Abstract: Methods and devices of various embodiments provide enhanced location services by leveraging a system of beacon devices each broadcasting data that is useful in calculating locations and report of the trustworthiness of neighbor beacon devices. Various embodiments include a method performed by a beacon device that may include obtaining location data using a first functionality, evaluating sensor data to identify a breach of trust condition at the beacon device, generating authentication data that indicates any identified breach of trust condition, receiving one or more neighbor beacon broadcast messages using a second functionality, determining whether the one or more neighbor beacon broadcast messages include trustworthy location data, and broadcasting an outgoing broadcast message that includes the obtained location data, timing data, the generated authentication data, and data indicating whether the one or more neighbor beacon broadcast messages include trustworthy location data.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods for controlling landings of a UAV in a landing zone including a plurality of landing bays. Various embodiments include a method implemented on a computing device for receiving continuous real-time sensor data from a transceiver and from sensors onboard the UAV, and detecting a target landing bay within the plurality of landing bays within the landing zone that is available for landing based on the continuous real-time sensor data. Orientation and position coordinates for landing in the target landing bay may be calculated based on the continuous real-time sensor data. Information regarding positions and flight vectors of a plurality of autonomous UAVs may be obtained, and a flight plan for landing in the target landing bay may be generated based on the orientation and the position coordinates, positions and flight vectors of the plurality of autonomous UAVs and a current orientation and position of the UAV.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for providing control of an unmanned aircraft (UA). A server may receive an indication from a UA that a transition from autonomous flight to pilot controlled flight is required while the UA is in autonomous flight. The server may select a pilot station for providing pilot controlled flight of the UA. Selecting a pilot station for providing pilot controlled flight of the UA may be based on a pilot criterion associated with the pilot station. A UA may detect a condition that requires a transition from autonomous flight to pilot controlled flight and establish a pilot criterion for pilot controlled flight based on the detected condition. The UA may send a request for a pilot that includes the pilot criterion and information about the condition.

Abstract: Various embodiments for conducting proxy teaching for learning devices within a decentralized system, including an embodiment method with operations for obtaining, by a teacher signaling device, objectives data related to activities of one or more of the learning devices, generating, by the teacher signaling device, teaching routines based on the obtained objectives data, and broadcasting, by the teacher signaling device, teaching signals configured to teach one or more of the learning devices based on the generated teaching routines. Other embodiments may obtain objectives data by requesting reflex information from the learning devices or intercepting event report messages transmitted by the learning devices. Other embodiments may include broadcasting discovery signals to identify nearby learning devices and modifying teaching routines when objectives of the generated teaching routines cannot be achieved.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods for controlling landings of a UAV in a landing zone including a plurality of landing bays. Various embodiments include a method implemented on a computing device for receiving continuous real-time sensor data from a transceiver and from sensors onboard the UAV, and detecting a target landing bay within the plurality of landing bays within the landing zone that is available for landing based on the continuous real-time sensor data. Orientation and position coordinates for landing in the target landing bay may be calculated based on the continuous real-time sensor data. Information regarding positions and flight vectors of a plurality of autonomous UAVs may be obtained, and a flight plan for landing in the target landing bay may be generated based on the orientation and the position coordinates, positions and flight vectors of the plurality of autonomous UAVs and a current orientation and position of the UAV.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and process-readable media include an autonomous vehicle override control system that receives override commands from a pilot qualified on a first type of unmanned autonomous vehicle (UAV) and translates the inputs into suitable commands transmitted to a target UAV of a second UAV type. A pilot's certification for a first UAV type may be determined from the pilot's login credentials. The system may obtain a first control model for the first UAV type and a second control model for the target UAV. Pilot input commands processed through the first control model may be used to calculate movements of a virtual UAV of the type. The system may estimate physical movement of the target UAV similar to the first physical movement, and generate an override command for the target UAV using the second control model and the second physical movement. Control models may accommodate current conditions and pilot experience.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and process-readable media include an autonomous vehicle override control system that receives override commands from a pilot qualified on a first type of unmanned autonomous vehicle (UAV) and translates the inputs into suitable commands transmitted to a target UAV of a second UAV type. A pilot's certification for a first UAV type may be determined from the pilot's login credentials. The system may obtain a first control model for the first UAV type and a second control model for the target UAV. Pilot input commands processed through the first control model may be used to calculate movements of a virtual UAV of the type. The system may estimate physical movement of the target UAV similar to the first physical movement, and generate an override command for the target UAV using the second control model and the second physical movement. Control models may accommodate current conditions and pilot experience.

