US 10713959

Patent Overview — US10713959B2

Title: Low altitude aircraft identification system

Patent number: US10713959B2 | Application: US16/215,406 | Publication (grant): 2020-07-14 | Earlier publication: US20190108762A1 (2019-04-11) | Filing date: 2018-12-10 | Priority date: 2015-06-12 | Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-10 | Status: Active – Reinstated

Inventor(s): Aislan Gomide Foina; Guy Bar-Nahum; Jasminder Singh Banga — Original assignee: Airspace Systems Inc — Current assignee (as listed): Airspace Defense Inc

Purpose: The patent addresses the absence of an identification scheme for low-altitude aircraft, particularly small UASs (e.g., up to 25 pounds flying up to 500 ft), noting that commercial aircraft tail numbers are unsuited in size to such vehicles. It seeks an identification solution permitting ground-level identification and identification by other aircraft, detectable automatically.

Plain-language scope (from the supplied text): The described system has three components: a small aircraft electronic identification box with an embedded logger, ground identification equipment that automatically identifies an aircraft by pointing at it, and a central identification code database server. The identification code can be transmitted by a visible light color sequence or by a radio frequency signal, and the ground device can recognize both. The light array blinks a defined color pattern for each aircraft (sequence, speed, and meaning settable by pilot, fleet control, or a regulatory agency); colors and blink counts define the code space. The box includes a GPS position logger storing flight path, speed, heading, telemetry (IMU, power), and autopilot data, functioning like a civil aviation "black box." A transponder transmits the code and last position/heading/speed over RF, supporting automated identification and collision avoidance. An independent battery keeps the transmitter working without external power. A photo sensor can receive external signals (e.g., a modulated laser) and change behavior, enabling data-to-vehicle association and duplex communication, including command reception.

Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/[US10713959](/patent/US10713959)/en

Not established by this excerpt: The claims themselves are not reproduced, so the precise scope of protection cannot be determined; figures, detailed embodiments, cited prior art, and examiner reasoning are omitted. Litigation, ownership transfers, validity, and prior-art effect are outside this summary.