Mobile fulfillment centers with intermodal carriers and unmanned aerial vehicles
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving, over a network, an order for a delivery of a first item to a location;
determining that the first item is stored within a compartment of a first intermodal carrier in motion, wherein the first intermodal carrier is coupled to at least one locomotive, and wherein the first intermodal carrier includes at least a first unmanned aerial vehicle within the compartment;
causing the first item to be loaded into the first unmanned aerial vehicle within the compartment;
opening the compartment of the first intermodal carrier; and
causing the first unmanned aerial vehicle to depart from the compartment and perform the delivery of the first item from the first intermodal carrier to the location.
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.
76 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, over a network, an order for a delivery of a first item to a location; determining that the first item is stored within a compartment of a first intermodal carrier in motion, wherein the first intermodal carrier is coupled to at least one locomotive, and wherein the first intermodal carrier includes at least a first unmanned aerial vehicle within the compartment; causing the first item to be loaded into the first unmanned aerial vehicle within the compartment; opening the compartment of the first intermodal carrier; and causing the first unmanned aerial vehicle to depart from the compartment and perform the delivery of the first item from the first intermodal carrier to the location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification