System and method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

A system and method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be controlled to receive a departure point and a destination from a vehicle; and transmit information related to a shadow area between the departure point and the destination to the UAV to control the communication sensitivity of the UAV to measure each altitude in the shadow area.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0119044, filed on September 16, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle and a method thereof capable of providing a stable communication environment in a shadow area within a driving path of a vehicle. Background Art

[0004] Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have been developed to automate, adapt, and improve vehicle systems for safe and better driving.

[0005] Safety features are designed to prevent collisions and accidents by providing technologies that warn the driver of potential problems, implement restraints, or prevent collisions by taking control of the vehicle.

[0006] Adaptive features can provide automatic lighting, adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, integrated GPS / traffic warnings, connect to smartphones, and warn the driver of other vehicles or dangerous objects, keep the driver in the correct lane, or show what is in the blind spot.

[0007] However, when a vehicle is driven in the above manner, it is difficult to identify and avoid dangerous situations such as pedestrians suddenly appearing in the blind spot, and expensive on-board equipment and road facilities are required, making commercialization generally difficult.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to develop a vehicle travel system that is configured to recognize and avoid various dangerous situations while the vehicle is traveling even without expensive equipment.

[0009] The information included in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an admission or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle and a method thereof, the system being configured to provide a smooth communication environment between a control center, the unmanned aerial vehicle, and the vehicle when the vehicle travels on a path and when a shadow area exists on the travel path.

[0011] The technical problems to be solved by the present inventive concept are not limited to the aforementioned problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which various exemplary embodiments of the present invention pertain from the following description.

[0012] According to various aspects of the present invention, a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle includes: a telematics server that receives a departure point and a destination from a vehicle; transmits information related to a shadow area between the departure point and the destination to the unmanned aerial vehicle to control the unmanned aerial vehicle to measure a communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area; determines an optimal altitude path having relatively high communication sensitivity in the shadow area based on the communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area measured by the unmanned aerial vehicle; and, when the vehicle passes through the shadow area, controls the unmanned aerial vehicle to assist a communication function of the vehicle while flying along the optimal altitude path.

[0013] According to various aspects of the present invention, a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle receives information related to a shadow area based on a departure point and a destination of a vehicle from a telematics server to measure a communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area; after transmitting the communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area to the telematics server, receives an optimal altitude path having relatively high communication sensitivity in the shadow area from the telematics server; and when the vehicle passes through the shadow area, assists a communication function of the vehicle while flying along the optimal altitude path.

[0014] The telematics server may select the outermost point on one side of the shadow area as the shadow starting point; select the outermost point on the opposite side of the shadow area as the shadow ending point; control the unmanned aerial vehicle to measure communication sensitivity by communicating with wireless communication base stations around the shadow area while the unmanned aerial vehicle flies from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point; and determine the optimal altitude path by receiving the communication sensitivity measured by the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0015] The telematics server may: when the time when the vehicle arrives at the shadow area is later than the time when the unmanned aerial vehicle completes the measurement of communication sensitivity, select multiple altitudes from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point to control the unmanned aerial vehicle to normally measure the communication sensitivity of each altitude while the unmanned aerial vehicle is flying; and when the time when the vehicle arrives at the shadow area is earlier than the time when the unmanned aerial vehicle completes the measurement of communication sensitivity, select multiple altitudes from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point that are less than a predetermined number of normal measurements to control the unmanned aerial vehicle to measure the communication sensitivity of each of the selected multiple altitudes while the unmanned aerial vehicle is flying.

[0016] The unmanned aerial vehicle may include: a communication device that performs communication between a telematics server and the vehicle; a sensor that measures communication sensitivity by communicating with wireless communication base stations around a shadow area; and a flight controller configured to control flight in the shadow area.

[0017] The unmanned aerial vehicle can identify the lowest altitude, the highest altitude, and the intermediate altitude which is the intermediate height between the lowest altitude and the highest altitude while moving back and forth along the vehicle's driving path from a shadow starting point to a shadow ending point; and measure communication sensitivity while performing a one-way flight at the lowest altitude, the intermediate altitude, or the highest altitude along the driving path.

[0018] When the vehicle reaches the shadow area, the UAV can act as a wireless repeater between the vehicle and the wireless communication base station while flying at the lowest altitude, the middle altitude, or the highest altitude, based on the distance the vehicle travels from the shadow start point to the shadow end point.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle includes: receiving a departure point and a destination from a vehicle; transmitting information related to a shadow area between the departure point and the destination to the unmanned aerial vehicle to control the unmanned aerial vehicle to measure a communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area; determining an optimal altitude path having relatively high communication sensitivity in the shadow area based on the communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area measured by the unmanned aerial vehicle; and when the vehicle passes through the shadow area, controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle to assist a communication function of the vehicle while the unmanned aerial vehicle flies along the optimal altitude path.

[0020] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle includes: receiving information related to a shadow area based on a departure point and a destination of a vehicle from a telematics server to measure a communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area; after sending the communication sensitivity at each altitude of the shadow area to the telematics server, receiving an optimal altitude path having relatively high communication sensitivity in the shadow area from the telematics server; and when the vehicle passes through the shadow area, assisting a communication function of the vehicle while flying along the optimal altitude path.

[0021] The method may further include: selecting, by the telematics server, the outermost point on one side of the shadow area as the shadow starting point, and selecting, by the telematics server, the outermost point on the opposite side of the shadow area as the shadow ending point; controlling, by the telematics server, the unmanned aerial vehicle to measure communication sensitivity by communicating with wireless communication base stations around the shadow area while the unmanned aerial vehicle flies from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point; and determining, by the telematics server, the optimal altitude path by receiving the communication sensitivity measured by the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0022] The method may further include: comparing, by the telematics server, the time when the UAV completes the measurement of communication sensitivity with the time when the vehicle arrives at the shadow area; when the time when the vehicle arrives at the shadow area is later than the time when the UAV completes the measurement of communication sensitivity, selecting, by the telematics server, a plurality of altitudes from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point to control the UAV to normally measure the communication sensitivity of each altitude while the UAV is flying; and when the time when the vehicle arrives at the shadow area is earlier than the time when the UAV completes the measurement of communication sensitivity, selecting, by the telematics server, a plurality of altitudes from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point that are less than a predetermined number of normal measurements to control the UAV to measure the communication sensitivity of each of the selected plurality of altitudes while the UAV is flying.

[0023] The method may further include: identifying, by the unmanned aerial vehicle, a minimum altitude, a maximum altitude, and an intermediate altitude that is an intermediate height between the minimum altitude and the maximum altitude while reciprocating along a driving path of the vehicle from a shadow starting point to a shadow ending point; and measuring, by the unmanned aerial vehicle, communication sensitivity while performing a one-way flight at the minimum altitude, the intermediate altitude, or the maximum altitude along the driving path.

[0024] The method may further include: when the vehicle reaches the shadow area, based on the travel distance of the vehicle from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point, the unmanned aerial vehicle acts as a wireless repeater between the vehicle and the wireless communication base station while flying at the lowest altitude, the intermediate altitude or the highest altitude.

[0025] The method and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description taken in conjunction with this document, which together serve to explain certain principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is an exemplary diagram exemplarily illustrating a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a process of measuring a shadow area by an unmanned aerial vehicle forming a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and

[0028] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and present a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as included herein (including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes) will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

[0030] In the drawings, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the present invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the present invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0032] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. When reference numerals are assigned to components in each drawing, it should be noted that even if identical or equivalent components are shown in other drawings, they are represented by the same numerals. In addition, when describing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of well-known features or functions will be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the essence of the present invention.

[0033] When describing the components of the exemplary embodiments according to the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, "A", "B", (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and the terms do not limit the nature, order or sequence of the constituent components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical terms or scientific terms) have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention belong. Such terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as the contextual meaning in the relevant technical field, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined as having such a meaning in this application.

[0034] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail.

[0035] Figure 1 and Figure 2FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram exemplarily illustrating a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a process of measuring a shadow area by an unmanned aerial vehicle forming a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 , a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a vehicle 100 , an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 300 , and a telematics server 500 .

[0037] The vehicle 100 may include a navigation device, sensors, and a communication device.

[0038] The driver of vehicle 100 can input destination information through the navigation device, obtain status information related to vehicle 100, surrounding situation information related to vehicle 100, etc. through sensors, and send departure information, destination information, status information, surrounding situation information, etc. to the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 and the remote information processing server 500 through the communication device.

[0039] When receiving departure information, destination information, status information, surrounding situation information, etc. from the vehicle 100, the telematics server 500 can generate path information between the departure point and destination of the vehicle 100 based on the map information stored in an independent database, and can determine the shaded area "B" on the path.

[0040] The path information may include information such as tunnels, overpasses, underpasses, obstacles, uphill roads, downhill roads, entrances and exits of connecting roads, curvature of roads, etc., distance information, etc., which exist between the starting point and the destination.

[0041] Information related to the shaded area 'B' may include a section where the transmission / reception sensitivity of communication is relatively low, such as a multipath section within a path, a fading section, and the like.

[0042] The telematics server 500 may transmit the path information between the departure point and the destination and the shadow area "B" information to the vehicle 100 and the unmanned aerial vehicle 300, respectively, and may provide a control command to the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 for allowing the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 to fly in the shadow area "B" while measuring the communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area "B".

[0043] UAV 300 may include a communication device 310 , a sensor 330 , a flight controller 350 , and a controller 370 .

[0044] The communication device 310 configured to perform communication between the telematics server 500 and the vehicle 100 can receive the current location, etc. from the vehicle 100, and receive the starting point and destination, path information, shadow area "B" information, etc. of the vehicle 100 from the telematics server 500.

[0045] The sensor 330 may measure the communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area “B” by communicating with the wireless communication base station around the shadow area “B” on the path between the starting point and the destination of the vehicle 100 .

[0046] The flight controller 350 may control various devices that allow the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 to fly in response to a control command provided from the telematics server 500 .

[0047] The controller 370 may receive flight path information from the telematics server 500 , control flight through the flight controller 350 , and control measurement communication sensitivity through the sensor 330 .

[0048] The unmanned aerial vehicle 300 may be a multirotor aircraft including a rotorcraft, such as a birotor aircraft, a trirotor aircraft, a quadrotor aircraft, an octocrotor aircraft, etc. configured to perform vertical takeoff and landing and flight. The unmanned aerial vehicle 300 is not limited to the above-mentioned rotorcraft and may include various unmanned aerial devices.

[0049] refer to Figure 3 , the telematics server 500 may select one of the outermost points in the shadow area “B” as the shadow starting point “S”, and may select the relative outermost point in the shadow area “B” as the shadow ending point “D”.

[0050] The shadow start point “S” may be a point close to the departure point of the vehicle 100 , and the shadow end point “D” may be a point close to the destination of the vehicle 100 .

[0051] The telematics server 500 may determine the time required for the UAV 300 to measure the communication sensitivity in the shadow area “B” based on the path distance from the shadow starting point “S” to the shadow ending point “D”, the maximum speed of the UAV 300 , and the like.

[0052] When the estimated arrival time of the vehicle 100 starting from the starting point and arriving at the shadow area "B" is later than the estimated completion time for completing the measurement of the communication sensitivity of the shadow area "B", that is, it is expected that the measurement of the communication sensitivity of the shadow area "B" can be completed by the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 before the vehicle 100 arrives at the shadow area "B", the telematics server 500 can control the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 to perform normal measurement.

[0053] refer to Figure 4 In normal measurement, the UAV 300 can collect information related to the flight path, such as the lowest flyable altitude, the highest flyable altitude, etc., while flying back and forth along the driving path of the vehicle 100 from the shadow starting point "S" to the shadow ending point "D" in advance.

[0054] After collecting information about the flight path in the shadow area "B", the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 can measure communication sensitivity such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based on nearby wireless communication base stations and line of sight (LOS) while flying back and forth along the driving path of the vehicle 100 from the shadow starting point "S" to the shadow ending point "D" by changing the altitude value from the lowest altitude to the highest altitude.

[0055] For example, when the lowest altitude is 300 meters and the highest altitude is 400 meters, the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 can measure the primary communication sensitivity T1 while flying one-way from the shadow starting point "S" toward the shadow ending point "D" at an altitude of 300 meters, measure the secondary communication sensitivity T2 while flying one-way from the shadow ending point "D" to the shadow starting point "S" at an altitude of 350 meters (i.e., the intermediate altitude), and measure the third communication sensitivity T3 while flying one-way from the shadow starting point "S" toward the shadow ending point "D" at an altitude of 400 meters.

[0056] The unmanned aerial vehicle 300 may transmit the communication sensitivity information measured in the shadow area “B” to the telematics server 500 , and the telematics server 500 may determine the optimal altitude path “T” in the shadow area “B” based on the communication sensitivity information received from the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 .

[0057] The optimal altitude path “T” may represent a flight altitude having relatively high communication sensitivity according to a distance in the travel path of the vehicle 100 between the shadow start point “S” and the shadow end point “D”.

[0058] For example, reference Figure 5It can be understood that in the first section S1, the communication sensitivity is relatively high at an altitude of 400 meters, in the second section S2, the communication sensitivity is relatively high at an altitude of 350 meters, in the third section S3, the communication sensitivity is relatively high at an altitude of 400 meters, and in the fourth section S4, the communication sensitivity is relatively high at an altitude of 300 meters.

[0059] The telematics server 500 may transmit the determined optimal altitude path “T” to the UAV 300 .

[0060] The UAV 300 may receive the optimal altitude path "T" from the telematics server 500. When the vehicle 100 reaches the shadow area "B", the UAV 300 may function as a wireless repeater between the vehicle 100 and the wireless communication base station while moving from the shadow start point "S" to the shadow end point "D" together with the vehicle 100 and flying along the optimal altitude path "T" based on the travel distance of the vehicle 100.

[0061] That is, when the vehicle 100 is traveling in the first section S1, the UAV 300 can function as a wireless repeater while flying at an altitude of 400 meters. When the vehicle 100 is traveling in the second section S2, the UAV 300 can function as a wireless repeater while flying at an altitude of 350 meters. When the vehicle 100 is traveling in the third section S3, the UAV 300 can function as a wireless repeater while flying at an altitude of 400 meters. When the vehicle 100 is traveling in the fourth section S4, the UAV 300 can function as a wireless repeater while flying at an altitude of 300 meters.

[0062] At the same time, when the estimated arrival time of the vehicle 100 starting from the starting point and arriving at the shadow area "B" is earlier than the estimated completion time when the measurement of the communication sensitivity of the shadow area "B" is completed, that is, the vehicle 100 is expected to arrive at the shadow area "B" before the measurement of the communication sensitivity of the shadow area "B" is completed by the unmanned aerial vehicle 300, the telematics server 500 can control the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 to perform a shortened measurement.

[0063] In the shortened measurement, the number of measurements may be selected to be less than the number of normal altitude measurements from the shadow start point "S" to the shadow end point "D" so that the measurement completion time is shortened by allowing the UAV 300 to measure communication sensitivity while flying at each altitude.

[0064] For example, in normal measurement, communication sensitivity is measured while flying at each of the lowest, intermediate, and highest altitudes. In shortened measurement, communication sensitivity can be measured at one or two of the lowest, intermediate, and highest altitudes while flying, thereby shortening the measurement completion time. Therefore, the communication sensitivity measurement in the shaded area "B" can be completed before the vehicle 100 reaches the shaded area "B."

[0065] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 6 and Figure 7 A method of controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is described in detail.

[0066] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0067] In the following, it is assumed that Figure 1 A system for controlling unmanned aerial vehicles Figure 6 and Figure 7 process.

[0068] First, in S101 , the telematics server 500 may receive a departure point, a stopover point, and a destination from the vehicle 100 .

[0069] Therefore, in S102, the telematics server 500 may transmit the path information between the departure point and the destination and the shadow area "B" information to the UAV 300. In S103, the telematics server 500 may select the outermost point on one side of the shadow area "B" as the shadow start point "S", and select the outermost point on the opposite side of the shadow area "B" as the shadow end point "D".

[0070] Therefore, in S104 , the UAV 300 may determine the time required to complete the measurement of the communication sensitivity in the shadow area “B”.

[0071] Therefore, in S105, the estimated completion time when the UAV 300 completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity can be compared with the estimated arrival time when the vehicle 100 arrives at the shadow area "B". In S106, when the estimated arrival time when the vehicle 100 arrives at the shadow area "B" is later than the estimated completion time when the UAV 300 completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity, multiple altitudes can be selected from the shadow starting point "S" to the shadow ending point "D", and the UAV can be controlled to normally measure the communication sensitivity while flying at each altitude.

[0072] The UAV 300 receives path information based on the starting point and destination of the vehicle 100 and shadow area “B” information from the telematics server 500 in S201 , and receives a shadow start point “S” and a shadow end point “D” in S202 .

[0073] In S203, the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 can receive a control command for normal measurement of communication sensitivity by communicating with the wireless communication base station around the shadow area "B" while flying from the shadow starting point "S" to the shadow ending point "D", in S204, the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 can perform normal measurement, in S206, the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 can normally measure the communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area "B", and in S207, the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 can send the values ​​measured in the shadow area "B" to the remote information processing server 500.

[0074] Therefore, in S109 , the telematics server 500 may determine an optimal altitude path “T” where the communication sensitivity in the shadow area “B” is relatively high based on the communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area “B” transmitted by the UAV 300 in S108 .

[0075] In S208, the UAV 300 may receive the optimal altitude path "T" from the telematics server 500. In S209, when the vehicle 100 passes through the shadow area "B", in S210, the UAV 300 may assist the communication function of the vehicle 100 while flying along the optimal altitude path "T".

[0076] Meanwhile, in S105, when the estimated arrival time of the vehicle 100 at the shadow area "B" is earlier than the estimated completion time when the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity, in S107, a plurality of altitudes less than the number of normal measurements can be selected from the shadow starting point "S" to the shadow ending point "D", and in S205, the unmanned aerial vehicle 300 can be controlled to measure the communication sensitivity of each of the selected plurality of altitudes while flying at each altitude, thereby performing shortened measurement.

[0077] As described above, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when a shadow area exists along a vehicle's travel path, a stable communication environment can be provided between a control center, an unmanned aerial vehicle, and the vehicle. Furthermore, without configuring a separate navigation device for the unmanned aerial vehicle, the unmanned aerial vehicle can be operated automatically, and areas where vehicle communication is impossible due to the shadow area can be covered by the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0078] In addition, because the line of sight (LOS) with nearby wireless communication base stations can be easily ensured by using the UAV flight environment (more than 300m above the ground), there are fewer communication interferences and obstacles around, and the UAV can fly in the air while maintaining a specified distance from the vehicle, it is possible to provide an environment that is more conducive to wireless communication than the surrounding infrastructure.

[0079] When there is a shadow area along the vehicle's driving path, this technology can provide a smooth communication environment between the control center, the UAV, and the vehicle.

[0080] Furthermore, various effects directly or indirectly understood by the present invention can be provided.

[0081] The above description is a simple example of the technical spirit of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present invention pertain may make various corrections and modifications to the present invention without departing from the basic characteristics of the present invention.

[0082] For ease of interpretation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms "on," "below," "inside," "outside," "up," "down," "front," "back," "backside," "inside," "outside," "inward," "outward," "inside," "outside," "interior," "exterior," "interior," "exterior," "forward," and "rearward" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be further understood that the term "connect" or its derivatives refers to both direct and indirect connections.

[0083] For the purpose of illustration and description, the foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and in view of the above teachings, it is apparent that many modifications and variations are possible. Exemplary embodiments are selected and described to explain the specific principles of the present invention and their practical applications so that those skilled in the art can make and utilize the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their various substitutions and modifications. The scope of the present invention is intended to be limited by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle, the system comprising: A telematics server, the telematics server being configured to: Receive the origin and destination from the vehicle; transmitting information related to a shadow area between the departure point and the destination to the UAV to control the UAV to measure a communication sensitivity of each altitude in the shadow area; determining an optimal altitude path having relatively high communication sensitivity in the shadow area based on the communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area measured by the UAV; and When it is determined that the vehicle passes through the shadow area, controlling the UAV to assist the communication function of the vehicle while flying along the optimal altitude path, Wherein, the telematics server is further configured to: selecting a plurality of elevations within the shaded area; Measuring communication sensitivity at each altitude; and A path connecting the altitude having the highest measured communication sensitivity in each of the sections included in the shadow area is determined as the optimal altitude path.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The telematics server is further configured to: Selecting the outermost point on one side of the shadow area as the shadow starting point; selecting the outermost points on opposite sides of the shadow area as shadow end points; controlling the UAV to measure the communication sensitivity by communicating with wireless communication base stations around the shadow area while the UAV flies from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point; and The optimal altitude path is determined by receiving the communication sensitivity measured by the UAV.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein: The telematics server is further configured to: When the vehicle arrives at the shadow area later than the time when the UAV completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity, selecting a plurality of altitudes from the shadow start point to the shadow end point to control the UAV to normally measure the communication sensitivity at each altitude while the UAV is flying; and When the vehicle arrives at the shadow area earlier than the time when the UAV completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity, a plurality of altitudes smaller than a predetermined number normally measured from the shadow start point to the shadow end point are selected to control the UAV to measure the communication sensitivity at each of the selected plurality of altitudes while the UAV is flying.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to: identifying a minimum altitude, a maximum altitude, and an intermediate altitude that is an intermediate height between the minimum altitude and the maximum altitude while reciprocating along the travel path of the vehicle from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point; and The communication sensitivity is measured while performing a one-way flight along the travel path at the lowest altitude, the intermediate altitude, or the highest altitude.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein: The UAV is further configured to: Upon determining that the vehicle has reached the shadow area, based on a travel distance of the vehicle from the shadow start point to the shadow end point, acting as a wireless repeater between the vehicle and the wireless communication base station while flying at the minimum altitude, the intermediate altitude, or the maximum altitude.

6. A system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein: The unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to: receiving information related to a shadow area based on a departure point and a destination of the vehicle from a telematics server to measure a communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area; after transmitting the communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area to the telematics server, receiving from the telematics server an optimal altitude path having a relatively high communication sensitivity in the shadow area; and assisting a communication function of the vehicle while flying along the optimal altitude path upon determining that the vehicle passes through the shadowed area, Wherein, the telematics server is configured as follows: selecting a plurality of elevations within the shaded area; Measure communication sensitivity at each altitude; as well as A path connecting the altitude having the highest measured communication sensitivity in each of the sections included in the shadow area is determined as the optimal altitude path.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein: The telematics server is configured to: Selecting the outermost point on one side of the shadow area as the shadow starting point; selecting the outermost points on opposite sides of the shadow area as shadow end points; controlling the UAV to measure the communication sensitivity by communicating with wireless communication base stations around the shadow area while the UAV flies from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point; and The optimal altitude path is determined by receiving the communication sensitivity measured by the UAV.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein: The telematics server is further configured to: When the vehicle arrives at the shadow area later than the time when the UAV completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity, selecting a plurality of altitudes from the shadow start point to the shadow end point to control the UAV to normally measure the communication sensitivity at each altitude while the UAV is flying; and When the vehicle arrives at the shadow area earlier than the time when the UAV completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity, a plurality of altitudes smaller than a predetermined number normally measured from the shadow start point to the shadow end point are selected to control the UAV to measure the communication sensitivity at each of the selected plurality of altitudes while the UAV is flying.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein: The unmanned aerial vehicle comprises: a communication device configured to perform communication between the telematics server and the vehicle; a sensor configured to measure the communication sensitivity by communicating with a wireless communication base station around the shadow area; and A flight controller is configured to control the flight of the UAV in the shadow area.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein: The UAV is further configured to: identifying a minimum altitude, a maximum altitude, and an intermediate altitude that is an intermediate height between the minimum altitude and the maximum altitude while reciprocating along the travel path of the vehicle from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point; and The communication sensitivity is measured while performing a one-way flight along the travel path at the lowest altitude, the intermediate altitude, or the highest altitude.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The UAV is further configured to: When the vehicle reaches the shadow area, based on the travel distance of the vehicle from the shadow start point to the shadow end point, the vehicle acts as a wireless repeater between the vehicle and the wireless communication base station while flying at the lowest altitude, the intermediate altitude, or the highest altitude.

12. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: receiving, by a telematics server, a departure point and a destination from the vehicle; transmitting, by the telematics server, information related to a shadow area between the departure point and the destination to the unmanned aerial vehicle, so as to control the unmanned aerial vehicle to measure a communication sensitivity of each altitude in the shadow area; determining, by the telematics server, an optimal altitude path having relatively high communication sensitivity in the shadow area based on the communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area measured by the unmanned aerial vehicle; and When the vehicle passes through the shadow area, the telematics server controls the UAV to assist the vehicle's communication function while the UAV flies along the optimal altitude path. Determining the optimal altitude path includes: selecting a plurality of elevations within the shaded area; Measuring communication sensitivity at each altitude; and A path connecting the altitude having the highest measured communication sensitivity in each of the sections included in the shadow area is determined as the optimal altitude path.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of: selecting, by the telematics server, an outermost point on one side of the shadow area as a shadow starting point, and selecting an outermost point on an opposite side of the shadow area as a shadow ending point; controlling the UAV by the telematics server to fly from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point to measure the communication sensitivity by communicating with wireless communication base stations around the shadow area; and The optimal altitude path is determined by the telematics server by receiving the communication sensitivity measured by the UAV.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: comparing, by the telematics server, a time when the UAV completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity with a time when the vehicle arrives at the shadow area; When the vehicle arrives at the shadow area later than the time when the UAV completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity, the telematics server selects a plurality of altitudes from the shadow start point to the shadow end point to control the UAV to normally measure the communication sensitivity at each altitude while the UAV is flying; and When the vehicle arrives at the shadow area earlier than the time when the UAV completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity, the telematics server selects a plurality of altitudes from the shadow start point to the shadow end point, which are smaller than a predetermined number measured normally, to control the UAV to measure the communication sensitivity at each of the selected plurality of altitudes while the UAV is flying.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of: identifying, by the unmanned aerial vehicle, a minimum altitude, a maximum altitude, and an intermediate altitude that is an intermediate height between the minimum altitude and the maximum altitude while reciprocating along the travel path of the vehicle from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point; and The communication sensitivity is measured by the unmanned aerial vehicle while performing a one-way flight along the driving path at the lowest altitude, the intermediate altitude, or the highest altitude.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of: When the vehicle reaches the shadow area, based on the travel distance of the vehicle from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point, the unmanned aerial vehicle acts as a wireless repeater between the vehicle and the wireless communication base station while flying at the lowest altitude, the intermediate altitude, or the highest altitude.

17. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: receiving, by the UAV, information related to a shadow area based on a departure point and a destination of the vehicle from a telematics server to measure a communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area; After transmitting the communication sensitivity at each altitude in the shadow area to the telematics server, the unmanned aerial vehicle receives from the telematics server an optimal altitude path having a relatively high communication sensitivity in the shadow area; and When the vehicle passes through the shadow area, the UAV assists the vehicle's communication function while flying along the optimal altitude path. The method further comprises: selecting, by the telematics server, a plurality of altitudes in the shadowed area; measuring, by the telematics server, communication sensitivity at each altitude; and A path connecting an altitude having the highest measured communication sensitivity in each of the sections included in the shadow area is determined by the telematics server as the optimal altitude path.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of: selecting, by the telematics server, an outermost point on one side of the shadow area as a shadow starting point, and selecting an outermost point on an opposite side of the shadow area as a shadow ending point; controlling the UAV by the telematics server to fly from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point to measure the communication sensitivity by communicating with wireless communication base stations around the shadow area; and The optimal altitude path is determined by the telematics server by receiving the communication sensitivity measured by the UAV.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of: comparing, by the telematics server, a time when the UAV completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity with a time when the vehicle arrives at the shadow area; When the vehicle arrives at the shadow area later than the time when the UAV completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity, the telematics server selects a plurality of altitudes from the shadow start point to the shadow end point to control the UAV to normally measure the communication sensitivity at each altitude while the UAV is flying; and When the vehicle arrives at the shadow area earlier than the time when the UAV completes the measurement of the communication sensitivity, the telematics server selects a plurality of altitudes from the shadow start point to the shadow end point, which are smaller than a predetermined number measured normally, to control the UAV to measure the communication sensitivity at each of the selected plurality of altitudes while the UAV is flying.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of: identifying, by the unmanned aerial vehicle, a minimum altitude, a maximum altitude, and an intermediate altitude that is an intermediate height between the minimum altitude and the maximum altitude while reciprocating along the travel path of the vehicle from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point; and The communication sensitivity is measured by the unmanned aerial vehicle while performing a one-way flight along the driving path at the lowest altitude, the intermediate altitude, or the highest altitude.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the steps of: When the vehicle reaches the shadow area, based on the travel distance of the vehicle from the shadow starting point to the shadow ending point, the unmanned aerial vehicle acts as a wireless repeater between the vehicle and the wireless communication base station while flying at the lowest altitude, the intermediate altitude, or the highest altitude.

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