FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of unmanned aerial vehicles. BACKGROUND Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming increasingly popular in many different areas of application, such as, for example, military, logistics, recreation and so forth.

The popularity of these UAVs is a concern for some locations, particularly where access to the airspace to those locations is restricted. Examples of such locations include, for example, airports, military installations, temporary/permanent demarcated no-fly zones, and so forth.

Currently, flights into restricted airspace by non-authorised UAVs are dealt with by using counter-measures such as, for example, using a high powered radio frequency (RF) transmitter which disrupts/blocks a localisation signal (for example, GPS, GLONASS and the like) received by the UAVs, using electro-magnetic interference of internal electronic circuitry of the UAVs, a combination of both of the aforementioned techniques, and so forth.

Unfortunately, the implementation of such counter-measures leads to loss of control of the UAV(s), leading to uncertainty in the subsequent flight path and trajectory of the UAV(s), leading to uncontrollable dangerous airborne projectiles, particularly in areas where people are within close proximity of the UAV(s). SUMMARY

In a first aspect, there is provided an unmanned aerial vehicle configured to intercept an airborne object below a predetermined weight of forty kilograms, the vehicle comprising an airborne object detection sensor configured for locating the airborne object; a microprocessor coupled to the detection sensor to control the vehicle; and a securing apparatus coupled to the m icroprocessor to secure the airborne object to the vehicle.

The detection sensor can preferably rely on at least one of, for example, RF signals, acoustic signals, imaging analysis, any combination of the aforementioned and so forth. Preferably, the securing apparatus is selected from, for example, at least one mechanical gripping device, at least one structure for mounting a net, at least one magnetic force generator, any combination of the aforementioned and so forth.

The vehicle can be propeller-powered and can further comprise an anti-collision sensor coupled to the microprocessor.

In a second aspect, there is provided a device configured to be coupled to an unmanned aerial vehicle, the device comprising an airborne object detection sensor configured for locating the airborne object; a microprocessor coupled to the detection sensor, the microprocessor being configured to be coupled to a controller of the vehicle to control the vehicle; and a securing apparatus coupled to the microprocessor to secure the airborne object to the vehicle.

The detection sensor can preferably rely on at least one of, for example, RF signals, acoustic signals, imaging analysis, any combination of the aforementioned and so forth. Preferably, the securing apparatus is selected from, for example, at least one mechanical gripping device, at least one structure for mounting a net, at least one magnetic force generator, any combination of the aforementioned and so forth. The vehicle can be propeller-powered and can further comprise an anti-collision sensor coupled to the microprocessor.

In a third aspect, there is provided a data processor implemented method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle configured to intercept an airborne object below a predetermined weight of forty kilograms, the method comprising receiving, from an airborne object detection sensor, data on a location of the airborne object; sending instructions to a controller on the vehicle to enable flight of the vehicle towards the airborne object; and sending, once the vehicle is in close proximity of the airborne object, second instructions to a securing apparatus, the second instructions being to secure the airborne object to the vehicle.

The data processor implemented method can further include receiving, from an anti- collision sensor, data to avoid colliding with the airborne object. Preferably, the anti- collision sensor is configured to activate within the close proximity of the airborne object.

The data processor implemented method can further include receiving, from the securing apparatus, second data that the airborne object is secured; and sending landing instructions to the controller on the vehicle to enable flight of the vehicle towards a desired location.

In a final aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium embodying thereon a program of computer readable instructions which, when executed by one or more processors in communication with at least one unmanned aerial vehicle, cause the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle to carry out a method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle configured to intercept an airborne object below a predetermined weight of forty kilograms. The method is embodied in the steps of receiving, from an airborne object detection sensor, data on a location of the airborne object; sending instructions to a controller on the vehicle to enable flight of the vehicle towards the airborne object; and sending, once the vehicle is in close proximity of the airborne object, instructions to a securing apparatus, instructions to secure the airborne object to the vehicle.

Preferably, the method is further embodied in the step of receiving, from an anti- collision sensor, data to avoid colliding with the airborne object. It is preferable that the anti-collision sensor is configured to activate within the close proximity of the airborne object.

It is preferable that the method can be further embodied in the steps of receiving, from the securing apparatus, second data that the airborne object is secured; and sending landing instructions to the controller on the vehicle to enable flight of the vehicle towards a desired location.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only, certain embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a device according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a process flow for a data processor implemented method according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows examples of securing apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is provided a vehicle, device and method for intercepting an airborne object below a predetermined weight of forty kilograms. In at least some embodiments, the vehicle, apparatus and method allow users to be able to intercept airborne objects when necessary/desired. The take-down of the airborne object(s) can be carried out in a manner which allows the airborne object(s) to be taken down with minimal danger to people and structures in close/neighbouring proximity to a location where the airborne object(s) is taken down.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is provided a schematic view of an unmanned aerial vehicle 20 which is configured to intercept an airborne object below a predetermined weight of forty kilograms. It should be appreciated that the vehicle 20 is typically of a form with propeller propulsion.

The vehicle 20 comprises an airborne object detection sensor 22, the detection sensor 22 being configured to locate the airborne object. During detection of the airborne object, the detection sensor 22 can rely on at least one of RF signals, acoustic signals, imaging analysis, any combination of the aforementioned and so forth. The detection sensor 22 should be able to provide coordinates (for example, GPS, GLONASS and the like) of the airborne object from a juncture of first detection and be able to continuously provide updated coordinates of the airborne object whilst the airborne object is moving. The vehicle 20 also comprises a microprocessor 24 coupled to the detection apparatus 22 to control the movement of the vehicle 20. Typically, the microprocessor 24 is configured to control a substantial extent of operations for the vehicle 20. The vehicle 20 can also include an anti-collision sensor 28 coupled to the microprocessor 24, with the anti-collision sensor 28 being configured to send instructions to the microprocessor 24 to engage evasive movements for the vehicle 20 to avoid colliding with the airborne object. It should be appreciated that the anti-collision sensor 28 can be part of the detection sensor 22 or separate to the detection sensor 22 (as shown in Figure 1 ). For example, the anti-collision sensor 28 can rely on at least one of IR signals, RF signals, acoustic signals, imaging analysis, any combination of the aforementioned and so forth.

Finally, the vehicle 20 can also comprise a securing apparatus 26 coupled to the microprocessor 24 to secure the airborne object to the vehicle 20. The securing apparatus 26 is selected from, for example, at least one mechanical gripping device 100 (shown in Figure 4(a)), at least one magnetic force generator 200 (shown in Figure 4(b), at least one structure 300 for mounting a net 302 (shown in Figure 4(c)), and any combination of the aforementioned.

Further information in relation to how the respective components of the vehicle 20 interact with each other in order for the vehicle 20 to carry out its desired purpose of intercepting an airborne object below a predetermined weight of forty kilograms will now be provided. The airborne object detection sensor 22 would locate an airborne object and would provide location coordinates of the airborne object to the microprocessor 24. The microprocessor 24 then provides instructions to the vehicle 20 to fly towards the airborne object, whereby the anti-collision sensor 28 provides instructions to the microprocessor 24 to avoid colliding with the airborne object. Furthermore, once the anti-collision sensor 28 is activated, the microprocessor 24 then instructs the securing apparatus 26 to initiate securing of the airborne object to the vehicle 20. The securing apparatus 26 subsequently provides instructions to the microprocessor 24 that the airborne object has been secured, and this causes the microprocessor 24 to instruct the vehicle 20 to travel to a desired location.

Referring to Figure 2, there is provided a retrofit device 40 configured to be coupled to an unmanned aerial vehicle. Generally, coupling the retrofit device 40 to the unmanned aerial vehicle enables the vehicle to intercept an airborne object below a predetermined weight of forty kilograms. The device 40 can be coupled to the vehicle using either a physical cable or a wireless connection. It is preferable that the physical cable includes connectors which are robust and usable outdoors in all-weather conditions. The device 40 can be independently powered or it can draw power from the vehicle. The device 40 comprises the detection sensor 42 being configured to locate the airborne object. During detection of the airborne object, the detection sensor 42 can rely on at least one of RF signals, acoustic signals, imaging analysis, any combination of the aforementioned and so forth. The detection sensor 42 should be able to provide coordinates (for example, GPS, GLONASS and the like) of the airborne object from a juncture of first detection and be able to continuously provide updated coordinates of the airborne object whilst the airborne object is moving.

The device 40 also comprises a microprocessor 44 coupled to the detection apparatus 42, with the microprocessor 44 also being configured to be coupled to a controller of the vehicle to control the vehicle. The device 40 can also include an anti- collision sensor 48 coupled to the microprocessor 44, with the anti-collision sensor 48 being configured to send instructions to the microprocessor 44 to engage evasive movements for the vehicle (coupled to the device 40) to avoid colliding with the airborne object. It should be appreciated that the anti-collision sensor 48 can be part of the detection sensor 42 or separate to the detection sensor 42 (as shown in Figure 2). For example, the anti-collision sensor 48 can rely on at least one of IR signals, RF signals, acoustic signals, imaging analysis, any combination of the aforementioned and so forth. Finally, the device 40 can also comprise a securing apparatus 46 coupled to the microprocessor 44 to secure the airborne object to the vehicle (coupled to the device 40). The securing apparatus 46 is selected from, for example, at least one mechanical gripping device 100 (shown in Figure 4(a)), at least one magnetic force generator 200 (shown in Figure 4(b), at least one structure 300 for mounting a net 302 (shown in Figure 4(c)), and any combination of the aforementioned. Further information in relation to how the respective components of the device 40 interact with each other in order for the vehicle (coupled to the device 40) to carry out a desired purpose of intercepting an airborne object below a predetermined weight of forty kilograms will now be provided. After the device 40 is coupled to the vehicle, the airborne object detection sensor 42 would locate an airborne object and would provide location coordinates of the airborne object to the microprocessor 44. The microprocessor 44 then provides instructions to the controller of the vehicle to fly towards the airborne object, whereby the anti-collision sensor 48 provides instructions to the microprocessor 44 to avoid colliding with the airborne object. Furthermore, once the anti-collision sensor 48 is activated, the microprocessor 44 then instructs the securing apparatus 46 to initiate securing of the airborne object to the vehicle (coupled to the device 40). The securing apparatus 46 subsequently provides instructions to the microprocessor 44 that the airborne object has been secured, and this causes the microprocessor 44 to instruct the controller of the vehicle to travel to a desired location.

With reference to Figure 3, there is also provided a data processor implemented method 60 for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle configured to intercept an airborne object below a predetermined weight of forty kilograms. The method 60 can be carried out using the vehicle 20, or by any unmanned aerial vehicle retro-fitted with the device 40. For the sake of clarity, the method 60 will be described with reference to an unmanned aerial vehicle retro-fitted with the device 40. The method 60 details processes carried out by the microprocessor 44. It should also be appreciated that the method 60 is executed by one or more processors carrying out a program of computer readable instructions, the program being stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium .

The method 60 comprises receiving, from the airborne object detection sensor 42, data on a location of the airborne object (62). The location can be in a form of coordinates (for example, GPS, GLONASS and the like) of the airborne object from a juncture of first detection and continuously updated coordinates of the airborne object whilst the airborne object is moving. Subsequently, there is sending of instructions to a controller on the vehicle to enable flight of the vehicle towards the airborne object (64). The instructions can include, for example, altitude, bearing, speed, and so forth. The method 60 also includes receiving, from the anti-collision sensor 48, data to avoid colliding with the airborne object (66). It should be appreciated that the data enables the vehicle to carry out evasive manoeuvres to prevent collisions with the airborne object. It should be noted that the anti-collision sensor 48 is activated within close proximity of the airborne object, close proximity being, for example, one metre or less.

In addition, the method 60 also includes sending, once the vehicle is in close proxim ity of the airborne object, second instructions to the securing apparatus 46, the second instructions being to secure the airborne object to the vehicle (68). Subsequently, the method 60 includes receiving, from the securing apparatus 46, second data that the airborne object is secured to the vehicle (70). Then, the method 60 includes sending landing instructions to the controller on the vehicle to enable flight of the vehicle towards a desired location (72).

It should be appreciated that the vehicle 20, the device 40 and the method 60 are respectively able to allow users to be able to intercept airborne objects when necessary/desired in a manner which allows the airborne object(s) to be taken down with minimal danger to people and structures in close/neighbouring proximity to a location where the airborne object(s) is taken down. Whilst there have been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.