The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 12, 2006
Filed:
Aug. 12, 2003
Michael S. Beck, Colleyville, TX (US);
Wendell H. Chun, Littleton, CO (US);
Jon T. Stinchcomb, Arlington, TX (US);
Michael S. Beck, Colleyville, TX (US);
Wendell H. Chun, Littleton, CO (US);
Jon T. Stinchcomb, Arlington, TX (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
A virtual sensor mast for a ground vehicle and a method for operating a ground vehicle using a virtual sensor mast are disclosed. The virtual sensor mast includes an unmanned airborne vehicle capable of lifting itself from the ground vehicle upon deployment therefrom; a sensor suite mounted to the unmanned airborne vehicle; and a tether between the unmanned airborne vehicle and the ground vehicle over which the sensor suite is capable of communicating sensed data upon deployment. The method includes elevating a tethered unmanned airborne vehicle from the ground vehicle to a predetermined height; sensing environmental conditions surrounding the ground vehicle; and terminating the deployment.