METHOD OF DOCKING AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE WITH A BASE STATION

1 . A method of docking an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a base station, the method comprising:

landing the UAV on a landing platform of the base station; and

reconfiguring the landing platform from a first configuration into a second configuration to thereby reposition the UAV on the landing platform.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein landing the UAV includes receiving the UAV within landing areas defining depressions extending vertically into the landing platform.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein reconfiguring the landing platform from the first configuration into the second configuration includes generally centering the UAV on the landing platform.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein reconfiguring the landing platform from the first configuration into the second configuration includes repositioning alignment members on the landing platform from an extended position into a retracted position.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein repositioning the alignment members from the extended position into the retracted position includes moving the alignment members laterally inwards towards each other.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein reconfiguring the landing platform from the first configuration into the second configuration includes:

causing the alignment members to engage legs of the UAV; and

urging the UAV towards a periphery of the landing platform.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein reconfiguring the landing platform from the first configuration into the second configuration includes generally aligning a power source on the UAV with a charging hub of the base station.

8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

repositioning the charging hub from a first position into a second position.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein repositioning the charging hub from the first position into the second position includes extending the charging hub through a window in the landing platform.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein extending the charging hub includes electrically connecting the charging hub to the power source on the UAV to thereby charge the UAV.

11 . A method of docking an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a base station, the method comprising:

opening a roof of the base station;

guiding the UAV via visualization of a fiducial on a landing platform of the base station;

landing the UAV on the landing platform; and

retracting alignment members on the landing platform into engagement with the UAV to thereby generally center the UAV on the landing platform.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein retracting the alignment members includes repositioning the alignment members along an axis of movement extending in generally orthogonal relation to a landing direction of the UAV.

13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

performing a landing assessment to confirm proper landing of the UAV.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein performing the landing assessment includes confirming that the UAV is positioned within landing areas on the landing platform.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein confirming that the UAV is positioned within the landing areas includes detecting the UAV via the at least one fiducial.

16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein guiding the UAV includes:

visualizing a first fiducial positioned within at least one of a plurality of landing areas on the landing platform; and

visualizing a second fiducial positioned between the plurality of landing areas.

17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

extending the alignment members to thereby disengage the alignment members from the UAV; and

closing the roof of the base station.

18 . A method of docking an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a base station, the method comprising:

opening a roof of the base station to expose a landing platform;

guiding the UAV via visualization of a fiducial positioned within at least one of a plurality of landing areas extending vertically into the landing platform;

receiving the UAV within the landing areas;

generally aligning a power source on the UAV with a charging hub of the base station;

repositioning the charging hub from a first position, in which the charging hub is concealed within the landing platform, into a second position, in which the charging hub extends through a window in the landing platform; and

electrically connecting the power source on the UAV to the charging hub to thereby charge the UAV.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein generally aligning the power source on the UAV with the charging hub includes repositioning the UAV on the landing platform.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein repositioning the UAV on the landing platform includes:

urging the UAV towards a periphery of the landing platform; and

generally centering the UAV on the landing platform.