System and method for remotely-operated deployment and retrieval of communication relays

{
  "publication_number": "US9094082B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "System and method for remotely-operated deployment and retrieval of communication relays",
  "abstract": "A method involves using a first lift mechanism coupled to a remotely-operated ground vehicle to engage a first communication relay and position it at a first angle above a ground surface. A second lift mechanism coupled to the remotely-operated ground vehicle is then used to engage a second communication relay. With a single motion by the remotely-operated ground vehicle, the second communication relay is positioned at a second angle above the ground surface and the first communication relay at a third angle above the ground surface. The third angle is greater than both the first angle and the second angle. The second angle is greater than or equal to the first angle. The first communication relay may then be deployed by the remotely-operated ground vehicle at a first location and the second communication relay may be deployed at a second location.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method comprising the steps of: using a first lift mechanism coupled to a remotely-operated ground vehicle to engage a first communication relay and position the first communication relay at a first angle above a ground surface; using a second lift mechanism coupled to the remotely-operated ground vehicle to engage a second communication relay; and positioning the second communication relay at a second angle above the ground surface and the first communication relay at a third angle above the ground surface, wherein the third angle is greater than or equal to both the first angle and the second angle and the second angle is greater than or equal to the first angle.",
    "2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: deploying the second communication relay at a first location by lowering the second communication relay until the second communication relay contacts the ground surface and disengages from the remotely-operated ground vehicle; moving the remotely-operated ground vehicle to a second location; and deploying the first communication relay at the second location by lowering the first communication relay until it contacts the ground surface and disengages from the remotely-operated ground vehicle.",
    "3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first lift mechanism and the second lift mechanism are coupled to the remotely-operated ground vehicle at different angles.",
    "4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first lift mechanism is coupled to a first lift member of the remotely-operated ground vehicle and the second lift mechanism is coupled to a second lift member of the remotely-operated ground vehicle.",
    "5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first lift member and the second lift member are positioned at opposite sides of the front end of the remotely-operated ground vehicle.",
    "6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first lift member and the second lift member are both controlled by a single motor contained within the remotely-operated ground vehicle.",
    "7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of positioning the second communication relay at a second angle above the ground surface and the first communication relay at a third angle above the ground surface occurs by a single motion by the remotely-operated ground vehicle.",
    "8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: deploying the second communication relay at a first location by simultaneously lowering the first communication relay and the second communication relay until the second communication relay contacts the ground surface and disengages from the remotely-operated ground vehicle; moving the remotely-operated ground vehicle to a second location; and deploying the first communication relay at the second location by further lowering the first communication relay until it contacts the ground surface and disengages from the remotely-operated ground vehicle."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Remotely-controlled robotic systems, such as those used to investigate and neutralize improvised explosive devices, typically communicate using high-frequency digital links and require line-of-sight (LOS) between the robotic system and the operator. In certain situations, LOS communication is not possible due to various obstacles. One method to overcome these obstacles is to use a tethered connection to the robotic system. However, communication will be lost if the tether breaks. Further, maneuverability of the robotic system may be impeded if the tether gets caught on one or more obstacles. Another method to provide non-LOS (NLOS) communications is to use a system, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,103,212 to Pezeshkian et al., configured to automatically deploy communication relays to keep the communication link intact. However, a disadvantage to this type of system is that the system cannot retrieve the deployed communication relays.\n\nAccordingly, a need exists for a system and method for remotely-operated deployment and retrieval of communication relays.\n\nFIG. 1 shows a diagram of a remotely-operated system that may be used in accordance with the System and Method for Remotely-Operated Deployment and Retrieval of Communication Relays.\n\nFIG. 2 shows a diagram of a communications network for the system shown in FIG. 1, including two communication relays.\n\nFIG. 3 shows a diagram of an embodiment of a communication relay that may be used in accordance with the System and Method for Remotely-Operated Deployment and Retrieval of Communication Relays.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60P 1/483",
    "B25J 15/0052",
    "B25J 5/00",
    "B25J 5/005",
    "B60P 1/54",
    "H04B 7/14",
    "H04B 7/155"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25J 15/00",
    "B60P 1/00",
    "B60P 1/48",
    "H04B 7/14"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "US Department of Navy"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Kevin Holz",
    "Aaron Burmeister",
    "Abraham Hart",
    "Hoa G. Nguyen",
    "Narek Pezeshkian"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-05-14",
  "publication_date": "2015-07-28",
  "grant_date": "2015-07-28",
  "priority_date": "2012-03-29",
  "application_number": "US-201213470850-A",
  "family_id": "53638558",
  "cited_by_count": 7,
  "citations": [
    "US7415321B2",
    "US7000357B1",
    "US8103212B1",
    "US7926598B2",
    "US20100318242A1",
    "US20110009053A1"
  ]
}