processor, a data storage system (including volatile memory or non-volatile memory or other data storage elements or a combination thereof), and at least one communication interface. 
     Program code is applied to input data to perform the functions described herein and to generate output information. The output information is applied to one or more output devices. In some embodiments, the communication interface may be a network communication interface. In embodiments in which elements may be combined, the communication interface may be a software communication interface, such as those for inter-process communication. In still other embodiments, there may be a combination of communication interfaces implemented as hardware, software, and combination thereof. 
     Throughout the foregoing discussion, numerous references may be made regarding control and computing devices. It should be appreciated that the use of such terms may represent one or more computing devices having at least one processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a computer readable tangible, non-transitory medium. 
     The foregoing discussion provides many example embodiments. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, other examples may include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, may also be used. 
     The term “connected” or “coupled to” may include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). 
     The technical solution of embodiments may be in the form of a software product instructing physical operations, such as controlling movement of the UV  110 , and/or operation of the interposer  250 ,  750  and/or payload  260 , for example. The software product may be stored in a non-volatile or non-transitory storage medium, which can be a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a USB flash disk, or a removable hard disk. The software product includes a number of instructions that enable a computer device (personal computer, server, or network device) to execute the processes provided by the embodiments. 
     The embodiments described herein are implemented by physical computer hardware, including computing devices, servers, receivers, transmitters, processors, memory, displays, and networks. The embodiments described herein provide useful physical machines and particularly configured computer hardware arrangements. The embodiments described herein are directed to electronic machines and processes implemented by electronic machines adapted for processing and transforming electromagnetic signals which represent various types of information. The embodiments described herein pervasively and integrally relate to machines, and their uses; and the embodiments described herein have no meaning or practical applicability outside their use with computer hardware, machines, and various hardware components. Substituting the physical hardware particularly configured to implement various acts for non-physical hardware, using mental steps for example, may substantially affect the way the embodiments work. Such computer hardware limitations are clearly essential elements of the embodiments described herein, and they cannot be omitted or substituted for mental means without having a material effect on the operation and structure of the embodiments described herein. The computer hardware is essential to implement the various embodiments described herein and is not merely used to perform steps expeditiously and in an efficient manner. 
     The processor or controller  1208 ,  1308  ground station  940 , or interposer  250 ,  750  may be implemented as a computing device with at least one processor, a data storage device (including volatile memory or non-volatile memory or other data storage elements or a combination thereof), and at least one communication interface. The computing device components may be connected in various ways including directly coupled, indirectly coupled via a network, and distributed over a wide geographic area and connected via a network (which may be referred to as “cloud computing”). 
     For example, and without limitation, the computing device may be a server, network appliance, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) or micro-size mechanical devices, set-top box, embedded device, computer expansion module, personal computer, laptop, personal data assistant, cellular telephone, smartphone device, UMPC tablets, video display terminal, gaming console, electronic reading device, and wireless hypermedia device or any other computing device capable of being configured to carry out the processes described herein. 
     A processor may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor or microcontroller, a digital signal processing (DSP) processor, an integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a reconfigurable processor, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), or any combination thereof. 
     Data storage device may include a suitable combination of any type of computer memory that is located either internally or externally such as, for example, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), electro-optical memory, magneto-optical memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), Ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) or the like. 
     Computing device may include an I/O interface to enable computing device to interconnect with one or more input devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, camera, touch screen and a microphone, or with one or more output devices such as a display screen and a speaker. 
     Although the embodiments have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope as defined by the appended claims. 
     Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, processes and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, processes, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, processes, or steps. 
     As can be understood, the examples described above and illustrated are intended to be exemplary only. The scope is indicated by the appended claims.