Drone docking station and delivery system

• US 10,457,421 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2015
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel S O'Toole
• Original Assignee: Daniel S O'Toole
• Inventors: O'Toole, Daniel S
• Primary Examiner(s): Benedik, Justin M
• Application Number:
  US15/328,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20170203857A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,438 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/147 the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/122 Parts, details, or accessories, e.g. signalling devices, lamps, devices for leaving messages A47G29/1201 - A47G29/1218 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/12 Releasing
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/005 Protective coverings for aircraft not in use
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/32 for handling freight
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• 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 70/92 Portable platforms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 49/00 Electric permutation locks; Circuits therefor ; Mechanical aspects of electronic locks; Mechanical keys therefor arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; mechanisms including electronic locks actuated by nonmechanical keys such as passive and active electrical keys and other data carriers G07C9/00, G07F7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a system and device for a drone docking station for deposit of items delivered by drone. Items may include but not be limited to food items, groceries and parcels. A secure porch, roof, window or otherwise building mounted box may be secured through to an existing edifice or may be configured to mount to an existing mailbox post and actually take the place of the mailbox. The basic elements making of components of the box enable it to carry out one efficient and secure delivery of goods to a container box located at a specific address, and to securely hold those good until they are picked up regardless of duration, weather, or otherwise. The drone dock may employ many different technological devices in order to provide for communication between the drone dock and a drone, security, and preservation of the delivered goods before during and after delivery.

Claims

1. A drone docking station device comprising:

A container with a motorized sliding door for accepting deliveries of a group of food items, groceries and/or parcels (e.g. goods); and

The container mounted to a building, house, post, porch, roof, window or existing mailbox;

A device mounted on the container for communicating with a drone

A letter slot allowing for one way deposits of mail;

A flood light energized by a motion detector for enhanced area security; and

A solar panel mounted on the docking station

Wherein the container is mounted for ready access by persons to a building, house, post, porch, roof, window and/or existing mailbox.

2. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising:

An engagement signal wave of the drone with the drone docking station triggering the transmission of a code unlocking the container;

Wherein communication between the drone and the docking station is wireless either directly or through a remote server; and

Wherein the wireless communication may be Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, satellite, or through an RFID mechanism.

3. The drone docking station of claim 2 further comprising a solar panel.

4. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising:

The container including a device capable of communicating GPS information to the drone to facilitate docking with said container.

5. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising wherein disengagement of the drone from the docking station triggers the container to securely close.

6. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising a curved bottom in the interior of the container to mitigate the abruptness of dropping an item from the group of food items into the container.

7. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising a soft material in the bottom of the interior of the container to mitigate the abruptness of dropping an item from the group of food items into the container.

8. The docking station of claim 1 wherein the container is temperature controlled.

9. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the docking station includes a power source, said power source being any of a connection to an electronic outlet, onboard battery power, and/or wind power.

10. The docking station of claim 9, further comprising charging the drone'"'"'s power source while it is connected to the docking station.

11. The docking station of claim 10, wherein the drone or the drone docking station sends information on any of charging status, takeoff status, or delivery status to one or more parties.

12. The docking station of claim 1, wherein delivery of items from the drone into the container triggers a signal to one or more parties that the items have been delivered.

13. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the docking station container has a heated top.

14. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising a mounted security camera.

15. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the docking station is mounted to a surface by hardware capable of anchoring into wood, concrete, metal, or masonry.

16. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising structures enabling a two phased docking approach, said phases being a first phase comprising an initial contact between the drone and the docking station, and a second phase of guiding a drone into a final landing position on the docking station.

17. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising one or more devices connected to the container enabling a recipient of the delivered goods to unlock the container through an entered code, a key, a keypad or through unlocking via a mobile electronic device software application.

18. The drone docking station device of claim 1 further comprising a battery exchange mechanism to provide means for interchanging drone batteries and exchanging a discharged battery with a charged battery.

19. The drone docking station of claim 1 further comprising a wind block.

20. The drone docking station of claim 1 further comprising a collector panel (80) for detection of explosives, anthrax, and other perceived threats.

21. A drone docking station for accepting deliveries of goods from a drone comprising:

a means of locating the drone docking station such that the drone may accurately approach and dock with the drone docking station;

a means of engaging the drone docking station such that a stable connection or attachment can be made to the drone;

a means of transferring the goods of the drone to the interior of the drone docking station;

a means of preserving and securely storing the delivered goods contents once in the interior of the drone docking station;

a mean of disengaging the drone from the drone docking station;

a means of communication between the drone and the drone docking station;

At least one functional component incorporated within the interior of the drone docking station to allow for preservation and security of the stored goods and to prevent damage during the transfer and subsequent storage;

a means of securing the drone docking station to a structure post mount located at a residential or commercial address;

a letter slot allowing for one way deposits of mail;

a motion flood light for enhanced area security; and

a solar panel mounted on the docking station.