Drone Digital License Plate for Cellular Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies lack standardized methods for drones to disseminate information about their capabilities and status to third parties and mobile network operators, particularly regarding flight control and cellular communication, which is essential for managing drone interference and providing specialized services.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where drones transmit a dynamic 'digital license plate' dataset over a cellular communication network, enabling identification, classification, and control of drones, including flight steering commands and quality of service settings, through standardized interfaces between the cellular modem and flight control unit, and between third-party servers and the cellular core network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If drones are equipped with UE functionality to connect to cellular communication systems, then drone communication capability and service access are improved, but control security and network interference management become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrone communication capabilityVSAvoidcontrol security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments drone control into multiple independent communication channels: a primary control link for flight commands and a secondary cellular link for data exchange and identification. This segmentation allows the drone to communicate with cellular networks while maintaining secure primary control, resolving the contradiction between communication versatility and control security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary identification mechanism (digital license plate) that mediates between drones and third parties/network operators. This intermediary allows safe information exchange without exposing direct control interfaces, enabling communication capability while protecting control security through a trusted intermediary layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If standardized interfaces are implemented between cellular modem and flight control unit, then control handover capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol handover capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal standardized interfaces that enable multiple functions: primary control communication, secondary data exchange, and emergency handover protocols. This single standardized interface structure handles multiple scenarios (normal operation, handover, emergency control), reducing overall system complexity compared to implementing separate dedicated interfaces for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If drones transmit identification and capability information to third parties, then traffic management and service quality are improved, but information security and privacy concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic management efficiencyVSAvoidinformation security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only essential identification and capability information (digital license plate) from the drone's full data set and transmits it to third parties and network operators. By taking out and transmitting only the minimum necessary information for traffic management while leaving detailed operational data secure on the drone, the system achieves efficient traffic management while minimizing information security risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3704554B1Allowing access to unmanned aerial vehicles
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 IPCOM GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3704554B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3704554B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3704554B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention provides a method of enabling a mobile machine to provide information to a device of a recipient, the method comprising the mobile machine transmitting over a first air interface information for enabling access by the device of the recipient over a cellular mobile communication interface for controlling the mobile machine.