U.S. patent application number 16/286911 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-29 for system and method for securely receiving and storing deliveries.
This patent application is currently assigned to Walmart Apollo, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Walmart Apollo, LLC. Invention is credited to Robert Cantrell, Jennifer Hedges, Brian McHale, John J. O'Brien.
Application Number | 20190266819 16/286911 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67685979 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190266819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McHale; Brian ; et
al. |
August 29, 2019 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURELY RECEIVING AND STORING DELIVERIES
Abstract
Systems and methods for receiving and securely storing a package
in a solar powered storage unit until retrieval by an intended
recipient. The storage unit opens automatically to receive packages
from delivery vehicles and maintains the interior of the storage
unit at a desired temperature. The storage unit only allows
designated recipients access to the package.
Inventors: |
McHale; Brian; (Oldham,
GB) ; O'Brien; John J.; (Farmington, AR) ;
Cantrell; Robert; (Herndon, VA) ; Hedges;
Jennifer; (Lowell, AR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Walmart Apollo, LLC |
Bentonville |
AR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Walmart Apollo, LLC
Bentonville
AR
|
Family ID: |
67685979 |
Appl. No.: |
16/286911 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62636789 |
Feb 28, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 29/141 20130101;
G07C 9/0069 20130101; G06Q 10/0832 20130101; G06Q 10/0836 20130101;
A47G 2029/147 20130101; G05B 2219/23051 20130101; G07C 9/00912
20130101; G05D 23/1917 20130101; G05B 19/042 20130101; G05B
2219/2637 20130101; G07C 2009/0092 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07C 9/00 20060101
G07C009/00; G06Q 10/08 20060101 G06Q010/08; G05B 19/042 20060101
G05B019/042; G05D 23/19 20060101 G05D023/19 |
Claims
1. A storage unit, comprising: an interior storage space; an
opening in a side that provides access to the interior storage
space; a door that opens and closes the opening; a heating/cooling
mechanism that adjusts a temperature in the interior storage space;
a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature in the interior
storage space; a control unit that receives the temperature in the
interior storage space and receives a required temperature of an
item in the storage unit and controls the heating/cooling
mechanism; a receiver coupled to the storage unit that receives a
code from a delivery vehicle and receives an authentication from an
intended recipient; and a solar panel on an exterior of the storage
unit that charges a battery wherein the battery provides power to
the door, a temperature controller, and the receiver.
2. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the door is secured by a
lock that is responsive to the code.
3. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the door is located on top
of the storage unit and the interior storage space is accessible
from above.
4. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the delivery vehicle is an
unmanned aerial vehicle.
5. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the temperature controller
is activated in response to delivery of a package and deactivated
in response to retrieval of a package.
6. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the code is sent by a
mobile device.
7. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the solar panels move in
response to an amount of sun exposure.
8. The storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a GPS locator
communicatively coupled to the delivery vehicle.
9. The storage unit if claim 1, further comprising a display that
displays information about contents within the storage unit and a
key pad that receives a code.
10. A method comprising: using solar energy to charge a battery
coupled to a storage unit; activating a heating or refrigerating
mechanism inside the storage unit in response to an arrival of a
delivery vehicle and adjusting a temperature within the storage
unit to a desired temperature; opening the storage unit when it is
within a threshold proximity of the delivery vehicle; closing the
storage unit when a package has been delivered by the delivery
vehicle; obtaining consent from a user to capture biometric data
prior to any biometric data being captured; and verifying the
consent of the user opening the storage unit when the user is
verified via the biometric data; deactivating the heating or
refrigerating mechanism in response to retrieval of the
package.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the storage unit receives a
signal indicating a desired temperature.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein obtaining consent comprises
registering for a service.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein verifying consent comprises the
user entering a personal identification number after registering
for a service.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising deleting biometric
data when consent is not verified or is revoked.
15. A system comprising: an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that
carries a package to a location; a storage unit at the location
that receives the package; a processor that communicates with the
UAV and determines whether the UAV is approaching the storage unit;
a control unit that communicates with the processor and controls a
door integrated into the storage unit and controls a temperature in
an interior of the storage unit; and a solar panel located on an
exterior of the storage unit coupled to a rechargeable battery that
provides power to the control unit.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the storage unit has a
cushioning layer that absorbs an impact of the package being
deposited in the storage unit.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor identifies a
recipient and the control unit actuates the door if the recipient
is an intended recipient.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the intended recipient is two
or more people.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor identifies an
intended recipient by a code provided by the recipient.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein the system uses one or more
sensors that capture biometric data to identify whether a recipient
is an intended recipient.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/636,789, filed Feb. 28, 2018, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a storage unit and more
specifically to receiving and securely storing delivered goods
until they can be retrieved by the intended recipient.
2. Introduction
[0003] Customers are increasingly choosing to purchase food, drugs,
and goods online. But insuring that the deliveries are received by
the intended recipient in the intended condition has presented a
challenge for retailers. Many deliveries must be made when the
recipient is not home, which leaves the contents of the delivery
vulnerable to theft or tampering. Additional precautions must be
taken to protect perishable items which may spoil if kept at the
wrong temperature, and these type of items may be particularly
attractive to wildlife. Food delivery services have used expensive
cooling devices to keep perishable items at the intended
temperature. Some retailers have used disposable coolers or cooling
packs which results in cost and waste. To address this problem
other retailers have used more expensive coolers that their
customers must return upon removing their delivery, which requires
additional coordination between the retailer and recipient and
additional transportation.
[0004] To address the problem of theft of delivered packages,
customers have resorted to expensive video home monitoring systems.
Other devices have been put into place to allow delivery people to
enter residences to deliver packages for later retrieval by the
intended recipient. However, many customers are uncomfortable with
delivery people entering their home or building.
[0005] In addition to the cost and labor necessary to preserve and
secure deliveries, many of these methods are not desirable because
they are incompatible with delivery by unmanned vehicles such as
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or autonomous or remotely
controlled land or water vehicles. The use of UAVs to deliver
packages with food, drugs, or goods offers many benefits over
traditional package delivery. UAVs offer large retailers the
ability to deliver packages on-demand with increased automation,
minimizing the amount of human capital expenditures and decreasing
the impact on the environment that may result from traditional
ground transportation.
[0006] But UAVs may not have the capability to alert package
recipients of a delivery like the traditional knock-on-the-door of
a delivery person. Additionally, it may be preferable for UAVs to
deliver packages a certain distance away from the intended delivery
location. For example, it may not be desirable for a UAV to enter a
residential property because of pets or children on the property
who may be startled by the UAV or may intentionally or innocuously
tamper with the UAV.
[0007] The secure storage of packages in a temperature controlled
environment is therefore a significant problem for many retailers.
It is advantageous to have a storage unit that allows access to
designated persons or devices, such as by the delivery person or
vehicle and the recipient.
SUMMARY
[0008] Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the
herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the
disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments
and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully
apparent from the following description and appended claims, or can
be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.
[0009] In one embodiment the system may be a storage unit
comprising a receiver for receiving a code from a delivery vehicle
and a recipient; a solar panel for providing power to a
rechargeable battery; a temperature controller for heating or
cooling the temperature within the storage unit; a door for
controlling access to the contents of a storage unit.
[0010] In another embodiment a method may comprise using solar
energy to charge a battery coupled to a storage unit; activating a
heating or refrigerating device inside of a storage unit in
response to the arrival of a delivery vehicle and adjusting the
temperature within the storage unit to a desired temperature;
opening the storage unit when it is within a threshold proximity of
the delivery vehicle; closing the storage unit when a package has
been received from the delivery vehicle; opening a the storage unit
when a code is received from a recipient; and deactivating the
heating or refrigerating device in response the retrieval of the
package.
[0011] In an additional embodiment the system may comprise an
unmanned aerial vehicle for carrying a package to a recipient
location; a storage unit located at the recipient location; a
processor for determining if the UAV is approaching the storage
unit; a control unit for actuating doors to open or close the
storage unit and controlling the temperature within the storage
unit; and a solar panel coupled to a rechargeable battery for
providing power to the storage unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a storage unit;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a storage unit preparing to
receive a package;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a storage unit preparing to
receive a package;
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a storage unit receiving
a package;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a storage unit preparing
for package retrieval;
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an example process flow chart; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] A storage unit may take the form of container with
controlled access. Access may be controlled by any of the methods
known in the art, for example, the storage unit may have two doors
that open automatically upon receiving an open command. The command
may be a code that is entered or a signal sent by a device such as
a UAV or mobile phone. The storage unit may also have a GPS locator
for emitting and receiving location information. In one embodiment,
this information may be used to communicate with a delivery
vehicle, such as a UAV, so that the vehicle can navigate itself to
the storage unit. In other embodiments, delivery may be made by a
person with information about the location of the storage unit, for
example, the street address of the property where the storage unit
is located. The delivery unit may be securely attached to the
property. The storage unit may have a locking mechanism that may be
opened by a physical key, a code, or signal emitted from a mobile
device such as a cell phone. Unlike devices that allow the delivery
in the business or dwelling of the recipient, a storage unit may be
near or attached to a building, but not within it so that delivery
can be made without allowing entry into the building.
[0020] The storage unit may also be temperature controlled. The
storage unit may control its temperature using any of the known
methods in the art. For example, the storage unit may be insulated,
refrigerated, and/or heated. Thus, the storage unit may change its
internal temperature to a desired temperature so that the delivery
can be maintained at a required temperature to preserve the
integrity of the delivery. For example, a storage unit containing
dairy items may lower its internal temperature to 35 degrees
Fahrenheit to prevent spoilage while a storage unit containing a
cooked pizza may raise its temperature to 200 degrees Fahrenheit so
that the pizza is ready for consumption upon retrieval.
[0021] The storage unit may have or receive power from a solar
panel for providing power, for example, to a control system
controlling the heating or refrigerating mechanism and a panel
actuating mechanism. The solar panels may provide power using any
known methods.
[0022] A power unit for the storage unit may have two modes of
operation wherein the first mode utilizes less energy than the
second mode. The first mode may be a sleeping mode so that the only
power provided is that necessary to detect a power-on signal. The
second mode may be activated when the power-on signal is received.
In the second mode power may be provided to the heating or
refrigerating mechanisms, GPS device, and/or the panel or door
actuating mechanisms. The device may be in a first mode when the
storage unit is empty, it may receive a power-on signal, for
example, from a delivery vehicle, and transition into the second
mode. After the package is retrieved from the storage unit it may
transition back to the first mode. Thus the storage unit may charge
a battery continuously from a solar panel while expending minimal
energy. The storage unit may be entirely self-powered in some
embodiments.
[0023] The storage unit may also be mobile so that it can be moved
around a property to maximize sun exposure. In some embodiments
measures may be taken to make the storage unit less mobile to
prevent theft or tampering. This may be done by securing the
storage unit to a permanent structure, such as a house or tree,
adding additional weight to the storage unit, or securing it to the
ground.
[0024] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a storage unit. Storage unit 100
may be a box with a door 102 that can open and close to control
access to the interior of the storage unit. Door 102 may be located
on the top of the storage unit so that items may be delivered from
a UAV hovering above storage unit 100. Doors may also be provided,
in addition to or in place of door 102, that allow access to the
contents of storage unit 100 from any side of the device. For
example, storage unit 100 may have a door located on side 104 to
allow access to the unit by a land vehicle. Door 102 may be hinged
so as to swing open or may slide horizontally to open. The door may
be a single piece or may be multiple pieces that are separately
coupled to the walls of storage unit 100 by separate track or
hinges. Door 102 may also include one or more solar panels that
provide charge to a battery. The solar panels may be on the
exterior of the storage unit and may be arranged parallel to the
storage unit doors or may be mobile so as to tilt with the movement
of the sun. For example, a processor may detect that the solar
panel's sun exposure has decreased and may control the movement of
the solar panels to a position having more sun exposure.
[0025] Storage unit 100 may also include control unit 106. Control
unit 106 may control the control the components of the storage
unit, such as, the movement of solar panels, a door opening and
closing mechanism, a heating mechanism, and/or a refrigerating
mechanism. The storage unit 100 may also have a wireless connection
that connects a GPS locator, a transmitter, a receiver, a display,
and/or a keypad to a control unit or to other devices. In some
embodiments the key pad and the display may be integrated into a
single touchscreen device. Control unit 106 may also be coupled to
a lock for locking door 102 after a delivery and unlocking door 102
when a code or key has been entered into the key pad or a signal
has been received by an approved device. In some embodiments, a
control unit may be programmable to power-on at a certain time or
for a certain amount of time.
[0026] The desired temperature for the contents within storage unit
100 may be input by the recipient via a key pad or other input
device located on storage unit 100 or it may be remotely programmed
via a wireless connection. In other embodiments, control unit 106
may receive a signal from an incoming delivery vehicle that directs
storage unit 100 to power-on and achieve a desired temperature as
the delivery vehicle approaches storage unit 100. The delivery
vehicle may be a UAV, an automated or manually operated land or
water vehicle, or the person making deliveries. The GPS locator may
communicate its location to a delivery vehicle and determine the
distance of the vehicle to the storage device. This distance may be
used to determine the optimal time to activate a heating or
refrigerating device to avoid wasting energy heating or cooling an
empty storage unit. Control unit 106 may be coupled to one or more
sensors for determining the temperature inside storage unit 100 or
the temperature of the contents of the storage unit. The
information from the sensors may be monitored by a processor and
used to control the heating or refrigerating mechanism to maintain
the desired temperature within storage unit 100.
[0027] Control unit 106 may also be coupled to a sensor for
determining whether the storage unit has received a package. For
example, a force sensor may be used to detect a change in weight
within the storage unit 100. If the weight of the storage unit or
its contents increases or is above a threshold, control unit 106
may activate a heating or refrigerating mechanism. If the weight
decreases or falls below a threshold, the control unit may turn off
the heating or refrigerating mechanism and/or power-off. Other
embodiments may include additional sensors for determining whether
storage unit 100 contains a package, for example a laser sensor may
determine that a package has been added or removed from storage
unit 100 when a detected beam is broken.
[0028] A display may also display information about the temperature
within storage unit 100 and the contents within storage unit 100.
Control unit 106 may also communicate with a remote device, such as
a mobile phone, to give an intended recipient notification that
contents have been added or removed from storage unit 100. Control
unit 106 may also receive a signal from the remote device to open,
close, or lock door 102. The signal may be encoded so that only
approved devices may open, close, or lock door 102. In one
embodiment, an intended recipient may use an application to sync
their mobile device to storage unit 100. The storage unit may be
programmed to provide access to its contents only when a signal is
received by a synced device.
[0029] Control unit 106 may be further coupled to an alarm
responsive to attempts to access the contents of storage unit 100
if the control unit has not received the proper credentials. The
alarm may be visual or audible and may include a camera for
capturing the incident. The image may be stored or immediately
transmitted to the mobile device of the intended recipient and/or
the deliverer or retailer. In some embodiments, access to the
contents of storage unit 100 may be remotely granted. This may be
advantageous if the owner of storage unit 100 would like to allow
another member of the household access to the contents of the box.
In embodiments having a camera, a remotely located owner may
receive feed from the camera to determine whether to grant access.
Still further embodiments may use facial recognition or
finger-print recognition to grant access to the contents of storage
unit 100.
[0030] The systems and methods disclosed herein can be configured
to comply with privacy requirements which may vary between
jurisdictions. For example, before any recording or capturing of
user biometric data, a "consent to capture" process may be
implemented. In such a process, consent may be obtained, from the
user, via a registration for a service. Part of the registration
process may be to ensure compliance with the appropriate privacy
laws for the location where the service would be performed. No
unauthorized collection of biometric data of individuals occurs via
exemplary systems and methods.
[0031] After registration, as part of a two factor authentication
system and before performance of the service, a verification of the
user as registered with the system and providing the required
consents can occur. That is, the user's registration status as
having consented to the collection of biometric data can be
verified prior to collecting any biometric data. This verification
can take place, for example, by the user entering a PIN (Personal
Identification Number), password, or other code into a keypad or
keyboard; by the user entering into a limited geofence location
while carrying a fob, mobile device (such as a smartphone), or
other RF transmitter, where the device has been configured to
broadcast an authorization signal. In other configurations, and
where permitted, the collection of biometric data can be
affirmatively allowed by the user, such as where the user initiates
a fingerprint scan, a palm scan, iris scan, etc., by orienting
their body or hand in a particular way.
[0032] Once consent is verified, biometric data of the user can be
captured and used, for example, as part of a two factor
authentication system. If the user verification fails at any point
during the two factor authentication, the camera, sensor, or other
biometric data collection system is immediately turned off, and any
biometric data collected from the user is immediately deleted, not
having been saved to disk.
[0033] Preferably, any biometric data captured as part of the
verification process is handled and stored by a single party at a
single location. Where data must be transmitted to an offsite
location for verification, the biometric data is encrypted. The
hashing of the biometric data received is a form of asymmetrical
encryption which improves both data security and privacy, as well
as reducing the amount of data which needs to be communicated.
[0034] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a storage unit 200 preparing to
receive a delivery. Storage unit 200 includes two doors 202 for
allowing access to the interior of storage unit 200. Doors 202 may
be controlled by control unit 204. Control unit 204 may receive a
signal from UAV 206 indicating that it is approaching with a
delivery for that storage unit. Control unit 204 may then open
doors 202 so that delivery can be made. Control unit 204 may also
receive a signal from UAV 206 to adjust its internal temperature to
a designated degree. In other embodiments, control unit 204 may
receive a first signal to adjust its internal temperature at an
earlier time, this may be sent by the deliverer when the UAV leaves
with a package 208 or when the UAV is within a certain distance of
the storage unit 200. This may be advantageous so that storage unit
200 can stay closed until necessary to prevent tampering and for
more efficient temperature control.
[0035] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a UAV aligning with a storage
unit for delivery of a package. The UAV 302 may communicate with
storage unit 300 to align with opening 304 for delivery. UAV 302
and storage unit 300 may use a GPS locator to locate storage unit
300. Additional sensors may be used to align the UAV with opening
304. For example, a camera may be used to align the UAV directly
above opening 304 of storage unit 300. Storage unit 300 may also
emit a signal that is received by the UAV to help with alignment.
The UAV may lower in altitude as it approaches storage unit 300 to
a desired dropping distance.
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a UAV lowering package 404 into the
opening 406 of storage unit 400. In some embodiments, a package 404
may be connected to the UAV by a retractable cord. In these
embodiments, the cord may lower the package when the UAV has
aligned with the opening of storage unit 400 and lowered to desired
dropping distance above storage unit 400. The dropping distance may
be determined based on the fragility of the contents of the package
or hazards in the area. In some embodiments, the cord 402 may lower
the package 404 into storage unit 400. In other embodiments,
package 404 may be dropped from a distance above the opening of
storage unit 400.
[0037] Some embodiments may have a device to absorb the impact of
the drop on the package. In some embodiments, a cushioning layer
may line the bottom of storage unit 400. The cushioning layer may
include packing materials, such as air-filled plastic pillows,
packing peanuts, or traditional pillows. In other embodiments, a
soft-sided bag may be suspended within storage unit 400 to catch
the package 404.
[0038] After the package is released, storage unit 400 may detect
that contents have been delivered. In some embodiments, a signal
may be sent by the UAV indicating that the package has been
delivered, other embodiments may have a sensor for detecting
contents. After storage unit 400 determines that the contents have
been added, it may close the doors of storage unit 400.
Additionally, when storage unit 400 determines that a package has
been delivered, it may send a notification, such as a message to a
mobile phone, to a recipient that a package has arrived. It may
additionally or alternatively change a display or turn on a lamp to
indicate that storage unit 400 contains a package.
[0039] FIG. 5 depicts a recipient 502 retrieving a package 504 from
storage unit 500. The recipient 502 may have been away at the time
of delivery or may be prompted to retrieve package 504 via a
notification. The control unit of storage unit 500 may receive a
signal from recipient 502 mobile phone. The signal may include a
code identifying the recipient. If the control unit determines that
the recipient is sending the signal it may open doors 506 to allow
recipient 502 to retrieve the package. In other embodiments the
doors may be secured by a locking mechanism which may be unlocked
when the recipient signal is received. In other embodiments the
recipient may be identified by physical feature recognition devices
such as a facial recognition device or a finger-print device that
identifies one or more approved recipients.
[0040] The approved recipients may be pre-programmed by the owner
of storage unit 500 and may be changed based on the contents of the
package or the owner's request. The approved recipients may be
determined using the methods disclosed herein in compliance with
the privacy requirements of a jurisdiction. For example, an owner
may program storage unit 500 to open for a member of the household
if a delivery is groceries but not if the delivery is, for example,
a gift for the family member. Or the owner may program storage unit
500 to open for a child when a delivery is made by a restaurant but
not when a delivery is made from a liquor store. Further, a storage
unit may be shared by a number of residents of an apartment
building. In these embodiments, the intended recipient may be
limited to the person who purchased the product and the control
unit may receive a signal from the UAV or scan a code on the
package that indicates the intended recipient.
[0041] The recipient 502 may remove the package 504 from the
storage unit 500. If the control unit detects that the package has
been removed, it may close the doors of storage unit 500 and may
optionally activate a lock. In some embodiments the storage unit
500 may include sensors that determine whether the package has been
removed or may determine the package has been removed when the
recipient accesses the unit. In other embodiment a person could
indicate that the package has been removed or instruct the storage
unit to power-off and/or lock via a cell phone or input device on
the storage unit. If the package has been removed, the control unit
may power-off the main energy unit of storage unit 500.
[0042] If the package is removed or there is no longer a need to
keep the interior of storage unit 500 at a certain temperature, the
heating or refrigerating mechanism may be turned off and the
storage unit may enter a sleeping mode. The solar panels, or other
charging mechanism, may continue to charge the battery while in
this mode. The solar panel may deliver direct current to an
inverter which may convert the direct current to alternating
current which is then used to charge a battery. The battery may
then be used to provide power for the storage unit 500. While in
the sleeping mode, the storage unit may be able to move
autonomously to optimize exposure to the sun. In some embodiments
the control unit may control wheels on the storage unit to move the
storage unit to the location with the most exposure throughout the
day. In other embodiments, the location of the storage unit may be
a predetermined path that may be manually entered into the control
unit. In still further embodiments, the control unit may receive a
signal from an individual and allow the individual to control the
movement of the storage unit via the wheels using a wireless
device.
[0043] FIG. 6 is an example process flow chart. At 600 a storage
unit may receive a signal that a UAV is delivering a package to the
storage unit. The storage unit may be in a sleeping mode so that
functionalities that are not necessary for receiving and processing
the incoming signal are not operating. The signal may be sent by a
UAV or by the person or entity sending the package. Some
embodiments may utilize a geo-fence to inhibit the UAV from
entering designated areas. If an incoming delivery signal is
received, the storage unit may turn on the main power unit powering
additional functionalities of the device. For example, a heating,
refrigerating, or GPS locator may be powered on at 602. At 604, the
storage unit receives a signal with a desired temperature. At 606
the storage unit activates a heating or refrigerating mechanism in
the storage unit. The unit may monitor the temperature within the
storage unit to determine when the desired temperature is achieved
and maintain the temperature within the interior of the storage
unit. In some embodiments the storage unit will determine the
amount of time necessary to achieve the desired temperature and
will activate the heating or refrigerating mechanism only when
necessary to achieve the desired temperature by the time the UAV
arrives. At 608 the storage unit receives a signal that the UAV is
approaching the storage unit.
[0044] At 610, a code may be sent to the storage unit with an
access code. The access code may be specific to the storage unit
and act as a key for opening or unlocking the storage unit. At 612,
the storage unit compares the code to the code for the storage
unit, if the code matches, the storage unit may open doors on the
storage unit allowing access to the interior at 614. At 616, the
storage unit determines that a package has been delivered. In some
embodiments, a sensor may determine that the package has been
delivered or the UAV may send a signal that the package has been
delivered. At 618 the doors of the storage unit may close and a
lock may be activated. At 620, the storage unit receives a code
from a recipient. The code may be from a mobile device that is
unique to the user device or to the storage unit. In other
embodiments the code may be entered by a recipient into a key pad
located on the device. The received code may be compared to one or
more stored codes for authorized recipients at 622. If the code is
correct, the storage unit may open doors allowing access to the
package at 624.
[0045] At 626 the unit receives a signal indicating that the
package has been retrieved. The signal may be from sensors for
sensing the presence of a package or sent by the recipient. At 628
the door closes and may optionally activate a lock. In some
embodiments the recipient may close the door or activate the lock
manually or by pressing a button or entering a code. At 630 the
additional functionalities activated at 602 may be deactivated and
the storage unit may enter a sleeping mode.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of embodiment 700. The storage
unit 702 may have a storage unit processor 710 that receives
information from a temperature sensor 704 and a weight or force
sensor 706. It may further receive or transmit information to a
storage unit transmitter or receiver 716. It may also receive
information from a storage unit GPS locator 718. The storage unit
processor 710 may send instructions to a storage unit control unit
712. The storage unit control unit 712 may then send commands to a
heating or refrigerating mechanism 708 and a door actuating device
714.
[0047] The storage unit transmitter and receiver 716 may exchange
information with the delivery vehicle transmitter and receiver 732.
A delivery vehicle processor 728 may receive input from delivery
vehicle transmitter and receiver 732, camera 734, delivery vehicle
GPS locator 722, and/or other sensors. Delivery vehicle processor
728 may then send instructions to delivery vehicle control unit 730
that controls a propeller or engine 726. In some embodiments,
delivery vehicle processor 728 may send instructions to other
navigation controlling devices and may control the cord or crane of
the delivery vehicle if the delivery vehicle is a UAV.
[0048] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope
of the disclosure. Various modifications and changes may be made to
the principles described herein without following the example
embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and
without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *