US Patent 9786105 Gathering data from machine operating at worksite

A data gathering system associated with a machine operating at a worksite is provided. The data gathering system includes a base station located at the worksite and an unmanned aerial device (UAD) in communication with the base station and the machine. The UAD includes an image capturing unit for capturing images of an area around the machine and a controller in communication with the image capturing unit. The controller receives a first input from the machine indicative of one or more machine parameters, and receives a second input from the image capturing unit indicative of the images of the area around the machine. The controller further determines multiple operational parameters associated with an operation of the machine based on the first input and the second input, and transmits the determined multiple operational parameters to at least one of the machine and the base station.