System and method for unmanned transportation management

Abstract

A method includes obtaining route information at an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The route information indicates a plurality of zones between an origin and a destination and a corresponding set of mobile devices for each zone. The method includes receiving first control data at the UAV from a first mobile device while in a first zone of the plurality of zones. The first mobile device is included in a first set of mobile devices corresponding to the first zone. The method further includes receiving second control data at the UAV from a second mobile device while in a second zone of the plurality of zones. The second mobile device is included in a second set of mobile devices corresponding to the second zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 obtaining route information at an externally controllable vehicle, the route information indicating a plurality of zones between an origin and a destination and indicating a corresponding set of control devices for each zone of the plurality of zones, the plurality of zones including a first zone and a second zone;   sending a handoff initiation message from the externally controllable vehicle to at least one control device of a first set of control devices as the externally controllable vehicle approaches a boundary between the first zone and the second zone;   receiving, at the externally controllable vehicle, an acceptance from a particular control device of the first set; and   in response to the acceptance from the particular control device, enabling, at the externally controllable vehicle, remote control of the externally controllable vehicle via control signals received from the particular control device during presence of the externally controllable vehicle in the second zone.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending a control notification from the externally controllable vehicle to the particular control device responsive to receipt of the acceptance and a determination by the externally controllable vehicle to accept the control signals from the particular control device, wherein the control notification informs a user of the control device that the particular control device is currently capable of controlling the externally controllable vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, at the externally controllable vehicle, control data from the particular control device while the externally controllable vehicle is in the second zone; and   implementing the control data at the externally controllable vehicle to control the externally controllable vehicle.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, in response to receipt of the acceptance, sending status data to the particular control device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the obtaining the route information comprises receiving the route information from a control device or from a server. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the obtaining the route information comprises received the route information via a block of a blockchain. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sending the handoff initiation message to the at least one control device comprises sending the handoff initiation message to a primary control device associated with the second zone, the primary control device identified in the first set. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising sending a second handoff initiation message to a backup control device identified in the first set responsive to not receiving the acceptance from the primary control device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the externally controllable vehicle comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . A control device for an externally controllable vehicle, the control device comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory storing instructions, the instructions executable by the processor to:
 obtain route information for the externally controllable vehicle, the route information indicating a first zone of a plurality of zones between an origin and a destination of the externally controllable vehicle, wherein the processor is scheduled to be in the first zone during a particular time period; 
 receive a handoff initiation message associated with the externally controllable vehicle during the particular time period; 
 send an acceptance message to the externally controllable vehicle responsive to first user input indicating acceptance of the handoff, 
   receive, responsive to sending the acceptance message, a control message from the externally controllable vehicle indicating an ability to control the externally controllable vehicle while the externally controllable vehicle is in the first zone of the plurality of zones; and
 send one or more control signals to the externally controllable vehicle after receipt of the control message, while the externally controllable vehicle is in the first zone, and responsive to second user input. 
   
     
     
         11 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to receive an end message after handoff of control of the externally controllable vehicle to another control device, the end message indicating an inability to control the externally controllable vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to receive and display status information received from the externally controllable vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to send, based on information included in the route information, a second handoff message to another control device in response to the externally controllable vehicle approaching a boundary to another zone. 
     
     
         14 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein the route information is received from a server or another control device. 
     
     
         15 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein the handoff initiation message is received from the externally controllable vehicle or from another control device. 
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 obtaining route information at an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the route information indicating a plurality of zones between an origin and a destination and indicating a corresponding set of mobile devices for each zone;   receiving first control data at the UAV from a first mobile device while the UAV is in a first zone of the plurality of zones, the first mobile device included in a first set of mobile devices corresponding to the first zone; and   receiving second control data at the UAV from a second mobile device while the UAV is in a second zone of the plurality of zones, the second mobile device included in a second set of mobile devices corresponding to the second zone.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise performing one or more procedures at the UAV based on the first control data, the second control data, or both. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more procedures include adjusting an altitude of the UAV, adjusting a heading of the UAV, adjusting a velocity of the UAV, causing the UAV to hover, causing the UAV to land, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving third control data from a third mobile device while the UAV is in the first zone, wherein the third mobile device is not included in the first set of mobile devices; and   discarding the third control data.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the route information indicates time periods during which the UAV is scheduled to be in each of the plurality of zones.