Methods and systems for requesting and displaying UAV information

• US 10,467,578 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2017
• Issued: 11/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Barrington, Luke, Lesser, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US15/588,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20180322443A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/22 Taking-up articles from earth's surface
• 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: G01C 21/32 Structuring or formatting of map data
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0027 involving a plurality of vehicles, e.g. fleet or convoy travelling fleet control of land vehicles from a control room G05D1/0297; traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/00; for marine craft G08G3/00; for aircraft G08G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0234 using optical markers or beacons optical beacons per se G01S1/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping

Abstract

Described herein are methods and systems that help facilitate the summoning and loading of a pickup and delivery unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In particular, a computing system may display a graphical interface including an interface feature that indicates UAV assignments. That computing system may receive a message including a UAV identifier that identifies a particular UAV assigned to a particular item based on a UAV-assignment request for the particular item. And the computing system may use the received UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the particular item.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

displaying, by a computing system, a graphical interface comprising an interface feature that indicates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assignments;

receiving, by the computing system, a message comprising a UAV identifier that identifies a particular UAV assigned to a particular item based on a UAV-assignment request for the particular item, wherein the UAV-assignment request comprises a request to have a UAV assigned to pick up the particular item at a source location for subsequent transport of the particular item from the source location to another location;

using the received UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the particular item;

receiving, by the computing system, a flight-status notification indicating a status of flight by the particular UAV to the source location for pickup of the particular item; and

using the received flight-status notification as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, a graphical status indicating the status of flight by the particular UAV to the source location for pickup of the particular item.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the computing system, the UAV-assignment request for the particular item; and

in response to receiving the UAV-assignment request, transmitting, by the computing system, the UAV-assignment request to a server that coordinates UAV assignments,

wherein receiving the message comprises receiving the message from the server in response to transmitting the UAV-assignment request to the server.

3. The method of claim 1,

wherein the UAV-assignment request is based on a transport request requesting to have the particular item transported from the source location to another location,

wherein the source location is associated with the computing system displaying the graphical interface,

wherein the transport request is received at a server that coordinates UAV assignments, and

wherein receiving the message comprises receiving the message from the server based on the computing system being associated with the source location.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the message further comprises an item identifier of the particular item, thereby indicating that the UAV identifier identifies the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the UAV-assignment request includes a weight of the particular item, and wherein the particular UAV is assigned based at least on the weight of the particular item.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the flight-status notification indicating the status of flight by the particular UAV to the source location for pickup of the particular item comprises the flight-status notification indicating one or more of the following:

(i) that the particular UAV is waiting for takeoff to the source location, (ii) that the particular UAV is en route to the source location, or (iii) an estimated time-of-arrival of the particular UAV at the source location.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the UAV-assignment request is a first UAV-assignment request, wherein the particular item is a first item, wherein the message is a first message, wherein the UAV identifier is a first UAV identifier, wherein the particular UAV is a first UAV, the method further comprising:

receiving, by the computing system, a second message comprising a second UAV identifier that identifies a second UAV assigned to a second item based on a second UAV-assignment request for the second item; and

using the received second UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the second UAV assigned to the second item based the second UAV-assignment request for the second item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the second item.

8. The method of claim 7,

wherein the graphical identifier of the first item is displayed on the graphical interface substantially alongside the graphical identifier of the first UAV, thereby indicating that the first UAV is assigned to the first item based on the first UAV-assignment request for the first item, and

wherein the graphical identifier of the second item is displayed on the graphical interface substantially alongside the graphical identifier of the second UAV, thereby indicating that the second UAV is assigned to the second item based on the second UAV-assignment request for the second item.

9. A method comprising:

displaying, by a computing system, a graphical interface comprising an interface feature that indicates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assignments;

receiving, by the computing system, an indication that a weight of a particular item is higher than a threshold weight;

in response to receiving the indication, displaying, on the graphical interface, a graphical status indicating that the weight is higher than the threshold weight, wherein the graphical status is a graphical prompt requesting an update to the weight of the particular item;

receiving, by the computing system, a message comprising a UAV identifier that identifies a particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on a UAV-assignment request for the particular item, wherein the UAV-assignment request includes the weight of the particular item; and

using the received UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the particular item.

10. A method comprising:

displaying, by a computing system, a graphical interface comprising an interface feature that indicates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assignments;

receiving, by the computing system, an indication that a weight of a particular item is higher than a threshold weight;

in response to receiving the indication, displaying, on the graphical interface, a graphical status indicating that the weight is higher than the threshold weight;

receiving, by the computing system, an update to a UAV-assignment request indicating an update to the weight of the particular item;

receiving, by the computing system, a message comprising a UAV identifier that identifies a particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item, wherein the particular UAV is assigned based at least on the updated weight of the particular item; and

using the received UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the particular item.

11. A method comprising:

displaying, by a computing system, a graphical interface comprising an interface feature that indicates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assignments;

receiving, by the computing system, a message comprising a UAV identifier that identifies a particular UAV assigned to a particular item based on a UAV-assignment request for the particular item, wherein the UAV-assignment request comprises a request to have a UAV assigned to pick up the particular item at a source location for subsequent transport of the particular item from the source location to another location;

using the received UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the particular item;

receiving, by the computing system, an arrival notification indicating that the particular UAV has arrived or that arrival of the particular UAV is imminent at the source location; and

in response to receiving the arrival notification, outputting, by the computing system, an indication that the particular UAV has arrived or that arrival of the particular UAV is imminent at the source location.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein outputting the indication in response to receiving the arrival notification comprises:

using the received arrival notification as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, a graphical status indicating that the particular UAV has arrived or that arrival of the particular UAV is imminent at the source location.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein outputting the indication in response to receiving the arrival notification comprises:

causing an audio output device to output an audible alert indicating that the particular UAV has arrived or that arrival of the particular UAV is imminent at the source location.

14. A method comprising:

displaying, by a computing system, a graphical interface comprising an interface feature that indicates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assignments;

receiving, by the computing system, a message comprising a UAV identifier that identifies a particular UAV assigned to a particular item based on a UAV-assignment request for the particular item wherein the UAV-assignment request comprises a request to have a UAV assigned to pick up the particular item at a source location for subsequent transport of the particular item from the source location to another location;

using the received UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the particular item;

receiving, by the computing system, a sub-location notification indicating a sub-location of the source location at which the particular UAV has arrived or at which arrival of the particular UAV is imminent; and

in response to receiving the sub-location notification, outputting, by the computing system, an indication of the sub-location at which the particular UAV has arrived or at which arrival of the particular UAV is imminent.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein outputting the indication in response to receiving the sub-location notification comprises:

using the received sub-location notification as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, a graphical status indicating the sub-location at which the particular UAV has arrived or at which arrival of the particular UAV is imminent.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein outputting the indication in response to receiving the sub-location notification comprises:

causing an audio output device to output an audible alert indicating the sub-location at which the particular UAV has arrived or at which arrival of the particular UAV is imminent.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein outputting the indication of the sub-location comprises outputting information indicating directions to the sub-location at which the particular UAV has arrived or at which arrival of the particular UAV is imminent.

18. A method comprising:

displaying, by a computing system, a graphical interface comprising an interface feature that indicates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assignments;

receiving, by the computing system, a message comprising a UAV identifier that identifies a particular UAV assigned to a particular item based on a UAV-assignment request for the particular item, wherein the UAV-assignment request comprises a request to have a UAV assigned to pick up the particular item at a source location for subsequent transport of the particular item from the source location to another location;

using the received UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the particular item;

receiving, by the computing system, a successful-pickup notification indicating that the particular UAV successfully picked up the particular item at the source location for subsequent transport of the particular item by the particular UAV to another location; and

using the received successful-pickup notification as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, a graphical status indicating that the particular UAV successfully picked up the particular item at the source location for subsequent transport of the particular item by the particular UAV to another location.

19. A method comprising:

displaying, by a computing system, a graphical interface comprising an interface feature that indicates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assignments;

receiving, by the computing system, a message comprising a UAV identifier that identifies a particular UAV assigned to a particular item based on a UAV-assignment request for the particular item, wherein the UAV-assignment request comprises a request to have a UAV assigned to pick up the particular item at a source location for subsequent transport of the particular item from the source location to another location;

using the received UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the particular item;

receiving, by the computing system, a successful-pickup notification indicating that the particular UAV successfully picked up the particular item at the source location for subsequent transport of the particular item by the particular UAV to another location; and

in response to receiving the successful-pickup notification, facilitating, by the computing system, transmission of an indication that the particular item has been picked up, wherein the transmission is to a device associated with the other location.

20. A method comprising:

displaying, by a computing system, a graphical interface comprising an interface feature that indicates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assignments;

receiving, by the computing system, a message comprising a UAV identifier that identifies a particular UAV assigned to a particular item based on a UAV-assignment request for the particular item, wherein the UAV-assignment request comprises a request to have a UAV assigned to pick up the particular item at a source location for subsequent transport of the particular item from the source location to another location;

using the received UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the particular item;

receiving, by the computing system, an unsuccessful-pickup notification indicating that the particular UAV did not successfully pick up the particular item at the source location for subsequent transport of the particular item by the particular UAV to another location; and

using the received unsuccessful-pickup notification as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, a graphical status indicating that the particular UAV did not successfully pick up the particular item at the source location for subsequent transport of the particular item by the particular UAV to another location.

21. A method comprising:

displaying, by a computing system, a graphical interface comprising an interface feature that indicates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assignments;

receiving, by the computing system, a message comprising a UAV identifier that identifies a particular UAV assigned to a particular item based on a UAV-assignment request for the particular item, wherein the UAV-assignment request comprises a request to have a UAV assigned to pick up the particular item at a source location for subsequent transport of the particular item from the source location to another location;

using the received UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the particular UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) a graphical identifier of the particular item, wherein the message is a first message, wherein the UAV identifier is a first UAV identifier, and wherein the particular UAV is a first UAV;

receiving, by the computing system, an unsuccessful-pickup notification indicating that the first UAV did not successfully pick up the particular item at the source location for subsequent transport of the particular item by the first UAV to another location;

in response to receiving the unsuccessful-pickup notification, receiving, by the computing system, a second message comprising a second UAV identifier that identifies a second UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item; and

using the received second UAV identifier as a basis for displaying, on the graphical interface, (i) a graphical identifier of the second UAV assigned to the particular item based on the UAV-assignment request for the particular item and (ii) the graphical identifier of the particular item.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving the second message in response to receiving the unsuccessful-pickup notification comprises:

in response to receiving the unsuccessful-pickup notification, transmitting, by the computing system to a server that coordinates UAV assignments, an indication that the first UAV did not successfully pick up the particular item at the source location; and

receiving the second message from the server in response to transmitting to the server the indication that the first UAV did not successfully pick up the particular item at the source location.