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.

Date of Patent:
May. 23, 2017

Filed:

Dec. 18, 2015
Applicant:

International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);

Inventors:

Ermyas Abebe, Altona, AU;

Anton Beloglazov, South Yarra, AU;

Dileban Karunamoorthy, Carlton, AU;

Jan Richter, Hawthorn, AU;

Kent Charles Barton Steer, Brunswick, AU;

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B64C 39/00 (2006.01); G08G 5/00 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2006.01); B60L 11/18 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G08G 5/0034 (2013.01); B60L 11/1809 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64C 2201/128 (2013.01); B64C 2201/141 (2013.01); B64C 2201/208 (2013.01);
Abstract

Apparatus, method, computer program product, and system described for an autonomous vehicle (a drone) which uses one or more hosts to transport that drone on its journey. Potential hosts along the envisioned journey can be rated as to their suitability. That rating along with an indication of the value of traveling under its own power or remaining stationary for a particular time can be evaluated at any point along the journey to produce an effective route, time, cost, or whatever other factor is desirable. The drone can chose between these states and communicate with potential hosts and even stationary positions or it can remain in the mode it was just in. The drone can switch between one host and another, be charged by a host or at a stationary location, and can evaluate the different modes differently depending on the needs of the user and the drone itself.


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