U.S. patent application number 16/158917 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-14 for systems and methods for one-click delivery of autonomous vehicle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nuro, Inc.. Invention is credited to David Ferguson, Pichayut Jirapinyo, Nan Ransohoff, Jiajun Zhu.
Application Number | 20190050808 16/158917 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63207881 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190050808 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferguson; David ; et
al. |
February 14, 2019 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ONE-CLICK DELIVERY OF AUTONOMOUS
VEHICLE
Abstract
A delivery system includes a database configured to store
information of a customer where the information includes a default
payment method, a communication system configured to communicate
with an autonomous vehicle and with a device of the customer, where
the device includes a display screen having a button to summon an
autonomous vehicle, at least one processor, and a memory storing
instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one
processor, cause the delivery system to receive an indication via
the communication system that the button on the device of the
customer has been clicked, and instruct the autonomous vehicle to
travel to a location of the customer.
Inventors: |
Ferguson; David; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Zhu; Jiajun; (Palo Alto, CA)
; Jirapinyo; Pichayut; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Ransohoff; Nan; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nuro, Inc. |
Mountain View |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63207881 |
Appl. No.: |
16/158917 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/US2018/044361 |
Jul 30, 2018 |
|
|
|
16158917 |
|
|
|
|
62538538 |
Jul 28, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 1/36 20130101; H04W
4/024 20180201; B60R 19/483 20130101; B64C 2201/128 20130101; B64C
2201/141 20130101; G05D 1/0276 20130101; G06Q 10/0834 20130101;
G06Q 50/30 20130101; G08G 1/202 20130101; G06Q 10/00 20130101; A47J
37/0658 20130101; G01C 21/343 20130101; G06K 7/1413 20130101; G01C
21/20 20130101; G05D 1/0088 20130101; G05D 1/0214 20130101; G06Q
10/08 20130101; G08G 1/22 20130101; G05D 1/0061 20130101; G07C
2209/63 20130101; B60R 25/252 20130101; G05D 1/0033 20130101; G06K
19/06028 20130101; G06K 19/0723 20130101; B60R 21/36 20130101; B65G
67/24 20130101; G06Q 50/28 20130101; H04L 67/12 20130101; H04W 4/40
20180201; H05B 6/688 20130101; G07C 9/00563 20130101; G07C 9/00896
20130101; G05D 1/0231 20130101; G05D 2201/0207 20130101; G06Q
30/0645 20130101; G05D 1/0038 20130101; G05D 1/0212 20130101; G05D
1/0291 20130101; G05D 1/0297 20130101; G06Q 50/12 20130101; A23L
7/109 20160801; B64C 2201/00 20130101; G01C 21/3438 20130101; G06F
16/955 20190101; G06Q 30/0631 20130101; G07F 17/12 20130101; G05D
1/0295 20130101; B60P 3/0257 20130101; G06K 7/10722 20130101; G06Q
20/18 20130101; G05D 1/12 20130101; G06K 9/00201 20130101; H04N
5/76 20130101; B60R 25/25 20130101; G06Q 20/00 20130101; A23L 2/52
20130101; A47J 47/00 20130101; G01C 21/3453 20130101; G06F 3/0484
20130101; G06Q 10/0635 20130101; G07C 9/00571 20130101; A23V
2002/00 20130101; B60H 1/00735 20130101; B60R 19/18 20130101; G06Q
10/0832 20130101; G08G 1/04 20130101; G06K 7/10297 20130101; G07C
2009/0092 20130101; B60R 21/34 20130101; B60R 2021/346 20130101;
G05D 1/0223 20130101; G06K 9/00791 20130101; G06N 20/00 20190101;
G06Q 10/06315 20130101; G06Q 10/083 20130101; G06Q 10/0837
20130101; B60P 3/007 20130101; G05D 1/0094 20130101; G06F 3/017
20130101; G06Q 10/0833 20130101; G06Q 30/0266 20130101; G07F
17/0057 20130101; A23L 5/00 20160801; G05D 1/0027 20130101; G05D
2201/0213 20130101; G06Q 10/0631 20130101; G06Q 10/0835 20130101;
G06Q 20/127 20130101; G07C 9/28 20200101; G06Q 10/08355 20130101;
B60H 1/00364 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/08 20060101
G06Q010/08; G06Q 50/30 20060101 G06Q050/30; G05D 1/00 20060101
G05D001/00 |
Claims
1. A delivery system comprising: a database configured to store
information of a customer, wherein the information includes a
default payment method; a communication system configured to
communicate with an autonomous vehicle and with a device of the
customer, wherein the device includes a display screen having a
button to summon an autonomous vehicle; at least one processor; and
a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least
one processor, cause the delivery system to: receive an indication,
via the communication system, that the button on the device of the
customer has been clicked; and instruct the autonomous vehicle to
travel to a location of the customer.
2. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the location
of the customer is based on a location of the device.
3. The delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the
instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause
the delivery system to update the location of the device to the
autonomous vehicle when the device moves.
4. The delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the autonomous
vehicle travels to the updated location of the device.
5. The delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the location
of the device is updated by a global positioning sensor of the
device.
6. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the location
of the customer is a default location of the customer stored in the
information.
7. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the
instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause
the delivery system to receive a payment for an order related to
the button via the default payment method, when the button on the
device of the customer has been clicked.
8. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous
vehicle opens a compartment for the customer, when the autonomous
vehicle arrives at the location of the device.
9. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the button is
related to an order of a product, or a delivery order of the
autonomous vehicle for an order or return of a product at the
location.
10. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the
autonomous vehicle is an unmanned vehicle autonomously traveling to
the location of the customer.
11. An apparatus for summoning an autonomous vehicle, the apparatus
comprising: a communication device configured to communicate with a
delivery system; a display screen; at least one processor; and a
memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least
one processor, cause the apparatus to: communicate, via the
communication device, information of a customer to the delivery
system, the information including a default payment method;
display, on the display screen, a button associated with an order;
communicate to the delivery system, via the communication device,
an indication that the button has been clicked; and receive, in
response to communicating the indication that the button has been
clicked, an indication from the delivery system that an autonomous
vehicle is to be dispatched to a location of the customer.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a
global positioning sensor configured to update a current location
of the apparatus.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the location of
the customer is based on the global positioning sensor.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the instructions,
when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to
update the location of the customer to the delivery system when the
apparatus moves.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the autonomous
vehicle travels to the updated location of the apparatus.
16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the location of
the customer is a default location of the customer stored in the
information.
17. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an order related
to the button is paid via the default payment method, when the
button displayed on the display screen has been clicked.
18. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the autonomous
vehicle opens a compartment for the customer, when the autonomous
vehicle arrives at the location of the apparatus.
19. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the button is
related to an order of a product, or a delivery order of the
autonomous vehicle for an order or return of a product at the
location.
20. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the autonomous
vehicle is an unmanned vehicle autonomously traveling to the
location of the customer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
International Application No. PCT/US2018/044361, filed on Jul. 30,
2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/538,538, filed on Jul. 28, 2017. The entire contents of each of
the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[0002] The present application relates to systems and method for
one-click delivery of an autonomous vehicle, and in particular, for
delivering an autonomously vehicle to a current location of a
customer.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Businesses have been focusing on making customers' burden
easier and simpler in making orders. For example, customers have
had to go to brick and mortar shopping places to buy what they
want, but now they can go to online stores for shopping so that
they can reduce, by clicking hyperlinks in websites, time for
travelling and efforts for looking around physical space of the
shopping place to find what they want. Further, businesses have
been trying to make an easy payment process so that customers can
make less clicks and less typing to order what they want to buy.
For example, Amazon.RTM. has introduced the one-click payment
system. With a default payment method saved in the system,
customers can make a single click to place and pay for an order,
and the system uses the default payment method to process a payment
for the order.
[0004] However, even with these businesses' efforts, customers have
to stay at a stationary place, for example a home or office, to
receive or at least secure receipt of the ordered package. When
customers specifically ask for just in case they are not home or
office, delivery personnel may place ordered packages at a certain
place (e.g., front door, back of the house, or a storage). Such
delivery methods can pose a risk of losing the delivered item.
[0005] Further, when customers are not satisfied with the ordered
packages or when the delivered package is not in its original
condition or not what they have ordered, they have to return the
delivered package back. Most of times, they have to pack the
package, go to a local delivery carrier, and mail it back to the
seller. Some businesses have developed an easy return method by
inserting a return slip, which can be used for return. Furthermore,
delivery carriers now provide a pickup service so that customers do
not have to go to a local carrier. Nevertheless, customers still
have to stay at a stationary place (e.g., home or office) to wait
for the pickup. Thus, there are needs for improvements in easier
delivery and/or return methods to lessen customers' burden.
SUMMARY
[0006] This disclosure relates to a one-click delivery of an
autonomous vehicle, and in particular, to delivering an
autonomously vehicle to a current location of a customer for an
order.
[0007] In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a
delivery system includes a database configured to store information
of a customer where the information includes a default payment
method, a communication system configured to communicate with an
autonomous vehicle and with a device of the customer, where the
device includes a display screen having a button to summon an
autonomous vehicle, at least one processor, and a memory storing
instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one
processor, cause the delivery system to receive an indication via
the communication system that the button on the device of the
customer has been clicked, and instruct the autonomous vehicle to
travel to a location of the customer.
[0008] In various embodiments, the location of the customer is
based on a location of the device. In various embodiments, the
location of the device is updated by a global positioning sensor of
the device. In various embodiments, location of the customer is a
default location of the customer stored in the information.
[0009] In various embodiments, the instructions, when executed by
the at least one processor, cause the delivery system to update the
location of the device to the autonomous vehicle when the device
moves. In various embodiments, the autonomous vehicle travels to
the updated location of the device.
[0010] In various embodiments, the instructions, when executed by
the at least one processor, cause the delivery system to receive a
payment for an order related to the button via the default payment
method, when the button on the device of the customer has been
clicked.
[0011] In various embodiments, the autonomous vehicle opens a
compartment for the customer, when the autonomous vehicle arrives
at the location of the device.
[0012] In various embodiments, the button is related to an order of
a product, or a delivery order of the autonomous vehicle for an
order or return of a product at the location.
[0013] In various embodiments, the autonomous vehicle is an
unmanned vehicle autonomously traveling to the location of the
customer.
[0014] In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, an
apparatus for summoning an autonomous vehicle includes a
communication device configured to communicate with a delivery
system, a display screen, at least one processor, and a memory
storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to communicate via the
communication device information of a customer to the delivery
system where the information includes a default payment method,
display on the display screen a button associated with an order,
communicate to the delivery system via the communication device an
indication that the button has been clicked, and receive, in
response to communicating the indication that the button has been
clicked, an indication from the delivery system that an autonomous
vehicle is to be dispatched to a location of the customer.
[0015] In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a global
positioning sensor configured to update a current location of the
apparatus. In various embodiments, the location of the customer is
based on the global positioning sensor. In various embodiments, the
location of the customer is a default location of the customer
stored in the information.
[0016] In various embodiments, the instructions, when executed by
the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to update the
location of the customer to the delivery system when the apparatus
moves. In various embodiments, the autonomous vehicle travels to
the updated location of the apparatus.
[0017] In various embodiments, an order related to the button is
paid via the default payment method, when the button displayed on
the display screen has been clicked.
[0018] In various embodiments, the autonomous vehicle opens a
compartment for the customer, when the autonomous vehicle arrives
at the location of the apparatus.
[0019] In various embodiments, the button is related to an order of
a product, or a delivery order of the autonomous vehicle for an
order or return of a product at the location.
[0020] In various embodiments, the autonomous vehicle is an
unmanned vehicle autonomously traveling to the location of the
customer.
[0021] Further details and aspects of exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure are described in more detail below with
reference to the appended figures.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0022] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned
in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the
same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent
application was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] A better understanding of the features and advantages of the
disclosed technology will be obtained by reference to the following
detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in
which the principles of the technology are utilized, and the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a delivery system for
a one-click delivery of an autonomous vehicle in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a graphical illustration of a smart device in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the autonomous vehicle of FIG.
1 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for the one-click delivery of an
autonomous vehicle in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure; and
[0028] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a delivery system or
a smart device in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] This disclosure relates to a one-click delivery of an
autonomous vehicle and, in particular, to delivering an autonomous
vehicle to a current location of a customer upon clicking a summon
button displayed on the customer's smart device.
[0030] Provided herein is a delivery system delivering an
autonomous vehicle to a current location of a customer upon
receiving indication that the customer summons the autonomous
vehicle for an order by clicking a summon button once. The delivery
system directs the autonomous vehicle to the location of the
customer, updates the current location when the customer has moved,
and redirects the autonomous vehicle to the updated location of the
customer. Thus, customers do not have to stay at the same place to
receive an ordered package, to return a delivered package, or to
send a package.
Definitions
[0031] As used herein, the term "autonomous" includes
fully-autonomous, semi-autonomous, and any configuration in which a
vehicle can operate in a controlled manner for a period without
human intervention.
[0032] As used herein, the term "fleet," "sub-fleet," and like
terms are used to indicate a number of land vehicles, watercraft or
aircraft operating together or under the same ownership. In some
embodiments, the fleet or sub-fleet is engaged in the same
activity. In some embodiments, the fleet or sub-fleet are engaged
in similar activities. In some embodiments, the fleet or sub-fleet
are engaged in different activities.
[0033] As used herein, the term "robot," "robot vehicle," "robot
fleet," "vehicle," "all-terrain vehicle," and like terms are used
to indicate a mobile machine that transports autonomous vehicles or
is itself an autonomous vehicle. Typical autonomous vehicles
include cars, wagons, vans, motor vehicles (e.g., tricycles,
trucks, trailers, buses, etc.), railed vehicles (e.g., trains,
trams, etc.), watercrafts (e.g., ships, boats, ferries, landing
craft, barges, rafts, etc.), aerial drones, hovercrafts (air, land
and water types), aircrafts, and even including spacecrafts.
[0034] As used herein, the term "user," "operator," "fleet
operator," and like terms are used to indicate the entity that owns
or is responsible for managing and operating the robot fleet.
[0035] As used herein, the term "customer" and like terms are used
to indicate the entity that requests services provided by the robot
fleet.
[0036] As used herein, the term "server," "computer server,"
"central server," "main server," "mobile device," "smart device,"
and like terms are used to indicate a computer or device on a
network that manages the fleet resources, namely the robot
vehicles.
[0037] As used herein a "mesh network" is a network topology in
which each node relays data for the network. All mesh nodes
cooperate in the distribution of data in the network. It can be
applied to both wired and wireless networks. Wireless mesh networks
can be considered a type of "Wireless ad hoc" network. Thus,
wireless mesh networks are closely related to Mobile ad hoc
networks (MANETs). Although MANETs are not restricted to a specific
mesh network topology, wireless ad hoc networks or MANETs can take
any form of network topology. Mesh networks can relay messages
using either a flooding technique or a routing technique. With
routing, the message is propagated along a path by hopping from
node to node until it reaches its destination. To ensure that all
its paths are available, the network must allow for continuous
connections and must reconfigure itself around broken paths, using
self-healing algorithms such as Shortest Path Bridging.
Self-healing allows a routing-based network to operate when a node
breaks down or when a connection becomes unreliable. As a result,
the network is typically quite reliable, as there is often more
than one path between a source and a destination in the network.
This concept can also apply to wired networks and to software
interaction. A mesh network whose nodes are all connected to each
other is a fully connected network.
[0038] As used herein, the term "module" and like terms are used to
indicate a self-contained hardware component of the central server,
which in turn includes software modules. In software, a module is a
part of a program. Programs are composed of one or more
independently developed modules that are not combined until the
program is linked. A single module can contain one or several
routines, or sections of programs that perform a particular task.
As used herein the fleet management module includes software
modules for managing various aspects and functions of the robot
fleet.
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a delivery system 100 for delivering autonomous
vehicles when receiving a summon from a customer in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure. The delivery system 100
includes delivery server 110 and one or more autonomous vehicles
120. In an aspect, the delivery system 100 may include a parking
station 130 where autonomous vehicles 120 may be securely parked or
stationed. The delivery server 110, the autonomous vehicles 120,
and the parking station 130 communicate with each other via a
network 150, which may be a mesh network, wireless network, ad hoc
network, Internet, or MANET.
[0040] When a customer 140 makes a request for summoning an
autonomous vehicle, the delivery server 110 receives the summon
request via the network 150. The customer 140 may make the summon
request via a smart device, a computer, tablet, or compatible
computing device, which can access the network and communicate with
the delivery server 110.
[0041] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the customer 140 may use a
smartphone 200 to make a summon request for an autonomous vehicle.
The smartphone 200 is provided for only an example and can be other
smart devices such as a laptop, desktop, tablet, phablet, personal
data assistant, or other similar computing devices. The smartphone
200 has a display screen 210. In an aspect, the customer 140 may
have to download and install a smartphone application for summoning
an autonomous vehicle. In an aspect, the customer 140 may access a
website for summoning an autonomous vehicle. In either case when
the customer 140 runs the application or accesses the website, the
smartphone 200 may display a list of orders 220, a summon button
230, and a cancel button 240 on the display screen 210. This list
is provided for an example purpose only and can include other kinds
of orders as readily available to persons having ordinary skill in
the art.
[0042] The customer 140 may have to identify an order among
purchasing, returning, or sending an item. After the order is
selected, the customer 140 may decide which button to click. The
customer 140 may click the cancel button 240 to cancel what he has
selected. In another case when the customer 140 clicks the summon
button 230, the smartphone 200 may transmit an indication that the
customer has clicked the summon button 230 to the delivery server
110. By clicking the summon button 230 once, the customer 140 may
be able to summon an autonomous vehicle.
[0043] Further, the smartphone 200 may include a global positioning
system (GPS) sensor 250. Based on the GPS sensor 250, the
smartphone 200 may estimate a location where the smartphone 200 is
positioned. When the smartphone 200 transmits the indication, the
smartphone 200 also transmits the estimated location of the
smartphone 200. Thus, when the delivery server 110 receives the
indication from the smartphone 200 together with the selected order
and the location of the smartphone 200 as the location of the
customer 140.
[0044] In an aspect, when the customer's smart device, which
includes a GPS sensor, is not registered in the delivery system,
the default location of the customer, such as a home or office
address, is set by the customer.
[0045] In another aspect, when the customer registers more than one
smart device, the customer may select one smart device as a default
smart device for identifying the location of the customer.
[0046] Upon reception of the indication, the selected order, and
the location of the customer 140, the delivery server 110 may
communicate with the autonomous vehicles 120 and the parking
station 130 to receive location information of the autonomous
vehicles 120 and the parking station 130. In an aspect, the
delivery server 110 may perform a search for autonomous vehicles
120, which can travel to the customer optimally in the shortest
distance or in the shortest time based on locations of the
autonomous vehicles in relationship with the location of the
customer 140.
[0047] As described above, the customer 140 may summon the
autonomous vehicle for purchasing items, returning an already
purchased item, or sending an item to someone else. In a case when
the selected order is to purchase an item, the delivery server 110
may perform a search for an autonomous vehicle, which contains in
its compartment the item which the customer want to buy. In another
case when the customer 140 receives a defective item or an item
which is different from what the customer 140 has purchased, the
selected order is to return the item. In this situation, the
delivery server 110 may perform a search for an autonomous vehicle,
which has a storage space sufficiently large to receive it in
consideration of the distance between the customer 140 and the
destination of the return.
[0048] When the selected order is to send an item to someone else,
the delivery server 110 may perform a search for an autonomous
vehicle which has a storage space sufficiently large to receive it
and has a low priority for potential future orders during the
delivery of the item. In short, the delivery server 110 may
heuristically perform a search for an autonomous vehicle, which is
optimally located, based on the location of the customer 140, based
on the weighted distance to the customer 140, or other suitable
optimization algorithm. This is not an exhaustive list but provides
only examples. Other suitable method may be readily appreciated by
person having ordinary skill in the art not departing from the
scope of this disclosure.
[0049] In various embodiment, the autonomous vehicle may be used as
a rental car. In this case, the item for sending is the customer
itself. Description of these rental car features can be found in
commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/047,659,
filed on Jul. 27, 2018, entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0050] Based on the delivery location and capability of the
autonomous vehicles 120, the delivery server 110 may select an
autonomous vehicle 120, which is optimally located and capable of
performing the order requested from the customer 140. In an aspect,
the delivery server 110 may optimize routes to the location of the
customer 140 from the location of the selected autonomous vehicle
120 and instruct the autonomous vehicle 120 to travel to the
location of the customer by following the optimized route. In
another aspect, the delivery server 110 may transmit to the
selected autonomous vehicle the location of the customer 140, and
the selected autonomous vehicle may perform a search for an optimum
route to the location of the customer 140 and autonomously drives
to the location of the customer 140 by following the optimum
route.
[0051] Configuration of the autonomous vehicles 120 may be for land
travel, such as a small fully-autonomous (or semi-autonomous)
automobile. The fully-autonomous (or semi-autonomous) automobile
may be narrow (e.g., 2-5 feet wide) or wide (e.g., greater than 5
feet wide), low mass and low center of gravity for stability,
having multiple secure compartments assignable to one or more
customers, retailers and/or vendors, and designed for moderate
working speed ranges (i.e., 1.0-45.0 mph) to accommodate inner-city
and residential driving speeds. Additionally, in some embodiments,
the land autonomous vehicles may be configured with a maximum speed
range from 1.0 mph to about 90.0 mph for high speed, intrastate or
interstate driving. Each autonomous vehicle in the fleet may be
equipped with onboard sensors (e.g., cameras (running at a high
frame rate, akin to video), LiDAR, radar, ultrasonic sensors,
microphones, etc.) and internal computer processing to constantly
determine where it can safely navigate, what other objects are
around each autonomous vehicle and what it may do.
[0052] In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicles 120 may be
semi-autonomous. In some embodiments, it may be necessary to have
human interaction between the autonomous vehicles 120, the fleet
operator, and the customer 140 to address previously unforeseen
issues (e.g., a malfunction with the navigation module; provider
inventory issues; unanticipated traffic or road conditions; or
direct customer interaction after the robot arrives at the customer
location).
[0053] In in some embodiments, the autonomous vehicles 120 may be
controlled directly by a fleet operator. In some embodiments, it
may be necessary to have direct human interaction between the
autonomous vehicles 120 and/or the fleet operator to address
maintenance issues such as mechanical failure, electrical failure,
or a traffic accident. In aspects, the fleet operator may remotely
operate the autonomous vehicles 120.
[0054] In some embodiments, each autonomous vehicle 120 may be
configured with a working speed range from 13.0 mph to 45.0 mph. In
some embodiments, the land autonomous vehicles 120 in the fleet may
be configured with a maximum speed range from 13.0 mph to about
90.0 mph.
[0055] In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicles 120 may be
configured for water travel as a watercraft and is configured with
a working speed range from 1.0 mph to 45.0 mph.
[0056] In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicles 120 may be
configured for hover travel as an over-land or over-water
hovercraft and is configured with a working speed range from 1.0
mph to 60.0 mph.
[0057] In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicles 120 may be
configured for air travel as an aerial drone or aerial hovercraft
and is configured with a working speed range from 1.0 mph to 80.0
mph.
[0058] In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicles 120 may be
further configured to be part of a sub-fleet of autonomous
vehicles, and each sub-fleet may be configured to operate
independently or in tandem with multiple sub-fleets having two or
more sub-fleets.
[0059] In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicle 120 may be
accessed directly by the customer 140 without a physical key, when
the autonomous vehicle 120 arrive at the location of the customer
140. Authentication should be passed by the customer 140 to access
the autonomous vehicle 120.
[0060] In some embodiments, there will likely be times when an
autonomous vehicle 120 breaks down, has an internal system or
module failure or is in need of maintenance. For example, in the
event that the navigation module should fail, each autonomous
vehicle 120 within the fleet is configurable to allow for direct
control of the autonomous vehicle's processor to override the
conveyance and sensor systems (i.e., cameras, etc.) by a fleet
operator to allow for the safe return of the vehicle to a base
station for repair.
[0061] FIG. 3 shows features of an autonomous vehicle to be
delivered to customers. For example, the autonomous vehicle 120 may
include several authentication means, such as an image capturing
device 310, a keypad 320, and the scanner 330. When the autonomous
vehicle 120 arrives at the location of the customer 140, the
autonomous vehicle 120 grants an access thereto after
authenticating the customer 140. For example, the autonomous
vehicle 120 takes a picture of the customer 140 using the image
capturing device 310 and performs facial recognition. When the
customer 140 is verified, the customer 140 can access a compartment
340 of the autonomous vehicle 120. In an aspect, the image
capturing device 310 is used for navigation purposes as well.
[0062] In embodiments, the customer 140 is given a key code to
access the autonomous vehicle 120 via a text message, an email, or
an image from the delivery server 110 after transmitting the
indication. When the autonomous vehicle 120 arrives at the location
of the customer 140, the customer 140 enters the key code via the
keypad 320. If the entered key code matches the key code from the
delivery server 110, the customer 140 is granted an access to the
autonomous vehicle 120.
[0063] In embodiments, the customer 140 is authenticated by the
scanner 330. The customer 140 put his/her hand on the scanner 330,
which scans bio specifics of the hand and verifies the customer
140. For example, the bio specifics may include fingerprint, vein
configuration, hand geometry, handwriting, etc. This list is
provided only for providing examples and is not meant to be
limiting. In aspects, the autonomous vehicle 120 may utilize bio
mark recognition such as iris recognition by using the scanner 330.
Further, the autonomous vehicle 120 may utilize other
authenticating methods readily appreciated by those skilled in the
art not departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0064] After verification of the customer 140, the autonomous
vehicle 120 grants an access to the customer 140. Based on the
requested order, the customer 140 can purchase, return, and send an
item by using the compartment 340.
[0065] Further details of the autonomous vehicles 120 can be found
as a robot vehicle in commonly assigned Provisional Application No.
62/538,538, filed Jul. 28, 2017, of which title is FLEET OF ROBOT
VEHICLES FOR SPECIALITY PRODUCT AND SERVICE DELIVERY, of which the
first inventor is David Ferguson, and the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
[0066] Now referring to FIG. 4, a flowchart is shown illustrating a
method 400 for delivering an autonomous vehicle to location of a
customer after receiving one-click indication for summon in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The method
400 starts with receiving an indication that a customer has clicked
a summon button to summon an autonomous vehicle in step 410. In
aspect, the summon button may be displayed on a smart device or a
monitor of the customer. To summon an autonomous vehicle, what the
customer has to do is clicking the summon button once and no
further action.
[0067] In an aspect, the customer may also identify an order among
purchasing, returning, or sending an item. In another aspect, the
order may be renting an autonomous vehicle. These rental features
can be found in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
16/047,659, filed on Jul. 27, 2018, entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0068] In step 420, the smart device of the customer also sends its
location to the delivery server. In an aspect, the location may be
simultaneously sent to the delivery server with the indication.
[0069] In an aspect, the smart device may send a kind of order
among purchasing, returning, and sending an item to the delivery
server.
[0070] After reception of the indication, the delivery server may
select and instruct an autonomous vehicle, appropriate for the
order, to travel to the customer in step 430.
[0071] In step 440, it is determined whether the autonomous vehicle
has arrived at the location identified by the smart device of the
customer. The method 400 goes to step 470 when it is determined
that the autonomous vehicle has arrived. If not, it is determined
whether the customer has moved in step 450.
[0072] The movement of the customer can be identified based on a
GPS sensor installed in the smart device. When the customer moves,
the smart device transmits the updated location of the customer to
the delivery server. In an aspect, the delivery server may
disregard the customer's movement when the amount of displacement
between the location retained in the delivery server and the
updated location is less than a predetermined threshold. In other
words, the delivery server dose not transmits the updated location
to the autonomous vehicle unless the displacement is recognizably
big for the autonomous vehicle. The predetermined threshold may be
about 10 feet.
[0073] When the displacement is larger than or equal to the
predetermined threshold, it is determined that the customer has
moved in step 450. In this case, the location of the customer is
updated to be the current location of the customer in step 460. The
method 400 then moves back to step 430 and the delivery server
instructs the autonomous vehicle to travel to the updated
location.
[0074] When the displacement is less than the predetermined
threshold, it is determined that the customer has not moved in step
450. In this case, the method 400 moves back to step 440. In this
way, steps 430-460 make possible that the autonomous vehicle can
follow the customer regardless of movements of the customer.
[0075] After it is determined that the autonomous vehicle has
arrived at the location in step 440, the customer has to pass an
authentication process to receive an access to the autonomous
vehicle. In step 470, it is determined whether the customer has
passed the authentication. In an aspect, step 470 may be repeated
until the customer passes the authentication. In another aspect,
the customer may receive a certain number of trials for the
authentication. For example, if the customer fails the
authentication three or five consecutive times, the autonomous
vehicle would not grant an access to the customer.
[0076] When the customer is determined to pass the authentication
in step 470, the autonomous vehicle may grant the customer an
access thereto, meaning that the autonomous vehicle opens a
compartment so that the customer can purchase, return, or send an
item. In this way, with only one-click of a summon button by the
customer, the method 400 can instruct an autonomous vehicle to
travel to the customer no matter where the customer moves.
[0077] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for a computing device 500
representative of the managing server or controller of the robot
fleet of FIG. 1, the smart device of FIG. 2, or a controller of the
autonomous vehicle of FIG. 3 in accordance with embodiments of the
present disclosure. The computing device 500 may include a storage
510, memory 520, processor 530, extension 540, display device 550,
input device 560, and network card 570. The storage 510 stores data
to be accessed for reading and editing programs to be executed. The
memory 520 may include a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only
memory (ROM). The ROM generally stores booting programs that run
when the computing device is turned on and the RAM is used for fast
performance, i.e., loading a program and/or calculating data.
[0078] The processor 530 is a brain to the computing device. The
processor 530 executes instructions which implement tasks or
functions of programs. When a user executes a program, the
processor 530 reads the program stored in the storage 510, loads
the program on the RAM, and executes instructions prescribed by the
program.
[0079] A user may input and/or modify data via the input device 560
that may include a keyboard, a mouse, or any other device with
which the use may input data. The display device 550 displays data
on a screen of the display device 550. The display device 550 may
be a touch screen so that the display device 550 can be used as an
input device.
[0080] The extension 540 may include several ports, such as one or
more universal serial buses (USBs), IEEE 1394 ports, parallel
ports, and/or expansion slots such as peripheral component
interconnect (PCI) and PCI express (PCIe). The extension 540 is not
limited to the list but may include other slots or ports that can
be used for appropriate purposes. The extension 540 may be used to
install hardware or add additional functionalities to a computer
that may facilitate the purposes of the computer. For example, a
USB port can be used for adding a storage to the computer and/or an
IEEE 1394 may be used for receiving moving/still image data.
[0081] The network card 570 is used to communicate with the robot
vehicles, rental vehicles, or mobile devices, wirelessly or via a
wired connection. Through the network card 570, the robot vehicles,
rental vehicles, or mobile devices may receive, modify, and/or
update from and to the managing server.
[0082] The embodiments disclosed herein are examples of the
disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. For instance,
although certain embodiments herein are described as separate
embodiments, each of the embodiments herein may be combined with
one or more of the other embodiments herein. Specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and as a representative
basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the
present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed
structure. Like reference numerals may refer to similar or
identical elements throughout the description of the figures.
[0083] It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives
and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art
without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present
disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variances. The embodiments described with
reference to the attached drawing figures are presented only to
demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure. Other elements,
steps, methods, and techniques that are insubstantially different
from those described above and/or in the appended claims are also
intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *