Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing drone deliveries

• US 10,210,475 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2016
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arrive Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Drone Delivery Systems Corporation (Arrive Technology, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pargoe, Brandon Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrington, Michael P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Singh, Rupangini
• Application Number:
  US15/018,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20170228692A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 229107, 229112, 229113, 229116, 232 20
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/147 the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/149 with central server link
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/64 for parcel delivery or retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/37 Charging when not in flight
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/95 Means for guiding the landing UAV towards the platform, e.g. lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/16 hinged for upward or downward movement cigar or cigarette receptacles A24F15/00; suitcases, ètuis A45C; casings for cosmetic substances with hinged covers A45D40/22; toolboxes B25H3/02; hinges of door or similar type E05D ; boxes for switchboards with hinged covers H02B1/066
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/26 Mechanisms for opening or closing, e.g. pedal-operated for refuse receptacles B65F1/1623
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3813 rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0836 Recipient pick-ups
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 : Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide an AirBox constructed to receive deliveries from a drone. The AirBox can comprise an automatically openable lid; and a wireless receiver that is constructed to receive data concerning a delivery from the drone. The automatically openable lid can open to receive the delivery from the drone.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an elongated receptacle comprising a plurality of walls having a first height, with at least two of the plurality of walls having a respective pair of upper edges extending from the first height to a second height at an apex of the receptacle;

an automatically openable lid comprising at least two flaps, with each of the at least two flaps being secured to a respective one of the plurality of walls of the receptacle, with a first of the at least two flaps having a first flap resting position extending downwardly from the apex at an angle along a first of the pair of upper edges of a first of the at least two of the plurality of walls and further along a first of the pair of upper edges of a second of the at least two of the plurality of walls,

wherein a second of the at least two flaps has a second flap resting position extending downwardly from the apex at an angle along a second of the pair of upper edges of the first of the at least two of the plurality of walls and further along a second of the pair of upper edges of the second of the at least two of the plurality of walls, wherein a portion of the first flap in the first flap resting position overlaps a portion of the second flap in the second flap resting position, and wherein each of the first and second of the at least two flaps has an exterior surface, and wherein a solar panel is mounted to the exterior surface of at least the first or second of the at least two flaps;

a communication device that receives signals concerning a delivery from a drone, wherein said signals cause;

the first and second of the at least two flaps of said automatically openable lid to open to respective open positions to receive said delivery from said drone; and

the first and second of the at least two flaps of said automatically openable lid to close to respective resting positions after receipt of said delivery from said drone.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

said drone.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first information device that receives said signals and, responsive to said signals, said first information device causes said automatically openable lid to open to receive said delivery from said drone; and

a second information device that controls said delivery from said drone.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a transmitter constructed to communicate a global positioning system determined location of said elongated receptacle with a second information device controlling said delivery from said drone.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power supply comprising a battery, said power supply constructed to provide electrical energy to an information device and to open said automatically openable lid.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an information device that controls said delivery from said drone.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a snow detector secured to the first or the second flap, said snow detector constructed to cause said automatically openable lid to open such that snow falls off of said automatically openable lid.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power system that recharges one or more batteries of said drone.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said automatically openable lid has overlapping flaps, said overlapping flaps constructed to resist rain entry into said elongated receptacle.

10. The system of claim 3, wherein:

said first information device is constructed to cause said system to enter a sleep mode until a signal is received from said drone.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said elongated receptacle comprises sheet metal.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein:

hinges of said automatically openable lid do not reduce an internal volume of said elongated receptacle.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said automatically openable lid is opened via a single actuator.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said automatically openable lid is opened via dual actuators.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said elongated receptacle comprises a heater, said heater constructed to maintain an interior of said elongated receptacle within a predetermined temperature range.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said elongated receptacle is thermally insulated and comprises a heater, said heater constructed to maintain an interior of said elongated receptacle within a predetermined temperature range.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said elongated receptacle comprises a lock, said lock constructed to restrict access to said elongated receptacle from anyone except a user of said elongated receptacle.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said elongated receptacle comprises a lock, said lock constructed to restrict access to said elongated receptacle from anyone except a user of said elongated receptacle via a key.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said elongated receptacle comprises a lock, said lock constructed to restrict access to said elongated receptacle from anyone except a user of said elongated receptacle via a biometric identifier.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said elongated receptacle comprises a plurality of hinges.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said delivery comprises food.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said delivery comprises mail.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said delivery comprises at least one of prescriptions, pharmaceuticals, survival supplies, packages, medicine, grocery, or a retail store item.