Methods, apparatuses, and systems for a drift buoy

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatuses, and systems for a compact, low-cost drift buoy for use in a variety of applications. An example includes a drift buoy including a body defining a payload cavity; a float; and a controller, where the controller is configured to cause the drift buoy to release a payload when one or more predetermined conditions are satisfied. According to some embodiments, the controller is configured to establish a location of the drift buoy. According to certain embodiments, the one or more predetermined conditions include a location condition, where in response to the location of the drift buoy being within a target location, the controller causes the drift buoy to release the payload from the payload cavity.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A drift buoy comprising:
 a body defining a payload cavity;   a float; and   a controller, wherein the controller is configured to cause the drift buoy to release a payload when one or more predetermined conditions are satisfied.   
     
     
         2 . The drift buoy of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to establish a location of the drift buoy. 
     
     
         3 . The drift buoy of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more predetermined conditions comprise a location condition, wherein in response to the location of the drift buoy being within a target location, the controller causes the drift buoy to release the payload from the payload cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The drift buoy of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more predetermined conditions comprise a location condition, wherein in response to the location of the drift buoy drifting further from a target location over a predetermined period of time, the controller causes the drift buoy to release the payload from the payload cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The drift buoy of  claim 4 , wherein the controller comprises a communication interface, and wherein the communication interface transmits a location where the payload is released from the payload cavity to a service provider. 
     
     
         6 . The drift buoy of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more predetermined conditions comprise a location condition, wherein in response to the location of the drift buoy indicating two or more locations moving away from a target location, the controller causes the drift buoy to release the payload from the payload cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The drift buoy of  claim 6 , wherein the controller comprises a communication interface, and wherein the communication interface transmits a location where the payload is released from the payload cavity to a service provider. 
     
     
         8 . The drift buoy of  claim 1 , further comprising a parachute, wherein the parachute facilitates a controlled landing of the drift buoy in water when dropped from an aircraft. 
     
     
         9 . The drift buoy of  claim 8 , wherein the parachute is made from a biodegradable material that dissolves in water. 
     
     
         10 . The drift buoy of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface transmits readings from the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         11 . The drift buoy of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one of a temperature sensor, a light sensor, an image sensor, or a depth sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The drift buoy of  claim 1 , wherein the float is formed of a biodegradable material that loses buoyancy after a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         13 . The drift buoy of  claim 1 , wherein the float defines a cavity closed to atmosphere with one or more plugs, wherein the cavity is opened to the atmosphere in response to removal of the one or more plugs on command by the controller. 
     
     
         14 . The drift buoy of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more plugs are formed of a wax material with a resistive element disposed therein, and wherein the command by the controller comprises application of current to the resistive element to melt the wax material. 
     
     
         15 . The drift buoy of  claim 1 , wherein the payload cavity of the body is sealed with a plug wherein the plug is formed of a wax material with a resistive element disposed therein, and wherein a command by the controller comprises application of current to the resistive element to melt the wax material and cause release of the payload. 
     
     
         16 . The drift buoy of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines an elongate, cylindrical shape, and wherein the float defines a cylindrical shape encircling a portion of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The drift buoy of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyancy of the drift buoy is altered to cause scuttling of the drift buoy in response to a command from the controller. 
     
     
         18 . The drift buoy of  claim 17 , wherein the command from the controller to cause scuttling of the drift buoy is initiated in response to a determined location of the drift buoy. 
     
     
         19 . A system for a drift buoy comprising:
 a drift buoy having a controller and a communication interface, the drift buoy defining a payload cavity holding a payload, wherein the payload is released in response to a command from the controller;   a service provider, wherein the service provider is in communication with the drift buoy via the communication interface; and   a user interface, wherein the user interface provides information associated with the drift buoy received by the service provider including a location where the payload is released.   
     
     
         20 . The system for a drift buoy of  claim 19 , wherein the user interface comprises a map, and wherein the map depicts a path of the drift buoy over time. 
     
     
         21 . The system for a drift buoy of  claim 19 , wherein the drift buoy further comprises one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one of a temperature sensor, a light sensor, an image sensor, or a depth sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the user interface presents information from the one or more sensors.