Aerial Communication Drone Relay for In-Vehicle Wireless Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current logistics operations face challenges in monitoring items within delivery vehicles, conducting efficient inspections of delivery vehicles, and maintaining effective communication between devices within these vehicles, due to limitations in RFID read ranges, manual inspection costs, and communication range constraints.
Innovation Solution
Deployment of an aerial communication drone as a relocatable communication hub within delivery vehicles to establish robust wireless data communication paths between broadcast-enabled devices, using a paired drone system that transitions from a docking station to an airborne position to facilitate extended communication and monitoring capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID readers and antennas are used to monitor items in shipment storage, then item monitoring capability is provided, but the read range limitation restricts coverage in large storage areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an aerial drone that operates in the three-dimensional space above the shipment storage, transitioning from two-dimensional ground-based RFID readers to three-dimensional aerial monitoring. This dimensional change allows the drone to hover at optimal heights and positions to extend coverage area and overcome read range limitations of fixed readers.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerial drone acts as an intermediary between the ground-based RFID infrastructure and items in storage. The drone carries RFID readers and can position itself strategically to mediate communication between items and the monitoring system, extending effective read range through mobile positioning.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If manual inspection of delivery vehicle parts is performed, then inspection capability is provided, but it is expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection drone performs self-service inspection by autonomously navigating to designated inspection points, capturing images and data without human intervention. The drone independently executes inspection tasks, processes captured data, and transmits results, eliminating the need for manual inspection personnel and significantly reducing inspection time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with automated aerial robotic inspection. The drone uses cameras, sensors, and onboard processing to substitute human inspectors, achieving faster, more consistent, and scalable inspection capability while reducing labor costs and time requirements.
3Reliability
If communication devices are placed within delivery vehicles, then communication capability is provided, but communication range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The communication drone operates in the aerial dimension above the delivery vehicle, creating a three-dimensional communication network instead of relying solely on ground-based devices. This vertical dimension extends communication range by positioning relays and nodes at elevated positions with better line-of-sight coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication drone provides dynamic, mobile communication relay capability, moving to optimal positions to maintain and extend communication coverage. Unlike fixed communication devices, the drone can adapt its position in real-time to overcome obstacles and extend range, providing reliable communication throughout the delivery vehicle and surrounding areas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances monitoring of shipped items, streamlines delivery vehicle inspections, and ensures reliable communication between devices within the vehicle, improving operational efficiency and reducing costs associated with manual inspections and communication range limitations.
Implementation Method 1
establishing a first wireless data communication path to a first of the broadcast-enabled devices within the delivery vehicle, and establishing a second wireless data communication path to a second of the broadcast-enabled devices within the delivery vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Drone-based systems and methods are described for providing an airborne relocatable communication hub within a delivery vehicle for broadcast-enabled devices maintained within the delivery vehicle. Such a method has an aerial communication drone paired with the delivery vehicle transitioning to an active power state, uncoupling from a secured position on an internal docking station fixed within the delivery vehicle and then moving to a first deployed airborne position within the delivery vehicle. At a first position, the method has the aerial communication drone establishing a first wireless data communication path to a first broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle, then establishing a second wireless data communication path to a second broadcast-enabled device within the delivery vehicle. The drone then couples the first and second wireless data communication paths it established operating as the airborne relocatable communication hub for the devices.