Abstract: Methods and devices of various embodiments provide enhanced location services by leveraging a system of beacon devices each broadcasting data that is useful in calculating locations and report of the trustworthiness of neighbor beacon devices. Various embodiments include a method performed by a beacon device that may include obtaining location data using a first functionality, evaluating sensor data to identify a breach of trust condition at the beacon device, generating authentication data that indicates any identified breach of trust condition, receiving one or more neighbor beacon broadcast messages using a second functionality, determining whether the one or more neighbor beacon broadcast messages include trustworthy location data, and broadcasting an outgoing broadcast message that includes the obtained location data, timing data, the generated authentication data, and data indicating whether the one or more neighbor beacon broadcast messages include trustworthy location data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for providing control of an unmanned aircraft (UA). A server may receive an indication from a UA that a transition from autonomous flight to pilot controlled flight is required while the UA is in autonomous flight. The server may select a pilot station for providing pilot controlled flight of the UA. Selecting a pilot station for providing pilot controlled flight of the UA may be based on a pilot criterion associated with the pilot station. A UA may detect a condition that requires a transition from autonomous flight to pilot controlled flight and establish a pilot criterion for pilot controlled flight based on the detected condition. The UA may send a request for a pilot that includes the pilot criterion and information about the condition.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and non-transitory process-readable media for evaluating operating conditions of an autonomous aircraft before performing a mission by executing brief near-flight testing maneuvers at a low elevation. A processor of the autonomous aircraft may receive near-flight testing maneuver instructions that indicate a near-flight testing maneuver to be executed by the autonomous aircraft. The processor may control motors to cause the aircraft to execute a near-flight testing maneuver within a testing area, obtain data indicating stability and performance information while executing the near-flight testing maneuvers, and take an action in response to the obtained data. Actions may include adjusting a position of a payload, a weight, or a portion of the aircraft based on the obtained data, and adjusting a flight plan. The near-flight testing maneuvers may include a sequence of moves for testing stability of the aircraft and payload executing a flight path under anticipated flying conditions.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and non-transitory process-readable media for evaluating operating conditions of an autonomous aircraft before performing a mission by executing brief near-flight testing maneuvers at a low elevation. A processor of the autonomous aircraft may receive near-flight testing maneuver instructions that indicate a near-flight testing maneuver to be executed by the autonomous aircraft. The processor may control motors to cause the aircraft to execute a near-flight testing maneuver within a testing area, obtain data indicating stability and performance information while executing the near-flight testing maneuvers, and take an action in response to the obtained data. Actions may include adjusting a position of a payload, a weight or a portion of the aircraft based, and adjusting a flight plan. The near-flight testing maneuvers may include a sequence of moves for testing stability of the aircraft and payload executing a flight path under anticipated flying conditions.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling a state of a load powered by an AC power source include a control unit having a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, a current sensor, a relay and a phase detector. The current sensor detects whether current is drawn by the load. The processor is configured to receive from the current sensor a state indication including whether current is drawn by the load. The processor may store the received state indication in the memory. The phase detector detects a zero-crossing point of the AC power source and provides that indication to the processor. In response to receiving the state indication, the processor is configured to activate the relay to change a phase of current to the load using the zero-crossing point detected by the phase detector in order to limit current flowing to the load in order to remotely turn off the load.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling a state of a load powered by an AC power source include a control unit having a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, a current sensor, a relay and a phase detector. The current sensor detects whether current is drawn by the load. The processor is configured to receive from the current sensor a state indication including whether current is drawn by the load. The processor may store the received state indication in the memory. The phase detector detects a zero-crossing point of the AC power source and provides that indication to the processor. In response to receiving the state indication, the processor is configured to activate the relay to change a phase of current to the load using the zero-crossing point detected by the phase detector in order to limit current flowing to the load in order to remotely turn off the load.