MULTI-ZONE BATTERY EXCHANGE SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A UAV energy provision station, said station comprising:
- a first UAV landing area comprising a first visible marker, said first UAV landing area configured to (1) support a first UAV when the first UAV is resting at the station, said first UAV coupled to a first battery configured to power the first UAV, and (2) charge the first battery or exchange the first battery for another battery located at the station while the first UAV is supported by the first UAV landing area; and
a second UAV landing area comprising a second visible marker, said second UAV landing area configured to (1) support a second UAV when the second UAV is resting at the station, said second UAV coupled to a second battery configured to power the second UAV, and (2) charge the second battery or exchange the second battery for another battery located at the station while the second UAV is supported by the second UAV landing area, wherein the first visible marker is visually distinguishable from the second visible marker.
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Abstract
A multi-zone battery station is provided, comprising a plurality of landing areas configured to support a UAV. The battery station may permit battery life to be reloaded onto a UAV, which may include recharging a battery of the UAV or exchanging the UAV battery for a new battery. The different zones may accommodate different UAV types, different battery types, or operate in accordance with different energy provision rules. A marker may be provided on a landing area to aid in guiding the UAV to an appropriate landing area.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A UAV energy provision station, said station comprising:
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a first UAV landing area comprising a first visible marker, said first UAV landing area configured to (1) support a first UAV when the first UAV is resting at the station, said first UAV coupled to a first battery configured to power the first UAV, and (2) charge the first battery or exchange the first battery for another battery located at the station while the first UAV is supported by the first UAV landing area; and a second UAV landing area comprising a second visible marker, said second UAV landing area configured to (1) support a second UAV when the second UAV is resting at the station, said second UAV coupled to a second battery configured to power the second UAV, and (2) charge the second battery or exchange the second battery for another battery located at the station while the second UAV is supported by the second UAV landing area, wherein the first visible marker is visually distinguishable from the second visible marker. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 18, 19, 20)
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9. The energy provision station of claim 40, wherein the first visible marker is indicative of the first landing area using a first set of energy provision rules, and (2) the second visible marker is indicative of the second landing area using a second set of energy provision rules different from the first set of energy provision rules.
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11. A UAV energy provision station, said station comprising:
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one or more UAV landing areas each comprising at least one visible marker, said UAV landing area configured to (1) support a UAV when the UAV is resting at the station, said UAV coupled to a battery configured to power the UAV, and (2) charge the battery or exchange the battery for another battery located at the station while the UAV is supported by the UAV landing area, wherein the visible marker is configured to dynamically change from a first visible marker configuration to a second visible marker configuration, and wherein the first visible marker configuration is visually distinguishable from the second visible marker configuration. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for directing a UAV to a UAV energy provision station, said method comprising:
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providing the UAV energy provision station, wherein said station comprises one or more UAV landing areas each comprising at least one visible marker, said UAV landing area configured to (1) support a UAV when the UAV is resting at the station, said UAV coupled to a battery configured to power the UAV, and (2) charge the battery or exchange the battery for another battery located at the station while the UAV is supported by the UAV landing area, wherein the visible marker is configured to dynamically change from a first visible marker configuration to a second visible marker configuration, and wherein the first visible marker configuration is visually distinguishable from the second visible marker configuration; causing a first UAV to land on the UAV landing area when the visible marker has the first visible marker configuration; and causing a second UAV to land on the UAV landing area when the visible marker has the second visible marker configuration. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification