System and device for rental dispensing of UAVs

• US 10,467,685 B1
• Filed: 10/01/2016
• Issued: 11/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michelle Boisvert, Stuart Brisson
• Original Assignee: Michelle Boisvert, Stuart Brisson
• Inventors: Brisson, Stuart, Boisvert, Michelle
• Primary Examiner(s): Muralidar, Richard V
• Application Number:
  US15/283,306
• Time in Patent Office: 1,130 Days
• Field of Search: 320107, 320115
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/222 for storing aircraft, e.g. in hangars
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/36 Other airport installations ground installations for de-icing aircraft B64F5/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions

Abstract

A UAV rental dispensing system employs a vending device that a consumer can rent a UAV from for a variety purposes requiring a video function thereon. The vending device may have multiple drones/UAVs enclosed therein, and be placed in predetermined locations. The vending device would provide launch and recovery, storage, power, charging, diagnostics and data transfer. Although the vending device will include an interface screen for accessing information, transactions may occur over the Internet or phone/data lines via a smart phone app or the like. The device will have a hinge or sliding door thereon with a landing pad/docket inside for charging of the batteries. After charging, the drone will be moved to a storage section automatically. When the drone is to be used, the reverse will occur. The level of charge will be checked before exiting the vending machine with necessary flight information uploaded by data lines or wirelessly.

Claims

1. A rental dispensing device for renting and dispensing UAVs having video cameras thereon, said rental dispensing device comprising:

a housing, said housing being stand-alone;

one or more portals for UAVs to enterand exit said housing, each portal having a portal door;

one or more landing pads for the UAVs, said one or more landing pads being in close proximity to said one or more portal doors;

a door for accessing an interior of said housing;

a source of electricity for providing power to said rental dispensing device;

a storage area for storing one or more UAVs therein;

a charging surface for providing power to said one or more UAVs for charging;

a computer in said housing for operating programs for said rental dispensing device;

an internet interface for providing access to and from said rental dispensing device, including communications for providing data transfer from said one or more UAVs and an external location through said computer;

said computer further including an interface screen and a card reading device, enabling users to rent and dispense said one or more UAVs having video from the rental dispensing device.

2. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said UAV is either autonomous or semi-autonomous or hands-on.

3. The rental device as defined in claim 1, within said UAV further includes active tracking capability and/or a smartphone app for flight tracking.

4. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said one or more portals has a hinged door or sliding door and is located on a top or side of said housing.

5. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said charging surface comprises a DC powersource or an inductive power source.

6. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 5, wherein said UAV has a pair of charging contacts when being recharged by said DC power source.

7. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 6, wherein said charging contacts are located on two opposite diagonal landing legs of said UAV.

8. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 7, wherein a landing pad has a pair of charging pads thereon, said charging contacts on said landing legs of said UAV being in operable contact to said charging pads to provide charging when the UAV is located thereon.

9. The rental device as defined in claim 8, wherein said charging pads are semi-circular and separated.

10. The rental device as defined in claim 9, further including a reposition alert to cause said UAV to rotate to correctly position said landing legs on said charging pad.

11. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 1, wherein one landing pad is in close proximity to said one or more portals and said UAV being charged thereon, the UAV being further stored thereon.

12. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 1, wherein one or more UAVs are stored on sliding shelves, said sliding shelves being landing pads and said UAV being operatively charged thereon.

13. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 1, further including:

an elevator shelf and a storage section, wherein said UAV is moved from said landing pad to said elevator shelf, said elevator shelf moving to an empty storage section and then said UAV being moved from said elevator shelf to said storage section.

14. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said interface screen and said card reader are physically separated from said housing.

15. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 1, further including a recharging station separated from the housing.

16. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said rental dispensing device operating program communicates to a rental system for obtaining information regarding flights, payments, and status of the UAVs.

17. The rental dispensing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said interface screen is driven by a computer in said housing that contains an operating program to allow a user to enter pertinent information in the rental of said UAV.