One of Google's Moonshot projects is called Project Loon. It began with Google acquiring a company by the name of Space Data Corp who was working on a project to send balloons about 20 miles into the air in an effort to give truckers better connectivity to the net. It never got off the ground, but Google was determined to repurpose the project into bringing the internet to the two-thirds of the world that can't afford it and into areas where natural disasters have knocked out the net. The project officially launched as Project Loon in June 2013. Google's first patent application related to this project surfaced five months later which gave us a broad overview of the project. Earlier this month, Charlie Rose interviewed Google's CEO Larry Page at TED. One of the key segments of this interview touched on Page's love for Project Loon. Our report points you to new patents connected to Project Loon, presents two new photos of the project as well as the video interview with Page at TED.
Photos from TED Event Video
Charlie Rose Interviews Googles' CEO Larry Page
Google's Larry Page talks about Project Loon starting at around the 9 minute mark of TED interview video above. "We recently released this balloon project which is using balloons to do it [access the internet]. It sounds totally crazy and we could show it in the video here." A Short clip of a Google team putting an internet balloon together and releasing it was presented in the TED video.
Google's Other Project Loon Patent Applications
In our opening summary we pointed to Google's first patent application regarding Project Loon and in January their second patent came to light in our report titled "Google Seeks Patent for Varying Aspects of Project Loon." Since then, the US Patent and Trademark Office has revealed an additional three Google patent applications regarding Project Loon and vary new aspects of the project as follows:
#1Balloon Power Sources with a Buoyancy Trade-Off
Google states that their invention relates to embodiments that may facilitate altitude control by a balloon in a balloon network. An example method involves: (a) causing a balloon to operate in a first mode, wherein the balloon comprises an envelope, a high-pressure storage chamber, and a solar power system, (b) while the balloon is operating in the first mode: (i) operating the solar power system to generate power for the balloon and (ii) using at least some of the power generated by the solar power system to move gas from the envelope to the high-pressure storage chamber such that the buoyancy of the balloon decreases; (c) causing the balloon to operate in a second mode; and while the balloon is operating in the second mode, moving gas from the high-pressure storage chamber to the envelope such that the buoyancy of the balloon increases.
Google's patent covers subject matters such as Example Balloon Networks; Mesh Network Functionality; Station-Keeping Functionality; Control of Balloons in a Balloon Network; Example Balloon Configuration; Balloon Network with Optical and RF Links Between Balloons; Altitude Control with Power Management Via Gas Flow and a Fuel Cell and more. To review Google Patent Application claims and details, see patent 20140048646.
#2 Balloon Altitude Control Using Density Adjustment and/or Volume Adjustment
Google states that their invention relates to a balloon having an envelope and a payload positioned beneath the envelope. The envelope comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion allows more solar energy to be transferred to gas within the envelope than the second portion.
Google further notes that the balloon may operate in a first mode in which altitudinal movement of the balloon is caused, at least in part, by rotating the envelope to change an amount of the first portion that faces the sun and an amount of the second portion that faces the sun, and wherein the control system is further configured to cause the balloon to operate in a second mode in which altitudinal movement of the balloon is caused, at least in part, by moving a lifting gas or air into or out of the envelope.
Google's patent application carries most of the sub-chapters as we listed of the patent application above. What are new begins with a different overview and the following sub-chapters: Using a Second Mode of Operation for Altitude Control – and, A Non-Transitory Computer Readable Medium with Instructions to Control the Positioning of a Desired Portion of the Envelope towards the Sun. To review Google Patent Application claims and details, see patent 20140014769.
#3 Incentivized Recovery of Balloon Materials
Google states that their invention relates to methods and systems involving an incentivized recovery of balloon materials. An example system may be configured to: (a) determine a landing location of a balloon, where the balloon has been configured to operate as a node in a balloon network; (b) detect a removal event corresponding to the balloon ceasing to operate as a node in the balloon network and descending to the landing location; and (c) in response to detecting the removal event, initiate a transmission of a recovery-assistance signal that is comprised of (i) location data corresponding to the landing location of the balloon and (ii) an indication of an incentive to recover the balloon.
Google's third patent application covers many of the same sub-chapters laid in patent application #1 noted above. The additional sub-chapters for this patent include the following: Determining a Landing Location; Detecting a Removal Event; and Initiating a Transmission of a Recovery-Assistance Signal. To review Google Patent Application claims and details, see patent 20140015694.
The US Patent Office published the latter three patent applications between January 16 and February 20, 2014. They were originally filed in July and August 2013. Considering that these are all patent applications, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.
At the end of the day, is Google's Project Loon simply full of hot air and dreams or will it actually deliver on its promise of delivering the internet to the two-thirds of the world that don't currently have internet access in this life time? Is it a real moonshot or a marketing ploy?
I'm hoping that Page and company are sincere on this project because it would be an amazing contribution to the world. Allowing the rest of the world access to information will assist tens of millions in finding full educational programs while advancing democratic values around the globe as no other single project could. I'm not known for being the biggest Google fan, that's for sure, but on this project I'm standing on the sidelines cheering this project on. How about you?
Patent Bolt presents a detailed summary of patent applications with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for full and accurate details. Revelations found in patent applications shouldn't be interpreted as rumor or fast-tracked according to rumor timetables. About Posting Comments: Patent Bolt reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments.
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