Abstract: A method for traffic management of autonomous vehicles in emergency situations is disclosed. Upon receipt of an emergency signal including information on an anomalous traffic condition by an autonomous vehicle, the method includes broadcasting the emergency signal using a wireless communication device. The method further includes establishing an ad hoc wireless network among a plurality of autonomous vehicles and exchanging data among the vehicles of the network. The method further includes collaboratively computing intent instructions for the vehicles of the network to avoid or mitigate the anomalous traffic condition, distributing the instructions among the vehicles of the network, and executing the instructions by each corresponding vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for determining the runway configuration of an airport. The method may include retrieving recorded surveillance data including instances of aircraft positions at an airport; determining a plurality of three-dimensional surveillance cells at each end of one or more runways of the airport; computing a count of the number of aircraft positions within each surveillance cell; and determining a current configuration for each runway based on the count computed for the surveillance cells of the runway. The predicted runway configuration of the airport can be used for updating the flight plan of an aircraft to reduce the total flight duration and minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: A method for traffic management of autonomous vehicles in emergency situations is disclosed. Upon receipt of an emergency signal including information on an anomalous traffic condition by an autonomous vehicle, the method includes broadcasting the emergency signal using a wireless communication device. The method further includes establishing an ad hoc wireless network among a plurality of autonomous vehicles and exchanging data among the vehicles of the network. The method further includes collaboratively computing intent instructions for the vehicles of the network to avoid or mitigate the anomalous traffic condition, distributing the instructions among the vehicles of the network, and executing the instructions by each corresponding vehicle.

Abstract: System and method to protect the privacy of ADS-B messages transmitted by aircraft. The system includes one or more ground stations with a ground station control unit and a ground ADS-B transponder for receiving an ADS-B message. The ground station control unit includes an aircraft position determination module for retrieving an aircraft position included in the ADS-B message; an operating conditions module for determining the fulfillment of operating conditions including determining if the aircraft position is an actual aircraft position; and a fake aircraft position generator for computing one or more fake aircraft positions. The ground station control unit broadcasts one or more fake ADS-B messages including the fake aircraft positions if the operating conditions are met. With this system only trusted receivers can obtain the real position of the aircraft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for determining the runway configuration of an airport. The method may include retrieving recorded surveillance data including instances of aircraft positions at an airport; determining a plurality of three-dimensional surveillance cells at each end of one or more runways of the airport; computing a count of the number of aircraft positions within each surveillance cell; and determining a current configuration for each runway based on the count computed for the surveillance cells of the runway. The predicted runway configuration of the airport can be used for updating the flight plan of an aircraft to reduce the total flight duration and minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: The invention proposes a new device and method that allows scanning and downloading the content of a portable storage device (i.e., USB drive) from any computer with a portable storage device plug and a browser without the risk of having the computer infected by virus or malware resident in the portable storage device. The device can be manufactured in a small and portable device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning aircraft based on images of mobile targets are disclosed. An example method includes identifying, by executing first instructions via a processor, a mobile target in an image obtained by a camera mounted on a first aircraft and obtaining, by executing second instructions via the processor, current coordinates of the first aircraft. The example method includes determining, by executing third instructions via the processor, coordinates of the mobile target based on the coordinates of the first aircraft and the image. The coordinates of the mobile target are within an area of uncertainty. The example method includes determining, by executing fourth instructions via the processor, a first position for the first aircraft that reduces the area of uncertainty of the coordinates of the mobile target.

Abstract: System and method to protect the privacy of ADS-B messages transmitted by aircraft. The system includes one or more ground stations with a ground station control unit and a ground ADS-B transponder for receiving an ADS-B message. The ground station control unit includes an aircraft position determination module for retrieving an aircraft position included in the ADS-B message; an operating conditions module for determining the fulfillment of operating conditions including determining if the aircraft position is an actual aircraft position; and a fake aircraft position generator for computing one or more fake aircraft positions. The ground station control unit broadcasts one or more fake ADS-B messages including the fake aircraft positions if the operating conditions are met. With this system only trusted receivers can obtain the real position of the aircraft.

Abstract: And aircraft recharging station is provided for recharging an aircraft provided with a rechargeable battery. The recharging station includes a parking surface with conductive tiles selectively connected to an electrical power supply. The recharging station also includes a controller configured to determine a position of the aircraft on the parking surface by connecting, including being configured to iteratively connect a different pair of tiles to the electrical power supply to provide a circuit including positive and negative tiles connected thereto, and test an electrical circuit condition of the circuit, until a closed circuit condition is determined, thereby indicating that the aircraft is positioned on the positive and negative tiles, and that the battery is thereby rechargeable by the electrical power supply.

Abstract: A gesture-based human machine interface, for example, a user interface for controlling a program executing on a computer, and related method are provided. Gestures of the user are monitored and a response is provided that is based upon the detected gestures. An object is used to point to information displayed on a screen. The information displayed on the screen is modified in response to a determination of the position on the screen to which the object is pointing and in response to the distance of the object from the screen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning aircraft based on images of mobile targets are disclosed. An example method includes identifying, by executing first instructions via a processor, a mobile target in an image obtained by a camera mounted on a first aircraft and obtaining, by executing second instructions via the processor, current coordinates of the first aircraft. The example method includes determining, by executing third instructions via the processor, coordinates of the mobile target based on the coordinates of the first aircraft and the image. The coordinates of the mobile target are within an area of uncertainty. The example method includes determining, by executing fourth instructions via the processor, a first position for the first aircraft that reduces the area of uncertainty of the coordinates of the mobile target.

Abstract: A method of extending the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed. The method comprises detecting that an energy storage device on board the UAV is depleted below a threshold level, landing the UAV at a base station, and initiating operation of the base station to cause a replacement mechanism thereof to remove the energy storage device on board the UAV from the UAV and to replace this with another energy storage device.

Abstract: An autonomous battery replacement station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The UAV includes a replaceable battery. The station includes (a) a landing platform configured to receive the UAV, (b) a storage location configured to store a replacement battery for the UAV, and (c) a means for swapping the replaceable battery on the UAV with a replacement battery from the storage location.

Abstract: A mobile UAV infrastructure and management system for control and management of one or more unmanned aerial vehicles including at least one landing platform to facilitate operational readiness of the unmanned aerial vehicle, radio beacons for localization of the unmanned aerial vehicle, a command and control station in communication with the unmanned aerial vehicle, and an unmanned ground vehicle for deploying the landing platform, the radio beacons and the command and control station.

Abstract: The invention proposes a new device and method that allows scanning and downloading the content of a portable storage device (i.e., USB drive) from any computer with a portable storage device plug and a browser without the risk of having the computer infected by virus or malware resident in the portable storage device. The device can be manufactured in a small and portable device.

Abstract: A mobile UAV infrastructure and management system for control and management of one or more unmanned aerial vehicles including at least one landing platform to facilitate operational readiness of the unmanned aerial vehicle, radio beacons for localization of the unmanned aerial vehicle, a command and control station in communication with the unmanned aerial vehicle, and an unmanned ground vehicle for deploying the landing platform, the radio beacons and the command and control station.

Abstract: A method includes enabling a power supply of a ground sensor device to provide power to one or more components of the ground sensor device based on one or more rotations of a rotor of the ground sensor device.

Abstract: And aircraft recharging station is provided for recharging an aircraft provided with a rechargeable battery. The recharging station includes a parking surface with conductive tiles selectively connected to an electrical power supply. The recharging station also includes a controller configured to determine a position of the aircraft on the parking surface by connecting, including being configured to iteratively connect a different pair of tiles to the electrical power supply to provide a circuit including positive and negative tiles connected thereto, and test an electrical circuit condition of the circuit, until a closed circuit condition is determined, thereby indicating that the aircraft is positioned on the positive and negative tiles, and that the battery is thereby rechargeable by the electrical power supply.

Abstract: The present invention provides a co-operative network of unmanned vehicles that participate in co-operative task allocation. Each unmanned vehicle comprises a computer system with an executive level configured to control motion of the unmanned vehicle and an automatic decision level configured to communicate with other unmanned vehicles, to receive task descriptions, to participate in task allocation, and to provide descriptions of tasks to be performed to the executive level for execution. Each unmanned vehicle submits a bid for each task it can perform, the bid reflecting an execution cost for the task. The bids are compared and the task effectively auctioned to the unmanned vehicle with a lowest execution cost. Each unmanned vehicle builds a task plan from its allocated tasks, decomposes the associated task descriptions into elementary task descriptions and forwards the elementary task descriptions in a format suitable for the executive level to execute.

Abstract: An autonomous battery replacement station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The UAV includes a replaceable battery. The station includes (a) a landing platform configured to receive the UAV, (b) a storage location configured to store a replacement battery for the UAV, and (c) a means for swapping the replaceable battery on the UAV with a replacement battery from the storage location.