Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a charging station for charging of a UAV within a vicinity of powerlines includes an interface for electric coupling with the UAV for charging of a rechargeable battery of the UAV; a power supply having first and second electrodes separated and electrically insulated from each other for enabling a differential in voltage at the first and second electrodes resulting from a differential in electric field strength experienced at the first and second electrodes when within the vicinity of the powerlines; and electrical components electrically connected with the first and second electrodes and configured to establish a circuit with the rechargeable battery of the UAV when electronically coupled with the interface. The differential in voltage between the first and second electrodes causes electric current to flow through the electric circuit for charging the battery of the UAV.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a charging station for charging of a UAV within a vicinity of powerlines includes an interface for electric coupling with the UAV for charging of a rechargeable battery of the UAV; a power supply having first and second electrodes separated and electrically insulated from each other for enabling a differential in voltage at the first and second electrodes resulting from a differential in electric field strength experienced at the first and second electrodes when within the vicinity of the powerlines; and electrical components electrically connected with the first and second electrodes and configured to establish a circuit with the rechargeable battery of the UAV when electronically coupled with the interface. The differential in voltage between the first and second electrodes causes electric current to flow through the electric circuit for charging the battery of the UAV.

Abstract: A UAV in which electric power is generated for an electric load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced thereat; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials causes a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering an electric load. Preferably, the UAV includes a control assembly having one or more voltage-detector components configured to detect relative voltages of the electrodes; and a processor enabled to configure—based on the detected voltages and based on voltage and electric current specifications for powering the electric load—one or more of the electrical components to establish an electric circuit for powering the electric load.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating electric power within vicinity of powerlines using varying electric fields and an electrical pathway to ground are disclosed. Such apparatus preferably include, for example, UAVs, charging stations, and power strips mountable to a powerline transmission tower. Methods and systems utilizing such apparatus further are disclosed. The electrical pathway to ground may include an interface that is tethered to a UAV and that is dragged along a shield wire behind the UAV as the UAV travels along the powerlines. The electrical pathway to ground alternatively may include an electrical connection to a ground of a support structure of the powerlines when the apparatus is a power strip mounted to the support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

Abstract: A method of providing to a customer customized media at a physical point of sale (PPOS) of a good/service includes the steps of (a) receiving an identifier from the customer at the PPOS, (b) retrieving a media profile that is maintained in a database in association with the identifier, the media profile identifying at least one media content type, (c) generating a deliverable in accordance with the retrieved media profile by obtaining an item of the media content type identified in the retrieved media profile, and (d) communicating the generated deliverable to the customer at the PPOS.