Systems and methods for uav transport and data acquisition

Abstract

A method of controlling an unmanned carrier with respect to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes determining, with aid of one or more processors individually or collectively, a state of the UAV; and adjusting a state of the unmanned carrier based on the state of the UAV. The state of the UAV includes at least: (1) a first state wherein the UAV is docked on the unmanned carrier; (2) a second state wherein the UAV is in flight mode and separated from the unmanned carrier; (3) a third state wherein the UAV is ready to dock on the unmanned carrier; or (4) a fourth state wherein the UAV is ready to take off from the unmanned carrier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling an unmanned carrier with respect to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
 determining, with aid of one or more processors individually or collectively, a state of the UAV; and   adjusting a state of the unmanned carrier based on the state of the UAV;   wherein the state of the UAV comprises at least: (1) a first state wherein the UAV is docked on the unmanned carrier; (2) a second state wherein the UAV is in flight mode and separated from the unmanned carrier; (3) a third state wherein the UAV is ready to dock on the unmanned carrier; or (4) a fourth state wherein the UAV is ready to take off from the unmanned carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the state of the UAV further comprises determining relative positions between the UAV and the unmanned carrier. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a controller is configured to send a signal to the unmanned carrier to prepare for receiving the UAV when the UAV is in the third state, and wherein a coupling unit on the unmanned carrier is configured to receive the UAV based on the signal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is a handheld remote control. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is on-board the unmanned carrier. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the controller comprises at least one display configured to display images captured by the UAV and images captured by the unmanned carrier simultaneously on a single display. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the images captured by the UAV and the images captured by the unmanned carrier are complementary to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust the state of the unmanned carrier based on images captured by the UAV and images captured by the unmanned carrier. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a controller is configured to send a signal to the unmanned carrier to prepare for decoupling the UAV from the unmanned carrier when the UAV is in the fourth state, and wherein the unmanned carrier is configured to retract a coupling unit when the UAV has taken off from the unmanned carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a controller is configured to, when the UAV is in the second state:
 determine a location of the UAV;   send a first signal to the unmanned carrier to move to a location on the ground to for receiving the UAV, wherein the location is within a predetermined range from the location of the UAV; and   send a second signal to the unmanned carrier to prepare for landing of the UAV.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured to send a third signal for adjusting a camera attached to the unmanned carrier to be pointing at a direction of the UAV in flight. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second signal includes instructions to elevate and open a coupling unit of the unmanned carrier to receive the UAV. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured to send a third signal to the UAV for descending when the unmanned carrier arrives at the location on the ground. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a controller is configured to, when the UAV is in the second state:
 determine a location of the unmanned carrier;   send a first signal to the UAV to fly to an aerial location substantially above the unmanned carrier;   send a second signal to the UAV for descending to dock on the unmanned carrier when the UAV arrives at the aerial location; and   send a third signal to the unmanned carrier to prepare for receiving the UAV.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a controller is configured to:
 determine a location of the unmanned carrier and a location of the UAV;   determine a meeting location that is accessible to both the unmanned carrier and the UAV;   send a first signal to the UAV to fly to an aerial location substantially above the meeting location;   send a second signal to the unmanned carrier to move to the meeting location;   send a third signal to the UAV for descending to dock on the unmanned carrier when the UAV arrives at the aerial location; and   send a fourth signal to the unmanned carrier to prepare for receiving the UAV.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a controller is configured to, when the UAV is in the second state:
 determine a location of the UAV by receiving positional data of the UAV from one or more sensors carried by the UAV; and   send controlling signals to the unmanned carrier to follow the UAV in flight.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a controller is configured to, when the UAV is in the first state, send a signal to a camera attached to the unmanned carrier to capture ground images. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a location of the unmanned carrier remains unchanged as the state of the UAV changes from the first state to the second state. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unmanned carrier further comprises: one or more propulsion components configured to propel the unmanned carrier; a landing area configured to support the UAV when the UAV is landed on the unmanned carrier; and a coupling unit configured to releasably couple with the UAV when the UAV is borne by the landing area. 
     
     
         20 . A system for controlling an unmanned carrier with respect to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system comprising:
 one or more processors, individually or collectively, configured to:
 determine a state of the UAV; and 
 adjust a state of the unmanned carrier based on the state of the UAV, 
   wherein the state of the UAV comprises at least: (1) a first state wherein the UAV is docked on the unmanned carrier; (2) a second state wherein the UAV is in flight mode and separated from the unmanned carrier; (3) a third state wherein the UAV is ready to dock on the unmanned carrier; or (4) a fourth state wherein the UAV is ready to take off from the unmanned carrier.