Distributed Drone Dispatch Using Availability and Component Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for managing geographically distributed drones face challenges in quickly and efficiently deploying suitable drones with the necessary components and availability to meet real-time needs, especially for authorities or organizations with security tasks, due to high maintenance and operational costs, and limitations in round-the-clock availability.

Innovation Solution

A method and computer-implemented deployment platform that selects and deploys geographically distributed drones based on deployment information, including component requirements, availability, and location, using a communication interface to assign tasks to control units, ensuring drones with the required components and readiness are used efficiently and effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If drones are maintained in round-the-clock readiness for security tasks, then availability for deployment is improved, but operational costs and maintenance expenses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability for deploymentVSAvoidoperational costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration and data collection for drones before actual deployment needs arise. Drone operators register their drones and availability periods in advance with the deployment platform, allowing the system to plan and prepare deployments without requiring continuous readiness. This enables cost-effective on-demand deployment while maintaining reliable availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If drones are deployed quickly to mission locations, then response time is improved, but selection complexity increases due to multiple drones at various locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidselection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deployment platform implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring drone availability status, component information, and location data. When a deployment request is received, the system queries current availability information from registered drones and their control units, then provides feedback to select the most suitable drone. This automated feedback loop enables rapid response despite the complexity of managing multiple geographically distributed drones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Drones and their control units automatically provide availability information and component data to the deployment platform through automated data communication. This self-service approach eliminates manual registration and status reporting, allowing the system to quickly query and select appropriate drones without complex manual coordination, thereby reducing response time while managing selection complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If drones with specific components are selected for missions, then mission suitability is improved, but selection criteria complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemission suitabilityVSAvoidselection criteria
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data collection and registration of drone components, capabilities, and characteristics before deployment needs arise. Operators register detailed component information (cameras, sensors, containers, grippers) and mission suitability criteria in advance. This pre-established database allows the deployment platform to automatically match mission requirements with appropriate drones using predefined selection criteria, ensuring mission suitability without complex real-time evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4495854A1Method for operating a plurality of geographically distributed drones
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4495854A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4495854A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4495854A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a plurality of geographically distributed drones (2) which are geographically distributed at drone locations (4) and wherein each drone is assigned to one of several control units (6), wherein a computer-implemented operational platform (12) acquires operational information comprising an operational location (8) (110), wherein the operational platform (12) determines, taking into account the operational information, a selection of one drone from the plurality of drones (2) as the selected drone (22) (150), taking into account the operational location (8) and the drone locations (4), and wherein the operational platform (12) transmits a take-off request to the operational location (8) to the control unit (6) to which the selected drone (22) is assigned (160).