Very low level operations coordination platform

Abstract

A Very Low Level Operations Coordination Platform and a method of operating that includes a cloud-based software platform that serves as a central database application for drone-related applications The central database application includes a database storing any, some or all zones which defines where drones are and are not allowed to fly based on all required information such as but not limited to drone legislation, airspace structure, obstacles, environment and people density, taking into account scheduled flights, planned flights and flights flown of other drones. If the drone fails to remain within the approved fly zone the platform is adapted to proactively intervene in flight operations so that the drone cannot leave the approved fly zone.

1 - 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . A Very Low Level Operations Coordination (“VLOC”) Platform comprising a cloud-based software platform that serves as a database application for drone-related applications, the database application comprising a database storing any, some or all of airspace structure, drone legislation, system information of drones, data identifying drone users, no-fly-zones, scheduled flights, planned flights and flights flown, being configured for approving a drone flight based on validation processes. 
     
     
         71 . The VLOC Platform according to  claim 70 , further being configured for approving a drone flight by means of automated validation processes. 
     
     
         72 . The VLOC Platform according to  claim 70 , wherein said validation processes include validation of any or some or all of the operator identity, drone or drones used for the operation, the intended fly zone including horizontal and vertical dimensions, timings of the operation, pilot license, legislation, whether there is an operational conflict selected from operational conflict with other planned or unplanned drone flights or, that there will be no intrusion with a no-fly zone. 
     
     
         73 . The VLOC Platform according to  claim 70 , wherein said validation processes include validation of any or some or all of confirmation of Pilot name, Pilot cell phone, Operation name, Operation type, Aircraft type, flight altitude, whether there is an Operation conflict, e.g. with other planned flights, that there will be no intrusion of a no fly zone, or of a Controlled Traffic Region (CTR) or any other airspace with require prior authorization/coordination to enter. 
     
     
         74 . The VLOC platform according to  claim 72 , being adapted to approve a flight wherein a flight is approved only if some or all of these requirements are met. 
     
     
         75 . The VLOC platform according to  claim 74 , being adapted to approve of a automatically or by a manual escalation process requiring additional interactions in case the application is not in line with the flight constraints. 
     
     
         76 . The VLOC platform according to  claim 70 , further being adapted to deconflict drone flights. 
     
     
         77 . The VLOC platform according to  claim 70 , further being adapted for logging information in the database for each flight. 
     
     
         78 . The VLOC Platform according to  claim 70 , further being adapted to receive intended fly zone, speed, direction and telemetry of flight in near-real time. 
     
     
         79 . The VLOC Platform according to  claim 70 , adapted to, upon approval of said flight, publish a digital flight information exchange model such as NOTAM, AIXM (Aeronautical Information Exchange Model), FIXM (Flight Information Exchange Model) or similar. 
     
     
         80 . The VLOC Platform according to  claim 70 , further comprising a component for visualising all drone operations. 
     
     
         81 . The VLOC Platform according to  claim 70 , configured to prevent conflicts between drones users and between drone users and manned aircraft and to ensure that a drone operator can determine whether their planned flights can proceed within the legal framework and without conflicts with other planned and unplanned operations of other users, by being configured to inform drones, drone users or drone operators, or any some or all of the police or other security organisations, security services, emergency services and aviation authorities of a conflict. 
     
     
         82 . The VLOC platform of  claim 70 , wherein the platform is configured to communicate with a drone via a wireless network or a satellite system. 
     
     
         83 . The VLOC platform according to  claim 70 , wherein said VLOC Platform comprises at least one interface that allows access by and to other platforms. 
     
     
         84 . The VLOC platform according to  claim 82 , wherein said other platform is any, some or all of: private users, professional users, police, aviation authorities, aviation control, air traffic management, manufacturers of drones, software houses and system builders. 
     
     
         85 . A Very Low Level Operations Coordination Platform comprising a cloud-based software platform that serves as a database application for drone-related applications, the database application comprising a database storing any, some or all of airspace structure, drone legislation, system information of drones, data identifying drone users, no-fly-zones, scheduled flights, planned flights and flights flown, configured to prevent conflicts between drones users and between drone users and manned aircraft and to ensure that a drone operator can determine whether their planned flights can proceed within the legal framework and without conflicts with other planned and unplanned operations of other users, being configured to inform drones, drone users or drone operators or any some or all of the police or other security organisations, security services, emergency services and aviation authorities of a conflict. 
     
     
         86 . A Very Low Level Operations Coordination Platform comprising a cloud-based software platform that serves as a database application for drone-related applications, the database application comprising a database storing any, some or all of airspace structure, drone legislation, system information of drones, data identifying drone users, no-fly-zones, scheduled flights, planned flights and flights flown, configured to prevent conflicts between drones users and between drone users and manned aircraft and to ensure that a drone operator can determine whether their planned flights can proceed within the legal framework and without conflicts with other planned and unplanned operations of other users, being configured to distribute drone flight related information to drone operators. 
     
     
         87 . A Very Low Level Operations Coordination Platform comprising a cloud-based software platform that serves as a database application for drone-related applications, the database application comprising a database storing any, some or all of airspace structure, drone legislation, system information of drones, data identifying drone users, no-fly-zones, scheduled flights, planned flights and flights flown, wherein said VLOC Platform comprises at least one interface that allows access by and to other platforms. 
     
     
         88 . The coordination platform according to  claim 87 , wherein said other platform is any, some or all of: private users, professional users, police, aviation authorities, aviation control, air traffic management, manufacturers of drones, software houses and system builders.