Demand-based distribution of items using intermodal carriers and unmanned aerial vehicles
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- determining a level of demand for a first item in a first geographic area at a first time by at least one computer server;
in response to determining the level of demand for the first item in the first geographic area at the first time,selecting a first number of the first item based at least in part on the level of demand for the first item in the first geographic area at the first time by the at least one computer server;
loading at least the first number of the first item into at least a first compartment of a first intermodal carrier at a first location prior to the first time, wherein the first location is not in the first geographic area, and wherein the first intermodal carrier comprises an intermodal container frame having a substantially rectangular cross-section, a common height, and at least one automatic door at an upper surface of the intermodal container frame;
loading at least a first aerial vehicle into at least the first compartment of the first intermodal carrier at the first location prior to the first time;
coupling the first intermodal carrier to at least a first powered vehicle prior to the first time, wherein the first powered vehicle is a locomotive;
selecting a first route departing from the first location for the first intermodal carrier based at least in part on at least one attribute of the first powered vehicle and the first geographic area;
causing, by at least the first powered vehicle, the first intermodal carrier to depart from the first location along the first route prior to the first time;
upon arriving at a first departure point;
operating the at least one automatic door to open the first compartment of the first intermodal carrier; and
causing the first aerial vehicle to launch from the first intermodal carrier at the first departure point.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Intermodal vehicles may be loaded with items and an aerial vehicle, and directed to travel to areas where demand for the items is known or anticipated. The intermodal vehicles may be coupled to locomotives, container ships, road tractors or other vehicles, and equipped with systems for loading one or more items onto the aerial vehicle, and for launching or retrieving the aerial vehicle while the intermodal vehicles are in motion. The areas where the demand is known or anticipated may be identified on any basis, including but not limited to past histories of purchases or deliveries to such areas, or events that are scheduled to occur in such areas. Additionally, intermodal vehicles may be loaded with replacement parts and/or inspection equipment, and configured to conduct repairs, servicing operations or inspections on aerial vehicles within the intermodal vehicles, while the intermodal vehicles are in motion.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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determining a level of demand for a first item in a first geographic area at a first time by at least one computer server; in response to determining the level of demand for the first item in the first geographic area at the first time, selecting a first number of the first item based at least in part on the level of demand for the first item in the first geographic area at the first time by the at least one computer server; loading at least the first number of the first item into at least a first compartment of a first intermodal carrier at a first location prior to the first time, wherein the first location is not in the first geographic area, and wherein the first intermodal carrier comprises an intermodal container frame having a substantially rectangular cross-section, a common height, and at least one automatic door at an upper surface of the intermodal container frame; loading at least a first aerial vehicle into at least the first compartment of the first intermodal carrier at the first location prior to the first time; coupling the first intermodal carrier to at least a first powered vehicle prior to the first time, wherein the first powered vehicle is a locomotive; selecting a first route departing from the first location for the first intermodal carrier based at least in part on at least one attribute of the first powered vehicle and the first geographic area; causing, by at least the first powered vehicle, the first intermodal carrier to depart from the first location along the first route prior to the first time; upon arriving at a first departure point; operating the at least one automatic door to open the first compartment of the first intermodal carrier; and causing the first aerial vehicle to launch from the first intermodal carrier at the first departure point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification