Apparatuses and methods for receiving aerial vehicle delivery

• US 10,457,393 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2017
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: Thompson, John P., Winkle, David C., Letson, Eric A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Heinle, Courtney D
• Application Number:
  US15/479,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20170283057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/144 the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/146 the receptacle comprising identification means, e.g. a bar code
• 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: B64D 1/22 Taking-up articles from earth's surface
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/007 Helicopter portable landing pads
• 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 2101/67 the UAVs comprising tethers for lowering the goods
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for receiving aerial vehicle delivery. An apparatus for receiving aerial vehicle delivery comprises a receiving pad configured to receive a package released by an aerial vehicle; one or more accessory couplers attached to the receiving pad and configured to allow a receiving pad accessory to couple to and uncouple from the receiving pad; and a wall portion surrounding at least a portion of the receiving pad, the wall portion being removably coupled to the receiving pad via an accessory coupler.

Claims

1. An apparatus for receiving aerial vehicle delivery comprising:

a receiving pad configured to receive a package released by an aerial vehicle hovering over the receiving pad;

one or more accessory couplers attached to the receiving pad and configured to allow a receiving pad accessory to couple to and uncouple from the receiving pad; and

a wall portion surrounding at least a portion of the receiving pad, the wall portion being removably coupled to the receiving pad via an accessory coupler; and

wherein the receiving pad is coupled to a motorized retractor configured to retract and extend the receiving pad; and

wherein the motorized retractor is configured to automatically extend the receiving pad in response to the aerial vehicle approaching the receiving pad.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wall portion comprises flexible netting configured to prevent packages from sliding out of the receiving pad.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving pad comprises one or more of a padded layer and a foam layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving pad accessory comprises a receiving identifier.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the receiving identifier comprises one or more of a visual identifier, an optically readable code, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an optical beacon, and a radio frequency beacon.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one or more accessory couplers comprise a receiving identifier coupler.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the receiving identifier is configured to be updated for each aerial vehicle delivery drop.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the receiving identifier corresponds to one or more of a receiving pad identifier, a customer account identifier, and a delivery order identifier.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving pad accessory comprises an anchor for securing the receiving pad to one or more of a ground and a fixture.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving pad accessory comprises a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with one or more of the aerial vehicle and a central computer system.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to provide an authorization signal to the aerial vehicle to authorize a release of the package.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the authorization signal is provided based on one or more of a user proximity to the receiving pad and a user configured setting.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving pad comprises one or more folding creases for retracting the receiving pad.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving pad comprises a rollable material configured to be rolled up when not in use.

15. A method for receiving aerial vehicle delivery, comprising:

placing a receiving pad to receive a package delivered by an aerial vehicle hovering over the receiving pad, the receiving pad comprises one or more accessory couplers configured to allow a receiving pad accessory to couple to and uncouple from the receiving pad; and

removably attaching a wall portion to the receiving pad via an accessory coupler to surround at least a portion of the receiving pad; and

coupling the receiving pad to a motorized retractor configured to retract and extend the receiving pad;

wherein the motorized retractor is configured to automatically extend the receiving pad in response to the aerial vehicle approaching the receiving pad.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

updating a receiving identifier attached the receiving pad via one of the one or more accessory couplers prior to a delivery from the aerial vehicle.

17. A system for receiving aerial vehicle delivery comprising:

a package receiving apparatus comprising;

a receiving pad;

one or more accessory couplers attached to the receiving pad and configured to allow a receiving pad accessory to couple to and uncouple from the receiving pad;

a motorized retractor configured to retract and extend the receiving pad; and

a wall portion surrounding at least a portion of the receiving pad, the wall portion being removably coupled to the receiving pad via an accessory coupler; and

an aerial vehicle configured to deliver a package while in flight comprising;

a receiving pad sensor configured to identify a delivery spot based on a receiving identifier; and

a package release device configured to release the package onto the portion of the receiving pad surround by the wall portion while hovering over the receiving pad;

wherein the motorized retractor is configured to automatically extend the receiving pad in response to the aerial vehicle approaching the receiving pad.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the package release device comprises a crane configured to lower the package into the portion of the receiving pad surround by the wall portion.