Methods and systems for providing a safety apparatus to distressed persons
First Claim
1. An integrated mobile system for providing lifesaving equipment to a person in distress, the system comprising:
- an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in wireless communication with a control device and comprising an equipment engagement mechanism configured to releasably secure the lifesaving equipment to the UAV;
an independent line control device positioned remotely from and physically unattached to the UAV; and
a control line having a first end, a second end, and a length continuously extending between the first and second ends, the first end being permanently secured to the line control device, the second end being permanently secured to the lifesaving equipment, and the length being unrestrained between the first end and the second end such that no portion of the control line physically contacts the UAV,wherein;
the equipment engagement mechanism is operable between a closed configuration in which the lifesaving equipment is secured to the UAV and an open configuration in which the lifesaving equipment is released from the UAV;
the control device is configured to;
generate one or more directional signals in response to user input indicating a desired direction for the UAV, wherein the directional signals are indicative of a desired direction of travel for the UAV;
generate a release signal in response to user input indicating a request to release the lifesaving equipment from the UAV; and
transmit the one or more directional signals and the release signal to the UAV; and
the UAV is configured to;
in response to receipt of the directional signals, move in the desired direction of travel, andin response to receipt of the release signal, move the equipment engagement mechanism into the open configuration to release the lifesaving equipment, wherein upon release, the lifesaving equipment remains secured to only the line control device via the second end of the control line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention comprise systems for providing a lifesaving apparatus to a distressed individual. Such systems may comprise an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to selectably support a lifesaving apparatus. The UAV may comprise a release mechanism configured to release the lifesaving apparatus when proximate a distressed person. The system may additionally comprise a control device configured to wirelessly communicate with the UAV such that a user can pilot the UAV from a distance and deliver the lifesaving apparatus to a distressed person. Methods of using the same may comprise piloting the UAV proximate a distressed person, providing a signal to the UAV to release the lifesaving apparatus by operating the release mechanism, and then pulling the lifesaving apparatus and the distressed person to safety via a control line secured to the lifesaving apparatus.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An integrated mobile system for providing lifesaving equipment to a person in distress, the system comprising:
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an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in wireless communication with a control device and comprising an equipment engagement mechanism configured to releasably secure the lifesaving equipment to the UAV; an independent line control device positioned remotely from and physically unattached to the UAV; and a control line having a first end, a second end, and a length continuously extending between the first and second ends, the first end being permanently secured to the line control device, the second end being permanently secured to the lifesaving equipment, and the length being unrestrained between the first end and the second end such that no portion of the control line physically contacts the UAV, wherein; the equipment engagement mechanism is operable between a closed configuration in which the lifesaving equipment is secured to the UAV and an open configuration in which the lifesaving equipment is released from the UAV; the control device is configured to; generate one or more directional signals in response to user input indicating a desired direction for the UAV, wherein the directional signals are indicative of a desired direction of travel for the UAV; generate a release signal in response to user input indicating a request to release the lifesaving equipment from the UAV; and transmit the one or more directional signals and the release signal to the UAV; and the UAV is configured to; in response to receipt of the directional signals, move in the desired direction of travel, and in response to receipt of the release signal, move the equipment engagement mechanism into the open configuration to release the lifesaving equipment, wherein upon release, the lifesaving equipment remains secured to only the line control device via the second end of the control line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An integrated mobile method for providing lifesaving equipment to a person in distress, the method comprising steps for:
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piloting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to the person in distress by causing data indicative of a desired direction of travel to be wirelessly transmitted from a control device to the UAV, wherein the UAV comprises an equipment engagement mechanism configured to releasably secure the lifesaving equipment to the UAV and the equipment engagement mechanism is operable between a closed configuration in which the lifesaving equipment is secured to the UAV and an open configuration in which the lifesaving equipment is released from the UAV; causing transmission, from the control device to the UAV, of a release signal indicating the lifesaving equipment should be released from the UAV, such that the UAV moves the equipment engagement mechanism into the open configuration that is configured to release the lifesaving equipment, the release signal having been generated in response to user input indicating a request to release the lifesaving equipment from the UAV; and after the lifesaving device is released from the UAV, causing a length of control line to be recalled in a direction of safety, thereby pulling the lifesaving device in the direction of safety, wherein; the control line has a first end, a second end, and a length continuously extending between the first and second ends, the first end is permanently secured to the line control device, the second end is permanently secured to the lifesaving equipment, and the length of the control line is unrestrained between the first end and the second end such that no portion of the control line physically contacts the UAV in both the closed configuration and the open configuration. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification